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Can You Be Depressed Without Knowing It? I Was

Even when we know what depression looks like, we can miss it in ourselves.

Karl Fredrickson Unsplash/Pexels
Source: Karl Fredrickson Unsplash/Pexels

Much of my work as a clinical psychologist has focused on treating individuals with depression, so I've learned a lot about what it looks like. And yet when I gradually slipped into my own state of depression some years ago, I didn't recognize it.

Over time, I had developed the telltale symptoms, including a pervasively negative view of myself as a "loser." In hindsight, it's obvious that I was thinking like a depressed person, but at the time I believed the self-loathing thoughts. Finally, I recognized that they were being driven by my mood.

My experience could be chalked up to "another psychologist without self-awareness," and yet I don't believe that tells the full story. Many people I've treated have described a similar blindness to their own depression, until it became unmistakable.

Even the people we're closest to might not realize we're depressed, especially if we're good at "soldiering on." They may sense we're not at our best, but might attribute it to other factors.

Given the greater public awareness of depression—and professional experience in my case—how is it possible to not know when it's present? There are several factors that can play a role:

1. Depression can look really different from person to person.

Two people who are both depressed might have zero symptoms in common. Robin, for example, might feel really low, have insomnia, be unable to eat more than a few bites at a time, struggle with concentration, and be so miserable she's considering ending her own life. Terry, on the other hand, doesn't feel noticeably down, but has no interest in anything, even activities he used to enjoy. He's sleeping 12 hours a day, but is still fatigued and physically slowed, and feels completely worthless. As different as these two examples are, they both are consistent with major depressive disorder. The severity of depression can vary a lot, too, from being completely unable to function to still being able to take care of one's responsibilities and even find occasional enjoyment. We're less likely to see milder forms of depression for what they are.

2. Depression tends to develop gradually.

The development of each symptom of depression can be like hair growing, with no noticeable change day to day or even week to week. Since we're never not with ourselves, we may not have a good sense of small changes over time as our mood, energy, and view of ourselves dip. And then one day, we might finally look at ourselves and barely recognize the person we see, as the cumulative changes become obvious.

3. In a related way, the various symptoms of depression often develop at different times.

Depression often has an insidious onset—we develop a symptom here, a symptom there. We might not have as much energy as before, and a few weeks later we notice that we're crankier than usual. We might not suspect that both experiences are connected to the same underlying condition. If several depression symptoms landed in your life all at once, it would be much more obvious that they were part of a syndrome.

4. There may be an obvious reason for feeling down.

When we're facing major challenges like health problems, a painful divorce, or job loss, we expect to feel poorly. It would be strange, in fact, if our moods weren't affected to some extent. Thus we might not call our reaction "depression," because it seems so understandable. However, these kinds of losses are among the most consistent predictors of depression, as we lose reliable sources of reward, engagement, and support.

Source: MeganAlter/Shutterstock

5. There may be no obvious “reason” to be depressed. On the other hand, our moods can tank without any cause that we can identify. It could be that we have a genetic predisposition to depression, or that we're sensitive to seasonal shifts. There could also be identifiable changes in our lives that could account for our low mood, but we don't make the connection. For example, we may have gotten a better job, which we expect would improve our mood; however, we also left behind a solid group of friends at our old job, and now have a stressful commute in the car whereas before we could take the train. Without an obvious trigger for our depression, we’re less likely to see it when it comes.

6. Some symptoms might not seem like depression.

We often assume that a person who's depressed is really sad, and yet depression doesn't have to include sadness. Many individuals with depression feel more numb than sad, or may have lost interest in things they used to enjoy without having an obvious shift in their emotional state. It can also be easy to attribute depression symptoms to other factors, since depression is one of several possible explanations. For example, we might blame stress for our increased appetite and sleep problems, and think our trouble concentrating is driven by poor sleep.

7. We don’t want to see ourselves as "depressed."

Despite progress over the past few decades, there is still a lot of stigma around depression. We may have internalized that stigma, seeing depression as a "weakness" or "personal failure." As a result, we might not want to recognize our own depression. Maybe we prided ourselves on our strength and resilience, and depression just doesn’t square with our identity. We may, therefore, look for any alternative explanation for the way we're feeling.

How Recognizing Depression Helps

Coming to see our depression for what it is can be tremendously helpful, even life-changing, in at least two ways.

First, depression can affect all areas of our life, making us feel like everything is falling apart: We're not sleeping well, we're irritable, our motivation is gone, nothing is fun anymore, and so forth. Putting these many struggles under a single umbrella makes them much more manageable. Rather than having 15 problems, we have one, and obviously it's easier to tackle a single problem than 15.

Second, once we've named it, we know how to treat it. Several "talk therapies" have strong research evidence for alleviating depression. For example, a few weeks of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) generally has a major effect on depression symptoms. There are also medications that are used to treat depression, some of which can be as effective as the best psychotherapies.

For many people, depression can be managed without professional assistance, especially if the depression falls in the mild to moderate range, and if there's a low risk for self-harm. I was able to manage my own depression through a combination of self-help, strong support from the people closest to me, and getting involved in a triathlon.

Source: hesnikof/Pixabay

There are also self-directed books that can be very helpful. (See Therapy Without a Therapist?) The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies maintains a list of books that have their "seal of merit." Or you can try my workbook for self-guided CBT, Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks.

If you or a loved one has been struggling and some of your symptoms could reflect depression, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or a mental health professional. Psychology Today offers a directory you can search for a therapist who would be a good match for you.

However we combat depression, we don’t have to suffer—help is available. And like anything else, knowing what we’re dealing with is half the battle.

Follow me on the Think Act Be website, or on Twitter and Facebook.

LinkedIn Image Credit: TheVisualsYouNeed/Shutterstock


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Public Hygiene Council

Keeping Singapore Clean

Onus on everyone to keep Singapore clean

Sep 10, 2019
Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Amy Khor spoke in Parliament about the problem of high-rise littering and the measures taken by the Government to punish offenders and deter potential culprits (7,700 cases of high-rise littering in past three years, Sept 4).

The Public Hygiene Council agrees with Dr Khor and supports the Government in its public engagement efforts.

Some of our longstanding outreach programmes include daily cleaning and Character and Citizenship Education classes in schools, as well as regular beach, park and community clean-up activities.

