Schiff: America is Already Bankrupt | Breakout - Yahoo! Finance

Peter Schiff makes it clear, up front, why he's not trying to save America from fiscal disaster. He's not un-American, he's just too late. "We're already bankrupt," Schiff declares in the attached clip. "Better to acknowledge that fact than to pretend we're not."

The author of the new book The Real Crash says it's the stimulus that got us into this mess, or at least exacerbated the one we already had. Because of the Feds effectively zero percent interest rate policy the U.S., both as individuals and a collective, spends, borrows, and generally wastes far too much while saving nothing.

"We can't have real economic growth until interest rates go up," says Schiff. "If we admit we're bankrupt and at least restructure, we can start repairing the damage and preparing the economy for real growth."

The man who forecast the end of the housing bubble in his book Crash Proof says the housing implosion wasn't his primary concern. "I was worried about what was going to happen when the government tried to reflate the bubble." The ensuing meltdown is going to result from the cure, not the original disease.

Schiff says the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) got it exactly backwards when they issued warnings that the U.S. would slip into recession if we reached the debt ceiling early in 2013. America literally can't cut spending fast enough; a recession now beats a depression later.

"Right now the government can spend as much as it wants because it can borrow." But there's a limit. Once U.S. interest rates are forced higher by concerned lenders, the party is going to be over for the U.S. Of course, there's no actual deadline for when those rate spikes happen. Currency and debt are relative, and the U.S. remains a relatively safe bet.

"The worst that can probably happen in the short run, if you're trying to keep the bubble going, would be some kind of resolution in Europe. If Europe actually gets its house in order, then we're really in trouble."

As Schiff views it, America's in much worse shape than Europe. What's saving us is that the problems over there are providing enough of a distraction?or are at least making the U.S. look good enough by comparison?that the Fed can keep rates near nil.

According to Schiff, the hangover from our money party will be hellish.

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How to Build a Propane Tank Screen at Lake of the Pines ...

said on May 29th, 2012 filed under: Lake of the Pines

The rules for building propane tank screens at Lake of the Pines changed in January, 2012.? Again.? These rules are enforced whenever a Lake of the Pines home is sold.

Back in olden times the propane tank screens were built to hide the ugly tanks from your neighbors,? to obscure the ?visual blight.?

For that purpose I built a pretty propane tank?screen at my house.

?

Here?s a screen I made for an investment property CJ and I ?flipped? on Lakeshore North.

Later, I made several screens for my clients.? This one was for Kieran?and Gary Gibson when we sold their house on Oakmont.

Then came the first of the major changes in Environmental Control Committee requirements.? The?posts had to be pressure treated and the siding had to be fire-resistant hardi-board, or hardie-panel, or something like that.? So, I built the screens?to comply with the new code.? Here?s one I made for Corey and Christina Cregar when they bought their house on St. Andrews Court.

And another one for Sheila and Tom Sellers when they bought their house on Bobolink.

Here is the most difficult to build, and the most sturdy, of all my propane tank screens.? This one was for Ken and Cheryl Tune on Lakeshore South.? You could land a helicopter on this one.

Then came the next major change in requirements from the Environmental Control Committee.? This one has proved to be a pain in the behind.? The new rule requires that the entire enclosure, inside and out,?reveal no combustible materials.

Quoting from one of my previous blogs:

Before the newest set of ECC standards (2012), you would dig the holes, set 4X4 pressure treated posts in concrete, build a frame out of 2X4 or 2X2 douglas fir, and hang fire-resistant concrete hard-board sheets for siding, put a redwood rain cap on top, paint it to match the house. You might put on some decorative trim or lattice work so the screen did not look like the ugly, ungainly squat box that it is.

Cost in materials?? About $200.

Now, you can not use pressure treated posts, 2X frames, or redwood rain caps unless you rip concrete hardi-board strips (or some other non-combustible material) and then clad all the wood on all sides.? Ever ripped long strips of hardi-board?? Ever tried to make the hardi-board edges match up with each other and look crisp and professional?

Or you can build the thing out of concrete block, or brick, or stone, or some other masonry technique.

Or you can hang the hard-board siding on a metal frame that you weld or bolt together.

Here?s one of the new 2012 models.? Because the three extant sides were?coated with stucco,?I was able to get away with hanging a ?hardi-board front panel on a metal frame.? This one was for Peggy Upson when we sold her house on Sun Terrace.

My most recent screen was made by encasing 4X4 posts on all sides with hard-board and then hanging hardi-board panels for the siding.? Squat and unattractive.? But, by george, it?s in compliance with the new rules.? This one was for Hugh Stanton when we sold his house on Sycamore.

There are two main steps to the process:

First you have to submit two sets of plans to the ECC and get them approved.? That can take from a few dfays to a few weeks.? Each set of plans will include:

(1)? plot plan indicating the location of the tank

(2)? front elevation of your proposed screen design

(3)??cover letter identifying

• address
• statement of purpose
• dimensions
• materials
• paint colors
• owner?s signature

I would also advise you to include the following language:

?The screen will be painted to match the house.?

?The posts will be 4X4 pressure-treated lumber encased on all sides with non-combustible material or metal posts whichever is most feasible.?

