Google holds back on open-sourcing Honeycomb, heralds massive shift for Android

Google, in an interesting but not entirely unexpected twist, will not be open-sourcing Android 3.0 Honeycomb for the foreseeable future.

Historically, Android is usually open-sourced via the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) a few days or weeks after the code is finalized. While this departure from the norm won't affect OEMs like HTC and Motorola that have access to internal builds of Android, small-time developers will likely have to wait months before rolling their own distributions.

As to why Google is holding back Honeycomb, its reasons are actually rather rational. Honeycomb, while originally intended to run on all mobile form factors, is only ready for deployment on tablets. "To make our schedule to ship the tablet, we made some design tradeoffs," says Andy Rubin, the head of Google's Android group. "We didn't want to think about what it would take for the same software to run on phones. It would have required a lot of additional resources and extended our schedule beyond what we thought was reasonable. So we took a shortcut."

In other words, Google wants to prevent OEMs and homebrew developers like Cyanogen from rolling their own smartphone versions of Honeycomb -- it doesn't want to see the same bitter-tasting tabletified bastardization that occurred with Android 2.1 and 2.2 last year.

The CLEP History of the United States I w/CD (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the CLEP (Test Preps)

Get those CLEP college credits you deserve.. our savvy test experts show you the way to master the test and get the score that gets you college credit. This new edition contains comprehensive review of U.S history material, helping the student to master the U.S. history areas most likely to be tested. Students can train to score higher on multiple-choice section by using the chronological arrangement of questions as a study guide. This book includes 3 full-length practice exams. Practice exams questions are like the questions appearing on the actual exam, and every answer is fully explained. REA's CD-ROM software offers three full-length, timed, computerized exams that give you the closest thing to experiencing a live exam at a testing center.System Requirements:CPU: 75 MHz Pentium or compatible. 300MHz or higher recommended.Operating System: Windows 98, Me, 2000 and XP.RAM: 64MB available minimum60 MB Hard Disk space available.

Amazon Sales Rank: #11673 in Books Published on: 2006-12 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Binding: Paperback 346 pages