More recently, we piloted the Sustainable Bright Spot programme in 12 housing estates, where residents conduct regular clean-up of their estates, and we hope this will one day be done in all housing estates.

We are also reaching out to parents through the talks that the Singapore Kindness Movement is conducting in pre-schools, so that they will in turn teach their children good hygiene habits.

Leading by example are our "Litter-Free" ambassadors, who encourage everyone in their communities to keep their shared spaces clean.

However, as I have reiterated many times before, the onus is on every individual - regardless of educational and economic background - to play his or her part in helping to keep Singapore clean. Paid cleaners can only do so much. It will never end if we keep littering every time after they clean up.

Positive social norms cannot be cultivated unless each and every one of us makes it a habit to bin litter properly, return food trays at hawker centres and foodcourts, and simply be courteous, considerate and civic-minded. Only then can Singapore be a liveable city with a First World society.

Edward D' Silva
Public Hygiene Council

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Richard J. Durbin

07/15/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/15/2021 13:27

Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Bill To Bring Fairness To FEMA Disaster Declaration Process

WASHINGTON - Following a stretch of severe weather events in Illinois - such as flooding and tornadoes -U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced the introduction of the Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act. The bill would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster declaration process to make it more transparent and equitable to small and rural communities in larger states like Illinois. Due to FEMA's disaster declaration process, states like Illinois face difficulties qualifying for federal aid to repair damage caused by natural disasters. Durbin first introduced the bill in 2012 afterFEMA denied federal assistance to Harrisburg, Illinois, and Ridgway, Illinois, following a devastating outbreak of storms and tornadoes.

'Illinois often struggles to receive aid from the federal government after severe weather strikes a community causing serious damage. We must fix the broken metrics FEMA uses to determine disaster assistance and increase fairness in the process. Illinois taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the entire bill when disasters strike,' said Durbin.

'As Americans, it's our responsibility to support one another in times of need, especially when our communities are devastated by disasters and severe weather. Unfortunately, the current FEMA formula fails to provide many smaller, rural communities in Illinois with the resources they need to rebuild and recover,' said Duckworth. 'Disasters don't discriminate against communities based on their population size and what state they live in - and neither should FEMA. This legislation will make much-needed reforms so Illinoisans in every corner of the state can receive the resources and support they deserve after severe weather strikes.'

According to a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), FEMA takes into account several factors when determining the need for Public and Individual Assistance. However, there is currently no standard for weighing the importance of each factor it considers, which leads to a highly subjective and uncertain process that leaves states and communities in limbo for weeks as their application is considered.

The Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act of 2021 will provide more certainty and fairness to states and small communities impacted by disasters by giving FEMA a clearer, more substantive formula when evaluating disaster areas. This bill assigns a specific weight to each of the factors already used by FEMA, and adds other economic factors for the agency to consider when determining whether or not a disaster area should receive federal assistance.

The formula breakdown for Public Assistance specified in the legislation and a description of each factor currently used by FEMA is below:

  1. Estimated cost of the assistance (10%) - Currently, this is the key component to FEMA's declaration process, calculated at $1.50 times the state population. This legislation will make it less of a factor by weighing it significantly lower than localized impacts.
  1. Localized impacts (40%) - The legislation would put greater weight on the damage assessment on a specific area, as opposed to statewide.
  1. Insurance coverage in force (10%) - Currently, FEMA deducts the amount of insurance that should be held by a government and non-profits from the total eligible amount.
  1. Hazard mitigation (10%) - If the cost of damage falls short of the cost of assistance threshold due to mitigation measures that lessened the disaster's impact, FEMA will take this into consideration by doing a cost-benefit analysis.
  1. Recent multiple disasters (10%) - FEMA would take any disasters occurring within the previous 12 months into consideration and evaluate the funds that the state has committed and their impact on the state and its residents.
  1. Programs of other Federal assistance (10%) - FEMA would take into consideration whether or not other agencies will be contributing.
  1. Other economic circumstances (10%) - Currently these are factors not considered by FEMA. This legislation would require FEMA to consider the local assessable tax base and local sales tax, the median income in comparison to the state, the poverty rate in comparison to the state, and the unemployment rate of the state in comparison to the national rate.

The formula breakdown for Individual Assistance would be:

  1. Concentration of damages - 20%
  2. Trauma - 20%
  3. Special populations - 20%
  4. Voluntary agency assistance - 10%
  5. Insurance - 20%
  6. Average amount of individual assistance by State - 5%
  7. Economic considerations - 5%


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Bridal Expo slated for January at Wilson College

Staff report
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CHAMBERSBURG - Future brides and their bridal parties can get a head start on wedding planning after the holidays at J&B Bridals and Tuxedos' Bridal Expo.

The event will feature more than 40 wedding-related businesses at Wilson College in Chambersburg on Sunday, Jan. 6. Doors will open at noon.

MORE:Local actor starring in Totem Pole's 'A Christmas Carol' can be seen on the big screen

Several of the vendors signed up for this year's expo include:

  • Karen Rodkey Cakes
  • Mary Kay Cosmetics
  • Shabby Chic Event Rentals
  • Phantom Shadow Entertainment
  • UV Stems, The Flower Shop
  • Gartenberg Jewelry
  • Pure Focus Wedding & Event Photography
  • Green Grove Gardens
  • B&M Digital

Attendees will also have the opportunity to see a New York runway show with gowns by the award-winning bridal designer, Madeline Gardner. The designer and her team of Mori Lee Bridal Fashions will showcase their spring 2019 collection, with several dresses making their national debut. The show will include bridal gowns, dresses for the mother of the bride or groom, and bridesmaid dresses.

MORE:Digital gambling machines could come to a Rutter's store near you in Franklin County

Afterward, soon-to-be brides will be able to meet with the team about the collection and their own gowns.

J&B Bridals and Tuxedos is based in Chambersburg, and offers bridal gowns and other formalwear. According to its website, the salon has been in business for the past 40 years helping brides locally and from the region, including Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia.