Then, you have to build it.? Or hire someone to build it for you.? I have seen quotes from contractors as high as $1800.00 for tank screens on steep slopes, in rocky ground, on welded metal frames, or with any trim or decoration.

If you enjoyed reading this article, why not subscribe to be notified of the next one?

To find out more about real estate in the Golden Hills of the Sierras, just call Bob at (530-906-1023) or CJ at (530-9064715) or email us at [email?protected] or [email?protected]

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 at 7:04 pm and is filed under Lake of the Pines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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Los Gatos Plumbing- Find out why plumbing providers are expensive.

Homeowners will be in a fearful expectation of increase in his or her expense which they need to face while they are hiring professional plumbers when they confront plumbing problem. This is because of the large cost that these program have. Most of the people believe these professional folks are just charging far more for their services. Nevertheless, you that getting into e-commerce requires huge amount involving capital as all the plumbing parts are very costly.

Imagine your life without kind of services as well as without a professional business that can help you to find treatment for simple to complex plumbing problems either at home or professional units. Your entire life style and needs will get influenced and you will be frustrated in the event that there are any ailments or malfunction from the plumbing and heating problems. The money that the organizations spent in buying the right equipment and selecting the expert, educated plumbers will all be re-cooped simply by charging fees in order to consumers. Thus you?ll want to accept this truth if you are in need of highest quality of service for all your plumbing needs.

If you are not convinced in regards to the prices of their large tools and equipment, you can acquire information from your neighborhood home improvement shop and request for the prices. You will surely always be overwhelmed on viewing the hefty marking price of each provide has. If you go in search of the price of plumbing then you can clearly understand that even the specific components such as glues, tapes, elephant seals and connection pieces will be costly that is certainly the reason why the simplest tasks are also charging high.

The professional plumbing organizations will bear doing this cost into their consideration. Along with their experience, some time and all these tools as well as equipments they will be definitely charge only affordable rates. If you call for high qualified as well as professional plumbing company to complete all your required plumbing providers, then you have to pay somewhat more per hour. On the other hand several companies may impose a fee lesser as there will likely be lack of expertise as well as right equipment to complete the work right. Paying out little money simply by hiring an lacking company will only amount to more than you expect. All sorts of plumbing and heating providers whether it may be a simple work or a extremely complex issues, experience and expertise will be the essential attributes to get the work carried out a professional and perfect way.

Cost of starting a Los Gatos Plumbing business should be borne wholly by the operator. It is natural that every the business owner tries hard to get their spent money back as soon as possible by causing real profit. Many will derive income only after four to five years of service in the industry. This will be too expensive for their services and the primary reason that the business man charging expensive rates for their services while no one will be willing to run a business that can gain profit following four or five years.

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The Events..

A sprinkle of three sneaky, little witches, a pinch of three clueless jocks, and a breath of sly idea all brews a whole lot of trouble! When three witches decide to bet who can make a human male fall for them first without using magic, you can imagine..

Owner:

Game Masters:

This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?Witches Brew?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

Topic Tags:

Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.
HERE IS WHERE MAIN EVENTS IN THE ROLE PLAY WILL BE LISTED IN ORDER. FEEL FREE TO ADD THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN, WE ONLY HAVE A FEW SO FAR. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO SO! Get those amazing, creative minds to working!! ^.^ Even though the events are a bit spread out, you can suggest something to happen in between those things. =)

Main Events::

? Monday, October 4th:: School starts back for all those attending Ashwick High School, home of the Ashwick Panthers. This is also the first day at the school for the three witches. Many things are happening. Sports sign-ups, signing up for certain clubs, ect.

? Friday, October 8th:: The annual "Back To School" dance, held in the school's gymnasium. It's nothing big like the Halloween Masquerade, and never requires much decorating. However, those in Student Council are in charge of making and handing out fliers, and getting people together to do a little decorating. [A boys ask girls event, though you can go alone as long as you're a Junior or Senior.]

? Monday, October 18th:: The town of Ashwick's Fall(Autumn) festival. Carnival rides, games, and activities for the local "townsfolk." The school's drama club usually puts on some small play. The football team usually runs a few booths at the festival as well: Playing games to win a prize, bobbing for apples, kissing booth, something along those lines. And don't forget the great 'Haunted House!!' =)

? Friday, October 22nd:: The Ashwick Panther's first football game, it is also Homecoming. Their first game, like always during Homecoming, is against their biggest rival. The Blackwood Bears. During this time AHS(Ashwick High School) students are full of school spirit! They deck out in the school's colors(red and gold), and come supporting their Panthers at the game!! Students in the school's daily paper go to take pictures of the game, and get "interviews" from a couple of the star players.

? Sunday, October 31st:: The great, cherished Halloween Masquerade. Ashwick students adore this event that has been a tradition every Halloween for over thirty years. Students on Student Council start decorating a week in advance. It is also held in the large school gymnasium. It is, like always, a boys ask girls event. You cannot get in the doors without a mask on!!!

That is all the events we have so far! Please suggest other things to fill in the gaps. Obviously, there needs to be a couple! =P Once the month of October is over events for the following month will be put up!

