вторник, 28 февраля 2012 г.
суббота, 25 февраля 2012 г.
Arun Thampi, a programmer in Singapore, recently discovered that the mobile social network Path had been surreptitiously copying address book information from users' iPhones without notifying them.
David Morin, Path's voluble chief executive, quickly commented on Mr. Thampi's blog that Path's actions were an "industry best practice." He then became uncharacteristically quiet as the Internet disagreed and erupted in outrage. Breaking his silence, he did take the time to reply to the actress Alyssa Milano, who was one of hundreds who questioned Path's practices. (His reply to her via Twitter contained his personal e-mail address.)
Mr. Morin seemed unconcerned about how people could be harmed by his company's carelessness. Consider this: Amira El Ahl, a foreign journalist covering the Middle East, said bloggers in Egypt and Tunisia are often approached online by people who are state security agents in disguise.
The most sought-after bounty for state officials: dissidents' address books, to figure out whom they associate with, where they live and information about their families. In some cases, this information leads to roundups and arrests.
A person's contacts are so sensitive that Alec Ross, a senior adviser on innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, said the State Department was supporting development of an application that would act as a "panic button" on a smartphone, enabling people to erase all contacts with one click if they were arrested during a protest.
Mr. Morin eventually did bow to pressure with an earnest apology on the company's blog. He said that Path would begin asking for permission before grabbing address books and that the company would destroy the data collected.
And with that, the knife fight turned into a pillow fight. Mr. Morin, who declined to comment, was praised and exonerated of any wrongdoing by his peers in Silicon Valley. On Twitter, he was repeatedly "applauded" and called a "pro." Christopher Sacca, a prominent angel investor, commented to Mr. Morin via Twitter: "Impressed by how you handled the privacy issue today."
Some even asked: What's the big deal anyway?
The big deal is that privacy and security are not a big deal in Silicon Valley. While technorati tripped over themselves to congratulate Mr. Morin on having finessed the bad publicity, a number of concerned engineers e-mailed me noting that the data collection had not been an accident. It would have taken programmers weeks to write the code necessary to copy and organize someone's address book. Many said Apple was at fault, too, for having approved Path for its App Store when it appears to violate Apple's rules.
David Jacobs, a fellow with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, noted that, once again, an Internet company had shown a lack of understanding about the consequences of taking data.
Lawyers I spoke with said that my address book -- which contains my reporting sources at companies and in government -- is protected under the First Amendment. On Path's servers, it is frightfully open for anyone to see and use, because the company did not encrypt the data.
Mary Landesman, a senior security researcher at Cisco, a U.S. multinational corporation that produces computer networking products and services, says start-ups often do not build apps with security in mind: "Attackers are like electricity; they like to follow the track of least resistance."
At Mr. Morin's last job at Facebook, his boss Mark Zuckerberg apologized publicly more than 10 times for privacy breaches.
It seems the management philosophy of "ask for forgiveness, not permission" is becoming the "industry best practice." And based on the response to Mr. Morin, technology executives are even praised for it.
Copyright International Herald Tribune Feb 14, 2012
NICK BILTON
_________________________________________________________________________________
Apparently, they were looking in the wrong place.
In December, the duo, both Mahwah natives, finally "struck gold," according to local historian and author Tom O'Brien, a trustee of the Mahwah Museum, when they stumbled upon the plant's dedication plaque. It was a find deemed to be of such local significance that O'Brien said it will go on display later this month as part of the museum's permanent collection.
That the young men found the plaque at all was a "miracle," according to Dalessio. But where they found it -- on the Internet sales site Craigslist -- is something they're both still laughing and shaking their heads about.
"I was on the site about a week or so before Christmas," Dalessio recalled, "just looking for bargains ... you know ... stuff people were selling in town."
A 21-year-old student at the Culinary Institute of America, Dalessio said he frequently goes onto the site in search of "random stuff. Old car parts. Signs. Whatever. I've just always had this affinity for antique-type things, stuff from another era. I did a search for 'Mahwah' and, just like that, I saw a listing that said 'Rare antique Ford sign, bronze, Mahwah Ford assembly plant, 1955.'
"I said, 'no way ... this can't be,' " Dalessio said. "But, I clicked on the link and there it was. I immediately sent the link to Dave. I was like, 'Is this possible?' "
The seller, Rick Nerger, an estate liquidator in Rockaway Township, was asking $650 for the plaque, which he told Dalessio and Howard had been in the garage of a "pack rat" who died last year and left behind all sorts of unlikely treasures.
"He had a few statues, antiques, a few odd things," Nerger said, "but no other Ford memorabilia, so I have no idea whether he worked at the plant or not."
Howard, 22, a student at Lincoln Tech, whose grandfather worked at the Edgewater Ford plant in the 1940s and '50s, said he and Dalessio pooled their limited resources, hit up their parents and friends for donations, and told the seller they were definitely interested.
Howard then drove to meet Nerger in, appropriately, his blue 1999 Ford Mustang. "Once I had [the plaque] in my hands," Howard said, "it felt kind of awesome. We were a little reluctant about buying it, because it was a lot of money for us, but when we finally had it and were able to see it, we realized how important it was."
He and Dalessio knew right away that they wanted to donate it to the museum and contacted O'Brien who, in addition to being a member of its board of trustees, authored the sole book on the facility: "The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, Mahwah, N.J. 1955-1980."
While O'Brien has little doubt of the plaque's authenticity, he still isn't sure, after sifting through dozens of photos in the museum's archives, whether the plaque hung inside or outside the plant.
"The plaque is about 2 feet wide, almost a foot and a half high and quite heavy," O'Brien noted. "The condition suggests to me that it was outside the building, but I'm still not sure. It's not in the outdoor photos we have during the 1955 dedication ceremony, but often these types of plaques are added later."
The plaque shows obvious signs of deterioration, O'Brien added, "which would suggest it was kept outside. But the plant closed over 30 years ago, and I can't be sure if that [deterioration] was from where the previous owner kept it."
Nostalgia from heyday
Although best remembered by many residents because of the toxic sludge it left behind in nearby Ringwood, the plant still generates strong feelings of nostalgia for those who recall its heyday.
At the time it opened, it was the largest auto assembly plant in the country, covering an area the size of seven football fields. And it turned out memorable vehicles such as the finned Thunderbirds of the late 1950s -- which Americans instantly fell in love with -- as well as the country's first seven Edsels, which became one of the great automotive flops of all time.
As the plant was about to close in 1980, a victim of a sluggish economy and changing tastes, presidential hopeful Ted Kennedy used the plant as a campaign stop, giving a speech there about the "failed and flawed economic policies" of the Carter administration. The plant was later mentioned in the haunting Bruce Springsteen ballad "Johnny 99," recorded by Springsteen, Johnny Cash and others.
O'Brien said that as the plant lives on in local legend, it seems to exert some special pull over younger residents like Dalessio and Howard. "I'm not sure why the plant is so fascinating to young people," he said, although he surmises that the plant's almost complete disappearance -- the deconstruction began in 1980 and all remnants of it were removed by Ford -- makes the site a local curiosity.
In addition to the plaque, many photographs remain, and O'Brien says residents continue to send him pictures as they find them, which he hopes will eventually solve the mystery of where the plaque was originally located.
"We get new photos of the plant all the time, though, so we're going to continue looking."
________________________________________________________________________________
пятница, 17 февраля 2012 г.
среда, 15 февраля 2012 г.
Cost: Starting at $2,049 for cruise packages, including to Paris, Burgundy or Vienna.
What's included: All cruises packages include deluxe 7- to 14- night river cruise; accommodations with river views; all gourmet meals aboard the ship; guided shore excursions in each port visited; fine wines and beers served with dinner; captain's welcome and farewell party; a copy of Premier's Exclusive Solo Traveler Planning Guide; and complimentary Internet, Wi-Fi and fitness center.
When: Book by Feb. 20 for travel throughout the year.
Information: 1-855-255-1200 or premierrivercruises.com/river- cruises-for-the-single-traveler.
-- Alexis Tarrazi
2012
Alexis Tarrazi
Cost: Starting at $2,049 for cruise packages, including to Paris, Burgundy or Vienna.
What's included: All cruises packages include deluxe 7- to 14- night river cruise; accommodations with river views; all gourmet meals aboard the ship; guided shore excursions in each port visited; fine wines and beers served with dinner; captain's welcome and farewell party; a copy of Premier's Exclusive Solo Traveler Planning Guide; and complimentary Internet, Wi-Fi and fitness center.
When: Book by Feb. 20 for travel throughout the year.
Information: 1-855-255-1200 or premierrivercruises.com/river- cruises-for-the-single-traveler.
-- Alexis Tarrazi
2012
Alexis Tarrazi
Copyright The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
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FORD PLANT MARKER FOUND ON WEB
[The Record (Bergen County, NJ)]
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
February 13, 2012 | BILL ERVOLINOEmail: ervolino@northjersey.com
BILL ERVOLINOEmail: ervolino@northjersey.com
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
02-13-2012
FORD PLANT MARKER FOUND ON WEB
Byline: BILL ERVOLINOEmail: ervolino@northjersey.com
Section: LOCAL
Type: News
For four years, college students Mike Dalessio and David Howard have been souvenir hunting in the woods behind the Sheraton Mahwah, searching for any remnants they could find of the massive Ford Motor Co. assembly plant that, from 1955 to 1980, occupied the overgrown site nestled between Route 17 and the Ramapo River.
Apparently, they were looking in the wrong place.
In December, the duo, both Mahwah natives, finally "struck gold," according to local historian and author Tom O'Brien, a trustee of the Mahwah Museum, when they stumbled upon the plant's dedication plaque. It was a find deemed to be of such local significance that O'Brien said it will go on display later this month as part of the museum's permanent collection.
That the young men found the plaque at all was a "miracle," according to Dalessio. But where they found it -- on the Internet sales site Craigslist -- is something they're both still laughing and shaking their heads about.
"I was on the site about a week or so before Christmas," Dalessio recalled, "just looking for bargains ... you know ... stuff people were selling in town."
A 21-year-old student at the Culinary Institute of America, Dalessio said he frequently goes onto the site in search of "random stuff. Old car parts. Signs. Whatever. I've just always had this affinity for antique-type things, stuff from another era. I did a search for 'Mahwah' and, just like that, I saw a listing that said 'Rare antique Ford sign, bronze, Mahwah Ford assembly plant, 1955.'
"I said, 'no way ... this can't be,' " Dalessio said. "But, I clicked on the link and there it was. I immediately sent the link to Dave. I was like, 'Is this possible?' "
The seller, Rick Nerger, an estate liquidator in Rockaway Township, was asking $650 for the plaque, which he told Dalessio and Howard had been in the garage of a "pack rat" who died last year and left behind all sorts of unlikely treasures.
"He had a few statues, antiques, a few odd things," Nerger said, "but no other Ford memorabilia, so I have no idea whether he worked at the plant or not."
Howard, 22, a student at Lincoln Tech, whose grandfather worked at the Edgewater Ford plant in the 1940s and '50s, said he and Dalessio pooled their limited resources, hit up their parents and friends for donations, and told the seller they were definitely interested.
Howard then drove to meet Nerger in, appropriately, his blue 1999 Ford Mustang. "Once I had [the plaque] in my hands," Howard said, "it felt kind of awesome. We were a little reluctant about buying it, because it was a lot of money for us, but when we finally had it and were able to see it, we realized how important it was."
He and Dalessio knew right away that they wanted to donate it to the museum and contacted O'Brien who, in addition to being a member of its board of trustees, authored the sole book on the facility: "The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant, Mahwah, N.J. 1955-1980."
While O'Brien has little doubt of the plaque's authenticity, he still isn't sure, after sifting through dozens of photos in the museum's archives, whether the plaque hung inside or outside the plant.
"The plaque is about 2 feet wide, almost a foot and a half high and quite heavy," O'Brien noted. "The condition suggests to me that it was outside the building, but I'm still not sure. It's not in the outdoor photos we have during the 1955 dedication ceremony, but often these types of plaques are added later."
The plaque shows obvious signs of deterioration, O'Brien added, "which would suggest it was kept outside. But the plant closed over 30 years ago, and I can't be sure if that [deterioration] was from where the previous owner kept it."
Nostalgia from heyday
Although best remembered by many residents because of the toxic sludge it left behind in nearby Ringwood, the plant still generates strong feelings of nostalgia for those who recall its heyday.
At the time it opened, it was the largest auto assembly plant in the country, covering an area the size of seven football fields. And it turned out memorable vehicles such as the finned Thunderbirds of the late 1950s -- which Americans instantly fell in love with -- as well as the country's first seven Edsels, which became one of the great automotive flops of all time.
As the plant was about to close in 1980, a victim of a sluggish economy and changing tastes, presidential hopeful Ted Kennedy used the plant as a campaign stop, giving a speech there about the "failed and flawed economic policies" of the Carter administration. The plant was later mentioned in the haunting Bruce Springsteen ballad "Johnny 99," recorded by Springsteen, Johnny Cash and others.
O'Brien said that as the plant lives on in local legend, it seems to exert some special pull over younger residents like Dalessio and Howard. "I'm not sure why the plant is so fascinating to young people," he said, although he surmises that the plant's almost complete disappearance -- the deconstruction began in 1980 and all remnants of it were removed by Ford -- makes the site a local curiosity.
In addition to the plaque, many photographs remain, and O'Brien says residents continue to send him pictures as they find them, which he hopes will eventually solve the mystery of where the plaque was originally located.
"We get new photos of the plant all the time, though, so we're going to continue looking."
2012
BILL ERVOLINOEmail: ervolino@northjersey.com
Copyright The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
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To Silicon Valley, privacy is simply not a big deal
[International Herald Tribune]
International Herald Tribune
February 14, 2012 | NICK BILTON
NICK BILTON
International Herald Tribune
02-14-2012
To Silicon Valley, privacy is simply not a big deal
Byline: NICK BILTON
Section: Disruptions
Type: News
Privacy and security are not a big deal in Silicon Valley. Concerned engineers say collection of data, like the address books recently picked up by Path, is not accidental.
Arun Thampi, a programmer in Singapore, recently discovered that the mobile social network Path had been surreptitiously copying address book information from users' iPhones without notifying them.
David Morin, Path's voluble chief executive, quickly commented on Mr. Thampi's blog that Path's actions were an "industry best practice." He then became uncharacteristically quiet as the Internet disagreed and erupted in outrage. Breaking his silence, he did take the time to reply to the actress Alyssa Milano, who was one of hundreds who questioned Path's practices. (His reply to her via Twitter contained his personal e-mail address.)
Mr. Morin seemed unconcerned about how people could be harmed by his company's carelessness. Consider this: Amira El Ahl, a foreign journalist covering the Middle East, said bloggers in Egypt and Tunisia are often approached online by people who are state security agents in disguise.
The most sought-after bounty for state officials: dissidents' address books, to figure out whom they associate with, where they live and information about their families. In some cases, this information leads to roundups and arrests.
A person's contacts are so sensitive that Alec Ross, a senior adviser on innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, said the State Department was supporting development of an application that would act as a "panic button" on a smartphone, enabling people to erase all contacts with one click if they were arrested during a protest.
Mr. Morin eventually did bow to pressure with an earnest apology on the company's blog. He said that Path would begin asking for permission before grabbing address books and that the company would destroy the data collected.
And with that, the knife fight turned into a pillow fight. Mr. Morin, who declined to comment, was praised and exonerated of any wrongdoing by his peers in Silicon Valley. On Twitter, he was repeatedly "applauded" and called a "pro." Christopher Sacca, a prominent angel investor, commented to Mr. Morin via Twitter: "Impressed by how you handled the privacy issue today."
Some even asked: What's the big deal anyway?
The big deal is that privacy and security are not a big deal in Silicon Valley. While technorati tripped over themselves to congratulate Mr. Morin on having finessed the bad publicity, a number of concerned engineers e-mailed me noting that the data collection had not been an accident. It would have taken programmers weeks to write the code necessary to copy and organize someone's address book. Many said Apple was at fault, too, for having approved Path for its App Store when it appears to violate Apple's rules.
David Jacobs, a fellow with the Electronic Privacy Information Center, noted that, once again, an Internet company had shown a lack of understanding about the consequences of taking data.
Lawyers I spoke with said that my address book -- which contains my reporting sources at companies and in government -- is protected under the First Amendment. On Path's servers, it is frightfully open for anyone to see and use, because the company did not encrypt the data.
Mary Landesman, a senior security researcher at Cisco, a U.S. multinational corporation that produces computer networking products and services, says start-ups often do not build apps with security in mind: "Attackers are like electricity; they like to follow the track of least resistance."
At Mr. Morin's last job at Facebook, his boss Mark Zuckerberg apologized publicly more than 10 times for privacy breaches.
It seems the management philosophy of "ask for forgiveness, not permission" is becoming the "industry best practice." And based on the response to Mr. Morin, technology executives are even praised for it.
Copyright International Herald Tribune Feb 14, 2012
NICK BILTON
Copyright International Herald Tribune
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CENTRAL ASIA: KAZAKH MEDIA FACES HARSH CRACKDOWN
[Inter Press Service English News Wire]
Inter Press Service English News Wire
February 13, 2012 | Christopher Pala
Christopher Pala
Inter Press Service English News Wire
02-13-2012
ALMATY, Feb. 10, 2012 (IPS/GIN) - President Nursultan Nazarbayev is orchestrating a media crackdown that editors and independent analysts say is the harshest since he began ruling this Central Asian republic in 1989.
Reporters Without Borders, the Paris-based press freedom watchdog, rates Kazakhstan 154th out of 179 countries.
The crackdown followed criticism in the countrys small opposition press of police firing on unarmed demonstrators Dec. 16 in the Western town Zhanaozen, where a bitter strike by oil workers at a state company has been under way since May. The government said 16 people were killed, but a reporter for the independent Moscow daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta quoted a witness as saying she counted 64 bodies at one hospital morgue on that day.
Until then, Nazarbayev had been widely perceived as authoritarian but relatively benign, a champion of economic growth and of modernisation of the sprawling, minerals-rich former Soviet republic in Central Asia.
A month later, an election for the lowest house of parliament resulted in only three pro-Nazarbayev parties getting seats. The opposition Social Democratic Party, which analysts and diplomats believe polled at least 10 percent, officially was given 1.59 percent, far short of a 7 percent minimum to gain any seats.
Three other opposition parties were not allowed to run. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, noting instances of ballot-stuffing and multiple voting, said the election failed to meet minimal standards.
Following his criticism of the shootings and the elections, Igor Vinyavsky, editor of the opposition daily Vzglyad, was jailed Jan. 26 and charged with "fomenting social unrest", which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
Police said then that when they had searched his office back in April 2010, they had found a leaflet that suggested that Nazarbayev be tossed into a trash dumpster. His lawyer has said the leaflet, which is available on the Internet, was planted, and that Vinyavsky has never called for the overthrow of the president only for honest elections and the freeing of political prisoners.
In early February, Oksana Makushina, the deputy editor of Respublika, an opposition weekly whose chief editor now works from London for safety reasons, participated in a press conference to denounce Vinyavskys arrest. Copies of the leaflet were distributed.
A few days later, officials from the KNB, local successor agency to the Soviet-era KGB, questioned her for two days and seized much of Respublikas equipment. They said an unnamed attendee filed a complaint alleging that extremist materials were distributed at the venue.
Reporters Without Borders said it was "extremely concerned by the growing crackdown on independent journalists in Kazakhstan. The authorities, ever more paranoid as a result of riots in Zhanaozen in December, are using the security argument as a pretext to step up their crackdown on the media."
Elena Malygina, a coordinator of Adil Soz, an Almaty-based non-governmental organisation that has been monitoring press freedom for 13 years, noted that until the riots at Zhanaozen, opposition journalists were able to work with relative freedom.
"Now most of them have been brought in for questioning by the KNB to intimidate and silence them," she told IPS. "Its never been so bad."
Both Vzglyad and Respublika are widely believed to be financed by Mukhtar Ablyazov, a fugitive banker living in London and a longtime Nazarbayev critic.
In 2001, Ablyazov was among the founders of Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, the first modern opposition party. It was created, the founders said at the time, when Nazarbayev refused to rein in a son- in-law, Rakhat Aliyev, who was accused of using his influence to forcibly take over companies at fire-sale prices.
Afterwards, Ablyazov was jailed on fraud charges that Amnesty International and others found politically motivated.
After his release, he stayed out of politics until the bank he controlled, BTA Bank, then the largest in Kazakhstan, was taken over by the government in 2009 in as it faced bankruptcy.
In a cable released by Wikileaks and written shortly after Ablyazov fled to London, the U.S. embassy there quoted him as saying that he planned "to support all opposition movements" in Kazakhstan.
"First on his agenda," the cable said, "is to increase the amount of opposition reporting on his satellite television station K Plus," which broadcasts a news-oriented program that includes interviews with Ablyazov and other critics of the regime.
"The government claims the riot in Zhanaozen was fomented by supporters of Ablyazov to destabilise Kazakhstan and overthrow the president," said Dosym Satpayev, an influential political scientist. "So now theyre putting pressure on all the structures he supports to a degree theyve never done before, to destroy them. I wouldnt be surprised if Stan.kz is next."
Stan.kz is an independent, web-based television production company that reports on politically sensitive subjects, such as the strike in Zhanaozen, that the mainstream media avoid. Its footage of the riot, the first to come out, was provided to Reuters, which distributed it around the world. Two of its staff who filmed in Zhanaozen were severely beaten up there with baseball bats and shot with rubber bullets.
After the authorities confiscated all of Stan.kzs footage of Zhanaozen, its director, Elina Zhdanova, gathered her staff of 15 and told them what to do if the authorities raid the offices and arrest her and her deputy.
"Be polite but firm, and remember that we are not violating any laws," she said. "Insist on seeing the search warrant and make sure you watch them at all times so they dont plant anything."
Access to the Stan.kz website has been closed by the authorities since Feb. 6.
Copyright 2012 IPS/GIN. The contents of this story can not be duplicated in any fashion without written permission of Global Information Network
Christopher Pala
Copyright Inter Press Service English News Wire
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BG's investment in Gujarat Gas up 12-fold in 14 yrs
[DNA : Daily News & Analysis]
DNA : Daily News & Analysis
November 9, 2011
UK's BG Plc had invested around 38 million pounds or `290 crore through strategic investment in Gujarat Gas Company Ltd in 1997. Today, this investment stands at around 445 million pounds or `3,500 crore, a 12-fold increase in 14 years.
BG Plc, through its wholly-owned subsidiary British Gas Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, has 65% stake in Gujarat Gas since 1997, a total acquisition cost of 37.3 million pounds, revealed industry sources. Gujarat gas, at that time, had a turnover of `150 crore with a net income of around `33 crore.
Now after 14 years of partnership, the British firm is considering exit from Gujarat Gas. The company has confirmed that it has received intimation from BG Group that they have started initial process of evaluating potential sale of their stake in Gujarat Gas. "The final decision in this regard will be subject to further assessment," read a statement from the company.
Shaleen Sharma, MD - Gujarat Gas Company Ltd, however, believes that this announcement will not have any effect on the day-to-day business of the company. "Gujarat Gas will continue to deliver the value, no matter what the outcome of this process is," said Shaleen. Gujarat Gas will be the second company in the state from which BG group has divested. Earlier in 2006, BG had sold its stake in Gujarat-based internet service provider (ISP) Iqara Broadband to Citi. Iqara later came to known as You Telecom.
The company currently distributes 3.5 mmscmd of natural gas to 3.3 lakh industrial, commercial and domestic customers in Bharuch, Ankleshwar and Surat through a pipeline network of almost 3,900 km.
It also provides Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to 1.61 lakh vehicles from its 42 gas outlets.
Gujarat Gas has seen a 16% fall in its net profit for quarter ended September 30,2011. According to its results announced November 3, consolidated profit after tax (PAT) for the company stood at `80.9 crore, down 16.25% from `96.6 crore in corresponding period last year. Total volume of gas sold during the quarter increased to 326 mmscm from 302 mmscm in preceding quarter. The fall in profit was attributed to rise in gas prices and depreciating value of Rupee against the US greenback.
Credit:DNA Money Correspondent
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GU students can get info in a click
[DNA : Daily News & Analysis]
DNA : Daily News & Analysis
November 10, 2011
Information of around 80,000 students of the Gujarat University (GU) is now available to them at the click of a button. GU has converted students' data from physical form to digital data with the help of anti-locking digital system which would help students gain access to all the information including examination hall tickets using the internet.
Talking about the project GU vice-chancellor (V-C) Dr Parimal Trivedi said that the idea is to help thousands of students across urban, rural and tribal areas access these details wherever they are. He further said that they have also made provisions for the software to be accessible through cell phones so that students gain easy access to the information.
"On the varsity's website, students can choose the college they study in and a list of names would appear. By clicking on their name, they will get all the details - from roll number to elective subjects to examination number among other information. The same may also be availed using a cell phone as well," states the V-C.
As of now GU has implemented the project for 30,000 BCom, 31,000 BA and around 18,000 students of BSc apart from BBA and BCA students. Dr Trivedi said that the varsity plans to implement the project in all colleges over a period of time. It took GU almost four months to compile the current data at the expense of Rs12 lakh.
Credit:DNA Correspondent
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Jump the queue and pay property tax online
[DNA : Daily News & Analysis]
DNA : Daily News & Analysis
November 11, 2011 | Dave, Jitendra
You don't like to visit civic centres to pay property tax because of long queues and frequent server problems! Well, the solution is now just a click away. People can now pay property tax online for which Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has tied up with 30 leading nationalised, government and private banks. These financial institutions will provide citizens' e-payment service.
Taxpayers will be able to pay property tax using credit card, debit card and internet banking facility. The civic body has created a gateway on its website for e-payment. The service is expected to reduce queues at civic centres and make property tax payment hassle-free.
Sunil Shah, chairman of AMC's revenue committee, said that the civic body has already tied up with 30 banks for this purpose. "The civic body has already started the facility on a pilot project basis for e-pay with its banker which will now become a permanent facility," said Shah.
Moreover, customers of 29 banks will also be able to use this facility very shortly. The e-payment option will also provide complete details about property tax such as current outstanding bill, old payment dues, among others, on entering the taxpayers' tenament number. Under this system, the taxpayers will have to provide e-mail ID or cell phone number to confirm payment.
The taxpayers have lauded AMC's efforts to provide facility of e-payment of property tax. "This is a very good initiative by the civic body as it will save citizens' time apart from giving us the freedom from standing in queues," said Siddharth Mehta, a resident of Naranpura.
Mehta said that though he visits civic centres for paying property tax only once in a year and did not face many problems in normal circumstances, he has had to return disappointed whenever there are any technical difficulties. "It takes only 10-15 minutes to pay tax, but technical problem irritates citizens. In case of e-payment, one can try later without wasting time as one does not have to go out of office, shop or house," said Mehta.
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Lytro camera is a sharp new way to focus ; TECH LAB PLUS
[The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)]
The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
February 13, 2012 | Hiawatha Bray
SuperBeam headphones
by Andrea Electronics Corp.
$89 at Amazon.com
A good set of headphones should deliver mellow music to your ears while staying out of your way. These days, a lot of 'phones fail that test, because so many of them feature a microphone boom that hangs in front of the user's mouth. Such headphones are popular with home computer users who have Internet calling services like Skype.
But they would be even more popular if somebody could get those annoying booms out of our faces.
And somebody has. Andrea Electronics, makers of noise-canceling headphones for helicopter and fighter pilots, offers a headphone with a boomless microphone. The SuperBeam features a pair of barely visible plastic extensions that jut out from both earpieces. These are sophisticated microphones that capture voice without getting in the user's way.
Overall sound quality was quite respectable. The SuperBeam headphones did a good job with a Metropolitan Opera broadcast; Verdi's "Aida" came across with a rich, satisfying sound. And a recording of my voice made with the boomless microphones made me sound even better than usual. My one complaint is the size of the headphones, which barely fit my rather bulbous head. Still, these boomless devices are a welcome audio innovation.
Lytro light field camera
$399 to $499 at lytro.com
Focus your camera before taking the picture? That's so 20th century. Behold Lytro, a remarkable little camera that lets you alter the focus of a photograph after you have taken it.
Lytro is the first consumer camera to use a technology called light field photography. It uses an image sensor covered with little lenses. Each of these lenses can capture light from multiple directions, not just straight ahead like the sensors in other digital cameras. As a result, the sensor captures a lot more visual information in each shot.
Throw in some advanced software and the captured light can be reprocessed to dramatically modify pictures you have already taken.
During a tryout of the camera last week, a Lytro official said that future light field cameras would enable all manner of cool stuff, like 3-D images from a single-lens camera. But the first- generation Lytro camera's claim to fame is variable focus. Say you shoot a picture of a friend standing nearby, but notice something interesting happening over his shoulder. Copy the image to an Apple Macintosh computer (Windows software is coming soon) and you'll be able to change the focus of the image. Your pal's face blurs, but the cute passerby in the background is now razor-sharp.
The first-gen Lytro has lots of limitations. There's no flash, and the camera's LCD viewscreen is cramped and grainy. But I foresee great things for Lytro whey they put this slick new technology in a better camera.
Eye-Fi Mobile X2 wireless flash memory card with instant uploads
$73.99 at Amazon.com
Years ago, the people at Eye-Fi Inc. realized that it was too difficult for digital camera users to move their pictures onto their personal computers or the Internet. They came up with a smart alternative - a standard SD memory card with a Wi-Fi wireless networking chip built in. You can program a Wi-Fi chip to automatically upload photos to an Internet hosting service via your home wireless network, or maybe that of the nearest Starbucks.
But now the Eye-Fi engineers have come up with another clever alternative - your smartphone. Nearly all such phones have Wi-Fi. And the latest Eye-Fi cards have an "instant upload" feature that will send all your snapshots directly from camera to phone.
You set up this feature of the Eye-Fi card on the company's website and download an app for your iPhone or Android phone. You can set it so that pictures are transferred to your phone only when no other hotspot is available. When that happens, just fire up the app and wait. Soon your photos will begin to appear on a screen that's usually brighter and bigger than the one on your digital camera. And once the images are on your phone, you can easily forward them to friends and family.
Of course you could just use the phone's built-in camera; they're pretty good these days. Still, for those who prefer a standard camera, Eye-Fi makes it a lot easier to share your images with the world.
Hiawatha Bray can be reached at bray@globe.com.
13techlabplus.ART
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Man gets life for killing 2 U.S. soldiers in Germany
[The Charleston Gazette (Charleston, WV)]
The Charleston Gazette (Charleston, WV)
February 11, 2012
FRANKFURT, Germany - A Kosovo-born man was sentenced Friday by a German court to life imprisonment for the killing of two U.S. soldiers last year at Frankfurt airport, in a case described as the first successful Islamist-motivated attack in Germany.
Arid Uka was also convicted on three counts of attempted murder.
The 22-year-old had boarded a bus carrying U.S. soldiers at Frankfurt airport on March 2 and began shooting. He was only prevented from killing more when his pistol jammed and he was overpowered by soldiers and German police.
Although prosecutors said he had been radicalized by jihadist propaganda on the Internet, investigators said they had found no evidence linking Uka to a terrorist group.
As the exceptional severity of his crime was also proved, he is unlikely to be eligible for parole in 15 years, as would be usual under German law.
He earlier told police he shot the uniformed Americans to take revenge for U.S. military operations against Muslims. The soldiers were unarmed at the time. They were on their way to the nearby U.S. army base Ramstein, and from there were due to leave for Afghanistan.
Uka had asked for a cigarette so as to start a conversation, then asked where the personnel were headed, investigators said.
The defense said that Uka was irrational at the time of the killings as a result of watching a film the evening before that depicted U.S. soldiers raping and killing a 14-year-old Iraqi girl. Uka had believed the depiction was real.
At the beginning of the trial in August, Uka had shown remorse for his crimes, telling the court: "It's true what the prosecution says ... I wanted to kill the soldiers ... today I don't understand myself any more how it could have got so far."
"I had to do something, and believed that there was no alternative," he said.
Prosecutors told the court he had wanted to make his own contribution to jihad and had made himself a "master of life and death."
Though he grew up in Germany, Uka now faces deportation to Kosovo since he does not have German citizenship.
- Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Copyright The Charleston Gazette (Charleston, WV)
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New Kanawha City laundromat offers 21st-century amenities
[Sunday Gazette-Mail]
Sunday Gazette-Mail
February 12, 2012 | Rusty Marks
In the old days, a trip to the laundromat meant hours on your feet on a chipped linoleum floor, while a snowy black-and-white TV with broken rabbit ears rolled its grainy picture incessantly in the corner. Better bring a book if you wanted more entertainment than watching wet clothes tumble in the front-loader.
Not any more. Today's clothes-washing crowd expects something better.
At Kanawha City Coin Laundry on 50th Street, patrons can take advantage of conveniences that include an automatic teller machine, flat-screen TVs and free wireless Internet.
"We've had several people who are self-employed," said owner Patricia Hargis, 43. "They can come here and get some work done while they do their laundry."
In this day of high technology, when everyone seems to have an iPhone or a laptop, adding Internet service and other amenities just seemed to make sense.
"The laundromat isn't someplace people are exactly excited to go to," Hargis said. "So we try to make it as pleasant as we can."
In the first place, the expansive laundromat is kept clean, she said. There's a claw game machine in one corner, change machine, free Wi-Fi and two large flat-screen television sets. Hargis said one is usually tuned to a sports channel, with another tuned to children's programming.
Hargis also has 24 washing machines and 26 dryers, in different sizes to accommodate customer needs. "You can wash six loads of laundry and be out of there in an hour and a half," she said. "You can't do that at home."
Hargis had been thinking about opening a business before, but wasn't sure what to pursue.
"I wished I had a job where I could take my son when school was out," she said. But her husband advised her a new business would have to fill a need.
Kanawha City's only other laundromat closed several years ago, a fact some local residents still don't know. Hargis, who lives in Kanawha City, found that out herself after a bird built a nest in her dryer.
"I just loaded up my clothes and drove over there [to the old laundromat] and they were closed," she said. "I had to go to Cross Lanes. I came home and told my husband I was going to open a laundromat.
"There was a need in Kanawha City," Hargis said. "The community was really excited about it. I was kind of surprised about how much interest there was."
The coin laundry has been open since August 2011. For a new business, Hargis said the laundromat is doing very well. She even has the room to expand.
"We've done the plumbing and electrical work," she said. "Once it takes off, we're prepared to expand if there's a need."
Patrons can take advantage of conveniences that include an automatic teller machine, flat-screen TVs and free wireless Internet at Kanawha City Coin Laundry on 50th Street.
RUSTY MARKS | Sunday Gazette-Mail
Reach staff writer Rusty Marks at rustymarkes@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.
Rusty Marks
Copyright 2009 Sunday Gazette-Mail
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Festival of Ideas returning April 4
[Sunday Gazette-Mail]
Sunday Gazette-Mail
February 12, 2012
Save the date. The next installment of the long-running Festival of Ideas sponsored by The Charleston Gazette and West Virginia University will be at 7:30 p.m. April 4 at the state Culture Center in the Capitol Complex. The free public lectures add thought- provoking discussions to the cultural life of the mid-Kanawha Valley.
"The Revolution Will Be Tweeted: Social Media and Free Speech in the Middle East" is the topic to be analyzed by a panel of international experts, who will comment on the "Arab Spring" wave of public uprisings against dictators in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria and other spots. The speakers will focus on the role of Facebook and other Internet sites that unite and rally protesters.
Scheduled participants are Andy Carvin of National Public Radio's social media desk; Cairo-based journalist Issandr El Amrani; Jillian York, a free expression specialist of the Electronic Frontier Foundation; Jigar Mehta, president of the South Asia Journalist Association; and Nasser Weddady, a human rights officer of the American Islamic Congress.
Since 1999, the Gazette-WVU series has brought numerous historians, journalists, writers, poets, political analysts and other scholars to Charleston to broaden public awareness of crucial topics.
Copyright 2009 Sunday Gazette-Mail
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Unsolved mysteries
[The Herald]
The Herald
February 13, 2012 | SUSAN SWARBRICK
America's Serial Killer:
True Stories
Channel 4, 10pm
It is a killing spree which has shocked and compelled America in equal measures: 11 bodies dumped on the same isolated stretch of coast road in Long Island, New York; four of the dead women sex workers who advertised their services online and a killer who remains at large.
Attempting to piece together what happened, this documentary film includes first-hand accounts from witnesses, senior police and officials close to the case as well as interviews with families of the victims of Long Island serial killer. It includes the story of escort Shannan Gilbert, whose final hours are of the biggest mysteries surrounding the crime. Missing since May 2010, Gilbert was thought to have died after fleeing a client's house.
When her remains were discovered in a remote wetland area on Long Island in December last year, police concluded that her death was not actually linked to the serial killer - something that is still strongly contested by her family.
Examining a rapidly growing internet sex trade worth millions of dollars, the film enters a murky world, exposing the darker side of middle-class white America, where anonymity provides a dangerous mask for online predators.
It reveals how the ordinary, all-American girl has become a prized commodity among men who use prostitutes, while increasing numbers of young women turn to online escort businesses in a bid to make what seems fast and easy cash.
As the hunt continues, police say they can't rule out the possibility that the killer has already claimed more lives or predict when he will strike again. Meanwhile women continue to fail to heed the warnings and run the risk of becoming the next victim.
The Diamond Queen
BBC 1, 9pm
Andrew Marr examines The Queen's attempts to modernise the monarchy over the last 60 years, from the abolition of the presentation of debutantes to the opening up of the royal palaces and the wedding of William and Catherine.
Marr looks back too on the happy times The Queen spent on the Royal Yacht Britannia before it was decommissioned in 1997. Peter and Zara Phillips talk about family holidays on board while Tony Blair speaks of the difficult decision to scrap the vessel.
AN ISLAND PARISH
BBC 2, 8.30pm
For the last episode in this enjoyably quirky series, Father John Paul heads to Barra's highest point to polish an iconic statue (fans will already know which one this is), while a public meeting is held to debate a proposed conservation area near the islands.
Meanwhile, one of the local fishermen has an innovative plan of his own to make money from the sea.
SUSAN SWARBRICK
Copyright 2008 The Herald
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Vodafone agrees to pay [euro]400,000 penalty
[The Irish Times]
The Irish Times
February 14, 2012 | MARY CAROLAN
VODAFONE IRELAND has agreed to pay a [euro]400,000 penalty under a settlement of court proceedings brought against it by communications regulator ComReg related to roaming charges.
ComReg had alleged Vodafone had breached EU regulations aimed at protecting phone customers from "bill shock" over charges for accessing internet and web-based services when "roaming" within the EU.
When the case was admitted to the Commercial Court last December, ComReg claimed a [euro]500,00 penalty on Vodafone was appropriate for the alleged breach which affected some 5,000 people, mainly business users.
It was claimed the relevant EU roaming regulations required Vodafone to implement certain options for roaming users and ComReg served a notification of non-compliance on Vodafone in that regard.
Vodafone contested that notice, said the dispute related to about 0.4 per cent of its customers and it had made "strenuous efforts" to try and establish what exactly it was the regulator wished it to do.
The case was due to be heard next month, but Mr Justice Peter Kelly was told yesterday it had been settled.
Paul Sreenan SC, for ComReg, said Vodafone, under the settlement, had consented to pay a financial penalty of [euro]400,000.
Mr Justice Kelly noted the settlement and made an order by consent that Vodafone would pay the agreed sum by February 17th.
It was agreed there was no need for trial concerning the other issues, he also noted, and listed the matter for mention only in March.
The case arose from a finding of ComReg that Vodafone failed to comply with its legal obligations under provisions of the Roaming Regulations.
It was claimed Vodafone denied its customers on data roaming plans the protections afforded to them by the regulations.
Vodafone, the regulator claimed, illegally deprived its customers of the option to have a default spending cap applied to their data roaming plans by March 1st, 2010.
It was alleged Vodafone illegally placed customers on the Vodafone spending cap of [euro]300 ([euro]363 with VAT) on and after July 2010 when it should automatically have put them on the default spending cap.
It was also claimed Vodafone continued to illegally place a restriction on customers who could choose to have the default spending cap.
There were about 5,598 customers on Vodafone's [euro]300 spend cap of which about 1,040 are residential customers and the rest are small- and medium-sized business users, ComReg claimed.
The roaming regulations introduced protections aimed at protecting customers from "bill shock" when data roaming within the EU, the court noted. Bill shock arises when a user of a mobile phone receives a larger bill than they might have expected for accessing internet and web-based services while data roaming outside their home jurisdiction within the EU.
Mobile phone operators are able to track how much a data roaming customer is spending and are required to give customers a means of limiting their expenditure.
They must provide a "spend cap" and can offer such caps at different levels, as long as one of them is [euro]50, excluding VAT.
The operator is required to send the customer a text message alerting them when they have spent 80 per cent, and then 100 per cent, of their spend cap.
MARY CAROLAN
Copyright 2009 The Irish Times
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Looking For Fios From Verizon? Don't Get Your Hopes Up
[Sunday News Lancaster, PA]
Sunday News Lancaster, PA
February 12, 2012 | Eric Stark
There is no truth to the rumors that Verizon recently laid fiber- optic lines in Millersville for Fios, or that this technology exists anywhere in the county.
This is bad news for those looking at Fios as an alternative TV and Internet option, and according to a Verizon Communications spokesperson, there are no plans to bring it here until 2015 at the soonest.
For those not aware, Verizon is into more than just telephones these days. Fios is a bundled Internet access, telephone and television service that operates over a fiber-optic communications network.
There are a few reasons why residents want Verizon's Fios here. First, consumer groups and subscribers to the service speak highly of the TV picture quality (especially high-definition) and Internet speeds, for both uploading and downloading.
Fios would also provide another option for those frustrated with the service of cable and satellite providers.
In Pennsylvania, Verizon has 339 cable franchises. Spokesman Lee Gierczynski, manager of media relations for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, said the company is focused on bringing Fios to the communities where it has existing franchises.
He said the prices for Fios and cable are similar, but in areas where both exist, cable companies tend to offer more incentives to keep customers, thus providing better deals. So the competition leads to better pricing for consumers.
Philadelphia has Fios, and Verizon struck a deal that allows it to carry Comcast SportsNet in the city - an accord the satellite franchises have yet to reach with the cable company. (Comcast owns SportsNet, which carries the Phillies, Flyers and 76ers.)
It seems Verizon has installed Fios all around Lancaster County, including in Chester, Lebanon and Dauphin counties. Derry Township, Hummelstown, Palmyra, Lower Paxton and Steelton all have it. Harrisburg proper does not have Fios, but Mechanicsburg does.
So when will Lancaster get this service?
"It is hard to say," Gierczynski said. "There is a lot of work to complete in the 339 areas with cable franchises. The focus is not biting off more than we can chew and being successful in the communities [where] we are available."
Super ads: Advertisements are the best indicator of how much the Super Bowl has become a mass-media event. The 30-second advertisements during the Super Bowl last Sunday on NBC cost a record $3.5 million.
FNC celebrates 10 years: On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Fox News Channel celebrated its 10-year reign as the country's most-watched cable news network, in total daytime ratings and in prime time.
Having overtaken CNN in January 2002, Fox last year averaged nearly 1.9 million viewers in prime time - more than CNN (689,000 viewers) and MSNBC (774,000) combined, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Getting a 'Big Bang': In the Nielsen results for Thursday, Jan. 19, "The Big Bang Theory" beat "American Idol" in the 18-to-49 demographic. This was the first time ever that "Idol" was beaten by a series in that demographic. "Big Bang" had a 5.2 rating to "Idol's" 5.1. Last year, the first episode of "Idol," now in its 11th season, beat "Big Bang" by a huge margin, 7.0 to 4.2.
On Feb. 2, "Big Bang" made it three straight weeks over "Idol" in the 18-to-49 demographic, with 16.38 million viewers and a 5.4 rating to "Idol's" 5.0.
Does that say more about the success of "The Big Bang Theory" or the decline of "American Idol"?
Staff writer Eric Stark discusses trends and tidbits in broadcast media each week in the Sunday News.Write to him at estark@lnpnews.com.
Eric Stark
Copyright 2009 Sunday News Lancaster, PA
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Better Business / It's to everyone's benefit to promote truthful advertising
[The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)]
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
February 11, 2012 | Randy Hutchinson
"All advertising is exaggerated. Nobody believes it." This statement, made in a courtroom by a company's attorney in defense of its advertising, led to the formation, in 1912, of the Better Business Bureau.
Those were the days of snake-oil salesmen selling products that could cure anything. If you assumed the attorney was representing one of those companies, you'd be mistaken: His client was Coca- Cola. (It was cleared of the charges.)
The entire business community suffers if consumers don't trust advertising. Businesses that make offers or promises they can't keep, and maybe have no intention of keeping, steal sales that could have been made by reputable companies.
The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus reviews national advertising for truthfulness and accuracy, including hearing challenges about a company's advertising from its competitors. NAD is the business community's self- regulatory alternative to more costly and burdensome government regulations. The advent of the Internet and other forms of media that didn't exist a century ago makes regulating advertising even more of a challenge today.
In the 100th year of the BBB, we're going to increase our attention to compliance by local companies with the BBB Code of Advertising, an accepted industry standard. Through periodic columns and other communications, we'll educate consumers and businesses about what constitutes honest advertising.
One of the most questionable claims an advertiser can make is "lowest prices guaranteed." The flip side - for businesses such as those that buy gold or other products - is "highest prices paid." Despite what may be an advertiser's best efforts to determine competitive prices, it's highly unlikely that he can know at all times what everyone else is charging or paying.
Ads that say a company's policy is to match or better a competitor's prices are less problematic provided that the terms of the offer are specific, in good faith and realistic. They should clearly and fully disclose any material conditions that apply and specify what evidence the consumer needs to present to take advantage of the offer. Such evidence should not place an unreasonable burden on the consumer.
The asterisk is another advertising mechanism that is often abused. It should be used to impart additional information about a word or term in the ad that is not in itself inherently deceptive. An asterisk, or comparable reference symbol, should not be used to contradict or substantially change the meaning of any advertised statement. To put it another way, "the small print should not taketh away what the big print giveth."
Some might say that consumers are savvy enough to see through these kinds of claims. If we concede that point, we're accepting what the attorney said 100 years ago - that consumers don't believe advertising anyway.
- Randy Hutchinson: rhutchinson@bbbmidsouth.org.
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Free-for-all over chicken legs
[The Malay Mail]
The Malay Mail
February 8, 2012 | AIZAT SHARIF
SHAH ALAM: A KFC staff literally took matters into his hands when he allegedly grabbed a customer by his neck over late chicken jibe.
The incident, captured and made available on YouTube at (http:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=bf7-GGbQhfU) have since become a sensation, sparking furious debate among internet-users.
The brawl allegedly took place at one of the fast food chicken branches at I-City in Shah Alam last Monday.
It is learnt the customer queued up for more than an hour at the counter to place an order.
However, when it came to his turn, the customer flipped when he was told by the staff there were no more fried chicken legs left to serve.
It was understood the customer demanded an explanation from the restaurant's manager and demanded an apology for the poor service.
The video showed several staff storming out from kitchen and stood behind the counter to face the customer.
In the heat of the commotion, the workers allegedly shouted at the customer "Sekarang nak apa! (What do you want now!) allegedly followed by insults: "Kalau mau makan, buat sendirilah babi" (If you want to eat, make it yourself, pig!).