Tickets for the expo cost $7, and can be purchased by visiting

View Comments


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Salus Haus Kindervital Multivitamin Tonic

by Flora

A pleasant tasting liquid supplement for children, Kindervital is a unique, balanced herbal tonic that supplies bone- and tissue-building vitamins and minerals such as calcium and magnesium that are important for growing children.  Kindervital helps the body with the absorption and use of calcium, which is especially important for developing strong teeth and your child’s growing bones.

  • A pleasant tasting liquid multivitamins and minerals supplement for children
  • Support a child’s normal growth and the formation of tissue, connective tissue and red blood cells
  • Helps the body to metabolize nutrients including fats, proteins, and carbohydrates
  • Assists the body with the absorption and use of calcium
  • Helps the development and maintenance of bones, teeth, gums and cartilage
  • Helps maintaining eyesight, including night vision
  • Supports the skin, membranes and immune function
  • Provides antioxidants for the maintenance of good health
  • Assists in wound healing
  • Promotes proper muscle function for anyone over 9 years old

Children 1-3 yrs: 5ml (1 tsp) once daily.
Children 4-8yrs: 5 ml (1 tsp) 2 x daily.
Children 9yrs+: 10ml (2 tsp) 2 x daily.

Medicinal ingredients

Each 5 ml (1 tsp) contains:

  • Vitamin A (all-trans retinyl palmitate) equivalent to 375 μg RAE 1250 IU
  • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) equivalent to 2.5 μg 100 IU
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 25 mg
  • Vitamin E (d-α-tocopheryl acetate) equivalent to 4.2 mg ATE 6.25 IU
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine hydrochloride) 375 μg
  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin-5-phosphate sodium) 375 μg
  • Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) 2.5 mg
  • Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) 375 μg
  • Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 0.15 μg
  • Calcium (calcium lactate pentahydrate, calcium gluconate, calcium hypophosphite) 50 mg
  • Magnesium (magnesium hydrogen phosphate) 7.25 mg

Non-medicinal ingredients:
In a base of orange and pear juice, malt extract, yeast extract, maple syrup, honey, rose hip extract, wheat germ extract, natural flavour of cocoa and orange, water; infusion of carrot, anise seed, chamomile flower, peppermint leaf, watercress, wheat germ, coriander seed and spinach.

This product contains no alcohol; or artificial preservatives, colours or flavours. Hypersensitivity (e.g. allergy) has been known to occur, in which case, discontinue use. Keep out of reach of children.

Vegetarian, Yeast Free, Dairy Free, Kosher


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Electronic Call Monitoring (ECM) – Improving Carer Compliance

ECM gives huge gains in carer efficiency and client care by monitoring carers’ arrival and departure. Scheduling is enhanced. Lone care worker safety is greatly improved.However, it is greatly dependent upon high compliance rates. If a carer fails to check-in or check-out, the data quickly becomes less useful. It may be that the carer is […]

Migrating Crystal Reports to PowerBI? 14 things you should know.

Over the last 3 years, I’ve started to do a lot more work using PowerBI. In terms of planning and designing, it’s similar to QlikView/QlikSense in that you first load and transform data, then do the pretty stuff. I’m now seeing more interest in migrating from Crystal Reports to PowerBI.At first, this made no sense […]

SAP BI 4.3, but want the BI Portal from 4.2? Here’s the solution.

SAP BI 4.3/Crystal Server 2020 comes with the new Fiori launch pad. It’s the one that looks like this: The old 4.2 looks more like this: Admittedly, the new one is much more ‘modern’, but once you’ve got loads of users working from home right now and don’t have the time to retrain them for […]

Crystal Reports 2020 goes 64 bit – what you need to know.

It’s finally arrived, but how does the move to a 64 bit report designer change how you work? I’ve installed 2020, where’s Crystal Reports 2016 gone? That side by side install you were hoping for? Sorry, despite the move to 64 bit, you’ll find that your existing 32 bit version of Crystal Reports 2016/13/11 has […]

Staffplan Reports? Don’t know your tblActuals from your tblBookings?

Not forgetting tblRegularInfo! It’s said that you need 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in something. We’ve spent 11 years working with the Staffplan database. In that time, we’ve written close to 600 reports, dozens of Dashboards and 100+ views and stored procedures. We’ve even integrated a 3rd party text message system to […]

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Triple H Discusses TakeOver Womens Street Fight, The Bump Gets Longer Time & Does WrestleMania Contest

– As noted, it was announced over the weekend that a Street Fight between Dakota Kai and Tegan Nox will take place at the WWE NXT “Takeover: Portland” event on Sunday, February 16 from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Above is video of Matt Camp talking to Triple H about the match while at the Super Bowl LIV party hosted by WWE friend Rob Gronkowski, Gronk Beach.

“I think it’s very fitting,” Triple H said of the Street Fight. “The whole situation with those two going from best friends to where they’re at now… this past week we had a match on NXT and it didn’t really solve nothing, you know, kind of ended a little bit controversially, so to speak. I think this Street Fight is the way to get it done. Portland will be the place, it will happen there, it will be explosive. A lot of emotions are gonna come out of it. I’m excited for it. I think William Regal made the right decision.”

– WWE is pushing that this week’s episode of The Bump is 90 minutes long instead of 1 hour. This will actually be the third episode that runs for 1.5 hours as the January 22 show with SmackDown Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston went for right at 90 minutes, as did the January 29 episode with Drew McIntyre. The last 1 hour episode was on January 15 with Lacey Evans.

This week’s guests will be The Street Profits. Artist Josiah Williams of WWE NXT and Wrestle & Flow indicated on Twitter that he will also be featured on the show this week. The Bumps begins at 10am ET on Wednesdays via WWE Digital platforms. On a related note, below is the updated list of rules for The Bump’s Scavenger Hunt for WrestleMania 36. The grand prize winner will receive a trip to Tampa for WrestleMania and WWE NXT Takeover. There are also 7 runner-up packages. Full details for the hunt can be found below:


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Sam the Lady Chimney Sweep brand design

Is your brand ready for the great “open up” when lockdown ends? If it’s in need of a new look for the “new you”, or maybe just a freshen up, then now is the time to get started.

We worked with Sam the Chimney Sweep last spring, to create a new brand identity for the business. Sam wanted to keep a feminine touch, without going too over the top, her main priority was to convey a personal touch, rather than a more corporate style. So her keywords were “personal, friendly, reliable, family”.