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. About Research & Education AssociationResearch & Education Association (REA) is an organization of educators, scientists, and engineers specializing in various academic fields. Founded in 1959 with the purpose of disseminating the most recently developed scientific information to groups in industry, government, high schools, and universities, REA has since become a successful and highly respected publisher of study aids, test preps, handbooks, and reference works.REA's Test Preparation series includes study guides for all academic levels in almost all disciplines. Research & Education Association publishes test preps for students who have not yet completed high school, as well as high school students preparing to enter college. Students from countries around the world seeking to attend college in the United States will find the assistance they need in REA's publications. For college students seeking advanced degrees, REA publishes test preps for many major graduate school admission examinations in a wide variety of disciplines, including engineering, law, and medicine. Students at every level, in every field, with every ambition can find what they are looking for among REA's publications. While most test preparation books present practice tests that bear little resemblance to the actual exams, REA's series presents tests that accurately depict the official exams in both degree of difficulty and types of questions. REA's practice tests are always based upon the most recently administered exams, and include every type of question that can be expected on the actual exams.REA's publications and educational materials are highly regarded and continually receive an unprecedented amount of praise from professionals, instructors, librarians, parents, and students. Our authors are as diverse as the fields represented in the books we publish. They are well-known in their respective disciplines and serve on the faculties of prestigious high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and Canada.Chapter 1: ABOUT THE CLEP HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES IABOUT THIS BOOK AND TESTwareThis book provides you with comprehensive preparation for the CLEP History of the United States I Computer-Based Test, or CBT. Inside you will find a concise review of college algebra, as well as tips and strategies for test-taking. We give you three full-length REA practice tests, all based on the official CLEP History of the United States I CBT. Our practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the CLEP CBT. Following each practice test you will find an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you more completely absorb the test material.All 34 CLEP exams are computer-based. As you can see, the practice tests in our book are presented as paper-and-pencil exams. The content and format of the actual CLEP subject exams are faithfully mirrored. We detail the format of the CLEP History of the United States I CBT on pages 4-5.The practice tests in this book and software package are included in two formats: in printed form in this book, and in TESTware format on the enclosed CD. We recommend that you begin your preparation by first taking the practice exams on your computer. The software provides timed conditions, automatic scoring, and scoring information, all of which makes it easier to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.ABOUT THE EXAMWho takes CLEP exams and what are they used for?CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) examinations are usually taken by adults who have acquired knowledge outside the classroom and wish to bypass certain college courses and earn college credit. The CLEP Program is designed to reward students for learning - no matter where or how that knowledge was acquired. The CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the country, with more than 2,900 colleges and universities granting credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP exams.Although most CLEP candidates are adults returning to college, many graduating high school seniors, enrolled college students, and international students also take the exams to earn college credit or to demonstrate their ability to perform at the college level. There are no prerequisites, such as age or educational status, for taking CLEP examinations. However, because policies on granting credits vary among colleges, you should contact the particular institution from which you wish to receive CLEP credit.Most CLEP examinations include material usually covered in an undergraduate course with a similar title to that of the exam (e.g. History of the United States I). However, five of the exams do not deal with subject matter covered in any particular course but rather with material taken as general requirements during the first two years of college. These general exams are English Composition (with or without essay), Humanities, College Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and History.Who develops and administers the exams?The CLEP CBTs are developed by the College Entrance Examination Board, administered by Educational Testing Service, and involves the assistance of educators from across the United States. The test development process is designed and carried out to ensure that the content and difficulty of the test are appropriate to the college level.When and where is this exam given?The CLEP History of the United States I exam is administered each month throughout the year at approximately 1,400 test centers in the U.S. and can be arranged for candidates abroad on request. To find the test center nearest you and to register for the exam, you should obtain a copy of the free booklets CLEP Colleges and CLEP Information for Candidates and Registration Form. They are available at most colleges where CLEP credit is granted, or by contacting:CLEP ServicesP.O. Box 6601Princeton, NJ 08541-6601Phone: (609) 771-7865Fax: (609) 771-7088Website: http://www.collegeboard.comHow to Use this BookWhat do I study first?Read over the course review and the suggestions for test-taking. Then use the first practice test as a diagnostic to determine your area(s) of weakness. Once you find out where you need to spend more time, focus your efforts on those specific problem areas. To reinforce your facility with the subject matter, we advise keeping at your side a college-level textbook that covers the appropriate material.To best utilize your study time, follow our Independent Study Schedule, which you'll find in the front of this book. The schedule is based on a four-week program, but can be condensed to two weeks if necessary by collapsing each two-week period into a single week.When should I start studying?It's never too early to start studying for the CLEP History of the United States I exam; the earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with it.Format and Content of the CLEP CBTThe CLEP History of the United States I covers the period of American History from the Spanish and French colonizations to the end of Reconstruction. The primary emphasis of the exam is on the English colonies and the early period of the nationhood. There are 120 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answer choices, to be answered in 90 minutes. The approximate breakdown of topics is as follows:35% - Political institutions and behavior and public policy25% - Social developments10% - Economic developments15% - Cultural and intellectual developments15% - Diplomacy and international relationsApproximately one-third of the questions focus on the period from 1500 to 1789, while the rest deal with the period from 1790 to 1877.ABOUT OUR COURSE REVIEWThe history review in this book covers all major events and historical figures from the early Spanish and French colonizations up to Reconstruction. The review is divided into seven major time periods:1. The Colonial Period (1500-1763)2. The American Revolution (1763-1787)3. The United States Constitution (1787-1789)4. The New Nation (1789-1824)5. Jacksonian Democracy and Westward Expansion (1824-1850)6. Sectional Conflict and the Causes of the Civil War (1850-1860)7. The Civil War and Reconstruction (1860-1877)When will I receive my score report?The test-center administrator will print out a full Candidate Score Report for you immediately upon your completion of the CBT. Your scores are reported only to you, unless you ask to have them sent elsewhere. If you wish to have your scores reported to a college or other institution, you must say so when you take the examination. Since your scores are kept on file for 20 years, you can also request transcripts from Educational Testing Service at a later date.STUDYING FOR THE CLEP CBTIt is crucial for you to choose the time and place for studying that works best for you. Some students set aside a certain number of hours every morning, while others choose to study at night before going to sleep. Only you can determine when and where your study time will be most effective. But be consistent and use your time wisely. Work out a study routine and stick to it!When you take our practice tests, try to make your testing conditions as much like the actual test as possible. Turn off the television or radio, and sit down at a quiet table or desk free from distraction. Make sure to time yourself. Start off by setting a timer for the time that is allotted for each section, and be sure to reset the timer for the...