One of the staff was seen trying to break up the fight but to no avail as one of his colleague charges towards the customer.
From what was seen, the customer took a blow to his face by an enraged staff shoving him towards dining customers.
A woman believed to be an acquaintance of the customer was seen screaming at the top of her voice as other shocked patrons looked on.
Patrons left the outlet after the situation calmed down and staff retreated back to the kitchen.
AIZAT SHARIF
Copyright 2001 The Malay Mail
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Throwing baby out with the SOPA
[Examiner (Washington, D.C.), The]
Examiner (Washington, D.C.), The
February 13, 2012 | Tom Giovanetti
By now youre familiar with the political odyssey known as SOPA, in which a cabal of content companies attempting to protect their antediluvian business models conspired with corrupt politicians.
They did so to break the Internets technical inner workings, commit wholesale violations of our Constitutions protection of free speech, and run roughshod over the information economy, all the while providing aid and succor for China, Iran and North Korea, as they block discussions about democracy over the Internet.
Alternatively, you may have heard that Internet companies have perfected piracy and counterfeiting as their killer apps, and so theyve engaged in a secret conspiracy to destroy the very concept of property rights over the Internet so that eventually you have nowhere else to turn for your entertainment but to their websites.
There, you can watch grainy, user-generated videos of skateboard accidents and homemade music videos, all obtained at no cost by the Internet companies and that will put us on the fast track toward Idiocracy.
Neither scenario is true, of course. Not even the first one.
Put simply, the U.S. Senate moved a bill intended to deny offshore websites trafficking in pirated and counterfeit goods access to U.S. consumers. The Senate bill drew mostly yawns but also a few constructive suggestions from affected industries and the policy community as it passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The House version of the bill, now infamously known as SOPA, was expected to clean up those problems, and indeed it could have. Instead, SOPA advocates showed insensitivity to some of the concerns expressed about the Senate bill.
When these objections were raised, the sponsors of the bill reacted stubbornly rather than constructively, and the Internet community decided to flex its political muscles.
Internet activists projected onto SOPA a variety of charges and accusations, some true but most false. Perhaps never before has the gap between those who opined on a bill and those who actually read a bill been so vast.
At the peak of the hysteria, SOPA was like the final episode of the TV show Lost; it apparently could mean whatever anyone wanted it to mean. In the end, it didnt matter.
Regarding SOPA, at least, our representatives in Washington demonstrated an atypical responsiveness to their constituents. They couldnt respond fast enough, in fact.
The problem now is that online activists, heady with success, have their torches lit for any attempt to do anything about criminal activity online, regardless of the merits or the means.
Reining in the online distribution of illegal material is now, apparently, censorship. And there really is a subset of online activists who are indeed out to undermine copyright, and they have been empowered in the process.
Theyre moving now to torch other efforts to deal with online piracy, such as the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, which was successfully negotiated over several years.
And a very important new trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, meant to be a template for 21st century trade agreements, is also coming under fire.
Rational policy thinkers must acknowledge that not every law is censorship. Not every technical means breaks the Internet. And some things are important enough that they are worth some effort.
We must distinguish between legitimate threats to the Internet, and things that threaten only criminals.
As soon as the post-SOPA smoke has cleared, stakeholders of goodwill should go back to the drawing board and come up with an acceptable solution to the problem of offshore websites profiting from piracy and counterfeiting.
Doing nothing about criminal activity shouldnt be an option, whether it occurs in the analog space or in the Internet space.
If someone sets up a website intended to facilitate identify theft, an illegal scam operation or the proliferation of harmful malware, or to distribute pirated and counterfeit goods, it does not seem unreasonable that structures should exist that help eliminate that threat while maintaining all the due-process protections that characterize our legal system.
Tom Giovanetti
Copyright 2009 Examiner (Washington, D.C.), The
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West Mifflin man gets 8 years on child porn charges
[Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]
Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
February 13, 2012
A West Mifflin man pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for distributing child pornography, federal prosecutors said.
Mark Buckner, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution. Prosecutors said he had more than 3,000 electronic images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and allowed those files to be shared over the Internet.
U.S. District Court Judge Joy Flowers Conti sentenced Buckner to 100 months in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release.
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HEARD ON CAMPUS: ARIANNA HUFFINGTON
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Feb. 10 -- Pennsylvania State University issued the following news release:
"I don't think the world is now saying anyone with a computer and a camera can be a reporter. I think that anyone who has something interesting to say about the world around them will get their message through. You no longer need a connection to a major news outlet. It's revolutionary."
* Arianna Huffington, author and co-founder, president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, on how the internet is changing the face of the media. She spoke about leadership and daring to take risks, pointing out that failure isn't always unproductive and can often be a stepping stone to success. Huffington spoke Thursday (Feb. 9) in Eisenhower Auditorium at Penn State's University Park campus and was the third lecturer for the 2011-12 Distinguished Speaker Series held by the Student Programming Association. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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USPTO ISSUES TRADEMARK: POSSIBLE WORLDWIDE
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 11 -- The trademark POSSIBLE WORLDWIDE (Reg. No. 4097065) was issued on Feb. 7 by the USPTO.
Owner: WPP Properties Young & Rubicam Inc. a Delaware corporation and Y&R Properties Holding One LLC, a Delaware limited liability company PARTNERSHIP DELAWARE 4th Floor 100 Park Avenue New York NEW YORK 10017.
The trademark application serial number 85200869 was filed on Dec. 17, 2010 and was registered on Feb. 7.
Goods and Services: Advertising agency services; customer relationship management; marketing communications services, namely, creating customized marketing communications materials on behalf of others; public relations; business marketing consulting in the field of brand creation, brand development, brand identity and brand marketing; market research and analysis; business research and strategic planning services for others in the field of advertising, marketing communications, promotions, and public relations; interactive and digital media advertising; advertising; direct marketing advertising services for others; customer relationship management; providing marketing and promotion of special events; arranging and conducting marketing promotional events for others; sales promotion services; media consulting services, namely, planning, buying and negotiating advertising and media space and time. FIRST USE: 20110216. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110216
Consulting services relating to the creation, development and operation of Internet websites; consulting services relating to the use of digital platforms and media in the field of advertising and marketing; hosting Internet websites in the field of advertising and marketing; graphic design services; product research; consulting services in the field of product and packaging design; product and packaging design and development; industrial design services. FIRST USE: 20110216. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110216
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USPTO ISSUES TRADEMARK: OLD WORLD BLUES
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 11 -- The trademark OLD WORLD BLUES (Reg. No. 4097059) was issued on Feb. 7 by the USPTO.
Owner: ZeniMax Media Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville MARYLAND 20850.
The trademark application serial number 85198874 was filed on Dec. 15, 2010 and was registered on Feb. 7.
Goods and Services: computer game software for use with computers and video game consoles; downloadable computer game software offered via the internet and wireless devices. FIRST USE: 20110719. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110719
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USPTO ISSUES TRADEMARK: HONEST HEARTS
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 11 -- The trademark HONEST HEARTS (Reg. No. 4097057) was issued on Feb. 7 by the USPTO.
Owner: ZeniMax Media Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 1370 Piccard Drive Rockville MARYLAND 20850.
The trademark application serial number 85198870 was filed on Dec. 15, 2010 and was registered on Feb. 7.
Goods and Services: computer game software for use with computers and video game consoles; downloadable computer game software offered via the internet and wireless devices. FIRST USE: 20110517. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110517
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USPTO ISSUES TRADEMARK: ONS
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 11 -- The trademark ONS (Reg. No. 4096846) was issued on Feb. 7 by the USPTO.
Owner: ONS, Inc. CORPORATION CALIFORNIA Suite 254 19106 South Normandie Ave Torrance CALIFORNIA 90501.
The trademark application serial number 85127512 was filed on Sept. 11, 2010 and was registered on Feb. 7.
Goods and Services: Providing access to telecommunications networks and the Internet to allow individuals, businesses and organizations to receive, send, organize, share, forward or store their calendaring, contacts, personal/business information and communications into one place using one phone number. FIRST USE: 20101000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20101000
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USPTO ISSUES TRADEMARK: ISEEU GLOBAL ACCESS
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 11 -- The trademark ISEEU GLOBAL ACCESS (Reg. No. 4095272) was issued on Feb. 7 by the USPTO.
Owner: Iseeu Global Limited CORPORATION UNITED KINGDOM Bradshaw Building, Unit D St. David's Court, Windmill Road Clevedon UNITED KINGDOM BS216UP.
The trademark application serial number 85069542 was filed on June 23, 2010 and was registered on Feb. 7.
Goods and Services: Apparatus for the transmission of sound or images for transmission of medical, healthcare, business, commercial, education, legal and local government information, not including scanners, card readers or cameras; pre-recorded magnetic data carriers, featuring computer software for enabling remote Internet access; pre-recorded optical data carriers, featuring computer software for enabling remote Internet access; recording discs, namely, pre-recorded CDs, laser disks and DVDs, featuring computer software for enabling remote Internet access; solid-state recording drives; data processing equipment for processing of medical, healthcare, business, commercial, education, legal, and local government information, not including scanners, card readers or cameras; computers, mobile computers; telecommunication devices for transmitting machine-readable data including image data for transmission of medical, healthcare, business, commercial, education, legal and local government information, not including scanners, card readers or cameras; computer software for enabling remote Internet access; computer software for enabling secure transmission of information to users; computer software for providing multiple user dial-up and dedicated access to the Internet; computer software that provides real-time, integrated business management intelligence by combining information from various databases and presenting it in an easy-to-understand use interface
Communication by electronic mail systems; data transmission by electronic mail; electronic mail; electronic mail services; electronic mailbox services; provision of electronic mail facilities; rental of electronic mailboxes; transmission of information by electronic mail means
Computer services, namely, providing a web-based operating system and online portal featuring on-line non-downloadable software for access to applications and services
Medical services; veterinary services; hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals; medical diagnostic services; remote medical diagnostic services; providing medical information, namely, presentation of real-time medical data to remote locations; the provision of medical advice to remote locations
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OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, MAN CHARGED IN 29-COUNT CHILD PORNOGRAPHY INDICTMENT
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
TRENTON, N.
J., Feb. 9 -- The U.
S. Department of Justice's U.
S. Attorney's office for District of New Jersey issued the following press release:
A Trenton grand jury returned an Indictment today charging an Ocean County, N.
J., man for his alleged distribution and possession of child pornography, including images of very young children participating in sexually explicit conduct with adults, U.
S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Dwayne Tucker, 26, of Bayville, N.
J., is charged with 28 counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Tucker was previously charged by criminal Complaint with possession of child pornography in December 2010. He has been in custody since his arrest on that charge. The defendant will be arraigned on the new charges in Trenton federal court on a date to be determined.
According to the Indictment and other documents filed in this case:
From June 2010 through November 2010, Tucker sent hundreds of images and videos of child pornography to various online contacts by email and through links during online chats. Additionally, Tucker shared his child pornography collection with others on a peer-to-peer network, an Internet-based file sharing program.
A thumb drive found in a jacket pocket during a law enforcement search of Tucker's bedroom contained images of prepubescent children performing sex acts on adults.
Tucker faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the 28 distribution of child pornography charges. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. Each charge also carries a $250,000 maximum fine.
U.
S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Andrew M. McLees, as well as officers of the Berkeley Township Police Department, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.
S. Attorney Sarah Wolfe of the U.
S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations contained in the Indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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LEADER OF REVOLUTION MUSLIM PLEADS GUILTY TO USING INTERNET TO SOLICIT MURDER AND ENCOURAGE VIOLENT EXTREMISM
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 9 -- The U.
S. Department of Justice's U.
S. Attorney's office for Eastern District of Virginia issued the following press release:
Jesse Curtis Morton, aka Younus Abdullah Muhammed, 33, of New York City, pled guilty today to using his position as a leader of Revolution Muslim Organization's internet sites to conspire to solicit murder, make threatening communications and use the internet to place others in fear.
Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office; and Raymond W. Kelly, New York City Police Commissioner, made the announcement after the plea was accepted by United States District Judge Liam O'Grady.
Morton faces a maximum penalty five years in prison for each of the three charges when he is sentenced on May 18, 2012.
"Jesse Morton operated Revolution Muslim to radicalize those who saw and heard his materials online and to incite them to engage in violence against those they believed to be enemies of Islam," said U.
S. Attorney MacBride. "We may never know all of those who were inspired to engage in terrorism because of Revolution Muslim, but the string of recent terrorism cases with ties to Morton's organization demonstrates the threat it posed to our national security. We're grateful to the FBI, NYPD and their law enforcement partners throughout the world who made today's conviction possible."
"Individuals such as Morton who encourage violence and create fear over the internet are a danger to our society and to the freedoms we enjoy as citizens," said Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. "Today's plea, and other recent cases of those associated with Morton's organization, demonstrate the widespread nature of this danger. Together with our partner law enforcement agencies, and with the assistance of the community, the FBI will continue to pursue those who promulgate violent extremism and promote the radicalization of others."
"Fortunately, NYPD Intelligence Division detectives were in a position to learn exactly how Morton used the internet to conspire to solicit murder, and how he encouraged others to solicit the murder of an artist whose material he deemed offensive," said Police Commissioner Kelly. "This important plea resulted because the NYPD's monitoring of Morton's activities, combined with the investigative and prosecutorial expertise of the FBI and the U.
S. Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia, made for a strong case, in addition to a strong partnership."
According to a statement of facts filed with his plea agreement, Morton founded Revolution Muslim in December 2007 and created various online forums that contained postings and information supportive of violent extremism. Morton and his associates used the organization's websites to encourage Muslims to engage in violence against those they believed to be enemies of Islam and to support Osama bin Laden, Anwar Al-Awlaki, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and others espousing violence. They posted messages in support of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the November 2009 killings at Ft. Hood and attacks and future threats against Jewish organizations, among others.
Through his online forums, Morton conspired with Zachary Chesser, of Fairfax County, Va., and others to solicit the murder of an artist tied to the "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" movement in May 2010, including posting online a magazine that included the artist in a hit list for violent extremists to take out and a message from Anwar Al-Awlaki that explicitly called for the artist's assassination. In justifying these actions, Morton posted online a speech of his asserting that "Islam's position is that those that insult the Prophet may be killed" and exhorting his listeners to fight the "disbelievers near you."
In addition, Morton admitted through his statement of facts that he aided Chesser in taking repeated steps in April 2010 to encourage violent extremists to attack the writers of South Park for an episode that featured Muhammad in a bear suit, including highlighting their residence and urging online readers to "pay them a visit." Among the steps they took were posting on multiple occasions speeches by Anwar Al-Awlaki, which explained the Islamic justification for killing those who insult or defame Muhammad. Morton worked with Chesser to draft a message for the website regarding the South Park threats, including a quote from Osama bin Laden that "If there is no check in the freedom of your words, then let your hearts be open to the freedom of our actions." Morton and Chesser posted the final version of this statement on various extremist online forums, and Chesser told Morton that he expected the statement would "scare the kuffar." Kuffar is an Arabic term, referring to an unbeliever, or disbeliever, in Islam.
Chesser was arrested on July 21, 2010, charged with providing material support to Al-Shabaab and later also pled guilty to communicating threats and soliciting violent extremists to desensitize law enforcement. Four days after Chesser's arrest, Morton fled to Morocco, where he resided until his arrest on U.
S. charges on May 26, 2011.
In his statement of facts, Morton admitted that the Revolution Muslim websites contained the writings of and/or contributed to the radicalization of individuals who were inclined to engage in violence, including the following:
* Samir Khan, previously of Charlotte, N.
C., before moving to Yemen in 2009, was authorized by Morton to post materials on Revolution Muslim, and Morton provided Khan with two articles for the first two online editions of Jihad Recollections, an online magazine dedicated to violent extremism. In July 2010, Morton posted the first edition of Inspire magazine, an English-language magazine supporting al-Qaeda that Morton believed to be the product of Khan. The magazine included an eight-page article titled "Make a bomb in the kitchen of Your Mom," with detailed instructions regarding the construction of an explosive device.
* Bilal Zaheer Ahmad, of the United Kingdom, was provided the password to Revolution Muslim by Morton and given permission to post messages. In November 2010, Ahmad praised Roshonara Choundhry for attempting to kill a British member of Parliament over his support for the Iraq war and posted a list of 383 members of Parliament who had voted for the Iraq war, along with suggestions on how to get in to see them and a link to a store selling a weapon similar to that used in Choundhry's attack. Ahmad told Morton that the purpose of the post was to "make those MPs fearful."
* Abdel Hameed Shehedah, a former resident of Staten Island, N.
Y., who was charged in October 2010 of making false statements involving his alleged attempt to travel to Pakistan to join a fighting group such as the Taliban. The statement of facts states that Shehedah attended Revolution Muslim meetings, made his website, civiljihad.com, a feeder site for Revolution Muslim and eventually arranged for all visitors to his website be routed automatically to Revolution Muslim.com.
* Rezwan Ferdaus, of Ashland, Mass., was charged in September 2011 with plotting to attack the Pentagon and U.
S. Capitol using large remote controlled aircraft filled with C-4 plastic explosives. The statement of facts states that in February 2010, Ferdaus emailed Morton asking for counsel regarding his duties as a Muslim and whether martyrdom operations were proper practice. Morton replied that martyrdom operations must be judged by intention but can have "enormous benfits (sic) in a war of attrition."
* Colleen R. LaRose, aka "Jihad Jane," of Montgomery County, Pa., was charged in March 2010 with a variety of terrorism-related offenses, including plotting to kill Lars Vilks, a Swedish cartoonist who has been the subject of several murder threats based on his artwork depicting Muhammad. According to the statement of facts, Morton notified Sheikh Abdullah Faisal, a Muslim cleric convicted in the United Kingdom of soliciting murder, that LaRose was a subscriber to Revolution Muslim YouTube accounts.
* Antonio Benjamin Martinez, of Baltimore, Md., was arrested and charged with plotting to bomb a military recruiting station in December 2010. The statement of facts states that one month prior to his arrest, Martinez viewed a video of Osama bin Laden and multiple terror training camp video clips on the Revolution Muslim website.
* Jose Pimental, of New York City, was arrested and charged in November 2011 in connection with a plot to build and use a bomb to assassinate members of the U.
S. military returning from active duty in Afghanistan. According to the statement of facts, Pimental contacted Morton saying that he was a big fan of Revolution Muslim, and that Morton recommended that Pimentel stay away from an individual because "there is high probability that he is working for the FBI."
* Mohamed Hamoud Alessa and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, both of New Jersey, were arrested in June 2010 on their way to Somalia to join a terrorist organization to kill individuals whose beliefs and practices did not accord with their ideology. The statement of facts states that both Alessa and Almonte were associates of Morton's within the Revolution Muslim organization, and Morton was interviewed by investigators from the New York City Police Department on the day of their arrest.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI's Washington Field Office and the New York Police Department's Intelligence Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Gordon D. Kromberg and Karen L. Dunn of the U.
S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney John T. Gibbs of the Counterterrorism Section in the National Security Division are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.uspci.uscourts.gov. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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NETSCOUT SYSTEMS REPORTS MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS BY EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN SOMMERS (Massachusetts)
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- NetScout Systems Inc. (NTCT), Westford, Mass., has filed a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission noting the change in the beneficial interest held by Executive Vice-Chairman David P. Sommers, Westford.
Between Feb. 6 to Feb. 7 the action involved acquisition of 42,500 shares of stock and disposition of 30,724 shares of stock. Sommers now owns 187,416 shares of stock directly.
NetScout Systems Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells and supports market service delivery management, service assurance and application and network performance management solutions focused on assuring service delivery for the Internet protocol (IP)-based service delivery environments. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
The information at the SEC is available at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1078075/000118143112006878/xslF345X03/rrd333173.xml
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PARTEE INSURANCE ASSOCIATES NAMED THE ASTONISH RESULTS 2011 e-MARKETING AGENCY OF THE YEAR
[Rough Notes]
Rough Notes
January 1, 2012 | Anonymous
"Every few years, you have to reinvent yourself." That philosophy seems to have worked well for Wayne Partee, CIC, CWCA, president/CEO of Covina, California-based Partee Insurance Associates, as he has built his business over the last four decades.
Partee was raised in a family insurance agency. "My first job was sweeping the parking lot at my parents' office in the L.A. suburb of Whittier, California," he recalls. When he graduated from college, he went to work with his older brother, who had already started to buy the family business. "I worked there about a year and then, as I tell people, I got exiled to Covina," Partee adds.
He bought an existing agency there in 1972, forming Partee Insurance Associates, and in 1980 acquired the W.C. Gorman Insurance Agency, which traces its Southern California roots to 1928. In 2006, the agency opened an office in Middleburg, Florida, which serves the northeastern part of the Sunshine State.
The most recent reinvention Partee Insurance Associates has undergone placed it front and center in the digital marketing arena. The agency teamed up with Astonish Results in 2010 to help "refocus our agency for the future and to do things we've never been able to do before," Partee says. Astonish Results is an insurance-focused digital marketing and training company.
Niche success
Among the "never been able to do before" items enabled by the e-marketing initiatives is a focus on specific commercial market segments. "We've never really had a niche market," Partee says. "We have always been generalists. Astonish is allowing us to develop niche marketing in several different areas, using the power of the Internet to identify, contact, solicit and even write businesses-and to do it quickly, easily and cost effectively."
While difficult to call it a sweet spot, given the nature of the segment, an initial niche success at Partee Insurance is septic contractors. "To be part of the septic contractor program, you have to have a pumper," Partee explains. "You have to be able to clean out the tanks and if you have portable toilets, you need a pumper to clean them. The program really lasers down into a true niche. Maybe you could even call it a crevice."
The agency is also using digital marketing to build its specialty focus on wineries and automobile dealer bonds. "What's good about building a niche is that you can branch into other coverages," Partee notes. "We are working on packages for septic contractors and wineries and bonds for auto dealers. But we also see lateral movement into workers comp and, for auto dealers, into liability and floor exposures."
To build on early segment marketing successes, the agency is set to begin a concerted effort to generate more opportunities. "We're going to be on the phone more, getting more e-mail addresses," he explains. "We're continuing to extend our reach into existing segments, and to capitalize on digital marketing opportunities for other segments we'd like to build, including manufacturers, restaurants and food distributors."
Driving traffic
In addition to its e-mail-based niche marketing initiatives, Partee Insurance is finding digital success through search engine optimization and other traffic-generating activities. "We are getting greater exposure on Google in two ways-with pay-perclick and organically," Partee notes. "We've really seen an increase in online visibility. Best of all, we're getting more calls."
The calls aren't just from personal lines shoppers. "We are pulling all types of leads," Partee notes. "Through the Internet, we are getting bond leads, commercial leads, workers comp leads, liability leads and, of course, homeowners and some auto." The calls aren't just coming from-or to-California, where the search optimization emphasis is underway. "We're also getting calls to our Florida agency," Partee notes. "Our Internet success is bleeding over to our office on the other coast."
The agency also launched a blog, established a Facebook page and created a Twitter profile. "We brought in a college student to work part time, helping us get our social media presence underway," Partee explains. Partee sees value in tapping students for social networking work, as well as other digital marketing tasks, such has harvesting e-mail addresses for marketing campaigns.
The student is not handling social networking activities in a vacuum. "Producers in the office are working with him," Partee explains. "We find or help create content that he can blog about and that we can post to our Facebook page and share on Twitter."
The social networking efforts are working. "We are getting more and more people visiting our blogs and to our Facebook page," Partee says. "And that's driving them to our Web site," where clients can request information via a Web form or find the agency phone number and call for a quote.
Making connections
Even as he approaches what some consider to be a traditional retirement age, Partee is building social media expertise. "I am becoming more and more adept at Facebook through my iPhone," he explains. "I'm making Facebook friends with more people and I was tweeting during a trip I took this summer to Africa."
Partee finds he's not alone as a Boomer in the digital world. "People in various organizations I know are active, as well," says Partee, who is heavily involved in local and regional agent groups. "I'm finding other agents-my peers-who are savvy in social media. I'm also finding many of our clients, and not just younger ones, who are active on Facebook and other social networking sites."
The agency is bolstering its digitaldriven relationship efforts with a page on its Web site that showcases agency commercial lines clients, as well as nonprofit organizations, including local Chambers of Commerce. "Astonish Results encourages us to have what's called a Partners page," Partee explains. "We have been adding clients regularly and creating videos of them and their businesses that we post on YouTube." The videos not only promote Partners, but also help increase traffic for the agency because of links between agency and customer Web sites.
Officewide success
According to Partee, employees took the most recent agency reinvention in stride. He often tells his staff that, after nearly 40 years in the business, "Our motto is, 'The only thing you can count on at Partee Insurance is change.' " The employees welcome change, and their response to the agency's newest digital marketing initiatives is no exception.
Partee is not the only one that noticed. "Julianne, our Astonish 'raving fan manager,' has commented a number of times how she is so amazed that everyone in our office bought into the changes and how much they support them and are pushing them forward." For instance, staff members are posting to Facebook, sharing agency posts and building relationships-inside the office and out.
Creating a culture that embraces change doesn't happen by chance. In addition to his time-honored admonition of change, Partee also believes- and shares with staff-that "when you get in a comfort zone, you're dying." In advance of the foray into digital marketing, Partee gave everyone in the office a book on change management. "I wanted to equip them to start dealing with what was going to happen," Partee explains. "I let them know there would be a different way of doing business, a different way of pulling in accounts, than we have ever done before."
This made the most recent reinvention easier, he adds. "They endorse it and embrace it," he says, "because they see that it is bringing business to the office, which means the office is more successful. And that is better for them." Today, employees who were focused more on processing and service tasks are now handling leads, selling new business and rounding existing accounts.
A bright future
According to Partee, results from the agency's entrГ©e into e-marketing are better than expected. Sales are up. In fact, he says, money that the agency is making from its new niche focus alone is more than paying for its digital marketing initiatives. More than that, opportunities for continued growth abound. "The more I get into it, the more I learn about what electronic marketing and the Internet have to offer, the more excited I get," he says. "Every week-sometimes more often than that-I discover new ideas and 0new possibilities."
For instance, the agency expects to expand its online presence and build niche-specific blogs to help drive even more traffic and generate more leads. In addition to increased niche business, the agency is finding new buyers for standard insurance. "Our Internet activity has taken us in a whole different direction," Partee explains. "People are finding us who never would have found us before Astonish. I consider that to be a very good thing. It's raising our level of visibility way beyond anything we could have done."
The biggest challenge for Partee is finding enough hours in the day. Having been in the business for nearly 40 years-and having just celebrated his 65th birthday- Partee says, "There is so much to do. Actually, it's been reinvigorating. I'm working out more and I've lost weight."
Actually, there's no cause and effect at play here. Partee's diet and exercise plans were made independent of his decision to partner with Astonish Results. And he does not promote the partnership as a weight loss program for agency principals. Still, he says, "I'm better able now to keep up with the demands!"
His agency employees share his enthusiasm. "People in my office are very excited," he notes. "This is a key ingredient in our future as an agency. It gives us a tremendous amount of opportunity we would not have otherwise had. I see our relationship with Astonish as a reinvention of Wayne Partee and of Partee Insurance Associates."
[Sidebar]
"Partee Insurance has absolutely astonished us in 2011 by completely transforming their processes and culture to better sell and serve the modern consumer. While their outstanding growth should be award enough, we feel that their success deserves industry recognition. Congratulations to Wayne and his team."
-Adam DeGraide CEO/Founder Astonish Results
[Sidebar]
"Partee's continual growth and success stems from the excellent leadership of Wayne Partee. He confronted the shift in our industry with an aggressive strategy and saw it as an opportunity for growth. Wayne was able to engage his entire staff in their new mission and they're all moving in the same direction; up. That's no small feat."
-Tim Sawyer President/Co-Founder Astonish Results
[Sidebar]
"Our employees welcome change, and their response to our increased digital marketing initiatives is no exception."
-Wayne Partee CICA, CWCA
"Iam becoming more and more adept at Facebook through my iPhone. I'm making Facebook friends with more people and I was tweeting during a trip I took this summer to Africa."
-Wayne Partee
See it now
Partee Insurance Associates www.parteeinsurance.com
Astonish Results
www.astonishresults.com
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Introduction
[Anthropologica]
Anthropologica
July 1, 2011 | Culhane, Dara
Thematic Section
New Directions in Experimental and Engaged Ethnography
Dara Culhane Simon Fraser University
What's left to do, then, is to follow events, to engage ethnographically with history unfolding in the present, or to anticipate what is emerging.
- George Marcus 2008
25 January 2011
I set my cup of espresso down next to my computer, turn off my phone, block out chunks of time on my calendar, and push aside piles of books and papers to clear a space on my desk. I've lost track of how far behind deadline I am on the introduction for this thematic section on "New Directions in Experimental and Engaged Ethnography" that I've guest edited for Anthropologica / glance at the list of other deadlines passed and pending tacked onto my bulletin board. I feel an all too familiar sense of sinking, deep in my belly, and my heart races.
Panic and genuine enthusiasm for the task notwithstanding, like millions of other people around the world this week in early 2011, 1 cannot NOT interrupt my work to check the news every hour or so.
On 20 January 2011"We Are All Khaled Said, " an Egyptian Facebook group named in memory of an activist beaten to death by police in Alexandria in June 2010, had issued a call for protesters to rally in opposition to the regime of President Hosni Mubarak.
Beginning today, 25 January, hundreds, and then thousands, and then hundreds of thousands of Egyptians begin gathering in Tahrir Square in the centre of Cairo, demanding that Mubarak resign. The government bans demonstrations.
Egyptians - women, children and men - fill the streets singing, dancing, marching, texting, talking on cell phones, praying. The government blocks Internet and mobile phone networks.
28 January 2011
Wael Ghomin, a Google marketing manager accused of being an instigator behind the initial rallying call broadcast through Facebook, is arrested. He will be detained for ten days.
A man in Tahrir Square tells a CNN reporter: "We want work, food, education, medicine. . . to raise our families in peace. We want what all people all around the world want. We are not terrorists. We are proud Egyptians. "Mubarak orders fighter jets to fly over Cairo. His supporters go on rampages attacking demonstrators.
31 January 2011
Mubarak announces that he will make a public appearance tomorrow, 1 February. CIA Director, Leon Panetto, tells the U.S. Congress that there is "a strong likelihood Mubarak may step down. " News agencies and tweeters report, "Panetta says Mubarak will step down."
1 February 2011
Everyone, from the Egyptians in Tahrir Square to the President of the United States, to the Prime Ministers of Canada and the United Kingdom, to the leaders of the European Union, to the millions of people like me glued to television screens and online news programs around the world, tunes in for Mubarak's speech. Our shared, news sources tell us that we all expect him to resign.
He doesn't. He refuses to step down as president, promising only that he will not seek re-election. Shock waves reverberate from the street corners through to the Oval Office.
2-4 February 2011
The occupation of public spaces by people in Egypt continues. Demonstrators have set up security checkpoints, first aid clinics, kitchens and makeshift homes: an alternative social world is emerging in Tahrir Square. Women - some wearing headscarves and others not-are among the leaders of this revolt. Some demonstrators go on about other business while others kneel to pray at appointed times. News cameras zoom in on Coptic Christians and Muslims walking arm and arm, holding crucifixes and copies of the Koran together in front of the lenses.
5 February 2011
British Prime Minister Donald Cameron, echoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, declares, "multiculturalism has failed" in Britain. Islam is the difference that can't be assimilated. Like Merkel, Cameron threatens to enforce regimes based on "shared values. " NeoNazis take to the streets of England to celebrate his announcement.
6-7 February 2011
Barak Obama tells the media that Egyptians want "democracy, " and he sympathizes with their aspirations. Western leaders and media repeat Obama's message over and over again: traditional, non-Western dictatorship was the problem; neoliberal Western democracy is the answer. That the people in Tahrir Square are also calling for "work, food homes, education, medicine and peace" is lost in the relentless rhetorical juxtaposition of "dictatorship" and "democracy. " What if millions of unemployed hungry and homeless Westerners identify similarities rather than differences between themselves and the non-Westerners engaged in toppling their corrupt governments?
8 February 2011
Wael Ghonim is released from custody. At the end of an interview with the private Egyptian network, Dream TV, he is shown images of the protesters killed by proMubarak forces. Ghonim bursts into tears. More people go to Tahrir Square. Many tell reporters that watching Ghonim's interview moved them to join the protest.
10 February 2011
The Vancouver Sun announces a four part series on the Chez Soi/At Home Study, a research project whose first objective is to discover what the effect ofhomelessness is on mental health, and second to test two models for housing people with mental illness who are currently homeless. The study was launched in October 2009 and will terminate in March 2013. Funded by the Canadian federal government, the $110 million study is divided among five cities. Vancouver's share is $30 million and the research here targets people who are diagnosed as mentally ill and are also designated "addicts."
There are 500 participants: 200 are housed in apartments and are directed to, but not provided directly with, support services; 100 are housed in the Bosnian Hotel and given "wrap around services" that include medical care, counselling, yoga, acupuncture, and sessions with Aboriginal Elders. By conservative estimates, 500 persons represent about 25% of the "officially homeless" population of the City of Vancouver. A control group of 200 are monitored by researchers but are not provided with housing or services.
I have been hearing about the Chez Soi/At Home Study since planning for it began at least three years ago. The study is controversial and has raised a lot of serious questions. Is the study's key objective really a significant research question or do we already know enough to say with sufficient certainty that homelessness has negative effects on mental health? Would $110 million in public funds be better spent on housing and health care than on research? Is withholding housing and services from a "control group " really the only valid research design legitimated by the academy? Is this ethical research? Tuskegee and El Dorado are mentioned frequently in discussions about Chez Soi/At Home.
11 February 2011
Mubarak resigns. Egyptians are jubilant. Celebrations erupt everywhere. Doubtless much public, private, semipublic and semi-private debate, intrigue, conflict and strife has been taking place beyond the purview of international news agencies and Facebook exchanges, and will continue. Predictions and speculations abound. Plots thicken. What is clear, though, is that what has been must come to an end There are possibilities now for something new to emerge.
I wean myself from the multiple news sources I've been following, and catch up with reading the theses, papers, notices about deadlines for course outlines and book orders for the coming term, and various and sundry emails. I discuss the Chez Soi/At Home Study with a friend who is a mental health advocate. "I agree with all your criticisms, " she says. "It's gross. But I'm trying to get my clients into the Bosnian. For the people that get in there, it's really a chance, you know?"
16 February 2011
Testifying before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, CIA Director Leon Panetta admits that his "intelligence sources" on developments in Egypt were newscasts and the Internet. He wasn't able to predict when or if Mubarak would resign, or what would happen next. "There is a massive amount of data out there to follow -600 million Facebook accounts, 190 million Twitter accounts and 35,000 hours ofYouTube videos. " The frustrated director of the world's most powerful nation's intelligence agency, historically famous for engineering coup d'Г©tats, revolutions and counter-revolutions, is defensive.
Today's Vancouver Sun article on the Chez Soi/At Home Study proclaims that housing mentally ill people saves taxpayers money. Journalist, Lori Culbert, quotes Michael Kirby, Director of the Canadian Mental Health Commission, who describes the study as "an amazing situation in which the right thing to do in human terms is also the most effective thing to do in economic terms. "(Culbert 2011) Dr. Michael Krausz, University of British Columbia Professor of Psychiatry and CoPrincipal Investigator for Chez Soi/At Home, responds to questions about whether withholding housing and health services from a control group might be unethical. "A control group was necessary at an academic level to show the advantages of the interventions being offered to the other participants. At a human level, it is very difficult not to be able to offer this group any help, " he says (Culbert 2011).
Culbert concludes:
And while the academic findings must wait until all data are collected, experts are drawing preliminary conclusions that probably won't surprise most people: if you give the homeless a home and support services, they will stand a better chance of stabilizing their mental illness and addictions. [2011]
Researchers are confident, she reports, that the results of the Chez Soi/At Home Study will provide governments with the evidence th.ey need to implement long-term solutions.
18 February 2011
I write a critical response and send it to SFU Media Relations for the weekly "Issues and Experts" column. They decline to publish it. I should write an Op-Ed piece or a letter to the editor setting out scholarly critiques of the Chez Soi/At Home Study, given that the "window" of public interest has been opened by the Vancouver Sun series, but I have so many other deadlines and demands; demands and deadlines. I tell myself I'll get back to it, as soon as my desk is clear. Now, I have to prepare to leave on a research trip to Ireland on 1 March. I still haven't finished the Anthropologica introduction. Ethics? Responsibility?
Wael Ghomin tells CBS news that he has no desire to take on political leadership. "I trust 80 million Egyptians, " he says, "the giant is awake now and no one is going to put him to sleep again."
6-8 March 2011
Despite both appearances and experiences of spontaneity that characterize the current uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East, millions of people around the world have been talking, writing, texting, facebooking, singing, dancing, filming, painting, performing, dreaming of at least the beginnings of such great shifts - such giants awakening- for a long, long time. No one knows exactly where this will lead, what directions these movements will take, what repressions and manipulations, coercions and co-optations will insidiously and invidiously play out, alongside and in between radical change, revolutionary breakthroughs, and yet to be imagined possibilities. But something has shifted; whatever happens, nothing will ever be quite the same again.
How can anthropologists participate in this world we live in? What contributions can we make? What are our ethical responsibilities? Our political commitments? Our professional obligations? The ties that bind the authors in this thematic section are commitments to ethical, experimental and engaged scholarship that pursues these questions, and challenges separations between the "economic level," the "academic level" and the "human level."
The anthropologist most centrally associated with the term "experimental ethnography" is George Marcus, coeditor and co-author, respectively, of two texts that sought to consolidate a radical break from the scientism that had dominated much 20th-century anthropology (Clifford and Marcus 1986; Marcus and Fischer 1986). For those who followed Marcus et al., fieldwork was not a practice of detached scientific observation, and relationships between ethnographer and informant were not those between active subject and passive object, but were dialogic exchanges between collaborators. The production of ethnographic monographs was therefore a communicative process from which texts emerged that included at least two voices and made use of literary and rhetorical strategies to represent "partial truths."
In his article "Two Decades After Writing Culture," Marcus (2007) writes that the "experimental moment" has failed to realize its potential, not having moved beyond individual anthropologists exploring diverse textual forms of ethnographic writing. It is time now, he argues, that experimentation move into the practice of fieldwork itself, rather than only its representation.
However, as the contributors to Women Writing Culture pointed out to the contributors of Writing Culture, interesting and provocative experiments in both fieldwork and its representation are not "new," but have in fact been underway in the margins and fringes of anthropology, in interdisciplinary collaborations, and in non-academic sites for quite some time (Behar and Gordon 1995). The papers in this thematic section take as foundational points of departure feminist, queer, anti-colonial and activist critique, and the radical experimentations that have infused the strategies of contemporary political movements. While carrying forward an interest in literary and artistic forms of expression and communication, we focus intensely on ethnographic fieldwork, and the potential and perils of experimenting with articulating creative practices and conventional ethnographic methods.
There is much interest in the implications of dismantling Cartesian mind-body dualism, deconstructing the philosophical and political edifices built on binary oppositions between nature and culture, and the potentialities opened up by paying close attention to embodiment and affect in anthropology and throughout the arts, humanities and social sciences these days. We are called on to engage in critiques of secularism, to value indigenous epistemologies, to admit "spirit" into our analyses, and to explore perspectivism in a project of constructing "world anthropologies" (Ribeiro and Escobar 2006). How are we to research these dimensions of human experience and the political possibilities they present when our methods and training remain, for the most part, "dead from the neck down"? Magnat offers provocative possibilities for the adaptation of Grotowskian physical theatre to ethnography, pointing out potential alliances with indigenous methodologies. She argues forcefully for academic recognition of such interdisciplinary scholarship. KazubowskiHouston's work draws on shared traditions in theatre anthropology, and presents us with the persistent ethnographic challenge and unanticipated consequences of putting theory into practice.
The papers here are centrally concerned, in diverse ways, with questions of politics and ethics. At the heart of these concerns are not the fears of legal liability that overdetermine university ethics review boards, nor the invidious censorship and regimes of knowledge control they have come to stand for. Rather, the authors in this collection address the questions that initially gave rise to demands by, particularly, indigenous peoples, for codes of research ethics that would protect the rights and respect the integrity of research subjects and interrupt exploitation. It is the political moralities of everyday and extraordinary human relationships, necessarily embedded in power relations and always specific to time and place, that concern the authors.
How can we honour, in practice, both a commitment to collaboration and to being led by participants and demands to articulate hypotheses and set out predictable outcomes for an Institutional Review Board? Given inevitable contingencies and unpredictability how do we answer a granting agency that asks for guarantees in advance that our "findings" will provide "evidence" upon which "policy" can be soundly based? Recognizing local political and social inequalities and conflicts, how can we work with the most marginalized and excluded members and respond to "community"-controlled research committees demanding guarantees of research-generated "community" benefit? How do we do critical work in relation to something like, say, the Chez Soi/At Home Study that does not jeopardize the immediate support for beneficiaries, given that the difference between a roof over their heads even for a night might be the difference between life and death for one precious, individual human being? There are no perfect answers, of course. How do we continue to ask these questions and not become paralyzed?
Is the critical reflexivity practised by the authors -most admirably and courageously in this collection by Kazubowski-Houston - a "grotesque expression of a liberal moral conscience"? (Marcus 2008:12). Should our work be dismissed with what seems to have become the epithet of the day in some circles of anthropology: "moralism"? Will our commitments be read as individualistic, "narcissistic navel-gazing"? I argue, rather, that what the authors - myself included - are imperfectly struggling towards is what Veena Das (2006) describes as ethical and political "response-ability."
It is towards this goal that we analyze our missteps, misunderstandings, mistakes, failures and regrets in an effort to make public, and therefore subject to challenge, debate and change, that which every ethnographer experiences and most discuss privately. We intentionally transgress the still militantly patrolled border between "corridor talk" and "journal publication." We offer readers examples of an "experimental" ethnography as defined by Quetzil E. CastaГ±eda (2006) that reflects the etymology of the word "experiment" as "putting into peril." We take risks, in good faith, not knowing where our work will lead, or what the consequences of publication will be, but hoping to create spaces for something new to emerge.
"Engaged anthropology" - the second term in our title - has conventionally been associated with applied anthropology that is conducted in the service of providing policy recommendations to governments, or supporting organized social or political reform movements, or providing programmatic advice to community development organizations. The papers here, however, reflect the more comprehensive vision of engagement articulated by the editors of an October 2010 supplement of Current Anthropology. Setha Low and Sally Engle Merry (2010:S204) argue that "there are a number of forms of engagement: (1) sharing and support, (2) teaching and public education, (3) social critique, (4) collaboration, (5) advocacy, and (6) activism." The papers that follow hope to contribute to these discussions on emerging forms and conceptual reformulations of "publicly engaged experimental anthropology."
This thematic section emerged from a session at the 2009 CASCA conference in Vancouver. The presentations addressed complicated, contradictory, contested engagements that complicate, contradict and contest each other. What was exciting about the session was the way the papers ricocheted off each other, how sparks flew. Presenters agreed with and supported each other sometimes on some points, and challenged and debated each other on other points. The discussions with audience members that followed were lively; criticisms were challenging and at times merciless. It has been impossible to maintain the energy of a face-to-face gathering of embodied beings through the necessarily tendentious process of peer review and into a textualized form for publication. You will not find here a new synthesis, a neatly packaged programmatic formula for a New, Improved Purer Discipline of Anthropology. You will read no triumphant progress narratives celebrating movement from bad old days riddled with errors to seamlessly enlightened new days, no centre being forced to hold. I hope, in your reading of the papers, you will imagine them in conversation and sometimes in dispute with each other, and yourself as a composer arranging when the four distinct voices sing together, when they interrupt each other, and when a solo performance is warranted.
I will conclude by borrowing some words from Cristina Moretti who shares an excerpt from her fieldnotes about her reflections on sending ethnographic work out into the world, knowing it will necessarily get "lost." "The question here," Moretti writes, "is not what we have lost, but what we seek to find in its place."
References
Behar, Ruth and D.A. Gordon, eds.
1995 Women Writing Culture. Berkeley: University of California Press.
CasteГ±ada, Quetzil E.
2006 The Invisible Theatre of Ethnography: Performative Principles of Fieldwork. Anthropological Quarterly 79(1):75-104.
Clifford, James, and George Marcus, eds.
1986 Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Culbert, Lori
2011 Providing a Warm Place to Stay Benefits All: Giving Shelter to the Homeless Eases Society's Burden, Chair of Mental Health Commission Says. Vancouver Sun, 16 February:A2.
Das, Veena
2006 Life and Words:Violence and the Descent into the Ordinary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Low, Setha M., and Sally Engle Merry
2010 Engaged Anthropology: Diversity and Dilemmas: An Introduction to Supplement 2. Current Anthropology 51(2):S203-S226.
Marcus, George, and Michael MJ. Fischer
1986 Anthropology as Cultural Critique: An Experimental Moment in the Human Sciences. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Marcus, George
2007 Two Decades After Writing Culture: From the Experimental to the Baroque. Anthropological Quarterly 80(4):1127-1145.
2008 The End(s) of Ethnography: Social/Cultural Anthropology's Signature Form of Producing Knowledge in Transition, [interview with M. Pisarro: 3]. Cultural Anthropology 23(1):1-14.
Ribeiro, G.L., and Arturo Escobar, eds.
2006 World Anthropologies: Disciplinary Transformations within Systems of Power. New York: Berg.
Section thГ©matique
Nouvelles orientations en ethnographie expГ©rimentale et engagГ©e
Introduction
DarГ Culhane Simon Fraser University
What's left to do, then, is to follow events, to engage ethnographically with history unfolding in the present, or to anticipate what is emerging.
-George Marcus 2008
[Ce qu'il reste Г faire, alors, c'est de suivre les Г©vГ©nements, de s'avancer dans un engagement ethnographique avec l'histoire qui se dГ©ploie dans le prГ©sent, ou d'anticiper ce qui est en Г©mergence.]
25 janvier 2011
Je dГ©pose ma tasse d'espresso Г cГґtГ© de mon ordinateur, Г©teins mon tГ©lГ©phone, encercle des blocs de temps dans mon agenda, et dГ©place des piles de livres et de documents pour faire de la place sur mon bureau J'ai perdu le compte de mon retard dans la rГ©daction de cette introduction Г la section thГ©matique sur les В« Nouvelles directions en ethnographie expГ©rimentale et engagГ©e В», Г titre de rГ©dactrice en chef invitГ©e pour Anthropologica. Je jette un coup d'oeil aux autres Г©chГ©ances passГ©es et courantes Г©pinglГ©es sur mon tableau. Je retrouve un sentiment de noyade trop familier, au creux de mon ventre, et mon coeur s'emballe.
Quoi qu'il en soit de la panique et de mon enthousiasme sincГЁre pour la tГўche, comme des millions d'autres personnes dans le monde en ce dГ©but de 2011, je NE PEUX m' empГЄcher d'interrompre mon travail d'heure en heure pour suivre les nouvelles.
Le 20 janvier 2011, le groupe Facebook Г©gyptien В« Nous sommes tous Khaled Said В», nommГ© en l'honneur d'un militant battu Г mort par la police Г Alexandrie en juin 2010, a lancГ© un appel Г un rallye de protestation en opposition au rГ©gime du prГ©sident Hosni Moubarak.
