Monday, October 30, 2006
On November 13, Torontoians will be heading to the polls to vote for their ward’s councillor and for mayor. Among Toronto’s ridings is Etobicoke Centre (Ward 3). One candidate responded to Wikinews’ requests for an interview. This ward’s candidates include Doug Holyday (incumbent), Peter Kudryk, Lillian Lança, and Ross Vaughan.
For more information on the election, read Toronto municipal election, 2006.
Sanitizing Baby Toys So That Your Child Remains Healthy
by
James Morison
As parents or custodians, the well being of our children is paramount to us. Kids are used to taking their toys around to different places, be it the bathroom, washroom and outside the confines of the house. If these aren t cleaned often enough, they may soon become the hiding places of harmful bacteria that may then put your child s health at risk.
Moreover as children are young, their immune system too isn t as developed as that of adults due to which they become even more vulnerable to contracting infections. Therefore it is essential that
kids toys
be sanitized regularly keeping the best interests of the child in mind. These are some of the tips that may prove beneficial for you when it coming to sanitizing baby toys.
Buy Plastic or Rubber Kids Toys: These are the easiest to wash and hence this should be one of the factors when you step out to shop for baby toys.
Alternate the toys: Keep 2 or 3 different sets of toys and alternate their cleaning and sanitizing time. Most kids have plenty of toys to choose from, therefore taking a specific set of toys and cleaning them won t be much of a problem.
The Cleaning Process: Soak all the toys which you want cleaned into a warm soapy water solution for about 5 minutes. Having completed with this task, use a scrubbing brush to scrub the grime and dirt from the baby toys. Put in an effort to especially clean the hard to reach areas as these are often the places where the density of the germs is the highest.
Having done with the scrubbing process, proceed to rinse the soap residue with clean water. Prepare a sanitizing solution by adding a quarter of household bleach to one gallon of water. Dip the toys in the solution and following a few seconds, remove the toy and place it on an air rack so as to air dry it.
However it is always necessary that you take certain precautions that you need to take while cleaning kids toys.
Make sure that the cleaning solution you are using is marked as a non toxic one.
Discard leftover bleach solution rather than saving it up for future use. If you run out of bleach solution, use sanitary wipes to clean toys temporarily.
Never add bleach with any chemicals except water because these can form potential toxins. Keep the bleach disinfectant well away from your child s gaze
The author, apart from being a kindergarten teacher is a massive fan of
Tomy toys
and
baby monitor
. He advises people to buy
baby products
online because one gets to choose from a wide variety of products here.
Article Source:
ArticleRich.com
Friday, March 10, 2006
On February 8, the same day Super Size Me opened in Prague, a Czech film company’s volunteer known as Karel Gustav Bozan began a 1 month diet of Czech pub food and beer in a Czech version called “Super Spek Me”; which translates loosely as “Super Flab Me”.
Zuzana Pudilova of Aerofilms described the volunteer at that time: “He is a well-built man between 45 and 50. He is almost 2 metres tall, he is not exactly thin but until now he has had quite a healthy lifestyle.”
Karel ate typical Czech pub food for an entire month with three rules: no vegetables or fresh fruit (unless they came with a meal) no exercise, and lots of beer.
Karel’s menu consisted entirely of typical Czech dishes. Obesity therapist, Iva Malkova, had warned at the beginning of the project: “People in the Czech Republic eat much more fat, especially animal fat than is recommended.” Pub meals in the Czech Republic often consist of such fatty items as goose with dumplings or sausages.
Yesterday the results were announced; Karel lost six kilos, his cholesterol went down and so did his liver enzymes, triglyceride and uric acid levels. His blood pressure did not change. At his interview with Radio Prague he said: “I feel good, great! The food was varied and there were even enough greens in the garnish. As for beer, I tried to alternate brands but I always settled it with Pilsner. I liked the experiment, it was all paid for by the distributor, Aerofilms. I would do it again, maybe they will propose it to me!”
Zuzana Pudilova of Aerofilms said: “The result of the experiment is surprising – both for us and the experts who monitored it. The medical report says our volunteer has lost weight and his blood sugar has dropped. So we have come to the conclusion that fatty Czech pub grub is not all that bad for you – which I guess wasn’t meant to be the result of the experiment at all.”
byadmin
Adoption McLean lawyers and agencies are among the most notable services available. Adoption is often chosen by infertile couples or those who wish to expand their family. It can provide a loving home for a child who needs a loving family. These services are recognized of bringing happiness into the lives of thousands of clients. Adoption can be a joyful time, but it may also be challenging and frustrating. The process is complex so it pays to have the right adoption agency. Here are tips to help you find the right agency.
