Michigan lawmakers approve school union dues bill

LANSING, Mich. (AP) ? The Republican-led Michigan Legislature narrowly approved a measure Wednesday that would prohibit public schools from automatically deducting union dues from the paychecks of teachers and other employees, a move that unions consider another attack on collective bargaining rights.

Some Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the measure, which was approved 20-18 in the Senate and 56-54 in the House. The bill goes to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who intends to sign it, spokesman Ken Silfven said.

The Legislature's action came one day after a union coalition said it had started collecting signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at protecting or strengthening collective bargaining rights. If the coalition collects enough valid voter signatures, the proposal could qualify for voters to decide in the November election.

The union-led coalition, called Protect Our Jobs, viewed Wednesday's vote as retaliation for their proposal, which could nullify some existing and future laws related to collective bargaining. Republicans said Wednesday's vote wasn't retaliation but rather an action that had been in the works for months.

The House passed the first version of the bill in September.

"The bill had existed long before they filed their petition language," said Amber McCann, a spokeswoman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville. "It was something on the minds of caucus members for quite some time."

Supporters of the bill approved Wednesday say the measure would put more money in the paychecks of teachers, who could then choose to write checks to unions to cover dues.

"It really prioritizes that the focus of our school administration has to be on teaching the kids," said Rep. Joe Haveman, R-Holland, the bill's sponsor. "Let's get out of the business of collecting bills for other people."

Critics say the proposal is an attempt to weaken the membership and finances of teachers' unions, making it more difficult to collect dues from members.

Sen. Glenn Anderson, a Democrat from Westland, called the bill "yet another attack on the rights of working Michiganders."

The state's two main teachers' unions, the Michigan Education Association and the state's American Federation of Teachers branch, criticized the legislation.

"Why are Lansing politicians wasting time solving problems that don't exist instead of creating jobs, supporting public education for students and a better future for Michigan?" David Hecker, Michigan president of the AFT, said in a statement. "Keeping local school districts from deciding how union dues are collected is a waste of time and taxpayers' dollars."

___

House Bill 4929.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/michigan-lawmakers-approve-school-union-dues-bill-141028097.html

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Efficient & Effective ? Over the Mountain Journal

By Laura McAlister?
Journal Editor

Lindsay and Jonathan Handey might have had different approaches when it came to making their Vestavia Hills house a long-term home they could raise a family in. But in the end, they both got what they wanted and more.

The couple purchased the 1952 ranch-style house near Vestavia Hills East Elementary in October 2010. The kitchen and appliances were dated, and the one-story house had only three bedrooms and two baths, among other shortcomings.

Although they knew it would be a lot of work, both agreed major changes would have to be made. While Lindsay and her mother Susan Klyce, owner of Susan Klyce Interior Design, focused on the decor, Jonathan did what he does best ? making homes as energy efficient as possible.

Jonathan is an energy consultant and co-owner of eco three, a home energy auditing firm. When remodeling his new home, he put into practice what he preaches to his clients daily.

?We specialize in home energy evaluations and how to be more energy efficient,? he said. ?We want there to be a quick payoff.?

After Jonathan did the majority of the demolition work himself, construction started in April 2011. The Handeys were in their new house Dec. 1 ? just in time for them to get a nursery ready for their first baby, due in May.

In addition to totally transforming the outside of the house, the couple added a second level with three bedrooms, a Jack and Jill bath and a playroom. They also rearranged the main floor, moving the master bedroom and adding a laundry room and den.

Lindsay said she really wanted a floor plan that allowed easy flow from the kitchen to the dining room and den.

?When we built the house, we were on the same page in that we love having friends and family over,? she said. ?We wanted it to be open through the kitchen and den, so people could mingle easily.?

With the help of her mother, Lindsay mixed family antiques with some modern accents to give the home a sophisticated look.

What was once the front of the house was transformed into a large master suite complete with a master bath with a stand-alone shower and bathtub and his and her walk-in closets, something hard to come by in many 1950s homes in the area.

Jonathan said they took out lots of pink and blue bathroom tiles, replacing them with granite countertops and custom cabinets.