The existing company website used lilac as a main colour, so we picked up on this as Sam liked the colour, but also introduced a strong black, knowing that the company van is black and would have to be able to pull off the new branding.

As usual we presented 6 designs for proof 1, and working together came up with the final logo design. The logo shows exactly what the company does, the chimney brush is curved to form a circle and almost flower like to keep it quite soft.

Next we moved on to the van design, and introduced the chimneys along the bottom, to give make van stand out on the road. We carried this through to the business cards and local advertising too. Branding isn’t just about the logo, it’s the whole look and we are very happy with this one!

Contact us to see how we can help your brand.


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Suspect arrested, charged in rape of 80-year-old woman pleads not guilty

KIRKLAND -- Police arrested Moses Kelly, 26, on a felony arrest warrant Wednesday night in Redmond in connection with the rape of an 80-year-old woman.

On Dec. 27, 2012, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg charged Kelly with first-degree rape and first-degree burglary and requested Kelly's bail to be set at $1 million. Kelly appeared in court on Jan. 3 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On Oct. 25, Kelly is believed to have forcibly entered the Kirkland home of an 80-year-old woman and forced her to have sex with him. He also assaulted her and threatened to kill her.

After she was attacked, the victim called her husband, who then took her to a local hospital. Kirkland police were then able to trace DNA evidence gathered to Kelly.

Kelly, who is believed to be homeless, does have a previous criminal record.


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Q A Z Z O O . C O M

What is a Real Estate Lead worth?

Real estate leads are worth far more than the price of the lead. They are worth the commission that can be generated from each lead. Sometimes we get too caught up in the price for the lead instead of the

Qazzoo Making a Difference in your Community

Qazzoo believes in volunteering and making a difference in our communities. It is not just rewarding but it also helps us promote ourselves. The payoff may not be immediate but it does make a difference. When we find out that


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Tips & Tricks

QC Trails has many special features and functions that can help you find and explore great trails in the Quad Cities region. Once you’ve mastered the basics (see Map Basics and Search Basics), check out some of our favorite Tips & Tricks that might not be as obvious at first glance.

  • On the Find Trails page, “zoom in” (+) the map display and the actual trail lines (in green and blue) will appear. You can see how trails connect throughout the region. Since each trail only gets one map pin to represent it, you might be surprised to see how extensive and interconnected trails are!
  • Many regional trails are interconnected. On many detailed trail pages you can Show Connector Trails to see how the trail you are looking at fits with others nearby. Click “Show on map” to display the lines for a connector trail on the map. Click “View trail posting” to open the detailed trail page for a connector trail.
  • Use the Quick Facts and Photos to quickly assess if the trail is right for you. It can be helpful to note the surface of the trail (is it paved or crushed gravel?) when first considering if you want to visit and what clothing or equipment you might need.
  • Most trails include an elevation profile showing you how much up and down you can expect on the trail. (Some very short, flat trails do not have profiles, so if you don’t see one, it shouldn’t be steep!)
  • QC Trails account holders (Create Account) have the ability to post and share comments about individual trails. User comments are displayed at the bottom of the page and may include descriptions of a person’s experience, alternate directions to a trailhead, or advice on when to go. Feel free to share your own comments, too!
  • Ready to head out, but you’d like to print out a paper map of a trail page to take with you? Click “Printer Friendly Version” just below the map on the left to open a new page with printer friendly formatting. You can change the base map before printing to something less color-intensive, like “Map” or “Terrain.”
  •   Show your location. If you are using QC Trails on a mobile phone with Wifi or cellular data service, click the “Go to my location” button on a detailed trail page. Enable location services by saying “Yes” when your browser asks if you will allow QC Trails to determine your location. A blue dot will then appear on the map showing QC Trails’ best guess at where you are! As you move down the trail or road, the blue dot will move with you. This is a convenient way from your browser to track progress or see where you are on the trail.
  • Download GPX or KML files to use on your own computer or GPS-enabled devices. KML files can be viewed in Google Earth and GPX files can be uploaded to GPS-enabled devices to take on the trail with you, or just browsed in GPS software on your computer. Learn more about downloading data here.
  • The handy Current Weather section in the left column can help you prepare just before you head out. Will you need sunscreen, a raincoat, or warm hat and gloves? Or you can click the link to Weather Underground to see the forecast to plan for a future outing.
  • Add a fun challenge to your outing by Geocaching on or near your trail. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. QC Trails displays a “Nearby Geocaches” section in the left column of each trail page (under the weather report). This link will take you to If you’re logged into an account on their site, the link will take you straight to a map of local geocaches found in the vicinity of the trail you were just viewing. Otherwise login or make a new, free account to start exploring (once logged in, you can use the “Nearby Geocaches” link again to take you to the geocaches near your trail).
  • Do you have a specific question about a trail? Try contacting the trail manager using the information provided near the bottom of the page. You can also contact QC Trails directly, who may be able to help or connect you with someone who can (Contact Us).
  •   Use the sharing widgets shown below and to the right of a trail map to quickly share the link to a particular trail page with your friends using Facebook, Twitter, email, and many other social media platforms.

Trail Tips

Tune in, Not out

Keep the volume of portable music devices on low, so that you can hear other trail users and traffic.

Sponsored by:

Be Healthy QC

Connect on Facebook

QC Trails is presented by


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Create a c Chart in Excel

Use c Charts for counted data:
...when the opportunity is large but the number of defects is small

For example, you might be counting injuries at a plant or medication errors in a hospital. The opportunity for errors is large but the actual occurences are low.

Two Examples of c Chart data:

c chart data examples

c chart in Excel

It's Easy to Draw a c Chart in Excel Using QI Macros

QI Macros adds a new menu to Excel and provides two ways to create charts:

control charts in excel

Run a macro on data you have already collected

  1. Click and drag over the data to select it.
  2. Click on QI Macros > Control Charts (SPC) > Attribute (c,np,p,u,g,t) > c
  3. QI Macros does the math and draws the chart.
  4. QI Macros also performs stability analysis. Unstable points or trends turn red and should be investigated.

Input Data into a Fill-in-the-Blanks Template

  1. Click on QI Macros > Control Chart Templates > Attribute (c,np,p,u,g,t) > c Chart
  2. Input your data into the yellow shaded area.
  3. The chart is drawn as the data is input.
  4. Run stability analysis using the chart tools menu.