All adoption agencies must be registered by the state and undergo rigorous inspections which are conducted periodically to make certain he agency is up to standards. Some agencies have paid employs scattered in various parts of the world to assist tin international adoptions. This kind of arrangement is more beneficial than employing people who just work in the local agency. An international staff is more effective so you are advised to ask them about it.
Budget is another matter to consider when you look for adoption agencies. Adoption can be expensive so it might limit choice of service. For those who have the finances, a private agency may be the best choice. These agencies will assist you in locating potential children based on your eligibility. However, most people will not be able to use a service because of price. If you have budget restrictions, a non-profit or social service agencies are ideal.
An adoption agency should be more than willing to tell you how they operate. You would prefer to know the method they use to get you connected with a child and what qualifications you need to meet. Find out how they handle legal matters such as if the birth mother changes her mind about adoption. Do they help you with paperwork or you leave you on your own? Ask about the role the parents play in the processes so they won’t interfere when everything is finalized. Request names of former clients and get their opinions. The Better business Bureau is a good way to determine if any complaints have been filed against the agency.
Adoption can be an exciting time. However, you must use discretion when finding an Adoption McLean agency and lawyers. If anything feels suspicious, do not use them. You want to ensure the experience is joyful
Friday, November 29, 2013
With the US retail tradition of ‘Black Friday’ already underway early Thursday evening, some shoppers began gathering outside retail stores as much as 53 hours prior to these special sales events. This, according to a Texas man who told Wikinews that he and his companions had started gathering at their local Best Buy store at 1:00pm on Tuesday, awaiting the 6:00pm Thursday opening. Target retail stores opened across the country at 8pm (local time) on Thursday evening. At 8:45pm Thursday evening, approximately 500 cars were parked at the Target store in Tyler, Texas.
At least four camping tents were set up outside the Best Buy store in the Dallas, Texas area, during pre-dawn hours on Thanksgiving morning. Years ago, it was seen as something special for retail stores to open at 6am on the so-called ‘Black Friday’ following Thanksgiving Day; that time would be considered “late” by modern standards. Many retailers use barricades to organize those who gather at their storefronts. For the first time ever, a shopping mall in Las Cruces, New Mexico will open at 8pm on Thanksgiving Day and will remain open for 25 consecutive hours, closing at 9pm Friday evening.
In recent years, several significant injuries have occurred during the melee that often ensued when stores opened their doors for Black Friday events. In 2011, a woman shot pepper spray at 20 people who were waiting to purchase the newest Xbox system.
Thursday, June 8, 2006
The head of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has been killed in an air strike on a building north of Baqubah city, according to the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
“Today [sic] Zarqawi has been terminated,” he said Thursday, and suggested the man the United States had placed a $25 million price tag on for death or capture was located through intelligence.
“What happened today is a result of co-operation for which we have been asking from our masses and the citizens of our country,” he said.
The leader of coalition forces in Iraq, General George Casey said al-Zarqawi was killed in a two-storey safehouse about 8 km north of the city in Diyala province.
Several aides also died with him in the Wednesday evening raid by U.S. F-16 warplanes, including his key lieutenant and spiritual adviser Sheik Abdul Rahman. Some analysts believe a US counter-terrorism unit, Task Force 145, was involved in the attack.
Al-Zarqawi’s body, recovered after two 500-pound bombs had blown through his cover, was identified through fingerprint, tattoo and scar analysis and head likeness. Al-Zarqawi, whose real name was Ahmed Fadhil Nazzal al-Khalayleh, was believed to be in his late 30s when he died of injuries while US forces gave medical aid.
The first munition exploded at 6:15pm was a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb that was shortly followed by the newer GBU-38; both carried 500lb of explosives for total cost of $40,000.
The self-proclaimed frontman for Osama Bin Laden’s activities in Iraq, al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian national, is said to have been involved in the beheading of foreigners, hundreds of suicide attacks, and an insurgency against coalition forces after the Iraq war in 2003.
It had been reported Al-Zarqawi’s most recent campaign was to create problems between Shi’ite and Sunni groups in Iraq with ethnic killings.
For the Iraqi government the killing of the wanted murderer is what they sought but it remains unknown what effect the removal of this known figurehead of the Iraq insurgency will have on levels of violence in the country. Al-Zarqawi was not the only person to oppose the US-backed Iraqi government.