Last edited by Just Sayin' on Mon May 28, 2012 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Just Sayin'

Member for 1 years

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How about the School play for Felix and his gang? Perhaps a test that Damien needs to pass or his out of the team since there should be a maintaing GPA for players right? And an evil plot brewed by Soleil and her clique or other Antagonists that may join?

Btw, Soleil needs a girl or two to form her clique- you know, rivals for the 3 girls :)

lovechanningforever

Member for 2 years

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I like the school play idea! =D Perhaps the 21st, a Thursday for the play? =o

And what do you mean an evil plot? XD Plot for what? o.o (you can message me about it if you'd like)

About the test, that's up to reveries! That could be a personal thing Damien has to take that doesn't really need to be mentioned in the "Main Events." XT

P.S. About the needing a couple more girls for the "clique" thing, tell friends about this role play! ^^ Ask if they'll make one to help you out. If not, I could possibly make a snobby girl? XD Who knows.. =o

Just Sayin'

Member for 1 years

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Arizona health care - HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

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One-time top Calif. football prospect exonerated

Brian Banks, center, reacts with his mother, Leomia Myers and father, Jonathan Banks, outside court after his rape conviction was dismissed Thursday May 24, 2012 in Long Beach, Calif. Banks, a former Long Beach high school football star and prized college recruit who served more than five years in prison for a rape he did not commit had his conviction overturned Thursday with his accuser recanting her story( AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Brian Banks, center, reacts with his mother, Leomia Myers and father, Jonathan Banks, outside court after his rape conviction was dismissed Thursday May 24, 2012 in Long Beach, Calif. Banks, a former Long Beach high school football star and prized college recruit who served more than five years in prison for a rape he did not commit had his conviction overturned Thursday with his accuser recanting her story( AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Brian Banks weeps after his rape conviction was dismissed in court Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Long Beach, Calif. It has been 10 years since Banks, then 16, pleaded no contest to a rape charge brought after a childhood friend falsely accused him of attacking her on their high school campus, shattering his dreams of a pro career. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Brian Banks becomes emotional as his attorney Justin Brooks, right, and attorney Alissa Bjerkhoel stand by, as Banks' rape conviction is dismissed Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Long Beach, Calif. It has been 10 years since Banks, then 16, pleaded no contest to a rape charge brought after a childhood friend falsely accused him of attacking her on their high school campus, shattering his dreams of a pro career. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Brian Banks reacts with his mother, Leomia Myers, outside court after his rape conviction was dismissed Thursday May 24, 2012 in Long Beach, Calif. Banks, a former Long Beach high school football star and prized college recruit who served more than five years in prison for a rape he did not commit had his conviction overturned Thursday with his accuser recanting her story( AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Brian Banks weeps as his kidnap-rape conviction is dismissed Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Long Beach, Calif. It has been 10 years since Banks, then 16, pleaded no contest to a charge brought after a childhood friend falsely accused him of attacking her on their high school campus, shattering his dreams of a pro career. (AP Photo/Long Beach Press-Telegram, Brittany Murray)

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) ? A former high school football star whose dreams of a pro career were shattered by a rape conviction burst into tears Thursday as a judge threw out the charge that sent him to prison for more than five years.

Brian Banks, now 26, pleaded no contest 10 years ago on the advice of his lawyer after a childhood friend falsely accused him of attacking her on their high school campus.

In a strange turn of events, the woman, Wanetta Gibson, friended him on Facebook when he got out of prison.

During an initial meeting with him, she said she had lied; there had been no kidnap and no rape and she offered to help him clear his record, court records state.

But she refused to repeat the story to prosecutors because she feared she would have to return a $1.5 million payment from a civil suit brought by her mother against Long Beach schools.

During a second meeting that was secretly videotaped, she told Banks, "'I will go through with helping you, but it's like at the same time all that money they gave us, I mean gave me, I don't want to have to pay it back,'" according to Freddie Parish, a defense investigator who was at the meeting.

It was uncertain whether Gibson will have to return the money and unlikely she would be prosecuted for making the false accusation so long ago, when she was 15.

Gibson did not attend the hearing and she could not be reached for comment. Prosecutors and defense attorneys said they were unable to find her recently.

Banks, once a star middle linebacker at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, had attracted the interest of such college football powerhouses as the University of Southern California, Ohio State University and the University of Michigan, according to the website Rivals.com, which tracks the recruiting of high school football and basketball players.

Banks said he had verbally agreed to attend USC on a scholarship when he was arrested.

He still hopes to play professional football and has been working out regularly. His attorney Justin Brooks appealed to NFL teams to give him a chance.

"He has the speed and the strength. He certainly has the heart," Brooks said. "I hope he gets the attention of people in the sports world."

Gil Brandt, an NFL draft consultant, said Banks would be eligible to sign with any team that might show interest. However, his years away from the game will be hard to overcome.

"History tells us guys who come back after one or two years away when they go into the service find it awfully hard," Brandt said. "And this has been much longer a time."

Brandt compared the challenge to someone who has been out of high school for years trying to get an A in their first class in college.

Banks said outside court that he had lost all hope of proving his innocence until Gibson contacted him.

"It's been a struggle. But I'm unbroken and I'm still here today," the tall, muscular Banks said, tears flowing down his face.

He recalled being shocked and speechless on the day Gibson reached out to him after he had been released from prison, having served five years and two months.