QI Macros c chart template in Excel

I just made my first charts and QI Macros were very easy and user friendly. This is going to be a great tool.

- Jim Welsh
Lennox Industries

Learn More...

Why Choose QI Macros Over Other Control Chart Software?

  • Only $299 USD - less with quantity discounts
  • No annual subscription fees
  • Free technical support

easy to use

Easy to Use

  • Works right in Excel
  • Create a chart in seconds
  • Easy to customize & share charts

proven and trusted

Proven and Trusted

  • More than 100,000 users
  • In More than 80 countries
  • Five Star CNET Rating - Virus free


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Case Study: Reintroducing Britain's rarest lizard

Marwell Wildlife releases 80 sand lizards at QinetiQ’s Eelmoor Marsh

Sand lizards
Executive summary

In September 2017, 80 juvenile sand lizards – Britain’s rarest lizard – were released at Eelmoor Marsh as part of a captive breeding and reintroduction programme across Southern England by Marwell Wildlife in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. This forms part of a three-year plan to see 240 sand lizards released at the QinetiQ-owned Eelmoor Marsh, which is located at our Farnborough head office and recognised as a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

“In total we intend for 240 individuals to be released during this reintroduction programme to establish a self-sustaining population at the site indefinitely.”

- Rachel Gardner, Marwell Wildlife and University of Southampton PhD student

The brief

The sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) occurs widely across Europe and Asia; however, the twentieth century saw drastic loss of sand lizard habitat in England and Wales, making them one of the UK’s rarest reptiles; they have disappeared from eight of the UK’s counties.

Since 1989, Marwell Wildlife has contributed nearly 2000 Sand lizards for reintroduction, through a captive breeding programme in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust and Natural England. Prior to reintroduction and to maximise success, it is extremely important to find suitable release locations.

“It is a privilege for QinetiQ to have this important conservation programme at Eelmoor Marsh on our Farnborough site. We are delighted that sand lizards are being released.”
- Dr Sam Healy, Group Corporate Responsibility Director, QinetiQ

Our solution

Eelmoor Marsh SSSI, located in Farnborough, Hampshire, provided an ideal location for sand lizard release. This heathland site has undergone over 20 years of habitat restoration, enhancing key areas and creating favourable conditions for wildlife communities. In September 2017, 80 juvenile sand lizards, the smallest measuring approximately 7cm long, were released. Strict protocol surrounds this process to ensure the sand lizards have the best chance of survival. Over the next two years a further 160 sand lizards will be released at the site.

Sand lizards

Nearly 2,000 animals have been bred and released by Marwell Wildlife at 26 discrete locations in the last 25 years

Outcomes and benefits

QinetiQ takes great pride in offering Eelmoor Marsh as part of Marwell Wildlife and ARC’s efforts to reintroduce Britain’s rarest lizard. Eelmoor Marsh SSSI is a refuge for over 400 species of conservation concern, including various specialist flora populations; it is deemed particularly important for invertebrates such as dragonflies and butterflies, and supports bird species such as Woodlark, Dartford warbler and Nightjar.

QinetiQ and Marwell Wildlife’s long established collaborative relationship ensures that Rachel Gardner, University of Southampton and Marwell Wildlife PhD student, is able to monitor this cryptic species and its behaviour beyond release. This provides a unique insight into what the sand lizards require from their habitat, and what truly enhances their chances of survival. Within two months of the release 15-20% of the population was seen on the majority of post-release surveys, with dispersal distances varying from 1m to >100m from the release site.

Through the conservation work at Eelmoor Marsh, QinetiQ is proud to contribute to the restoration of these important habitats and the conservation of UK biodiversity

Download this Case Study as PDF (3MB)

Contact us

For further information, please contact QinetiQ Press Office on +44 (0) 1252 39 3500 or email PressOffice@QinetiQ.com


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QSI20 Two-Day Defensive Handgun Course: 9.18-19.2021

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QSI20 Two-Day Defensive Handgun Courseshow details + $300.00 (USD)

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  • QSI20 Two-Day Defensive Handgun Course
    09/18/2021 - 09/19/2021
    9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

At the request of our students, we are offering a 20-hour two-day Defensive Handgun course.

This course covers material in our Defensive Handgun and Advanced Defensive Handgun course, as well as low-light shooting and some additional new material.

This intensive two-day program is designed to provide shooters with a solid understanding of the skills necessary to effectively use the handgun for self-defense.

Topics covered will include using the holster, handgun fundamentals, recoil control, reloading and clearing stoppages, moment, post-shooting procedures, shooting while wounded, unusual shooting positions, precision shooting, low-light shooting, and much more.

This course is open to students of all skill levels, but may be challenging for a new shooter.  We do not offer rental guns for this course.

You will need approx. 1000 rounds of ammo for this course.  We do not recommend registering for this course if you don’t have your ammo and aren’t sure where you are going to get it.

We are unable to provide ammo for this course.

We know ammo is hard to get right now, but the best return on investment for your ammo is to use it in training and practice.
If you don’t have ammo, our advice is to start buying ammo now, wherever you can find it, for whatever it costs.

Please ask us if you have any questions!

Venue Phone: (507) 685-4244

Venue Website:

9525 West 230th Street, Morristown, Minnesota, 55052


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Frank Carber // Student Story

October 18, 2019

Frank Carber is a Computer Science major at UCCS. With a parent in the Navy, Frank grew up across the U.S. in Virginia, California, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Florida and abroad in Bahrain. Moving frequently as a kid, Frank has grown to love traveling and has been to 8 countries so far. In addition to traveling, Frank is passionate about running, swimming, crosswords, cooking and, to balance all the computer coding, he also likes to practice his writing and drawing skills.

Frank currently works on the Smart City Project with the Quad. He chose this project because of its direct application of technology to improve the community. Frank joined the Quad to expand his connections with people from different schools and contribute to the technologic advancement of Colorado Springs. He feels fortunate to be a part of this project and has benefited by being a member of the community as a whole. Through the Smart Cities project, he hopes to contribute a positive change to Colorado Springs and gain practical experience in research and large-scale project implementation.

