Capel C.S Ltd are pleased to announce the initiation of their works with long-term client Romulus at Wimbledon’s Centre Court Shopping Centre, recently acquired by the client.
After completing the acquisition in 2021, West London investor and developer Romulus began to
introduce their plans to for the future of Centre Court. They instructed the construction contractors
earlier this year for works on the new retractable roof for the new courtyard space and to strip out the redundant retail units.
A Dynamic Community Centre
Centre Court, located adjacent to Wimbledon station, opened its doors in 1992 and is currently home to over 50 brands including a restaurant & coffee shop. Romulus plans to reinvigorate the shopping centre and are committed to transforming it in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way so that the Centre will be a lively,
dynamic space for the entire community.
Sustainable & Aesthetic Transformations
Capel C.S have begun works for the demolition and strengthening works to accommodate the installation of a new sliding roof which will be placed over the centre’s new courtyard atrium. The roof will be retracted on sunny days to allow an open-air space and let natural light in. This will enable less artificial light and energy to be used, as well as make the courtyard an attractive & modern meeting point.
“We are excited to be working on this great project with Romulus. Centre Court will look amazing and provide an even better space for visitors. The centre will be great for all locals and businesses for leisure, eating, working, exercising, and more.” says Project Manager at Capel C.S Ltd, Pat Flanagan.
Romulus also have plans to make improvements to the existing entrance on Queens Road by building another pedestrian entranceway that will feel more “green” and welcoming. A new art installation has been brought in to brighten up the main Broadway entrance and features suspended umbrellas.
Capel were also contracted to work on all the currently redundant retail units by stripping them out to their shell & core. New uses, shops and restaurants will also breathe new life into the centre.
Romulus are focusing on transforming the centre
not only for leisure visitors but also for local
businesses & start-ups as they also plan to
implement a Huddle site to the centre – a flexible
workspace where joining members can obtain
affordable access and use for work.
The developer is committed to being a
compassionate community partner in Wimbledon by supporting local businesses and residents with a range of environmentally friendly and sustainable initiatives at Centre Court that will protect and enhance the area for years to come.
An on-site urban farm will be introduced and used to cultivate mushrooms from restaurants’ coffee wastage, and wooden beehives will be installed on the roof with feeders to help maintain healthy bee populations and support biodiversity.
Thank you to the team at Romulus for trusting us with this project and for their
For any enquiries, please contact Hortence at firstname.lastname@example.org
Photo copyright: Romulus Construction Ltd, Fletcher Priest Architects


This is the time of year when many families make the decision to go on vacation. And with vacation comes the vacation photos, which usually get shared on social networking sites like Facebook. But a new and sinister phenomenon seems to be occurring, according to recent news: the fake Facebook vacation scam. This scam takes advantage of the fact that almost 1/3 of consumers post their vacation details on social media. Hackers hijack an email account or use a phone number to contact family members of those on vacation and request monetary help for a so-called ‘vacation emergency’.
This scam targets more vulnerable elderly family members, and has resulted in an average $1,551 being lost every time money is sent. http://www.internet-serviceproviders.com/anti-virus references reports from Avast Antivirus users, who have experienced this scam. Experts recommend not posting any vacation photos or information on any social media accounts until your family has returned home safe and sound. This is the best way to protect both your home from being potentially burglarized, and your family from becoming the victims of this latest extortion attempt. In addition, you may also want to take a closer look at the privacy settings of your social media accounts to ensure that only those you know see what you post.


The 6th Annual Special Olympics Illinois Inspire Greatness Gala was held this past weekend at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. This extraordinary event was the biggest gala to date in Illinois in terms of attendance. MAKE was honored to be a Vice-Chair for the event and enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with the inspirational athletes that brought us all together, their families, and our special guests from Healthcare Service Corporation.
Karen Atwood, President of Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois, was the chair at this year’s event. In addition to her extensive role at BCBS, she took the time to lead us in paying tribute to Special Olympics. We’d like to give a special thank you to Karen for taking the time to MAKE the difference and to Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL for playing such a major role in the Special Olympics movement.


FORTISTAR and Paloma Dairy Begin Construction on a Renewable Natural Gas Facility that Will Power Enough Trucks to Move 10 million Miles of Freight
Fortistar and Paloma Dairy today announced the beginning of construction on a dairy digester renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, the Sunoma Renewable Biofuel Project. The new facility will produce 1.6 million gasoline gallon equivalents (GGE) of vehicle fuel annually for the Class 8 trucking sector—enough fuel to move 10 million miles of freight.
In addition to the significant community environmental benefits and savings for the fleets that use the fuel, the project will boost the local economy with 50 construction jobs and 6 permanent positions in Gila Bend, Arizona. This project continues an aggressive renewable fuels growth strategy at Fortistar aimed at helping businesses and public agencies dramatically reduce their GHG emissions with a solution that also saves them money. TruStar Energy, a Fortistar portfolio company and leading developer of RNG fueling stations, will market and deliver the fuel.
“This one project will help provide solutions for two important American industries. We are using our expertise to create new economic streams for dairies, while capturing methane and repurposing it to decarbonize the transportation sector,” said Mark Comora, President of Fortistar. “We are excited about partnering with the Van Hofwegen family on the Sunoma Renewable Biofuel Project to create the lowest carbon transportation fuel on the market.”
“The decision was easy,” remarked Robert Van Hofwegen Sr., patriarch of the Paloma Dairy family business. “We saw a great environmental and economic opportunity in the management of our manure and emissions. The key was finding a partner that could execute and unlock the potential value. We believe we found that partner with Fortistar and we look forward to working with them on this most exciting project.”
Paloma Dairy is owned by the Van Hofwegen family, a fourth-generation dairy farm family in Gila Bend, AZ. The farm relies on the latest radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology that helps to provide its distinctive black and white Holstein cows with individualized care and provisions. Paloma Dairy keeps track of the entire health record of each cow via its signature RFID technology, which also allows employees to check on the health of each cow daily. In addition to the care of over 10,000 animals, the farm produces cow feed via alfalfa, corn silage, wheat and barley across 7,000 acres of farmland.
Montrose Water and Sustainability Services, a division of Montrose Environmental Group, completed design and engineering for the project as well as equipment procurement. Montrose’s subject matter experts will provide construction oversight, along with startup and commissioning support for the project. Industrial Services Company (ISC) will lead the building of the system.
Strengthening their position in the RNG industry, the Montrose team is excited to partner with Fortistar, the Van Hofwegen Family, and ISC to bring to market an industry-leading anaerobic digestion project that will offer long-term sustainable benefits to the farm and local community. The project will be interconnected with Southwest Gas Company who will also purchase the gas. Financing was provided by Live Oak Bank.
The Sunoma Renewable Biofuels Project is the third of 12 new Fortistar RNG projects totaling nearly $500 million in capital that Fortistar expects to begin over the next year. These new projects will help produce 120 million GGE of RNG over the next three years and reduce U.S. transportation emissions by 2 million metric tons of CO2 annually, which is the equivalent of taking approximately 424,628 passenger cars off the road.
Founded in 1993, Fortistar is a privately-owned investment firm that provides capital to build, grow and manage companies that address complex sustainability challenges. Fortistar utilizes its capital, flexibility and operating expertise to grow high-performing assets, first in independent power projects and now into other areas that support decarbonization. As a team, Fortistar has led financings raising over $3.5 billion in capital for companies and projects in the energy, transportation and industrial sectors. For more information about Fortistar or its portfolio companies, please visit: www.fortistar.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.
Media Contact: Caleigh Bourgeois (513) 675-7466 [email protected]


Rwanda Cancer Center (RCC)
Firmly committed to the fight against cancer, the Rwandan Government’s project to finance a modern radiotherapy centre dates from 2016. Built and inaugurated by our company in early 2019, the Rwanda Cancer Centre is located within the Kanombe Military Hospital in the province of Kigali, which already had advanced cancer treatment facilities, as well as the skills and resources necessary to manage this new radiotherapy centre.
Inauguration of the Kigali Cancer Centre
GETTING TO THE RCC


ENCORE SIGNING EVENT
Encore was happy to celebrate NLI Signing Night for our Encore 18 Goldhahn student-athletes on November 11th.
Maggie Curtis committing to Santa Clara University, Soana Leaea committing to University California, Irvine, Sara Krueger committing to Westmont College and Kirra Kellerman, Kelly Schackel and Peyton Dueck all committing to California Polytechnic State University.
We are proud of these young women committing to play at the next level!
DENISE CORLETT AS RECRUITING DIRECTOR
Denise Corlett, one of the most respected coaches in the collegiate game, is joining Encore in a leadership role this season as the Recruiting Director. Corlett spent 31 years on the Stanford sidelines, winning 9 National Titles plus 3 years on the Stanford Beach staff. Beyond her honorable contributions to the collegiate game, Denise has a wealth of experience with USAV, working for the National Team in various roles: coaching for the Pan Am Games, Junior World Championships, Junior National Team, and USA A2 Team. She was involved in the 80's and 90's with SCVA and NCVA, currently serves on a number of advisory boards for both club and college alike, and also currently serves as an executive board member at the JVRA. . Corlett has been inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame as well as the Southern California Indoor Hall of Fame. This year, Denise is being inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame. A 3-sport student-athlete at UCLA, Corlett has been a part of success on the court, on the coaching sidelines, and once again in the club arena. Encore is privileged to have her coach, educate, and direct our young athletes on success and playing at the next level.
STRATEGIC NEW LEAGUE ANNOUNCEMENT
Prior to the 2020-21 season Encore announced that they joined a brand new Northern California Power League! The change reflects Encore's focus on our student-athletes by committing to making the changes and improvements necessary for the betterment of their Encore student-athlete journey.
The new power league is called the West Coast Volleyball Association (WCVBA). This new league was formed by a collaboration of clubs in the Northern California and Northern Nevada areas. Most, if not all, of the clubs are also members of the NCVA Region of USA Volleyball, and many are affiliated with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
We believe this league will bring a competitive edge, better preparing us for qualifiers and post-season tournaments. It will also deliver consistency, as we have the schedule and locations set for the entire upcoming season. The league is dedicated to putting the volleyball community first and ultimately bringing positive change for all athletes and families.
Encore is excited to be a part of the change!