"I thought maybe it wasn't real," he said. "How could she be contacting me?"

He said he knew that if he became angry when he met with her it wouldn't help, so he struggled to keep calm.

"I stopped what I was doing and got down on my knees and prayed to God to help me play my cards right," he said.

In court, Deputy District Attorney Brentford Ferreira told Superior Court Judge Mark C. Kim that prosecutors agreed the case should be thrown out. Kim dismissed it immediately.

Banks had tried to win release while he was in prison, but Brooks, a law professor and head of the California Innocence Project at California Western School of Law in San Diego, said he could not have been exonerated without the woman coming forward and recanting her story.

Brooks said it was the first case he had ever taken in which the defendant had already served his time and had been free for a number of years.

Banks remained on probation, however, and was still wearing his electronic monitoring bracelet at the hearing. His lawyer said the first thing the two planned to do was report to probation officials and have it removed.

"The charges are dismissed now," Brooks said. "It's as if it didn't happen. ... It was the shortest, greatest proceeding I've ever been part of."

Banks had been arrested after Gibson said he met her in a school hallway and urged her to come into an elevator with him. The two had been friends since middle school and were in the habit of making out in a school stairwell, according to court papers.

There were contradictions in Gibson's story, as she told some people the rape happened in the elevator and others that it happened in the stairwell.

A kidnapping enhancement was added to the case because of the allegation Banks had taken her to the stairwell. That enhancement also was thrown out Thursday.

Outside court, Banks donned a sweat shirt that read "Innocent," as several friends and family members wept. His parents were jubilant, and Banks thanked them for standing by him.

"I know the trauma, the stress that I've been through, but I can't imagine what it's like to have your child torn from you," he said. "I don't know what I would have done without my parents."

___

AP Writer Greg Risling and AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner contributed to this story.

Associated Press

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Alibaba.com $2.5B privatization bid approved

HONG KONG (AP) ? Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group's $2.5 billion bid to take its Hong Kong-listed unit private was cleared Friday by minority shareholders, easing the way for CEO Jack Ma to gain more control over his company's destiny.

The approval comes less than a week after Alibaba Group said it was buying back roughly half of struggling U.S. Internet company Yahoo's stake for $7.1 billion, as the Chinese company starts to extricate itself from a relationship that has grown strained over the years.

About 95 percent of Alibaba.com minority shareholders voted at a special meeting to approve Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s offer to buy back the 27 percent of Alibaba.com Ltd. that it doesn't own for 13.50 Hong Kong dollars a share. That's the same price at which the company went public in 2007.

The offer could cost up to HK$19.6 billion ($2.5 billion).

Alibaba.com, a business-to-business website, has said that going private will allow it to restructure and make long-term strategic decisions as growth slows after years of rapid expansion without pressure from shareholders worried about the depressed stock price.

The company plans to improve the quality of its site to attract more manufacturers, wholesalers and trading companies paying to use it. The number of users has started dropping and Alibaba says reversing that decline could hurt financial results.

Hangzhou, China-based Alibaba Group also operates Taobao.com, China's version of eBay, and TMall, which brand owners can use to sell directly to consumers. Alibaba also runs a search engine for shoppers and an online payment service.

Associated Press

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Nice Aromatherapy photos | Health and Fitness

Some cool Aromatherapy images:

Had an awesome #aromatherapy class today at school. Really stoked to try out my new #homemade spritzers!

Image by Growinnc

Metropole Hotel ? rose buds and aromatherapy

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I?ve long inveighed against the extraordinary amounts of time people require to express themselves in print or to prepare a speaking engagement. When I?ve told them that it should take only 45-60 minutes to write an article, the best have reduced their time from weeks to days (and, happily on occasion, hours). I?ve repeatedly but infrequently demonstrated how this is accomplished.

The ability to write with influence, facility, and speed is critical in creating articles, position papers, proposals, web material, blog entries, client letters, and reports. Imagine being able to write a superb article within an hour, a winning proposal within two hours, and an enticing booklet within a day.

And consider the power and ROI of learning all of this within one day? One outstanding, memorable day, that could change your career, your prospects, and your life.

I?m inviting you to join me in August, 2012 for an intensive day of learning The Business of Writing & Speaking. Here?s a sample of what you?ll walk away with:

• The ability to change passive, uninteresting language into dynamic, stirring commentary.
• A thorough understanding of how to organise an argument, which will help position you as a learned, respected source and expert.
• A completed article, position paper, or blog entry which you will start and finish during the program, having had it evaluated and refined. This will serve as one of your templates.
• Invention and arrangement; the rules of rhetoric; finding what you need; and using it well.
• Speed writing, where you don?t have to second-guess, review, and regret what you?ve done.
• How to include pithy, laser-like examples which not only prove your point, but sell it every time.
• Techniques to improve your vocabulary and grammar.
• How to prepare a speaking engagement to present your business ideas that successfully sells your message.
• How to speak to a small group or an auditorium with confidence, finesse and mastery.
• A video of you delivering a powerful presentation.
• Two months of my personal review of your written material?one document of any kind per week.

The day will be from 9 to 5. Lunch and refreshments are included. I?ll name the CBD venues soon.

Because of the nature of the learning we are limiting attendance to only 10 people!