So far Frank’s favorite part about working with the Quad is the insight it has given him to the extensive, untapped resources in Colorado Springs institutions. He is excited to help the city utilize these resources during this semester with the Quad. Working in a team of students from different institutions, he has come to value the depth of knowledge and insight that his team-mates have to offer.

Thus far, the experience has given Frank great respect for the work already done in Colorado Springs and excited about the future to come for the city, feeling fortunate to be a part of that future. After the Quad, he hopes to relay this experience into a software engineering internship with a government agency or private company. Following graduation, Frank hopes to start a career in Data Analysis or Machine Learning Engineering.


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The impact of Covid-19 on quality professionals

The CQI has partnered with quality management software provider Qualsys to release Covid-19: The impact of coronavirus on quality professionals, a report looking at how the spread of Covid-19 has affected the quality profession.

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The power read: 5 minutes that could boost your career in quality management

Published: 28 Jun 2017

John Fenner, CQP FCQI, group compliance director at John F Hunt, gives his advice on what it takes for quality professionals to rise to the top.

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Quality RV is closed indefinitely due to inventory shortages. Please visit our Pontiac location

Prime Time RV Tracer 27BHS Travel Trailer For Sale

  • Tracer 27BHS Floorplan Image

    Take a Virtual Tour

    Prime Time RV Tracer travel trailer 27BHS highlights:

    • Double-Size Bunks
    • Booth Dinette
    • Large Slide
    • LED TV
    • Outside Kitchen

    Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life to enjoy some fresh mountain air with this travel trailer in tow! You can easily bring along friends and family since this model can sleep nine people each night. Let the kids take the double-size bunks, while you and your spouse enjoy the queen bed in the front private bedroom. Any other guests can sleep on the sofa or booth dinette within the large slide out. When you're wanting to grill the catch-of-the-day, the outside kitchen is sure to come in handy, plus there is a three burner cooktop indoors if the weather isn't cooperating. This model includes plenty of storage space, including overhead compartments and an entryway walk-in closet with shelves!

    Set your sights on a Tracer travel trailer by Prime Time RV! These ultra-lightweight models feature Eternabond construction, a fully enclosed underbelly, and a one-piece TPO roof membrane for a durable RV made to last. The Dexter axles and aerodynamic fiberglass front cap will make towing a breeze, and you will appreciate hassle-free set-up with the electric stabilizer jacks and power tongue jack. Each model includes solid surface countertops, a stainless steel galley sink, and LED lighting throughout with motion sensor lights in certain locations. The 10th Anniversary Package includes features to make camping easier than ever, like the tire pressure monitor system, the observation system prep, the Tracer switch panel, and more!

    Have a question about this floorplan?
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    Sleeps 9
    Slides 1
    Length 31 ft 5 in
    Ext Width 8 ft
    Ext Height 10 ft 7 in
    Hitch Weight 602 lbs
    Dry Weight 5888 lbs
    Cargo Weight 1714 lbs
    Fresh Water Capacity 42 gals
    Grey Water Capacity 68 gals
    Black Water Capacity 34 gals
    Furnace BTU 30000 btu
    Number Of Bunks 2
    Available Beds Queen
    Refrigerator Type Large Two Door
    Cooktop Burners 3
    Number of Awnings 1
    Water Heater Capacity 6 gal
    Water Heater Type Gas/Electric DSI
    AC BTU 14500 btu
    TV Info LED TV
    Awning Info 19' Power w/LED Lights
    Axle Count 2
    Shower Type Shower w/Seat
    Electrical Service 30 amp

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CMT 226.090.14 Industrial Dry Cut Steel Saw Blade, 14-Inch x 90 Teeth 8° FWF Grind with 1-Inch Bore

Part # 226.090.14
  • $246.40 CAD

This low-noise saw blade is primarily intended for large panel saws and industrial woodworking machinery.

High precision, tight tolerance and longer lifetime are only a few features this tool offers!

In addition, this blade features a heavy-duty plate (46-48 Rockwell in hardness), chrome carbide cutting edges to guarantee extreme performance on steel pipes, steel rods, iron and sheet metals, anti-vibration design and expansion slots to reduce noise.

This tool is also produced by following precise procedures and techniques to confer greater value and allow for higher performance: tri-metal brazing, balancing and tensioning ring and laser-cutting for the steel plate. Try out the quality of the CMT blades!

  • For low RPM metal chop saws, such as Jepson.
  • 0.087 kerf thickness, 0.071 plate thickness, 0° hook angle, 8° Flat teeth & alternate chamfer Grind.
  • Chrome carbide cutting edges guarantee long cutting on iron, steel pipes, metal rods, sheet metal.
  • Anti-vibration design, expansion slots to reduce noise, tight tolerance, longer lifetime.


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For high net worth individuals wishing to invest considerable sums of money into the UK economy, the investor visa is an attractive prospect. Before needing to acquire permanent residency, this visa allows you to stay in the UK for a total of 5 years, if the requirements are met.

As of 29 March 2019, the Home Office have changed the requirements so that applicants will need to invest £2 million in an account in their name, in the UK, by way of share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.

What You Must Do

The £2million investment referred to above must be made:

  • within 3 months of your entry to the UK, if you were granted entry clearance as a Tier 1 Investor or;
  • within 3 months of the date of the grant of entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor Migrant or;
  • You can also make investments of the above, prior to the first grant of leave as a Tier 1 Investor, so long as these investments were made no earlier than 12 months before the date of the application and you can provide evidence of holdings.

You must invest at least £2m for the period of leave granted. You will be granted 3 years leave to remain if making an application from within the UK, and 3 years 4 months if outside the UK, the 4 months extra allows you time to enter the UK at your own convenience. You cannot have more than 180 days absence from the UK in a consecutive 12-month period.

At Quantum Law Associates, we have devised a bespoke service to our high net worth clients, offering not only visa application assistance, but a full immigration compliance action plan going forward.

Immigration Compliance Plan

  • Annual/bi annual meetings with the Partners in our City offices
  • Introduction to tax and business advisory partners
  • Meeting with financial advisors and banking professionals
  • Regular reviews of investment portfolios

Our lawyers make it their job to ensure you do not fall foul of the immigration rules and that throughout the 3 years, you remain up to speed on any immigration developments affecting your status.