Th 4, 16 thg 3|
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Southeast Asia Development Symposium 2022
Time & Location
08:30 GMT+7, 16 thg 3, 2022 – 17:00 GMT+7, 17 thg 3, 2022
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will hold the Southeast Asia Development Symposium (SEADS) 2022—Sustainable Solutions for Southeast Asia’s Recovery, on 16-17 March.
As countries in Southeast Asia continue to grapple with the severe economic, health, and social impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, SEADS 2022 gathers a power-packed lineup of thought leaders, decision makers, and insight influencers to discuss new insights, innovative solutions and policy responses that can help Southeast Asian nations “build back better” and rebound from the pandemic.
To be held virtually, SEADS 2022 aims to help countries find novel ways to address debilitating supply chain bottlenecks; rejuvenate the region’s once-flourishing tourism industry; and advance digital transformation.
It will also examine new opportunities that can take the region beyond business as usual by helping countries enhance domestic resource mobilization, find green and environmentally sustainable pathways, expand inclusivity for the poor and other vulnerable groups, and promote equality and greater opportunities for women.
The event features high-level plenary, panel discussions, and workshops that open to the media and the public.
Confirmed speakers include:
• Masatsugu Asakawa, President, Asian Development Bank
• Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office; Second Minister for Finance; Second Minister for National Development, Singapore
• Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Secretary of Tourism, Philippines
• Benjamin Diokno, Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
• Sofia Sineiro, Secretary General, CARE International
• Hooi Ling Tan, Co-Founder, Grab
• Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer, Google
• Shamina Singh, Executive Vice-President for Sustainability, Mastercard; Founder and President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
• Liz Ortiguera, CEO, Pacific-Asia Travel Association (PATA)
• Caecilia Chu, Co-Founder and CEO, YouTrip
• Lauren Sorkin, Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network
More big names will be announced soon.
The first day of SEADS 2022 will feature an open morning plenary with (i) keynote addresses from the ADB President, and other esteemed government and industry leaders; (ii) a special high-level panel discussion focused on “Building Back Better through Inclusive Solutions”; and (iii) the launch of a new ADB report, Southeast Asia: Rising from the Pandemic. The first day’s afternoon agenda will feature six sessions reflecting SEADS 2022 priority topics on green recovery; tourism revitalization; the advancement of innovation and technology; addressing supply chain constraints; advancing gender equality; and ensuring Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) financing.
The second morning of SEADS 2022 will focus on “Revitalizing Tourism and Ensuring Cities’ Sustainable Future.” It will feature thought-provoking keynote speakers and two special plenary sessions on (i) “Driving an Inclusive Tourism Recovery in Southeast Asia” and (ii) “the Future of Sustainable Cites: Mayors’ Perspective.” The final afternoon of SEADS 2022 will feature (i) COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Challenges Update; (ii) partner deep-dive workshops; and (iii) an invitation-only Southeast Asia Policy Roundtable for government leaders in Southeast Asia to share and discuss policy responses for post-COVID-19 recovery.
For more details, visit the SEADS 2022 Page: https://seads.adb.org/symposium/2022


At the SPS IPC Drives show in Nuremberg from November 26 – 28, 2019, BiSS Association e.V. will present the latest news about BiSS interface including innovations and applications with the safety certified BiSS Safety protocol and the One Cable Technology BiSS Line.
Please visit us in hall 4A-221 and get informed about the activities of the BiSS Association e.V.
We are looking forward to your visit.
BiSS Association e.V.
Dr. Heiner Flocke


Save the Date – December 3rd, 2019
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. It is celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
APL Foundation will be raising money this year to support Music Programs at the Albany Public Library.
From African drumming classes to the Silent Film Spectacular to the Garden Series, Albany Public Library presents dozens of musical programs free to the public each year.
APL Foundation aims to raise $1000 on Tuesday December 3rd in support of music programs at APL.
These funds will be restricted for the use of music programs, and will be used both to launch new music programs and to support existing and planned music programs with expanded artist fees.
Make a donation online or at any Albany Public Library branch.
Our Giving Tuesday button will go live November 29th.


It’s easy to understand why gadget fans were interested in the Yotaphone 2: it’s an Android smartphone with a regular touchscreen on the front and an e-ink display that can display widgets or function as a power-saving regular screen on the back. When the company behind the phone announced in May that a U.S. version compatible with our LTE networks here in the US would become available, lots of people stepped up to place orders, including reader Steve.
The company used Indiegogo for the pre-order process, and took in almost $300,000. The first 100 backers could reserve a phone for $500 each, and they cost $525 each after that. They would be unlocked GSM phones which would work with T-Mobile or AT&T or compatible MVNOs on their networks, such as Ting or StraightTalk. Most importantly, unlike the phone’s international versions, it would be compatible with LTE networks in the United States. The phones were supposed to ship next month…and then the company dropped the bad news.
It’s important to note here that even though this was a crowdfunded pre-order process, the campaign was no sketchy crowdscam. Yota Devices is a fully-grown company that sells actual devices in other countries, and the YotaPhone 2 has been on the market elsewhere since May of this year. There were rumors that the company would be selling their phone through T-Mobile.
They sent this update to backers:
The reason for our cancelled launch is due to unforeseen delays including both production and delivery of the North American variant of YotaPhone 2 from our manufacturer. This despite spending months finalizing and securing the deal to bring to life the North American variant of YotaPhone 2, and when we launched this campaign we were confident our supplier would be able to follow through with their commitment. This was a shock to everyone at Yota Devices, and our leadership team, including our CEO, met with the manufacturer last week in a last-ditch effort to find a solution but the logistics were insurmountable and the device would simply arrive too late. In turn, we believe that the likelihood of a severe delay in these shipments would have created a conflict with our international road map for 2016, leaving Indiegogo supporters behind when customers in other regions will be offered a newer, cheaper and better YotaPhone.
A later update to the IndieGoGo page gave users two options: to have the international phone shipped to them instead: it’s the same device, but not compatible with the LTE that we use in this country. While this is the most professionally-handled crowdfunding failure that we’ve ever seen, reader Steve, who let us know about this, pointed out one problem: they’re issuing refunds for customers who want them through Square Cash, a service that needs to be tied to a debit card to work. What if, like Steve, you don’t have a debit card?
Steve made his pre-order pledge more than two months ago, so disputing the charge on his credit card is out of the question. He’s asked the company whether customers who don’t want to use Square have an alternative option, and we’ve contacted them too. We’ll update this post if we hear anything.
YotaPhone 2 won’t be coming to the US [The Verge]
by Laura Northrup via Consumerist


David Wheeler Discusses Cyber Security as a Board-Level Issue in NAREIM’s Viewpoints
David Wheeler discussed cyber security issues in the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers (NAREIM) Legal & Compliance 2015 Report: The Rules are Changing, which was published in early January of this year. Click here for the full article.
In the piece, he explained that any inquiry by the SEC would look for proof of precautions handled well in advance of a breach.
“It’s no longer an IT guy’s problem. This is a board-level issue,” said David, who is also a member of the ABA’s Cyber Security Task Force.
The piece included highlights from David’s role as a panelist on the Cyber Security & Compliance panel at the NAREIM 2015 Legal & Compliance Council Meeting in Boston in November. The program centered on the changing rules of real estate and covered the evolving economy, SEC War Stories, Investor Reporting & Communications, Board Level Awareness and Compliance with Cyber Security, and Structuring for Different Capital Sources.


New Zealand-based solar developer and power producer, Lodestone Energy, has successfully launched the country's inaugural utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) park, the Kaitaia solar farm, located in the North Island. Lodestone Energy announced the milestone on Friday, emphasizing that the 39.4-MW facility represents New Zealand's first solar farm to participate in the electricity market.
With over 61,000 PV panels, the Kaitaia solar farm is anticipated to generate 55 GWh of electricity annually, catering to both residential and commercial energy consumers. Notably, this project integrates power production with agricultural activities, marking a novel approach to land utilization.
Gary Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone Energy, remarked, “This project ushers in a new era for energy in New Zealand. Kaitaia is the first solar farm at this scale and is a key step in helping New Zealand deliver on its climate goals.”
Initiating construction earlier this year, the Kaitaia solar farm is part of Lodestone Energy's broader solar power installation program. The company foresees the commissioning of two additional solar farms at the beginning and end of 2024, respectively, contributing to New Zealand's renewable energy landscape.