A compter d'aujourd'hui, 25 janvier, des centaines, puis des milliers, puis des centaines de milliers d'Г‰gyptiens ont commencГ© Г se rassembler sur la place Tahrir au centre du Caire, rГ©clamant In dГ©mission de Moubarak. Le gouvernement interdit les manifestations.
Les Egyptiens -femmes, enfants et hommes - emplissent les rues et chantent, dansent, marchent, lancent des textos, parlent au cellulaire et prient. Le gouvernement bloque l'internet et les rГ©seaux de tГ©lГ©phone sans fil.
28 janvier 2011
Wael Ghomin, un directeur de marketing chez Google, accusГ© d'ГЄtre un instigateur derriГЁre le premier appel au rallye lancГ© sur Facebook, est arrГЄtГ©. Il sera dГ©tenu dix jours.
Un homme sur la place Tahrir dit Г un reporter de CNN : В« Nous voulons travailler, manger, ГЄtre Г©duquГ©s, ГЄtre soignГ©s... Г©lever nos familles en paix. Nous voulons ce que veulent tous les humains sur la terre. Nous ne sommes pas des terroristes. Nous sommes de fiers Egyptiens В». Moubarak fait survoler Le Caire par des chasseurs-bombardiers. Ses partisans se dГ©chaГ®nent contre les manifestants.
31 janvier 2011
Moubarak annonce qu'il va faire une apparition publique le lendemain, 1er fГ©vrier. Le directeur' de la CIA Leon Panetto, annonce au CongrГЁs amГ©ricain В« qu'il existe une forte probabilitГ© que Moubarak dГ©missionne В». Les agences de presse et les chroniqueurs Twitter reprennent : В« Panetta dit que Moubarak va dГ©missionner В».
1er fГ©vrier 2011
Tout le monde, des Egyptiens de la place Tahrir au prГ©sident des Etats-Unis, aux premiers ministres du Canada et du Royaume-Uni aux chefs de l'Union europГ©enne, aux millions de personnes comme moi collГ©es Г leurs Г©crans de tГ©lГ©vision et aux informations sur Internet, tout le monde attend le discours de Moubarak. Nos sources de nouvelles rГ©vГЁlent que nous attendons Г ce qu'il abdique.
Il ne le fait pas. Il refuse de quitter la prГ©sidence, et promet seulement qu'il ne se reprГ©sentera pas aux Г©lections. Donde de choc se propage de la rue jusqu'au Bureau Ovale.
2-4 fГ©vrier 2011
Loccupation populaire des espaces publics se poursuit en Egypte. Les manifestants ont mis sur pied des postes de contrГґle de sГ©curitГ©, des cliniques de premiers soins, des cuisines et des abris de fortune : un univers social alternatif Г©merge place Tahrir. Les femmes - certaines portant le foulard et d'autres pas - sont Г la tГЄte de cette rГ©volte. Certains manifestants vaquent Г leurs affaires tandis que d'autres s'agenouillent pour la priГЁre aux heures prГ©vues. Les camГ©ras de reportage cadrent des chrГ©tiens coptes et des musulmans marchant bras dessus bras dessous, portant ensemble des crucifix et des Corans devant les objectifs.
5 fГ©vrier 2011
Le premier ministre britannique Donald Cameron, faisant Г©cho Г la chanceliГЁre allemande Angela Merkel, dГ©clare que В« le multiculturalisme est un Г©chec В» en Grande-Bretagne. Eislam est la diffГ©rence qui ne peut ГЄtre assimilГ©e. Comme Merkel, Cameron menace d'imposer des codes fondГ©s sur В« des valeurs partagГ©es В». Les nГ©onazis anglais descendent dans la rue pour cГ©lГ©brer cette annonce.
6-7 fГ©vrier 2011
Barak Obama dГ©clare aux mГ©dias que les Egyptiens veulent В« la dГ©mocratie В» et qu'il partage leurs aspirations. Les mГ©dias et les chefs des pays occidentaux rГ©pГЁtent le message d'Obama Г qui mieux mieux : le problГЁme, c'Г©tait une dictature traditionnelle non occidentale; la solution, c'est une dГ©mocratie nГ©olibГ©rale occidentale. La revendication des Г‰gyptiens de la place Tahrir pour В« du travail, de la nourriture, du logement, de l'Г©ducation, des soins et la paw В» est perdue dans l'intarissable juxtaposition rhГ©torique entre В« dГ©mocratie В» et В« dictature В». Que se passerait-il si des millions d'Occidentaux chГґmeurs, affamГ©s et sans-logis identifiaient des ressemblances plutГґt que des diffГ©rences entre eux et les nonoccidentaux engagГ©s Г faire tomber leurs gouvernements corrompus?
8 fГ©vrier 2011
Wael Ghonim est relГўchГ© de sa garde Г vue. A la fin d'une entrevue Г la chaГ®ne privГ©e Г©gyptienne Dream TV, on lui montre des images de manifestants tuГ©s par les forces pro-Moubarak. Ghonim Г©clate en sanglots. Davantage de gens descendent vers la place Tahrir. Plusieurs d'entre eux disent aux reporters qu'ils ont Г©tГ© touchГ©s par l'entrevue de Ghonim et que c'est pour cela qu'Us participent aux manifestations.
10 fГ©vrier 2011
Le Vancouver Sun annonce une sГ©rie de quatre articles sur l'Г©tude Chez SoVAt Home, un projet de recherche dont l'objectif est d'explorer les effets de l'itinГ©rance sur la santГ© mentale, et en second lieu, de mettre Г l'essai deux modГЁles d'hГ©bergement pour des personnes souffrant de maladie mentale et qui sont actuellement itinГ©rantes. LГ©tude a Г©tГ© lancГ©e en octobre 2009 et sera complГ©tГ©e en mars 2013. FinancГ©e par le gouvernement fГ©dГ©ral canathen, l'Г©tude de 110 millions de dollars est rГ©partie dans cinq villes canathennes. La part de Vancouver est de 30 M$ et la recherche est ciblГ©e ici sur les itinГ©rants portant un diagnostic de maladie mentale et qui sont aussi dГ©signГ©s comme souffrant de toxicomanie ou de dГ©pendance.
Delude porte sur 500 participants : 200 d'entre eux sont logés dans des appartements et sont référés à des services de soutien, mais sans que ceux-ci leur soient fournis de manière directe; 100 d'entre eux sont logés à l'hôtel Bosnian et reçoivent des « services intégrés » qui comprennent des soins médicaux, de la psychothérapie, du yoga, de l'acupuncture et des rencontres avec des aînés autochtones. Selon une estimation prudente, 500 personnes représentent environ 25 % de la population « officiellement itinérante » de Vancouver. Un groupe témoin de 200 personnes est observé par les chercheurs mais ne reçoit par d'hébergement ou de services.
J'entends parler de l'Г©tude Chez Soi/At Home depuis le dГ©but de sa planification il y a au moins trois ans. EГ©tude est controversГ©e et a soulevГ© nombre de questions sГ©rieuses. Est-ce que l'objectif-clГ© de l'Г©tude est rГ©ellement un objet de recherche significatif ou en savons-nous dГ©jГ assez pour affirmer avec certitude que lГЇtinГ©rance a des effets nГ©gatifs sur la santГ© mentale ? Est-ce que 110 M$ de fonds publics ne seraient pas mieux investis dans du logement et des soins de santГ© plutГґt que dans de la recherche ? Est-ce que le fait de priver un В« groupetГ©moin В» d'hГ©bergement et de services est la seule modalitГ© valide de conception d'une recherche lГ©gitimГ©e par la science? Est-ce lГ de la recherche Г©thique? Tuskegee et El Dorado sont frГ©quemment mentionnГ©s dans les discussions qui entourent Chez Soi/At Home.
11 fГ©vrier 2011
Moubarak abdique. Les Egyptiens Г©clatent de joie et cГ©lГЁbrent partout. Il ne fait pas de doute que beaucoup de dГ©bats, de conflits, de querelles, de jeux de coulisses, publics et semi-publics, privГ©s et semi-privГ©s ont eu lieu loin du regard des agences de presse internationales et des forums Facebook, et que cela se poursuivra. Les spГ©culations et les prГ©dictions foisonnent. Les enjeux se complexifient. Ce qui est clair toutefois, c'est qu'on doit voir la fin de ce quia existГ©. La possibilitГ© existe enfin de laisser Г©merger quelque chose de nouveau.
Je me sГЁvre des multiples sources de nouvelles auxquelles je m'abreuvais et commence mon rattrapage dans la lecture des thГЁses, des articles, des avis relatifs Г des dates de tombГ©e pour des sommaires de cours et des commandes de livres pour la session Г venir, et divers courriels. Je discute de l'Г©tude Chez Soi/At Home avec une amie intervenante en santГ© mentale. В« Je suis d'accord avec toutes tes critiques, dit-elle. C'est choquant. Mais j'essaie de placer mes clients au Bosman. Pour les gens qui sont choisis lГ , c'est vraiment une chance, tu sais? В»
16 fГ©vrier 2011
TГ©moignant devant un ComitГ© du SГ©nat sur le renseignement, le directeur de la CIA Leon Ranetta reconnaГ®t que ses В« sources d'information В» sur la situation en Egypte Г©taient les communiquГ©s d'agence et l'Internet. Il Г©tait incapable de prГ©voir quand ou si Moubarak abdiquerait, ou ce qui se produirait par la suite. В« La quantitГ© de donnГ©es Г suivre est gigantesque - 600 millions de comptes Facebook, 190 millions de comptes Twitter et 35 000 heures de vidГ©o sur YouTube В». Le directeur frustrГ© de l'agence de renseignement de LВ· nation la plus puissante du monde, historiquement fameuse pour avoir orchestrГ© des coups d'Г©tat, des rГ©volutions et contre-rГ©volutions, est sur la dГ©fensive.
L'article du Vancouver Sun d'aujourd'hui sur l'Г©tude Chez Soi/At Home affirme que de loger les personnes souffrant de maladie mentale Г©conomise l'argent des contribuables. La journaliste Lori Culbert cite Michael Kirby, directeur de la Commission canathenne de la santГ© mentale, qui dГ©crit l'Г©tude comme В« une situation Г©tonnante oГ№ le geste correct Г poser en termes humains est aussi la solution la plus efficace en termes Г©conomiques В». (Culbert 2011). Le Dr Michael Krausz, professeur de psychiatrie Г l'UniversitГ© de Colombie-Britannique et chercheur principal associГ© de Chez Soi/At Home rГ©pond aux questions de savoir si le fait de ne pas fournir des services de logement et de santГ© Г un groupe tГ©moin peut s'avГ©rer contraire Г l'Г©thique. В« Un groupe tГ©moin Г©tait nГ©cessaire au plan acadГ©mique pour dГ©montrer les avantages des interventions offertes aux autres participants. Au plan humain, il est trГЁs difficile d'ГЄtre incapable d'offrir une aide quelconque Г ce groupe В» dit-il. (Culbert 2011)
Culbert conclut :
Et alors que les rГ©sultats acadГ©miques devront attendre que toutes les donnГ©es soient recueillies, les experts esquissent des conclusions prГ©liminaires qui ne surprendront pas grand monde : si vous fournissez aux itinГ©rants un logis et des services de soutien, leurs chances de stabiliser leur maladie mentale et leurs dГ©pendances seront meilleures. [2011]
Les chercheurs sont confiants, constate-t-elle, que les rГ©sultats de l'Г©tude Chez Soi/At Home fourniront aux gouvernements les Г©lГ©ments de preuve dont ils ont besoin pour mettre en oeuvre des solutions Г long terme.
18 fГ©vrier 2011
J'Г©cris une rГ©ponse critique et je l'envoie aux Relions mГ©dia de l'UniversitГ© Simon Fraser pour leur rubrique hebdomadaire В« Issues and Experts В». Ils choisissent de ne pas la publier. Je devrais Г©crire une opinion en page editoriale ou une lettre au journal Г©numГ©rant les critiques acadГ©miques de l'Г©tude Chez Soi/At Home, Г©tant donnГ© que cette В«fenГЄtre В» d'intГ©rГЄt public a Г©tГ© ouverte par la sГ©rie du Vancouver Sun, mais j'ai tellement d'autres Г©chГ©ances et demandes; demandes et dates de tombГ©e. Je me dis que j'y reviendrai aussitГґt que j'aurai nettoyГ© mon bureau. Maintenant, il faut queje prГ©pare mon dГ©part pour un voyage de recherche en Irlande le 1er mars. Je n'ai toujours pas fini l'introduction pour Anthropologica. Ethique? ResponsabilitГ©?
Wael Gamin dit Г des reporters de CBS qu'il ne dГ©sire pas s'engager dans le leadership politique. В« Je fais confiance Г 80 millions d'Г‰gyptiens, dit-il, le gГ©ant est maintenant rГ©veillГ© et personne ne va le rendormir В».
6-8 mars 2011
En dГ©pit des apparences et des expГ©riences de spontanГ©itГ© qui caractГ©risent les soulГЁvements actuels en Afrique du Nord et au Moyen-Orient, des millions de personnes autour du monde ont parlГ©, Г©crit, texte, facebookГ©, chantГ©, dansГ©, filmГ©, peint, performs, rГЄvГ© Г au moins le commencement de changements aussi importants - de tels gГ©ants qui se rГ©veillent - depuis trГЁs trГЁs longtemps. Personne ne sait exactement oГ№ cela nous mГЁnera, quelles directions prendront ces mouvements, quelles rГ©pressions et rrmnipulations, coercitions et cooptations brouilleront les cartes de maniГЁre insidieuse ou odieuse, au beau milieu et simultanГ©ment avec des changements radicaux, des avancГ©es rГ©volutionnaires et des possibilitГ©s encore Г imaginer. Mais le vent a tournГ©; quoi qu'il arrive, rien ne sera plus jamais pareil.
Comment les anthropologues peuvent-ils participer au monde dans lequel nous vivons? Quelles contributions pouvons-nous faire? Quelles sont nos responsabilitГ©s Г©thiques? Nos engagements politiques? Nos obligations professionnelles? Les liens qui relient les auteurs de la prГ©sente section thГ©matique sont des engagements Г l'Г©gard de missions acadГ©miques Г©thiques, expГ©rimentales et engagГ©es qui auscultent ces enjeux et remettent en question les clivages entre В« le niveau Г©conomique В», В« le niveau acadГ©mique В» et В« le niveau humain В».
L'anthropologue le plus directement associГ© avec le terme В« anthropologie expГ©rimentale В» est George Marcus, respectivement coГ©diteur et coauteur de deux textes qui cherchГЁrent Г consolider une rupture radicale avec le scientisme qui a dominГ© la majeure partie de l'anthropologie du 20e siГЁcle (Clifford et Marcus 1986; Marcus et Fischer 1986). Pour ceux qui ont suivi Marcus et ses collГЁgues, le travail de terrain n'Г©tait pas une pratique d'observation scientifique dГ©tachГ©e, tandis que les relations entre ethnographe et informateur n'Г©taient pas celles entre un sujet actif et un objet passif, mais consistaient en Г©changes dialogiques entre collaborateurs. La production de monographies ethnographiques devenait en consГ©quence un processus de communication dont Г©mergeaient des textes qui incluaient au moins deux voix et qui faisaient usage de stratГ©gies littГ©raires et rhГ©toriques pour reprГ©senter des В« vГ©ritГ©s partielles В».
Dans son article В« Two Decades After Writing Culture В», Marcus (2007) Г©crit que В« Ie moment expГ©rimental В» n'a pas rГ©ussi Г rГ©aliser son potentiel, n'ayant pas dГ©passГ© celui d'anthropologues individuels explorant diverses formes textuelles d'Г©criture ethnographique. Il est maintenant temps, plaide-t-il, que rexpГ©rimentation se dГ©place vers la pratique mГЄme du travail de terrain, au lieu de se confiner Г sa seule reprГ©sentation.
Toutefois, comme les collaboratrices de Women Writing Culture l'ont fait remarquer aux collaborateurs de Writing Culture, des expГ©riences intГ©ressantes et dignes d'attention, aussi bien en matiГЁre de recherche terrain que dans sa reprГ©sentation, ne sont pas В« nouvelles В» mais sont bel et bien en cours depuis un certain temps dans les marges et en pГ©riphГ©rie de l'anthropologie, dans les collaborations interdisciplinaires et dans des contextes non acadГ©miques (Behar et Gordon 1995). Les articles de cette section thГ©matique se fondent sur une critique fГ©ministe, homosexuelle, anticolonialiste et militante, et sur l'expГ©rimentation radicale qui a perfusГ© les stratГ©gies des mouvements politiques contemporains. Tout en mettant de l'avant un intГ©rГЄt dans les formes artistiques et littГ©raires d'expression et de communication, nous faisons intensГ©ment le foyer sur le travail de terrain ethnographique, et sur le potentiel et les risques de l'expГ©rimentation dans l'articulation des pratiques de crГ©ation et des mГ©thodes ethnographiques conventionnelles.
On s'intéresse beaucoup aux rejaillissements du démantèlement du dualisme cartésien corps-esprit, de la déconstruction des édifices philosophiques et politiques fondés sur l'opposition binaire entre nature et culture, et aux potentialités ouvertes en accordant une attention spéciale à l'incarnation et à l'affect en anthropologie et dans l'ensemble des arts et des sciences humaines et sociales aujourd'hui (Behar et Gordon 1995). Nous sommes appelés à nous engager dans des critiques du sécularisme, à valoriser les épistémologies indigènes, à admettre « l'âme » dans nos analyses et à explorer le perspectivisme dans le projet de construction des « anthropologies du monde » (Ribeiro et Escobar 2006). Comment nous y prendrons-nous pour mener des recherches sur ces dimensions de l'expérience humaine et sur les possibilités politiques qu'elles présentent quand nos méthodes et formations demeurent, en bonne partie, « mortes du cou jusqu'en bas »? Magnat présente des possibilités stimulantes pour l'adaptation du théâtre physique de GrotoswsM à l'ethnographie, en soulignant des associations possibles avec les méthodologies indigènes. Elle propose un puissant argumentaire pour que l'institution académique reconnaisse de telles quêtes interdisciplinaires. Le travail de Kazubowski-Houston s'inspire de traditions partagées en anthropologie du théâtre et nous présente les défis ethnographiques persistants et les conséquences imprévues du passage de la théorie à la pratique.
Les articles ici rassemblГ©s ont une prГ©occupation centrale, diversement exprimГ©e, pour des enjeux de politique et d'Г©thique. Au coeur de ces prГ©occupations on trouve, non pas la peur des responsabilitГ©s civiles qui surdГ©termine les comitГ©s d'examen Г©thique des universitГ©s, non plus que les rГ©gimes de censure hargneuse et d'embrigadement du savoir qu'ils en sont venus Г reprГ©senter. Les auteurs du prГ©sent recueil rГ©pondent plutГґt aux questions qui ont initialement Г©tГ© Г l'origine de revendications, en particulier de la part de peuples autochtones, pour des codes d'Г©thique de recherche qui protГ©geraient leurs droits, respecteraient l'intГ©gritГ© des sujets de recherche et mettraient fin Г leur exploitation. Les auteurs sont prГ©occupГ©s des moeurs et moralitГ©s politiques des relations humaines quotithennes aussi bien qu'extraordinaires, nГ©cessairement enchГўssГ©es dans des rapports de pouvoir et toujours spГ©cifiques Г des lieux et moments.
Comment pouvons-nous honorer, en pratique, un engagement à la collaboration et à nous laisser mener par les participants en même temps que les exigences des comités d'examen institutionnels pour que nous articulions des hypothèses et établissions des résultats prévisibles. Compte tenu des imprévus et de l'imprédictibilité incontournables, que pouvons-nous répondre à une agence de financement qui demande à l'avance des garanties que nos « résultats » produiront des « évidences » qui fourniront une assise saine à la formulation de « politiques »? Lorsque nous reconnaissons les inégalités et conflits sociaux et politiques locaux, comment pouvons-nous travailler avec les membres les plus exclus et marginalisés et rendre des comptes à des comités de recherche contrôlés « par la communauté » exigeant des garanties de résultats de recherche générateurs de bénéfices pour la communauté? Comment produisons-nous un travail critique en rapport avec un objet comme, disons, l'étude Chez Soi/At Home sans compromettre le soutien immédiat pour les bénéficiaires, quand la présence d'un toit au-dessus de leur tête ne serait-ce que pour une seule nuit peut faire la différence entre la vie et la mort pour un irremplaçable être humain? Il n'existe pas de réponse parfaite, évidemment. Comment continuer à poser ces questions sans s'en trouver paralysé?
Est-ce que la réflexivité critique pratiquée par les auteurs - et de manière spécialement courageuse et admirable dans cette collection par Kazubowski-Houston - constitue une « expression grotesque d'une conscience morale libérale »? (Marcus 2008:12). Est-ce que notre travail devrait être rejeté avec ce qui semble être devenu l'épithète du jour dans certains cercles anthropologiques : « moraliste »? Est-ce que nos engagements vont être perçus comme « du nombrilisme narcissique »? Je prétends plutôt que les auteurs - moi y compris - luttent imparfaitement pour atteindre ce que Veena Das (2006) décrit comme une « capacité de réponse » (response-ability) éthique et politique.
C'est en fonction de cet objectif que nous analysons nos faux pas, nos malentendus, nos erreurs, nos Г©checs et nos regrets, dans un effort pour rendre public, et donc sujet Г contestation, dГ©bat et changement, ce que chaque ethnographe expГ©rimente et ce que la plupart d'entre eux discutent privГ©ment. Nous transgressons intentionnellement la frontiГЁre toujours gardГ©e mГјitairement entre В« la conversation de couloir В» et В« la publication dans une revue В». Nous offrons aux lecteurs des exemples d'une ethnographie В« expГ©rimentale В» telle que dГ©finie par Quetzil E. CastaГ±eda (2006) qui reflГЁte l'Г©tymologie du mot В« expГ©rience В» au sens de В« mise en pГ©ril В». В« Nous prenons des risques, en toute bonne foi, en ne sachant pas oГ№ va mener notre travail ou quelles seront les consГ©quences de la publication, mais dans l'espoir de crГ©er de l'espace pour laisser Г©merger quelque chose de nouveau.
В« L'anthropologie engagГ©e В» - le second terme de notre titre - a Г©tГ© conventionnellement associГ©e Г l'anthropologie appliquГ©e, c.-Г -d. menГ©e aux fins de fournir des recommandations de politiques aux gouvernements, ou de soutenir des mouvements organisГ©s de rГ©forme sociale ou politique, ou d'offrir des conseils d'orientation Г des organismes de dГ©veloppement communautaire. Les articles rГ©unis ici, toutefois, reflГЁtent la vision plus large de l'engagement articulГ©e par les Г©diteurs d'un supplГ©ment Г Current Anthropology en octobre 2010. Setha Low et Sally Engle Merry (2010-.S204) dГ©veloppent l'idГ©e В« qu'il existe diverses formes d'engagement : (1) le partage et le soutien, (2) l'enseignement et l'Г©ducation publique, (3) la critique sociale, (4) la collaboration, (5) l'action revendicatrice et (6) le militantisme В». Les articles qui suivent espГЁrent contribuer aux discussions courantes sur les formes Г©mergentes et les reformulations conceptuelles de В« l'anthropologie expГ©rimentale engagГ©e sur la scГЁne publique В».
Cette section thГ©matique a vu le jour Г la suite d'une session Г la confГ©rence de la CASCA 2009 Г Vancouver. Les prГ©sentations portaient sur des engagements compliquГ©s, contradictoires, contestГ©s, qui se compliquaient, se contredisaient et se contestaient les uns les autres. Mais la session avait ceci d'excitant que les communications ricochaient l'une sur l'autre, soulevant des gerbes d'Г©tincelles. Les confГ©renciers tombaient d'accord et se soutenaient mutuellement sur certains points, puis se dГ©fiaient et dГ©battaient sur d'autres points. Les discussions avec l'auditoire qui suivaient les prГ©sentations Г©taient animГ©es; les critiques Г©taient acГ©rГ©es et Г l'occasion impitoyables. Il a Г©tГ© impossible de soutenir l'Г©nergie d'une rencontre face Г face d'ГЄtres incarnГ©s au travers du processus nГ©cessairement orientГ© d'une Г©valuation par les pairs et d'une publication imprimГ©e. Vous ne trouverez pas ici une nouvelle synthГЁse, une formule programmatique soigneusement emballГ©e d'une Discipline Anthropologique, Nouvelle, AmГ©liorГ©e et Plus pure. Vous ne lirez pas de rГ©cit sur des progrГЁs triomphants cГ©lГ©brant le passage des mauvais jours d'antan confits dans l'erreur Г des jours nouveaux et sans dГ©faut sous les LumiГЁres, sans que quelqu'un ait Г tenir le fort. J'espГЁre que lorsque vous lirez ces communications, vous les imaginerez en conversation et parfois en affrontement les unes avec les autres, avec vous-mГЄme comme compositeur harmonisant les quatre voix distinctes dans un chant commun, et qui s'interrompent tour Г tour quand une performance solo est justifiГ©e.
Je conclurai en empruntant quelques mots Г Cristina Moretti qui partage un extrait de ses notes de terrain sur ses rГ©flexions Г propos du fait de lancer son travail ethnographique dans le monde, sachant qu'il sera nГ©cessairement В« perdu В». В« La question ici В» Г©crit Moretti В« n'est pas ce que nous avons perdu, mais ce que nous cherchons Г trouver Г sa place В».
RГ©fГ©rences
Behar, Ruth et D.A. Gordon, dirs.
1995 Women Writing Culture. Berkeley: University of California Press.
CasteГ±ada, Quetzil E.
2006 The Invisible Theatre of Ethnography: Performative Principles of Fieldwork. Anthropological Quarterly 79(1):75-104.
Clifford, James, et George Marcus, dirs.
1986 Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Culbert, Lori
201 1 Providing a Warm Place to Stay Benefits All: Giving Shelter to the Homeless Eases Society's Burden, Chair of Mental Health Commission Says. Vancouver Sun, 16 February:A2.
Das, Veena
2006 Life and Words. Violence and the Descent into the Ordinary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Low, Setha M., et Sally Engle Merry
2010 Engaged Anthropology: Diversity and Dilemmas: An Introduction to Supplement 2. Current Anthropology 51(2):S203-S226.
Marcus, George, et Michael M.J. Fischer
1986 Anthropology as Cultural Critique: An Experimental Moment in the Human Sciences. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Marcus, George
2007 Two Decades After Writing Culture: From the Experimental to the Baroque. Anthropological Quarterly 80(4):1127-1145.
2008 The End(s) of Ethnography: Social/Cultural Anthropology's Signature Form of Producing Knowledge in Transition, [interview with M. Pisarro: 3]. Cultural Anthropology 23(1):1-14.
Ribeiro, G.L., et Arturo Escobar, dirs.
2006 World Anthropologies: Disciplinary Transformations within Systems of Power. New York: Berg.
Culhane, Dara
Copyright Wilfrid Laurier University 1996
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SHY, OR JUST NUTS?
[Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India)]
Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India)
February 12, 2012
NEW DELHI, Feb. 12 -- Shyness, defiance, grief and eccentric behaviour could be classed as a mental illness under new guidelines, leaving millions of people at risk of being diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder. The upcoming revision of the influential Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the diagnosis handbook used by doctors in the US, common behaviours such as internet addiction and gambling will be listed as a mental illness.
Experts fear it would affect the way psychiatrists diagnose illnesses and prescribe drugs to treat psychiatric disorder.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.
For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
COPYRIGHT 2009 McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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UNITED APPEAL HOSTING RAFFLE
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 12, 2012
ATHENS, Ohio, Feb. 9 -- Ohio University issued the following news release:
Throughout the month of March, United Appeal for Athens County will host the "Spring Fling Raffle." Twice a day, every day, they will raffle off some amazing prices.
The local charity dedicated to helping the residents of Athens County meet their basic needs is hoping to thank their donors in a fun and exciting way.
Tickets have already begun selling for $25 each, and there are roughly 200 tickets left to be sold before the Feb. 22 deadline. To order tickets, contact United Appeal directly at (740) 429-1293. Tickets can also be purchased through John Dillon at (740) 707-4026, or Mark Sutton at suttonm@ohio.edu.
Each day throughout the month of March, there will be two chances to win prizes. The prizes for this year's raffle include everything from electronics to gift cards. The lucky winners will have the chance to receive electronics such as Blue Ray players, home theaters, digital cameras, tablets and plasma televisions. $100 gift cards to local businesses such as Abrio's, Kroger and Cornwell Jewelers will also be awarded.
"We appreciate the support of all our local business leaders, some of whom have donated raffle prizes and many more that sponsor worksite giving campaigns and make substantial annual gifts to United Appeal," said Executive Director of United Appeal Pam Harvey.
All the proceeds from the ticket sales will be put to good use throughout the community. Gifts and donations to United Appeal are used to provide housing needs, emergency food supplies, healthy nutrition for children and in-home health and hospice care for those in need. Funds will also go to Athens 2-1-1, a telephone and internet source for information on services involved in family support, substance abuse treatment, health care, food resources, housing and many other subjects.
"This is a unique opportunity for anyone to give to United Appeal to help meet our annual fundraising goal of $160,000," said Harvey. "Local agencies and Athens County 2-1-1 count on annual United Appeal gifts to help people meet their basic needs." For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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In Your Town
[Press of Atlantic City]
Press of Atlantic City
February 11, 2012 | Anonymous
Northfield
Democrats list officers for 2012
At the Jan. 18 meeting of Democratic Party of Northfield, the annual general election of officers appointed the following new officers for the calendar year of 2012:
Frank Perri Jr., president; Debbi Ranger Doherty, vice president; Ben Podolnick, 2nd vice president; Lynn Perri, secretary; Raymond J. Adams, treasurer; Sheila Mussa, corresponding secretary; and Mark Doherty, sergeant at arms.
The Democratic Party of Northfield meets the third Wednesday of every month. For information, call 609-646-0617.
Somers Point
Police off crime prevention workshop
The Somers Point Police Department will hold a crime prevention workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 15 in the court room at City Hall.
The presentation will explain how to protect your property and yourself. It will explain ways to avoid fraud such as internet scams and credit card theft. There will be a question and answer session. Take-home information will be available.
Anonymous
Copyright [2008] Press of Atlantic City
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Hacker claims porn site users compromised
[Honolulu Star - Advertiser]
Honolulu Star - Advertiser
February 11, 2012 | Satter, Rachel
LONDON >> A hacker claims to have compromised the personal information of more than 350,000 users after breaking into a disused website operated by pornography provider Brazzers.
Kate Miller, director of communications for site owner Manwin Holding SARL, said Saturday it was "currently investigating the issue" but that no credit card information has been leaked.
Miller said it appeared that the hacker had gained access to an inactive forum to help enter other, linked websites. She said she couldn't put a figure on the number of people potentially affected and declined to say whether customers were being warned of the breach, citing security reasons.
In an email, she said that security was "a priority at all times" and that the company would do all it could to safeguard its users' information. The email went on to blame the hacker for "illegal and prohibited cyber criminal activities."
The breach is a potential embarrassment for Luxembourg-based Manwin, which runs some of the world's best-known pornography websites.
A small sample of the hundreds of thousands of pieces of user data allegedly compromised were posted to the Internet earlier this week. Emails, usernames, and encrypted passwords were divulged, and in some cases it was possible to infer porn users' full names and country of origin.
The hacker claiming responsibility for the breach told The Associated Press that he carried out the attack to draw attention to the site's vulnerability.
"I didn't do that for any money," he said in an email.
He identified himself only as a 17-year-old living in Morocco and claimed allegiance to Anonymous, the global movement of cyber-mischief-makers who have carried out embarrassing attacks on record companies, the Church of Scientology, and the FBI.
Credit: Rachel Satter
Satter, Rachel
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THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SPOT 127.0.0.1
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 12, 2012
TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 9 -- Maricopa Community Colleges' Rio Salado Community College issued the following news release:
The Valley's public radio station KJZZ 91.5 is collaborating with Rio Salado College to launch a new after-school program to train and mentor the next generation of public broadcasters. It's called SPOT 127.0.0.1-that's Internet code for "home."
For the sake of space, and to coin the first of what will likely become several incarnations the youth media students will come up with, KJZZ is calling the center SPOT 127 for short.
SPOT 127 will be located at 3701 W. Thomas Ave. in Phoenix in an existing building made available through Rio's partnership with the Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD). The 7,430 square-foot center is already wired for digital interfaces and plenty of space for students to work on and showcase their multi-media productions.
Rio faculty and staff will provide curriculum development support to help train students in all aspects of digital media production and PUHSD may assist in identifying students for the program.
"SPOT 127 demonstrates Rio's commitment to community development," said Dr. Chris Bustamante, Rio Salado College President. "This collaboration is an example of how we are redefining the educational model to meet the unique needs of non-traditional students in communities where they live."
"The goal of SPOT 127 is to engage youth with tools that are likely to be of interest to them," said Lou Stanley, KJZZ Associate General Manager. "Ultimately, we want to develop a continuous pathway for young people to pursue higher educational opportunities and to understand the benefits of life-long learning."
To enroll in the program, students are required to have or be working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED certificate, and they must commit to SPOT 127 requirements.
Rio's curriculum development department and KJZZ SPOT 127 consultant, Doug Mitchell are working together to develop a certificate program that students can enroll in after completing a six month core curriculum, and earn college credit toward an Associate of Applied Science degree. Removed copy as per AF request 12/6
An important component of SPOT 127 is the Food Journalism curriculum. Adjacent to SPOT 127 is Rio's adult basic education center, which will include a brand new kitchen equipped with state-of-the art appliances. Rio will use the kitchen to teach sustainable food practices, while SPOT 127 students and staff use the kitchen to learn how to make healthy food choices. The students will also learn techniques on how to produce cooking show demonstrations-providing a means for students to nurture their bodies while they develop critical thinking skills.
SPOT 127 is scheduled to open its doors in the first quarter of 2012 and work with up to 60 students ages 14-24. For more back-story, visit KJZZ.org. For additional details about the program, grand opening and ways to get involved, contact Lou Stanley at 480-774-8448 or lstanley@rioradio.org.
Additional support for SPOT 127 is made possible in part by the Carstens Family Fund, Friends of Public Radio Arizona, Electrolux, FITCH, Schulz Charitable Foundation, US Bank, Alliance Bank, AVNET, Boeing Employees and the Phoenix Union High School District.
KJZZ is a listener-supported public radio station licensed to the Maricopa Community College District. It is a community service of Rio Salado College's Division of Public Service, featuring a mix of local, national and international news, jazz and blues - serving more than 306,000 weekly listeners. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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Visually impaired get software training
[DNA. Sunday]
DNA. Sunday
February 12, 2012
Hundreds of visually impaired students of the city were given training about usage of special computer applications in reading and learning various subjects at the Old Girls Degree College (GDC) on Saturday.
The students were provided essential knowledge about using computer software and internet to learn specialised courses and other interesting topics without any assistance. Practical demonstrations of various equipment and infrastructure facilities such as online libraries, access to main stream magazines, news papers and various tools to read independently were presented at a seven-hour long workshop titled Reading without seeing'.
"The trainer told us about the software that can help us read without Braille," said Arun Yadav, a visually impaired participant who is pursuing Ph. D from DAVV.
"The multi purpose recorder which they showed was very useful, but not accessible because of its cost. Not all the visually impaired can afford it.," he added.
Credit:DNA Correspondent
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10 TIPS FOR FILING TAXES IN NORTH CAROLINA
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 12, 2012
RALEIGH, N.
C., Feb. 9 -- The North Carolina Department of Revenue issued the following news release:
Tax season is here and making it easy for taxpayers to understand and file their taxes is a top priority for the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Providing the correct information and remembering a few simple tips will help ensure you have an error-free tax return that can be processed quickly and correctly.
NCDOR offers the following easy tips and recommendations as you prepare your taxes this year.
1. Extended filing date- Individual income taxpayers will have until April 17, 2012, to file returns, extensions and payments normally due on April 15. The extension is to accommodate Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Get more details on the extension (http://www.dor.state.nc.us/press/2011/deadline.html).
2. Gather all your income and tax documents before you file- Filing before you receive all W-2s and 1099s often leads to errors that require you to file amended returns once you have the correct information. Employers are required to mail W-2s and other documents by Jan.31.
3. File electronically and request direct deposit for refunds-This is the most convenient, accurate and the fastest way to file your taxes. Electronic filing will identify common math errors and direct deposit to your bank account means you get your money sooner. Some taxpayers may qualify for free or low-cost electronic filing. Find out how to E-file (http://www.dor.state.nc.us/electronic/e-file.html) and if you qualify for low-cost filing. Some taxpayers with low-to moderate- incomes may qualify for free tax preparation through the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-906-9887 or visit the IRS website.
4. File electronic federal and state returns at the same time-Failure to file both returns at the same time could require taxpayers to amend North Carolina returns if the IRS detects any errors with their federal return.
5. Check your address-Every year, thousands of refund checks are returned to the Department of Revenue because of incorrect addresses, and the law forbids the forwarding of those checks. Carefully check the mailing address you provide on your return.
6. Do not file photocopies of tax forms-Use pre-printed or downloaded forms from the department's website. Photocopies may not scan correctly and could cause delays in processing your return. Taxpayers can request forms online, download forms from the NCDOR website, or call 1-877-252-3052.
7. Make checks payable to the N.
C. Department of Revenue if you owe state taxes-Some taxpayers mistakenly send checks made out to the Internal Revenue Service for their state taxes. Payments may also be made on-line through our secure website. Just visit www.dornc.com and click on Electronic Services for Individuals.
8. File on time regardless of ability to pay-Make sure you file on-time to avoid the automatic failure-to-file penalty of five percent per month, up to a maximum of 25% of what you owe in state taxes. You are better off filing your taxes by the April 17 deadline and contacting the department at 1-877-252-3052 to arrange a payment plan if you cannot pay all at once.
9. Check to see if you qualify for common credits, deductions or exemptions-You could qualify for popular credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit both federally and with the state. Some severance pay may also be exempt if you were laid off from your job.
10. Find and use a reputable tax preparer- Taxpayers get billed for millions of dollars in state taxes each year as a result of deliberate errors made on their returns by fraudulent tax preparers. Be wary of preparers who: claim they can obtain larger refunds than others, ask you to sign a blank tax return, base their fees on a percentage of a taxpayer's refund and who are reluctant to offer references. If you see information on your return that is wrong or confusing, you should question the preparer and if not satisfied with their response, called the NC Department of Revenue at 1-800-232-4939.
Questions, need more information or don't have access to the Internet?
If you have any questions or need more assistance, please call our Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1-877-252-3052. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
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AT&T REPORTS MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS BY SENIOR EXECUTIVE VP HUMAN RESOURCES BLASE (Texas)
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- AT&T Inc. (T), Dallas, has filed a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission noting the change in the beneficial interest held by Senior Executive VP for Human Resources William A. Blase Jr., Dallas.
On Feb. 7 the action involved acquisition of 15,000 shares of stock and disposition of 15,000 shares of stock. Blase now owns 90,638 shares of stock directly and 107,260.25 shares of stock indirectly.
AT&T Inc. is a provider of telecommunications services including wireless communications, local exchange services, long-distance services, data/broadband and Internet services, video services, managed networking, wholesale services and directory advertising and publishing in the United States and worldwide. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
The information at the SEC is available at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/732717/000112760212004742/xslF345X03/form4.xml
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ACME PACKET REPORTS MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS BY VP SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIPALMA (Massachusetts)
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Acme Packet Inc. (APKT), Bedford, Mass., has filed a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission noting the change in the beneficial interest held by VP for Sales and Business Development Dino Dipalma, Bedford.
On Feb. 6 the action involved acquisition of 41,533 stock options as a result of right to buy. Dipalma now owns 41,533 stock options directly.
Acme Packet Inc. is a provider in session border control solutions, which enable the delivery interactive communications, such as voice, video and multimedia sessions, and data services across Internet protocol (IP), network borders. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
The information at the SEC is available at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1130258/000120919112008480/xslF345X03/doc4.xml
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Valentine's Day shoppers flock to online stores
[The Kathmandu Post]
The Kathmandu Post
February 13, 2012
KATHMANDU, Feb. 12 -- With the number of internet users increasing in the country, there has been a growing trend of people shopping on the internet. And amid Valentine's Day fever gripping the entire world, online shopping stores in Nepal are reporting a healthy surge in business.
Online sellers like www.muncha.com, www.thamel.com and www.giftmandu.com, among others, say their sales have gone up by 30-40 percent compared to normal days. They say the trend of sending gifts to beloved ones on Valentine's Day is rising, and people from all walks of life are joining the bandwagon.
According to Amrit Tuladhar, chief executive officer of muncha.com, the arrival of the Valentine's Day has pushed their sales up by at least 30 percent. "Valentine's day is one of the most celebrated occasions in the West. Therefore, Nepalis residing abroad tend to send gift items to their loved ones using online platforms," said Tuladhar. "We receive around 300 to 400 orders during this period."
Considering the high demand, muncha.com has added a separate 'Valentine's Day Special' section on its website. People can choose various gift items such as jewelleries, gift baskets, toys, perfumes, cakes, chocolates, bags, watches, cosmetics and flowers, among others. "Besides, over 70 individual merchants have partnered with us," Tuladhar said.
Muncha.com, which has been in the business for the last 12 years, is experiencing a healthy growth in the number of its clients. According to Tuladhar, the company receives decent orders from Nepalis residing abroad even during normal days.
Muncha.com provides door-to-door delivery service to its clients. Customers can make payments through various modes such banks, credit cards, payment gateways like www.esewa.com, www.payway.com and through cash-on-delivery system.
Another prominent online shopping store, www.thamel.com, is also enjoying a similar growth. The store, which has been offering the service for the last decade, has reported a sales growth of 30 percent. "Like previous years, we are receiving exciting response from Nepalis residing abroad," said Sushila Joshi, manager of thamel.com. "Most of the orders we receive are from countries like the US, the UK and Australia."
She added that orders from Japan, China and India have also been decent of late.
According to Joshi, most of the orders are placed for Valentine gifts such as red roses, cakes, chocolates and perfumes, among others. The store, which normally receives around 50 orders a day, is receiving presently around 300 orders a day. "The use of internet is growing throughout the world and the number of Nepalis going abroad is also on the rise. Therefore, the prospects of online stores are bright," Joshi said.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from EKantipur.com.
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Calendar of Events
[Press of Atlantic City]
Press of Atlantic City
February 10, 2012 | Anonymous
Dining out
SUPER BOWL XLVI SUNDAY COUNTRY BREAKFAST by 79 Club of Trinity Masonic Lodge 79 F&AM, 563 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township, 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 5. The cost is $8 adult and $5 for children under 11. For more information and directions that morning, call 609-927-7979.
CHICKEN PARMIGIANNA DINNER, 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10, 79 Club of Trinity Masonic Lodge, F&AM, 563 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township, $9.95 adults, $5.95 children 12 and younger. Call 609-927-7979.
PRE-VALENTINE'S DAY SURF N' TURF DINNER, 5 p.m. Feb. 11, Galloway Elks Lodge, seating every 30 minutes until 8 p.m., $20, must register by Feb. 3. Call 609-266-1840 or e-mail Mickey at gallowayelks2845@comcast.net.
VALENTINE'S PARTY, 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 11 at Egg Harbor Township Elks Lodge No. 2563, 1815 Mays Landing/Somers Point Road, $20 per person includes ham dinner, beer/wine. Entertainment with dancing will be provided.
FUNDRAISING BREAKFAST, 8 to 11 a.m. Feb. 11, Saturday, St. Mark and All Saints Church, 429 S. Pitney Road, Galloway Township. Cost $9 adults and $6 children under 12 and seniors. All proceeds directly benefits Galloway Pack 12 Cub Scouts. For more information email Roger Mussa at RRMussa@gmail.com.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER, 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 22, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Peach Street between Central Avenue and Third Street, Hammonton, take-out available. Call 609-898-6071 or 609-571-2310.
MEATLOAF DINNER FOR AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS, 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 25, VFW post 2189, 500 Bethel Road, Somers Point. Cost $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Proceeds benefit veterans programs.
SPAGHETTI DINNER, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 25, United Methodist Church, Bethel Road and Doran Avenue, Somers Point. Adult $7, children $5. Proceeds benefit Scout Troop 55 of Somers Point.
Education
BOAT NEW JERSEY, safe boating class, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 19, Mays Landing Fire Department, 6081 Reliance Ave., Mays Landing. Fee $65, includes course and all materials. Call Janet at 201-291-5976 or Kathy at 856-816-8907 or see njboat.org.
ESL CLASSES, registration open to Atlantic City Library cardholders, takes place at Main Library from 12-1 p.m. Mondays, except Feb. 13 and Feb. 20. Free. Call 609-345-2269, ext. 3115.
ESL Intermediate Class on Feb. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. General English learning class for intermediate students, focuses on grammar, listening, vocabulary, reading and writing.
ESL Financial Literacy Class on Feb. 10, 17, 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Designed to help students get acquainted with the American banking system. Learn different terms and get information about checking and savings accounts, service providers, handling personal finances and more.
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO HANDLING AND PREVENTING ARTHRITIS, free seminar, 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 13, AtlanticCare Life Center, 2500 English Creek Ave., Egg Harbor Township. Light refreshments provided. Free spinal screenings. Call 609-677-5760 to reserve a seat.
COMPUTER TRAINING for Atlantic City Free Public Library members 18 and older and in good standing. Preregister at the Computer Help Desk at the Main Library, 1 N. Tennessee Ave. Setting Up an E-mail Account on Friday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m.; Job Applications and Resumes on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m.; Twitter and Facebook on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m.; Computer Fundamentals on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m.; Beginning Word on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. Apply online for library card at acfpl.org and at the Main Library or Atlantic City Library Express (3001 Atlantic Ave.) locations. Call 609-345-2269, ext. 3060
BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION COMPUTER LAB CLASSES at Atlantic County Library System/Pleasantville, 33 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Free, open to adults, registration required. Call 609-641-1778. An Introduction to Email, March 6 at 10 a.m.; Introduction to the Internet, Feb. 15 at 4 and 6 p.m.; Introduction to Word, March 14 at 4 and 6 p.m.
COMPUTER SKILLS WORKSHOPS for adults, Atlantic County Library System/Galloway Township, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road. For a schedule, call 609-652-2352.
Introduction to the Internet, Thursdays, Feb. 16, March 15 and 29 at 10 am; and on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 12 noon. Registration required.
Introduction to Email, Thursdays, Feb. 16, March 15 and 29 at 11:15 a.m. Registration required.
Introduction to Microsoft Word, Thursdays, Feb. 16, March 1, 15 and 29 at 12:30 p.m. Registration required.
Resume Seminar, Monday March 5 at 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Registration required. Participants should bring a list of previous employers with addresses and dates of employment and a list f schools attended with dates.
Introduction to Microsoft Power Point, Thursdays, March 1 at 10 a.m. and on Mondays, Feb. 6 and March 19 at 5:30 p.m. Registration required.
Tutor.com workshop, Monday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. Learn about the free one-on-one live tutor resource and 24/7 homework help databases that can help your child succeed.
Introduction to Microsoft Excel, Thursdays, March 1 at 11:15 a.m. and Mondays, Feb. 6 and March 19 at 6:30 p.m. Registration required.