Investment:

• Tuition paid prior to 25 May $700 +GST
• Tuition paid prior to 22 June $800 +GST
• Tuition paid after 22 June $900 +GST
• Past and present members of the Mentor Program: Tuition is $500 +GST

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Torch starts its 8,000 mile journey

[ [ [['A picture is worth a thousand words', 5]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/why-facebook-bought-instagram-4-theories-160400376.html', '[Related: Why Facebook bought Instagram: 4 theories]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 9]], 'http://contributor.yahoo.com/join/yahoonews_virginiabeach', '[Did you witness the jet crash? Share your story with Yahoo! News]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Dick Clark', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/dick-clark-dies-at-82-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/c/21/c217c61aa2d5872244c08caa13c16ec5.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'Reuters', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

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AMA Careers ? Manager, Employee Programs in Edmonton

?

• Posted Date: May 17, 2012
• Closing Date: Open until a suitable candidate is found
• Job Status: Full-time
• Centre: Edmonton South Centre, Edmonton
• Business unit: Human Resources
• Reports to: Director, Human Resources

Position Info:

At AMA, we are a team of caring, talented individuals who share a common bond: a passion for caring and making a difference in the lives of our customers and fellow employees. We are looking for a ?Manager of Employee Programs? to assist our on-going efforts in making AMA a great place to work.

This senior level professional will conduct practices which uphold our organizational culture; emphasizing continuous improvement, employee engagement, retention and attraction. You will be responsible for leading the ongoing development and facilitation of our varied employee programs ranging from Total Rewards to employee engagement initiatives. ??Working with a team of professionals, you will support the achievement of the organization's business goals while being a strategic partner, an employee advocate and change mentor.?

Major Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

(Include but are not limited to)

• Working closely with the HR Leadership team to uphold AMA values, delivering consultative? services and support to organization wide operations, leadership and employees
• Developing, implementing, enhancing and communicating AMA and Human Resources philosophies and practices, with a dedicated focus on continuous improvement and best practice
• Facilitating the framework for various people practices such as total rewards, recruitment and employee engagement to ensure initiatives are consistent with the achievement of the organization?s goals and objectives
• Providing leadership to annual or periodic employee programs and projects (e.g. HR in-center days; benefit workshops for annual organizational benefit renewal, Salary Administration review; etc.)
• Supporting employee communications including preparation and delivery of content where applicable
• Assisting the Director, Human Resources in strategic planning, development and implementation of employee program strategies, initiatives and risk management
• Managing vendors working directly with the HR Employee Program Services team (e.g. Benefit management partners; Compensation review vendors, etc.) ?

Background (Education/Licenses/Work Experience):

• Post secondary education in a relevant field (e.g. human resources, business)
• Human Resources experience, preferably with 10 years experience in a management or senior HR level role having delivered high quality employee programs in rapidly changing environments
• Business operations experience with a proven track record in effective inter-departmental relations, collaboration and team building
• Solid understanding of business fundamentals, consultative practices, and human resource concepts
• CHRP designation or eligible for same?

Skills & Proficiency:

• Solid business acumen and understanding of organization assessment and effectiveness; demonstrated experience leading a business operations team
• Solid commitment and skill set in service delivery, project management and employee program facilitation
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects on an on-going basis and to prioritize the urgency of each effectively in a fast paced, deadline-oriented and rapidly changing business environment
• Excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with a clear, positive ?people? focus
• A diplomatic, collaborative negotiator and good facilitator
• A strategic, critical thinker with strong planning and problem solving skills
• A confident, respected leader who proactively manages own strengths and weaknesses
• A skilled mentor, able to provide constructive feedback and implement required performance plans while not discouraging individuals
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality results within tight timelines
• Proven ability to adapt to new information systems and technology?

Personal Characteristics:

• Aligned with AMA?s stated values with demonstrated ability to lead and adapt to an organization?s changing needs and strategies
• Committed to continuous improvement, customer service and understanding the impact of recommendations on the business unit, its staff, strategy and processes
• Effectively and enthusiastically leads and manages change
• Sound judgment and commitment to living AMA values
• Innovative and creative with proven ability to execute
• Open minded and politically astute
• Committed to understanding the impact of staffing decisions on individuals
• Self-motivated with proven integrity and ethics
• Takes responsibility for own actions and is accountable for outcomes
• Resilient, adaptable, excels in spite of stress, learns from experiences
• Able to deal effectively with ambiguity and change while remaining organized and effective
• Ability to accommodate some travel?

Apply for this position in Edmonton:

• Contact name: Leanne Yanitski
• Email: leanne.yanitski@ama.ab.ca
• Fax: (780) 430-5711

?

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

AMA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. All matters relating to recruitment, promotions, and training and development are decided on the basis of qualifications and business need.

?

?

? Back to all positions
? View All Positions

?

?

?

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Solar Eclipse Sunday Promises Spectacular Views from China to Texas

Almost all of North America will undergo a weird and dramatic event late Sunday afternoon (May 20). A partial eclipse of the sun will be visible, and for most, it will coincide with sunset.