KMG's employees receive state awards
A number of KMG's employees were honoured with state and industry awards at a ceremony dedicated to Republic of Kazakhstan Day, which was celebrated on 22 October in KMG's office in Astana.
Magzum Mirzagaliyev, Chairman of KMG's Management Board, congratulated the employees on the occasion, recalling that the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic approved on 25 October 1990 was the legal beginning of Kazakhstan's movement towards true independence.
“Every citizen of the country has made a contribution to Kazakhstan's achievements during the years of independence. The country's economy has grown rapidly, largely thanks to its workers. It was their work that contributed to building a strong state. Patriotism is service for the benefit of your country, and oilmen are true patriots, for they work selflessly in any weather, whether it is cold or hot!” Mr. Mirzagaliyev said in his welcoming speech.
He stressed that the year was full of memorable events - Embamunaigas, the oldest company in the country's oil industry, celebrated its 100th anniversary and KazMunayGas celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The Head of KMG awarded Medals for Meritorious Service to Seytkassym Ospanov (Mechanic at Kaztransoil), Rakhimzhan Zhangabylov (Chief Engineer of Atyrau Refinery), Nagima Madibekova (KMG's Chief Specialist) and Bolat Begzhanov (Director of Ozenmunaigas Vehicle Department).
The winners of the Annual Best in Occupation Contest among KazMunayGas Group, the final round of which took place in Kyzylorda on 3-6 October 2022, were awarded Yzdik Maman medals. Other distinguished workers were awarded certificates of merit.
During the Republic Day celebrations, the staff were shown a video about the Best in Occupation Contest, and a concert featuring professional singers and dancers.


“A global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.”
In an attempt to make connection possible for the entire globe, we’ve seen a number of fascinating new projects pop up aiming to use ‘constellations’ of satellites to bring the internet to every human on the planet.
Namely, OneWeb, purchased by the UK Government, and StarLink from Elon Musk’s SpaceX. It is launched in 25 countries around the world that have been presumed the Future of the Internet.
Future of the StarLink:
“Star link is a satellite Internet constellation operated by SpaceX providing satellite Internet access coverage to most of the Earth”
1. Applications: Internet service
2. Manufacturer: SpaceX
3. Equipment: Ku-, Ka-, and E-band phased array antennas; Laser transponders (some units); Hall-effect thrusters
4. Launch mass: v 0.9: 227 kg (500 lb); v 1.0: 260 kg (570 lb)Starlink, SpaceX’s internet connectivity constellation, is getting a speed boost. … SpaceX’s emerging constellation of satellites has expanded since its first launch in 2019 to 1,871 satellites in orbit, the largest constellation in orbit.
WHO OWNS STARLINK?
Elon Musk’s SpaceX gave an update on its Starlink internet service, as the company launched more satellites into orbit. SpaceX engineer Jessie Anderson said during a webcast of the company’s first launch of the year that Starlink now has more than 145,000 users in 25 countries around the world.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Constellations, of course, are groups of stars (in this analogy: satellites) that, when plotted on a map and joined with lines (data connections), form a recognizable shape or image (web of connectivity). Since they’re interconnected ‘constellations’, these satellites will seamlessly handoff data to each other.
From a consumer perspective, the experience is likely to be similar to setting up old satellite TV, or something like setting up a 4G broadband connection with an antenna or 4G router.
The difference is that, given the low orbit altitude of these satellites (planned at 160- 2000km above the Earth’s surface), they will not be geostationary and, instead, will orbit the earth approximately every 90-120 minutes.
Therefore no single satellite, or group of satellites, will be able to provide a single location with constant connectivity.
To overcome this problem, a network of hundreds, or even thousands, of satellites, seamlessly beaming data between them.
PURPOSE OF STARLINK:
By being closer to our planet and networking together, Starlink’s satellites are meant to carry a large amount of information rapidly to any point on earth, even over the oceans and in extremely hard-to-reach places where fiber-optic cables would be expensive to lay down.
Using advanced satellites in a low orbit, Starlink enables video calls, online gaming, streaming and other high data rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite Internet users can expect to see download speeds between 100mb/s and 200mb/s and latency as low as 20 meters per second in most locations.
BENEFITS OF SPACEX STARLINK:
Starlink also has an advantage with its altitude, orbiting at roughly 750 miles (1200 kilometers), much closer to earth than GPS in medium earth orbit.
SpaceX Starlink premium customers can get:
- Better performance in extreme weather conditions
- Priority support, 24 hours a day and seven days a week
- The bandwidth available for critical service, even when the network is under heavy use
- Double the antenna capacity of the standard Starlink dish.
- The Premium tier comes with a new, squircle-shaped dish as opposed to the
standard circular design.
SPACEX STARLINK PRICE:
Starlink Premium costs $500 per month. The initial hardware is priced at $2,500 plus shipping and fees. Users are expected to place a $500 deposit to reserve their order.
The new tier is exceptionally more expensive than standard Starlink orders. The company normally charges $99 per month for the service, $499 for the mandatory initial hardware, and a $99 deposit.
SPACEX STARLINK SPEED:
This is the million-dollar question, of course. Internet providers are continually competing to offer faster and more reliable connections to their customers, so LOE satellite internet has to offer competitive speeds if it’s to be economically viable.
The Starlink website promises speeds between 50 and 150Mbps at present, with impressive latency of between 20-40ms, depending on where you’re connecting from. This is in line with median connectivity speeds but certainly leaves room for improvement. As technology develops, it’s expected that this will continue to rise.
WILL STARLINK WORK ON MOBILE?
Starlink is currently designed to be a non-mobile internet provider. Its satellite dishes are meant to be stationary and provide internet for homes and businesses. This does mean that you can connect to your Starlink network using your cell phone, but only via wifi and within proximity to your router.
WHERE WILL STARLINK OPERATE?
OneWeb and Project Kuiper are still in their infancy, so it’s mere speculation at this point with those – but the idea seems to be that these constellations will seek to serve the entire world. Whether you’re in a remote rural village, a high-density city, or even the middle of the ocean – you should be able to find a satellite from which you can access the internet.
This will be a big deal for planes, boats, and other remote transportation – but it could also radically transform traditional household internet if it delivers a better experience cheaply and efficiently.
Starlink is currently in Beta and there are already users around the globe using the service functionally. Though it is expensive in comparison to other services, those in remote regions who have typically had frustrating experiences with the internet might be willing to pay the premium. In fact, remote regions are perhaps most optimally placed to benefit from this service since a clear view of the night sky is the only prerequisite.
SPACEX STARLINK LATENCY:
SpaceX’s marketing literature suggests there is no difference in latency between the two tiers of service.
Latency measures the response time in milliseconds. That’s important for applications that require lightning-fast responses, like video calls or computer games. In these instances, a slower response time will make the application feel slow, even if the data itself transfers at a fast enough speed.
For the standard Starlink tier, users can expect latencies “as low as 20 [milliseconds] in most locations.” For Starlink Premium, users can expect a latency of 20 to 40 milliseconds.
Speed test data shows the median fixed broadband latency in the United States is around 14 milliseconds. Mobile latencies ranked at around 33 milliseconds.
SPACEX STARLINK RELEASED DATE:
Starlink satellite Internet is currently available in parts of the US and Canada to people who live between 44 and 53 degrees latitude Starlink plans to be available worldwide by the end of 2022.
SpaceX expects to start shipping Starlink Premium in the second quarter of 2022.
IS STARLINK FASTER THAN 5G And FIBER?
Fiber’s latency speed is around 17ms—slightly faster than that of cable internet, which is usually around 20-30ms. The current latency for Starlink compared to fiber is higher, however, Starlink latency is expected to be below 20 milliseconds (ms) in the future, and eventually reach under 10ms.
-Satellite internet’s greatest strength is its reach, not its speed, but the speeds from Starlink are still respectable and still a little better than 5G is currently. Though Starlink is slightly faster than 5G (though still comparable), it seems 5G may hold greater potential for speed in the long run.
OK, start at the beginning: What is Starlink, exactly?
Technically a division within SpaceX, Starlink is also the name of the spaceflight company’s growing network — or “constellation” — of orbital satellites. The development of that network began in 2015, with the first prototype satellites launched into orbit in 2018.
In the years since, SpaceX has deployed nearly 2,000 Starlink satellites into orbit across dozens of successful launches, the most recent of which took place on Jan 6 and delivered another 49 satellites into orbit. That brings the total number of satellites in the constellation up to 1,993 though some of those satellites are prototypes or nonoperational units that aren’t functioning parts of the network.