Why Choose Quantum Law Associates?

Our lawyers have assisted a multitude of entrepreneurs and investors in successful immigration applications both inside and outside the UK. We will ensure a full and detailed background of your personal circumstances are taken and will assist in the entire application process, from beginning to end. We know that the Tier 1 application is about more than just immigration law for our client, this is why we have formulated a specialist referral system with trusted partners to offer guidance in matters outside of the law.

Call us now on 02036937592 to see how we can help find the right solution for you.


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D'Arbre en arbre Drummondville - All of Drummondville Passport
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D'Arbre en arbre Drummondville - All of Drummondville Passport

TreeGO Drummondville

L'Issue – Escape games

Espace 81

Village québécois d'antan

40% discount
$64.24     $107.07

per pers./taxes extra

This attraction passport includes
D’Arbre en arbre Drummondville: zipline, monkey bridge, swings and more in the aerial course.

L’Issue: escape room game

Espace 81: 3 games of bowling with shoe rental

Village Québécois d'Antan: one adult ticket to the living history village to discover Quebec from 1810 to 1930 in actual heritage houses.

Additional information
Please check the conditions and dates of validity of the attractions at the time of purchase on the partner website.
The purchased passport is non-refundable, non-exchangeable, it is a final sale.
In accordance with the regulations of the Office de la protection du consommateur (office of consumer protection), purchased passports do not have expiration dates and participating businesses can request an additional cost after December 31, 2021.
More details about the attractions

Note : Quebecvacances.com is not responsible for posted prices or information provided during the reservation of a product.


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Getting An Auto Loan in Miami

car loans in miamiWhen you are buying a car in Miami, think ahead the best credit score will get you the best interest rate on the car you want. Know your credit score and know the expected interest rates before hand. Look for a car within your budget in Miami so you can afford the payments. Continue reading


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R2 Tower

Your office: outstanding

People work differently nowadays. They are more flexible and mobile. More digital and connected. So they also need office space that is different – and perfectly fits in with today’s «ways of working». And this is exactly what you will find in the R2 Tower in Wallisellen, right next to the Glatt shopping centre. At a height of 68 metres, it dominates the skyline on the outskirts of Zurich and not only offers the best views, but also wide-ranging amenities that set new standards in terms of flexibility and networking, including a stylish community zone, conference centre and business centre – and everything needed to achieve the ideal work-life balance. Move in. From autumn 2021.

Rent fitted-out office space

201 or 13,900? m2 ?
Flexibility is the key.

Why be modest when you can be right at the top? On the 19th floor, for example, at a height of almost 70 metres – and you do not even have to compromise. You choose the appropriate fit-out standard, right through to «Plug & Work» – for total flexibility.

Clearly, you do not wish to rent just any space in the R2 Tower – it has to be perfect! Use the office space configurator to work out the optimal office space and layout for your company in just a few clicks. Give it a try.

Number of square metres
1’200 M2
Number of employees

Community zone

Networking lounge

Together is better. That is why the R2 Tower has a stylish networking lounge for straightforward communication.

Coffee bar and games room

Your break will become a special highlight on the first floor of the R2 Tower – that's a promise.

Workshop spaces

You can rent the two workshop spaces on the first floor as and when required, with total flexibility.

Conference centre

Rooms for seminars or meetings? R2 tenants and external clients will find these in the modern conference centre on the fifth floor.

Spaces R2 Tower

It features offices, co-working memberships, individual desks, virtual offices and conference and meeting rooms, all available for you to rent on a short- or long-term basis.

Your contact

Interested? I will be happy to show you the R2 Tower personally.

Privera AG

Marcel Wild
+41 58 715 61 97


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The South Sydney Rabbitohs have fallen to the Brisbane Broncos by 20 points to 12 at Suncorp Stadium tonight (Friday), after leading six-nil at the half time break.

Fatigue set in for the Rabbitohs in the final 25 minutes of the match after defending stoutly for the first 55 minutes – the Broncos crossing for four tries in the final 25 minutes to register victory.

The Rabbitohs went to the half-time break leading six-nil courtesy of an Irae Simone try and conversion after just three minutes of play. The Rabbitohs bombed Broncos fullback Kodi Nikorima who spilled the ball 10 metres out from his own line. The red and green’s made the most of the mistake, crossing from the next set of six to set up the six-point lead.

Both sides struggled to hold onto the ball in the first 40 minutes thanks to poor ball handling and ill-discipline. The Rabbitohs defensive performance, however, was top notch and a clean sheet at half time was well deserved.

The Rabbitohs were the first to score in the second half, again taking advantage of an error from the home-side. Winger Sam Young scooped a loose ball up metres from his own goal line before racing almost 100 metres to score at the opposite end. The conversion was waved away, moving the score to 10-nil in favour of South Sydney after 48 minutes.

A penalty goal to Simone from in front of the posts extended the Rabbitohs’ lead to 12 after 52 minutes.

But the Broncos registered their first points in the 58th minute when winger Elijah Alick crossed in the right-hand corner. The conversion attempt was waved away, reducing the Broncos’ deficit to eight points.

The home-side crossed for their second try six minutes later through second rower Brett Greinke, but the conversion attempt hit the upright and bounced away, taking the scores to 12-8 in favour of the Rabbitohs with 15 minutes remaining in the match.

The Broncos took the lead for the first time in the 70th minute when Brandon Lee crashed over next to the posts, and Jayden Nikorima converted to give Brisbane a 14-12 lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.

The Broncos sealed the win with a length of the field effort from Kodi Nikorima following an error from South Sydney in the 77th minute, with Jayden Nikorima adding the extras to seal the 20-12 win.

Broncos 20 (Elijah Alick, Brett Greinke, Brandon Lee, Kodi Nikorima tries; Jayden Nikorima 2 goals)

Rabbitohs 12 (Irae Simone, Sam Young tries; Irae Simone 2 goals)


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Victoria Derby

How Corstens helped Pagan fulfil his Derby dream

Denis Pagan fulfilled his dream of winning a Victoria Derby at Flemington. Picture: Jay Town Denis Pagan fulfilled his dream of winning a Victoria Derby at Flemington. Picture: Jay Town
By Nathan Exelby
04:19am • 01 November 2020

Though disappointed stewards saw fit to issue him with a fine for breaching COVID-19 protocols, Troy Corstens was still on cloud nine on Sunday after watching Denis Pagan win the Victoria Derby with Johnny Get Angry.