Only for places northwest of a line running roughly from San Diego to Winnipeg will the eclipse be visible from start to finish before the sun sets. Elsewhere, depending on where you are, if your sky is clear toward the west-northwest, the setting sun will appear slightly dented, deeply crescent-shaped, or even ring-shaped.

The eclipse will begin in China, but in parts of eight western states ? Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas ? viewers living within a path averaging about 190 miles (306 kilometers) wide, will have a front-row seat to witness the rare and exciting spectacle of an annular solar eclipse, or ring eclipse.? The path of annularity extends from the coastline at the California-Oregon border to northwestern Texas, where it will end at local sunset.?

Places within the path include Medford, Ore.; Eureka, Calif.; Reno, Nev.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Lubbock, Texas. Also within the path are two beloved national parks, Utah's Bryce Canyon and Arizona?s Grand Canyon. The U.S. National Park Service has invited the public to view the eclipse from a national partk this weekend. [May 20 Solar Eclipse: Complete Coverage]

But even if you're not positioned within the track of the ring phase, you shouldn?t get too envious, as the partial eclipse will definitely be a calendar marker most everywhere from the Pacific coast eastward.

Unfortunately for those living to the east of a line running approximately from Panama City, Fla., to Burlington, Vt., the sun will set before the eclipse begins, so those along the heavily populated Eastern Seaboard will miss out on seeing the solar show. But you will still be able to view the eclipse online via webcasts planned by theSlooh Space Camera website and others.

Solar eclipse first stop: China

Because the region of visibility straddles the international date line, this solar eclipse seems to begin on the day after it ends. ?The first people to see it will be those in eastern Asia who get up at sunrise on Monday morning, May 21.?

The path of annularity begins in the Gulf of Tongking, to the north-northwest of Hainan Island, the smallest province of the People's Republic of China. The path will quickly move on to the northeast and encompass many densely populated cities such as Guangzhou and Taipei (China), Victoria (Hong Kong) as well as Osaka and Tokyo (Japan).

The moon will then throw its shadow across the Pacific Ocean, cross the date line and toward the latter part of the afternoon of May 20, onto much of North America. The moon will be only about 32 hours past the apogee of its orbit, so it will appear somewhat smaller than usual ? smaller than the disk of the sun.

To be more precise, the moon?s circle will be only about 94.4 percent as wide as the sun; so 2.8 percent of the sun?s width will show on each side of the moon?s silhouette. Therefore, viewers in the shadow?s center will see not a total, but an annular eclipse: the sun will become a brilliant ring (or annulus) of light for up to several minutes encircling the moon?s dark silhouette.?

That brilliant ring will average 1 arc-minute wide. This is as thin as a basketball hoop with a half-inch rim seen face-on from about 160 feet away.? ?

Comprising 12 percent of the area of the solar disk, this ring will blot out the striking phenomena that would otherwise be seen at a total eclipse, such as the corona, prominences and the appearance of stars in a sky.

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Sun's "ring of fire"

The ring will shine with only one-tenth of the sun?s normal total light, but this is less of a change than it sounds, since our eyes can adapt readily to changing light levels. [Video: Solar Eclipse of May 20 Explained]

It certainly will not become as dark as night; instead you might call it a weird ?counterfeit twilight? as the quality of the light, may become unearthly. A clear sky should turn deep blue and the landscape oddly silvery. The temperature may take a perceptible drop; a cool breeze may begin to blow.

Venus, itself shining brightly, should become easily visible 23 degrees above and to the left of the sun ? your clenched fist held at arm?s length measures about 10 degrees, so try looking for Venus a little more than two fists up and to the sun?s left near maximum eclipse. Block the sun with your hand to search for it. ?

The annular phase will last about 4 1/2 minutes if you are in the center of the eclipse path. Nearer the edge of the path, the duration will be shorter and the ring will look lopsided, with one side shining brighter than the other.?

No doubt for a few hours on Sunday the eclipse almost certainly will top the news, followed of course by the usual dire warnings to the public not to risk blindness by carelessly looking at it. This has given most people the idea that solar eclipses are dangerous. Not so!?

It?s the sun that?s dangerous ? all the time!? Ordinarily, we have no reason to gaze at it. A solar eclipse gives us a reason, but we shouldn?t stare at the sun without taking the proper safety precautions.

There are some safe ways to observe the sun. Special solar filters for telescopes and binoculars, as well as eclipse glasses and No. 14 welder's glass are some examples.

For a listing of local solar eclipse viewing circumstances for 52 cities in the United States, read this NASA chart by veteran solar eclipse expert Fred Espenak.

For a listing of local circumstances for cities in Canada, Mexico and Asia, Espenak has prepared this handy chart.

This information is given in Universal Time. The sun?s altitude and azimuth, the eclipse magnitude (fraction of the sun?s diameter occulted by the moon), and obscuration (fraction of the sun?s area occulted by the moon) are all given for the instant of maximum eclipse.

Editor's note: If you snap a great photo of Sunday's annular solar eclipse and would like it to be considered for use in a story or gallery, please send it to SPACE.com managing editor Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com.

Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for The New York Times and other publications, and he is also an on-camera meteorologist for News 12 Westchester, New York.

Copyright 2012 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Sunday's Solar Eclipse 'Ring of Fire': Where and How to See It

On Sunday afternoon (May 20), the path of an annular solar eclipse will cross parts of eight western states. SPACE.com estimates that an estimated 6.6 million Americans live within the path of annularity.