“Zarqawi didn’t have a number two. I can’t think of any single person who would succeed Zarqawi…In terms of effectiveness, there was no single leader in Iraq who could match his ruthlessness and his determination,” was the view of Rohan Gumaratna at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore.
Applause was heard as Mr Maliki, with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and U.S. Gen. George Casey, by his side, told news reporters “al-Zarqawi was terminated.”
Sources claiming to be Al-Qaeda in Iraq later confirmed that al-Zarqawi had been killed and said that they would fight the United States and the interim Iraqi government despite his death.
United States President George Bush spoke to journalists in the White House Rose Garden about al-Zarqawi’s death. “Zarqawi’s death is a severe blow to al-Qaeda. It’s a victory in the global war on terror, and it is an opportunity for Iraq’s new government to turn the tide of this struggle,” he said.
The US military also confirmed that six people were killed in the strike, including al-Zarqawi, and his spiritual adviser Sheikh Abd-al-Rahman The death toll is reported at three men, three women.[1] Some reports had said al-Zarqawi’s wife and daughter died. However U.S. officials state that there is no evidence confirming the death of al-Zarqawi’s wife and daughter.
byadmin
A membrane roofing system is a popular choice for a commercial roof; it is designed to reduce the possibility of pooling and to reduce the incidence of leaks which are often associated with other roofing systems. This type of roof is rapidly becoming the favorite type of commercial roof, replacing the old traditional roofs that were used in the past. Membranes roofs are used on flat roofs or roofs which are only slightly sloped. The roofing system is available in three types; thermo-set, thermoplastic and modified bitumen.
A thermo-set roof consists of rubber sheets which are laid on the roof surface, the rubber sheets overlap at the edges. The overlapped seams are heated which causes the rubber to melt, resulting in the series of sheets to become one large continuous membrane. The rubber that is used in manufacturing the sheets is designed to form a chemical bond when heated; the seal becomes as strong as the sheet.
A commercial roof using a thermoplastic membrane is quite similar to a thermo-set roofing system but the material is PVC rather than rubber. The sheets of PVC do not form a chemical bond but they do form a tight seal when heated but the seal is effective on keeping out water. A thermoplastic membrane roof is somewhat less expensive than a thermo-set roof but it will need a little more maintenance.
Of the three systems, modified bitumen is the least expensive and the most common. The bitumen comprises rubber compounds and certain modifiers which are added to normal asphalt roofing compound. The modified bitumen is heated so that when it installed on the roof it forms a tight seal. There are new variation’s of this material; the new material does not need heat for application, it is produced in sheets in the factory; the sheets are lapped and held in place by self-adhesive strips, the seams, which overlap form a watertight seal.
A classic membrane roof system is prone to leaks because of the way it is constructed; this is not the case when a membrane is used as the commercial roof. In the case of traditional membrane roofs the seams are not sealed tightly, this is not the case with modern membrane roofs. Another advantage is that there is no need to place a gravel overlay which is normally the case with an asphalt roof. Because membrane roofing sheets are fastened directly to the roof, there is no need for gravel to hold them in place.
A flat or low slope commercial roof is constructed using one of the three different membrane roofing systems. For complete details on membrane roofs you are invited to contact StormForce of Jacksonville.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
What you are about to read is an American life as lived by renowned author Edmund White. His life has been a crossroads, the fulcrum of high-brow Classicism and low-brow Brett Easton Ellisism. It is not for the faint. He has been the toast of the literary elite in New York, London and Paris, befriending artistic luminaries such as Salman Rushdie and Sir Ian McKellen while writing about a family where he was jealous his sister was having sex with his father as he fought off his mother’s amorous pursuit.
The fact is, Edmund White exists. His life exists. To the casual reader, they may find it disquieting that someone like his father existed in 1950’s America and that White’s work is the progeny of his intimate effort to understand his own experience.
Wikinews reporter David Shankbone understood that an interview with Edmund White, who is professor of creative writing at Princeton University, who wrote the seminal biography of Jean Genet, and who no longer can keep track of how many sex partners he has encountered, meant nothing would be off limits. Nothing was. Late in the interview they were joined by his partner Michael Caroll, who discussed White’s enduring feud with influential writer and activist Larry Kramer.
byadmin
Floodwater often causes extensive damage to homes and is often so extreme that it renders houses uninhabitable. The force of floodwater is not typically the main factor in long-term damage experienced by homeowners affected by flooding. It is the lingering water from the aftermath of flooding that usually causes the most damage to a home and its contents. Here is an overview of three of major effects of Water Damage in Escondido.