Last time we featured three young women who may have been unknown to most in the old format, but will be more relevant under this new structure. Today we turn our attention to three men, all of whom are 23 or younger, who have bright futures ahead of them in the sport, and will be taking the field this year in Dubai.
Samuel Cournoyer (Canada, 22 years old)
Sam has everything a young athlete in the sport could want. At only 22 years old he’s already competed in 5 Opens and has improved every year. Last year he placed 168th worldwide, qualified for the East Regional and took 11th there. He’s got an awesome training environment at Deka CrossFit where he’s coached by Michele Letendre and gets to workout occasionally with the likes of Pat Vellner and Laura Horvath. He competed at the Granite Games this past September and finished 4th. And he’s one of a small number of athletes who participated in, and qualified for, both the Dubai Fitness Championship and Wodapalooza online qualifiers.
This entire year is experimental for him, but that’s what’s so great about this format. More opportunities for young athletes to throw their names into the ring with the established veterans and walk away knowing just where they stand. Sam will be hard pressed to qualify for the Games this year, but he’s an athlete that’s worth knowing about as he’s likely to be in several sanctioned event fields, and will be vying for a Games spot in years to come.
Colten Mertens (USA, 20 years old)
For now, there’s still no doubt about it, if you’re an up and coming, aspiring CrossFit athlete in the United States, the road is harder for you than in any other country in the world. However, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Colten Mertens is a unique case. He’s 20 years old, he’s only 5’4” (that’s less than the average height of a female Games athlete), and weighs 180 lbs. All of these things would seem to be working against him…. BUT, he does exceptionally well in online qualifiers. Last year in the Open he struggled with the heavy lift, otherwise he would have finished significantly higher than his 434th place worldwide placing. But it’s worth noting that he finished 5th worldwide in 18.5, he placed 4th in the online qualifier for Dubai this year (you may have heard of the guys who beat him- Streat Hoerner, Willy Georges, and Jacob Heppner), and its begs the question of whether or not someone who excels at online qualifiers will be able to qualify through the Open under the ‘top 20 worldwide qualify for the Games’ rule.
As far as the live competitions go last year he competed on a team with CrossFit Kilo. They took 5th in the Central Regional, qualifying for the Games where they placed 19th. On the individual side of things Dubai will be new territory for him. It’s not realistic to expect him to be in the top 10 come the end of the weekend, although he can do quite well on some of the events. At 20 years old, he’s been impressive so far, and has time on his side, making his a name you might just want to know.
Lazar Dukic (Serbia, 23 years old)
He got into this field because enough other people declined their invitation. But for a young up-and-comer, who has a legitimate chance to qualify as a national champion for the 2019 CrossFit Games, the experience of being able to compete in a prestigious event like Dubai, which includes the caliber of athletes this Men’s field has, is priceless for him.
He was 181st worldwide in last years Open, 1st in Serbia, and finished 8th at the European Regional. He’s the kind of competitor that can show up with no expectations and nothing to lose. He should be brimming with confidence and is undoubtedly excited about the new format this season. He represents the type of young, international athlete we’ll be seeing more and more in years to come.
The six young athletes featured in this two part series leading into Dubai represent the new era of the CrossFit Games season. This format creates opportunity for young athletes all over the world to get their names out there and show what they’re made of. Throughout this year, the CrossFit fanbase will be introduced to several new, exciting, and relevant faces; and it all starts this week in Dubai!


Round Rock ISD discusses preliminary plan for upcoming school year
AUSTIN, Texas — In a virtual room filled with parents, teachers and family members, the Round Rock ISD (RRISD) Board of Trustees discussed their preliminary plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
On Monday evening, RRISD Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores announced the district would conduct 100% of class virtually for the first three weeks. He also sent a letter to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) asking them to extend the amount of time they are allowed to keep kids home until the coronavirus caseload settles in the area.
Once this time period ends, the district will give parents the option to continue learning either 100% virtually or 100% in the classroom.
“Either you’re bringing your kid to school with proper healthcare and health protocols in place or you’d rather stay at home until all this thing clears. That boils down to choice, it all boils down to parent choice,” said Dr. Danny Presley, RRISD senior chief of schools and innovation.
As of now, the district will not offer a hybrid option due to the challenges it presents for transportation, childcare and safety. A hybrid model splits learning during the week to both in-class and at-home instruction.
“It really doesn’t improve safety,” Presley added. “If you are bringing all your kids in some time, everybody is in the school sometime which creates a little bit of an issue.”
According to a survey the district conducted that closed on July 9, about 50% of parents wanted children to return to the classroom, while the remaining half did not. The board found the results were fairly consistent across schools and school levels.
Regardless of a family’s choice, the TEA requires that students must meet an attendance rate of 90%. RRISD will release a plan to track virtual attendance.
During Monday’s meeting, families and teachers expressed concerns about the equity of the plan and making sure it is fair for all individuals, for example, students in low-income households, Spanish-speaking families, students in the special education program and high-risk teachers.
“As we know, COVID-19 has made the inequities more apparent. Communities of color are shown to be more impacted by the pandemic,” said Gustavo and Lorena Higuera, RRISD parents.
In-class instruction is set to start on Sept. 11, meaning teachers will also need to return to the classroom.
On July 9, staff members were asked to decide whether or not they would return to work on-site and were provided with information from Human Resources about how to request accommodations or COVID-19 related leave.
While the survey does not close until July 16, according to the results so far, 97% of the staff stated they would be able to return to in-class instruction.
Staff who cannot return are entitled to aid through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which allocates 80 hours of paid time off to staff members who require leave due to the coronavirus.
Beyond that, RRISD leaders said they will work with teachers to help them understand their options.
“We need to help our teachers who do have concerning issues, personal issues on how to navigate the leave system on what they can do,” Presley said.
While the district plans to release their comprehensive plan on Friday, July 17, that will address questions many people may have, as the coronavirus worsens in the county, Flores said this plan could change.
“We are still on schedule to share that plan,” said Flores, “with the caveat that we must be able to change and shift with the prevailing conditions.”
Once the plan is released, the district plans to hold four round-table discussions throughout July:
- Monday, July 20: Public health guidelines and safety measures
- Wednesday, July 22: Virtual learning and support services
- Tuesday, July 28: Elementary parents overview
- Thursday, July 30: Middle and high school parents overview
To hear more about what was discussed at Monday’s board meeting, click here.


Tencent Holdings (OTC:TCEHY) recently led a consortium of companies, including Tencent Music Entertainment (NYSE:TME), in acquiring a 10% stake of Vivendi‘s (OTC:VIVHY) Universal Music Group for $3.4 billion. Before the deal closes in the first half of 2020, Tencent Music is expected to enter a second deal to acquire a minority stake in UMG’s Chinese business. Furthermore, the deal gives the consortium the option of buying an additional stake of up to 10% in UMG by Jan. 15, 2021.Tencent Music is already the top online streaming company in China, but these deals will improve its access to UMG’s lineup of artists, which includes Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and The Beatles. It will also likely lower Tencent Music’s licensing fees for UMG songs, and bolster its sub-licensing business, which licenses its tracks to other Chinese streaming music platforms. This deal clearly benefits Tencent Music, but it could also hurt NetEase ( NASDAQ:NTES) Cloud Music, Alibaba‘s (NYSE:BABA) AliMusic, and other rivals in several ways.Some investors believed that the probe could derail Tencent’s Tencent’s talks with UMG, which started last summer. However, the deal was still approved — and will likely allow Tencent Music to license songs at lower royalties from UMG, then sub-license them back to rivals like NetEase and Alibaba at current rates for higher profits. To add insult to injury, Tencent Music will also reap profits from NetEase and Alibaba’s direct licensing payments to UMG.


iBosses IPO On The ASX Closes
Bosses Corporation Limited ( iBosses) the parent company of iBosses Singapore has announced the successful closure of its initial public offering following solid demand from a broad range of investors.
iBosses is a training and consultancy services provider focused on entrepreneurs and early stage businesses
At the offer price of A$0.20 per share, iBosses will have a market capitalization of A$23 million
Funds raised from the IPO will be used to expand the company’s business centres and to develop the iBosses digital platform
BlueMount Capital acted as Lead Manager and Corporate Advisor to iBosses


in 2012, a study of 64 automobile plants over a 10 year period, conducted by Mr. Gérard P. Cachon of the Wharton School and Mr. Santiago Gallino of the Columbia Business School, found that in work weeks with 6 or more days of heat exceeding 90 degrees, productivity dropped 8%.
For an automobile manufacturer that generates $150,000,000,000 in annual revenue per year, that is a substantial loss of both revenue but also competitive edge.
Manufacturers are using OnPoint Weather to correlate worker absence, ‘lost’ productivity, and inventory with weather data and finding that past weather and climatological data is greatly improving the ability to do more long range planning that is impossible using forecast weather which is much less reliable for longer ranges.
Using past weather and climatological data, blended with forecast data, is allowing manufacturers a wide sampling of data to analyze and ultimately improve operational efficiency in the complex and highly competitive world of manufacturing.
Contact us to get started using OnPoint Weather as a part of your business intelligence.
Stella Artois Case Study
Results of the campaign were astounding:
- Stella Cidre achieved a 66% increase in YOY sales during the period of the weather-responsive campaign (source: Nielsen Sales data 2013)
- Cost efficiencies were up by 50% because ads were only shown during optimum conditions, thus there were no wasted impressions
- The campaign created a lot of buzz and online engagement, generating over $30,000 in earned media value


Posted Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020
Mancuso downtown Chicago location features new Lotus automobiles as well as pre-owned sports cars, including Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz and Audi.
Mancuso Motorsports, Chicago’s premier provider of sports cars, has been awarded the factory-authorized Lotus sales and service franchise for Chicago by Lotus Cars, USA, Inc. The new dealership will be named Lotus Chicago. www.mancusomotorsports.com
Lotus, founded in 1952 by Colin Chapman and known for its lightweight sports cars and Formula One racing team, has 50 dealerships in North America and recently moved its US operations to Ann Arbor, Michigan, alongside its sister company, Lotus Engineering.
Mancuso Motorsports, part of the Mancuso automobile family, is located in downtown Chicago, providing an urban setting for Lotus owners and aficionados and brings the almost 100-year tradition of Mancuso excellence to the Lotus marque.
Rob Mancuso, president, said, “Under its new leadership, Lotus is perfectly positioned to capitalize on its legacy of innovative products, unparalleled performance and iconic driving experience. We are thrilled to be a partner in growing the Lotus tradition.”
Harry Haderis, Lotus Cars USA president, stated, “Mancuso brings a wealth of expertise and excitement to Lotus. Their passion for our product and great facility and staff bring great value to our brand and will enhance the Lotus experience as we roll out the new 2017 Evora 400.”
The Lotus Evora 400, unveiled at the Geneva Show in March 2015, has already generated excitement worldwide. With 400 horsepower, acceleration to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 186 mph, the Lotus Evora 400 is six seconds quicker around the company’s Hethel test track than the previous Evora S.
Mancuso is planning a grand opening for January 2016 and will showcase the new 2017 Lotus Evora 400 as well as a rare Exige V6 Cup car built specially for the Lotus Cup Series and fully-equipped for track use. https://vimeo.com/148782975