An annular solar eclipse is typically no match for a total solar eclipse. It is really more like an embellished partial eclipse, with the beautiful solar corona not becoming visible and the sky never getting really dark. Nevertheless, an annular solar eclipse still ranks as one of the most remarkable of celestial sights for avid skywatchers.

Sunday's eclipse track begins in East Asia and cross the Pacific Ocean before reaching North America. In the United States, the U.S. National Park Service has invited skywatchers to view the solar eclipse from a national park, while the University?of Colorado, at Boulder

is opening its Folsom Stadium ? a football stadium ? to the public in what organizers are calling the world's largest solar eclipse viewing party.

If you're planning to position yourself within the path of Sunday's annular solar eclipse you?re going to have one of three observing options to choose from:

1)???? Position yourself at or near the center of the eclipse track.

2)???? Position yourself just inside the northern or southern limit of the eclipse track.

3)???? Position yourself near the sunset point of the eclipse track.

Let?s look closely at each option, starting with being located at or near the center of the eclipse track, which is likely where the lion?s share of eclipse chasers plan to go.?[Solar Eclipse of May 20 (Photo Observing Guide)]

In the middle

From here what you will see is a gradually increasing partial solar eclipse until the moon is almost at the middle of the sun; the annular eclipse begins when the moon detaches itself from one inner side of the sun.

You'll then see the sun morph into a lopsided "ring of fire" ? one side shining brighter than the other ? that, at mid-eclipse will appear as a perfect ring; the moon?s dark disk will measure 94.4 percent of the apparent diameter of the bright sun behind it. Then, as moon continues to move on its way, the ring will become off-centered again. The end comes when the dark silhouette of the moon touches the other side of the sun. ?

The main attraction for being on the center line is that the duration of annularity lasts the longest. At the Pacific Coast in northern California, not far from the town of Requa, the ring phase will last for 4 minutes, 47 seconds with the sun standing 22 degrees high in the west-northwest sky (your clenched fist held at arm?s length is roughly equivalent to 10 degrees).?

Heading southeast along the center of the track, the duration of annularity slowly diminishes, while the sun?s altitude gradually lowers. From Albuquerque, the ring will persist for 4 minutes 27 seconds, but the sun will have lowered to just 5.5 degrees above the horizon. If we were to divide the total duration of annularity into thirds (beginning, middle and end), then the appearance of a near-perfectly centered ring should last about 90 seconds.

Being on edge

Now let's consider the aspects of being positioned just inside either the northern or southern limit of the eclipse track. At first this doesn't seem like much of an option, since the duration of annularity will be much less and the ring will always appear off-center.?

Indeed, just 1 mile inside the track, annularity will last only about 35 seconds, while going 3 miles in will give you about a minute's worth of annular eclipse. But the moon's limb, unlike the sun, is not smooth. Lunar mountains and valleys roughen its profile and when these touch the inside of the sun's edge at the beginning and end of annular eclipse, they can break the thin line of light into a string of points called Baily's Beads. [Sun Quiz: How Well Do You Know Our Star?]

This phenomenon might not last more than a few brief seconds on the center line, but for those stationed at the edges of the path they could last through the duration of annularity.

Paul D. Maley who worked at the NASA Johnson Space Center from 1969 to 2010 and who has led many eclipse expeditions (http://www.eclipsetours.com/about-us/) says:?

"I can attest from personal decades of past experience with annulars that observing a solar eclipse at the edge (also called the 'graze zone') is much more unique than that at the center, especially if you have already seen an annular eclipse from the centerline. At the north graze zone, large beads are seen (just the opposite from a total solar eclipse) and from the south graze zone, tinier beads will be detected. From the graze zones, the sun penetrates valleys of different depths and expose what can be a startling array of dazzling points of light."

Observing from near the edge of the eclipse track is also scientifically important in that it can serve to measure small variations in the diameter of the sun. Interestingly, there are two similarly sized cities that are situated exactly on the edge of annularity. On the north edge of the path is Cortez, Colo. (pop. 8,482), while on the south edge is Winslow, Ariz. (pop. 9,832).

A ringed sunset

The most intriguing possibility is to see the sun mimic a ring of fire as it is about to set, which makes an already striking sky event all the more dramatic. There's the possibility of vivid sunset colors, other interesting atmospheric phenomena, and beautiful foreground scenery. Of course, in the case of a setting sun any calculation assumes you have a clear, flat horizon. Any foreground obstructions in the west-northwest (at about azimuth 295 degrees) will put a premature end to the sun's visibility. ?

Lubbock, Texas, is not on center line, but is about 25 miles to the northeast. From there, an almost perfect ring will be formed, lasting 4 minutes 14 seconds beginning at 8:33:54 p.m. CDT. But the sun will ?be only 1.3 degrees above the horizon when the annular eclipse begins.

Annularity will end six minutes before sunset. Farther to the southeast, the effect of atmospheric refraction must be taken into account. The thick atmosphere at the horizon refracts or bends sunlight so that we are seeing the setting sun about a half degree above where it really is.?