1. Structural Damage – The most damaging effect that water has on a home after a flood is how it compromises its basic structure. Floodwater has the potential to affect the foundation, walls, floors and roof of a house. Issues such as foundation erosion, sagging floors and ceilings and rotting of wooden support structures all greatly affect the safety of a home. Never enter a building when Water Damage in Escondido compromises its structure. Contact a building inspector for a complete on-site assessment before attempting to reenter the home.
2. Electrical Issues – Floodwater that enters an electrical system often leads to hazards such as fires and possible electrocution. After a flood, always switch off the main electrical circuit to your home until you consult with a professional electrician or flood restoration specialist. The contractor will examine the wiring in the building, and if necessary, repair wires damaged by floodwater. The contractor can also make recommendations on replacing or repairing household appliances for safety after assessing the level of water damage to each one.
3. Bacterial Growth – Moisture left behind by floodwater causes a host of potentially dangerous health issues such as the growth of bacteria. This problem occurs if the overflow of a septic tank or sewer is a contributing factor in the flood damage. Lingering moisture also leads to additional health hazards such as mold, mildew and other airborne allergens.
These are just a few of the main issues homeowners face in the aftermath of Water Damage in Escondido. When flooding affects your home, it is best to begin restoration efforts quickly for the best result. Utilize the services of a qualified flood restoration professional to assess the damage and quickly restore your home to its original state.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
| I am dismayed at the in-humane handling of cattle that has resulted in the violation of food safety regulations at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. | ||
In a press release today, California-based Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. indicated that it has voluntarily recalled just over 143 million pounds (65 million kilograms) of raw and frozen beef products, which is considered to be the largest single recall of beef products in U.S. history. The move follows an investigation by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) into allegations of animal cruelty and mishandling of cattle destined for the human food chain.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) had determined that beef products produced by the Chino, California company were unfit for human consumption as the cattle had not received “complete and proper inspection.”
The recall has been designated as Class II, which the USDA describes as “a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.”
On Friday, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer indicated that charges had been laid against employees of the plant alleged to have taken part in the mistreatment of cattle. “Today [Friday], the San Bernardino District Attorney filed felony animal cruelty charges against two employees who were terminated by Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company,” said Schafer. “It is regrettable that these animals were mistreated and I am encouraged and supportive of these actions by the San Bernardino District Attorney in response to this mistreatment.”
The USDA learned of the possible inhumane handling of non-ambulatory (disabled) cattle at the packing plant on January 30 and has since suspended activities at the plant. “We continue to conduct a thorough investigation into whether any violations of food safety or additional humane handling regulations have occurred,” said Secretary Schafer in a press release. “On February 8, our Office of the Inspector General took the lead on the investigation. At that time, USDA extended the administrative hold on Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company products for the National School Lunch Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations while the investigation continues,” said Schafer.
The FSIS reported that Hallmark/Westland had not contacted the FSIS public health veterinarian, as required, when cattle became ill or disabled after undergoing ante-mortem (slaughter) inspection, putting the company out of compliance with FSIS regulations. “Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection FSIS has determined them to be unfit for human food and the company is conducting a recall,” explained Secretary Schafer.
The cruelty charges stem from an undercover video that reportedly showed sick cattle being moved by crews using forklifts.
“Words cannot accurately express how shocked and horrified I was at the depictions contained on the video that was taken by an individual who worked at our facility from October 3 thru November 14, 2007,” said Steve Mendell, President, Westland Meat Co. and Hallmark Meat Packing. “We have taken swift action regarding the two employees identified on the video and have already implemented aggressive measures to ensure all employees follow our humane handling policies and procedures. We are also cooperating with the USDA investigators on the allegations of inhumane handling treatment which is a serious breech of our company’s policies and training.”
The USDA stressed that it is “extremely unlikely” that the cattle involved were at risk for Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad-cow disease due to the employment of multiple safeguards. The USDA felt the recall was required, however, as the plant had allegedly violated USDA regulations.
The recall involves raw and frozen beef products produced on various dates from February 1, 2006 to February 2, 2008. For further information about the recall, consumers, media, and distributors are encouraged to contact Hallmark/Westland’s Plant Manager Stan Mendell or Food Safety Consultant Steve Sayer at (909) 590-3340 or the FSIS website, www.fsis.usda.gov.