BOAT NJ COURSE by NJ Boating Safety Classes in Linwood, Feb. 13 and 15. Meets state law requirements for New Jersey boating safety certification, $65 fee covers course and all materials. Takes place at Brandywine Assisted Living Facility, 432 Central Ave, Linwood, 6:30 to 10 p.m. with one hour homework. Call Janet at 201-291-5976 or Kathy at 856-816-8907 or see njboat.org.
BOOK DISCUSSIONS for adults, Atlantic County Library System/Brigantine, 201 15th Street South, call 609-266-0110. Discussions at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and March 13. Call ahead for title of book to discuss.
STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS to help child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder build social skills, 7-9 p.m. Feb. 15 and 22, Atlantic County Library System/Egg Harbor Township, 1 Swift Ave. Free, but no child care provided. Contact Elizabeth Provenzano at 609-822-1108 or eprovenzano@jfsatlantic.org.
ROCKADEMY REGISTRATION at Charter Tech High School for the Performing Arts, 413 New Road (Route 9), Somers Point. Takes place 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 15 for students ages 10-18. Bring guitar; drumsticks, saxophone or whatever instrument you play - but most of all your passion for playing rock 'n roll. For more information, call 609-926-7694 ext. 177 or see chartertech.org.
A REVOLUTIONARY EXPERIENCE at Atlantic County Library System/Mays Landing, 40 Farragut Ave., 7 p.m. Feb. 22, free and open to adults and teens. Registration requested, call 609-625-2776, ext. 6304. Doug Yearsley as General Silas Newcomb presents an evening of reminiscences and reflections from a New Jersey native's perspective.
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP at Atlantic County Library System/Galloway Township, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road: 7 p.m. Feb. 27, 'Marie Antoinette' by Antonia Fraser; 7 p.m. March 12, 'Perfect Storm' by Sebastian Junger. Registration is optional. Call 609-652-2352.
GREAT AMERICAN COOKING at Atlantic County Library System/Galloway Township, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, 7 p.m. Feb. 28. Open to adults and teens. Participants should bring their favorite recipe to share and participate in a discussion of American cuisine, regional cooking, ingredients, favorite chefs, cookbooks and magazines. Call 609-652-2352.
'MEMORY LOSS, DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: THE BASICS' by Alzheimer's Association, March 1, Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation, 214 West Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. To register or for more information, call 800-272-3900.
FAMILY-TO-FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM, 12-week series, 7 to 9:30 p.m. beginning March 1, for people who have a loved one with a serious mental illness, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, Jordan Road Elementary School, Somers Point. Free, space limited. To register call Gail at 609-927-0215. Class in Spanish also to be formed, call Nubia at 609-345-1249.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER TUTOR with Literacy Volunteers Association Cape-Atlantic's winter Tutor Training Workshops at Shore Medical Center, fourth floor Stainton Room. Five consecutive Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m. beginning March 3. Space is limited. Go to lvacapeatlantic.org to download a registration form or call 609-383-3377.
KNOW THE 10 SIGNS: EARLY DETECTION MATTERS, by Alzheimer's Association, March 6, Atlantic Adult Day Healthcare, 331 Tilton Road, Suite 2A, Northfield. To register or for more information call 800-272-3900.
TAKE BETTER PICTURES WORKSHOP for seniors, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 14, Noyes Museum of Art, 733 Lily Lake Road, Oceanville, Galloway Township. Free to older adults, pre-registration required. Call 609-652-8848, email aheuman@noyesmuseum.org or see stockton.edu/scosa.
HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS at Congregation Beth Israel Nursery School in Northfield, children learn alphabet letters based on shape and length of lines. For more information, call 609-641-3600 or see bethisraelnorthfield.org.
MAJHONG CLASSES, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Katz Jewish Community Center, 501 North Jerome Ave., Margate, $75 members, $100 nonmembers. Call 609-822-1167, ext. 138, email JCutler@jccatlantic.org or see jccatlantic.org.
SHORE MEDICAL CENTER: Free blood pressure screenings, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, Shore Medical Center Outpatient Services building, New York Avenue and Shore Road and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. second Wednesday each month, Shore Thrift Shop, Somers Point Shopping Center, Route 9.
Community education, to register for any of the following programs see ShoreHealthToday.com or call 609-653-4600, press option 3 then 1: Cancer recovery and supportive care services: Cancer screenings, New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program, free screenings for breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancer, call 609-653-3484.
Family life services, to register, call 609-653-3238: Mom to Mom, 1 to 2 p.m. Mondays, Jenkins Room, second floor of hospital.
ASK THE DOCTOR/ASK THE NURSE SPEAKING PROGRAMS, sponsored by Nazha Cancer Center of Northfield and Galloway Township, educational program to make doctors and nurses available as speakers for local organizational meetings in South Jersey shore communities. Community organizations that wish to host Ask the Doctor/Ask the Nurse programs should call Liz Matt at 215-627-0801, ext. 102, or email her at liz@sf-pr.com. For more information on Nazha Cancer Center, see nazhacancercenter.com.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. second Saturdays at Bennett Chevrolet, 6721 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, call 609-641-0444; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. third Saturdays at Action Auto Body, 14 12th St., Hammonton, call 609-561-0736. For more information, call the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office at 609-909-7200.
CURRENT EVENTS DISCUSSION GROUP 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at Atlantic County Library, Ocean Heights Avenue and Swift Drive, Egg Harbor Township. Call 609-927-8664.
FRIENDS OF ENCORE LEARNING, formerly Brandeis University Women's Committee, offers study groups with professional leaders. Call 609-348-3401 or 609-822-9595.
HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START early childhood development program, by Atlantic Human Resources Inc., recruiting preschool children for 2011-12. There is no cost to families who qualify. Head Start has centers throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties. For information call 609-348-4166 (Atlantic County) or 609-861-2804 (Cape May County).
LEARN TO PLAY CHESS noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays at Atlantic County Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor. Call 609-823-4614.
OLDER ADULTS SPECIAL INTEREST SERIES 10:30 a.m. Mondays at Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 N. Tennessee Ave. Call 609-345-2269 for topic of week.
QUILTERS 2 p.m. Thursdays at Atlantic County Library, 201 15th St. South, Brigantine.
SCHOLARSHIPS offered by the Atlantic County Bar Association for Atlantic County law students attending any accredited law school. For more information, see atcobar.org or call the Bar Association Office at 609-345-3444.
THERAPEUTIC HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS by Atlantic Riding Center for Health, Egg Harbor Township. Call 609-926-2233 or see atlanticridingcenterforhealth.org.
VETERANS BENEFIT INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m first Wednesdays at Ruby Tuesday entrance, Hamilton Mall, Hamilton Township. Call 609-407-1332 or Hamilton Township Veterans Advisory Board at 609-625-1511.
WOMENSOURCE TRAINING, various topics at the Women's Center, 1201 New Road, Suite 240, Linwood. Call 609-601-9925, ext. 207, or see acwc.org.
YOGA 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Hindu Jain Temple, 571 S. Pomona Road, Galloway Township. Cost is $3 donation. Call 609-407-9098 or 609-652-2102.
Etc.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES: 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Feb. 10, Harrah's Resort, 1725 Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine Room, Atlantic City; noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Atlantic County Community Donor Center, Pleasantville Donor Center, 850 N. Franklin Ave., Pleasantville, call 800-RED-CROSS.
OPEN HOUSE Feb. 13-17, Total Hearing Care, 450 Tilton Road, Suite 212, Northfield. Participants will receive a free hearing screening and a demonstration of the new Sonic Flip hearing device by professional certified staff members. To reserve, call the Northfield office at 609-641-1963.
'THE NEED TO SUPPORT ISLAMIC INSTITUTIONS IN AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN,' 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25, doors open 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:15 p.m., at Masjid Muhammad of Atlantic City, 300 N. Albany Ave., Atlantic City, donation $35 single/$60 couple, proceeds benefit Masjid Muhammad. Information call 609-347-0220 or mmacinc.org
DISCOUNT SKI TICKETS from EHT Recreation Department: Blue Mountain, Greek Peak, Jack Frost/Big Boulder, Mountain Creek, Adventure Aquarium and Sahara Sam's Water Park. Call the 609-272-8120 for details and availability or see ehtgov.org. Coupons for Shawnee and Camelback Mountains also available.
BEACON'S HOPE CHEST for those in need of food or clothing assistance open 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Beacon Evangelical Free Church, 420 S. Sixth Ave., Galloway Township. Call 609-748-0001.
CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS DROP-OFF at First United Methodist Church of Mays Landing, 6011 Main St. Call 609-625-9446 or 609-625-7265.
CLOTHES CLOSET OUTREACH MINISTRY 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 3 to 5 p.m. Saturdays at Faith Baptist Church, 815 Tilton Road, Pleasantville. Call 609-646-1881.
CLOTHING DONATIONS in good condition needed by United Methodist Church of Somers Point, Bethel Road and Doran Avenue, Somers Point. Clothing may be dropped off at church any morning during the week. Call 609-927-2075 with questions.
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at New Hope Community Center, 301 N. Woodland Ave., Pleasantville. Proof of income required. Must have proper ID. For information, call 609-287-4649 or 609-484-3413.
FOOD, CLOTHING GIVEAWAY third Sundays at Proclaiming His Word Church, 101 N. First St., Pleasantville. Call 609-407-1750.
FOOD PANTRY 1 to 3 p.m. third Thursday of each month at Union Baptist Temple Church, 335 N. Pennsylvania Ave., use Drexel Avenue entrance, Atlantic City. Call 609-345-4314.
FOOD PANTRY 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. third and fourth Wednesdays at Price Memorial AME Zion Church, 525 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-344-1751.
FOOD PANTRY 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Fridays at Masjid Muhammad Inc., 300 Albany Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-347-0788.
FOOD PANTRY noon to 3 p.m. second Thursdays and 3 to 6 p.m. fourth Thursdays at St. James AME Church, 101 N. New York Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-345-0179.
FREE GARDASIL, MENINGOCOCCAL, TDAP, PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATIONS from Atlantic County Division of Public Health in Northfield and Hammonton. Call 609-645-5933 to schedule an appointment.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE by Mainland Lions. Call 609-652-5115 or 609-641-5988.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE by Somers Point Jazz Society. Call 609-927-6677.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE by American Business Women's Association. Call 609-317-5101 or email peh53@comcast.net.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE by Gilda's Club, 700 New Road, Linwood. Call 609-926-2699.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE for Downbeach Film Society, 401 Berkshire Dr., Margate. Call 609-823-9159.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE by American Legion Post 352 Ladies Auxiliary, Somers Point. Call 609-927-7145.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE by Friends of Encore Learning of Stockton. Call 609-822-9595.
VETERANS ADVOCATE/VOLUNTEERS WANTED to offer assistance to veterans. Contact Lou Green, 609-407-1332.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at the Atlantic Riding Center for Health, 206 Asbury Road, Egg Harbor Township, some daytime help will be needed for school groups during the morning hours. Afternoon hours are needed as well. Call 609-926-2233 or see arch206.org for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED as companions for elders with Alzheimer's or related dementias by Project SAVE with Family Service Association, 609-569-0239, ext.1148.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to staff CONTACT Cape-Atlantic's reassurance program that provides daily telephone calls to the elderly and disabled. Call Ann P. Magee at 609-823-1850 or see contactcapeatlantic.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for a variety of opportunities by Family Service Association, 609-569-0239.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED by South Jersey AIDS Alliance for its syringe exchange program at its Oasis site, 32 S. Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-347-1085.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED by Meadowview Nursing Home snack and gift shop, 225 Dolphin Ave., Northfield. Open seven days, two shifts available: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 to 3:15 p.m. For more information, call Joe Martin at 609-822-5857.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED by Environmental Educational Committee of the Friends of Forsythe, Great Creek Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-748-1535.
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT, for Atlantic Adult Day Healthcare in Northfield to help seniors and disabled in crafts, men's group and Spanish group. Open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays. Call Beth or Diane at 609-383-3313.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED by Atlantic County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to organize and run fundraising activities. Call 609-927-9059.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED by T. Byrd Leadership Academy and Tri-County Score, Pleasantville. Call 609-484-9356.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED by Heartland Hospice, Northfield. Training provided. Call 609-641-4675.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED by Mainland Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 930 Church St., Pleasantville. Call 609-646-6900, ext. 137.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED by the Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Families for Northfield Thrift Shop. Call 609-484-1133.
For fun
YOGA FOR BEGINNERS, Wednesdays, Feb. 15, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor. For teens and adults. Relax while learning basic yoga forms and breath work. Dress in loose clothing and casual footgear, and bring water, yoga mat and towel. Free, but must register in advance. Call 609-645-5960 and specify session.
MOVIE AND POPCORN AT THE LIBRARY, featuring Johnny Depp collection, 6 p.m. Feb. 15, 22, 29, Northfield Library, 241 W. Mill Road, Northfield. Call 609-646-4476.
DINNER AND A MOVIE at Atlantic County Library System/Brigantine, 201 15th Street South, through March for 18 and older. The first 35 people to arrive are admitted. Attendees can bring their own takeout, pizza is available for $3, beverage, utensils and dessert provided. A Western with Spunk, 6 p.m. March 7. For details, call 609-266-0110.
PTA VALENTINE DAY DINNER DANCE, 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 11, Assumption Regional Catholic School, 146 S. Pitney Road, Galloway Township, $35. Call Tina Dolan at 609-226-2182 or visit arcsgalloway.org
BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK, Feb. 1-14, check out a book sight unseen at most Atlantic County Library System locations, then let library know how your blind date goes with a Rate your Date review form. Book reviews will be posted on the library's website. Blind dates await at the Egg Harbor City Branch (609-804-1063), Egg Harbor Township Branch (609-927-8664), Galloway Township Branch (609-652-2352), Hammonton Branch (609-561-2264), Longport Branch (609-487-0272), Mays Landing Branch (609-625-2776, ext. 6304), Pleasantville Branch (609-641-1778), and Somers Point Branch (609-927-7113). The Outreach Services Section (609-625-2776, ext. 6338) of the Atlantic County Library System plays matchmaker for the Buena Community Reading Center and the Bookmobile.
'A NIGHT IN THE TROPICS' pre-prom fashion and talent show, 7 p.m. Feb. 10, Holy Spirit High School, Absecon. Tickets $5, available during school hours in the Attendance Office, or at the door. Call Dianna Shpritz at 609-338-3889 or Renee Stone at 609-214-2202.
PATTI ANTARES AND HER PSYCHIC FRIENDS, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 11 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township.
DOWNTOWN HAMMONTON THIRD THURSDAY, 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 16, "Fat Thursday" Mardi Gras theme, shopping district along Bellevue Avenue, art, food, music, shopping specials. Information call MainStreet Hammonton Office at 609-567-9014 or visit www.facebook.com/downtownhammonton
HIKE ESTELL, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 18, meet at Fox Nature Center, Atlantic County Park, Estell Manor, two-hour hike, pace geared to ability of group. Free. Advanced registration encouraged. Call 609-625-7000, ext. 5431.
ARCH WINTER/SPRING HORSE SHOW SERIES, hunter, jumper and therapeutic classes, 8:30 a.m. Feb. 19, Atlantic Riding Center for Health, 206 Asbury Road, Egg Harbor Township. Series awards to high point riders for each division and champion/reserve for each division every show. Prices $10/therapeutic, $15/traditional per class day of show. Call Jill Baxter at 609-926-2233.
TAKE THE PLUNGE: ROLLER COASTER MANIA! at Atlantic County Library System/Galloway Township, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, 4 p.m. Feb. 29. Open to all ages. Call 609-652-2352.
'IS IT PUPPY LOVE, OR THE PURRFECT VALENTINE?' Pet photo contest to Feb. 29 at the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township, $5 entry fee per photo. Photos will be posted and voted on Shore Mall Facebook Page. Actual photos submitted will be on display at Shore Mall nearest Auntie Anne's Pretzels. The photo with the most 'likes' will receive a $25 Shore Mall Gift Certificate. All money raised will be donated to the ASPCA. Photo and entry fee must be dropped off at the mall office or information booth. Photo must not exceed 5x7 and must state the following on the reverse side: Name of pet, breed of pet, male/female, owners and contact number. Open to all pets.
BOOK DISCUSSIONS: 6:30 p.m. March 1, 'The Things They Carried' by Tim O'Brien. For details, call the library at 609-927-8664. Atlantic County Library System/Egg Harbor Township, 1 Swift Ave.
SPRING CRAFT FAIR, by EHT Recreation Department, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 31, Community Center, English Creek Avenue, Egg Harbor Township. Vendor applications can be obtained at ehtgov.org
ATLANTIC RIDING CENTER FOR HEALTH RIDING PROGRAM, for veterans of any age with or without disabilities, ARCH facility, 206 Asbury Road, Egg Harbor Township. Program designed to promote core strength, balance, coordination and energy in a relaxed social setting. Call 609-926-2233 or see arch206.org.
BALLROOM DANCING on the Seashore Gardens Boardwalk, 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Seashore Gardens Living Center, 22 W. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-645-3269.
BALLROOM AND LATIN DANCING, Wednesday Night Dance Group Class by Gene and Connie, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Christ Church Parish Hall, 157 Shore Road, Somers Point. For more information, call Gene Hildner, 609-344-5366.
BRIDGE 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at Linwood Library, 301 Davis Ave. Call 609-601-9109 or 609-927-6501.
CARDIO DANCE-LINE DANCE 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Ventnor Educational Community Complex, Lafayette Avenue, gymnasium entrance. Call 609-823-7950.
CEILI 8 p.m. last Saturdays of month except July and August at American Legion Hall, First and Pennsylvania avenues, Somers Point. Call 609-823-3757 or 609-398-8636.
JERSEY SHORE BALLROOM DANCE CLUB dances with instruction, 7 to 10 p.m. selected Saturdays at Christ Church Hall, 157 Shore Road, Somers Point. Call Sharon 926-1654.
KNITTERS 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Atlantic County Library, 201 15th St. South, Brigantine.
OPEN MIC NIGHT, 7 to 9 p.m. fourth Fridays, Greenlight Coffeehouse, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore, 75 S. Pomona Road, Galloway Township, entertainment, free light refreshments, free Wi-Fi access, to perform contact Steve Fiedler at 609-464-0413. For directions visit uucsjs.org.
PINOCHLE GAMES 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays at Senior Center, Ambler Avenue, Somers Point. Call 609-927-8641.
SATURDAY MATINEES 2 p.m. Saturdays at Atlantic County Library, 134 Philadelphia Ave., Egg Harbor City. Call 609-804-1063.
WII, XBOX, PLAYSTATION 3, 6 p.m. Mondays at Atlantic County Library, 451 Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton. Call 609-561-2264 for schedule.
VIPASSANA (MINDFULNESS) MEDITATION, 5:15 p.m. Thursdays at Seashore Healing Arts Center, 501 New Road, Groveland Center, Somers Point. Call 609-601-9272. No preregistration is required. Cost is a donation request only.
For youths
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS free at Atlantic County Library System/Galloway Township, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, call 609-652-2352.
R.E.A.D. Programs, ages 4-8, 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through March 28. In-person registration and application required. One-on-one literacy sessions with reading therapy dogs Misty or Willow.
Preschool Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays in March. Preschool Storytime Tuesdays are 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and 28, March 13 and 27. Stories, crafts and activities, suggested for ages 3ВЅ-5ВЅ. Registration required.
Book Adventures: School Kids and Books, 4:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 15 and March 31. For ages 6-12, crafts and activities based on popular kids' books. Registration required.
Toddler Playdate, 1 p.m. Mondays Feb. 27 and March 12. Ages 1ВЅ-3ВЅ, accompanied by adult. Registration required.
CRAFT SERIES, 1:30 p.m. second Saturdays in February and March at Atlantic County Library West, 451 Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, call 609-561-2264. Ages 6 and older, registration required. All craft materials provided. Feb. 11, gumdrop penguins; March 10, sock monkey puppet.
TODDLER TALES at Atlantic County Library System/Egg Harbor City, 134 Philadelphia Ave., Wednesdays to Feb. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Suggested for ages 2-4. Registration required. Call 609-804-1063.
CREATIVE CRAFTS for 5 and older, Atlantic County Library West, 451 Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton. Registration required, all materials provided. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15, President's Day parade sticks; 6:30 p.m. March 14, St. Patrick's Day Blarney Stones. Call 609-561-2264.
STORY TIMES WITH PENWORTHY the teddy bear, 10 a.m. Thursdays, Feb. 16, March 1, 15 and 29. Suggested for ages 2-5, accompanied by an adult. Registration requested. Atlantic County Library System/Pleasantville, 33 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., call 609-641-1778.
LITTLE LEARNERS CRAFT CLASS, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 17, Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor, for children 3 to 5 years old. Free, but must register in advance, space is limited. Call 625-7000, ext. 5431.
EHT SPRING SOCCER SIGN-UPS, at Egg Harbor Township. Community Center, English Creek Ave.: Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to noon; Feb. 22, 6 to 8 p.m.; Feb. 23, 6 to 8 p.m.; Feb. 29, 6 to 8 p.m. For more information or online registration, see ehtsoccerclub.org.
KATHLEEN'S MAGICAL VENTRILOQUISM SHOW 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Feb. 20, Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township. Free with paid admission to the Children's Museum.
GRACIE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township. Meet the stars of the Turtlesinger show: Rocky, Bart, Spike and Gracie. Live turtles, turtle feedings, music and fun! Inside the mall across from the Children's Museum. Free. See turtlesinger.com.
BLACK HISTORY ART CONTEST, noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township. Hosted by the Little Wellness Arts Center in honor of Black History Month. The theme is 'Famous African Americans.' Two age categories: middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Artwork will be on display and judged, prizes will be awarded. Event will take place next to First Lady Parrish store. Contact raymondctyler@gmail.com or 609-418-0171.
YOUNG ADULT GROUP at Atlantic County Library System/Hammonton, 451 Egg Harbor Road, call 609-561-2264. Free, suggested for ages 12 and older, registration required, 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb.22, March 7 and 21. Free, suggested for 12 and older, registration required. Kids meet at the library to hang out, chat, make new friends, play games, and check out the new books for young adults. A television, video games, and free WiFi access are available. Kids are welcome to bring laptops. Refreshments are provided.
TWEEN GROUP, Atlantic County Library System/Ventnor, 6500 Atlantic Ave., 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 15, 29, March 14, 28. Suggested for ages 10-13, registration required. Kids relax, make a craft, play a game, or check out the latest manga and young adult books. Call 609-823-4614.
LITTLE LISTENERS for ages 3 and older, Atlantic County Library System/Ventnor, 6500 Atlantic Ave, 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Feb. 18 and March 3, 17 and 31, and Thursdays to March 29. Registration required for any session. Features early learning activities, including songs, rhymes, fingerplays and reading. Call 609-823-4614.
TODDLER PLAY DATE, Atlantic County Library System/Galloway Township, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road. Mondays, Feb. 27 and March 12 at 1 p.m. Free, suggested for ages 1ВЅ-3ВЅ accompanied by adult. Registration required. Call 609-652-2352.
MOVIE AND A PIZZA at Atlantic County Library System/Somers Point, 801 Shore Road, for kids ages 6-12 at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 19. Call 609-927-7113.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY, Atlantic County Library System/Mays Landing, 40 Farragut Ave. Story Time on Tuesdays to March 6 at 10:30 am and Thursdays to March 8 at 1:30 p.m. Suggested for ages 3-5, registration required, stories and simple crafts; Play Date at the Library on Thursdays to March 8 at 10 a.m., suggested for ages 6-36 months. Registration required, features stories, games and songs. Call 609-625-2776, ext. 6304.
TEEN MEET, Atlantic County Library System/Egg Harbor Township, 1 Swift Ave. Thursdays, Feb. 23, and March 15 at 6 p.m. Hang out, plan future events. Call 609-927-8664.
TODDLER STORYTIME at Atlantic County Library System/Egg Harbor Township, 1 Swift Ave., Tuesdays to March 20 at 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays, Feb. 2-March 22 at 10:30 am. Free, suggested for ages 2-5 and feature stories, simple games, songs or crafts. Registration required. Call 609-927-8664.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS free at Atlantic County Library West, 451 Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, call 609-561-2264. Toddler Storytime, 10 a.m. Tuesdays to March 27, ages 2ВЅ-3ВЅ, registration required; Preschool Storytime, 12:30 p.m. Thursdays to March 29, ages 3ВЅ-5, registration required.
SATURDAY CRAFTS FOR KIDS for ages 3-5 and 6-12 at the Atlantic County Library System/Brigantine, open to the first 20 children to arrive. Wind chimes, 1:30 p.m. March 31. Call 609-266-0110, library located at 201 15th Street South.
STORY HOUR for children ages 3 to 5, Atlantic County Library System/Somers Point, 801 Shore Road, Thursdays to March 29 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and Saturdays, Feb. 4-March 31 at 10:30 a.m. Call 609-927-7113.
LEGO CLUB at Atlantic County Library System/Ventnor, 6500 Atlantic Ave., 2 p.m. Saturdays through March 31. Suggested for age 6 and older, parents also invited. Registration requested by the Thursday before the program. Call 609-823-4614.
VALENTINE'S DAY PROGRAMS FOR KIDS:
Atlantic County Library System/Egg Harbor Township, 1 Swift Ave., Valentine's Day Craft at 1 p.m. Feb. 11. Suggested for ages 6-11, registration required. Call 609-927-8664.
Atlantic County Library System/Pleasantville, 33 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Love Reading @ Your Library, 4 p.m. Feb. 14, ages 6-teen. Participants make and send a Valentine's Day greeting to their favorite authors. Call 609-641-1778.
Buena Community Reading Center inside Buena Regional High School, 7 p.m. Feb. 15, February Fear Factor, ages 7 and older. Combat candy fatigue by trying some 'Fear Factor' food items. Registration required, call 609-625-2776, ext. 6338.
SUNDAY PROGRAMS at the Atlantic City Free Public Library, free, children 9 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Call 609-345-2269, ext. 3050.
Stained Glass Candleholders on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m. - Make your own beautiful candleholder using stained glass. A tea light placed inside makes a lovely light. Supplies are provided. Ages 8 through adult.
Mardi Gras Masks on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. - Using ordinary materials found around the house, participants will create their own Mardi Gras mask designs and build them. Supplies are provided. Ages 8 through adult.
African Shields on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. - Celebrate the beauty and tradition of African tribal designs. Participants will learn about and make colorful masks using simple materials. Supplies are provided. Ages 8 through adult.
LEAP YEAR MOVIE NIGHT, celebrate February's bonus day with a PG movie at Atlantic County Library System/Pleasantville, 33 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Feb. 29, suggested for ages 12 and older. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 609-641-1778.
CHESS CLUB 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at Atlantic County Library, 33 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Pleasantville. Call 609-641-1778.
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL PRESCHOOL EXTENDED HOURS 'Before care' 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and 'after care' 3 to 5 p.m. each day, except Fridays, which end at 4:30 p.m. in honor of Shabbat. Congregation Beth Israel is located at 2501 Shore Road, Northfield. For more information, call 609-641-3600.
CREATIVE CRAFTS FOR CHILDREN 6:30 p.m. second and fourth Wednesdays at Atlantic County Library, 451 Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton. Call 609-561-2264.
NEPTUNE'S GUARD DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at All Wars Memorial Building, 1510 Adriatic Ave., Third Floor, Atlantic City. Call 609-345-6876.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 11 a.m. Tuesdays, The Atlantic City Aquarium, Gardner's Basin, Atlantic City. Call 609-348-2880 or see acaquarium.com.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Atlantic County Library, 134 Philadelphia Ave., Egg Harbor City. Call 609-804-1063.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursdays at Atlantic County Library, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 N. Tennessee Ave. Call 609-345-2269, ext. 3050.
Fundraisers
COAT AND MITTEN DRIVE, through Feb. 14, Farley and Ferry Realty Inc., 5215 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor. Collecting for Atlantic City Rescue Mission. Call 609-822-1836, ext 16.
CONTACT CAPE-ATLANTIC QUIZZO TOURNAMENT, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, Shore Diner, 6710 Tilton Road, Egg Harbor Township. Donation $10. Call Ann Magee at 609-823-1850 or 609-463-4564 to sign up.
SPRING GARAGE SALE/FLEA MARKET by Northfield Cultural Committee, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb 25, Northfield Community School. For table reservations, call 609-641-5910. The committee needs small household items for their sale table. Willing to donate? Call 609-641-5910. Items can be dropped off at the museum, Sunday and Wednesday 1-3 p.m. All sale proceeds benefit Northfield's Museum.
FEBRUARY FUN-RAISER AND LIVE AUCTION, 6 p.m. Feb. 25, Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools, featuring Bobby Bandiera Band, Harbor Pines Golf Club, 500 St. Andrews Drive, Egg Harbor Township, $75. Call 609-646-8441, ext. 1017.
SUB SALE, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 352, First and Pennsylvania Avenues, Somers Point. Cost $5, call ahead for large orders at 609-927-7145. Also collecting can goods for the community food bank and Care Packages for Canine Soldiers including tennis balls (new or gently used), one-ingredient treats, Kong toys, Nylabone chews and toys, unscented shampoo with oatmeal (dry skin), collapsible water bowls and leather leashes or funds toward shipping.
BEEF AND BEER to raise funds for Jessica Randazzo and family. Music, food, raffles, 50/50s, Chinese auction. Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m., Irish Eyes Pub, Egg Harbor City. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children. Contact Cara Bartling at 856-982-2034 or cara_bartling@hotmail.com, or mail checks payable to Benefit of Jessica Randazzo, (Ocean City Home Bank,) Mail checks to: 5523 Ascher Road, East Vineland, NJ 08361. If check is mailed, ticket wll be mailed back. Hosts also seek local donations for auction, include gift certificates, baskets and more.
COMMUNITY QUEST'S 2ND ANNUAL 'BOWL TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE,' sessions 1 to 3 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m., or 7 to 10 p.m. March 3, at King Pin Lanes, Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, $25 entry fee. Call 609-646-0388 or register online by Feb. 24. See cqinc.org.
TASTING TUESDAYS, 6 to 8 p.m. March 6, Sofia Restaurant, 9314 Amherst Ave., Margate. Cost $25, benefits CASA for Children of Atlantic and Cape May Counties. Call Sofia Restaurant at 609-822-9111 for reservations or CASA at 609-601-7800 for more information.
ENTERTAIN FOR A CAUSE, open mic for junior and high school students,1 to 5 p.m. March 10, Trinity Lodge, 563 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township. Entertainment accepted, bands, duets, soloists, singers and comedians. Cost to enter $7. Cost for audience $7 in advance or $10 at door. Benefits military families. Call John Petronis, Jr. at 609-972-3065 or John Petronis, Sr. at 609-374-1414.
HAMMONTON 5K RUN FOR FUN, sponsored by Hammonton Mothers' Club to benefit Hammonton Parks and Recreation, 9:15 a.m. May 5, Hammonton Lake Park, 100 Sports Drive, 1-mile family walk at 8:30 a.m. Prizes and medals to be awarded in several categories. Pre-registration deadline April 14, all pre-entrants receive T-shirt. Entry fees are per person, children 5 and younger free. 5K Pre-registration is $25, 5K day of event $30; family walk is $10. To register, see hammontonmothersclub.com or call 609-561-1989 to have a registration form mailed.
JOHN R. ELLIOTT BE A HERO GOLF TOURNAMENT, 1 p.m. May 16, Sand Barrens Golf Club, Route 9, Swainton, 11:30 a.m. registration, lunch. For brochure call 609-567-2241 or herocampaign.org.
AUXILIARY OF SHORE MEDICAL CENTER OFFERS CLEARANCE DEALS, all merchandise $1 at shop in Harbor Village Square Shopping Center, Zion and Ocean Heights avenues, Egg Harbor Township, call 609-601-2710. Other shops (not participating) are located at: Marmora South Shore Plaza, 232 South Shore Road, Marmora, call 609-390-0913; Somers Point Shopping Center, Route 9, Somers Point, call 609-653-8374. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. All proceeds go to the Auxiliary's pledge to Shore Tomorrow, an expansion project of Shore Medical Center. For information, to donate or to volunteer call any of the three shops.
Groups
FILM SOCIETY at Atlantic City Free Public Library. Library members 18 and older in good standing are invited to join the Film Society. Library and Film Society applications available at acfpl.org and the Main Library Circulation Desk. Call 609-345-2269, ext. 3112.
Disaster Films at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 , classroom session on history and influence of this subgenre of action and thriller films.
AARP BARGAINTOWN CHAPTER, 1 p.m. Feb. 10, Grace Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 11 E. Dawes Ave., Somers Point, guest speaker Caroline Conover of Atlantic County Intergenerational Services. All welcome. 609-641-4282.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, Atlantic County Branch, noon Feb. 11, Linwood Library for lunch and a presentation by Lisa Cox of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey on a process of self-exploration called 'Guided Autobiography.' Guests and prospective members welcome. Call Diana at 609-653-1426 for reservations.
AARP VENTNOR CHAPTER, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave. Call Berenice Goddard at 609-572-1960.
VENTNOR MOTHERS CLUB, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave. Call Aiccis Bloom at 609-233-9342.
NORTH BEACH RESIDENTS COMMITTEE MEETING, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 18, Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave.
VENTNOR IS ART, 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 19, Malelani Cafe, 5205 Atlantic Ave. For more information email eatventnor@usa.com.
VFW POST 3361, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22, 601 N. Dorset Ave., Ventnor Heights. Call Bob McNulty at 609-653-0988.
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR LUNCHEON noon Feb. 22 at Jewish Family Service, 607 N. Jerome Ave., Margate. Call to make reservation. Cost $8 per person, payable at door. Contact BJ Pinnock at 609-822-1108 or bjpinnock@jfsatlantic.org.
FUNDRAISER FOR THE VENTNOR EIGHTH GRADE PROM, 7 p.m. Feb. 23, Harry's Oyster Bar in Bally's Atlantic City. Tickets $25 per person. Call Mary Anne Hills at 609-408-0845 or Aiccis Bloom at 609-233-9342.
PLAYERS AND PLAYWRIGHTS, 1 p.m. Feb. 25, Ventnor Library, 6500 Atlantic Ave. Email thespians@comcast.net.
ANNUAL TEA, 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 25, Notable Women of N.J., by Asbury United Methodist Women, 290 Asbury Road, Egg Harbor Township, $12 adults, $6 children 12 and younger. Call Joan 407-1917 for reservations.
CHEW ON ART, 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26, Malelani Cafe, 5205 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor. Email eatventnor@usa.com.
100TH BIRTHDAY OF HADASSAH CELEBRATION, 1 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Atlantic County Library System/Ventnor meeting room. Mayor Theresa Kelly will proclaim the day Hadassah Day and other dignitaries will attend. Hadassah is a worldwide group that raises money for hospitals, medical research, colleges, women's rights and more. Reception follows the ceremony.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS OF ATLANTIC AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES, with speaker David J. Schrag, director of outpatient services at AtlantiCare Behavioral Health, 7 p.m. March 12, United Methodist Church, Church Street and Pitney Road, Absecon. Call Debra at 442-0039 or Gail at 927-0215.
BRIGANTINE RECREATION COMMISSION meeting schedule: March 19, May 7, July 2, Sept. 24, Nov. 19. All meetings will be held at the Brigantine Beach Community Center, 265 42nd St., starting at 7 p.m.
101 WOMEN PLUS 6 p.m. third Thursdays at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Complex, 1700 Marmora Ave. Atlantic City. Call 609-645-7196 for information.
ABSECON DEMOCRATIC CLUB, 7:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at the American Legion Hall on New Jersey Avenue, Absecon. All are welcome to attend.
ABSECON LIONS CLUB 6:30 p.m. first Tuesdays at Smithville Inn, Galloway Township, and 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at John D. Young Blind Center, Pitney Road and Crestview Avenue, Absecon. Call 609-646-6848.
ACHS CLASS OF '59 BREAKFAST GROUP 8:30 a.m. second Tuesdays at Shore Diner, 6710 Tilton Road, Egg Harbor Township.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, ATLANTIC COUNTY BRANCH, meets on the third Monday at various locations. Prospective members and visitors are welcome. For information call 609-398-6367 or 609-965-4360.
AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION ATLANTIC CITY CHARTER CHAPTER holds its dinner meetings at East Bay Crab and Grill in Egg Harbor Township on the first Monday of each month. Networking begins at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. For information and reservations, call 609-965-2622.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, UNIT 254 1 p.m. second Mondays. Call 609-909-1518 for location.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY, UNIT 352 7 p.m. third Wednesdays, First and Pennsylvania avenues, Somers Point.
AMPUTEE SUPPORT GROUP, 6 to 7 p.m. second Wednesdays at the Health Center at Galloway, 66 W. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-748-9100, ext. 105.
ATLANTIC AUDUBON SOCIETY 7:30 p.m. fourth Wednesdays at Atlantic County Library, Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-645-1470.
ATLANTIC, CAPE MAY COUNTY COIN CLUB 7 p.m. first Wednesdays at Linwood Library, 301 Davis Ave. Call 609-398-4486.
ATLANTIC CITY ARTS COMMISSION 5:30 p.m. third Mondays at Carnegie Library Center, 18 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Atlantic City.
ATLANTIC CITY NEW REPUBLICAN CLUB, 7 p.m., third Wednesdays at Chelsea Pub and Inn, 8 S. Morris Ave., Atlantic City. 609-345-4700 or chelseapubandinn.com.
ATLANTIC COUNTY POST-POLIO SUPPORT GROUP, third Wednesday of each month, Ye Old Mill Street Pub, Main Street, Mays Landing. For information or directions, call Marge Disbrow 609-909-1518.
ATLANTIC COUNTY RETIRED POLICE, FIREMEN ASSOCIATION second Thursdays at PBA Headquarters, 520 N. Annapolis Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-266-7647 for time. No August meeting.
ATLANTIC COUNTY SKYBLAZERS 7 p.m. first Wednesdays Atlantic County Library, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-625-3472.
ATLANTIC COUNTY WOMEN'S CENTER VOLUNTEER AUXILIARY 6 p.m. second Wednesdays at Cornerstone Commerce Center, 1201 New Road, Linwood. Call 609-601-9925, ext. 238.
BARGAINTOWN AARP 1 p.m. second Fridays at Grace Lutheran Church, 11 E. Dawes Ave., Somers Point. Call 609-927-2675 for program details. No meetings in July, August.
BEACH BUM BOOK CLUB various dates, locations. See beachbumbookclub.com.
BOARDWALK TOASTMASTERS, 7 p.m. every other Wednesday at Atlantic County Recycling Center, 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township. Contact Rich Catando at rfcatando@aol.com or 609-296-7048, or see boardwalktoastmasters.org.
BOY SCOUT TROOP 177, 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Scullville Fire House, 1708 Somers Point Road, Egg Harbor Township. Open registration; Webelo scouts are welcome to come and visit. Call 609-287-9149 or email 177scouting@comcast.net.
BUENA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 7:30 p.m. third Wednesdays at Buena Vista Township Municipal Building, Harding Highway. Trustees meet at 7 p.m.
BUNGALOW PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION 6:30 p.m. second Thursdays at Davenport Center, 600 N. New Jersey Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-345-3877. No meetings in July and August.
CAPE-ATLANTIC ROCKHOUNDS CLUB meets 7 p.m. first Thursday every month, on Cologne Avenue between Routes 322 and 30, Mays Landing. Call 856-776-1739.
CELEBRATE RECOVERY PROGRAM welcomes men and women ready to change their lives and experience peace, 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Mission Point Church, 900 West New York Ave., Somers Point, parking lot entrance. For more information, call 609-927-6512.
COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS, 6:30 p.m. second Tuesdays, at Lighthouse Church, Route 9, Cape May Court House, for bereaved parents, grandparents, siblings. Call 609-886-2118.
DOWNBEACH TEA PARTY, Ventnor. No February meeting. Next meeting March 13. Contact Larry Pacentrilli at 609-487-7817 or Lapace@comcast.net.
EGG HARBOR CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 7:30 p.m. last Mondays of month (except July and December) at Roundhouse Museum, 533 London Ave. Call 609-965-9073.
EPICUREAN SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY 6 p.m. first Mondays of month at various locations. Call 609-513-3215.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY, open to the public. Contact June G. Sheridan at 608-927-8314 or junesheridan115@comcast.net.
EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP at Shore Medical Center, Somers Point. Call Marian at 609-822-8783 or Debbie at 609-646-6320, or email epilepsygroup@aol.com.
EWOMENNETWORK 8 a.m. third Fridays at Atlantic City Country Club, Shore Road, Northfield. Call 609-484-1859.
FILM SOCIETY MEETINGS twice per month at Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 N. Tennessee Ave. Call 609-345-2269, ext. 3112, for dates and topics.
GALLOWAY BUSINESS NETWORKING GROUP 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Gourmet Italian Cuisine Restaurant, Pitney and Jimmie Leeds roads, Galloway Township. Call 609-748-1387.
GALLOWAY WOMEN'S CLUB 7 p.m. first Mondays at Atlantic County Library, Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-652-5499.
GOLDA MEIR HADASSAH 11:30 a.m. third Wednesdays at Beth El Synagogue, 500 N. Jerome Ave., Margate. Call 609-822-5370. No meetings in July and August.
GOLDEN CIRCLE OF SOUTH JERSEY INC. 1 p.m. second Tuesdays at Atlantic City Police Athletic League Building, Mediterranean and New York avenues, Atlantic City. Call 609-348-3398.
GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER COUNCIL 7 p.m. third Wednesdays in June, August, October and December at Atlantic County Park, Fox Nature Center, Route 50, Estell Manor. Call 856-697-6114.
GREATER ATLANTIC CITY CHAPTER OF BARBERSHOP HARMONY SOCIETY, rehearsals at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, St. Mark's and All Saints Episcopal Church, 429 Pitney Road, Galloway Township. For more information, contact Joe at 609-344-8133 or josmikefor@comcast.net.
GREEN THUMB GARDEN CLUB OF SOMERS POINT 7 p.m. first Tuesdays at Senior Center, Ambler Road, Somers Point.
HAMMONTON ARTS CENTER at 219 Bellevue Ave. offers new art exhibits monthly and conducts art classes and workshops for children and adults. See hammontonartscenter.org for more information.
HEARTBREAK TO HEALING GRIEF SUPPORT for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Call 609-345-3230 for literature and information, or just to talk.
HELPING OUT TOGETHER MATURE VOLUNTEER SOCIAL GROUP 6:30 p.m. fourth Thursdays at Somers Point Diner, MacArthur Boulevard and Circle Drive. Call 609-641-4512.
HISPANIC ALLIANCE OF ATLANTIC COUNTY 6 p.m. second Wednesdays in August, October and December at Carnegie Library Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City. Call 609-412-7421.
IRISH AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY 7:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at American Legion Hall, New Jersey Avenue and Mill Road, Absecon. Call 609-927-1234.
INTERWEAVE GLBT OF SOUTH JERSEY 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore, 75 S. Pomona Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-965-9400.
LA LECHE LEAGUE breastfeeding support group, 7 p.m. third Wednesdays in the all purpose room at the Linwood Library. For information, call Kelly at 412-3623.
LINWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY 7 p.m. third Mondays at 16 W. Poplar Ave., Linwood.
MAINLAND LIONS second and fourth Tuesdays at Smithville Inn, Route 9, Galloway Township. Call 609-652-5115 or 609-641-5988.
MAINLAND/PLEASANTVILLE BRANCH NAACP 7 p.m. second Thursdays at Pleasantville High School, 701 Mill Road. Call 609-407-0800. Youth Council 6 p.m. second Mondays, also at Pleasantville High School.
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE 7:30 p.m. second Thursdays at 731 E. Great Creek Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-442-2552.
MAINLAND ROTARY CLUB 7 a.m. first and third Tuesdays at Friendly's Restaurant, Route 9, Northfield. Call 609-432-5347.
MID-ATLANTIC AARP CHAPTER 4191 meets 12:45 p.m. third Tuesdays at Atlantic County Library, Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. New members welcome, call 609-748-8491.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP, 6 to 8 p.m. first Tuesday each month, Atlantic County Library, 605 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. For more information call Linda Klersey at 609-484-0991.
NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES CHAPTER 1664 1 p.m. third Wednesdays at East Bay Crab and Grill, 670 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE WOMEN, ATLANTIC COUNTY 6 p.m. third Wednesdays at Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, Shore Road, Somers Point. Call 609-884-6917.
NEW ATLANTIC CITY REPUBLICAN CLUB 7 to 8:30 p.m., third Wednesdays at Chelsea Pub, second floor, on Morris Avenue between Atlantic and Pacific avenues, Atlantic City.
NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS, ATLANTIC-CAPE MAY CHAPTER 5:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at Sandi Point Restaurant on Shore Road, Somers Point. See atlanticcapemaynjawbo.org.
NICOTINE ANONYMOUS: Mondays 7-8 p.m. at Shore Memorial Hospital, Brighton Avenue and Shore Road, second floor, Jenkins Room, Somers Point. Call 609-226-4193 for more info; Tuesdays 7:45-8:45 p.m., St. Mark's All Saints Episcopal Church, 429 S. Pitney Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-703-2135 for more info; Thursdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. at United Methodist Church, Bethel Road and Doran Avenue, Somers Point. Call 609-927-8967 for more info.
PLAYERS AND PLAYWRIGHTS BY THE JERSEY SHORE meets last Saturday of each month, bring copies of your original work to the second floor of the Ventnor Library at 1 p.m . New members (playwrights and actors) and the public always welcome. Call 609-601-9191.
PLEASANTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1958 at Shore Diner, Egg Harbor Township. Call 609-641-8287 for information about quarterly gatherings.
PROFESSIONAL CHEFS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH JERSEY 6 p.m. monthly at various locations. Call 609-374-6558.
PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, 7 p.m. second Tuesdays at Shore Medical Center's cancer center in Somers Point. Call Don Shur, 609-965-4550.
QUILT OR KNIT GROUP, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Atlantic County Library System/Brigantine, 201 15th St. South. Call the library at 609-266-0110.
REFORMERS UNANIMOUS ADDICTIONS PROGRAM meets at 7 p.m. every Friday at Mainland Baptist Church, 512 S. Pitney Road, Galloway Township. The program is free as is the child care and area transportation. For more information, call 609-652-7507.
SANDPIPER ORCHID SOCIETY, 7 p.m. fourth Thursdays, Atlantic County Library System/Galloway, Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-884-9232.
SHORE MALL WALKERS GROUP, come as an individual or join the group at the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township. Doors open Monday-Saturday 7:30 a.m., Sunday 9 a.m. Group meets 8:45 on first Mondays within the food court, joining costs $1 per year..
SOUTH JERSEY ANIMAL ADVOCATES 11:30 a.m., fourth Sunday of the month, 75 S. Pomona Road at the corner of Liebig Street, Galloway Township. SJAA is open to anyone interested in working to advance animal welfare. See uucsjs.org/social_action.html or call 609-652-1940.
SOUTH JERSEY SANDY ROLLMAN OVARIAN CANCER ADVOCACY GROUP meets fourth Thursday of each month except November and December at Life Guard Headquarters, 33rd Street and Atlantic Avenue, Longport. See sandyovarian.org or email alicemartin20@comcast.net for more information.
SCARLETT SASSYS RED HAT GROUP noon second Tuesdays at Olive Garden, Hamilton Mall, Mays Landing.
SEASHORE MOTHERS OF TWINS CLUB 7:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at Somers Point Library, 801 Shore Road. email Robeth2@verizon.net.