Very helpful customer reviews 20 of 20 people found this review helpful. This is a study guide, you rock Jacques I just this book to prepare for the exam, read the material once, took the first practice test and then re-read the material and took second and third tests. Then analyze the responses and discussed. This was my first CLEPA test ever. Be your own judge, but as you study, if you are a good test taker, then this book should do everything for you, if not then ends with another material. The book does a good job to cover the material. I made a 72 on the test. Hope that helps. 16 of 16 people found this review helpful. A good reference for basic knowledge of U.S. history by Mrs. Owl This book has been instrumental in my transition from U.S. history that CLEPA exam. I read it from beginning to end and that the practice tests multiple times until I got the right answers. The deficit is only that the book does not cover "pre-war" within the level that coincides with the review suggested that complements this book instantcert.com card and is also used SparkNotes flashcards U.S. History and timeline. I finally found an old textbook in the history of the school and used it to consolidate all the facts he had learned. Pay attention to the fundamental things that happened and that intitiated certain acts and movements. In general, this book is an indispensable tool to prepare. I went with 69. Dec. 12 people found this review helpful. perfect base for an easy Rogers DS for my program RN, MSN that I needed to do two courses in history as soon as possible. I do not want to waste time sitting in a classroom, so I decided to try the CLEP exams. I took the exam in American history yesterday. To be able to look at each test question and think "God, I know this is a great feeling. This book was the basis of my preparation, used in conjunction with the EZ Baroni 101 American History to 1877 and in America a narrative history book The CLEP REA covered some topics in greater depth than others, but when used with other references I was more than ready. The best part of this book is practice exams and answer explanations. Some practical problems were my actual words CLEP examination for other words have been rewritten, but still seemed very practical question. This book is worth every penny, and I've already bought the book for the REA CLEP Test Western civilization that will last 4 weeks. When time is of the essence, this book is an excellent investment for your success. See all 27 reviews ....

Economic Violence Against Women on the Rise in Colombia

In Colombia, poverty is causing a proliferation of usury, the practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest.� Due to fewer educational and career opportunities, and thus lower economic status, women are particularly vulnerable to this type of crime. Colombian banks do not offer loans to low income earners or those with no demonstrable credit or assets, so it?s all too easy for small businesses to fall prey to loan sharks.� Especially dangerous are the ?drop by drop? or ?pay by the day? loans, which require a repayment every 24 hours with interest rates multiplying exponentially. A loan of as little as $200 can be enough to enslave a debtor with an un-repayable debt.� A small loan such as this initially seems manageable, but often the abusive conditions imposed by the loan sharks become too much. After one or two missed instalments, the debt quickly spirals out of control and, in order to meet payments, debtors are forced to take out second and third loans. Their predicament worsens as they borrow more to consolidate debts from various lenders. Rather than seeing debts diminish, debtors are borrowing more and more just to re-pay the interest they owe. In this situation, unable to pay their bills, small businesses are forced to close and the owners are subjected to intimidation, seizure of personal property and even violence and murder. � The widow of one debtor who was assassinated in mysterious circumstances explained "Before he died, when I was brought to the hospital, it was the paramilitaries who told me that my husband had been shot. When I thought about reporting what had happened, I received anonymous calls warning me not to go to the prosecution because they knew where I lived." In fear for their lives, some people flee in desperation. But those who attempt to run from the loan sharks simply transfer their debt, and their woes, to the person who endorsed them. This unfortunate individual is then treated to the same threats and coercion as the original debtor, all for a loan that wasn?t even theirs. Fortunately for small business owners needing microcredit, a nonprofit organisation called ?Fomentamos? (Spanish for ?we encourage or ?we promote?)?, grants small, low-interest loans to those with low economic status. Unlike the loan sharks, Fomantamos? terms of business are within the law, since the loans they grant have a monthly interest rate of only.2.5%. The organization's director, Fernando Flores, explained that many people seek aid from Fomentamos after suffering at the hands of the ?pay per day? loan sharks, who act with impunity in Colombia. "Even though usury is an activity punishable by law, the 'pay day' loan sharks work freely in the street. Everybody knows about it but nobody does anything because many of them are members of paramilitary or criminal gangs using usury as a means of financing the group. In addition to extorting businesses for ?protection? money, these groups prey on people who need money and cannot access the banks." Loans from Fomentamos make it possible for low income earners to start and maintain small businesses. As well as offering loans, the organisation provides training and advice to its clients to help their ventures succeed. One of the conditions of borrowing money from Fomentamos is that clients stop paying the loan sharks. This policy helps to maintain a loan repayment rate of 98.5%.� If a client is struggling to meet a payment, an extension is granted. Flores explains that not all nonprofits are so lenient; in fact some go so far as to put pressure on debtors to make repayments, using methods not dissimilar to those of the loan sharks.�� "Over the years, there have been many investors in the microfinance business who no longer work with a social conscience. We want to rebuild the social fabric and restore people?s trust in each other and in the use of solidarity." This information was translated from an article on El Mundo. The original piece can be read in Spanish here , Afortunadamente para ellas, Mar�a Luisa y Laura llegaron a las puertas de Fomentamos, una coorporaci�n sin �nimo de lucro que concede microcr�ditos a personas sin recursos.Fortunatesince the loans they grant have a monthly interest rate of only.2.5%. El director de la organizaci�n, Fernando Florez, asegura que muchos de los beneficiarios de Fomentamos recurren a la entidad despu�s de sufrir los abusos de los 'paga diarios', que act�an con total impunidad en el pa�s. The

looking for advice about a debt settlement company?