They were able to salvage most of the house?s original hardwood floors, which had been covered by carpet.

The Handeys also redid the basement, which Lindsay said was in such bad shape she wouldn?t even enter it until after the renovation. It?s now a ?man cave/office? for Jonathan, he said.

While the couple agreed on the major changes of the layout of the house, Lindsay was a bit skeptical about the energy efficient appliances and updates.

?I just really didn?t know what to expect,? she said. ?It has been great, though. I didn?t have to give up on water pressure or anything like that. We have a tankless water heater now, and it?s great. We never run out of hot water.?

The tankless water heater was just one of many items the couple will save on in the long run, Jonathan said, though they did have to spend more initially.

While Lindsay might be quicker to point out the updated kitchen with granite countertops and a white subway tile backsplash, Jonathan is more likely to show off the house?s crawlspace, the natural gas water heater or the furnace from Alagasco.

?The walls are completely spray foam installation,? he said while ducking into the crawlspace in the garage. ?It?s extremely energy efficient.?

So is the furnace, which he said is a 90 percent efficient condensing furnace. That means it doesn?t have to vent out of the house like a normal furnace.

?It?s really the most energy efficient you can buy, and the house stays so comfortable and nice,? he said. ?It costs about $3,000 more than your normal furnace, but we built this house to raise a family in, and it will pay for itself in three years.?

Look no further than the Handeys? gas and power bills for proof. In February, their gas bill for the now-3,500 square foot house totaled $66.16, and the power bill was about $45.

The same spray foam in the crawlspace is used in the attic and other storage spaces to keep out drafts during the winter.

In the summer, Jonathan said, energy efficient windows let in light but not heat.

?These windows block out about 95 percent of the radiant heat,? he said. ?When the sun shines in, it will leave a shadow on the floor, but it?s not warm.?

Energy savers throughout the year include the use of all CFL or LED bulbs for lighting as well as Energy Star certified appliances. Energy Star is a government-backed program that allows tax breaks for products deemed eco-friendly and energy efficient.

Lindsay said she loves the kitchen and her appliances, and she knows now that she wasn?t sacrificing on quality with the energy-efficient products. In fact, when most people walk into the Handey home, they really wouldn?t know it was more energy efficient than most.

They would just think it was a home to raise a family in, which is what the couple wanted all along.

Source: http://www.otmj.com/2012/03/efficient-effective/

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Excellent Techniques For Improving Your Self Improvement ...

by lincoln on Mar. 4, 2012, under minset

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Self improvement refers to every one the techniques, lessons, software, operating systems, and methods that are widely used to assist human improvement at the particular level. It may be pursued secretly or with the expertise of some individuals, for instance such as educators, mentors, teachers, and consultants. Self improvement needs a target importantly human beings.

Source: http://mindsetmastery.net/minset/excellent-techniques-for-improving-your-self-improvement.html

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Ratings agency Moody's downgrades Greece

Asimina, a 70-year-old pensioner, gathers laundry on the terrace of her home as the ancient Acropolis is seen in the background in Athens, Friday, March 2, 2012. Asimina, who identified herself only by her first name, said she lives with her husband on a combined monthly income of euro 600 from a state pension, and says a series of emergency taxes imposed by the crisis-hit country's government have made daily life difficult. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Asimina, a 70-year-old pensioner, gathers laundry on the terrace of her home as the ancient Acropolis is seen in the background in Athens, Friday, March 2, 2012. Asimina, who identified herself only by her first name, said she lives with her husband on a combined monthly income of euro 600 from a state pension, and says a series of emergency taxes imposed by the crisis-hit country's government have made daily life difficult. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Thessaloniki residents crowd round a farmer selling cheap potatoes at the northern city's university campus on Friday, March 2, 2012. Academic staff and students at the University of Thessaloniki have arranged for a group of Nevrokopi farmers to sell 50 tons on Friday outside a campus building and are selling at nearly a third of supermarket prices. Similar sales are planned in several towns over the next few days. (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis)