SEX AND LOVE ADDICTS ANONYMOUS 12-step recovery program, 7 p.m. Mondays at Trinity Methodist Church, 20 Route 9 North, Marmora, use side door off parking lot, not affiliated with any religions and confidentiality and privacy respected, serving Cape May and Atlantic counties.
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF ATLANTIC CITY 6:30 p.m. second Wednesdays at Shore Diner, Tilton Road, Egg Harbor Township. Call 609-927-1415.
SOUTH JERSEY CHAPTER NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS 7 p.m. third Wednesdays at Atlantic County Library, Ocean Heights Avenue, Egg Harbor Township. Call 609-926-8458 or 609-601-2611 for time and location.
SOUTH JERSEY STAMPERS, 7 p.m. second Monday of each month, Estell Manor Park, Recreation Building. For information and directions call Marge Disbrow 609-909-1518.
SOUTH JERSEY SUBMARINER ASSOCIATION for U.S. submarine veterans, call Tom Carty at 609-625-0267.
SOUTH JERSEY SWEEPERS noon third Saturdays at Mill Street Pub, Main Street, Mays Landing.
SUBMARINE VETS 1 p.m. fourth Saturdays at VFW Post 2189, 500 Bethel Road, Somers Point. Call 609-927-7549.
TEA PARTY PATRIOTS OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. second Wednesdays, Gourmet Restaurant Terrace Room, Galloway. Call 609-703-5274 for information.
TELCOM PIONEER RETIREES noon fourth Tuesdays at Crab Trap, Somers Point. No meetings June, July or August.
THIRD WARD CIVIC ASSOCIATION 7 p.m. third Tuesdays at Martin Luther King School, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Atlantic City.
TINNITUS SUPPORT GROUP 7 p.m. first Thursdays in Barry Brown Educational Building, campus of Virtua Hospital, Voorhees and Evesham Road, Voorhees. 856-429-5055, ext. 2008.
VENICE PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION 6:30 p.m. first Tuesdays at Venice Park Methodist Church, 2015 Morningside Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-345-5298.
VENTNOR AARP NO. 1724 1:30 p.m. second Mondays at Ventnor Community Building, Newport and Atlantic avenues. Call 609-572-1960.
VETERANS, Mental Health Association in Atlantic County for newly repatriated Operations Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom military veterans and their families, 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, at MHAAC office, 1127 North New Road (Route 9 between Leeds and California avenues), Pleasantville. For more information contact Jaime Angelini, 609-272-1700, ext. 308.
VETERANS ADVOCATE/ASSISTANCE, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. first Wednesdays, Hamilton Mall, Mays Landing (Ruby Tuesday entrance). Lou Green will assist with federal, state, county benefits. Call 609-407-1332.
WEST END DEMOCRATIC CLUB 2 p.m. third Saturdays at Atlantic County Library, 40 Farragut Ave., Mays Landing. Call 609-625-2776.
WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION 6 p.m. first Mondays at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Complex, 1700 Marmora Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-442-7284.
ZONTA CLUB OF ATLANTIC CITY AREA Meeting 6 p.m., second Mondays. Call 609-391-1657 or email ljwatts4@aol.com for more information.
Health, fitness
RNS MOBILE DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Shore Mall in Egg Harbor Township, front parking lot near Burlington Coat Factory. Most insurance plans accepted. Funds available to provide mammograms to women without insurance coverage. To make an appointment, call 800-246-2404. See atlanticare.org.
ZUMBA CLASS, 10 to 11 a.m. Thursdays, Brigantine Beach Community Center. Cost $70 for 8 weeks. To register call 609-266-3323.
ADULT COED VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, North Middle School Gym, Brigantine. Sponsored by the Brigantine Community Education and Recreation Department. Open to players beyond high school age. Ten sessions, $40. Call 609-266-3323.
SHORE MEDICAL CENTER EDUCATION PROGRAMS in Somers Point:
Medical Explorers for high school students interested in medical careers, must be 14 and at least a freshman. Free, first and third Wednesdays, call 609-653-3724.
Teen Diabetes Support Group, free, 7 p.m. Feb. 14, ages 12-19, parents/guardians welcome. Call 609-653-3489.
Adult Diabetes Support Group, free, 7 p.m. Feb. 21, call 609-653-3489.
Diabetes Self Management Education, physician referral is required, most insurance plans accepted. One-hour individual session precedes four two-hour group classes. To register, call 609-653-4600 and select option 1.
Basic Life Support Training, for schedule of courses and fees see shoremedicalcenter.org. Call 609-653-3962.
Nutrition Counseling, Shore's registered dietitians help come up with a nutrition plan for your personal health needs. Physician referral required, most plans accepted. To make an appointment, call 609-653-4600 and select option 1.
Neck and Spine Surgery Education, free, second Thursdays. To register, call 609-653-4600 and select option 4.
Joint Replacement Education Program, free, 10 a.m. first and third Mondays, or 5 p.m. second Wednesdays. To register, call 609-653-4600 and select option 4.
Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program, for an information packet, call 609-653-3440.
Mom to Mom, group facilitated by a social worker and a registered nurse, and refreshments are served, free, 1-2 p.m. Mondays.
SHORE MEDICAL CENTER WELLNESS PROGRAM:
Free blood pressure screening, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, SMC Outpatient Services Building.
Free blood pressure screening, second Wednesdays, Shore Medical Center Thrift Shop, Somers Point Shopping Center, Route 9, call 609-653-8374.
Free screenings for breast, cervical colon, and prostate cancer. To qualify, you must be age appropriate, uninsured or underinsured and have a limited income. Call 609-653-3484.
YOGA FOR BEGINNERS, Wednesdays, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15, at Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor, for teens & adults. Free, but must register in advance, space is limited, call 625-7000, ext. 5431.
ZUMBA CLASSES by licensed instructor Jenny Vargas, noon Feb. 18 and March 17, Atlantic County Library System/Mays Landing, 40 Farragut Ave. Free and open to adults and older teens, registration required. Calll 609-823-4614.
Music, arts
EAGLE THEATRE EVENTS: 'Rent' through Feb. 11, $22 general admission. For tickets, see TheEagleTheatre.com or call 609-704-5012 for more information. The theater is located at 208 Vine Street, Hammonton.
CONCERT SERIES in honor of Black History Month, free and open to public, Atlantic County Library System/Pleasantville, 33 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.: Feb. 11 at 1:30 p.m., Denise Black and the Black Magic Swing Band, a seventeen piece 1940s swing band; Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m., Denise Black and Motown Magic present a program of music that carried over from jazz to rock n' roll. Call 609-641-1778.
MALE CHORUS IN CONCERT 3 p.m. Feb. 12, New Shiloh Baptist Church, 701 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City. Bishop Dr. James Washington and Rev. Aaron Washington, Minister of Music, sponsored by Booster's Ministry. Special guest choruses from Mount Zion Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, St. James AME Church and Union Baptist Temple. Free-will offering. Call 609-645-7196 or 609-348-3654.
TRIBUTE TO PINK FLOYD by Rockademy, 2 p.m. Feb. 12 and 7 p.m. Feb. 13, Charter-Tech High School for the Performing Arts, 413 New Road (Route 9), Somers Point. See chartertech.org.
ROMANTIC NIGHT OF MUSIC at the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, 7 p.m. Feb. 15, tickets $20 and available at TheEagleTheatre.com. For more information, call Anthony Jacobs of the Preserving the Italian Heritage Foundation at 609-513-4068.
'THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES,' 8 p.m. Feb. 24 and 25, Eagle Theatre, 208 Vine St., Hammonton. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Atlantic County Women's Center. For tickets see TheEagleTheatre.com, or call 609-704-5012 for more information.
BLUE MOON WINTER ABBEY ALE JAZZ SERIES, includes Feb. 25, 8:30 to 11 p.m., Gregory's Mardi Gras celebration featuring Franny Smith and the Atlantic City Jazz Band, Gregory's Restaurant & Bar; March 24, 8:30 to 11 p.m., Andrew Neu Quintet, Gregory's Restaurant & Bar. See spjazz.org.
FREE CONCERT SERIES by Brigantine Community Education and Recreation: March 8, Cole Brothers, Brigantine Beach Community Center, 265 42nd Street; April 19, Jack Melton Band, North School Auditorium; May 26, Atlantic Brass Band, North School Auditorium; June 21, Bob Ferris Big Band, North School Auditorium; July 7 (rain date July 8) Family Fun Day (4 to 9 p.m.), Bob Ferris Brass Band, Original Hobo Band, 15th Street Area; July 19, Original Hobo Band, BB Community Center; July 26, Bubba Mac Blues Band, North School Auditorium; Aug. 9, Jim Craine and the All Stars, North School Auditorium; Aug. 19, Tri County Symphonic Band, North School Auditorium; Sept. 2, Bob Ferris Big Band, 'Music of the Movies,' North School Auditorium; Oct. 11, Cole Brothers, North School Auditorium; Nov. 15, Ragtime with Valerie Jean, BB Community Center; Dec. 7, Bob Ferris Combo, Christmas Tree Lighting, Fire House; Dec. 11, Suite Inspiration, 'A Christmas Concert,' North School Auditorium. Shows 7-8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Call 609-266-3323.
OF MYTHS, METAL AND MORTAR, work of Katherine Stanek and Julia Levitina through April 22, Noyes Museum of Art of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, 733 Lily Lake Road, Oceanville. Opening reception with artists 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 3. Call 609-652-8848 or see noyesmuseum.org.
TOM ANGELLO'S SHORE JAZZ QUARTET, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, at Caroline's Bar and Restaurant, Bay and Maryland Avenue, Somers Point, free admission. For more information call 609-226-0509.
Religion
SATURDAY MORNING SERVICES at Temple Emeth Shalom, 8501 Ventnor Ave., Margate, 10 a.m. in February and March.
REGISTRATION being taken for Faith Baptist Church in Pleasantville's 2012 Women's Conference, to be held May 18-20 at the Hilton Doubletree Resort in Lancaster, Pa. Payment arrangements available. Contact First Lady Estelle Hendricks at 609-645-1815 or kevray87@verizon.net, or Trustee Angela Lewis at 609-652-3619 or alewis186@aol.com.
BIBLE STUDY 7 p.m. Thursdays at St. Katharine Drexel, 6077 West Jersey Ave., Egg Harbor Township. 609-645-6831.
DESTINY FAMILY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, a new multicultural, nondenominational ministry, at Atlantic Christian School, 391 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township. Call 609-412-1449.
JAZZ VESPERS, 4 p.m., third Sundays, Asbury United Methodist Church, 1213 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, all welcome. For information, email caldwellchurch@aol.com.
MIDWEEK WORSHIP SERVICES noon and 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Resurrection Ministries, 936 Baltic Ave., Atlantic City. Call 609-348-5161.
SERVICES 6 p.m. Sundays at Central United Methodist Church, Central Avenue and Shore Road, Linwood. Call 609-927-4882.
SERVICES at First United Methodist Church, 6011 Main St., Mays Landing. Adult Sunday school 9 a.m., nursery 9:45 a.m. and worship 10 a.m. Call 609-625-9446.
SERVICES at Christ's Wesleyan Church, Philadelphia Avenue and Duerer Street, Egg Harbor City. Services at 10 a.m., and Sunday school for both adults and children at 9 a.m. Call 609-965-5835.
SATSANG SOCIETY OF NJ, affiliate of Eckankar, 10:30 a.m. fourth Sundays, Sunrise Assisted Living, 46 W. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. Call 609-645-2512.
TAIZE SERVICE 7:30 p.m. second Mondays at Moravian Church, 235 Boston Ave., Egg Harbor City. Call 609-965-1920.
'RELENTLESS' SERIES, 10:45 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Lakewood Chapel, 6155 Harding Highway, Mays Landing.
SHUL BY THE SEA in Brigantine at Temple Beth Shalom, a conservative synagogue led by Rabbi Gerald R. Fox, at 45th and Brigantine Avenue. Services every Friday at 8 p.m., followed by an Oneg Shabbat. Services also held at 10 a.m. second Saturday of every month, followed by Kiddush. For more information, call the temple office at 609-266-0403.
Reunions
ATLANTIC CITY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1962, 50th reunion, Sept. 28-30, Atlantic City Hilton. If you know phone number/address of former classmates contact Ruth Johnson Byard at 609-347-0146 or email monyah7verizon.net.
MAINLAND REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1969, call 609-625-0566.
USS MADDOX DESTROYER ASSOC., Aug. 16-19, Reno, Nevada. Contact Dennis Stokhaug, 571 W. 14562 Hidden Creek Court, Muskego, WI, 53150. Call 262-679-9409 or e-mail maddox64@aol.com.
BARNEGAT HIGH SCHOOL, Sept. 30, 2012, Holiday Inn, Stafford Township, also includes classes of 1958-60 of Southern Regional High School. If you haven't heard from the committee, call Jeanne at 609-693-4562.
PLEASANTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1962 will hold its 50th class reunion Oct., 12, 2012, at Blue Heron Pines Country Club. Call Lorraine at 609-653-1907 or email jbro777@comcast.net.
USS MADDOX DESTROYER ASSOC., Aug. 16-19, Reno, Nevada. Contact Dennis Stokhaug, 571 W. 14562 Hidden Creek Ct., Muskego, WI, 53150. Call 262-679-9409 or e-mail maddox64@aol.com.
Trips
CARIBBEAN CRUISE by the Brigantine Community Education and Recreation Department, March 5-16. For an application or more information call the CER office at 609-266-3323.
PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW, March 6, by Andrew Noten Hudson Foundation, leaves 8:30 a.m. from Bob's Garden Center, Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, $50 includes bus transportation and admission. Proceeds from trip benefit Pediatric Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Call 609-641-6306.
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW by Ocean City Garden Club, March 7. Cost $45. Call Kathy at 609-391-0265 more information. Deadline for group advance sale tickets is Feb. 11.
PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW, by Gardening-by-the-Sea, March 8. Cost includes motor coach, show admission, driver's tip, $55. Call 609-898-9559 for information.
CARIBBEAN CRUISE by the Brigantine Community Education and Recreation Department, March 5-16. For an application or more information call the CER office at 609-266-3323.
ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS, March 10, nine-night Bahamas cruise out of Baltimore. Fundraiser for Make a Wish Foundation, prices start at $999. Call Marie at 609-645-8000.
SUGARLOAF CRAFTS FESTIVAL, at Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, March 20, by EHT Recreation Department, leaves Municipal Building at 8 a.m., cost $35, does not include admission to the fair. For more information call 609-272-8120 or go to ehtgov.org or sugarloaf crafts.com/festivals/somerset/spring.
'JONAH' at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa., March 22 by Ocean City Tabernacle. Cost $115, call 609-399-1915 or see OCTabernacle.org.
'JONAH' at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa., April 11 by the Trip Club for seniors. Call 609-646-5296.
U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL in Washington, D.C., April 15 from Keysone Masonic Lodge Building at corner of Shore Road and Poplar Avenue, Linwood. Includes travel, kosher sack lunch and museum admission, $65 per person, not recommended for children under 11. Call Terry Fischer, 609-432-4290.
CRUISE FOR THE CURE, CARNIVAL PRIDE, April 15, 2012. Seven-night Bahamas cruise out of Baltimore. Prices start at $917. Proceeds benefit breast cancer research. Call Marie at 609-645-8000.
'JONAH' at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa., April 29 by Forever Young Group at Notre Dame de la Mer Parish in Wildwood, cost $110. For information, call Doris at 609-522-5830 or Kay at 609-729-5773.
TEN-DAY TRIP TO TUSCANY May 12-21, by Brigantine Community Education and Recreation Department. Limited to 44 travelers. Cost $3,649 per person based on double occupancy and $4,299 for the single traveler. Call 609-266-3323.
ROME AND AMALFI COAST, May 17-26, 2012, travel with Rev. Bob Gregorio of St. Joseph Church, Somers Point. Call 609-927-3568 for brochure.
'JONAH' at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa., Aug. 25 by New Shiloh Baptist Church and Community Life Center. Cost $115, includes dinner. Reservations 609-345-6856.
CRUISE TO CANADA, with Price Memorial AME Zion Church, Aug. 25-30, Carnival Cruise Lines, depart from New York. Contact Boscov's Travel.
AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD WWII CEMETERIES IN ITALY, October 2012, contact Sy Canton, Executive director, 5th Army Association, 14130 Nesting Way, Suite C, Delray Beach, FL 33484, or call 561-865-8495.
Anonymous
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ACME PACKET REPORTS MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS BY DIRECTOR MELAMPY (Massachusetts)
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Acme Packet Inc. (APKT), Bedford, Mass., has filed a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission noting the change in the beneficial interest held by Director and Chief Technology Officer Patrick J. Melampy, Bedford.
On Feb. 6 the action involved acquisition of 48,733 stock options as a result of right to buy. Melampy now owns 48,733 stock options directly.
Acme Packet Inc. is a provider in session border control solutions, which enable the delivery interactive communications, such as voice, video and multimedia sessions, and data services across Internet protocol (IP), network borders. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
The information at the SEC is available at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1130258/000120919112008483/xslF345X03/doc4.xml
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COGENT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP REPORTS DISPOSITION BY VP BEURY (District of Columbia)
[US Fed News Service, Including US State News]
US Fed News Service, Including US State News
February 11, 2012
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 -- Cogent Communications Group Inc. (CCOI), has filed a Form 4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission noting the change in the beneficial interest held by VP and Chief Legal Officer Robert N. Beury Jr.
On Feb. 8 the action involved disposition of 1,000 common stocks. Beury now owns 45,340 common stocks directly.
Cogent Communications Group Inc. is a facilities-based provider of internet access and internet protocol (IP), communications services. The company's network is specifically designed and optimized to transmit data using IP. The company delivers its services primarily to small and medium-sized businesses, communications service providers and other bandwidth-intensive organizations through approximately 25,000 customer connections in North America and Europe. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
The information at the SEC is available at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1158324/000114036112006353/xslF345X03/doc1.xml
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Tata Communications plans to ride data wave
[Mint]
Mint
February 13, 2012
MUMBAI, Feb. 13 -- In early 2001, Srinivasa Addepalli, then a senior consultant with the Tata Strategic Management Group--the consulting division of Tata Industries Ltd--was among those asked by Tata Sons Ltd, the holding company of the $83.3 billion Tata group, to list why the group should not bid for the state-owned Internet and international long-distance company Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) and instead build its own international long-distance business. After all, this would be less expensive to roll out since licences were cheap.
"It was tough since I was in favour of bidding for the deal," recalls Addepalli. The group did bid for VSNL and bought a controlling stake in VSNL in the following year. On 13 February, as the Tata firm prepares to celebrate a decade of this public-private partnership in which the government owns a 26% stake, Addepalli--now senior vice-president (corporate strategy and marketing) of Tata Communications Ltd. (the new avatar of VSNL)--is busy charting out the company's growth strategy.
Addepalli is glad the company has expanded with about 75% of its revenue coming from overseas, while getting into new areas like video services, cloud services, mobile broadband and Internet Protocol-, or IP-, based services--the new big bets. This, even as Tata Communications was saddled with around Rs 7,350 crore net debt as on 31 December and is yet to resolve the 773 acres "surplus" land issue with the government, which prevents it from raising fresh equity.
Till 2002, VSNL had a monopoly in the international long distance (ILD) market (the commoditized voice business contributed 98% of revenue in 2002), which guaranteed profit. But that changed when the monopoly was terminated two years ahead of schedule in April 2002, forcing the management to change its business model, both in India and overseas as companies such as Bharti Airtel Ltd and state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd started denting the market.
The new VSNL management started a "clean-up" act by trimming the workforce, ushering a cultural change to sync it with the Tata group, empowering senior employees to shed their "bureaucratic" way of thinking and creating new revenue streams.
Indeed, VSNL had its strengths. By virtue of being listed abroad, the company had financial discipline and transparency. It also had a pool of young talented engineers with knowledge of Internet-based technologies. What VSNL lacked was marketing skills, a much stronger customer focus and market orientation, and determination to compete in the market place--things the Tata group had. Globalization drive The company initiated a globalization drive, fuelled by acquisitions and diversification away from voice. In 2003, it opened offices in the US, the UK and Sri Lanka, with the international division based out of Singapore. A year later, it acquired Tyco International Ltd's global network with its undersea optic fibre cable network that spanned 60,000km for $130 million and began providing data services to global customers.
In 2006, it acquired Teleglobe International Holdings Ltd--a provider of wholesale voice, data, Internet Protocol and mobile signalling services--for $239 million, making it one of the world's top five voice and data providers. The acquisition added at least $1 billion in revenue, tripling traffic carried to 18 billion minutes a year.
In early 2008, it integrated all operations under the Tata Communications umbrella, announcing it would invest more than $2 billion over the following three years to drive its global expansion. This was followed by the acquisition of majority stake in South African communications network operator, Neotel (Pty) Ltd. The company then reorganized itself--setting up global business units based in Singapore (data services), Montreal (voice services) and India (Internet broadband).
Also, partnering with Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS), the company got into managing hardware, software, networks and applications for companies. It drew upon the resources of TCS for IT and Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) for domestic wireless networks.
N. Srinath, who headed Tata Communications till January 2011 and currently is the managing director and chief executive of TTSL, played a major role in transforming VSNL from a domestic monopoly to a global telecom major in just five years.
"Being part of the transformation of VSNL was one of the most exciting and challenging periods of my life. Tata Communications has built the assets, capabilities and reputation to be regarded as a global challenger," Srinath says. From being predominantly an Indian wholesale voice business to a global one, it has become a diversified provider of connectivity and managed services to service providers and corporate customers. In several key segments such as wholesale voice, submarine cable capacity and Internet bandwidth.
Tata Communications has a global footprint now. VSNL had just 80 carrier customers in 2002. Ten years later, Tata Communications has around 1,600 clients, at least 50,000 enterprise customers and nearly 7,500 employees--1,000 of whom are in South Africa. Its ILD traffic has increased to around 45 billion minutes per annum, from 3 billion minutes in 2002, and bandwidth has increased from 500-700 megabits per second or Mbps to 20 terabytes (almost 3,000 times more).
According to Vinod Kumar, managing director and chief executive officer of Tata Communications, in a world that is seeing several disruptions--be it in geopolitics, economy or business-technology is bound to make a huge difference. "What I find fascinating is the impact that high-definition video conferencing is making on the one end and 140 characters are making on the other end. The Tata Communications story is a great example of how a public-private partnership can create real business value, not just in the Indian market but globally." Big bets The company is betting big on the cloud services business, expecting a turnover of $250 million in the next couple of years. Another major focus is on the media and entertainment sector. The third growth driver is its South African telecommunications network operator, Neotel.
Partnerships are helping, too. In July 2010, Tata Communications and Google India announced a collaboration to increase the managed services portfolio. "Tata Communications is betting on a future that will be significantly in variance to the current technology paradigm. As the new trends, such as cloud computing, emerge and establish themselves as the new orthodoxy, it will be well poised to dominate the new market structures," says Alok Shende, founder of research firm Ascentius Consulting. Describing Tata Communications' partnership with Google for Google Apps as the right move, Shende says the market has turned to close to 200,000 licences per year in 2011.
More recently in January, Tata Communications, together with nine global service providers, announced the launch of the Global Meeting Alliance of leading telecom providers that have aligned to interconnect (on a revenue-sharing basis) their respective business video communities. Leveraging Tata Communications' industry-leading number of inter-carrier agreements, customers of the Global Meeting Alliance members now have access to an international Telepresence network of third-party video endpoints, as well as the largest global public Telepresence room network consisting of 40 public Telepresence suites in 22 countries.
"By making B2B calls easier and interconnecting different carriers, the Global Meeting Alliance will drive the usage of videoconferencing and Telepresence systems, enabling customers to see faster and higher returns on their investments," says Andrew W. Davis, senior partner and co-founder of market research firm, Wainhouse Research.
Nevertheless, analysts remain concerned. For the year ended 31 March 2011, Tata Communications posted a consolidated revenue of Rs 11,932 crore but a net loss of Rs 854.19 crore (it was Rs 597.74 crore for year ended 31 March, 2010). The company's consolidated reserve and surplus for the same period stood at Rs 3,307 crore.
A November 2011 J.
P. Morgan Chase & Co. report, after Tata Communications' Q2 (July-September) results, stated that "Neotel--which had so far been a drag on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) (operating profits) has turned around and profitability in the core business, too, improved in the quarter (Q2, 2011). However, continued weakness in the voice revenue (47% of total), which is just about offset by the strong growth in data, keeps us from turning more positive on the name. Furthermore, we await evidence of sustainability of and increase in cost efficiencies."
The report listed the key upside risks as monetization of stake in Tata Teleservices and sale of surplus land. It listed the key downside risks as "meaningful slowdown in voice not offset by growth in data, and increase in expenses reversing the margin improvement".
The scene improved in the third quarter when Tata Communications' consolidated gross revenue at Rs 3,604 was 19.5% higher than in the same quarter last year. But it reported a consolidated loss of Rs 153.06 crore, against a loss of Rs 181.38 crore during the same period last fiscal. The company's global voice services contributed 55% to its total revenue. Global data services contributed 45% to the revenue in Q3.
Besides, the unlocking of the "surplus" land holdings of VSNL hasn't happened for a decade because of which returns to shareholders, too, has been poor. The stock has underperformed the benchmark Sensex in the past 10 years, offering a 2.88% annual return against 17.7% of the Sensex. Till the time issues related to "surplus" land get resolved, the company will not be able to raise funds by issuing fresh equity and tackle its high debt.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from MINT.
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Radical cleric Abu Qatada being freed from UK jail
[AP Worldstream]
AP Worldstream
February 13, 2012 | JILL LAWLESS
LONDON (AP) — Abu Qatada, a radical Muslim cleric whom British officials say is an al-Qaida figurehead and a threat to national security, was freed from an English prison into virtual house arrest late Monday, British media reported.
Judicial officials acknowledged earlier in the day that the 51-year-old extremist preacher's release from Long Lartin jail was imminent, but declined to comment on the reports from Sky News and the BBC, citing operational concerns.
Both broadcasters aired photographs that appeared to show Abu Qatada in the backseat of a van as it left the high-security prison in central England.
The Palestinian-Jordanian cleric has spent more than six years in prison, but a tribunal ruled last week he should be released on bail.
The terms of his bail, published by the judiciary, require Abu Qatada to wear an electronic tag and to stay inside his home for 22 hours each day. He is not allowed a mobile phone, a computer or Internet access, and he is barred from communicating with a long list of individuals, including al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The conditions also stipulate he must not lead prayers, give lectures, publish articles, preach or provide religious instruction or advice, "other than to his wife and children at his residence."
Abu Qatada, whose real name is Omar Mahmoud Mohammed Othman, has been described in both Spanish and British courts as a leading al-Qaida figure in Europe. He is reported to have had close ties to the late Osama bin Laden.
British officials say he poses a serious threat to the country's security, but attempts to deport him to Jordan to face terrorism charges was blocked by the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled last month that there is a risk evidence obtained through torture would be used against him in court.
Prime Minister David Cameron's office said Monday that Britain still hoped to overcome the European's courts objections. Jordanian officials also have said they will challenge the ruling.
"We are clear we want to remove Abu Qatada at the earliest opportunity. We are looking at all the options," a spokesman for Cameron said, on condition of anonymity in line with policy.
Abu Qatada arrived in Britain in 1993 and was detained in 2002 under anti-terrorism laws that at the time allowed suspected terrorists to be jailed without charge. He has never been charged with a crime in Britain, although authorities have accused him of advising militants and raising money for terrorist attacks.
Although Abu Qatada was released in 2005 when the unpopular law was overturned, he was kept under surveillance and arrested again within months and held pending deportation to Jordan.
He has been convicted in absentia there of terrorist offenses related to two alleged bomb plots in 1999 and 2000, and would face a retrial there if deported from Britain.
JILL LAWLESS
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EU: IP treaty would change nothing for Europeans
[AP Online]
AP Online
February 13, 2012 | DON MELVIN
BRUSSELS (AP) — EU officials, alarmed by protests in European cities over the weekend, are asserting that a new international anti-counterfeiting treaty will change nothing at all for EU citizens — but that the bloc must ratify it as an example to other countries.
One official says that, "for the European citizen, whatever is legal today will continue to be legal the day after ACTA comes into force." ACTA stands for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in exchange for briefing reporters on the content of the treaty — a common European Union practice.
On Saturday, protesters in Berlin, Helsinki and many other European cities said they feared the treaty would lead to censorship and a loss of privacy on the Internet.
DON MELVIN
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Earnings Preview: Comcast to report 4Q earnings
[AP Online]
AP Online
February 13, 2012
NEW YORK (AP) — Comcast Corp., the nation's biggest provider of pay-TV and the majority owner of NBC Universal, is expected to extend its string of strong results when it reports its fourth-quarter earnings before the market opens Wednesday
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Comcast's results have outpaced its peers in the cable industry and investors have buoyed its stock, which is up 33 percent over the past six months.
Cable companies like Comcast have been losing cable-TV customers for years to satellite broadcasters, and more recently to phone companies like AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. But Comcast has been able to keep revenue from TV growing by raising fees and signing people up for pricier packages. That adds to momentum in its Internet services, which keep snagging customers from the phone companies.
Citigroup analyst Jason Bazinet expects Comcast to report losing 125,000 cable subscribers, fewer than last year. He expects it to have added 275,000 broadband subscribers, down slightly from 292,000 a year ago. But it would still be a strong showing, considering that other companies are seeing big slowdowns in the recruitment of Internet customers now that more than two-thirds of all U.S. households have broadband.
WHY IT MATTERS: Comcast provides cable television services to about a fifth of U.S. households.
WHAT'S EXPECTED: Analysts on average expect Comcast to earn 41 cents per share on revenue of $14.94 billion, according to FactSet.
LAST YEAR'S QUARTER: Comcast earned $1.02 billion, or 36 cents per share, on $9.72 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2010. Those results didn't include NBC Universal. Comcast bought a majority stake in the movie studio and stable of TV networks in January.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Holding sway: social media's potential impact on reputation is well documented, but by understanding how the tools work, you can stay on top of the game.(CORPORATE REPUTATION, REVISITED)
[Communication World]
Communication World
November 1, 2011 | Hoffmann, Christian Pieter
Social media have become so ubiquitous that it is worthwhile to reflect on whether these new online communication applications do, in fact, change the way companies manage their reputation, and if so, how? Mass collaboration, collective intelligence and knowledge sharing have always been key features of the Internet. Today, Web 2.0 applications make it easy for any user to collect, change, create or share content. Whether the user is watching or uploading videos on YouTube, networking with friends on Facebook, sharing news with his or her followers on Twitter, or reading, commenting on or writing blog posts, one common motive is clearly discernible: A traditionally passive consumer of content created and disseminated by mass media is changing into an active communicator.
Accordingly, PR professionals are coming to understand the need to participate in these new online communication forums. Given that the effects of social media on our communication culture, habits and current forms of interaction are not just a fad or phase, companies need to learn how they can and should foster their reputation through these applications.
Here, then, are five key challenges for reputation management.
1. Networking and openness
Corporate communication has been shaped by two forms of communication for the longest time: l:l- and l:n-communication. While l:l-communication denotes the direct interaction of a company with a conversation partner--for example, by telephone or email--l:n-communication is used when a message needs to be delivered to a dispersed audience. Many established PR instruments, such as press releases, tall under the category of 1:n-communication, but both forms take place exclusively between a sender and receiver; if a journalist contacts a company by phone, other media representatives are not notified of that fact. Today's social media platforms, in contrast, are based on an open and mutual exchange of information and opinion.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Platforms such as blogs, wikis and Facebook are what can be called n:n-media: Each participant in a network is simultaneously a potential sender and receiver of information. What's more, since users talk to one another--publicly and whenever, wherever and about whatever they want--this development implies a loss of control over the public interpretation of data disseminated by a company. But it also offers some interesting opportunities for reputation management. As communication among target groups becomes more open and accessible, it becomes easier to gain insight into current opinions, trends and authentic sentiments by monitoring relevant communities and networks--a necessary precondition for timely reactions or interventions.
EBay | Immediate interaction
The online auction platform eBay employs a corporate blogger, Richard Brewer-Hay, who uses a variety of social media, such as Flickr and Twitter, to reach communities interested in the company's activities. Brewer-Hay runs ebayinkblog.com, which provides continuous information about eBay, and allows users to subscribe to various feeds. It also lets users comment and provide feedback to the company. He regularly covers corporate events, such as media or analyst conferences, on the site through ongoing Twitter comments.
What sets the corporate blogger's social media coverage apart is that the platforms used allow for the immediate emergence of a conversation with a wide audience. Hashtags (#ebayinc) make it easy to follow current replies and comments, and individuals participating in these events have a chance to ask questions or solicit input from their peers and feed them into the ongoing discussion.
"We originally launched the blog in 2008 to tell the company's story in our own words, in our own voice, while incorporating different perspectives and opinions," says Brewer-Hay. "The blog has further humanized our company and shown the people and stories behind our brand. By demonstrating a willingness to talk openly and transparently about eBay operations and business decisions, the blog is just one way we've ensured trust and confidence in our company."
EBay's social media savvy has not gone unnoticed: Recently, a study conducted by the communication agency Yomego ranked eBay No. 1 in social media reputation, topping powerhouses such as Apple and Google.
2. Speed and disintermediation
For years, mass media have found themselves in the comfortable position of "gatekeepers": Whenever companies wanted to reach a mass audience, the only way to get their attention was through the interest of editorial staff. The Internet has not rendered mass media obsolete, but it has considerably limited their significance. Today, the Web enables direct interaction between companies and their target groups. The traditional trade-off between reach and richness in a communication relationship has been swept away. It is now possible to reach a mass audience and interact with individual receivers at the same time. Social media combine the best of both worlds.
This disintermediation has considerably increased the speed of information dissemination. The social Web facilitates the sharing of information among a wide audience through networking, rating of data quality and relevance, recommendations, and linking. Companies need to be present in these networks in order to perceive and quickly react to ongoing developments. As participants in communication networks, companies do have a chance to directly engage their target groups and cater to their needs and wishes. Direct and targeted interaction and the involvement of their audiences are of tremendous importance to companies in managing their reputation, given that media usage, especially among younger audiences, is growing more fragmented and thereby harder to match through classic mass media channels.
3. User control and participation
Media studies have shown that the opinions of peers have a much stronger impact on the decisions of individuals than does mass media content. Feedback in the social Web is mainly generated through comments and recommendations, and professional communication by companies is increasingly overshadowed by multimedia word of mouth. All phases of a traditional buying process (awareness, consideration and purchase) can now be embedded in networks, in which numerous participants interact and mutually influence a buyer's considerations.
Because it's no small feat to choose reliable sources in increasingly crowded networks, a key question emerges: Who will be able to create a reputation of trustworthiness among the target community? As in a classic mass media environment, size can still matter--for example, as measured by the number of readers, fans or followers. Statements tend to be seen as more significant if uttered by a known source within an individual's personal network. The good news for companies is that they have every chance to establish themselves as relevant, trustworthy communicators by being present, active and receptive in the social Web. But this commitment also entails subjecting themselves to the at times harsh evaluation and criticism of other participants. Once a positive online reputation has been established, communicators enjoy a level of attention and credibility that far surpasses any ad or press release. Finally, messages from a credible source will be willingly and quickly shared among other network participants.
4. Differentiation and niche building
Chris Anderson popularized the concept of the "long tail" in his book The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More to describe how originally unprofitable niches can now be catered to profitably thanks to the sinking production and distribution costs online. The same concept can be applied to corporate communication. While the reach of a single Web 2.0 channel usually falls far short of that of a TV channel, it can be argued that a specific target group can easily be addressed through a dedicated Twitter or YouTube channel. Given the low distribution costs of the long tail, it really isn't necessary to reach and mobilize a mass audience; the accuracy and appropriateness of the message become much more important.
While traditional media still fight for attention, social media aim for influence. There is a notable distinction between the traditional "millions reached" and the new "thousands influenced."
Comcast | Publicly caring for the individual
After the cable TV, Internet and phone services provider Comcast received widespread criticism of its customer service in early 2008--a significant amount of it spread through social media--the company's PR department encouraged then-Customer Service Manager Frank Eliason to engage disgruntled customers using Twitter. Over the following months, the Comcast Cares Digital Team updated and extended its CRM software in order to monitor key social networks and quickly identify and respond to critical comments. Team members now personally address users writing about Comcast and offer to help them resolve their service issue. By directly engaging the relevant community, Eliason and his teara created significant goodwill and industry admiration: BusinessWeeh called Eliason "the most famous customer service manager" in the U.S., and the ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) rating for Comcast's TV service has increased by 10 percent since 2008.
While customer service through Twitter does constitute the personal engagement of a "niche of one," it also provides the advantages of public communication. Other users can follow the processes documented on Twitter, sometimes helping to solve several issues at once. Also, other audiences, such as industry peers, interest groups and even journalists, are able to follow the actions of the company in real time and experience the level of service achieved through direct engagement.
5. Transparency and measurability
Communicators have always strived to measure the success of their efforts. Social media tools available today not only allow for measurement beyond a mere response rate, but also can reveal the reasons for a response. The Web allows companies to analyze which websites users visited before choosing their sites, how long they stay, which pages they look at and what information they download. What's more, communicators can see what content is being commented on, linked to and recommended by users. Reputation managers are used to monitoring their media environment. Social media add new dimensions to this task because the communication of actual audiences within various channels and communities is becoming more open and transparent and thereby easier to track. Network analyses let companies plot their target communities, interrelations and the relevance of specific opinion leaders, or the spread of issues within these communities. By employing platforms such as blogs or social network profiles, companies can invite fans as well as critics to provide immediate feedback in a forum that is at once public and easy to oversee and analyze.
Social media are more than a fad. They are also more than just an accumulation of additional communication channels. Social media influence the way people communicate, interact and collaborate. They lead to a new communication culture that brings new challenges for corporate communication and reputation management. PR professionals are faced with the task of developing new solutions, tailor-made to their company's situation as well as to the needs and wishes of their core target groups. The sooner companies find a fitting response, decide on necessary adaptations and embark on promising experiments, the higher their chances of fostering and maintaining a positive reputation in this new environment.
Key steps for reputation management with social media
Be present: It is easy to open an account on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, and it's the only way to learn the language and interaction dynamics of social media. Starting small can't hurt--just distribute relevant company news and events through a micro blogging feed or a corporate biog. Talk about what is relevant to you. Your audience will quickly help you learn what is useful and interesting to them.
Monitor: Identify relevant platforms and communities. What issues do they talk about? What drives their conversations? Also look closely at what company messages and news receive significant attention and reactions. A range of automated services, such as Google Alerts, HootSuite, Radian 6 or Socialmention, can support your monitoring activities.
Engage: Be an active member of your online communities. Identify opinion leaders or influencers, and develop personal relationships through regular interaction. Community members fulfilling roles such as "information providers" or "reputation evangelists" are key to a positive social media reputation.
Be prepared: Develop internal guidelines for social media engagement, set up a social media team, and identify roles such as spokespersons, ambassadors or community managers. Frequent coordination and a "one voice" policy are vital. Finally, make social media communication part of your in-house training and personnel development--you never know when and where employees will use social media to talk about your company. C.P.H.
Christian Pieter Hoffmann is assistant professor of communication management at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.
Hoffmann, Christian Pieter
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Vermont congressional delegation asks Secretary of State to seek new spectrum agreement with Canada.
[Broadcast Engineering (Online Exclusive)]
Broadcast Engineering (Online Exclusive)
January 20, 2012 | Kurz, Phil
Byline: Phil Kurz
The Congressional delegation from the state of Vermont on Jan. 19 asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to explore a new agreement with Canada on frequency coordination to head off loss of off-air reception of TV stations in the event Congress authorizes the FCC to conduct incentive auctions and repacks the television spectrum.
In a letter to Clinton, U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernard Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) explained that a repacking of the TV band may "have devastating impacts" on stations along the Canadian border without a new agreement with U.S. neighbor.
The letter points out that the consequence of spectrum repacking may be similar to what stations along the border experienced in making the transition from analog to digital television a reality.
"The transition to digital television brought new challenges for border stations when American stations moved to new channels. Unfortunately, some stations in Vermont were required to operate at reduced power following the transition in order to prevent interference with Canadian signals," the letter said.
Resolving the international coordination issues raise by repacking can only be done through international negotiation, the letter said.
Saying that access to free broadcast TV "is more important than ever," the letter spells out the benefits Vermonters derive from television. "Broadcast stations provide news, weather, and emergency information that is specifically tailored to the regions they serve. Severe weather is a way of life in Vermont and the alerts that come from broadcast stations are crucial in giving citizens and towns advance notice," the letter said.
Congress is due to act early in March on legislation that would authorize the Federal Communications Commission to conduct voluntary incentive auctions with the goal of clearing 120MHz of TV spectrum for future wireless broadband Internet service. The approach, spelled out in the commission's National Broadband Plan, would require a repacking of TV spectrum following the auction to make available contiguous swaths of spectrum. Broadcasters and other spectrum incumbents participating in the auction would share in the auction proceeds under the plan.
Kurz, Phil
COPYRIGHT 2008 Penton Business Media, Inc.
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Conducting online surveys, 2d ed.(Brief article)(Book review)
[Reference & Research Book News]
Reference & Research Book News
February 1, 2012
9781412992251
Conducting online surveys, 2d ed.
Sue, Valerie M. and Lois A. Ritter.
Sage Publications
2012
242 pages
$39.95
Paperback
HM538
Citing the need for a text that reflects developments in online surveying since the 2007 edition, Sue (Internet Services Group, Kaiser Permanente) and Ritter (nursing and health sciences, California State U. East Bay) provide a guide to the creation, implementation, and analysis of electronic surveys--now also delivered to mobile devices. They address issues unique to such survey research: e.g., selecting software, designing Internet-based questionnaires, and sampling from online populations. No longer just for academics, the text includes a review of basic summary statistics, exercises, the American Association of Public Opinion Research Code of Ethics, frequently asked questions, and a glossary.
([c]2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR)
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Parallel architectures, algorithms, and programming; proceedings.(Brief article)(Book review)
[Reference & Research Book News]
Reference & Research Book News
February 1, 2012
9780769545752
Parallel architectures, algorithms, and programming; proceedings.
International Symposium on Parallel Architectures, Algorithms and Programming (4th: 2011: Tianjin, China) Ed. by Jigang Wu et al.
Computer Society Press
2011
359 pages
$227.00
Paperback
QA76
The 33 peer-reviewed papers in this work are from a symposium held in Tianjin, China, in December 2011. Major themes are high performance computing, parallel algorithms, parallel architectures, data mining, networks, and parallel programming. Some papers topics explored include option pricing on the GPU with the backward stochastic differential equation, methods for avoiding Internet censorship, and energy minimization for software real-time systems with uncertain execution time. Active semi-supervised spectral clustering, a topological model for grayscale image transformation, and scalable seed expansion for identifying web communities are some other areas considered. Further topics include a shared cache-aware hybrid real-time scheduling on a multicore platform with a hierarchical cache, a power law relay routing overlay, a new network computing operating system for multicore and clouds, and top-k queries processing with uncertain data on graphics processing units. Wu is affiliated with Tianjin Polytechnic University. There is no subject index.
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BURMA AT THE TURNING POINT.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 2, 2012
WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. Department of State:
Thank you. It's terrific to be invited by an organization I admire greatly, the National Endowment for Democracy, to speak about an issue that I care about deeply: Burma and its future.
I must say, though, that it's a bit hard to come to the NED on the heels of the Secretary of State's speech at the NDI annual dinner in December what I consider to be one of her finest speeches, on the future of democracy. If any of you missed that speech, I commend it to you.
I also want to thank the NED team that has played a leading role in promoting democracy and civil society in Burma for more than 20 years.
And I'd like to recognize the many other friends and colleagues here who have stood with the Burmese people for decades, both through their programs to promote democracy and their humanitarian work -- the folks from the Open Society Institute, the Norwegian Burma Committee, DANIDA, the International Rescue Committee, and in fact every group here at the Burma Donor's Forum and many, many more. I salute you all for your continued dedication to this important work.
Most of all, I want to honor the Burmese activists who have sacrificed so much to bring about the changes that we are here today to discuss.
Hindsight being 20-20, we can look back over the year 2011 and see that governments around the world have made choices that have profound effects on their people.
In Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak could not stand in the way of the winds of change that swept through Tahir Square, and the transition to democracy continues to move forward. And although we must expect many difficulties and even setbacks in every democratic transition, the Egyptian people are now charting their own future and seeking to build the kind of durable, inclusive democracy they deserve.
In Syria, Bashar al-Assad and his government made a different choice, attempting to cling to power. Since that decision more than 5,400 people, mostly peaceful demonstrators, have been killed by government security forces. This week we are continuing to work with the Arab League to shape an appropriate and effective international response at the UN Security Council, part of our effort to end this tragic chapter in Syrian history.
The news out of Burma has been much more hopeful, as the government has taken a series of actions to change course after years of isolation and human rights abuses. When I travelled there in December with Secretary Clinton, we saw the possibility of real democratic change that could eventually lead to a much brighter future for Burma.
The statements from Nawpidaw are certainly encouraging. At a dinner in Singapore on Monday night, President Thein Sein said, according to press reports, quote: "We want our people to take part in the democratic reform process and we want democracy to thrive in Myanmar. I wish to assure you that I shall endeavor to establish a healthy democracy in Myanmar."
If the leaders continue on this path of democracy and openness, they will free all remaining political prisoners. They will hold fair elections on April 1, allow their people a genuine say in how they are to be governed, end restrictions on the media and the Internet, end the divisive ethnic conflicts, and begin to build a more integrated and peaceful society.
If they continue to pursue this path, they will end their international economic and political isolation, attract aid and investment, and be in a position to build a strong and inclusive economy that shares prosperity widely. Of course that won't transform Burma overnight. But it will begin to build the kind of government Burma's people deserve.
I come to speak with you today with great humility, because I am not a Burma expert, and I know that many of you have worked on Burma for years or decades.
I had not visited the country until last fall, when I went first with Special Envoy Derek Mitchell in November, and then again with Secretary Clinton in December. What I do bring to this discussion is experience with countries that are beginning down the long hard road towards democracy. And based on that experience I feel it is a rare privilege to be able to offer help to a country at such an important time.
But our engagement starts from a clear-eyed assessment of where there has been progress and what remains to be done. Let's start with the progress. We have seen movement on at least three important fronts. First is the release of political prisoners. Since October, the government has released more than 500 political prisoners. That includes most of the highest-profile prisoners. Some of these people had spent decades in jail for nonviolent expression of their political views.
Min Ko Naing, for example, was an 88 Generation student leader who spent most of the last 15 years in jail. He was re-arrested for organizing peaceful walking demonstrations in Rangoon in 2007 and sentenced to 65 years. Sixty-five years. Last week he and four other freed 88 Generation leaders held a press conference in and promised to "support those who want to build justice, freedom and equality" in Myanmar.
There is U Kyaw Min, a Rohingya rights activist who was elected as a Minister of Parliament in 1990 but then sentenced to 47 years in 2005 after he met with an international delegation investigating forced labor in Burma. His wife, two daughters and son were also rounded up and sentenced to 17 years simply for being his family members. Today he is free. His wife and two daughters were also freed with him. His son, however, remains in jail.