Held during the spring semester, Monmouth University's Annual Student Research Conference, sponsored by the School of Science, highlights the results of applied research, independent study, and thesis projects being conducted by students in the departments of biology; chemistry, medical technology and physics; computer science and software engineering; and mathematics. The conference gives students the opportunity to present their work via poster presentations to their peers, faculty members, and friends and family.
The 2014 Student Research Conference will be held Wednesday, April 16th in the Great Hall of historic Wilson Hall. Presentations begin at 2:30 p.m. and will conclude at 5:00 with the presentation of the Dean's Award of Excellence in Undergraduate Research. An outdoor BBQ (weather permitting) will immediately follow.


Vice Chancellor of Dr. Hilla LimannTechnical University, Prof. Elias N.K Sowley, Delivers Inaugural Lecture
The lecture was on the topic: “Pesticide Use in Agriculture: Benfits and Implications for the Environment and Human Health.”
The inaugural lecture was delivered on Monday, August 29, 2022, at University for Development Studies, Tamale.
Prof. Elias N.K Sowley became the 14th person to deliver such a lecture as required for full Professorship. Professor Sowley was promoted from an Associate Professor to a full professor in April, 2022.
The programme was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of UDS, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye. Directors, Deans, Registrar, faculty, admistrative staff of UDS, Chiefs, friends of Professor Sowley and the Clergy attended the programme.
The programme was also attended by the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Directors and Deans of the Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University.
Professor Sowley was also supported by his wife and children.
Until his appointment as Vice Chancellor of DHLTU, in June, 2021, Professor Sowley was the Dean of Graduate School, University for Development Studies, Tamale.
Professor Sowley has been a member of several local and international Professorial Associations and Societies including the Ghana Science Association (GSA), Plant Protection Society, Ghana, International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS), UK, Canadian Phytopathological Society (CPS), American Phytopathological Society (APS) and British Society for Plant Pathology (BSPP). He is a fellow of the Ghana Institute of Horticulturists (GhIH) and the Chartered Institute of Leadership and Governance (CILG).
Professor Sowley has supervised over one hundred undergraduate and several graduate students. He has presented several papers at conferences and published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has also published a book and book chapters.


Testimony of David Wills
President of National Christian Foundation
“Tax Reform and Charitable Contributions”
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means
9:30 a.m., February 14, 2013
Good morning Chairman Camp, Ranking Member Levin and Members of the Committee. My name is David Wills and I am the President of the National Christian Foundation (NCF). Thank you for the opportunity to testify before you on the value of charitable giving across America’s communities and the potential threats to that giving.
Based in Alpharetta, Georgia, NCF has grown into the 19th largest charity in the United States and the largest Christian grant making organization in the world. Last year, NCF received over $870 million in private contributions and gave out over $600 million to more than 14,000 charities worldwide. Since our inception in 1982, NCF has received over $5 billion in contributions and has distributed over $3.5 billion in grants to charities.
Today, I am testifying on behalf of the Alliance for Charitable Reform (ACR). ACR was founded in 2005 as a project of The Philanthropy Roundtable, which represents over 600 private charitable donors and foundations across the United States. Specifically, ACR was formed to respond to legislative proposals here on Capitol Hill that directly challenged philanthropic freedom. Recently, the biggest challenges to philanthropy have been proposals to limit the charitable deduction in the midst of ongoing fiscal debates.
ACR is an active member of the Charitable Giving Coalition, which brought over 200 people to the Hill to meet with Members of Congress in December of last year. These participants represented a diverse cross section of charitable organizations from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to the Ocean Conservancy to Disabled American Veterans to the Detroit Zoo. We told our personal stories about the importance of the nonprofit community in their districts, and asked that Congress protect the charitable deduction in the fiscal cliff negotiations. The charitable community was heard, and the deduction remains intact.
The charitable deduction plays a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of our society. According to Giving USA, in 2011 individuals donated nearly $218 billion to charity, with donations coming from 117 million US households. These donations allow myriad charitable organizations to flourish all across the country. Individual philanthropy plays a major role in feeding the poor, housing the homeless, funding medical research and so much more. It is the charitable tax deduction that encourages giving and makes much of this possible.
First and foremost, the charitable deduction is unique and should be considered separately from all other tax benefits. It is the only tax benefit that encourages individuals to give away their income without personal financial gain. Every other tax benefit encourages individuals to consume more or save more for themselves. While Congress and many in the public will argue all these deductions are good for our country, it’s clear that the charitable deduction is different.
Yet, policymakers and the President have proposed, and are considering, limits or caps on the value of the charitable deduction as a way to solve our nation’s fiscal crisis.
But the charitable deduction is greater than just this moment. Giving to charity is at the core of our American values. The deduction was first enacted in 1917 along with higher tax rates to help pay for World War I. Understanding the unique nature of private, independent charitable organizations in American life, lawmakers exempted contributions to these charities -- in the form of the charitable deduction. Further, lawmakers worried that as tax rates rose Americans would have less to give to charities and without an exemption (or charitable deduction), those most in need would be hurt the most.
Although the crisis we face today is different, now is not the time to dismantle or diminish a core American value that encourages giving. If any kind of cut, cap or limit is imposed, giving will naturally decrease, irreparably harming a value that Americans have fought to keep alive, even during America’s most trying times.
This fight began in earnest in 2009. Each of President Obama’s budget proposals included a cap on the value of the charitable deduction – to 28%. Estimates show the President’s proposal to cap the charitable deduction at 28% would reduce giving by up to $5.6 billion every year. This cut equals more than the annual operating budgets of Red Cross, Goodwill, the YMCA, and Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Catholic Charities, and the American Cancer Society combined.
Last year another idea was floated which capped itemized deductions at a set dollar amount. That proposal would have been even more devastating if applied under the current tax code. Based on independent analysis, a flat $25,000 or $50,000 deduction cap would have been 2.5 to 3 times worse than the Administration’s 28 %cap. Charities would lose even more gifts, especially in states with high income and property taxes, including those states with dense urban areas, pressing financial concerns, and great social needs.
While any cut, cap or limit on the charitable deduction is ill advised, so are back door tax increases aimed at the charitable deduction. Reinstating provisions like the overall limitation on itemized deductions (known as the “Pease rule”) put us on a slippery slope to reduced giving. While it’s too early to tell the full effect of reinstating Pease, preliminary feedback suggests that at the very least the timing of gifts will be affected, and we expect dollar amounts will follow suit. My experience has shown that even the suggestion of further cuts, caps, or limits to the deduction chill donations.
For example, one of our donors in central Florida saw this Pease provision as a major factor when planning his giving. He originally hoped to give his business to charity over time. Last year, it became clear to him that with taxes likely going up and a fear of the deduction being limited, he needed to give it away in 2012. The total value of his gift was several million dollars and he now is very thankful he made this move because the Pease limitation would have greatly cut into his gift. And yet, he is still concerned that Congress might limit the charitable deduction in the future, which he told me ‘would only hurt the charities.’
So again, it is not the taxpayer who is harmed. It is those who need charitable services the most.
Now, more than ever, nonprofits and those they serve need more support, not less. The ongoing sluggish economy has charities facing higher demands for services with fewer resources. Reductions in nonprofit budgets will also produce more joblessness in a sector that employs about 10% of America’s workforce.
Substantially limiting the charitable deduction at a time when people are still reeling from the recession, unemployment is high and charities are facing government cutbacks simply makes no sense. It’s not a way to avoid the latest “cliff,” but moves the burden onto charities and communities that depend on them.
Historically, the government has relied upon the nonprofit community during times of need. Not only are nonprofits vital to everyday life, but private giving is also essential during disasters. Never was this case made more abundantly clear than during the devastation brought by Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. During Hurricane Sandy, NCF was able to effectively and efficiently distribute aid to victims through many on-the-ground organizations. In both of these incidences, NCF’s role was vital in reaching places the government couldn’t, and getting to those in the most need more quickly. Additionally, we had donors who created significant matching grants to help our fellow citizens at their point of greatest need.
Foundations and charities alike – from the biggest to the smallest – gathered up resources and nimbly and effectively leveraged them to provide assistance to those in need. Congress must not hamper the ability of charities to fill in the gaps, especially in dire times. In fact, understanding the importance of charitable giving, Congress has in the past enacted part-time tax incentives for targeted giving. The latest example of this was a bill introduced in this chamber, which enhanced the charitable deduction for Hurricane Sandy disaster relief contributions.
Furthermore, the deduction works. Data suggest that for every dollar a donor gets in tax relief for his or her donation, the public typically receives three dollars of benefit. No other tax provision generates that kind of positive public impact.
But most importantly, donors rely on a constant tax incentive for charitable donations as they plan their annual and legacy gifts. And what impacts giving from donors, directly impacts those receiving charitable services.
While NCF’s donors are varied, there is no doubt that the charitable deduction affects their behavior. For example, at the end of last year we saw just how monumental that effect is. We estimate that as much as $50 million was donated to NCF in the last month of 2012 by donors who feared this crucial deduction would be cut or capped in some way.
For example, a donor from Detroit, Michigan who works at an investment management firm decided to make several years’ worth of charitable contributions in 2012. This amounted to almost $300,000. He did this because he understood that if the deduction was limited, the cost of giving would go up and the organizations he cares about would receive fewer and smaller donations.
Another one of our donors is from the Los Angeles area and is a CPA. He decided to give away the balance of his profit sharing plan in 2012, almost $80,000. He had previously planned to give it away over the next several years, but the reason for donating in 2012 was simple: he knew what the current tax rates and the charitable deduction were, but those rates for 2013 were unclear. He ended up giving 50 % of his AGI to make sure he took full advantage of the charitable income tax deduction in 2012. He wanted to maximize what he gave to charity and felt this was the wisest way to do so.
So clearly the deduction not only affects how much they give, but also the timing and the number of organizations to which they give.
Some may argue that the deduction only helps the wealthy. However, this simply isn’t true. A recent United Way study found that the charitable deduction is used by people of varying income levels, not just high-income individuals. The % of people indicating they use the charitable deduction is the same for households with incomes between $50K-$100K; $100K-$150K; and $150K+.
To put it simply, the charitable deduction provides no financial gain to the donor. All of the financial benefit goes to the charity because the donor is giving away money –he does not receive anything in return. Whether it costs 65 cents to give a $1 as it did in 2012, or 61.5 cents to give a $1 as it does in 2013, the donor’s balance sheet declines. The charitable deduction does not inure the financial benefit of the donor, it simply incentivizes the person to give it away and benefits the charities that need it most.
Simply put, a decrease in the charitable deduction affects what charity will receive.
Additionally, a United Way poll found that the vast majority of Americans (79%) believe reducing or eliminating the charitable tax deduction would have a negative impact on charities and the people they serve. Of those who would reduce their giving, a majority (62%) indicate they would have to reduce their contributions by a significant amount.
Now, more than ever, is the time to ENCOURAGE philanthropy. To do this, we respectfully request that Congress preserve the charitable deduction in its current form.
On behalf of both NCF and the Alliance for Charitable Reform, I believe any proposal to cut, cap or limit the deduction is a step in the wrong direction, especially at a time when the government and Americans are relying more – not less – on the nonprofit sector.
I would like to close with this -- historically, philanthropy has served as an indispensable laboratory for innovation and entrepreneurship, addressing many of society’s greatest challenges. Foundations, nonprofits, and charities offer creative solutions to meet the multitude of unique and diverse needs of America’s communities. From the environment that is protected to beds for the homeless… From the medical attention for those that cannot afford it to the warm meal and a blanket for the needy….From the house of worship around the corner to the inner city program that keeps kids safe… philanthropy is and will continue to be a vital part of our society and our economy.
I want to extend my deepest thanks to the Committee for conducting this hearing. It is an important forum to deepen understanding among policymakers and the public at-large about what is at stake for communities.
I appreciate that you all have to make tough decisions, especially given our current fiscal challenges. I believe that policymakers, on all sides, recognize the indispensable value of the charitable sector, and we look forward to working closely with this committee to avoid any unintended consequences.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee and share my thoughts on these issues. I would welcome any feedback or questions that the Committee may have for me.