I enrolled with Renaissance Debt Solutions out of MD and paid the initial $ 349 start up fee to help me with credit cards and a repo that I have been paying on for 3 1/2 yrs. I was not behind in anything at the time but am now. Checked with the BBB (after the fact) and the company has an unsatisfactory rating. Does anyone have any further information about this company before I just cut my losses and try to get back on track with my creditors myself?

Consolidate your student loan quick and easy!

school-loans-consolidation.net If you have a knowledge about what is student loan consolidation, what different kinds of loan are available and when is good to consolidate your loan you would be in much better position to understand and appreciate the importance of student loan consolidation…

Ukraine seeks talks with Romania, US on missile shield

"Ukraine is seeking consultations with Bucharest and Washington on the proposed deployment of US missile interceptors in Romania, Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko said Wednesday.

'In the context of the steps taken to consolidate security, we think that the aim should be to reinforce security of Europe as a whole and to take into account all political aspects of this issue,' Gryshchenko told a press conference in Bucharest."
NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.

Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.

This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Ukraine seeks talks with Romania, US on missile shield

"Ukraine is seeking consultations with Bucharest and Washington on the proposed deployment of US missile interceptors in Romania, Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Gryshchenko said Wednesday.

'In the context of the steps taken to consolidate security, we think that the aim should be to reinforce security of Europe as a whole and to take into account all political aspects of this issue,' Gryshchenko told a press conference in Bucharest."
NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.

Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.

This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Nifty Futures for Tomorrow - 19 May

The stock has successfully taken support at lower levels and managed to reach the mentioned levels last week, its next resistance is at 235, crossing of this level will take the stock further upwards else it.

Resistance - 235

Support - 217

HDFC Bank

The stock was consolidating during the trading hours and the major trend presently in the stock is sideways. The stock is facing resistance at 2325 and has support at 2220. Break of resistance may take the stock further up. One may go for buying the stock once it breaks its resistance.

Resistance - 2325

Support - 2220

Hindalco tomorrow

After a continuous downtrend in the stock the stock moved up during the trading hours and showed some recovery. The trend presently in the stock is sideways. The stock is now facing resistance at 199 and has support at 191. Break of resistance may take the stock further up. One may go for buying the stock once it breaks its resistance.

Resisatnce - 199

Support - 191

Jindal Steel & Power

JINDAL STEEL AND POWER is in consolidation phase and trading in tight range. The stock has resistance level at 656 and support level at 626. It is expected to consolidate with positive biasness in the coming session and above the resistance level at 656 upside movements can be expected in it.

Resistance - 656

Support - 626

BancorpSouth to shutter 23 branches in 6 states 05/18/11

has released a list of the 23 bank branches in six states that it will close this summer as part of a plan to consolidate operations.

Earlier this week, BancorpSouth said the branches hadn't seen enough growth to cover their operating expenses. The closings will begin in early August. About 100 employees will be affected.

The branch closings are:

In Alabama, the branch in Albertville.

In Arkansas, branches in Camden, Chidester, El Dorado, Hope, Humnoke, Humphrey, Mountainburg, Paragould and Texarkana.

In Missouri, the branch in O'Fallon.

In Mississippi, branches in Ecru, Edwards, Hamilton, Houlka, Laurel, Tupelo (2), Utica.

In Tennessee, branches in Henning, Jackson (2).

In Texas, branch in Maud.

Louisiana and Florida were spared any cuts.

The closings must be approved by federal and state regulators.

Muthoot Fin will consolidate between Rs 150-160: Tulsian

Investment Advisor, SP Tulsian feels that Muthoot Finance will consolidate between Rs 150-160.

Tulsian told CNBC-TV18, "When Muthoot Finance went public I express my view that I see a fair value of about maybe Rs 160 on the listing, so they should not have come off IPO beyond Rs 150. And now since the share reached almost to my level but because of the weak market sentiments it is not helping. So maybe between Rs 150-160 it will consolidate or it will settle for sometime where once we see the results coming in from the company for March quarter then probably the renewed buying will start at these levels but in my view it seems to have bottomed out.”