And there is Hla Hla Win, a young journalist arrested while interviewing monks and community leaders on video. She was first charged with having an illegally imported motorcycle, then when she was discovered to be a journalist she was sentenced to an additional 20 years for violating the Electronics Act, which prohibits uploading or downloading data deemed damaging to security. She also was released last month.
President Obama applauded the releases of prisoners of conscience as "a crucial step in Burma's democratic transformation and national reconciliation process." These released prisoners--lawyers, journalists, bloggers, activists, ethnic and religious leaders--will be key in building Burma's future.
A second area where the actions of the Burmese government are significant is the opening to greater debate and discussion of political issues. In the last year the government has engaged Aung San Suu Kyi in a substantive dialogue. It has amended electoral laws, allowing the National League for Democracy and other opposition parties to register as political parties and begin preparing for the April by-elections. It has begun to ease some restrictions on media and civil society, and is beginning to allow humanitarian access for the United Nations and NGOs to conflict areas.
A third, related area where the government has undertaken reforms is in building a stronger democratic foundation. Last year the government passed a new labor law that expands the rights of workers and will allow unions to become legal again for the first time since the 1970s. In December, the Parliament passed new legislation protecting the right of assembly.
We have heard reports that work on a revised press freedoms law is underway. And the government established a new Human Rights Commission.
But much remains to be done. Hundreds of political prisoners are still being held, and a number of the laws used to arrest and detain them remain on the books. Censorship has been relaxed--but the censorship board remains in place. NGOs are allowed to operate--but many have not been allowed to legally register.
Probably the most important and most difficult remaining challenge is the need to end violence in ethnic minority areas and to advance an inclusive, meaningful dialogue leading towards genuine national reconciliation.
The government has struck preliminary ceasefire agreements with the Shan State army and with the Karen National Union, which has been involved in one of the longest-running civil wars anywhere in the world. At the same time violence in Kachin State has worsened, with reports of serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.
Ultimately the ethnic violence is rooted in political causes, and it will require negotiated political solutions on both sides to address the underlying grievances.
In the coming months and years we must steel ourselves for challenges that will inevitably come with this transition. Over the years, it's my observation that when ossified societies begin to loosen up, the process is neither smooth nor linear.
That is why this Administration is committed to a long-term engagement, one that both continues to push for reform and change, while at the same time offering encouragement and support.
As Secretary Clinton said, "The United States will meet action with action." In response to the January 13 prisoner release, Secretary Clinton announced that we will exchange ambassadors. In a step-by-step fashion, we hope to build a relationship based on mutual respect and tangible progress on the issues that matter most to improving the daily lives of people.
Where Burma goes from here will depend on the political will of its leaders and the willingness of the government's opponents to engage. And this political will needs to flow from two directions - from the top down, and from the bottom up.
The President and his advisors have created a kind of top-down reform process that has pushed through initiatives at a rapid pace. And this is to their credit. These changes have opened political space. But opening the political space doesn't bring meaningful change unless people move into that space and start to use it.
It's like an empty house. If the house is in bad shape, you may have to shore up the roof and hang some drywall before you can even move in. Then you need to bring in some furniture, move in, hang pictures that express your vision of what a home should look like, and invite a bunch of friends over for dinner, or plant a garden. Then that empty house starts to become a home.
To make Burma a home for all of its people requires broad, grassroots engagement by the widest possible range of politically active citizens. Ethnic leaders and bloggers. Lawyers defending clients. Lawmakers writing new media freedom laws. Factory workers forming unions and negotiating for better conditions and higher pay. Human rights advocates working with local powerbrokers to stop forced labor. NGOs working to bring child soldiers home.
All of these groups will need to push for structural changes from the bottom up, at the same time as the political leadership works to push reform from the top down.
I don't know where those two forces meet. It's not for us to say. It's up to the Burmese to find the place where the two sides meet, to build trust on both sides, and to negotiate a space where they can coexist peacefully. That process is how durable, systemic change begins.
So the project of reforming the system from within is immense. It will require both political will from the top down and dynamism from the bottom up. Those who have profited from power in every country are often resistant to sharing it, and thus a backlash is always possible.
I've been accused of irrational optimism. But I do believe there is reason to be optimistic. That doesn't mean that we assume everything is going to work or that we rush our engagement faster than reforms warrant. But it does mean that we reconsider long held assumptions; recognize the dynamic change that is occurring, and seize the opportunities to support the people, and especially politically active civil society, to pursue real, sustainable reforms from within.
And frankly there is another reason why my optimism isn't irrational. Her name is Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Her country is fortunate to have a leader of her principles and her caliber to inspire and guide it through these tumultuous times.
On my last visit, I was struck by the warmth and the welcome given the Secretary.
The crowds who lined the streets for miles to welcome her.
The beautiful hug she got from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The man who took an American official's hands at the airport and said with tears in his eyes, "Thank you for coming to our country."
The desire, expressed to us by so many Burmese, to rejoin the world - and not just the international banking system, but the international community.
Change is never guaranteed, but there is an appetite for change. And I know that all of you continue to work extremely hard to be part of it.
So I will stop here and am happy to answer your questions. Thank you.
COPYRIGHT 1999 COMTEX News Network, Inc.
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The hydrogen challenge.(Classroom Challenge)
[Technology and Engineering Teacher]
Technology and Engineering Teacher
February 1, 2012 | Roman, Harry T.
Handling dangerous substances has come to define our society. We drive around with the explosive equivalent of twenty sticks of dynamite in our gasoline tanks without baring an eye. We use open flames to cook our food and heat our homes. Propane barbecue tanks are sold everywhere in the country, and left outside our homes for several seasons. This activity challenges your students to think about how this versatile and potentially dangerous substance could be of great value in preserving our high standards of living.
Introduction
Hydrogen gas is being touted as a possible clean new fuel that could replace our current use of fossil fuels for cars, home heating, and electricity production. It is the simplest of all fuels and burns clean, having a number of advantages and some disadvantages too.
One exciting application would be to install fuel cells in homes and allow them to run on clean hydrogen gas. Fuel cells are space-age technology used on NASA vehicles to provide both electricity and heating--and also clean drinking water. Very low emissions emanate from these devices, so the potential for improving air quality and removing our dependence on foreign sources of oil is significant. The challenge for your class is to develop ideas and possible systems for using hydrogen on-site in homes.
The Challenge
What makes hydrogen gas different from existing fuel sources such as natural gas and fuel oil, which are very often used to heat our homes? Perhaps a look at the chemistry of combustion of hydrocarbon fuels will help the students understand what happens when such fuels are combusted--oxidized with a flame.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
There are no hydrogen mines or deposits of it that we can mine. Where do we get hydrogen today? What are the most promising and cheapest ways to generate large amounts of this most interesting gas and fuel? How do we use hydrogen now?
What special precautions and handling procedures must be taken when dealing with hydrogen? Is there information and experience already in hand that can be used here about the handling of hydrogen? How is it handled today in laboratories--and can this be extended to common use in the home and businesses?
For instance:
* Could hydrogen be piped directly into our homes like natural gas?
* Might we have it delivered in storage tanks when needed?
* How could its dangerous potential be minimized?
* Could we deliver it in a safe form and convert it slowly on-site into a gaseous form as needed?
There is rich literature available on hydrogen. The Internet is one such source, and there are likely books in the school library or available from neighborhood libraries to help. Magazine and newspaper articles can serve as secondary sources of information, too. Books that discuss environmental subjects and energy systems are especially likely to contain information and discussions about hydrogen use as a possible clean-energy fuel.
Are there other industries that handle potentially dangerous gases that can help students understand the concerns and possible applications of hydrogen? Actually, there is one right in your community: natural gas distribution utilities handle methane gas routinely and deliver it to your doorstep for cooking and heating, and they have been doing it for over 10 years. Might it be useful to invite an engineer from that industry in to talk about methane and hydrogen use?
This industry visitor can help the class understand how safety concerns are dealt with on an everyday basis. What practices are already in place that can be used with hydrogen gas? Just how different are methane and hydrogen?
If fuel cells could be used in our homes with hydrogen, imagine the possibility of being able to generate both your electricity and heating needs right in your basement, with little or no pollution. And are there some bonuses, like no more electric power outages when storms come blowing through, no fuel delivery interruptions, and no potential terrorist threats to our utility systems?
There is a great deal of literature on fuel cells that should be investigated, so students can immerse themselves in the technology and explore the issues that experts in the alternate energy field have discussed. It is a technology with great potential for society--could it be one that can break the stranglehold that fossil fuels currently have on our society? It's a superb and futuristic design challenge for students to sink their teeth into.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Putting it All Together
Once the basic issues about hydrogen and its uses have been discussed and evaluated, students or teams of students can develop ideas for systems that can deliver hydrogen gas safely to homes and businesses. They can illustrate how this would be done through poster displays, charts, graphs, and pictures--with explanatory wording below the images. How hydrogen gas would be safely handled should be shown clearly and with lots of explanatory information.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Students should also be encouraged to talk with parents, relatives, and friends outside of the classroom to determine their feelings about hydrogen as a fuel source. Very often, surveys of citizens will disclose many interesting aspects, both pro and con, about new technologies. The subject of hydrogen can be controversial and clearly shows what can happen when something new is attempted to be integrated into the existing infrastructure of the country. Companies frequently perform customer surveys to determine how receptive they might be to new technological products, innovations, and advances. Sometimes the very best and most promising new technologies can be rejected by the public.
Take the time to also encourage students to look at the history of hydrogen, its discovery, uses, and applications. There could be clues here as to how receptive the public might be to its use as a common fuel.
Harry T. Roman recently retired from his engineering job and is the author of a variety of new technology education books. He can be reached via email at htroman49@aol.com.
Roman, Harry T.
COPYRIGHT 2010 International Technology Education Association
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Handling bullying, cyberbullying in your practice.(COMMENTARY)
[Pediatric News]
Pediatric News
January 1, 2012 | Englander, Elizabeth; Raffalli, Peter
Pediatric physicians can play a key role in addressing and preventing bullying and cyberbullying today Despite the plethora of new research and fmdings, the current state of knowledge does permit us to make certain generalizations. Here is a handful of useful tips.
Today's Bullying: Social Cruelty
Many adults conceptualize bullying as physical, sometimes violent behavior, but that is not what is dominating the bullying landscape today In 2010-2011, researchers at the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center found that repetitive, seemingly minor "gateway behaviors" were by far the most frequent in victim reports. These rude, insolent acts (like eye rolling, pointedly whispering in front of others, or snickering) usually do not break any specific rules, so adults often ignore them. But "'gateway behaviors" may normalize disrespect or even reward it, and research reveals how toxic they can be. Gateway be haviors can happen online, too, and kids need to hear that it's not okay to join in on bashing and forwarding comments and personal information.
Don't Berate--Instead, Educate
Although young people are comfortable with technology, they are not necessarily knowledgeable about it, according to Nancy WiUard, director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use (www.csriu.org). Avoiding cyberproblems is not just about technical knowledge; it is also about maturity and common sense. Bottom line? Adults need to ask children about their social lives online, according to the Pew Research Center's 2007 Internet 8( American Life Project. Even if an adult is not proficient in cyberspace communications, he or she can be loud and dear about the absolute necessity to watch what one says, whatever the format, and to remain civil to others at all times.
Take Parental Reports Seriously
At times, both children and parents tend to overuse the term '%ullying" to refer to a host of interpersonal problems, perhaps because the target is completely innocent in bullying situations. It's important to be aware of these tendencies and to gently ask patients to walk you through bullying or cyberbullying incidents that they have reported. Be aware that they may, in fact, be describing more commonly occurring social problems, such as fights or one-time cruel remarks. If a situation is dearly not bullying, then you'll have an opportunity for education. (See examples of key questions below.) Regardless, the appropriate action is to focus on resolving the social problem, not to debate the appropriate label.
Some Situations Require Talking
When upset or in distress, children and teens may be more likely to text others to garner social support. But by repeatedly exposing the texter to his or her emotional cue words, texting can result in a simple conflict's quick escalation, or can even change it into a complex bullying situation. Explain that it is not a good idea to use textmg, e-mail, or instant messaging to try to resolve a disagreement or settle an argument. Children are unlikely to realize these facts independently, and they need to be coached to think about situations in which actual talking- either on the phone or face to face--might be the best way to relate to others.
Don't Neglect Younger Patients
Both bullying and cyberbullying start at a young age. Although adults tend to neglect these topics until adolescence, the seeds of bullying (including cyberbullying) are actually sown long before that. Bullying typically begins in kindergarten, and in Massachusetts more than 90% of third graders are already online, usually playing games. The good news is that elementary school students are very willing and able to internalize rules about behavior.
Reinforce Patience, Kindness
One unfortunate effect of the increase in bullying and cyberbullying is the tendency of adults to focus on negative student behaviors. But how good behavior is reinforced is even more important than how poor behavior is handled. If a patient mentions positive social behaviors (such as having good friends), be sure to note and praise these.
Educate Patients' Families
Free educational materials for parents, written in a practical and concrete style, are available online at the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center's website (www.MARCcenter.org). Physicians can direct parents there, or can print the materials and hand them out. (Parent materials are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.) By running a training program for graduate and undergraduate students in higher education, MARC offers flee programs and services to K-12 schools in Massachusetts. In addition to materials for parents, the website offers many free downloads, games, tips, and curricula for all schools.
Contacting the School
Although physicians have no direct control over schools, they can certainly offer to write a note to inform administrators and teachers about the situation, to document concerns, and to document the potentially negative impact on the health of a patient.
Examples of Key Questions
Some helpful questions to ask patients include the following:
* "Part of being healthy is talking about friends and how we get along with other kids. Can you tell me how friendly the kids are at your school overall?'"
* "Are there any kids at school that you have a problem with, or are afraid of?"
* "Do you use text messaging, play games online, or use social networking websites (like Facebook)? Do you ever have a problem with others online, such as people sending you a mean message, or saying cruel things?"
* "In some situations, we really should talk instead of texting or going online. What do you think about that?"
* "Grown-ups are talking a lot about bullying and cyberbullying these days. Are you having a problem being bullied or cyberbullied? If you are, I'd like to try and help you with it."
* "Sometimes people use the word bullying to describe something that's more like a fight. Bullying happens when a more powerful child deliberately targets someone less powerful, over and over again. What we're discussing is very important, because I can see that you were really hurt by what happened. But it might not be bullying. Let's focus, though, on helping you cope with it."
DR. ENGLANDER is director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater (Mass.) State University.
DR. RAFFALLI is a pediatric neurologist at Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, also in Boston.
Englander, Elizabeth; Raffalli, Peter
COPYRIGHT 2009 International Medical News Group
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The Amazon effect: center store profits could be at risk as consumers do more of their research and buying online.(FUTURE FORCES)
[Grocery Headquarters]
Grocery Headquarters
January 1, 2012 | Kiernan, Patrick
As our industry continues to change and thrive, Amazon could easily be dismissed as yet another retailer using grocery items as loss leaders to attract customers. Others might suggest Amazon is just another category killer to books, music and electronics. Certainly our industry has nothing to fear from this new competitor, having survived the Walmart effect and numerous category formats such as Petco, Trader Joe's, Aldi, dollar stores and Big Lots. But what if e-commerce is not a channel, but rather a new way that shoppers think about their purchase decisions? While we still think about category management and shopping occasions, e-commerce retailers have added "path to purchase" to their shopper knowledge.
Several years ago, I wanted to buy a new truck. However, my path to purchase did not start with a test drive at the local dealer. In late 2008, with General Motors in bankruptcy and my GM MasterCard sending me emails that I had maxed out my reward dollars, a new purchase model emerged.
My first step was to go to the Consumer Reports website for reliability information on CMC trucks, followed by a review7 of the CMC web site to see truck inventories for just the right model. Then I visited Costco's website for additional member discounts. The final step in the process was a visit to the dealer, who actually had no part in the purchase path except to take the check and hand over the keys at a 40% discount.
The grocery industry is built on a foundation of product and distribution knowledge. Amazon is building its brand on customer knowledge. Black Friday and Cyber Monday, despite their success, are retail inventions that move merchandise without Amazon's customer intimacy. Yes, "bricks and clicks" are important if one-stop shopping is to remain a retail goal. Certainly, the eBays and Amazons will test seasonal popup stores with QR codes but no registers--just electronic sales.
Based on a recent Symphony IRI Times & Trends report, we still seem to think path to purchase is merely an escalation of channel and consumption migration between the bricks while Internet shopping is seen as merely coupon searches. Yet, on-line purchases of consumer packaged goods are expected to more than double to $25 billion by 2014. While we build more bricks, Amazon buys more clicks such as Diapers.com and Soap.com.
Amazon continues its mission to be the earth s most customer-centric company and is on a pace to become a $100 billion sales company. It took Walmart 18 years to reach $1 billion in sales and Amazon only five years to do the same. Amazon's growth pace can match Walmart to S100 billion by using the Internet and technology to create real value.
Today, Amazon competes with Apples iTunes for music, Barnes & Noble for books and Netflix for movies. Tomorrow, Amazon can hollow-out many other retail formats such as Target and Best Buy in electronics as well as many center of the store grocery, HBC and Nonfood categories.
Amazon's "Subscribe and Save" program began in grocery by offering 15% discounts on bulk club-size items. Next up are categories that represent high frequency auto replenishment. Think categories such as paper towels, diapers, formula, pet food and cleaning supplies.
What will happen to your center store profits and trips per month if Amazon Mom converts its targeted one million morns to a "subscribe and save" program?
CPG companies now see Amazon becoming a Top 10 customer in the next few years; a customer that does not deduct, divert or charge for unsaleables and requires no resources to maintain a retail presence. As the Amazons, eBays and Overstock.com grow their sales of both shelf-stable fast movers, and "long tail" slow moving items, CPC companies will have to learn their customers' path to purchase or face the same business threats as today's retailers.
CPG companies are also awaking to both the need and opportunity to have a one-on-one relationship with every consumer worldwide. Procter & Gamble is on a mission to become the most technologically enabled business in the world by using digital technology to create indispensable relationships with its brands.
So as you head into this New Year, I would offer a few thoughts for your consideration:
Shoppers are changing their purchase decision process with new technology.
Center store profits are at risk in this bricks and clicks world.
Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+ may become new path-to-purchase competitors with their member relationships.
Free shipping equals be paid to shop.
Both high-research SKUs and "long tail" hard-to-find SKUs are moving to c-commerce.
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Patrick Kiernan, managing partner of Day/Kiernan & Associates, is affiliated with The Center for Food Marketing at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia; the Institute for the Future. Palo Alto, Calif.; and Encore Associates, San Ramon, Calif. He can be reached at KiernanPat@aol.com.
Kiernan, Patrick
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This week: Kerry McCoy: president of Arkansas Flag & Banner Inc. in Little Rock.(Arkansas Business Exec Q&A)(Interview)
[Arkansas Business]
Arkansas Business
January 23, 2012 | McCoy, Kerry
What has been most satisfying to you about founding and growing a successful business?
It is satisfying to think about all the people I have gotten to know because of AFB, not just business partners and customers, but employees too. I am proud of all the AFB employee alumni I have hired and helped and who have helped me.
How has your role at Arkansas Flag & Banner evolved since the start of the company? I was only 20 years old when I started the business with just $400, so you could say the business and I have grown up together. I began AFB by selling flags door to door. In the late 70s when gas prices made driving prohibitive, I changed the focus of AFB to phone sales. Always ready for change, I embraced the catalog business, mail order business and now the Internet marketing business model. I have built AFB one department at a time. The first department was sales; then I added a sewing department, the graphic department, production department, screen printing department, retail store, shipping, purchasing, accounting, and currently, we are building a social network and marketing department.
Do you have plans to have someone succeed you as president? AFB is like my first-born child. It is hard to think about selling one of my kids! Speaking of kids, I do have four ranging in age from 17 to 32. They all are good, smart, responsible citizens, and any one of them could handle the succession (with a little guidance from Mom, of course), but currently there are no plans. My husband, who works with me, has made just one rule regarding legacy, and that is: None of our children can come to work at AFB until they have reached 30 years of age.
Do other business leaders ask you for advice on how to transition out of a company's leadership? No. People usually ask me about how to start a business. I find that most people, when they A visualize themselves in business, see themselves about five, years in. But you really do have to walk before you run. I worked a part-time job for nine years while I built AFB. Startups always have a cash-flow problem. You can't grow without more money, and you can't get more money without growing.
What is your vision for Arkansas Flag & Banner's next several decades? The new website that we launch this month really expands our possibilities. Amazon doesn't just sell books, and like them, I want to expand our product lines. Currently, we stock the products we sell, but maybe it is time to feature other vendors that will do their own order fulfillment. Another one of my interests is online affiliate marketing, where approved retailers put our products on their sites.
Bio: Kerry McCoy
Background: McCoy, 57, grew up in North Little Rock. She graduated in 1974 with a certificate in fashion merchandising from Miss Wade's Fashion Merchandising College of Dallas. Arkansas Flag & Banner has had $3 million in annual sales for the past five years and employs about 30 people.
Kerry McCoy launched Arkansas Flag & Banner in 1975 at the age of 20 and has headed it since.
McCoy, Kerry
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Footnotes: memphis.(FOOTNOTES)
[The Fader]
The Fader
December 1, 2011
Compared to the focused weirdness of Atlanta, Memphis' legacy is less cohesive and more scattered: from the early horror raps of Three 6 Mafia to Yo Goth's intricate drug narrative to Don Trip's heart-on-sleeve purism--Memphis is less about defining a sound than it is about defining characters. Memphis won't go down in the annals of history as hip-hop's most influential city, but to those who love the music it produces, there's no better place.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
MEMPHIS
Three 6 Mafia f. SBall & MJG and Young Buck, "Stay Fly" Most Known Unknown (Sony 2005)
Memphis, in my mind, will always be the city of Three 6 Mafia and SBall and MPG. Of those legendary groups, Juicy Jot Three 6 is making the most noise currently, but for the most part Ball and MPG have not made a lasting impression on charts, radio or blogs these past few years. Their last true moment in the limelight, in fact, was the first time these two groups met, on the universally loved "Stay Fly," in 2005. Featuring a prominent Willie Hutch sample, it's a near perfect song. Curiously, it also has a verse by Tennessee resident and former G-Unit member Young Buck, and not Triple Six compatriot Project Pat, who is maybe the most Memphis rapper of all time. But he has a joint Tennessee/Hennessey tattoo, so he may not have much to prove. MS
Don Trip and Starlito, Step Brothers (Internet 2011)
Rap is in such a weird place that when two dudes get in the studio to record an album together, it's kind of a big deal. No cut and paste verses for Don Trip and Starlito! It's possible that this is why their collaborative, loose-concept mixtape Step Brothers is so fun to listen to. Most likely, though, it's compelling because they are enthusiastic rappers at the top of their game, making dumb boasts, grappling with bleak memories, and--most importantly--being relatable humans. Considering the fact that it's a free mixtape that came out in a year with far too many free mixtapes, it's worth noting that both these guys made a piece of art that is so normal it's exceptional. s HS
Lil Yo, "Amazing Murder" Youngstass on a Come Up (Crime Lordz 1996)
Yo Gotti is 30 years old and raps with a flexible Tennessee rasp that's grim on melancholy tracks and bouncy on bright ones. He's a great equalizer, attacking countless guest verses for rappers both notable and unsung with consistent energy. But before he was Yo Gotti he was Lilt Yo, releasing his first tape Youngsta'son on a Come Up at 15. On it, he sounds younger than that, and, at times, like a girl. "Amazing Murder," has a chunk chopped Halloween beat by Big Jook, and features Gott spewing lunatic raps about holding hostages at his grandma's house, demons in his mind and helicopters overhead. When he asks Should I kill her/ I don't even know? you wonder where the fuck his middle school teachers were. NZ
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Project Pat, Crook By Da Book: The Fed Story (Columbia/Hypnotize Minds 2006)
At the beginning of this millennium, Project Pat went to prison for four years. Crook By Da Book is the album he released when he got out, arriving nine months after his little brother Puicy J won an Oscar with Three 6 Mafia for a song that appeared on the soundtrack of the film Hustle & Flow. There's not much pointing to that victory on Crook By Da Book, an unabashedly sad album in spite of its soulful, brawny beats. For 20 songs, Pat raps about being will while sounding vulnerable. Maybe the album's mission statement, "I Ain't Going Back to Pail," is not a cathartic song. It aggressively tells a true story about returning home to fake friends and gawking kids. "Good Googly Moogly," is a super silly school dance jam. Pat executes each verse on that song perfectly, but he doesn't sound happy doing it. NZ
The Clipse f. Yo Gotti, "Showin Out" Tile The Casket Drops (Columbia/Star Trak/Re-Up 2009)
Til The Casket Drops will undoubtedly go down in history as an incredibly disappointing follow up to a couple brilliant albums from The Clips, but that doesn't mean that there weren't some gems hidden in that tossed together blacklist. Chief of which is the duo's collaboration with Yo Gotti, which featured a classic-in-the-making Neptunes beat that barely includes drums. Mostly, though, it's a showcase for Gotti's gravelly rasp. It's a bizarre inclusion because at the time he didn't have a big single and seems to be on the record purely because of The Clipse's love of his music. It's not hard to see why, because when Gotti's growling about being paranoid over a beat that never fully releases, it's clear that he has a strong but subtle handle on what it means to be an incredible rapper. S H S
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Three 6 Mafia, Mystic Stylez (Prophet 1995) When this was released, Three 6 Mafia were a Halloween-obsessed army of sing-rapping weirdos that made it seem like they spent all their time smoking dust and getting into arguments about Pohn Carpenter. Like any great debut hip-hop album, the mythology is as important as the songs themselves. Everyone who raps on here sounds young and unsure and like they're scared of their own voices--even when they're rapping about bashing your head in, the heart and relentless darkness makes Mystic Style an essential part of Memphis rap's aggro history. SHS
CASS MCCOMBS
Cass McCombs, "You Saved My Life"- Catacombs (Domino 2009)
When is a good time to listen to this song? It is most certainly not at a wedding (although I could see how the title might be misleading). It's also no good for funerals, cooking dinner at home or school dances. It is such a personal song, in fact, that listening to it alone feels like spying. But it's worth that guilty feeling that you're hearing something you shouldn't because of the way Cass McCombs straddles huge sadness and slivers of hope, singing You saved my life over a syrupy guitar whine and a fractured piano waltz. It's difficult to listen to this more than a couple times a year, but it's comforting to know that it exists S HS
Cass McCombs and Karen Black, "Dreams Come True Girl" Catacombs (Domino 2009)
This is one of McCombs' most cinematic tracks. It's a redemption song about a woman saving a man from a lifetime of troubles. Drug problems? Alcoholism? You don't find out, but McCombs spends two verses and a few choruses singing directly to his Juliet, telling her he's blessed and that she rescued him. It's cool that he's singing it to '70s actress Karen Black, who's old enough to be his mother. She swoops in at the end, sounding salted and sad from smoking cigarettes that she found in bar ashtrays, like she's been through too much shit to welcome a young Casanova into her messy bed. AF
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Cass McCombs, "County Line" Wit's End (Domino 2011)
McCombs wrote a road trip into this song, like a long drive back to the place you're from. It's a metaphor, undoubtedly for a lot of things, but his very open struggles with addiction and the seeming dissolution of the life saving relationship he describes in Catacombs don't seem far off: On my way to you, old county/ Hoping nothing's changed/ That your pain is never-ending/That it is still the same ... That last line is a question posed as a statement, followed by a descending bassline so heartbreaking, it's addictive. Sometimes, I never even get past "County Line" when I listen to Wit's End, going back again and again, like some aural opiate. Maybe that's the point. AB
FUTURE
Da Connect, Dungeon Family 2nd Generation (848 Entertainment 2003) Before Future was Future, he was Meathead, one-fifth of Da Connect, the second generation Dungeon Family rap group formed by legendary songwriter/producer (and Future's first cousin) Rico Wade. A 2003 review in Ozone Magazine identifies Meathead as its youngest (and tallest) member, who is "murderous on the mica." He illustrates this on the album, prophesizing his current success and moniker on "Dump Truck Drop Tops": King of the south, the future, the young sequel/ Fin the new nigga that you wanna get feature. Ludacris, Bubba Spanooc, Roscoe and first-gen DE members, Witchdoctor, Kbujo and Big Gipp, all appear on the album, but they failed to draw an audience to the group. The album didn't sell and another was never made. It is currently the only record in the Dungeon Family oeuvre that doesn't have a Wikipedia page. NZ
Future, "Same Damn Time" Streetz Calling Internet2011) "Same Damn Time" was written to be an anthem, as if the song's producer, Sonny Digital, only ever cared about a fist pump. You might think it sounds insanely fast at first, but the song is actually not that quick, it's just that Future sounds so pumped and so urgent, it seems like he's sprinting. Is he pissed? Psyched? Both? He strains as he raps Same damn time over and over until those three words become a life-or-death part of the percussion, the lyrical version of banging on the biggest bass drum. I saw Future perform "Same Damn Time," and it seemed like every head in the room was snapping in unison, like everyone's necks were about to break. AF
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Future f. YC, "Racks," Dirty Sprite (Internet 2011) The first time I really became aware of NYC's "Racks," it was being sung to me by an ecstatic Matthew Schnipper. Future's spot on the track is a bright one, and it provided Schnipper--already an avid "Racks" enthusiast--with reason to love it more: At about two minutes in and midway through Future's verse, the music drops and his last word is repeated over and over, bravo bravo bravo. Bravo is my surname, and accordingly, Schnippcr was granted full license to rap/heckle me for the rest of my life. All summer I heard "Racks" blasting out the back of so many cars in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, and I'll admit it was hard not to lift my hands--palms facedown, one on top of the other--and smile. AB
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Independence day: E1-P returns to rap's lawless present.(Q&A)(Interview)
[The Fader]
The Fader
December 1, 2011 | Hockley-Smith, Sam
In 1992, rapper/producer El-P founded the dissonant and innovative group Company Flow. They used words too big to fit between the bars of their verses and spent a tot of time incorporating elements of Philip K. Dick's dystopian science fiction wherever they could. They also claimed to be "independent as fuck." This was a daring move at a time when the hip-hop industry was mostly dominated by major labels. After the group disbanded, El-P founded the. experimental rap label Definitive Jux in 1999. It was a hub for rap's outsiders for 11 years, until he closed its doors last year to focus on his own career. Now, artists who would have found themselves at home on the label are adrift, left to define their own idiosyncratic personalities without a built-in support network, much like El-P in the early '90s. He might have been ahead of the curve before, but a new generation of rappers, raised on DefJux and armed with the internet are catching up. El-P welcomes their arrival.
New York was the center of the rap world for so long, and then it wasn't. Are we experiencing a shift? New York got its due for so fucking long that it needed to go elsewhere for a while. It's a really cool time. I'm excited to do music again. I feel like I have a new lease on it. I think that coming out of that DefJux thing, I didn't know what the result would be. but I knew that I felt in my own gut that it was not time to do that anymore, and that it had maybe outworn its usefulness for anybody. If it were live years ago, these dudes like Das Racist and Danny Brown who is from Detroit! and Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, they'd be on Def.Tux. There's part of me -- not all of me -- that feels like in some way DefJux needed to die in order for music like this stuff to happen, in the sense that when you have something that happens to represent all of that to people, it can be dismissed in one stroke. Someone can be like, I'm over DefJux. but it's a lot harder to ignore individuals than it is to ignore what's perceived as a movement.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Why do you think rappers from all over are adopting Company Flow's "independent as fuck" ethos? At the time, it was a crazy thing to say. Like, Oh those wacky kids, they don't give a shit about anyone! That [mentality] has become really pervasive throughout the industry and has become necessarv. For the first time in a long while, I'm not an authority. I don't want to be an authority. I don't want to be the representation of anything. I don't want to represent a scene. I don't want to represent an idea. Ideas change, you know? I'm having a really good time just being a rapper and a producer. That's all I'm offering, and it seems like all signs are pointing to that being the correct decision. I'm fucking a lot happier, I'll tell you that much.
Does the public embrace of that DIY ethic open the door for weirder dudes to get mainstream attention? It's hard to tell. I think people are just vibing off characters again. For a long time everyone started coming from the left and the right into the center, becoming this hum of two or three different signifiers. You've got this type of dude and this type of dude, and they're all competing for the gangster, the hustler or the artist. Maybe Tm simplifying it. I just think people are hungry again for some surprises.
Now that you're focusing on your own career, do you feel you're better able to facilitate that kind of innovation? I've spent ten years trying to nail down this idea, and then I had to lose it to actually do it. 1 can point to the things I'm doing now and say, This is what T mean. It's not a front to anybody, and it's not a fuck you to anybody. That's a big part of it, too. Maybe I spent too much time saying, "fuck you." I don't think it's necessary all the time.
It seems like everyone is saying "fuck you" right now. There are certain institutions that need to be told "fuck you." That's not what I'm talking about. Growing up, I felt instinctively that the way I wanted to be involved in music was by contributing and not just by doing a reasonable facsimile of it. I always wanted to be somebody who could be looked at as genuinely contributing, even if it's not your thing. I mean, look, I'm not the center of anything. My relationship to what's going on is really simple. I'm excited. I like seeing people do well. Instead of asking for help, 1 gave help, and that was really fulfilling for a long time. That never changed in me, but now I'm free to do it without pretense, without any other reason than it's just satisfying.
SAM HOCKLEY-SMITH twitter.com/therealelp
Hockley-Smith, Sam
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Oh dear! Why do I secretly wish I was a little more like the Chinese dad who forced his son to do press-ups in the snow?(Editorial; Opinion, Columns)
[Daily Mail (London)]
Daily Mail (London)
February 10, 2012
Byline: TOM UTLEY
ALL over the Western world, clucking mothers and furious fathers have been jabbing their computer keyboards to condemn He Liesheng, the Chinese 'Eagle Dad' who made his four-year-old son run almost naked through the New York snow in temperatures said to be minus 13c.
'There are some people who should never have children,' comments JS, of the U.S. 'Two words ... child abuse,' says Tittle-tattle of Glasgow.
'Oh my God, this is horrific, that poor little boy,' writes Maureen Masi, expat of Pennsylvania. 'Well, his father needs to be locked up and the child taken into care for his own safety.' After watching the internet video, already seen by tens of thousands of others, I won't pretend I can't see why so many are angry.
For little Ho Yide, shivering in nothing but his yellow underpants and trainers, cuts a figure that would pulverise all but the stoniest of hearts as his businessman father instructs him to do press-ups in the snow and both his parents laugh at his pleas for a hug.
But should this really be a matter for the police? And would it really be doing the child a kindness to take him into care?
Distressed
Wait just a moment while I don my tin helmet and flak jacket, and let me venture the case for the defence.
Certainly, Ho Yide looks unhappy throughout most of the 99-second video, as any of us might in our underpants on an icy New York street. But he makes considerably less fuss than I do every morning during the current cold snap, stumbling to the bathroom in my dressing gown.
And I can remember my sons, when they were about his age, looking ten times more distressed if I so much as denied them a second chocolate biscuit.
Indeed, one of my boys used to scream the house down if we dressed him in matching socks. 'I hate matching!!! I hate it!!!' Weird, I know, but true.
I would also point out that once or twice in the video, Ho Yide's face lights up in a radiant smile. He's not much liking his constitutional, I grant you -- but a part of him thinks it's fun.
And though I'm no medical expert, he looks to me like a tough little fellow, in robust health and unlikely to suffer any long-term harm from his ordeal (I'm assuming it didn't last for more than a few minutes). Not physical harm, anyway. Psychological is anyone's guess.
In further defence of the Eagle Dad -- whose nickname is inspired by Amy Chou's book, Battle Hymn Of The Tiger Mother, which describes the tough parenting style of the Chinese -- I see no reason to doubt that he is fond of his son and has the boy's interests at heart.
Rightly or wrongly, he believes he is toughening up the lad and helping him to develop a 'masculine temperament'. With that same object in mind, he says, he is teaching him kung fu, dancing, cycling and mountain climbing.
And to illustrate his affection for his son, a photograph on the internet shows him with his arm around Ho Yide (warmly dressed) and reading a book with him.
'He agreed to go out to run in the snow naked,' says He Liesheng, who runs a bed linen company in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing and was in New York last month to see in the Year of the Dragon.
'I also give him ice cream on winter days to train his stomach to get used to the cold. He rarely has a cold or fever.' All right, I'm not at all convinced by the evidence of He Liesheng's personal assistant, Xin Lijuan, who says the boy's tough training regime has cured him of the health problems he suffered when he was born prematurely with water on the brain.
But few can deny he gives his son a great deal more kindly meant attention, for better or worse, than most British children can expect from their fathers (even if they happen to have one about the house).
Happier
If my guess is worth anything, Ho Yide is very much happier with his demanding dad than he would be if he were taken into care. Nor do I believe he will necessarily grow up to hate him, as so many who have commented suggest. Who knows? He may even have cause to thank him one day.
And there, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, rests the case for the defence.
So let me remove my helmet and bulletproof jacket and assure you I would never have dreamed of treating a son of mine as mercilessly as He Liesheng treats his.
Indeed, if he is an Eagle Dad, feared and obeyed by his young, I suppose I must be a Budgie Dad -- laughed at or ignored by mine.
When I embarked on this fatherhood business, I fully intended to be a tyrant about the house. I'd read all the books advising that children, particularly boys, need firm rules and boundaries to enable them to grow into happy, well-balanced and useful members of society.
So I resolved that I would insist on strict bedtimes, ration the boys' TV viewing and force them to eat up their greens, tidy their bedrooms and keep their elbows off the table.
But somehow it just didn't work out like that. Like so many of my indulgent generation, I fell into the fatal trap of wanting my sons to be my friends, yielding to their demands for just a little more time in front of the box before bed, giving up the unequal fight to make them sit up straight at the table and generally letting them get their own way in everything.
In the interest of family harmony, I hasten to say they are turning out well enough, all things considered.
But I've often thought I might have served them better if I'd been a little more cruel to be kind, a little less sparing of the rod.
Expectations
Mind you, I don't mean that last bit literally. For even in the early days of my tyrannical intentions, I was never much of a believer in corporal punishment -- lashing out only under extreme provocation and only very occasionally if a boy happened to be within striking distance.
Indeed, I think the Tottenham Labour MP David Lammy was talking nonsense when he blamed last summer's riots on the law forbidding parents to smack their children.
Does he really think that the rioters' mums and dads stopped smacking their children the moment the law was passed? If so, he has a touching faith in the power of Parliament to over-rule human nature.
But it must be right to suggest we've done teenagers no favours by indulging their every whim, handing out prizes for all, dumbing down their exams and generally lowering our expectations of them.
After all, the mind of a child is astonishingly receptive. By the age of 12, my sons and almost all their schoolmates could tell you, from memory, the club histories, transfer fees and positions on the field of well over 100 professional footballers.
If their parents and teachers had only pushed them a little harder, isn't it possible that one or two of them might have picked up the names and dates of a few kings and queens of England, too?
As it is, we ask little of them, tell them they're brilliant -- and then release them onto a jobs market where they are hit, for the first time in their lives, by the concepts of hard work and competition -- or, for all too many of them, failure.
There must surely be a happy medium between the Budgie and the Eagle Dad. But the way things are going, we can all guess which of their progeny is more likely to conquer the world.
My money's on Ho Yide.
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I'm so glad I gave up fame for a family; When Helen Baxendale was in Friends she got mobbed in the street, but now she reveals ...(Features)
[Daily Mail (London)]
Daily Mail (London)
February 10, 2012
Byline: by James Rampton
HELEN BAXENDALE turned her back on Hollywood fame when she had the world at her feet.
She was starring as Jennifer Aniston's love rival in Friends, and had already established herself in her role as James Nesbitt's girlfriend in Cold Feet -- which won her a best actress award and was acknowledged as one of the best female parts in British TV.
But then she made the bold decision to quit Friends and put family life first, going on to have three children and limiting herself to parts that fitted in with her home commitments.
Fourteen years on, and she insists she has never regretted the move. 'I had a little glimpse of what fame holds, and I decided it held a load of nothing. It contained nothing that mattered.
'Some people can deal with that well; it sits on their shoulders fine. But it wasn't for me.'
Helen, 41, who is preparing to return to mainstream drama in ITV1's thriller Kidnap And Ransom this month, says it was her year in Friends in 1998 that led her to decide worldwide fame was not all it is cracked up to be.
Her character, English rose Emily Waltham, married and divorced Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) in the series, but had to be written out after 16 episodes -- earlier than the producers had intended -- because she and her partner, film director, producer and writer David L. Williams, were expecting their first child.
'Friends was great fun, but I was just there so they could make some funny jokes about England. And I was also expecting, and you have to be thin out in America.'
In any case, she says, everyone in Friends had become so famous -- including her -- it became impossible to live a normal life. For a girl from Warrington whose earliest ambition had been to be a ballet dancer, it was all a bit overwhelming.
'You couldn't walk down the street to buy a pint of milk. In fact, you couldn't go anywhere. It was impossible to mix with the crowd, and do what ordinary people do.
'I saw it as a gilded prison. It was something I wasn't prepared for. But it was quickly forgotten. I don't get the same attention now.
'Fame just didn't fit in with my life. I don't know how much would have come from staying in the States anyway. I didn't want to live in America, when all my circumstances were leading me back to Britain. I don't regret it for a minute.
'To me there are many aspects of being ambitious. Yes there is your career, but there are also many other ambitions. There is this perception that TV is glamorous and it is the pinnacle of your existence -- I don't think it is.'
She says she can quite understand why people continue to be fascinated by Friends. 'People still love that programme. It's such an amazing show. It's still as fresh as a daisy.
There is a whole new generation of children who are mad about it all over the world. Other programmes are now trying to mimic it.'
When she left Friends, she continued starring in Cold Feet for another five years by juggling her home life in a way that wouldn't have been possible if she'd remained in Hollywood.
Mike Bullen's hugely entertaining story of the complex love lives of six 20-something friends in Manchester -- played by Helen, James Nesbitt, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathurst, Fay Ripley and John Thomson -- was a ratings sensation.
MILLIONS tuned in to the heartbreaking episode in 2003 when Helen's character died in a car crash.
'I've only had to die twice onscreen, thank God!' she says. 'I'm sure as I get older, I'll have to die on-screen more!'
Now her children are older -- Nelly is 14, Eric 11, and Vincent six -- she is able to spread her wings a little more.
So here we are in Cape Town, the setting for Kidnap And Ransom, sitting in an idyllic garden, which is an oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling city.
If there is a downside, it's very minor. The other day a baboon wandered on the set. 'They have been known to attack women, so it could have been a bad moment, but it wasn't there long enough for me to get scared. It just wandered around before quickly disappearing.
'Oh, and the internet connection is so bad in my hotel that I can't get Radio 4 for more than a minute at a time. It's very frustrating.' A pause, before she breaks into laughter and adds: 'I'm obviously middle-aged!'
In her leading role in Kidnap And Ransom, she plays Angela Beddoes, a high-flying, super-intelligent hostage negotiator.
Alongside her business partner Dominic King (Trevor Eve), she has to conduct very delicate negotiations to try to free a busload of Western tourists taken hostage by kidnappers in Kashmir (for which Cape Town proves a splendid double). Dominic has parted from his wife, Sophie (Natasha Little), and he and Angela are growing ever closer.
Is it set to become something more than a professional relationship? Helen proves coy on this matter.
'Angela is really fond of Dominic. Something endears her to someone so driven and yet so fallible. There is definitely a bond between them, and Sophie is suspicious that it's turning into romance.
'Angela bats that away, but still feels guilty for no reason.
'If you work with someone who is in the middle of a divorce, you may appear culpable in some way. But I'm not sure anything is going on between them. Angela is really concerned for Dominic -- that's all I'm going to say!'
What she will say is that she is happy with her own life. 'I wouldn't change anything. I'm happy, and I don't know if I would have been if I'd continued to work so much.
'I wouldn't have seen my children grow up, and I honestly didn't want that to happen.'
For all that, Helen is now keen to set a good example to her daughter.
'I want her to see me working. It's important to keep the brain ticking over and to feel fulfilled. I congratulate any mother who manages to do just that.
'I don't think that there is a perfect way to be a mother. Whatever you do, you always think you have mucked something up in their childhood!'
Kidnap and Ransom begins on ITV1, at 9pm, on Thursday February 23.
CAPTION(S):
Back on our screens: Helen Baxendale. Inset, with Friends co-star David Schwimmer
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TEN TIPS FOR FILING TAXES IN NORTH CAROLINA.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 9, 2012
RALEIGH, NC -- The following information was released by the N.C. Department of Revenue:
Tax season is here and making it easy for taxpayers to understand and file their taxes is a top priority for the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Providing the correct information and remembering a few simple tips will help ensure you have an error-free tax return that can be processed quickly and correctly.
NCDOR offers the following easy tips and recommendations as you prepare your taxes this year.
Extended filing date- Individual income taxpayers will have until April 17, 2012, to file returns, extensions and payments normally due on April 15. The extension is to accommodate Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia. Get more details on the extension.
Gather all your income and tax documents before you file- Filing before you receive all W-2s and 1099s often leads to errors that require you to file amended returns once you have the correct information. Employers are required to mail W-2s and other documents by Jan.31.
File electronically and request direct deposit for refunds-This is the most convenient, accurate and the fastest way to file your taxes. Electronic filing will identify common math errors and direct deposit to your bank account means you get your money sooner. Some taxpayers may qualify for free or low-cost electronic filing. Find out how to E-file and if you qualify for low-cost filing. Some taxpayers with low-to moderate- incomes may qualify for free tax preparation through the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program. To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-906-9887 or visit the IRS website.
File electronic federal and state returns at the same time-Failure to file both returns at the same time could require taxpayers to amend North Carolina returns if the IRS detects any errors with their federal return.
Check your address-Every year, thousands of refund checks are returned to the Department of Revenue because of incorrect addresses, and the law forbids the forwarding of those checks. Carefully check the mailing address you provide on your return.
Do not file photocopies of tax forms-Use pre-printed or downloaded forms from the department's website. Photocopies may not scan correctly and could cause delays in processing your return. Taxpayers can request forms online, download forms from the NCDOR website, or call 1-877-252-3052.
Make checks payable to the N.C. Department of Revenue if you owe state taxes-Some taxpayers mistakenly send checks made out to the Internal Revenue Service for their state taxes. Payments may also be made on-line through our secure website. Just visit www.dornc.com and click on Electronic Services for Individuals.
File on time regardless of ability to pay-Make sure you file on-time to avoid the automatic failure-to-file penalty of five percent per month, up to a maximum of 25% of what you owe in state taxes. You are better off filing your taxes by the April 17 deadline and contacting the department at 1-877-252-3052 to arrange a payment plan if you cannot pay all at once.
Check to see if you qualify for common credits, deductions or exemptions-You could qualify for popular credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit both federally and with the state. Some severance pay may also be exempt if you were laid off from your job.
Find and use a reputable tax preparer- Taxpayers get billed for millions of dollars in state taxes each year as a result of deliberate errors made on their returns by fraudulent tax preparers. Be wary of preparers who: claim they can obtain larger refunds than others, ask you to sign a blank tax return, base their fees on a percentage of a taxpayer's refund and who are reluctant to offer references. If you see information on your return that is wrong or confusing, you should question the preparer and if not satisfied with their response, called the NC Department of Revenue at 1-800-232-4939.
Questions, need more information or don't have access to the Internet?
If you have any questions or need more assistance, please call our Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1-877-252-3052.