Crikey! Steve Irwin Killed by Stingray
I've never been a fan of his shows, but it's worth mentioning that Steve 'Crocodile Hunter' Irwin has died. It seems to be a case of Nature Biting Back, as the Aussie reptile expert, and known risk taker, was killed when a stingray barb hit him in the chest while filming an undersea documentary. Irwin leaves behind his wife and 2 children.
From: The Age
Crocodile man, Steve Irwin, dies
Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, has died after being struck by a stingray barb in Queensland.
Mr Irwin, 44 died after the stingray barb went through his chest while he was shooting a documentary off Port Douglas.
The Queensland Police Service has confirmed Mr Irwin's death. In a statement, it said Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung by a sting ray at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, about 11am.
After being struck, Mr Irwin's crew called for medical treatment and the Emergency Management Queensland Helicopter responded, but he was dead before the treatment arrived.
The statement said Mr Irwin's family has been advised.
His American-born wife Terri is reported to be trekking on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.
A spokesman for the Queensland Ambulance Service said officers attended the scene on Low Isles via helicopter at 12.04pm today and arrived back in Cairns at 12.53pm.
"The area it was delivered to was the problem. A sting ray hit to the chest is a big problem," he said.
Mr Irwin - known worldwide as the Crocodile Hunter - is famous for his enthusiasm for wildlife and his catchcry "Crikey!".
The father of two's Crocodile Hunter program was first broadcast in 1992 and has been shown around the world on cable network Discovery.
He also starred in movies and has developed the Australia Zoo wildlife park, north of Brisbane, which was started by his parents Bob and Lyn Irwin.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, who used a photograph of his family at Australia Zoo for his official Christmas card last year, hailed Mr Irwin for his work in promoting Australia.
Mr Irwin was heavily involved in last year's "G'Day LA" campaign.
"The minister knew him, was fond of him and was very, very appreciative of all the work he'd done to promote Australia overseas," a spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for Irwin's Australia Zoo said she was aware of reports of his death and the zoo would not be making any statements at this stage.
According to the zoo's website, Irwin was born in Victoria in 1962, but
moved with his family to Queensland in 1970 when his father, Bob, started a reptile park on the Sunshine Coast.
Irwin married American Terri Raines in 1992 after she visited the zoo


RANGE COMPANIES, FCC, PLEDGE TO KEEP AMERICA CONNECTED
Forsyth, MT – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges that many Americans will face in the coming months, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai recently announced the Keep Americans Connected Initiative. This ensures that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity as a result of these exceptional circumstances, Pai specifically asked broadband and telephone service providers, and trade associations, to take the Pledge. The Range Companies – Range Telephone Cooperative, Inc., RT Communications, Inc., Dubois Telephone Exchange, Inc. and Advanced Communications Technology, Inc. – are proud to be among those service providers who have pledged to Keep Americans Connected.
“We deeply care about the communities we serve and know the importance of providing communication services during this difficult time” said Rob Johnstone, CEO of Range. “We were quick to make this decision and pledge to keep our customers connected for the next 60 days. We are monitoring this fluid situation and will do all we can to help our communities.”
In conjuncture with The Keep Americans Connected Pledge, for the next 60 days, the Range Companies will:
- Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
- Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
- Open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.
So far, more than 550 companies and associations have signed the Chairman’s pledge to Keep Americans Connected.
For more information about the Keep Americans Connected initiative and updates, please visit the FCC website.
To learn more about how RT is responding to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit our COVID-19 page.
About The Range Companies
The Range Companies consists of Range Telephone Cooperative, Inc., Advanced Communications Technology, Inc., Dubois Telephone Exchange, Inc., and RT Communications, Inc. The Range Companies are leaders in technologically advanced communications solutions for residential, business, and wholesale customers. It currently serves over 12,500 broadband subscribers in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado. For more information about Range, please visit rangeweb.net.


Almost 70% of C-suite executives say they are seriously considering quitting for their well-being.
This is based on a new report from Deloitte and market research firm, Workplace Intelligence.
The topic of workforce burnout continues to make headlines. Both workers and executives are affected, and they’re placing a higher priority on well-being.
But there is a big gap in perception. Executives significantly overestimate how well employees are doing.
And C-suite executives are struggling with burnout more than employees realize.
Gayle Lantz shares her perspective on burnout, including why leaders and companies should pay attention to this issue.
This episode covers:
- Statistics based on recent research by Deloitte and market research firm, Workplace Intelligence
- Four kinds of well-being: Physical well-being, mental well-being, social well-being, financial well-being
- The downside of blaming “work” as the issue
- The importance of being transparent about mental health and well-being in a leadership role
- The need for companies to create a culture of well-being
- A call to action for purpose-driven leaders who want to beat burnout to make a positive impact
Previous Episodes referenced:


Today, Friday, April 10, is National Siblings Day, and what better way to celebrate this fine day than with a little friendly competition. Face it; siblings grow up with an unspoken rivalry, but today that rivalry could win you a New 3DS XL and a Nintendo eShop gift card.
Settle all your sibling differences in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and, once your differences have been put aside, unite to win some awesome prizes from Nintendo.
Two of gaming’s most iconic siblings – Mario and Luigi – are celebrating National Siblings Day, and so should you. Mario has always been in the spotlight and Luigi has been stuck as a secondary role to his brother for a long time.
However, Luigi has been getting a lot of opportunities to show his greatness in games like: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Super Luigi U, and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team.
Now it is your turn to show your siblings that you deserve to be put in the spotlight, and you can do so by battling them in Smash Bros. for 3DS and winning a New 3DS XL and a Nintendo eShop gift card.
Grab your Nintendo 3DS, and settle all sibling rivalries in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Then, team up for your chance to win the previously mentioned prizes.
To do so, create your own Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS game-play videos and photos and give a story in a caption. Post the videos and photos to your Instagram account on April 10 (anytime between 7am to midnight PT) using the hashtag #SiblingSmash and #SweepsEntry to enter Nintendo’s National Siblings Day contest for your chance to win.
Have a smashing National Siblings Day!