He further added, “Paramount Print is a classical case of the operator rigging the stock because we have seen 2 kinds of moves. One happens on the listing and one happens maybe after a week or so. So this falls in the latter category where the operator has become active and he has started mopping up the share ultimately to find an exit.”

“The kind of dull response now we see from the traders, they are not really participating in these kinds of operator driven stocks because they have understood the modus operandi of all these operators. So it will be difficult for the, so called operators to exit from the stock. Maybe the things will hover between Rs 32-36 but purely on a fundamental basis I won’t attribute a value of more than Rs 10 to this stock.”

Retiring Greenfield Fire Chief Believes in Consolidation

Even before deciding to retire as the Greenfield Fire Department chief, and before Governor Scott Walker's budget proposal tightened the strings of local municipalities even further, Russ Spahn was a strong proponent of consolidating services.

Now, he believes its probably unavoidable.

"There’s no reason why we don’t consolidate and make things better," Spahn said Monday afternoon while discussing his retirement with Greenfield Patch.

Spahn said the department already works so well and so closely with other departments within Zone D (Franklin, Greendale and Hales Corners) that the departments cannot do "any more without breaching contracts. The next step is true consolidation."

"We each have a big ladder," Spahn added. "Do we each need a big ladder? Not necessarily. Do we each need backup equipment at each station of each department? Not necessarily. Could we overlap in personnel and equipment? Absolutely. It’s a waste of the taxpayers' dollars not to (consolidate).

"It has to be done correctly and wisely, but chiefs before me and me included have offered up proposals and options of various levels of consolidation. But it’s the politicians that make the final decisions and it hasn’t come to be. However, now I think those conversations will be more serious because of what the governor is doing and where the economy is. People are going to demand it."

Consolidation, even if done properly, as Spahn said, is not a cure-all to the budget woes fire departments are facing, according to the retiring chief. Consolidation or not, the Milwaukee County fire service landscape will look completely different five years from now compared to how it does now, and not necessarily for the better, he said.

"Based on the laws and the changes the governor is making as a result of the economics and as a result of the taxpayer taking a stronger interest than ever with what their government is doing for them, you’re going to see some major changes as it relates to consolidation, huge downsizing, loss of services," Spahn said. "Services will suffer."

Northshore School Board consolidates junior high football programs

The Northshore School Board recently voted to consolidate the districts' football programs at the junior high level.

All interested ninth-grade students will play on a freshman team at their respective high schools, and any seventh or eighth-grade students interested in playing tackle football will need to join their local junior football programs.

Inglemoor Junior Football will be offering supplemental registration on Saturday, May 21st at the Kenmore Taco Time from 11 a.m . to 4 p.m., where coaches and board members will be answering questions and registering potential players.

The program will also be fielding a flag football team for children ages 5 and 6, as well as tackle football for children 7-14.

Jersey City mayor: consolidation proposal would 'strip' residents 'of their culture and identity'

A plan by two council members to consolidate some city and county agencies would 'strip the good residents of Jersey City of their culture and identity,' Mayor Jerramiah Healy said in a statement.

Earlier today, Downtown Councilman Steve Fulop and Ward C Councilwoman Nidia Lopez said they want the city to explore consolidating services to save taxpayer dollars and eliminate duplication of services.

Both want to fold the Jersey City Economic Development Corp. into the Hudson County Economic Development Corp, while Fulop wants to combine the city's and county's cultural affairs departments, too.

Their proposal was slammed in a statement released by Healy, who said the plan was nothing more than a "self-serving press release" designed to further Fulop's "personal, political agenda."

The city's and county's cultural affairs departments are similar in name only, Healy said.

"The Jersey City tax dollars that are dedicated to the Division of Cultural Affairs go directly back to support Jersey City-based cultural events, programs and institutions, while the bulk of HCCA work is spent administering county-wide grants from the state and federal government," Healy said.

Merging the city's and county's EDC agencies, meanwhile, would "threaten Jersey City's position as the economic engine of our state," Healy said.

"Councilman Fulop has shown his ignorance not only for the basic principles of municipal government, but for the way our city works and how our communities thrive," Healy said.

Full statement below.

Statement of Mayor Healy Regarding Councilman Fulop’s Press Release on Merger of City EDC & Cultural Affairs with Hudson County Offices

Once again, Councilman Fulop is illustrating his ignorance of our city’s rich and lengthy history. Jersey City is a city of the First Class, the most diverse city in the County, and the economic engine of the State. Every year, we hold dozens of events celebrating our diversity and our civic pride and showcasing the variety and depth of our artistic community. It is these types of events that not only contribute to our pre-eminence as a cultural destination, but that serve to unite us as a community.