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FHA ANNOUNCES PILOT PROGRAM TO ACCELERATE FINANCING OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROJECTS.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today unveiled a new pilot program to test an accelerated approval process for the purchase or refinancing of multi-family rental properties assisted through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program.
In launching this pilot program in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, and Los Angeles, FHA's Office of Multifamily Housing Programs believes it can cut the time needed to review and approve financing applications for LIHTC-assisted transactions from approximately one year to just 90 - 120 days. The Hubs will process LIHTC loans for all of their related program centers.
Reducing the time required to review and approve applications under FHA's Section 223(f) Program helps align FHA-insured financing with the LIHTC Program standards including the need to meet strict time deadlines. Expediting FHA review and approval is needed since failure to meet bond closing or other LIHTC performance deadlines may result in forfeit of the credit allocation or bond reservation and may impair the borrower's ability to secure tax credits for future transactions. Read FHA's Housing Notice for details of this pilot program.
"It has become clear that we need to rethink our process at FHA if we hope to leverage LIHTC to the maximum degree possible," said FHA's Acting Commissioner Carol Galante. "This pilot program will test our ability to significantly cut our review process so we can put people in affordable homes and provide unique financing options for developers."
Marie Head, HUD's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multi-family Housing said, "If we can successfully cut the time it takes to approve these lower risk LIHTC projects in these four cities, we have the potential to dramatically increase the production of affordable rental projects nationwide."
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008(HERA) required FHA to streamline mortgage insurance applications for projects with equity from the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Last year, FHA endorsed approximately $561 million in firm commitments for LIHTC projects, a 35 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2010. This new pilot should help to increase those numbers even more.
The housing notice published today launches the first phase of the Tax Credit Pilot by providingpermanent financing on transactions that are low risk, to allow FHA to significantly streamline the review process and create efficiencies without increasing risk. The first phase of the Pilot will permit applications for permanent financing processed under Section 223(f) for properties that are recently constructed and occupied, for preservation and moderate rehabilitation of properties with Section 8 rental assistance or for older, stabilized tax credit properties through the syndication of new credits.
###
HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the
need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build
inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business.
More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and
http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at
www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.
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TURNKEY INTERNET ACQUIRES KCNET, INC., A KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI FULL SERVICE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP).
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The following information was released by the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce:
by: Turnkey Internet
IT solutions provider Turnkey Internet today announced their acquisition of KCNet, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. KCNet, Inc. is a full service Internet Service Provider (ISP) specializing in commercial web hosting services, dial-up and both business and residential high speed broadband internet connectivity. With this acquisition, Turnkey Internet can now offer their Cloud Based IT Solutions to the Kansas City market under the KCNet, Inc. name. This will expand KCNet, Inc.'s offerings to include advanced cloud services.
KCNet, Inc. has been developing a client base in the Kansas City market since 1995 and has clients in both Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas. By utilizing Turnkey Internet's state-of-the-art data center, KCNet, Inc.'s customers will immediately receive upgraded technology and services at no additional cost. Effective February 1, 2012, 25GB of Turnkey Mail, Voxwire Web Conferencing and 5GB of Turnkey Vault personal Backup Space will be available to KCNet, Inc.'s customers FREE. Kansas City, Missouri is the site selected in 2011 by Google as its new premier gigabit to the Premise roll out. Turnkey Internet targeted KCNet, Inc. because of its position as the premier regional Internet Service Provider and plan to leverage its advanced Cloud Services over the new one-gigabit Google Fiber network. This further expands Turnkey Internet's ability to provide their Cloud Based IT Solutions at upload and download speeds roughly 100 times faster than most homes in America today.
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HMRC EXTENDS ITS TAX CHEATS CAMPAIGNS.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 8, 2012
LONDON -- The following information was released by the Central Office of Information (UK):
A new campaign will be launched by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) during the next year aimed at people who fail to make tax returns and who are liable to pay tax at the highest tax rates.
In two further campaigns, to be launched later in the year, the department will target tradespeople working in the home improvement market, and people who receive income from buying and selling goods direct to others, or are paid commission.
HMRC will use new technology to search the internet for information about specified, targeted people and businesses.
The new campaigns will focus on:
Missing returns. This will contribute to wider HMRC activity tackling failure to complete tax returns. It will initially focus on those who fail to complete tax returns and who are liable to pay tax at the highest rates.
Home improvement trades. This will build on campaigns aimed at plumbers and electricians, and will include several 100,000 tradespeople in construction and building work such as roofing, window fitting, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery.
Direct selling. This will target customers who ought to be paying tax on income they earn from buying and selling goods direct to others, or from the commission on these sales.
As with previous campaigns, the focus of the new campaigns will be on providing those in the selected groups, who may not be paying the tax they owe, a chance to put their affairs in order on the best possible terms.
Marian Wilson, of HMRC's Risk and Intelligence, said:
"Most people pay their taxes in full and on time, so it is right that HMRC works hard to secure payment from those who have not come forward.
"Using new technology, we have been able to analyse returns to HMRC covering a range of taxes and to cross-reference these with other information to build a picture of where we believe we have taxpayers with missing returns.
"We will use the same technology to analyse information gathered to support the following two campaigns and for each campaign, after the opportunity has closed, we will use the information we have to pursue those who choose not to use the chances we provide to put their affairs in order.
"We are offering all the people targeted the opportunity to come forward. Penalties will be higher if we come and find people after the opportunity. A criminal investigation may also result. I therefore urge them to disclose unpaid tax voluntarily."
Two campaigns that will be launched before the end of 2011/12 will focus on:
E-marketplaces. This will cover those who are using e-marketplaces to buy and sell goods as a trade or business and who fail to pay the tax owed. People who only sell a few items and who are not traders are unlikely to be liable to tax and will not be targeted by this campaign.
Electricians. This will build on HMRC's plumbers' campaign and give an opportunity to another group of tradespeople to come forward and declare unpaid tax.
More than [pounds sterling]500m has been raised by HMRC from voluntary disclosures and a further [pounds sterling]105m from follow-up activity. Previous campaigns have targeted offshore investments, medical professionals, plumbers, VAT defaulters and private tutors.
Information on campaigns for 2012, including how people can work with HMRC to influence their development, can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ris/hmrc-campaigns.htm
Notes for editors
1. Private tutors who have registered for the Tax Catch Up Plan have until 31 March to tell HMRC what they owe and make arrangements to pay. Further details: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ris/tcup/
2. People who believe they need to make a disclosure and want to come forward now and voluntarily disclose can call 0845 601 5041.
3. Under the plumbers campaign nearly 600 people came forward to "notify" HMRC of their intention to declare unpaid tax, offering over [pounds sterling]4m in unpaid tax. So far, nearly [pounds sterling]4m has been paid and 10 plumbers have been arrested, with more arrests planned. In addition, more than 1,000 civil cases have been prepared.
4. All HMRC Campaigns provide opportunities for people to voluntarily put their tax affairs in order. They do this by identifying a group to target and gathering information and intelligence that can be used to encourage and influence that group to come forward. Once a campaign closes, HMRC then uses that same information and intelligence to follow up with action that can include criminal investigations, aimed at those who choose not to pay up.
5. For more information about campaigns http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ris/hmrc-campaigns.htm
6. Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk
NAT14/12
Issued by HM Revenue and Customs Press Office
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Lakeside log cabin a cosy entry to hospitality.
[New Zealand Herald (Auckland, New Zealand)]
New Zealand Herald (Auckland, New Zealand)
February 11, 2012
The prominent log cabin-styled Caboose Lodge on the Lake Taupo waterfront is for sale by Ray Hart of Resort Brokers, Taupo, for an asking price of $485,000.
``What is for sale is the accommodation and hospitality business, which leases the high-profile property and building at 100-102 Lake Tce, Taupo,'' Hart says.
``This business is a bargain for someone wanting to get a foothold in the hospitality industry, with the benefits of being able to make some good capital gains in the future.
``Caboose Lodge Taupo is perfectly positioned on the lakefront at Lake Taupo, with spectacular views across the lake to the three volcanic cones of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe,'' he says.
``The small, four-star hotel is New Zealand family-owned and operated, and is within minutes of the town centre and airport.''
The hotel was originally developed with the budget-conscious traveller in mind with 61 mostly economy rooms, but has been extensively refitted and now has 41 rooms in total, comprising eight king rooms, 13 queen rooms, four family rooms, seven twin rooms, eight standards and one suite which is currently used by the on-site manager.
From February 2005 to March 2008, annual business turnover grew from $1.2 million to $1.8 million and the business reportedly continued to trade at about that level while it remained under the same manager before new owners, who apparently had no experience in hospitality, decided to run it themselves.
``Caboose Lodge is built around a lovely in-ground heated swimming pool, barbecue area and is constructed of low-maintenance materials,'' Hart says. ``It is ideally positioned on a corner site with the entrance from a side road that provides easy access for guests and patrons. The main block that faces Lake Taupo comprises the reception area, gym, conference room and Trophy Room bar and restaurant, which offer spectacular views over the lake down to snow-capped Mount Ruapehu and the Tongariro National Park. Three building wings contain the accommodation suites and the laundry.''
Hart says there is no dedicated on-site owner's accommodation, but the lessees have renovated a two-room suite, which would be ideal as living quarters for a purchaser.
Caboose Lodge is four star-rated and during the past two years has undergone a major refurbishment programme.
``The conference centre is a popular venue for those companies requiring a complete in-house package. Guests can relax in the pool, cross over the road and enjoy the lakeside walks or a swim in the lake, or stroll the few minutes to the town centre.''
A feature of the building is the spacious reception area situated between natural stone pillars complemented by luxurious wooden panelling and the leather couches. A wide internal stairway leads up to the wood-panelled restaurant and bar.
``The restaurant and bar is a perfect place to unwind and watch activities on the lake like yacht racing, parasailing, and recreation boating and speedboat racing,'' Hart says.
``The dining experience is enhanced by comfortable chairs and the fantastic view while a high-pitched ceiling with exposed wooden beams gives an atmosphere of spaciousness.
``The heated swimming pool, spa and barbecue area are sheltered from winds, and provide a relaxing environment for guests after a day's sightseeing, trout fishing, hunting, touring geothermal areas or undertaking one of numerous outdoor pursuits the region has to offer.''
Services offered by the non-smoking designated hotel include 24-hour on-call reception, a porter, room service, dry-cleaning and laundry, child-minding services and a tour desk.
The New Zealand chefs specialise in locally sourced fresh foods, including any trout that guests with fishing licences are able to catch.
The restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner daily, and for lunches by special arrangement.
``In the colder months, guests enjoy sitting by the large, cosy, open fire with a hot chocolate and toasting their own marshmallows,'' Hart says.
The Silver Fern conference function room is ideal for up to 50 people, either theatre or banquet-styled, with complete conference facilities including broadband wireless internet access, presentation equipment and personalised catering.
A large conference room downstairs plus the bar area can be set up for extra meeting space if required.
The Dining Car Lounge, on the first floor, can be set up as an informal meeting room or a space for breakout meetings between 10am and 4pm.
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Station defends on-air divorce.
[New Zealand Herald (Auckland, New Zealand)]
New Zealand Herald (Auckland, New Zealand)
February 11, 2012
A Valentine's Day radio stunt where a woman will be told her husband is divorcing her live on air will go ahead despite opposition, an unrepentant station boss says.
The Rock has been slammed for the win-a-divorce competition it is set to run in the Drive slot hosted by Jono Pryor and Robert Taylor on February 14.
It will feature an unidentified man, known as Sam, telling his wife live on air that he is leaving her.
In exchange, the station will pay for the divorce.
A blurb on The Rock's website says the competition is designed for men whose wife turned out to be ``Satan in a dress''.
``We want to help those oppressed citizens and liberate them from the shackles of a dud marriage so they can live free to drink beer, watch sport and ogle gorgeous ladies on the internet without having to clear their internet history.''
Family First director Bob McCoskrie labelled the stunt ``tacky, degrading and harmful'' and called for it to be cancelled by station owners MediaWorks.
He said the unsuspecting wife could suffer long-term emotional harm.
``Divorces are difficult enough, but to cheapen it to a radio stunt is tacky ... How low will they go?''
Station manager Brad King dismissed complaints that the stunt would trivialise divorce and hurt the woman involved.
He expected the show to be divisive, with some people considering it unethical.
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BOSTON GROUP TO INVEST IN, RUN 3 MAINE DAILIES Kushner group moves beyond Boston Globe to MaineToday Media.
[NewsInc]
NewsInc
January 9, 2012
A group put together to buy the Boston Globe from The New York Times Co. in 2010 has instead refocused its newspaper aspirations on MaineToday Media, the business that owns the Portland Press Herald, the Maine Sunday Telegram, the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, the Morning Sentinel in Waterville and the weekly Coastal Journal in Bath, as well as digital properties such as MaineToday.com, MaineJobs.com and RaisingMaine.com.
HM Capital, the Dallas-based private equity firm that bought the Maine papers from The Seattle Times Co. in 2009, has been seeking investors who could manage the company since it cut ties with Richard Connor, the longtime newspaper publisher who had led MaineToday since 2009 and had also run HM's Pennsylvania paper, the Times Leader of Wilkes Barre.
Connor resigned both companies in late October.
The Boston Globe group, which is called 2100 Trust LLC, was put together by Internet executive Aaron Kushner and includes Chris Harte, the former publisher of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, who also coincidentally was publisher of the Portland Press Herald in 1992-1994. The group also includes members of the Taylor family, which sold the Globe to The Times Co. in 1993, as well as Jack Griffin, a longtime magazine executive who was publisher of the Sunday newspaper supplement Parade from 1999-2003 and was the chief executive of Time Inc. in 2009-2010.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Both HM and 2100 Trust emphasized that they are working through a period of due diligence -- which could last as long as a month -- but that the plan is for 2100 to bring not only operational expertise but also a significant capital investment to the papers.
In November MaineToday was sued for nonpayment by McGrann Paper Corp. of Charlotte, N.C., for 15 tons of paper, costing about $124,000.
"The MaineToday Media franchise unfortunately has been through very difficult times, including layoffs," Kushner told the Boston Globe. "Our vision, our plans, start with great journalism. That is the heart of our business model, why our investors are involved."
While Kushner has no newspaper experience, those who have seen his business plan for the Globe call it "revolutionary."
In other newspaper M&A news, the Exponent Telegram of Clarksburg, W.Va., changed hands at the first of the year. Brian and Rebecca Jarvis purchased the portions of the 14,500-circulation, seven-day paper they didn't already own. Cecil Jarvis -- father of Brian, husband of Rebecca -- had been the paper's publisher for almost a decade, dying in a bicycle accident in 2007.
The sellers were the Highland family, which had owned the Exponent Telegram for more than 100 years. No terms for the deal were given.
Also in acquisitions news, The New York Times Co. and Halifax Media Holdings LLC of Daytona Beach, Fla., said on Friday their deal for the 16 titles in The Times Co.'s Regional Media Group had closed.
The Times Co. reiterated that it received $143 million for the papers and that it expects to book about $150 million -- which will include some tax benefits -- into its first-quarter 2012 earnings.
Poynter.org reported earlier today that Halifax has asked all of its new employees to sign an employment contract that allows them to be fired at any time but prevents them from working for a competing media company in any of Halifax's markets for a two-year period after leaving.
Lastly in acquisitions news, the London-based web and tablet-computer development firm Assanka has been purchased by the Financial Times, PaidContent.org reported on Thursday.
Assanka developed the HTML5-based web application that allowed the paper to circumvent a requirement by Apple Inc. that publications that use iPad apps for subscriptions must pay the computer and device maker 30 percent of all that revenue. The Assanka app runs in a browser, which means that Apple couldn't enforce the 30-percent cut.
No terms for the deal were revealed.
"Assanka has played an important part in the FT's recent digital and mobile successes, including the launch of the FT Web App which has now achieved over 1 million users and which has helped drive digital subscriptions to beyond 250,000," said John Ridding, the FT's chief executive, in a staff memo published by PaidContent.org.
No real mention this time around about Kushner's "revolutionary" ideas, but when he was gunning for the Globe there was much speculation in the industry as to what his ideas might entail. Now, we'll probably see soon enough.
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UZBEK NATIONAL PLEADS GUILTY TO CHARGES OF THREATENING TO KILL THE PRESIDENT AND PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT TO TERRORIST ACTIVITY.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The following information was released by United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama:
An Uzbek national who has lived in the United States since 2009 pleaded guilty today in federal court to charges of providing material support to terrorist activity, threatening to kill President Barack Obama and illegally possessing a weapon.
U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance; Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for National Security Lisa Monaco; FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Maley; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Glenn N. Anderson; Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Roy Sexton; and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Raymond R. Parmer Jr. announced the plea.
ULUGBEK KODIROV, 22, of Uzbekistan, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon to one count of providing material support to terrorist activity, one count of threatening to kill the president and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. The charges of threatening to kill President Obama and illegally possessing a firearm were among charges brought in an indictment against Kodirov by a federal grand jury in July 2011.
The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a criminal information Thursday in U.S. District Court charging Kodirov with material support of terrorism.
U.S. Attorney Vance praised the investigative work and prompt action of the Joint Terrorism Task Force for the Northern District of Alabama. "Today, Ulugbek Kodirov became the first person to be convicted of providing material support to terrorist activity in this district," she said. "Kodirov was apprehended during an undercover operation in which he was attempting to obtain weapons and explosives that he intended to use to kill the President of the United States. Effective action by law enforcement protected our community and potentially our country," she said.
"I also want to express my appreciation to the Muslim community of Birmingham, which was instrumental in helping law enforcement shut down this threat," Vance said.
"Today's case underscores the continuing threat we face from violent extremists," Assistant Attorney General Monaco said. "Thanks to a coordinated law enforcement effort, Kodirov's plot was thwarted before anyone was harmed."
FBI SAC Maley said, "I want to thank the members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), who include the Jefferson and Shelby County Sheriff's Offices, Birmingham, Hoover and UAB Police Departments, the Transportation Security Agency, Secret Service, ATF, and DHS. I also thank the Pelham and Leeds Police Departments for their invaluable assistance in this case. The JTTF has been diligently investigating and building partnerships to protect Alabama from terrorists since 9/11, and its efforts put it in the unique position to interdict a violent act of terrorism. This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of the Internet on radicalizing our youth right in our own back yards, and all citizens and organizations need to remain vigilant on the ever-increasing threat from home-grown violent extremists."
ATF SAC Anderson said, "This case involved a variety of experience and expertise with ATF's local, state and federal law enforcement partners, including the Secret Service, ICE, FBI JTTF, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Leeds Police Department and Pelham Police Department. The combined effort enabled a quick response and a very fluid investigation focused on keeping everyone safe, from Leeds, Alabama, potentially to the White House."
"The Secret Service will actively investigate any perceived threat against anyone we are charged to protect," SAC Sexton said. "This case is a great indicator of what can be accomplished through the outstanding cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement in the Northern District of Alabama."
"This case is a perfect example of the outstanding cooperation between all law enforcement agencies involved in this arrest," ICE-HSI SAC Parmer said. "Because of great coordination and cooperation, we were able to jointly arrest this dangerous illegal alien. We are dedicated to apprehending those individuals who are the most dangerous in our communities and getting them off the streets."
Kodirov entered a plea agreement with the government, which was filed with the court today. In the plea agreement, Kodirov acknowledges that he had been in communication with an individual whom he believed to be a member of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and that Kodirov interpreted these conversations to mean that he should kill President Obama. Kodirov then took steps to obtain weapons to carry out his plans to kill the president. The IMU is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department. Kodirov also showed jihadist Web sites and videos on his computer to another individual and told that person that he wanted to assist others in jihad overseas, according to the plea agreement.
Kodirov also acknowledges in the plea agreement that he had lengthy conversations in July 2011 with a different individual about Kodirov's desire to kill President Obama and possible ways to carry out the assassination. That individual traveled to Birmingham to meet Kodirov and introduced him to another individual, an undercover agent, from whom Kodirov intended to obtain weapons he would use to kill the president.
The three men met on July 13, 2011, at a motel in Leeds, Ala. In that meeting, the agent presented a fully automatic Sendra Corporation Model M15-A1 machine gun, a sniper rifle with a telescopic sight and four disassembled hand grenades and asked Kodirov if he would like to use any of them to "carry out his plan to kill the President," according to the plea agreement. Kodirov chose the M15-A1 machine gun and the hand grenades and left the meeting with the weapons. Agents arrested Kodirov before he left the motel.
Kodirov entered the United States on a student visa in June 2009. His visa was revoked on April 1, 2010, for failing to enroll in school. Thereafter, he was unlawfully present within the United States. He was living in an extended-stay motel in Pelham, Ala., at the time of his arrest.
Kodirov faces maximum prison sentences of 15 years on the terrorism charge, five years on the charge of threatening the president and 10 years on the charge of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Each charge also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
The FBI, ATF, HSI and Secret Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael W. Whisonant and Ryan K. Buchanan are prosecuting the case with assistance from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department's National Security Division.
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ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER LAUNCHES CONSUMER PROTECTION WORKING GROUP TO COMBAT CONSUMER FRAUD WORKING GROUP CREATED UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FINANCIAL FRAUD ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE BRINGS TOGETHER FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. Department of Justice:
The Consumer Protection Working Group, formed under President Barack Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF), convened its first meeting in Washington, D.C., today to address consumer fraud, which can financially cripple households and can cause extensive losses to our economy. The newly-created group will work across federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, and with state and local partners, to strengthen efforts to address consumer-related fraud, including schemes targeting vulnerable populations, such as the unemployed, those in need of payday loans, and those suffering from the burden of high credit card and other debt. The new working group will also focus on scams that exploit prospective students, active-duty military personnel and veterans.
"The schemes we are combating are as diverse as the imaginations of those who perpetrate them, and as sophisticated as modern technology will permit. Thanks in large part to the leadership of the President's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force we are tackling financial fraud, in all its forms, head on," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "Through the extensive and coordinated partnership we start today, we will strengthen our collective efforts, enhance civil and criminal enforcement of consumer fraud and educate the public in an effort to prevent consumers from being victimized in the first place."
Attorney General Holder delivered remarks at today's meeting which was convened by FFETF Executive Director Michael Bresnick along with the working group's co-chairs: Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's Civil Division Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's Criminal Division Lanny Breuer, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Andre Birotte and Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) David Vladeck. Another co-chair, Director of Enforcement for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Kent Markus, was unable to attend the meeting.
"We know all too well how opportunistic fraudsters have adapted their schemes to take advantage of consumers facing financial hardships, using false promises of mortgage modification, debt relief, and job placement, to name a few. Since 2009, the FTC has brought over 90 cases to stop these scams," said Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection for the FTC David Vladeck. "This partnership will only serve to enhance our collective efforts to protect consumers."
The Consumer Protection Working Group will address several areas of concern, including payday lending and other high-pressure telemarketing or Internet scams, business opportunity schemes, for-profit schools that engage in fraud or misrepresentation and fraudulent third party payment processors that facilitate payments on behalf of other fraudsters without the permission of the customer.
At today's meeting, the Consumer Protection Working Group members set priorities and discussed taking collaborative steps to continue to seek out and prosecute consumer fraud as well as protect consumers from fraud before it happens through outreach and education. The new working group plans to establish a best-practices tool kit, legislative, regulatory and policy initiatives and an information sharing structure.
Other members of the Consumer Protection Working Group include representatives from the Department of Treasury, FBI, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. Secret Service, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Trustee Program, the National Association of Attorneys General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board and the National Credit Union Administration. The state attorneys general are represented on the working group by Attorney General Lisa Madigan from Illinois, Attorney General Greg Zoeller from Indiana and Attorney General Roy Cooper from North Carolina.
The Consumer Protection Working Group is part of ongoing enforcement efforts by President Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.
Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Task force members have charged a record number of mortgage fraud cases in the past two years, trained more than 100,000 professionals responsible for awarding and overseeing Recovery Act funds and held regional summits around the country to discuss strategies, resources and initiatives, as well as to meet with communities most affected by the financial crisis.
Learn more about the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force at www.stopfraud.gov .
12-200
Attorney General
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS HEARING IDENTIFIES INTERNET GAMING AS A THREAT TO FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED CASINO GAMING.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs:
U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, held an oversight hearing yesterday to discuss the impacts of the Department of Justice's recent opinion concerning Internet gaming.
"Gaming has been the single most effective form of economic development for Indian Country. Tribal concerns and priorities must be considered, and tribal voices must be heard when court, administrative, or legislative decisions are made on gaming because of its significant role in the economy of Indian Country," said Chairman Akaka.
In the Department of Justice opinion, the department concluded that interstate transmissions of wire communications that do not relate to a "sporting event or contest" do not violate federal law.
Witnesses expressed their concerns about the ruling's impact at the hearing.
"Now that the department charged with enforcing the law has limited that statute to cross-border sports bets, there is literally no federal law standing in the way of a state authorizing intra-state online games, and even entering into compacts with other states and nations to pool players," said Nelson Rose, a gambling law professor at Whittier Law School.
"Legislation that limits or restricts the ability of tribal governments to reap the benefits of Internet gaming is simply unacceptable," said Attorney Glenn Feldman. "The $26 billion in revenue today is funding health programs, education programs, senior citizen programs, and tribes can't afford to lose that revenue stream."
"Gaming has assisted in producing strong tribal governmental infrastructures. Tribal gaming revenues have been a boon to the federal government as well. In light of the federal government's trust responsibility to the tribes, it would likely have had to spend more on federal Indian programs in the absence of Indian gaming," said witness Kevin Washburn, Dean of the School of Law Administration at the University of New Mexico.
"We've invested nearly a billion dollars tied to our geographic area. That is what we have negotiated for," said Robert Odawi Porter, President of the Seneca Nation of Indians. "Opening up Internet gaming beyond those geographic borders and allowing [states] to seize business opportunities from patrons in our exclusivity zone is our greatest threat."
"Tribal gaming occupies a unique status in the framework. Indian gaming is currently the only form of federally authorized and regulated gaming in the United States. In total, tribal gaming revenue makes up forty percent of the total casino gaming market in the United States. Those revenues are being put to work in Indian communities to build schools, keep people safe, and provide other essential services that these communities depend on," said Chairman Akaka.
"There needs to be some accommodation for the loss of tribal gaming exclusivity. Tribes have a lot to lose with the expansion of Internet gaming - more than any other segment in the gaming industry. It is entirely appropriate that Congress give some consideration to that potential loss of exclusivity and protect it in some way," said Feldman.
"In this session, Congress may consider proposals that would expand federal authorization and regulation of gaming activities in this country. The Committee will provide a legislative forum where everyone - especially tribal governments - are able to provide their perspective on this issue, which is so vital to tribal self-sufficiency," Chairman Akaka said.
-END-
Contact: Emily Deimel
Contact Phone: 202-224-3667
Contact E-mail: emily_deimel@indian.senate.gov
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JACKSON, N.J., SCHOOL BUS DRIVER CHARGED WITH DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 9, 2012
NEWARK, N.J. -- The following information was released by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey:
A Jackson, N.J., school bus driver was arrested by federal agents early this morning for using his home computer to distribute child pornography, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Frank J. Bognar, 30, was charged by Complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography. Bognar was arrested after FBI agents and task force officers executed a search warrant at his home and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lois H. Goodman in Trenton federal court. He was ordered released $100,000 unsecured bond, conditioned on home confinement with electronic monitoring, no owning or use of computers and no contact with minors.
According to the Complaint:
As early as Oct. 27, 2011, Bognar downloaded and distributed videos and images of child pornography on the Internet via peer-to-peer file sharing software, through which others had access to the material on a shared drive. The FBI seized a computer containing images depicting child pornography. The images downloaded by federal investigators from Bognar's shared directories included photographs of prepubescent children engaging in sexual activity and being sexually abused. At the time of his arrest, Jackson Township Police seized several weapons from the home, including a banned assault weapon, and charged Bognar under state law in connection with that weapon.
The charge of distributing child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Fishman credited the FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force in New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward in Newark, with the investigation leading to today's arrest. He also thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford, and the Jackson Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Matthew D. Kunz, and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office task force officers, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn Murray for their assistance in the search.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Clabby of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
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CHRISTIAN COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION CHARGES.
[States News Service]
States News Service
January 5, 2012
LOUISVILLE, KY -- The following information was released by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky:
Senior United States District Judge Thomas B. Russell sentenced a Christian County, Kentucky, man today to ten years in prison, followed by a life term supervised release. Percy Edward Stull, Jr., age 43, had previously pled guilty to violating federal child exploitation laws, including attempting to transfer obscene matter to a minor and attempting to persuade a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct, announced David J. Hale, United State Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
On September 9, 2011, Stull entered guilty pleas to 24 counts of a 36-count Indictment. According to the federal grand jury Indictment, between November 15, 2010, and January 14, 2011, Stull, using the screen name "crashwk08," engaged in online communications with an undercover FBI agent posing as a 14-year-old female. On numerous occasions, Stull attempted to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce the fictitious minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct. The production of child pornography is sexual activity for which a person may be charged with a criminal offense under both federal and Kentucky laws. Also, during the online communications, Stull transmitted obscene material, that is, streaming video of himself masturbating, to what he believed to be the child.
Assistant United States Attorney Jo E. Lawless prosecuted the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit as part of Kentucky's Internet Crimes Against Children "ICAC" task force.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
#####
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Oracle to buy cloud-based software firm Taleo for US$ 1.9-B.
[Philippines News Agency]
Philippines News Agency
February 10, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 10 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Business software giant Oracle on Thursday said that it is planning to buy cloud-based human resources software company Taleo for about 1.9 billion U.S. dollars. The acquisition is Oracle's latest move to boost its offerings of cloud computing, or the delivery of software and other services over the Internet. Oracle said that it has agreed to pay 46 dollars per share, representing an 18-percent premium over Taleo's closing share price on Wednesday. Headquartered in Dublin in the U.S. state of California, Taleo provides cloud-based solutions that help organizations attract, develop, motivate and retain human capital. According to introduction posted on Taleo's website, it now has over 5,000 customers, including almost half of the Fortune 100 companies, with nearly half of the top 30 career sites in the world being powered by its solutions. "Human capital management has become a strategic initiative for organizations," Thomas Kurian, an executive vice president at Oracle, said in a statement on the purchase of Taleo. Kurian noted that Taleo's cloud-based human resources management solutions will be an "important addition" to the Oracle Public Cloud, a broad set of subscription-based services offered by the company. The transaction has been unanimously approved by Taleo's board of directors and is expected to close mid-2012, Oracle said. (PNA/Xinhua)
(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)
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Decree of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic.
[AZR - State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan]
AZR - State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
February 10, 2012
Baku, 10 February (AzerTAc) - On simplification of visa procedures for foreigners and persons without citizenship, arriving in the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with the Eurovision-2012 Song Contests in Baku
Under the paragraph 32 of the Article 109 of the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, I, hereby, resolve:
1. To establish that the citizens of the states-participants of the Eurovision-2012 Song Contests and persons without citizenship, constantly living in the mentioned states, who arrive in the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with the forthcoming Baku contests, can receive the visa in structural divisions of Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, located in the international airports of the Azerbaijan Republic. 2. To consider as the basis for issue of visa one of the following documents: 2.1. The official invitation letter given out by the Organizing Committee of the Eurovision-2012 Song Contests; 2.2. The document confirming accreditation according to relevant rules of the European Broadcasting Union; 2.3. The ticket for concerts of Eurovision Song Contests or the document confirming acquisition of the ticket. 3. The persons specified in the part 1 of the present Decree, can address for visa reception in following terms: 3.1. The persons arriving on the basis of the official invitation letter, issued by Organizing Committee of the Eutrovision-2012 Song Contests, and also participants of contests and the members of the delegation who has accreditation according to rules of the European Broadcasting Union from April 15 till June 1, 2012; 3.2. Journalists and the members of the fan-clubs who have accreditation according to rules of the European Broadcasting Union, and also the persons who have got the ticket for concerts of the Eurovision 2012 Song Contests from May 10 till June 1, 2012. 4. The Cabinet of the Azerbaijan Republic shall solve 4.1. The questions of material support connected with the organization of work on issue of visas at the international airports of the Azerbaijan Republic to persons arriving in the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with the Eurovision -2012 Song Contests; 4.2. Other questions resulting from the present Decree. 5. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic shall 5.1. Inform the European Broadcasting Union and relevant bodies of foreign countries on simplification of visa procedures for the persons arriving in the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with the Eurovision-2012 Song Contests. 5.2. To provide placing on Internet information resources of the Ministry, and also embassies and consulates of the Azerbaijan Republic in foreign countries of the information on simplification of visa procedures for the persons arriving in the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with the Eurovision-2012 Song Contests. 6. The State Migration Service of the Azerbaijan Republic shall inform the aviation companies carrying out flights in the Azerbaijan Republic, on simplification of visa procedures for the persons arriving in the Azerbaijan Republic in connection with the Eurovision-2012 Song Contests. Ilham Aliyev President of the Azerbaijan Republic
Baku, February 10, 2012
(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)
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Alcatel-Lucent to Introduce Broadband Access Network with Telmex in Latin America.
[Entertainment Close-up]
Entertainment Close-up
February 11, 2012
Alcatel-Lucent announced the launch of a broadband access network in Latin America with Telmex.
According to a release, Alcatel-Lucent has been selected as a key supplier for the deployment of a broadband access network based on VDSL2 and GPON technologies in Mexico, to meet demand for connectivity, high-speed Internet and high-bandwidth applications, such as video-on-demand, entertainment, social networks and other services.
Telmex has engaged in an effort to expand VDSL2 and fiber-optics network coverage to connect millions of homes to high-speed Internet services. The operator is seeking to deliver increased benefits for end users including higher speeds, increases in available bandwidth and access to a variety of multimedia content.
Alcatel-Lucent is Telmex's supplier for this effort, providing a range of technology solutions, including:
-The latest generation of VDSL2 broadband access technology (Very High Bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line), deployed in street cabinets throughout cities and municipalities to deliver high-speed access.
-State-of-the-art GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Networking) technology to deliver more bandwidth to subscribers, improve the performance of current applications and prepare the network for the introduction of new services and applications.
-Alcatel-Lucent's IP/MPLS Carrier Ethernet solution, which will allow a more efficient traffic management and support the delivery of broadband services to a greater number of subscribers.
"This is a strategic project that reinforces our long-term and very successful relationship with Telmex," said Pierre Chaume, CEO of Alcatel-Lucent in Mexico. "With our advanced broadband access technologies, the new network will allow Telmex to reliably move huge amounts of traffic and multimedia content to remote areas, with better quality signals, ultra high speeds of up to 100 megabits per second per subscriber, and substantial savings in maintenance costs."
Alcatel-Lucent is a Company focused in the field of networking and communications technology, products and services.
More Information:
www.alcatel-lucent.com
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EMC Introduces New Server Flash Caching Solution.
[Entertainment Close-up]
Entertainment Close-up
February 11, 2012
EMC Corp. announced the launch of EMC VFCache, a new server Flash caching solution.
According to a release, VFCache and EMC Flash-enabled storage systems leverage intelligent software and PCIe Flash technology. The Company said testing resulted in up-to 3X increased throughput while reducing latency by 60 percent.
EMC also announced it is extending Flash technology to the server and evolving the benefits of PCIe Flash technology from edge case social media and Internet to mainstream mission critical applications such as Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP.
Coming in the next year, EMC said it will add deduplication technology to VFCache, enabling customers to achieve even more efficiency from Flash technology. Additional Flash capacity and form factors will also be supported. VFCache will also more deeply integrate with EMC storage management technologies, and additional integration with Fast architecture.
Pat Gelsinger, President and COO, EMC Information Infrastructure Products, said, "EMC identified very early on that Flash technology would change the industry forever, and became the first to bring Flash to enterprise storage. With today's announcement, EMC also becomes the first to implement PCIe Flash in a way that ensures mission critical applications reach new levels of performance, at the right cost, and with the level of protection and intelligence that customers demand."
EMC Corp. helps businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service.
More Information:
www.EMC.com
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New Frontier Media Schedules Conference Call to Report Q3 2012 Earnings.
[Entertainment Close-up]
Entertainment Close-up
February 11, 2012
New Frontier Media, Inc. announced it will present its Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Earnings via teleconference and live over the Internet on February 13, at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
To access webcast, go to noof.com and click on Investor Relations and then Calendar of Events.
Conference Call: (877) 941-0844 (To reserve your space on the conference call, contact Janette Elder of New Frontier Media by calling 303-444-0900 ext. 2155, or send an email to jelder@noof.com)
For those who are unable to participate during the conference call or live webcast, the presentation will be archived for twelve months on the Corporate web site, noof.com, or available via telephone for seven days by calling 800-406-7325 using the access code 4511015#.
New Frontier Media is a producer and distributor of branded television networks and on-demand programming.
More Information:
www.noof.com
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SALISBURY MAN WINS $1 MILLION RAVENS CASH FANTASY PRIZE.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
BALTIMORE, MD -- The following information was released by the Maryland State Lottery Agency:
New millionaire John Menzel had a lot to say upon finding out he was the $1 million Ravens Cash Fantasy Internet promotion winner. He initially had trouble forming complete sentences, only producing words one-at-a-time: "Surreal, fantastic, awesome, blessed, unbelievable."
John, along with his wife Lori, made the trip from Salisbury to Lottery headquarters in Baltimore without knowing which Ravens Cash Fantasy prize they won. A Lottery official called John yesterday, only telling him that he won a prize from the drawing, not which one. "We couldn't sleep at all last night."
"I knew which prize categories I had entered, but that was it. We would have been happy with any of the prizes," the 54-year-old said. "But this is just"*wow."
Their eight-year-old twin daughters aren't asking for much. "They told us that if we win the million, all they want is a Ravens giant foam finger," said Lori, an elementary school teacher. As for John and Lori, they plan on paying off their mortgage, taking the kids to a Ravens game next year and saving the rest. "College is now paid for," they both said with big smiles. They also plan on "resuming life as normal."
The drawing, which was held Thursday, also awarded many other Ravens-themed prizes. Vanessa Williams from White Marsh won season tickets for life. Allen Lewis from Oxford won season tickets for 2012. Both James Brown from Baltimore and Roger Sheppard from Crownsville won trips-for two to the Bahamas for the Ravens cheerleader calendar shoot. Amy Stolarski from Annapolis, Jessica Smith from Hagerstown, Nyhuya Johnson from Annapolis, Marti Stepner from Baltimore and John MacDonald from Newark, DE each will receive an entire suite for 24 people at a Ravens home game next year. For a complete list of winners, visit mdlottery.com/ravens.
For the third year in a row, the Lottery partnered with the Ravens to launch the Ravens Cash Fantasy scratch-off. To enter the promotion, players scratched the perforated section at the bottom of their Ravens Cash Fantasy scratch-offs and entered the extra yards online.
There are still chances to win on the Ravens Cash Fantasy scratch-off. The ticket, which is more than 95% sold, still has two instant $250,000 top-prizes remaining.
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ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER LAUNCHES CONSUMER PROTECTION WORKING GROUP TO COMBAT CONSUMER FRAUD.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC -- The following information was released by the office of the United States Attorney General:
The Consumer Protection Working Group, formed under President Barack Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF), convened its first meeting in Washington, D.C., today to address consumer fraud, which can financially cripple households and can cause extensive losses to our economy. The newly-created group will work across federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, and with state and local partners, to strengthen efforts to address consumer-related fraud, including schemes targeting vulnerable populations, such as the unemployed, those in need of payday loans, and those suffering from the burden of high credit card and other debt. The new working group will also focus on scams that exploit prospective students, active-duty military personnel and veterans.
"The schemes we are combating are as diverse as the imaginations of those who perpetrate them, and as sophisticated as modern technology will permit. Thanks in large part to the leadership of the President's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force we are tackling financial fraud, in all its forms, head on," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "Through the extensive and coordinated partnership we start today, we will strengthen our collective efforts, enhance civil and criminal enforcement of consumer fraud and educate the public in an effort to prevent consumers from being victimized in the first place."
Attorney General Holder delivered remarks at today's meeting which was convened by FFETF Executive Director Michael Bresnick along with the working group's co-chairs: Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's Civil Division Tony West, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice's Criminal Division Lanny Breuer, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Andre Birotte and Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) David Vladeck. Another co-chair, Director of Enforcement for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Kent Markus, was unable to attend the meeting.
"We know all too well how opportunistic fraudsters have adapted their schemes to take advantage of consumers facing financial hardships, using false promises of mortgage modification, debt relief, and job placement, to name a few. Since 2009, the FTC has brought over 90 cases to stop these scams," said Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection for the FTC David Vladeck. "This partnership will only serve to enhance our collective efforts to protect consumers."
The Consumer Protection Working Group will address several areas of concern, including payday lending and other high-pressure telemarketing or Internet scams, business opportunity schemes, for-profit schools that engage in fraud or misrepresentation and fraudulent third party payment processors that facilitate payments on behalf of other fraudsters without the permission of the customer.
At today's meeting, the Consumer Protection Working Group members set priorities and discussed taking collaborative steps to continue to seek out and prosecute consumer fraud as well as protect consumers from fraud before it happens through outreach and education. The new working group plans to establish a best-practices tool kit, legislative, regulatory and policy initiatives and an information sharing structure.
Other members of the Consumer Protection Working Group include representatives from the Department of Treasury, FBI, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. Secret Service, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Trustee Program, the National Association of Attorneys General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board and the National Credit Union Administration. The state attorneys general are represented on the working group by Attorney General Lisa Madigan from Illinois, Attorney General Greg Zoeller from Indiana and Attorney General Roy Cooper from North Carolina.
The Consumer Protection Working Group is part of ongoing enforcement efforts by President Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.
Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Task force members have charged a record number of mortgage fraud cases in the past two years, trained more than 100,000 professionals responsible for awarding and overseeing Recovery Act funds and held regional summits around the country to discuss strategies, resources and initiatives, as well as to meet with communities most affected by the financial crisis.
Learn more about the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force at www.stopfraud.gov .
12-200
Attorney General
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SEATTLE MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.
[States News Service]
States News Service
February 10, 2012
SEATTLE, WA -- The following information was released by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington:
RICHARD FLORES, 58, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 25 years in prison and lifetime supervised release for distribution of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. FLORES pleaded guilty in November 2011. FLORES was previously convicted in King County Superior Court in 1997 of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, for the molestation of two young girls. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones said FLORES had engaged in "sexual terrorism" against his young victims. "No matter what sentence I impose," the judge told FLORES, "it will pale in comparison to the life of pain you imposed on your young victims."
According to the plea agreement, FLORES was employed by the Seattle Times as a clerk in the finance department. FLORES admitted that in February and March 2011, while at work, he downloaded child pornography onto his work computer. FLORES transferred the child pornography to an external thumb drive and later distributed the child pornography using his Yahoo Flickr account. Law enforcement found about 6,800 images and videos on the thumb drive.
FLORES was terminated by the Seattle Times shortly after detectives followed up on information from the internet service provider about the explicit materials downloaded to FLORES' work computer.
"This investigation revealed what we find all too often in these cases, that child pornography suspects are often involved in the actual sexual abuse of children." said Brad Bench, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Seattle. "Children have the right to be safe from predators. That's why we will continue to vigorously investigate these cases and seek justice for the victims."
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 27 years in prison. "There is an overriding need to protect the public in this case. He is a dangerous man, and continues to harbor deviant fantasies involving the sexual exploitation of children. There is no reason to believe he will ever stop preying on children if he is released. Similarly, deterrence is an important factor here -- not only for this defendant, but for the public at large, and any other individual who might be tempted to sexually abuse children," prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, FLORES must register as a sex offender when released from prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerrod Patterson. Mr. Patterson coordinates Project Safe Childhood for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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Animal magic; Pandas were highlight of Edinburgh Zoo and hotel package.. just look out for the jealous neighbours.(Features)
[Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)]
Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)
February 11, 2012
Byline: Janice Burns
BRUSH off those winter blues by treating your family to a relaxing Edinburgh Zoo and hotel package to visit giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang.
Adults and kids alike will love this cheap, hassle-free trip to see the new arrivals and enjoy an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn, next to the zoo.
Not only do you get zoo tickets thrown into the deal, kids sharing a room stay and eat for free and there's a health and fitness club with a pool in the hotel.
The location of the Holiday Inn in Corstorphine Road means you can leave your car there and walk to the zoo, perhaps after a refreshing dip in the pool and Jacuzzi followed by a full Scottish breakfast.
Despite booking in advance to see the cuddly pair, we still had to wait half an hour in a huge queue with excited fans decked out in bizarre panda hats - because the bears were still in training.
Luckily, we managed to escape the revenge of the jealous penguins next door, who have been pelting people with poo in an effort to regain attention.
The zoo is considering putting up a screen to shield visitors from the attacks. Rockhopper penguins live above the line of visitors to the pandas' pounds 250,000 enclosure, which is complete with swimming pool, climbing frames and soundproof glass.
Their bedrooms are small caves made out of stone from Rosslyn Chapel - no wonder the penguins are throwing droppings in protest at the special treatment.
Tian Tian (Sweetie) and Yang Guang (Sunshine), both eight years old, were well worth the wait.
Everyone has seen pictures of them and watched them on the telly but nothing compares to seeing them in the flesh.
They don't do much but they are stunning animals and the helpful guide gave an upbeat and cheerful chat about how pandas don't just eat shoots and leaves - they can also pee from a great height while doing a handstand. This fascinating piece of information impressed the kids so much, they said: "Wow. Pandas are amazing. They must be really fit."
The guide informed us we can see this spectacular show on YouTube as we watched the male Yang Guang and his hopeful mate Tian Tian lazily lounging in their cave, obviously too tired for any kind of intimacy.
The kids were absolutely mesmerised by these stunning creatures and stood just staring at them through the window of their enclosure for about 20 minutes.
The giant pandas are set to become global internet stars thanks to several hidden live video cameras - or panda-cams as they are known.
The guide informed us that giant pandas eat about pounds 70,000 worth of bamboo a year - that's 18,000kg a year and 20, three-metre stems a day.
German grower Reiner Winkendick will supply 85 per cent of the bamboo from plantations in Amsterdam for the 10 years the pandas are at Edinburgh Zoo.
The rest will be grown at special sites around the zoo, allowing members of the public to see for themselves the delicate process involved in cultivating a plant that contributes almost exclusively to the giant pandas' diet.
After the first three years of the project, the zoo's homegrown supply will be gradually increased and the garden team have set up a network of contingency suppliers, including the Earl of Glasgow's Kelburn Castle Estate in Largs, and Cornish estates famous for being the home of the UK's bamboo furniture industry.
The giant pandas are a real crowd pleaser and have increased the zoo's visitor number by 200 per cent.
Edinburgh Zoo estimate the giant pandas will bring an extra one million visitors during their 10-year stay, before they return to China at the end of their loan.
CAPTION(S):
STAR ATTRACTION J Tian Tian (Sweetie) goes walkabout, top, before having a rest, above. Left, the Holiday Inn next to Edinburgh Zoo AT HOME Z Yang Guang and his partner have settled in
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Spending squeeze breeds 'balance checkers'.(Business)
[Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales)]
Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales)
February 11, 2012
NEARLY four in 10 people know the balance of their current account to the nearest pounds 5, as the squeeze on finances and the rise in internet banking has bred a "generation of compulsive bank balance checkers", research has found.