Just as likely to be recognized at a local eatery as in the clinic, Dr. David R. Sutton is a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, born and raised right here on the First Coast. Dr. Sutton was another one of our founders in 1992. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Wake Forest University and completed his residency at the University of Florida Health and Science Center. At our center, Dr. Sutton has been one our clinical trial investigators on hypopituitarism since 1997. Most satisfying for Dr. Sutton is helping his patients go from worried about their condition to excited about their future. “If it weren’t for him, we never could have had our two children. We owe him everything,” said one of Dr. Sutton’s longtime patients. It is successes like those that keep Dr. Sutton invigorated to come to work each day.


One welcome provision in HR 2646—the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act that was reintroduced late yesterday—is the extension of a federal program that offers financial incentives to providers to adopt EHR systems. Currently, most behavioral health providers are not eligible.
As of April 2015, nearly half a million other healthcare providers received incentive payments for participating in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR program, totaling $20.5 billion. If passed, HR 2646 would extend the opportunity to receive those incentive funds to behavioral health and addiction treatment providers, as they achieve various stages of “Meaningful Use” of their certified EHRs.
“Passing The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act would have significant impact on individuals and families coping with mental health and substance use conditions,” Steven Ronik, EdD, CEO of Henderson Behavioral Health in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., tells Behavioral Healthcare. “The provision authorizing extension of health information technology incentive payments to mental health and substance use providers and facilities represents a major advance for behavioral health by providing much-needed funding to enhance care coordination and quality. This enhanced coordination is a critical way to achieve better health outcomes for our patients—as behavioral health systems and primary care systems continue to integrate and coordinate care.”
Extended eligibility would include mental health treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals and substance abuse treatment facilities. Newly eligible providers would include clinical psychologists and licensed social workers. Currently, behavioral health provider organizations can qualify for Meaningful Use incentive funds through the current definition of Eligible Professionals, which only includes physicians and some nurse practitioners. The typical behavioral health organization has a limited number of these professionals compared to psychologists and licensed social workers.
“In order to ‘treat the whole person,’ these providers need to be put on a level playing field with hospitals and other primary care providers,” said Mike Valentine, CEO of Netsmart, an EHR and technology provider, in a statement.
Netsmart is a founding member of the Behavioral Health IT (BHIT) Coalition, an advocacy group comprised of key organizations including the National Council for Behavioral Health, the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems and others. The BHIT Coalition is a supporter and advocate for passage of legislation in Congress to extend full Meaningful Use incentive eligibility to behavioral health providers.


When I moved to Los Angeles years ago, I was told by native Angeleno friends that the city without humidity also definitely did not have mosquitoes.
What is that whizzing sound then? The welts on my ankles? My favorite cafe has taken to selling bottles of insect repellent next to the cash register. Were my friends wrong, or should we acknowledge that this winged scourge is part of life in the Golden State?
Since 2011, scientists have tracked an invasive mosquito species in parts of California: the Aedes aegypti. These black-and-white-striped “ankle-biters,” which can transmit dengue fever, Zika virus and yellow fever, have been found up and down the state.
Alec Gerry, a professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside, said it was not necessarily that the mosquito population had increased in size but rather that the habits of this invasive species were far more noticeable.
The native Culex mosquito tends to emerge at night, preferring to feed on birds, but nonnative mosquitoes have adapted extremely well to life here. They hunt for blood during the daylight hours when people are most active, often going undetected after biting below waistlines. This particular species also has an annoying habit of snacking — aggressively biting a host multiple times in one feed. Laying eggs just above the surface of water, the Aedes aegypti can breed in a bottle cap or the finger holes of a bowling ball. The eggs can lie dormant after drying out for up to a year, hatching once they come in contact with water again.
Levy Sun, communications director for the San Gabriel Valley mosquito and vector control district, told me that longer spells of warm weather and man-made environments featuring lush, tropical vegetation are contributing to the proliferation of this species. Mosquitoes have a hard time regulating their body temperatures, so they often seek relief from the heat in shady yards. If you notice an uptick in bites, it’s probably because they have set up shop nearby.
Mosquito infestations come and go depending on how hospitable you make it for them. “They wash over neighborhoods in waves,” Sun said.
Controlling the mosquito population is extremely tricky, but eliminating all sources of standing water is a good starting point. Use insect repellent if you don’t want to get bitten. Call your local vector control office if you need help finding potential breeding sites. Some counties will send fish that eat mosquito larvae.
California has had native mosquitoes going back to the gold rush days, when malaria tore through populations and had to be eradicated by aggressive mosquito abatement programs. Nonnative mosquito species were introduced to the state gradually through global trade; in 2001, health officials linked an outbreak of Aedes albopictus in Southern California to a shipment of lucky bamboo plants from Taiwan.
The preponderance of these pests should lessen by the end of October, when colder nighttime temperatures affect their life cycles until they reappear again in May. However, it looks likely that the Aedes aegypti will continue to be a scourge on our summers.
Sun, who zaps mosquitoes in his house with an electric racket, said that while efforts should be made to control the population, total eradication was not very likely at this point. “They survived the dinosaurs and lived until now,” he said.
Photo credit: Victor J. Blue for The New York Times


Current Events and Press Releases
Houston County Council on Aging Meals on Wheels • PO Box 118 • Warner Robins, GA 31099
508 S Pleasant Hill Rd. • Warner Robins, GA 31088 • Phone (478) 328-6070 • Fax (478) 329-9636
Visit us on the web at: www.hocomow.org
Find us on Facebook: Meals on Wheels - Houston County Council on Aging, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Alesha Mathis
Meals on Wheels Coordinator
Meals on Wheels in Houston County Celebrates Volunteers
April 1, 2016- Meals on Wheels in Houston County will celebrate its volunteers and be available to answer questions for anyone thinking of becoming a volunteer at their free Volunteer Cookout on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 11 am to 2 pm. The location will be their offices located at 508 South Pleasant Hill Road in Warner Robins.
“We recently received grant funding which will allow us to deliver meals to about 52 more seniors, five days a week. The added meals means adding more routes and volunteer drivers,” says Kenny Weaver, Executive Director of Houston County Council on Aging Meals on Wheels.
“Our volunteers are essential to getting the meals out to our seniors. Every driver we have is a volunteer who has a heart for feeding seniors. That kind of dedication and concern is priceless. It is so important for us to have this relaxed environment to say thank you to our current volunteers and let others who may be interested get their questions answered,” commented Alesha Mathis, Meals on Wheels Coordinator.
Because feeding people is what Meals on Wheels does, anyone who comes out will have their choice of hamburgers, hotdogs, or brats. The public is invited to get to know other volunteers and find out more information about Meals on Wheels. Please contact Alesha Mathis at 478-328-6070 for more information.
More Details: Volunteer Cookout on Facebook


Daimler AG, the corporation responsible for Mercedes Benz and an enormous host of other automotive brands, has been fined USD 960 million for selling diesel cars with rigged emissions ratings. German prosecutors found that Daimler’s CEO showed “negligent violations of supervisory duties” in their sale of over 684,000 vehicles that did not comply with nitrogen oxide standards.
Motor authorities discovered over 280,000 C and E classes which were sold with emissions tampering software in their ECU’s, which further pushed recalls of nearly 700,000 other vehicles in 2018. Even more pressing than the 2018 recalls were the 60,000 freshly redesigned Mercedes GLK’s that got recalled in 2019.
Daimler AG has not pursued an appeal against the decision and will accept the fine. While the company is most well-known for their ownership and operations in Mercedes Benz, they also have a legitimate stake in many other automotive, bus, and motorcycle companies such as Mitsubishi Fuso, Smart automobile, Freightliner, MV Augusta, and many others.
All these proceedings have been trickling down since a raid against Daimler in 2017. Europe’s car industry continues to reel in the wake of Volkswagen’s gigantic suit. In that case, many executives faced market manipulation charges along with personal fines and possible termination. Check back in with us as we learn more.