This measure by Councilman Fulop and Councilwoman Lopez would serve to strip the good people of Jersey City of their culture and identity, and would transfer the autonomy of our EDC – an independent non-profit that receives no funding from city property tax dollars – to a county agency that is responsible for several other municipalities. In fact, this proposal would dedicate Jersey City taxpayer dollars to funding arts and economic development in other towns aside from Jersey City.

Councilman Fulop has issued a campaign press release in the attempt of gaining political traction, but has instead turned his back on our varied cultural and ethnic groups, our visual and performing artists, and our small business community. This proposed consolidation would also threaten Jersey City’s position as the economic engine of the state, as we would relinquish our ability to market our city as a destination for new business.

Merging services between a city and county or two municipalities, for example, makes sense when in fact there is a duplication of services. It was my administration that took the lead on this by merging the City Office of Veterans Affairs and the service of weights and measures inspections with the County when duplications existed. My staff continues to meet with their counterparts in neighboring municipalities to discuss the potential for shared services and as we downsize government we are eliminating the duplication of services.

However, while the Jersey City Division of Cultural Affairs and Hudson County Cultural Affairs have similar names, their missions are completely different. There is no duplication of services. The Jersey City tax dollars that are dedicated to the Division of Cultural Affairs go directly back to support Jersey City-based cultural events, programs and institutions, while the bulk of HCCA work is spent administering county-wide grants from the state and federal government.

Likewise, the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation serves to administer the largest and most successful Urban Enterprise Zone program in New Jersey and supports our four Special Improvement Districts, as well as a number of other programs. Both of these offices have served as a model for others around the state and in other parts of the country.

The preliminary research by our Law Department indicates that the City Council does not have the authority under the Faulkner Act to negotiate contracts; rather, that is a function of the Executive Branch of government. Councilman Fulop has shown his ignorance not only for the basic principles of municipal government, but for the way our city works and how our communities thrive, all to once again get a self-serving press release in the paper to further his personal, political agenda.

Furniture Gallery will open at former Havertys in Abilene

"We had an opportunity to consolidate," said Joe Pierce, owner of the local Gallery Furniture chain. "That was really my purpose from the start."

The chain is set to close one of its other Abilene locations, Gallery Plus, on Saturday, Pierce said. Television commercials in recent weeks have touted the impending closure of the store, on South Clack Drive.

Pierce said the approximately 45,000-square-foot former Havertys building will include warehouse and office operations for his company, Pierce Furniture, which will continue to keep open a total of three stores in Abilene. The company also has stores in Sweetwater, Snyder, Big Spring, San Angelo, Early and Lubbock.

Paul Johnson & Associates, a commercial real estate agency in Abilene, facilitated the sale of the former Havertys building, Johnson told the Reporter-News in March. He said the Massachusetts-based property owners agreed to sell the building for $1.5 million to the Pierce Furniture Co..

Pierce said another Gallery Furniture store on South Danville Drive will remain open, selling mostly children's furniture, more rustic furnishings as well as some clearance items.

"The two stores won't really overlap," Pierce said, but "they'll kind of tie together." Also staying open will be the chain's outlet store on Butternut Street, where some slightly damaged items will be sold along with other value items for $499 or less, Pierce said.

"In the last few years, customers want value," Pierce said, although he added, "that doesn't mean they want cheap furniture."

In addition to the closing of the Havertys store last year, Abilene also has seen in recent months the closure of Lacks on Buffalo Gap Road and the abrupt closing of Ashley Furniture HomeStore on Southwest Drive.

An online real estate listing for the Lacks property shows it for sale at an asking price of $1.85 million. Attempts to reach the owners of the Ashley Furniture HomeStore property, Arizona-based Spirit Finance, were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Abilene's Ashley Furniture HomeStore was operated by San Angelo-based Lanford and Bratton Holdings LP, which angered customers by closing without notice and leaving many customers who had paid for their furniture uncertain if they would receive it.

The San Angelo company also ran Ashley stores in Wichita Falls and San Angelo, which similarly closed.

Deliveries weren't made until several weeks after the abrupt closure in November, and it isn't clear if customers who made partial payments have received refunds.

Although an unrelated business owner has reopened an Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Wichita Falls, representatives for that group could not be reached Tuesday.