In Snyder, Texas, for example, calculations neglecting refraction suggest that only the beginning of the 3 minute 40 second ring phase (at 8:33:43 p.m. CDT) will be visible before the sun drops below the horizon, but taking refraction into account shows that the sun will remain above the horizon for another nine minutes. At Sweetwater, Texas, the sun will resemble a horseshoe with narrow, pointed tips tilted down and to the right when it transitions to a lopsided ring at 8:34:27 p.m. CDT. Less than three minutes later, the sun will set.

And you will also have to hope that the weather cooperates, for even if the sky is mainly clear there is always the possibility that clouds could lie close to the horizon, which could, of course, spoil the view at the critical moment.

Eye safety concerns

Lastly, we need to address the issue about watching the eclipsed sun as it sets, for in this special case it could be dimmed and reddened to an unpredictable degree, which can present a number of uncertainties. [How to Safely Observe the Sun (Infographic)]

Of course, when the sun is high and blindingly bright you're going to need to use a safe sun-viewing filter such as a No. 14 rectangular arc welder?s filter; the standard for a normal daytime sun, or a metalized Mylar filter manufactured specifically for solar viewing. Don't rely on other filter materials such as smoked glass, sunglasses or crossed polarizing filters; they may pass dangerous amounts of invisible infrared light that can burn your retina.

On a telescope, binoculars, or camera, the filter must be attached securely over the front of the instrument, never behind the eyepiece.

A dim, red setting sun, however, is another question altogether.

Many people have watched sunsets all their lives without any second thoughts. But caution is still advisable. While it is true that the sun?s ultraviolet radiation ? the most damaging to the eye ? is extinguished when sun turns a deep red, by the same token, infrared radiation can be expected to cut through the thick air much more strongly than visible light does. And retinal damage can happen painlessly ? just because everything feels OK doesn?t mean it is.

So even if the sun is quite dim, it?s still a good idea to limit yourself to brief looks. All you lifelong sunset-watchers might be surprised to hear such a warning, but it?s better to be safe than sorry.

Good look and clear skies to all on Sunday!

Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York's Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for The New York Times and other publications, and he is also an on-camera meteorologist for News 12 Westchester, New York.

Copyright 2012 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Green Blog: On Our Radar: China's Air Pollution

May 16, 2012, 7:54 am By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Efforts to reduce air pollution in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games yielded immediate benefits for cardiovascular health, researchers report. [The Atlantic]

The American consulate in Shanghai begins issuing its own air quality readings, reporting that particulates are significantly worse than government statistics indicate. [The Standard]

Chesapeake Energy?s stock price falls after Standard & Poor?s downgrades its credit rating in response to the company?s quest for a $4 billion loan rescue. The natural gas company is suffering from revelations about its business practices and its chief executive?s financial dealings. [Time]

After a yearslong battle, Colorado?s largest water utility and two counties reach an accord intended to balance the Denver area?s demand for water with the needs of mountain communities. [KUNC]

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Daytrading, Stock Trading, Investing and Forex Trading ? How To ...

With the recession practically now formally over and grinding down to a halt, the recovery period starts to start. To set apart between which stocks have fully bottomed out and which continue to fall, you ought to use an automatic share trading system which is especially engineered to use logical, algorithmic tools to decode market information and find worthwhile trading prospects. Therefore , many stocks are at record low costs and are ready for the picking, making it one of the very finest times to speculate in decades. In particular , here is the right way to treble your investments overnite with an automatic stock trading methodology.

* There are new technologies out there now that may considerably increase the chances for successful stockmarket trading. An advantage of the stockmarket trading software is the indisputable fact that they're programmed to recognise the trends and advise you of which stocks are probably going to be good to make an investment in. They also are comparatively cheap and easy to utilize. If you're think about making an investment in a stockmarket trading software then it'd be to your benefit to learn all you are able to about the varied type and the benefits and disadvantages of every one before purchasing one. A selling telephone call from an investment company was the final signal that made him understand that his response to a higher quality life was hooked up to his interest in the market. He overheard conversation at a buyers house. That evening he subscribed to a course to learn as much as he could about the market. He rushed home each evening to learn as much as he could and started to paper trade.

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Video: Klein: We are better off without filibusters

Who hates cilantro? Study aims to find out

To a very vocal online contingent, cilantro is the very worst. On "I Hate Cilantro" websites and Facebook pages they gripe that the herb tastes like soap, mold, or dirt. Cilantro haters not only despise its flavor, they also detest its smell.

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Aiden, Brayden, Jayden ...

By the 1920s, parents had begun naming their sons according to trends, too. In 1920, John still topped the boys? list, but names ending in ?-ard? had also begun to catch on in droves: Edward, Richard, Howard, and Leonard all made the top 50 that year. Other rhymes and near-rhymes continued to cluster together on baby-name lists throughout the decades: Doris, Dolores, Phyllis, and Gladys caught on among parents of newborn daughters in the 1930s and 1940s, as did Evelyn, Marilyn, and Carolyn. At the same time among boys, ?-berts? were born in droves: Robert was the No. 1 boy?s name in 1930, with Herbert and Albert not far behind. In 1940, Donald and Ronald were the ninth and 10^th most popular boys? names, while Larry and Jerry took the 13^th and 14^th spots, respectively.

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