High voltage cable — designed, manufactured and installed beneath the Hudson River by Prysmian Group — now brings 660 MW of power into Manhattan, strengthening the overall reliability of New York City’s power system.
New York City thrives on electricity. It takes a lot of energy to keep the lights on in the city that never sleeps. How does all that power get to the greater New York metropolitan area? HVDC solutions from Siemens are contributing to keeping New York City’s power-supply infrastructure stronger and more reliable in the face of growing demand.
New York Power Authority Announces New 7-mile 660-mw Hudson Transmission Power Line Enhancing Reliability And Energy Security In Nyc
The new underground and underwater transmission line, connecting the grids of northern New Jersey and Manhattan, will reduce electricity costs in NYC and improve fuel diversity.
Hudson Transmission Partners switched on a cable that can carry up to 660 megawatts of power from an electrical substation in Ridgefield, N.J., to one on West 49th Street.
Hudson Transmission Project Goes Online Ahead Of Schedule, Provides New York City With 660 Mw Of Additional Power, Enhanced Reliability
PowerBridge and Hudson Transmission Partners announce the commercial operation of the Hudson Transmission Project, a 660 Mw electric transmission facility between Ridgefield, New Jersey and Manhattan.
View the press release issued by PowerBridge and Hudson Transmission Partners
ENRNewYork ranks Hudson Transmission Project #2 among the largest projects started in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut region in 2011.
Giulio Verne, the enormous ship making waves in the Hudson, is on a mission to increase access to alternative energy sources for New York City.
View the blog (PDF) from The Earth Institute at Columbia University
The crew on board the Giulio Verne is helping to power New York City from the middle of the Hudson River.
The Giulio Verne left Naples in late October and, after 25 days on the Atlantic Ocean, arrived in New York, where a crew of 70 began preparing for a project that had been years in the planning.
The New York State Public Service Commission today approved the New York portion of an approximately seven mile 345 kV transmission line from New Jersey to midtown Manhattan.
“This transmission line will improve the reliability and security of the transmission system and would provide access to new markets for the purchase of energy and capacity,” said Commission Chairman Garry Brown.
View the New York State Public Service Commission news release (PDF)


Shillong: Shri Prestone Tynsong, Dy. Chief Minister Meghalaya assures that Meghalaya will get its new speaker in the Autumn Session which will be held on 6th September 2019.
He said that the Committee which held yesterday, was attended by Shri A. L, Hek, Minister of Health, Shri Metbah Lyngdoh Minister of Tourism and Shri Banteidor Lyngdoh, Minister of Sports.
The Dy. CM also said that the meeting today is meant to only start sharing of ideas on the matter but the Core Committee will meet again on the 4th of September to find the most eligible candidate for the post of Speaker of the Assembly.


We are delighted to welcome North Dakota singer-songwriter Tom Brosseau to our roster and share the news that his new album 'North Dakota Impressions' will be released on 16 September via Crossbill Records. Following his current North American tour, Tom will also be playing a UK tour in October (dates below). (Click on header to cont.)
You can hear album teaser track 'No Matter Where I Roam' above or via its premiere on Folk Radio UK.
'North Dakota Impressions' is the third in Tom's trilogy exploring memories of home and childood, following 'Grass Punks' (2014) and 'Perfect Abandon' (2015). Its a gorgeous record full of light and shade, but ultimately hope. For more info on Tom Brosseau and 'North Dakota Impressions' please visit out roster section.


Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust supporting major incident at UHS
HAMPSHIRE Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is receiving ambulances diverted from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust as a result of a power failure in the emergency department at Southampton General Hospital.
Both Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital have been asked to act as receiving hospitals for patients being diverted from Southampton.
We have activated our well-rehearsed major incident plan and are calling on our staff and partner organisations to support.
We are also asking the public to use the NHS 111 helpline to help them decide whether visiting our emergency departments at this time is the best course of action and to avoid contacting the hospitals by telephone unless strictly necessary.
Please check the Hampshire Hospitals website and NHS 111 for updates.


MP3 Download: Listen to Archie Allen, Bridge Maintenance and Operations Superintendent at the Washington State Department of Transportation, talk about monitoring storm damageon the bridge.
MP3 Download: Listen to Archie Allen, Bridge Maintenance and Operations Superintendent at the Washington State Department of Transportation, talk about the effects of earthquakeson the bridge.
Links to external websites do not constitute endorsement by WSDOT of the linked websites or the opinions, information, products or services contained therein.
When local, regional, state and federal dignitaries cut the ribbon to open the Governor Albert D. Rossellini (Evergreen Point) Bridge in 1963 it was the most expensive and one of the most technically advanced floating bridges in the world. Over the next 50 years the bridge played a major role in the development of the Seattle metropolitan area, where the bridge provides easy access for commuters travelling between Seattle and the communities east of Lake Washington. The bridge paved the way for increased suburban development to support population expansion and the development of the east side of Lake Washington into one of the region’s largest employment centers.
While the region around the bridge has reshaped itself and changed in ways most could only imagine over the past 50 years, the bridge itself appears today much as it did when Gov. Albert Rosellini, the mayors of Seattle and Bellevue and the president of the American Automobile Association opened the $30 million bridge on Aug. 28, 1963.
Today the bridge floats about a foot lower than originally designed and is closed during major storms and high winds – eliminating one of the two vital transportation corridors across Lake Washington. The aging structure has required patching and repairs over the years. Contractors completed a limited seismic retrofit on the approach structures in 1999; however, the bridge remains at risk of collapse in an earthquake because the west and east approaches rest on hollow piles that do not meet current seismic design standards. Construction to build the new floating bridge is underway.


The Landmark Mews Board of Directors & the Landscape Committee are happy to announce their first-ever recognition of the “Landmark Mews Yard of the Month”. This program kicked off in June, official season of Summer! Many thanks to Corinne Ramsey & Maria Santos for their recommendation and work in developing the program.
While many community yards look wonderful and it is obvious that residents take pride in their exterior homes, these three yards stood out to the Landscape Committee and meet the LMCA criteria for “Yard of the Month”.
The recipient of our first “Yard of the Month, June 2013” award, as well as the runners-up are:
Winner – Grant & Beverly Sharp
Runner-up #1: Patricia Bevis
Runner-up #2: Janice Rasmussen


It's happening soon!
We are excited to announce that K-6th grade students will be participating in their 5th annual Jog-A-Thon on Friday, October 13th. During this student led fundraiser, students will jog, walk, or skip in Frankfort park, adjacent to the Elementary campus in 30 minute increments. Upper Elementary students will start at 3:00pm and Lower Elementary and Full Day students will begin at 3:30pm.
We have volunteer opportunities available. Please check the Sound-Off to sign up. If you need a copy of the Jog-A-Thon packet, you can find it here.
Please contact firstname.lastname@example.org if you have any questions.


More than 500 academics from over 40 countries, specialized in moral and political philosophy, proclaim the fundamental unfairness of animal exploitation based on the current collective knowledge in their fields of expertise: We condemn the practices that involve treating animals as objects or commodities. Insofar as it involves unnecessary violence and harm, we declare that animal exploitation is unjust and morally indefensible.
This declaration, has been initiated by researchers from the Centre de Recherche en Éthique de Montréal. It echoes, in ethical terms, the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness, stating that convergent evidence indicates that non-human animals have the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors.
The signatories claim that the arguments used to support animal exploitation are irrelevant, particularly those relating to the «inferior» mental capacities of animals: a subject’s ability to compose symphonies, to make advanced mathematical calculations, or to project oneself into a distant future, however admirable, does not affect the consideration due to his or her interest to feel pleasure and not to suffer. The interests of the more intelligent among us matter no more than the equivalent interests of the less intelligent. To say otherwise would amount to ranking individuals according to faculties that have no moral relevance.
Although their work is rooted in diverse philosophical traditions, these scholars agree on the condemnation of speciesism and the need to transform our relationship with other animals by ending their exploitation. Such a position, once held by a few people particularly sensitive to the fate of animals, is now, for the first time, supported by hundreds of researchers who have dedicated their careers to ethical reflection.
In favor of the closure of slaughterhouses, the end of fishing and the development of a plant-based agriculture, the signatories admit lucidly that, even if it constitutes the only shared horizon that is both realistic and just, such a project will require renouncing entrenched speciesist habits and transforming numerous institutions fundamentally.
In 2022, the Montreal Declaration on Animal Exploitation certainly constitutes an important step in the recognition – supported by philosophers – of non-human animals.


Andreozzi Bluestein Named One of Buffalo's Healthiest Employers Once Again
Andreozzi Bluestein has been named one of Buffalo’s Healthiest Employers once again. The honorees were celebrated at a healthy luncheon and expo held on May 25th at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Buffalo Business First published an article titled “Paying Homage to Healthy Employers” which listed the selected businesses. This is a great honor and our firm is pleased that we are able to contribute to the health and wellness of our employees.


The issues of racial discrimination among landlords in the renting of their properties is of great concern in our practice. If unchecked, this may cause a divide among races and eventually break the core existence of a plural society. While Malaysia is proud to state that we practice multiculturalism and co-existence among races, racial discrimination in the name of providing shelter over someone’s head must be taken seriously. After all, shelter is a basic necessity and guaranteed by the constitution.
“In this respect, the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) supports the Government’s initiative to enact the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) which in general, is a good move to protect tenants and landlords. It should provide a win-win formula for both landlords and tenants. In this respect, we at MIEA, representing the 25,000 real estate practitioners make this clarion call to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Housing & Local Government to address the issue of racial discrimination in the renting of premises,” says Lim Boon Ping, President of MIEA President.


NEW SIGNS AT SUGAR CREEK & ROCK HILL LOCATIONS
July 10th, 2017
We have been diligently working over the last few months on updating our brand logo. We are thrilled to unveil the new street signs at our Rock Hill self storage and Sugar Creek self storage locations. If you are looking for mini storage options in these areas, our new signs are now much more visible to drivers looking for self storage nearby. These signs are also very bright at nighttime, which is going to be a great addition for our mini storage locations during those darker winter months.


Yesterday the EPA released their long-awaited changes to the RMP rule which will take effect in roughly 60 days. (Don’t worry too much – the earliest actual compliance date for the new requirements is an additional year away and many of them are four years away.)
While the rule isn’t *official* until it’s published in the Federal Register, they have provided the prepublication version with commentary on their website. The document itself is 372 pages long which is impressive considering the original rule is 17 pages.
Go over to RCE Chill and read the full post for more info including a 55 page summary that lists:
- What the new text says.
- What the new text means.
- What you must do (and when you must do it!) to become compliant.
UPDATE: Updated links to Federal Register posting of the rule.