Thessaloniki residents crowd round a farmer selling cheap potatoes at the northern city's university campus on Friday, March 2, 2012. Academic staff and students at the University of Thessaloniki have arranged for a group of Nevrokopi farmers to sell 50 tons on Friday outside a campus building and are selling at nearly a third of supermarket prices. Similar sales are planned in several towns over the next few days. (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis)

Thessaloniki residents crowd round a farmer selling cheap potatoes at the northern city's university campus on Friday, March 2, 2012. Academic staff and students at the University of Thessaloniki have arranged for a group of Nevrokopi farmers to sell 50 tons on Friday outside a campus building and are selling at nearly a third of supermarket prices. Similar sales are planned in several towns over the next few days. (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis)

A Thessaloniki resident carries bags of cheap potatoes bought from farmers at the northern city's university campus on Friday, March 2, 2012. Academic staff and students at the University of Thessaloniki have arranged for a group of Nevrokopi farmers to sell 50 tons on Friday outside a campus building and are selling at nearly a third of supermarket prices. Similar sales are planned in several towns over the next few days. (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis)

ATHENS, Greece (AP) ? The ratings agency Moody's downgraded Greece to the lowest rating on its bond scale late Friday, following a deal with private investors that would see them ultimately lose an estimated 70 percent of their holdings in Greek debt.

Moody's lowered Greece's sovereign rating to C from Ca, arguing that the risk of default remains high even a bond-swap deal with banks and other private investors, due to be completed this month, is successful.

It said it would "re-assess the credit risk profile" after Greece issues the new bonds.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's took similar action on Feb. 27.

The swap deal aims to cut euro107 billion ($144 billion) from the country's debt, and would see private investors lose more than half the face value of their Greek bonds in exchange for new ones issued with more favorable repayment terms for the crisis-hit country.

The exchange is an integral part of a second bailout package for Greece by other eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund.

"Looking ahead, the EU program and proposed debt exchanges will reduce Greece's debt burden, but the risk of a default even after the debt exchange has been completed remains high," Moody's said.

"Moody's believes that Greece will still face medium-term solvency challenges: its stock of debt will still be well in excess of 100 percent of gross domestic product for many years, the country is unlikely to be able to access the private market once the second assistance package runs out, and its planned fiscal and economic reforms will still face very significant implementation risks."

Greece has been relying since May 2010 on rescue loans from eurozone partners and the IMF. But despite receiving euro73 billion from its initial euro110 billion bailout and pushing through tough austerity measures in return, the country has consistently missed its reform targets.

To limit a threat to Europe's single currency, its leaders have agreed to extend the country a second bailout, this time worth euro130 billion ($172 billion), which is accompanied by the debt reduction deal.

So far, the eurozone has agreed in principle to release the first batch of bailout loans to Greece to finance the bond-swap, with the final green light to due till come next week.

But harsh austerity has pushed the country into a fifth year of recession and seen the unemployment rate reach nearly 21 percent.

Earlier Friday, provisional figures from the finance ministry figures showed Greece posting a deficit in January of euro490 million ($652 million), in contrast to last year's equivalent surplus of euro154 million.

The ministry's General Accounting Office said revenues during the month were hit by the expiry of a one-off business tax, as well as reduced revenues from consumption.

Revenues in January totaled euro4.87 billion ($6.48 billion). Though a little bit better than the government's latest target, it's markedly worse than last year's equivalent of euro5.12 billion.

___

AP writer Elena Becatoros contributed.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-03-02-EU-Greece-Financial-Crisis/id-803123bdd5614682be3bfc5e366ac9fb

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Getting Ready to Start the Garden Again | Married Food

Perhaps because we?ve had a mild winter this year, but I?m already thinking about what to grow in our small family garden. ?We don?t have a big amount of space ? instead of cramming it with junk, I?d like to grow something. I think it?ll be a bit more fun this year with our baby girl.?We?ve done pretty well with peppers and herbs, but this year I?d like to branch out just a tad.

This will be the third year we?ve had a small garden. The first two were learning?experiences. We managed to grow a bit and we managed to lose some ? either to neglect, lack or gardening knowledge, or my personal favorite hungry animals.