CONSTRUCTING A GREEN TRANSPORTATION POLICY: TRANSIT MODES AS WELL AS INFRASTRUCTURE

Constructing a Green Transportation Policy: Transit Modes as well as Infrastructure – Select Committee upon Energy Independence as well as Global Warming – 2009-03-19 – With tellurian warming, purify appetite as well as job-creating infrastructure projects tall upon a bulletin for Congress as well as a Obama administration, as well as a nation’s first travel check up for Congressional reauthorization, immature travel measures have been gaining augmenting attention. America’s travel zone is obliged for we estimate one-third of a country’s heat-trapping CO emissions. With these domestic as well as environmental factors as a backdrop, Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) as well as Vice Chair Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) as well as a Select Committee upon Energy Independence as well as Global Warming hold a conference upon how assorted movement modes as well as a methodology as well as materials to set up a travel complement can revoke tellurian warming as well as cut a coherence upon oil as well as alternative hoary fuels. Panel One: Peter Varga, CEO, Interurban Transit Partnership, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Andy Clark, Executive Director, League of American Bicyclists; Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County, Virginia Board Member; Mr. John Boesel, President as well as CEO, CalStart. Panel Two: Don Weaver, Association of General Contractors Highway Division Chairman; Erika Guerra, Holcim (US) Inc.; Domenic G. Ruccolo, Senior Vice President, Construction as well as Forestry Division, John Deere. Video supposing by a US House of Representatives.

HOW TO SAVE CAR INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR YOUNG DRIVER

Usually, Young Driver which age in between seventeen years aged to twenty-five years aged will be assign aloft automobile word reward than many folks. Why? The statistic interpretation display which immature drivers have been exposing to aloft collision confront risk review to grown up drivers which twenty-six years aged as good as above.

The categorical reason is given of a youngster lifestyle which have some-more possibility of dipsomaniac as good as late night driving, which is a activities which enlarge of collision risk. If we have been a single of a immature motorist as good as we instruct to save a little income upon your automobile word premium, we might wish to cruise a suggestions below:

First, try your most appropriate to expostulate safely upon a roads as good as say great pushing jot down during all costs. You will be means to get a no explain bonus which up to 70% of your automobile word reward if we do not explain your automobile word in couple of years time. Of course, we won’t see your automobile word reward to be cut down true away, though we have been in a right lane as good as gave a great starting point.

Besides, try not to get serve tickets if possible. If we have been removing serve tickets to frequently, your automobile word reward cost will be fire up. Try not to cgange your automobile if probable given mutated automobile will be assign aloft automobile word reward review to strange automobile models.

If we have not buy your automobile yet, we shall get a protected automobile list from couple of automobile word companies. You shall cruise a automobile models which settled in a protected automobile list as your priorities preference given a automobile word companies will assign revoke automobile word reward to these automobile models.

If non of a automobile models in a protected automobile list is in your mind, try to buy not as big automobile with not as big CC as good as revoke offered price. Your automobile word reward was estimated bottom upon your automobile value, if your automobile worth is lower, certainly which your automobile word reward will be revoke as well.

You shall additionally ask a lot of automobile word companies to allude to for we any time when we replenish of your automobile word plan. This will be a really utilitarian process which assistance we to review a infancy of a automobile word products in a marketplace as good as collect for your most appropriate automobile word plan.

You shall additionally sense a assorted discounts which suggest by opposite automobile word companies. Make certain we have request all a discounts which functions upon we upon opposite automobile word quotations, to safeguard we have been removing your lowest cost allude to from any particular automobile word company.

First Time Buyer Mortgage – First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and Other Mortgage Real Estate Related News

Cyrus updates his clients about the extension of the first time homebuyer tax credit. The completion of the most recent Federal Reserve meeting. Direction of home loan rates, and how you can take advantage of the low rates and the best housing affordability in years

State of the Economy (and your own financial situation). Long. Opinionated. Rambling.

This post has been rambling around for a while. Tweaked, deleted, added to and then tweaked again. Because the LAST thing I want to do is cause issues and a verbal slaughter!

But seriously.

We've hit our debt ceiling. Does anyone really know what that means?

It means that the credit card will not work at Walmart, Target, wherever you try to use it.

It means you have NO liquidity left.

I'm sure anyone reading this has had that gut sinking feeling when the cashier shakes her head at you indicating that it's a no go. Well, that's what America is going to be feeling soon.

Seriously.

I'm concerned. Enough so that I jokingly tell those around me that I feel like I should be stocking up on flour, sugar, water bottles, tuna, batteries, 100 watt light bulbs (I kid!), ammo and whiskey (tequila, vodka, beer) ... because really, what WILL happen to the economy?