People become cashstrapped 17 days after payday on average, but one in 10 consumers said their finances come under pressure within a week of receiving their monthly salary, Halifax's survey said.
More than one in five (21%) said they check their bank balance at least once a day, and a further 22% take a look more than three times a week.
While 38% of people surveyed knew their balance to the nearest pounds 5, a further 23% knew how much they had to the nearest pounds 20.
Only one in 20 people said they know their current account balance to the nearest pounds 500.
Anthony Warrington, director of current accounts at Halifax, said: "With mobile banking apps and internet banking, it's much easier to stay on top of spending and account activity whilst on the move."
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Multicultural success in business.
[Khaleej Times (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)]
Khaleej Times (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
February 9, 2012
Summary: Globalisation has contributed to the presence of multiple cultures within workplaces and across industries. Companies deal with consumers, contractors and stakeholders across the world.
Globalisation has contributed to the presence of multiple cultures within workplaces and across industries. Companies deal with consumers, contractors and stakeholders across the world.
Businesses must manage international supply and distribution chains and maintain partnerships and relationships with counties, countries and disparate government authorities. People access markets globally so you must appeal to a wider range of diverse cultures.
Technology allows virtual teams to link up from remote locations. People are migrating all over the world, contributing to diverse work cultures. It is more apropos to think of some employees as trans-patriates rather than expatriates.
Managing cultural diversity is a business requirement in the global economy today. Culture doesn't just refer to ethnicity either. Every individual can be thought of as being a member of many different cultures.
There are national cultures, religious cultures, professional cultures, cultures of age, class, gender, communities and interests. Cultural identities affect how people perceive things, what they value and how they react to their work environment. The way that cultural diversity is managed affects how invested people feel in their work or a company.
Cultural diversity training can help you to attract and retain the best employees, increase motivation and productivity, and establish and maintain good business relationships. Diverse perspectives can help you to appeal to a wider consumer base and diversity is known to drive innovation and creativity.
A car dealership that employs salespeople that speak different languages are sure to make more sales. IBM's practice of allowing female Muslim employees to hold two identity cards -- one in which they were veiled and showed to male security guards and one in which they were unveiled but only had to show to female security guards -- greatly impacted these employee's sense of being respected and valued.
Microsoft has launched a Local Language Programme in which a free language interface pack, with more than 60 translations, allows people to use Internet technology in the language they are most comfortable with to learn and work, increasing productivity and self-expression.
The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company employs workers of 41 different nationalities and serves consumers in 14 markets across the world. The company offers diversity training to all of its employees that includes workshops devoted to understanding different cultures and minimizing stereotypes. They offer confidential hotlines for anyone experiencing harassment and open and anonymous forums for diversity discussions.
The Arab American Fellowship Progamme is an exchange program that allows young professionals to experience and come to understand different cultural and business environments. Young Arab executives visit America and American executives visit several Arabian countries.
They visit leading companies, schools, non-profits, local media establishments and take part in cultural activities. After a 2008 exchange, executives from both countries said that the experience had caused them to reform their views of each other, to break stereotypes, and to gain insight into the other culture. They also discovered just how much they had in common such as values of honesty and hospitality and a belief that business can contribute to economic growth and vibrancy.
How can you begin managing cultural diversity better? In regards to religion, you could institute holiday swapping or add very important holidays of various cultures to your company calendar. You could institute flexible break times so that employees may meditate or engage in prayer.
You can open up a forum to find out what issues are troubling employees and gather ideas about how to make the work culture more inclusive.
You can set a clear policy about tolerance and educate your employees about it. You can give workers the opportunity to educate fellow workers with celebrations and observances.
Most importantly, training in cultural diversity is essential for managers and education about inclusion necessary for every employee.
The author is an executive coach and HR training and development expert. She can be reached at oksana@academiaofhumanpotential.com or www.academiaofhumanpotential.com
Copyright 2012 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved.
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REP READERS WRITE: The Credibility Gap Will Cost You.(Letter to the editor)
[Registered Rep (Online Exclusive)]
Registered Rep (Online Exclusive)
February 10, 2012
Byline: Sean Cunniff
Benjamin Franklin once said, "It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it."
Many financial institutions vary greatly in investment advice depending on how a client engages with them, which can create service inconsistencies and reputation problems. Here are some examples:
aC/ A national financial institution offers advisory services to participants of corporate retirement plans. It offers a separate and distinct advisory offering (different risk questionnaires, asset allocation models, and capital market assumptions) to clients of their retail bank branches.
aC/ The trust and brokerage division of a regional bank both offer asset allocation, financial planning and managed accounts, all on separate platforms.
aC/ A major online brokerage firm offers online retirement calculators that use a different methodology from the calculators used by its call center and branch advisors.
This divergence of advisory services hurts firms in at least three ways, in terms of systems and processes, compliance, and credibility:
aC/ First, having multiple systems and processes for doing essentially the same thing is costly. This may have been tolerable when assets and revenues were on the rise. But the reality today is that wealth managers need to become more efficient in their advisory offerings, particularly if they want to serve the mass affluent space.
aC/ Second, this fragmented advice structure is a compliance officeras nightmare. I do not envy the CCO who needs to explain to an arbitration panel (or even worse, a jury) why the same person would get completely different advice when the only unique factor was the door the client came in through.
aC/ Finally, and most importantly, is credibility with the client. Clients come to wealth mangers for their expertise and advice. Investor confidence will not be bolstered when they figure out that the advice they receive varies not based on their financial circumstances, but on how they came to a firm.
The solution is a common advisory platform with a unified database. Such a platform must be able to be delivered in a variety of ways: direct to the consumer via the internet, to advisors as part of a robust planning application, and via the growing mobile channel. It is only through such a platform that wealth managers will be able to offer their unique value, financial advice, in a manner that is consistent, builds confidence and enhances your reputation with clients.
Sean Cunniff is senior vice president of advisor and investment solutions for SunGardas wealth management business. He is responsible for the product management and strategy of SunGardas advisor solutions a including WealthStation and InvestorasView a for North America.
(To read more from Rep. Readers Write, click here.)
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Loss of DVLA jobs will be blow for Cardiff and Valleys; Yousay IN YOUR OPINION...(Letters)
[South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales)]
South Wales Echo (Cardiff, Wales)
February 11, 2012
Having just had reason to visit the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices in Ty-Glas at Llanishen in Cardiff, I am amazed to learn that this facility will be closed down shortly and the jobs performed there will be taken back to Swansea.
What kind of madness is this? The magnificent service/advice/assistance given by these people is about to be lost to the citizens of Cardiff and the Valleys. No face-to-face contact any more, leading to a more impersonal and less effective service with distant call centres and computer workstations.
At present, I understand that some 400/500 customers pass through the offices daily and no-one, repeat no-one, is doing anything about it.
We are constantly bombarded by the newscasts/newspapers/television and the internet about benefits being cut to try to get people back into work. What work? With some two or three million people out of work, would someone in authority please tell them where they can get a job? How many more cases are we going to hear of where 2,000 people are applying for 150 jobs and some people have applied for hundreds of jobs without success and in many instances without even the courtesy of a reply to their application.
To those kind souls, who are seeking genuine employment, may I offer my humble solution... Open up a soup kitchen!
* Grahame Champ Thornhill, Cardiff
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Internationl - Uzbek man guilty of plotting to kill President Obama.
[National News Agency Lebanon (NNA)]
National News Agency Lebanon (NNA)
February 11, 2012
NNA - 11/02/2012 (Reuters) - A man from Uzbekistan living illegally in the United States pleaded guilty on Friday to terrorism and weapons charges involving a plot to kill President Barack Obama.
According to court evidence, defendant Ulugbek Kodirov believed he was acting on behalf of an Islamist militant group in his homeland and was plotting to shoot Obama while the president campaigned for re-election this year.
Kodirov 22, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Alabama, to three charges as part of an agreement that spares him from a potential life sentence.
He still faced up to 30 years in prison and A'750,000 in fines for providing material support for terrorist activity, being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and threatening to assassinate the president.
Four other charges against him were dropped, and mainly involved additional threats to kill Obama.
U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon set sentencing for May 17.
Kodirov came to the United States in 2009 to study medicine and his student visa was revoked in April 2010 after he failed to enroll in school, investigators said.
He "self-radicalized" through Internet research and sought like-minded individuals, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance said.
Kodirov met a mentor he called "Emir," whom he believed to be a member of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, an Islamist militant group the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Kodirov conversed with the man and decided to kill the president, according to court evidence.
He determined that the upcoming 2012 campaign would be an opportune time to either shoot the president with a sniper's rifle or shoot him up close, according to evidence read by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Whisonant.
"He did not care if he got shot and killed as long as he killed the president," Whisonant said.
Kodirov was arrested in July at an Alabama motel where he had obtained a fully automatic machine gun and four hand grenades from an undercover agent. "He was attempting to obtain weapons and explosives that he intended to use to kill the President of the United States," Vance said.
According to his plea agreement, Kodirov also showed jihadist Web sites and videos on his computer to another individual and told that person he wanted to assist others in jihad overseas. He also had lengthy conversations with another person about killing Obama, and that person introduced him to the undercover agent.
Vance said members of the local Muslim community were instrumental in thwarting the threat to the president, but did not give specifics. "We have warm relations with the Muslim community - they also want a safe place to live and raise their children," said Vance.
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FUTURE LEADERS LEARN ABOUT CYBER-BASED PROTECTION PRINCIPLES, PROTECTING THEIR INFORMATION, AND ABOUT VIRTUAL WORLDS AT THE NDU ICOLLEGE'S IT JOB SHADOW DAY.
[States News Service]
States News Service
January 24, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC -- The following information was released by the National Defense University Information Resources Management College (NDU iCollege):
On Thursday, February 2, 2012, an enthusiastic, tech-savvy group of high school students from Benjamin Banneker Academic High School emerged from the George C. Marshall Hall at the National Defense University (NDU) iCollege full of ideas for their future. The students participated in a unique career day featuring hands- on, computer laboratory experiences where they were shown examples on how to protect data and information on their computers and their smart phones, they were introduced to virtual worlds, and they explored potential vulnerabilities regarding critical infrastructure capabilities. The day's agenda offered a broad overview on information technology and how it is used within government service. The "IT Job Shadow Day" is an initiative of the U.S. Federal Government and is endorsed by the Office of the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Federal CIO Council.
Organizers Dr. W. Stan Boddie, Professor of Systems Management and Dr. Cassandra C. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Curriculum, co-planned the event. "Seeing the students faces light up when we show them how technology is used to monitor and protect the nation's assets is a great lesson to learn. The IT Job Shadow Day is an excellent opportunity for the DoD to reach out to high school students and share examples of technology and how it is used within the federal government. Today -- these students will have the opportunity to be cyber warriors!" said Dr. Boddie. "We are thrilled to have the students here. What they learn today they can take with them"* and the lessons might influence their future career choices," remarked Dr. Lewis.
Dr. Mary McCully, Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs, and Mr. Russ Quirici, Dean of Students and Administration, welcomed the students. Both echoed the value of learning and continuing education. Their joint message to the students was, "information technology is one of the most dynamic fields for today and for the future."
Students then joined Dr. Mike Piller, Director of Academic Computer and Laboratories, Capt. Richard Cespiva, USAF, Assistant Professor Cyber Integration and Information Operations, and Mr. Tim Perkowski, NDU iCollege Lab Manager, for an interactive tour of the technology labs. In the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) laboratory, students watched videos and participated in several live demonstrations on how critical infrastructure systems (drawbridges, manufacturing lines, traffic displays), have been manipulated via computers and smart phones - and thus need to be protected.
The students also were introduced to cyber-based defensive and offensive strategies via attack and defend exercises on laptop computers and were shown how data on the computers can be vulnerable. A question and answer session was held on computer- based password protection and the importance of keeping others from stealing computer- based information. The purpose of the learning exercises was to show students what
can happen with computer networks and telecommunications, and how by taking a few precautionary steps, everyone can protect their information from potential criminal hackers.
The last tour of the day gave students an interactive, hands-on demonstration of the NDU iCollege's virtual world island, located on the Internet in Second Life. The discussion was facilitated by Ms. Tammy Dreyer-Capo, Instructional Designer, and Mr. Michael Jacobs of the eLearning Department. Students were shown Italy's Sistine Chapel and other Second Life scenes. They learned how to walk, jump, sit, and to fly using avatars via the computer keyboard. Ms. Dreyer-Capo explained that Second Life is free on the Internet and it is used by the NDU iCollege to teach some classes. Mr. Jacobs pointed out that the Air Force, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) use Second Life for training purposes.
The NDU iCollege has hosted the Federal IT Job Shadow Day for five years, and from the broad smiles of engaged students - it won't be the last.
About the College - The NDU iCollege, a U.S. Department of Defense educational institution, prepares leaders to direct the information component of national power by leveraging information and information technology for strategic advantage. Although most students come from DoD (military and civilians), the school also accepts federal agency, private sector, and international students into its graduate programs. Education is focused around CIO, CFO, Information Assurance/Cyber, Enterprise Architecture, IT Project Management, and other information leadership competencies. The NDU iCollege is also currently working with the U.S. Department of Education to obtain approval for its new Government Information Leader Master of Science Degree. Courses are completed on campus and/or online. For more information about the NDU iCollege's programs, please contact: Jolly Sienda at jolly.sienda.ctr@ndu.edu ; or for general information about the college, visit www.ndu.edu/icollege.
The National Defense University is the nation's premier center for joint professional military education. The university is an accredited graduate-level institution that provides an educational and research environment to prepare future leaders of the armed forces and other civilian agencies for high-level policy, command, and staff responsibilities. For more information about the National Defense University, please contact: Dave Thomas, Public Affairs Officer, at 202-685-3140 or ThomasD2@ndu.edu; or visit www.ndu.edu.
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SOLDIERS SLAIN ...
[Sunday Life (Belfast, Northern Ireland)]
Sunday Life (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
February 12, 2012
SOLDIERS SLAIN
THE PRETTY fianc[c]e of Massereene murderer Brian Shivers has vowed to stand by her man -- according to her mum.
Protestant woman Lisa Leacock has been the Real IRA double-killer's partner for six years.
She gave evidence at his trial, during which she strongly condemned the fatal shootings of soldiers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar.
"I was absolutely gob-smacked, disgusted, shocked and appalled," said Lisa recalling the moment she first heard about the killings.
But the 33-year also used her day in the witness box to say she didn't believe her partner could have carried out the murderous attack.
"The Brian I know is not capable of these terrible acts and I was shocked and surprised when he was arrested."
On Friday her 46-year-old husband-to-be, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, was told he has to spend at least 25 years in jail for the horrific March 2009 double murders.
Brian Shivers had no previous criminal record and had not come to police attention before Massereene.
Lisa was not in court to see a newly-bearded Shivers sentenced. A police source said the only time she appeared at his two-month trial was on the day she was called to give evidence.
Unaware of this, Judge Anthony Hart invited Lisa Leacock and other members of Shivers' family to spend some time with him in the court cells before he was brought back to Maghaberry Prison.
Even though lawyers for the killer say he has accepted that his illness means he will die in jail within five years, Lisa Leacock's mum believes her daughter will stand by her man.
She made the prediction when Sunday Life called to her Co Londonderry home before Shivers' sentencing.
Lisa's mum said: "Lisa's not in, she's at work. I don't know if she (Lisa) is going to court (for Shivers' sentencing). She's standing by him. Lisa will be alright. She's fine.
She added: "I don't think she will talk to you."
Lisa's relationship with killer Shivers was laid bare during his two-month trial.
The court heard that the couple were desperate to have a child together and how she suffered fits of jealousy.
When asked about Shivers' whereabouts on the night of the Massereene murders, Lisa said: "I believed he was going to meet some friends who were returning home to say farewell."
She reiterated her horror at the murders, adding: "It is murder, it is wrong, it is how I feel about it."
Lisa also revealed that after Shivers was charged with the Real IRA attack she was the victim of abuse on the street and was sent a bullet in the post.
"Brian and I went for something to eat and there was a guy there who seemed to be watching us and had approached us," she said.
"He was just shouting that he knew where I was at on the Friday night, that I had been at Brian's house and he was just shouting names at me."
Lisa admitted that she needed constant reassurance that Shivers was not cheating on her.
She confessed to checking his phone for calls and texts from other women after hearing rumours that he had been seen with other girls.
On the night of the Massereene murders Shivers was tasked with burning the Real IRA gunmen's getaway car. After setting fire to vehicle on a country road near Randalstown he returned to the Magherafelt house he shared with his fianc[c]e.
Lisa showed him documents relating to infertility that she had found on the Internet as she was having trouble conceiving. Asked why she never questioned Shivers as to where he might have been, Lisa told the court: "He was home early, I was pleased that he was home early." After Shivers was jailed for life last month Lisa moved permanently to an new address in mid-Ulster.
Neighbours told Sunday Life that she has been keeping a low profile since the trial, although her photo remains on her open Facebook site.
Lisa uses motivational quotes to keep up her spirits.
She has posted a collection of her favourite sayings and quotes on her Facebook page, including "good judgement comes from experience and that comes from bad judgement" and "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not".
She also shares these comments in her "about Lisa" section -- "Lead me not into temptation... I can find the way myself"; "Life is a daring adventure or nothing".
The Snow Patrol and Kings of Leon fan also loves TV soaps -- and her list of favourites movies ironically include the prison epics Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile.
Shivers told police in July 2009: "I have never been a member of the Real IRA. I am engaged to get married to my fianc[c]e, Lisa Leacock, and we plan to have children.
"I spend most of my time looking after my health and I am not going to spend whatever years I have left doing anything other than enjoying my life with my fianc[c]e."
CAPTION: Colleagues pay their respects as hearses carrying the murdered men leaves Massereene Barracks (above). Brian Shivers (right) will spend a minimum of 25 years behind bars for the killings while his co-accused Colin Duffy (left) was acquitted. Pictured below is the getaway carENGAGED TO A MURDERER: Lisa Leacock has been with convicted killer Brian Shivers for the last six years
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Research and Markets Offers Report: Kazakhstan - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts.
[Entertainment Close-up]
Entertainment Close-up
February 12, 2012
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Kazakhstan - Telecoms, Mobile, Broadband and Forecasts" report to its offerings.
In a release, Research and Markets noted that report highlights include:
With a GDP per capita almost equal to Russia, Kazakhstan has a booming telecom market
Although growth slowed significantly in 2009, Kazakhstan has been experiencing a booming telecom market that included almost 100 percent mobile penetration by early 2010. This has come about on the back of a growing economy and a program of positive regulatory reform in the telecom sector. Legislation adopted in 2004 laid the foundation for the liberalisation and development of the telecom sector and put an end to the monopoly enjoyed by Kazakhtelecom, the state-controlled telecom operator.
The key drivers in the telecom sector included:
-the deployment of Kazakhtelecom's fully-digital national telecom network based on local and long-distance switches and fibre optic lines linking all major cities in the country; efforts to improve international connectivity and increase both mobile and fixed-line subscribers; the continuing digitalisation of exchanges;
-the further reform of telecommunications legislation;
-the process of accession to the World Trade Organization.Kazakhstan had a relatively strong fixed-line penetration (24 telephone lines per 100 inhabitants by end-2009), with six operators providing fixed-line telephone services to about 3.8 million subscribers. There had been long waiting lists for fixed-line telephone services over the years. The country's mobile market entered a boom phase in 2000, no doubt boosted to some extent by the long delays in obtaining fixed-line services. The number of mobile services had exceeded fixed-lines by late 2004. Demand for mobile services was so strong that in 2006 that the government went on to auction a third GSM licence (and fourth mobile operator licence), which was duly awarded to NeoTelecom, a subsidiary of Kazakhtelecom. NeoTelecom then launched its mobile service in early 2007.
-Of particular note has been the recent healthy growth in internet activity in Kazakhstan, with the move to broadband access in particular taking place at a rapid rate. Broadband subscribers as a proportion of the population had reached 10 percent by early 2010, with the market likely to continue its expansion by 100 percent annually.
Major highlights:
-After Kazakhstan's mobile market delivered annual growth of 36 percent in 2008, the 2009 year saw a major slowdown in the market with net growth almost negligible;
-With a mobile penetration approaching 100 percent in early 2010, the country's mobile market was continuing to grow but was expected to start saturating in the not too distant future;
-Broadband internet was quickly expanding on top of a general upturn in demand for internet services; the number of broadband subscribers increased tenfold from a relatively small base in 2006/07, then doubled in 2008 and doubled again in 2009;
-There had been a significant shift to broadband access in 2009 as the proportion of internet subscribers using broadband shifted from 43 percent to 76 percent in that 12-month period; Kazakhstan, despite the considerable presence of incumbent Kazakhtelecom across the market, was continuing to benefit from a diversified market that offered an energetic and competitive environment, especially in respect of the mobile market;
-On the economic front, after an eight-year period in which GDP had been growing at an annual rate in excess of 8 percent, 2008 saw a major slowdown in the Kazakhstan economy with GDP growth falling to 3 percent; 2009 saw growth fall even further (to around 1 percent) as the full impact of the global financial crisis hit.
-A modest recovery in the short term has been forecast by the IMF with a GDP growth rate of 2 percent expected in 2010 and 4 percent in 2011.
Companies featured;
-Astel
-Ducat (formerly Kazintel)
-KazInformTelecom
-Kazakhstan Online
-Nursat
-Altel
-GSM-Kazakhstan (K'Cell)
-Kar-Tel (K-Mobile)
-Mobile Telecom Service (NeoTelecom)
Report information:
researchandmarkets.com/research/9d2b4b/kazakhstan_telec.
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Universal American Corporation Sets 2011 4Q Earnings Release.
[Entertainment Close-up]
Entertainment Close-up
February 12, 2012
Universal American Corporation announced that it will issue its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2011 after the market closes on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
Universal American's Chairman and CEO, Richard Barasch and Executive Vice President and CFO, Robert Waegelein, will host a conference call at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Feb. 16, to discuss the financial results and recent corporate developments. Additionally, a slide presentation, which will accompany the call, will be posted in the "Investors section of Universal American's website at UniversalAmerican.com. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing (201) 493-6744. Please call in 10 minutes before the conference call is scheduled to begin and ask for the Universal American call. In addition, interested parties will be able to access the fourth quarter conference call live over the Internet via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at UniversalAmerican.com. A replay of the conference call will be archived on the website for approximately two weeks.
Universal American provides health benefits to people with Medicare.
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PETAP Reports Latest Statistics Indicate Shift in Online Education Trends.
[Health & Beauty Close-Up]
Health & Beauty Close-Up
February 12, 2012
PETAP said that it has discovered recent reports on the subject of online education showing that not only are more students taking advantage of classes offered via the Internet, but that the opinions of teachers and administrators regarding online education are changing as well.
According to a report entitled "Going the Distance - Online Education in the United States, 2011" published by the College Board and the Babson Survey Research Group, over 6 million students are currently taking at least one class online. This number indicates that almost one-third of higher-education students in the U.S. are now taking at least one course over the Internet, over 560,000 more than in 2010.
The report data also demonstrates a significant shift in the way teachers and school administrators feel about online programs. In 2011, 67 percent of academic professionals polled were of the opinion that online classes can be equally as effective as face-to-face classes. In 2003, only 50 percent responded this way. Therefore, as more institutions are offering classes online, those working in the industry are becoming more open to the idea. While two-thirds of educators believe online education is a worthwhile pursuit, only one-third believe otherwise and many of them work in institutions that do not offer online learning options.
It is important to note that many of these educators teach curriculums that are not conducive to online studies. Chemistry and art for example often require physical interaction from students, making it difficult for these subjects to be taught online effectively. Others, however, such as business administration, lend themselves to the platform of online education because of how crucial online interaction is in today's business world. Subsequently business administration is commonly one the most popular online degree programs pursued, along with online degrees in nursing and online criminal justice degrees.
There are several factors believed to have an effect on the overall shift in the mentality of educators. However, the most common is the technological capabilities now available to teachers and students, making it possible to achieve a highly interactive, educational experience, much like they could in a traditional classroom. The computers, tablets, and smartphones available, along with the ever-evolving software capabilities and network options, make online degree opportunities too convenient to ignore.
PETAP said the statistics prove that perceptions regarding online education are beginning to shift, including those of educators, along with the fact that new online degree programs are popping up all over the place. Degree programs can be found in virtually every area of study, and PETAP.org makes it easier than ever to read about available programs and make a truly educated decision.
PETAP.org offers complementary no-obligation information pertaining to campus based and online schools, creating an education plan, and career testing for those looking to take advantage of online learning.
More Information:
www.petap.org/distance-learning-online-schools-directory.cfm
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Bulgaria Says 'ACTA La Vista Baby!'.
[Sofia News Agency]
Sofia News Agency
February 11, 2012
Thousands of people gathered in downtown Sofia Saturday to protest the controversial international Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement, ACTA.
Anywhere between 4000 and 8000 Bulgarians marched in the Bulgarian capital, led by a black sign reading: "[ETH][ETH] [ETH]cents[ETH] LA VISTA, BABY!"
Most of the demonstrators are young people wearing the mask of Guy Fawkes, symbol of the global protest against ACTA. They are jumping and holding numerous signs such as "I Am Not a Terrorist!", "No to ACTA!", "Stop ACTA or We will!", "Sign ACTA a Lose the Elections!", "Basta to ACTA!" and others.
People are also shouting slogans for internet freedom.
The entire route of the march a from the National Palace of Culture through downtown Sofia to the square in front of the Parliament had been guarded by heavy police presence.
Similar rallies are being organized in another 15-16 Bulgarian cities and in 150 cities across Europe Saturday.
The Bulgarian Facebook "No to ACTA" group now has nearly 25A 000 members and growing.
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30million lose email.(News)
[Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland)]
Sunday Mail (Glasgow, Scotland)
February 12, 2012
More than 30million people in Iran have lost access to foreign email services such as Gmail, Yahoo mail and Hotmail.
But officials in the country's main telecommunications firm say the problem isn't their fault.
In the past, Iran has restricted internet use and blocked websites including Facebook and Twitter.
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Shiny & new..(Features; Opinion, Column)(Sound recording review)
[Sunday Mirror (London, England)]
Sunday Mirror (London, England)
February 12, 2012
INTERNET sensation GABRIELLE APLIN is the one to watch. The singer became a YouTube sensation and has now had more than eight million views, with record companies bidding to sign her. Her EP Home went to No15 on the iTunes album chart - it's a magical blend of acoustic pop and powerhouse vocals.
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' I have lost 23 years with my daughter and those decades have been filled with pain ' MUM AT TRIAL OF THE WOMAN WHO SNATCHED HER BABY FROM HOSPITAL.(News)
[Sunday Mirror (London, England)]
Sunday Mirror (London, England)
February 12, 2012
Byline: DAVID CARUSO
A MOTHER has spoken of her decades of loss after a bogus nurse confessed to snatching her new-born baby from hospital 23 years ago.
Joy White broke down in court as the jury heard how Ann Pettway stole her daughter Carlina and raised her as her own.
But the kidnapper's crime came back to haunt her when grown-up Carlina found a snap of herself as a baby on a missing children website... and tracked down her real mum.
And as Pettway was led away to await a jail sentence, Joy hugged a smiling Carlina and said: "I've lost 23 years of being with my daughter.
"I love my daughter. She's a beautiful girl. She told me yesterday, mommy, you're my Valentine."
Joy's nightmare began when she and partner Carl Tyson took 19-day-old Carlina to a New York hospital in 1987 with a fever.
Pettway was already prowling the wards posing as a nurse after arriving on a train from her home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. While Carlina was in emergency care, Pettway chillingly pretended to console worried Joy, then 16.
Joy, who has always kept a photo of her baby by her bed, said: "I will never forget her face. She patted me on my shoulder and said, 'Don't cry, your baby is going to be OK'."
The kidnap shook America. And as Carlina grew up as Nejdra Nance in Connecticut, she became suspicious about her real identity. Pettway fed her lies, admitting she was someone else's daughter but claiming she was given away by a drug addict.
But unconvinced Carlina began doing her own research on the internet, and made the shocking discovery on the website of the National Centre
for Missing and Exploited Children.
She recognised a photo of herself as a child. Then she traced her mum, who has two other children, and a DNA test confirmed the truth.
It was the end for Pettway's terrifying secret. But all the kidnapper told the Manhattan Court on Friday was: "I went to hospital. I took a child. It was wrong." She offered no explanation for her actions. Pettway had denied the kidnap after her arrest last year and prosecutors are pushing for a 10- to 12-year sentence.
But furious Joy wants her to be given 23 years - one for every year she had to endure living without her daughter. Pettway will be sentenced in May.
Now Carlina, who has a daughter of her own, six-year-old Samani, is making up for lost time with her mum. "We speak every day," said Joy.
CAPTION(S):
Now... Carlina with her own girl Samani, aged six. Right: Pettway STOLEN Carlina was just three weeks old REUNITED Carlina traced Joy after finding out truth on internet
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EX- SQUADDIE WHO ABUSED BOY CAGEDS; 'Depraved' man plied teens with booze.(News)
[Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England)]
Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England)
February 12, 2012
Byline: DUNCAN GIBBONS
A FORMER squaddie who sexually abused teenage boys after grooming them on the internet has been jailed for a minimum of 10 years.
Thomas Mitchell, 57, of Adelaide Street, Hillfields, Coventry, was told by a judge at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday that he was a "committed, cunning, determined, depraved, evil, sexual predator." The Sunday Mercury reported last December how Mitchell had been found guilty of eight counts of sexual activity with children, four counts of grooming boys, one count of causing or inciting a boy to engage in sexual activity, and one count of assault by penetration.
He also admitted making indecent images and videos of children, taking indecent photos of one of his victims, and of distributing an indecent video clip of another. A further seven offences were ordered to lie on file.
Mitchell was acquitted of rape, incitement to rape and meeting a child following sexual grooming.
The court heard how Mitchell used social networking sites to meet his victims, all aged between 12 and 15, by pretending to be a much younger man.
He then used a combination of alcohol, drugs, threats and bribery to ensure he got what he wanted from them.
On one occasion he took photographs of the sister of one of his victims outside her school and her house, and threatened to harm her if the boy did not co-operate with him.
He abused one of his other victims with a glass bottle, drove all the way to Burnley to abuse another, and posted photographs and video clips of him abusing another boy on the internet.
Prison The court heard Mitchell had been sentenced to 18 months in prison in 1997 for indecently assaulting boys under the age of 16, and had a conviction in 1990 for attempted gross indecency.
Jailing him for an indeterminate sentence for the public's protection, but with a minimum term of 10 years, Judge Trevor Faber told him: "The overall picture of your offending paints beyond any doubt at all that you are a committed paedophile.
"You have committed a very large number of serious sexual offences against multiple juvenile victims.
"You targeted, quite deliberately, juveniles on social networking sites.
You groomed each of the victims deliberately and persistently and, in general terms, you systematically abused your victims over a protracted period of time. You were able to groom these victims by claiming to be much younger than you were and, where necessary, by posting a photograph which you purported showed yourself, but which showed an attractive young man some 40 years younger than you.
"You were able to persist in your abuse of your victims by threats and bribery, and by plying them with alcohol and drugs.
"The effect of your crimes cannot be over-emphasised. They have been severely violated, and suffered extreme psychological and physical damage. I have no difficulty at all in coming to the conclusion that you are an extremely dangerous man.
"You possess a very real and dangerous threat to any young male with whom you may come into contact because you will go to any length to ensnare young males into your web.'' The judge said had the sentence been determinate, it would have been "not less than 20 years", meaning Mitchell must serve a minimum of 10 years before considered for parole. Paul Mytton, defending, said Mitchell was "struggling to come to terms with himself." After a career in the army Mitchell was court martialled for an indecent assault on a soldier and spent time in military prison.
duncan.gibbons@trinitymirror.com
CAPTION(S):
FLASHBACK: Our story last year
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Fairy tale marriage ended in abuse HELL.(News)
[Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England)]
Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England)
February 12, 2012
Jane Smith bravely escaped the clutches of a brutally abusive husband to get her children to safety.
Today Jane, 57 and from Stratfordupon-Avon, tells ZOE CHAMBERLAIN her inspirational story. WHEN I married for the second time, I thought my husband was wonderful.
We would be together forever.
He was great with the children I had from my first marriage. Mandy was six and Steven was four. I thought it was going to be perfect.
Just like a fairy tale, with a happy ever after.
But it all went horribly wrong. I knew he had a temper. When he got angry he would throw things and punch doors, but he had never hit me.
It was only when we took on the management of a pub that I realised he had a drink problem.
He couldn't go a day without drinking - and he drank a lot.
But even then I didn't see the danger signs.
The abuse towards me gradually crept up over a period of time.
At first I thought it was a one-off, then that it was because he was so stressed.
But he became more aggressive towards me, whether or not he'd been drinking.
Some men try to hit anywhere other than the face, but Tom was so out of control that he'd hit me anywhere. He even threw scalding tea at me. It was terrifying.
I hid my bruises with make-up. No-one else realised what was going on.
I was terrified that if anyone found out I would lose the children.
Mother Tom made this worse by saying: 'If you leave me, I'll call the police and tell social services you're a bad mother and they'll take the children.' That's the worst thing you can threaten a mother with.
And, added to that, most feel a sense of shame, that you have done something to cause the abuse.
My life was just about surviving each day as much as I had the energy to do.
We left the pub after a year and I had little jobs but Tom didn't like me working anywhere where there were other men.
He was paranoid that I'd meet someone else and leave him.
What made it worse was the fact that he didn't have a job. His self-esteem plummeted and he took it out on me.
He didn't even stop when I became pregnant.
Instinctively, you try to protect your baby so I'd end up curled into a ball, with him kicking me around.
When Alex was born, Tom took a job doing shifts and would sleep on the sofa during the day.
It was really hard trying to keep three children quiet when all they wanted to do was play.
All of our lives were ruled by where he was, and where he wanted us to be.
I was constantly fearful for all of us. I thought the only way it would end would be in tragedy, that one of us was going to die.
I had no idea how to try to get us out. It was a long time ago. We didn't have the internet and so I couldn't just Google to find some help.
Tom would be really sorry afterwards. He'd put a rose on my pillow, as if that made everything alright.
He'd cry and say he'd never do it again. But he never recognised it as domestic abuse.
There was a lot of verbal abuse, too. He'd put me down constantly, which made me lose my confidence and self-esteem .
Anything could set him off. If someone said something he didn't like, he didn't have it out with them. I'd bear the brunt of it later.
It could be anything simple like the children making noise or leaving toys in the lounge.
I would have to be forceful with the children, making sure they went to bed early. It wasn't as if they'd done anything wrong - I just wanted to get them out of the way so they didn't get a beating. Steven was a particular target.
Over the years, the children came to resent all the restrictions I placed on them. They couldn't bring friends back to the house because they didn't want their friends to see what was going on.
Tom didn't like having people over so he'd upset them deliberately to ensure they didn't come back again.
But if they were his friends, he'd be Mr Nice Guy. They all thought he was wonderful.
I spent the whole time living in fear. I would have to reconcile the children at the end of the night. Sometimes we'd be up until 2am.
Eventually I couldn't keep it a secret any longer. I spoke to someone at my church. She was so worried that she told the minister.
I'd let the cat out of the bag. He was very supportive and told me I needed to leave my marriage because it was destroying my family. To hear a minister say that made me realise it must be bad.
Then, one evening, my brother-in-law said: 'Tom's a good bloke, he's always looked after you all.' Something inside me snapped. "You have no idea what he's doing to us," I replied.
When I told him what had been going on, he was shocked and said he'd do anything he could to support us.
My friend also said we could go and stay with her, so I went home and got the children ready.
When Tom got home at 11pm, the children were perched on the edge of their beds, clutching carrier bags containing all their clothes.
I told Tom one of us needed to leave. He said he wasn't going anywhere.
So I collected the children. He tried to stop us going, blocking the doorway, but we managed to force our way through.
We stayed with my friend for a few days until Tom moved out and we went back home.
I think he realised he could be in serious trouble with the police so he didn't attempt to come back.
I didn't go to the police as I didn't feel I could cope with it. The police are much better at dealing with domestic violence now than they were back then.
Back home, I felt so alone.The children were scared about what was going to happen. Alex missed his dad, despite the trouble, because he was only four.
It was difficult. I was struggling financially.
But there was a great sense of relief for the children to come in from school and not have to worry about playing, or making a noise.
They could have their friends round and we could start to live our lives again.
The children are grown up now. I'm so glad I left when I did.
All the names of the family have been changed to protect their identities.
zoe.chamberlain @trinitymirror.com YOUR STORIES OF COURAGE...
* Have YOU got a story you would like to share? Contact the Sunday Mercury Newsdesk on 0121 234 5567, or write to: Newsdesk, Sunday Mercury, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FF, or e-mail sundaymercury@sunday mercury.net
CAPTION(S):
HELPLESS: Abusers bully and control their victims so they cannot tell anyone what is going on.
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BEST SHOCKER.(Features)
[Wales On Sunday (Cardiff, Wales)]
Wales On Sunday (Cardiff, Wales)
February 12, 2012
America's Serial Killer: True Stories (Channel 4, tomorrow, 10pm) * Our cousins across the pond have been through the mill when it comes to shocking crimes and needless killings; so much so, the attitude almost seems to be 'another day, another death'. One of the worst serial killings has happened over the last couple of years, as police found 11 bodies dumped on an isolated road in Long Island, New York. Four of the dead were sex workers who had taken to advertising their services online amid a rapidly growing internet sex trade. Shannan Gilbert was one of the girls found, and her fate proved to be one the biggest mysteries of this crime - and police insisted that her death was not actually linked to the serial killer. This documentary uncovers the shocking story of five girls who each got involved in this extremely dangerous form of prostitution. The killer is still at large, which sparks concerns about safety if clients are allowed to search for sex workers anonymously on the internet. But police cannot ignore the possibility that he may have claimed more lives and will do so again and again.
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Europe's Internet revolt: protesters see threats in antipiracy treaty.(World)
[The Christian Science Monitor]
The Christian Science Monitor
February 11, 2012 | Walsh, Jason
Byline: Jason Walsh
Despite freezing conditions across much of the Continent, thousands are expected to the streets of European cities today - but the protests aren't about austerity measures, bailouts, or the Middle East. They are about an obscure international copyright agreement that protesters say threatens free speech online and the future of the Internet.
ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, follows the now-delayed US legislation Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA). Proponents say the agreement will protect the economic value of intellectual and artistic labor and create a framework to enforce existing laws. Opponents counter that it forces Internet service providers (ISPs) to police users, threatening individual freedom.
Confusion reigns: previous drafts of ACTA would have required ISPs to disconnect users who repeatedly downloaded copyrighted material without permission, but the most recent versions leave the question of ISPs' legal liability to the participating countries. Other controversial measures, such as searches for counterfeit goods at border crossings, which many feared would apply to the contents of laptops and MP3 players, are restricted to commercial goods shipping. (To read the document, click here.)
The European Commission and US Trade Representative have both issued "myth-busting" documents attempting to allay the worst fears.
Despite this and changes to the text, ACTA remains a heated point of contention.
Sebastian Meyer, attorney with law firm Brandi in Bielefeld, Germany, says the entire affair would have benefited from greater transparency.
"I find it quite interesting that most persons who protest against ACTA focus on the way the text was negotiated. The other major issue seems [to be] - from the perspective of the protesting persons - the fear of a tighter surveillance of Internet usage. However, protesters have to accept that the Internet is neither a legal vacuum nor unlegislated area," he says.
Some nations pull back
Twenty-two EU member states endorsed to the agreement last month, aiming to strengthen enforcement of intellectual property rights. Yesterday, Germany joined Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Latvia in pulling back from the agreement, and an EU parliament vote on it, not expected until May at the earliest, may scupper the deal.
Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the US signed in October 2011.
Protests have been as much virtual as in the flesh. An online petition calling for the rejection of ACTA has been signed by more than 1.75 million people. Hackers have also targeted websites supporting the agreement.
Industry bodies are concerned about ACTA's scope. "It would be a sad day for the European Internet industry if the [EU] parliament rushed on this," says Andrea D'Incecco, public affairs manager for EuroISPA, a group representing European Internet service providers.
Mr. D'Incecco says ACTA would change European law, which currently requires a court order to be served on ISPs before they take action against unlawful online material. He also says the "secrecy" of the negotiations, initiated by the European Commission but until recently excluding the EU parliament, is a problem.
EuroISPA is in favor of combating infringement, but any strengthening of existing law requires "a proper democratic mandate determined by all of the EU institutions," he adds."We didn't have any real discussion in parliament until now, despite this treaty dating back five years."
A spokesperson for Marc Vanheukelen, EU trade commissioner, said ACTA was negotiated by the commission and member states, and public debate is not being ignored. "We welcome an open debate on it but, of course, we welcome a debate based on facts. There are a lot fears and myths around."
Joe McNamee of the European Digital Rights (EDRI) lobby says ACTA's marriage of counterfeiting and unauthorized copying conflates two different problems and risks trivializing the issue of counterfeit medications, which can be damaging to health.
"Either you're saying [illegally] downloading a Madonna song is as serious as a distributing life-threatening counterfeit drugs, or you're saying distributing life-threatening counterfeit drugs is as serious as a downloaded Madonna song."
Not just about millionaire performers
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Recording Industry Association of America's support for ACTA has made the treaty a lightning rod for activists. They have poured scorn on multi-millionaire performers and executives complaining about profit losses from downloads, but the difficulties faced in earning a living reach down to young artists on the rise and the professionals and technicians involved in getting a recording made.
Andrew Keen, author of the forthcoming book Digital Vertigo, says simplistic views are all too common.
"The opposition to measures like this is supported and funded by companies for whom it's not in their interest," he says. "They've successfully built up this idea of a struggle between good and evil, with the media companies playing the evil role. In fact there are legitimate interests on both sides."
A London band weighs in
Up-and-coming London-based rock band "The Cast of Cheers" recently signed to a label owned by Universal Music Group. Unlike the band's first album, which was given away free online, the next recording will be a commercial release.
Guitarist Neil Adams says making money is a real problem for musicians, but thinks education is a better strategy than law. "People don't realize the work that goes into it [creating a record], or how much the band pays" for production, he says.
"You don't get the same results working on your own. There is skill and labor involved. On this next record, we recorded with [producer] Luke Smith. It wouldn't be the record it is without working with him and others [and] they [the record company] have PR and marketing people getting our name out and getting our music into the hands of [radio] DJs. We couldn't do that on our own."
Daniel Mullensiefen, psychology lecturer at the University of London, was formerly a consultant with the German music industry. He says the file-sharing genie cannot be put back in the bottle.
"Buying physical records, I think that time is over. It will become a niche market, like vinyl is now. The music industry isn't even seriously trying to fight that anymore. What's going on now is more driven by the film industry," he says.
Politicians backtrack
ACTA has become the latest salvo in an online culture war, and previously supportive politicians have started backtracking in the face of growing anger.
Michal Boni, Poland's digitization minister, said his country may refuse to ratify the deal, while Slovenia's ambassador to Japan, Helena Drnovsek Zorko, has apologized for signing, saying ACTA "limits and withholds the freedom of engagement on the largest and most significant network in human history."
In a surprising twist, a group of Polish lawmakers opposed to ACTA hid behind Guy Fawkes masks associated with the "Anonymous" hacker collective during a parliamentary session.
Kader Arif, a French member of the EU Parliament and its lead negotiator on ACTA, quit the position in protest on Jan. 26.
"To be honest, I do not believe ACTA will bring major improvements with regards to this legitimate cause. First of all, the EU is already well-armed against counterfeiting, [and] the main challenge for [digital] industries is to get their rights better protected abroad, and here the sole fact that neither China nor India are signatories of ACTA leaves quite some doubts on the efficiency of the agreement," he wrote in an e-mail.
Mr. Arif also raised concern about generic medicine.
"Because ACTA is about [intellectual property] infringement in general, generic drugs will be treated under the agreement in the same way as counterfeit drugs, although the two things are completely different. [Counterfeits] poses a real threat to public health, while [generics are] a living necessity for millions of people in developing countries," he said.
It comes down to jobs
The real battle, one that will continue with or without ACTA, is economic. Both sides remain resolute and claim their strategy is the one that creates jobs. Speaking in October, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said ACTA was "essential to American jobs in innovative and creative industries."
Howard Gantman, spokesperson for the MPAA, says in the US alone, 2.2 million people rely on the film and television industries for their livelihoods.
"The average pay is about $55,000. This is not about stars on the red carpet," he says, adding, "In free [no-cost] marketplaces, there are things that aren't free. You're being mined for data [for targeted advertising] or, in some cases, opening yourself up to malware. You might get the material for no cost, but it's never free."
Critics remain unconvinced, saying the Internet creates new opportunities and industries: "Any rational person will say the economy needs an open Internet," says Mr. McNamee, of the EDRI lobby group.
Walsh, Jason
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Ministerial visit in support of bid for better broadband.
[The News (Portsmouth, England)]
The News (Portsmouth, England)
February 11, 2012
Ripon MP Julian Smith has urged the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Caroline Spelman to back the county's bid to be a Rural Growth Network pilot.
The Secretary of State was invited by Mr Smth to see the progress being made on broadband and launch the Go On North Yorkshire campaign.
During the visit to the Oakwood Business Centre in Bishop Thornton, Caroline Spelman was also asked to back the Rural Growth Network pilot proposed by the North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
The aim of the bid, which is being led by North Yorkshire Country Council working with a range of partners including NYNet its broadband company, is to connect businesses in rural communities across North Yorkshire, give them superfast broadband, access to business support and promote a culture of enterprise.
"On her visit, the Secretary of State spoke about the importance of making sure rural businesses have the best possible support and the same opportunities as firms in urban areas," said Mr Smith.
"That is why I am encouraging her to back North Yorkshire's bid to have a Rural Growth Network in the county.
" I believe it would help stimulate growth and encourage more businesses to set-up and move to this part of the country."
Caroline Spelman said: "Getting superfast broadband to rural areas in North Yorkshire will make a vast difference to local people and businesses and how they communicate with the online world.
"The business centre in Bishop Thornton is a perfect example of how access to broadband can transform Yorkshire businesses.
"We're investing [pounds sterling]165m to unlock the economic potential of rural areas -- and devoting [pounds sterling]20m to get broadband to the remotest areas."
Barry Dodd, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership said: "Businesses consistently tell us access to broadband is one of the major barriers to growth. That is why the Local Enterprise Partnership is working with this programme to make the most of the business benefits. This type of good quality internet access is also central to our bid to Government for a Rural Growth Network."
County councillor John Weighell, North Yorkshire's leader said: "We are the largest rural county in the country but we are determined through these campaigns to place ourselves at the forefront of rural enterprise."
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Web firm helps sailing club.
[Belper News (Belper, England)]
Belper News (Belper, England)
February 11, 2012
A BELPER-based website development company has just helped a sailing club navigate its way around the internet.
Great Business Websites has helped launch Carsington Sailing Club's new website -- www.carsingtonsailingclub.co.uk.
Paul Hickman, managing director of the website firm, which is based on Nailers Way, said: "The club has a lot of exciting activities coming up this year for people of all ages and capabilities and the new website makes it easy to see what the sailing club has to offer.
"Take a look at the website for yourself to see.
"It is the result of six months of collaborative work with the very committed web team from the club and Great Business Websites."
l Let us know about your business stories.
If you are creating new jobs or expanding your firm in the Belper area, then get in touch. Contact us by email at editor@belpernews.co.uk.
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