• Icebox Watermelon

  Our garden space is about 5% of this person's garden.

• Tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Bell Pepper
• Jalapeno Peppers
• Habenero Peppers
• Eggplant
• Basil
• Thyme
• Mint
• Rosemary

I was really excited to see the watermelons grow on the vine outside the other year, but when I came home one afternoon, I saw that I wasn?t the only one. Apparently a deer or a rabbit grabbed some (I don?t know what eats what) came for a visit and tore it up.

Looking back, I?m growing to plan ahead this year instead of grabbing what was on sale at Lowe?s. Hopefully it will mean we?ll have a much more productive return on our garden.

What?s the Easiest to Grow?

I wish my first item on the list wasn?t?convenience, but honestly if a vegetable is high?maintenance, then it won?t make it in my garden. Peppers are?definitely?on the list and so are herbs, those grew with practically no help for us. any suggestions on other easy to grow vegetables?

What Would We Actually Eat?

I?m not a big cucumber fan, so I?m going to pass on that. Last year we received quite a bit of cucumbers from The Produce Box, so I think we?ll be fine this year. I?m thinking of adding beans and possibly swiss chard. I think they?d make a great addition to our garden.

Thoughts on Family Gardens

I?m hoping to get started next week and keep updating here on how it goes. I?d love to get your feedback. Do you have a family garden at home? How big is it? How much time do you spend taking care of it? If you have any tips, please feel free to share them!

Photo Credit

Source: http://marriedfood.com/getting-ready-to-start-the-garden-again/

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Today on New Scientist: 1 March 2012

Quake-proof megatower tops out in Tokyo

Tokyo's 634-metre-high Sky Tree incorporates some of the most advanced earthquake and typhoon-resistant technology

How to suspend a raindrop in mid-air

Artist Alistair McClymont creates a rainbow after dark and suspends a free-falling water droplet in his latest works.

US registry to clear up confusion over genetic tests

The US National Institutes of Health is about to launch a free online tool with information on the tests for 2500 genetic diseases currently available

How do you make nanodiamonds? Merge carbon 'onions'

The mystery of how the tiny diamonds found in meteorites form in outer space has been solved

Swarm of robot helicopters performs James Bond tune

Watch a team of flying robotic musicians coordinate its movements to play a song

The secrets of solving mathematical puzzles

In The Puzzler's Dilemma, professional puzzle-setter Derrick Niederman reveals the logic behind solving posers old and new

Total recall: Diary of a lifelogger

It sounds like the ultimate vanity project, but a camera that records your every moment could make you happier and healthier. Helen Thomson tries it

There's no sense in revising the psychiatrist's bible

Forget the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - we need a new system based on brain physiology, says psychiatrist Nick Craddock

No-waste circular economy is good business - ask China

Redesigning the economy to make it circular - so that all waste is reused or recycled - would be good for business, say two new reports

Peaceable matter-antimatter pairs glimpsed in the lab

Muscular particle accelerators may grab the headlines, but more prosaic laboratories can prove just as fertile hunting ground for particle exotica

A giant among moths

The atlas moth dwarfs others of its kind, with a wingspan known to reach 25 centimetres, as Sandesh Kadur's spectacular image shows

Source: http://feeds.newscientist.com/c/749/f/10897/s/1d127e0d/l/0L0Snewscientist0N0Cblogs0Cshortsharpscience0C20A120C0A30Ctoday0Eon0Enew0Escientist0E10Emarch0E20Bhtml0DDCMP0FOTC0Erss0Gnsref0Fonline0Enews/story01.htm

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Russia to Launch First International Suborbital Business Incubator in ...

PRESS RELEASE
Date Released: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Source: Skolkovo Foundation

Russia to Launch First International Suborbital Business Incubator in the World

The Skolkovo Foundation and the International Space Transport Association to jointly develop first international knowledge center for commercial suborbital spaceflight

The Center is to be part of Moscow's Science & Technology Park and will host three business units: (Eco) Tech, Mini Satellites & Telecommunications and Suborbital Space Flights. The Skolkovo Foundation, with President Dmitry Medvedev as Head of the Board of Trustees offers a wide range of financial support possibilities for international businesses to flourish. Its set up follows a phased implementation process and will be developed in close cooperation with the International Space Transport Association.