Am I for the raising of taxes? I prefer not to because I feel I pay quite a bit as it is already. AND if those in the big house and surrounding areas can NOT figure out how to cut spending then I'm really against giving MORE money for them to continue to spend so carelessly.

I have a budget.

I know that at the end of the month, x y and z are due in this amount. And I also know that I MUST make sure this is paid for every stinkin month.

Why doesn't the government get that?

Tough times call for drastic measures. And I think it's time that they start analyzing just WHAT they can do. Yes, I know it will add to the unemployment statistic (which is bogus anyways, if you are working a mere 10 hours a week, you are considered employed by their standards), but aides, staff and such need to be let go. That will reduce a HUGE overhead cost. I mean, heck, do the aides need aides who have aides to do stuff for them? I work by MYSELF 80% of the time and do it A. L. L. How about turning off some of them lights, turn down the heat, consolidate your trips (ummm, that big helicopter to the BIG jet?). Entertaining? Perhaps reduce that too. I know it's the white house and the president, and no disrespect, but for crying out loud, if the American people are suffering, they really don't want to see you kicking back with a bunch of 'friends' drinking beer, hosting a big eat out (with who knows how much food was wasted because it wasnt' consumed and I somehow don't see the white house serving leftovers every Thursday) watching the basketball game dude! At that point they are NOT feeling jealous but rather anger at the inconsideration.

Ok. So. now that I got THAT out of the way, let me share with you my own personal stuff:

Hubby's company is again being pursued for takeover. AGAIN. Not such a bad thing in my opinion but most likely would result with him being let go (can only have x amount of directors, you know?). My own thoughts are that he could definitely find something else to do, even if its FINALLY doing something on his own. I would support him 100% percent. Of course, the usual drawback is the medical benefits and such.

My company is fighting for leverage this month. No, we are not closing our doors or anything like that. Its just been a painfully slow month business wise. We don't make money IF we dont' do any closings. 2 are on the books so far. TWO. I'm thankful it was slow to start as I was gone on vacation and then attending the funeral, but NOW I'm ready to get back to work! As you know, I work in real estate law. AND while the market is showing SOME life its actually depressing the market as the bank owned properties are selling WAY below what the revenue tax base says they are worth. This will cause more tax adjustments for property taxes and it's NOT going to be pretty. It's one thing to buy a home at a great deal, below market value and another for whole neighborhoods to be bought and sold this way. Brings down the WHOLE value.

Summer is here. Sonny Boy finishes school on Wednesday the 25th (sob). At that point, I will pack him a sack lunch and tell him to go to work and not come home until 5pm. Go find a job that pays for all this extra stuff he expects. I kid, I think, maybe not. It's a thought. I wonder if it will work? He will (hopefully) head mid state for college in late July (sob). This all depends on what kind of financial aid comes through. Florida has cut back drastically on the amount offered through the Bright Futures program, not sure about the rest of the awards that are out there yet.

Princess is plugging away working but I don't really anticipate her leaving the house anytime soon. Not so bad IF she would remember to turn everything off when she leaves, such as ceiling fan, take ac off 74 degree hold so it can go back to 78, etc. She will be going back to school in August which is no big deal since she goes local but of course, books and such will need to be paid for (thanks SWAGBUCKS for the Amazon giftcard offers!).

I have 2 kitties that need to visit the vet soon for a checkup and shots. As they go in and out at will, they need to be kept up to date. Flea medicine will need to be started soon too as summer is the worse and I hate the thought of fleas biting them!

Hurricane season is just around the corner. That means the typical hurricane supply stuff needs to be inventoried and restocked. Not so bad this year I don't think as we've gotten off for a few years. Wet wipes, foil pans, foil, paper products etc will need to be replenished. Candles too I think as I started to use them up finally. Which reminds me that Hubby needs to fire up the generator and be sure thats all in order! I wanted to look at some of these water filter things (Berkley, etc.) to use in addition to my puny annoying Brita ...

My pantries and freezers are bulging again. I don't know HOW that happens and I suppose I should be thankful. I need to attempt to make a serious effort to eat out of the freezers again ... seriously :)

Our gardening season is pretty much over do the strong sun and heat. I ripped out the remainder of my tomato plant (green tomatoes and all). Some of this is because we have MEDFLY issues lately too ... not in my neighborhood, but how do I now for sure? The jalapeno plant is thriving again. Glad I've not ripped it out yet. I need to get my herbs back on track too. Lettuce? Not sure if I can get it to grow now as it's HOT and they don't like it that hot.