"The Center is to become the first 'one stop shop' in the world for all in need of suborbital space technology and knowledge" says Mr. Ronald Heister, Director-General of the International Space Transport Association. "It will be a wonderful and unique opportunity for entrepreneurs around the Globe to be involved in this new sustainable economy and freely trade and exchange technology, science and services globally. We call upon all interested in being part of this unique venture to contact ISTA."

Mr. Viktor Vekselberg, President of the Russian Skolkovo Foundation said that "this marks the joining of the Russian Federation as one of the leading spacefaring nations to the international industry of commercial cosmonautics. Its prosperity will not only allow thousands of people to implement their dream of a spaceflight, but also will contribute to accelerated human technological development".

In December 2011 an official delegation of ISTA, headed by its Director-General was invited by the Executive Director of Skolkovo Foundation's Space Cluster, cosmonaut Sergey Zhukov, to attend the launch of the manned Soyuz MTA-03M spacecraft in Baikonur, Kazachstan. The delegation also visited Star City and Mission Control in Moscow.

In November 2011 the International Space Transport Association (ISTA) wrote history when closing contracts with market leader Allianz being the first offering global Space Travel Insurances.

ISTA also awarded the International ISTA Prize to Skolkovo Foundation for "the Skolkovo Innovation Centre's profound leadership in the field of Space Technology Business" and to Sir Richard Branson for the "pioneer gains in the field of sub-orbital business of his operator company Virgin Galactic".

About the International Space Transport Association (ISTA)

The International Space Transport Association (ISTA) is the world's first branch organization for commercial entities involved in the space transport economy. Founded in The Hague in 2008, ISTA treads in the footsteps of its civil aviation predecessor IATA, also founded in The Hague, in 1916, to establish a powerful and effective lobby for all commercial space activities.

ISTA pursues its goals by offering memberships to all public and private organizations and persons that pursue activities within the scope of commercial space transport. Members are offered virtual and physical headquartering at ISTA's headquarters in the Hague, administrative and legal assistance, marketing and communications services, regulatory lobbying and venture capital facilitation from a vast, worldwide network of private and public space investors.

Space transport businesses that choose to be ISTA members enjoy all-round support of their activities through a vast array of services that ISTA offers. ISTA staff maintains close links with public space organizations, academic institutions and private companies in the engineering, insurance and legal sectors, to ensure that the latest knowledge is available to its members.

About the Skolkovo Foundation The Skolkovo Foundation for Developing a Center for Research and Commercialising New Technologies is a non-profit-making organisation created on the initiative of Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, in September 2010. Skolkovo is to become an innovation hub that will stimulate innovative entrepreneurship and disseminate entrepreneurial culture across the country to integrate Russia into the global economy.

The aim of the foundation is to mobilise Russia's resources in the field of contemporary applied research and to create a favorable environment for undertaking scientific developments in five priority areas of technological development: power engineering and energy efficiency, space, biomedicine, and nuclear and computer technologies.

The project includes setting up the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (SIST), research institutes, a business incubator, a technology transfer and commercialization center, representative offices of foreign companies and R&D centers, housing and social infrastructure, and also subsequently disseminating an efficient system of operating to other regions of Russia engaged in innovation.

The Skolkovo innovation center's activities are regulated by a special law which provides its residents with special economic conditions.

For more information:

Mr. Jacques Happe, Head of Press, ISTA
Tel +31(0)6-55111975 E-mail: j.happe@istaspace.com / www.istaspace.com
Mrs. Seda Pumpyanskaya, Vice President of the Skolkovo Foundation
Tel.: +7-495-967-0148 ext. 2242
E-mail: SPumpyanskaya@corp.i-gorod.com / www.i-gorod.com

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Source: http://www.comspacewatch.com/news/viewpr.rss.html?pid=36252

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