Despite the success of horses like Starspangledbanner, Corstens described Pagan’s Derby win as his proudest moment in racing, having been with him every step of his fledgling training journey.

“Denis has raced horses with us for a long time, through association with John Sadler when we kicked off Malua,” Corstens said.

“He has become a great friend, but more importantly has been a good role model in my life. For business and personal, he’s been like an absolute father-figure to me.

AAMI Victoria Derby

Denis Pagan has proven to be a quick learner as a racehorse trainer, notching his first Group 1 win with Johnny Get Angry in the Victoria Derby. Picture: Getty Images

“He always used to joke that he wouldn’t mind training, but I could tell he wasn’t going to do it. So one day I just said ‘why not?’

“I pushed him really hard to have a crack, so he started coming down to the stables. I was still training his horses at the time, but he was there every morning and he picked it up really quickly.”

Corstens said knowing Pagan’s background, that was no surprise to him.

“Like anything Denis does, he’s the ultimate professional,” he said.

“He’s applied all his life skills, coaching skills to his training.

“It’s been his dream to win the VRC Derby for 35 years. He had one runner before … now he’s done it as an owner and trained him himself.

“I was just so proud. I was there the day he first put a head collar on a horse and the day he won the Derby. It’s one of my most proud moments on a racecourse.”

Corstens picked Johnny Get Angry for Pagan as a yearling after assessing 30 horses Pagan had short-listed. He somehow managed to negotiate a deal to buy him for $50,000 when the vendor originally wanted $100,000.

Troy Corstens has helped Denis Pagan get started as a trainer and regards the former AFL coach as a father-figure. Picture: AAP

Stewards fined Corstens $1000 for embracing Pagan after the Derby, which he felt was a harsh reaction.

“That soured it a bit,” he said. “I reckon I put enough into racing, I’m a pretty big advocate for it, so it’s pretty disappointing I’ve got to say.

“I’ve spent every day with the bloke the past 18 months. It was a natural human reaction.”

Best Result: Shout The Bar, Flemington, Race 5: Another big-priced Group 1 win for this mare. The photo finish with Odeum was a big swing for the book.

Worst Result: September Run, Flemington, Race 6: Punters came for Farnan, but September Run was still a very bad result for the Ladbrokes book.

Best Backed: Mystic Journey, Flemington, Race 6: She is a very popular mare and there was a sustained go all day. She started clear favourite after opening as $4.60 second pick.

VRC Oaks, run Thursday

$1.90 Montefilia

$6 Miravalle

$7 Personal

$15 Café Rizu

$19 Chica Fuerte, Starelle, Succeed Indeed, Tyche Goddess, Vilanculos

$21+ Others

Sydney Racing - Spring Champion Stakes Day

Montefilia is an odds-on favourite to win the VRC Oaks on Thursday. Picture: Getty Images

Tuesday: Flemington, Doomben, Randwick, Morphettville, Ascot, Gold Coast, Bundaberg, Charleville, Gladstone, Kumbia, Longreach, Mackay, Mount Isa, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville, Kembla Grange, Echuca, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin

Wednesday: Kilcoy, Grafton, Kyneton, Port Lincoln, Launceston (night)

Thursday: Flemington, Ipswich, Hawkesbury, Gawler

Friday: Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast (night), Albury, Kempsey, Warrnambool, Cranbourne (night)

Saturday: Doomben, Rosehill, Flemington, Morphettville Parks, Ascot, Gold Coast, Toowoomba (night), Chinchilla, Cooktown, Isisford, Moranbah, Goulburn, Wyong, Geelong, Alice Springs

Sunday: Sunshine Coast, Armidale, Warren, Ararat, Benalla, Penola, York

“I could hear Ollie’s yelling. His very distinctive voice coming from behind. Normally once you hear it, he gets you but it was good that he (Yulong Prince) knuckled down and fought it out for the win. I got a rare one up on him there.” Damian Lane after fending off the now familiar roar of Damien Oliver on crowdless tracks in the Cantala Stakes.

It’s all about the Melbourne Cup this week and Tuesday’s $8m showpiece looks to be one of the best fields assembled in years. Headed by last year’s English Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, the 24 runners have collectively won a whopping $44m. Ashrun completed the puzzle when lumping 61kg in the Hotham, adding another intriguing piece to the race.

Lexus Hotham Stakes

Ashrun stormed into the Melbourne Cup with victory in the Hotham Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

Brad Stewart was in hot form with a Doomben double on The Harrovian and Seentoomany. He didn’t have too many concerns with the Seentoomany protest, but stewards took offence to his veering out sharply and slapped him with a 14 day suspension.

Mob Buster, Race 2: Won’t be a maiden for much longer on this effort. Gapped the rest.

Olmedo, Flemington, Race 8: Ripper first up run after trialling well.

Bless Her, Flemington, Race 9: Swamped by those wider on the track. Tidy return.

Schabau, Flemington, Race 4: Just not delivering for punters who continue to support him.

Farnan, Flemington, Race 6: Pulled up lame, but it has been a forgettable spring. Maybe can atone in the autumn. Anders has also had the gloss ripped off in his past couple of outings.

The snipers had their eye in at Doomben, zoning in on So You Win and Emerald Kingdom before plucking Seentoomany from the clouds late in the day.

Read all news by
Nathan Exelby
Top Bookmakers


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Donington, Oulton and Snetterton 2019

by Racing Aspirations November 1, 2019 | , , , , ,

Snetterton September ‘10 Rounds 11 and 12

Let me begin with a damn and blast as on opening the bonnet at Snetterton I realised I’d left the choke on for the Silverstone race. I think this is the reason I felt I was going backwards compared to qualifying. Another item to add to the pre-race check list. Unfortunately, things only went down […]

by Racing Aspirations August 28, 2013 | , ,

Snetterton March ’09 Rounds 1 and 2

[singlepic id=4 w=170 h=120 float=left]The cars first outing gave mixed results. Lets get the bad news out of the way first – I finished second from last – and that was only because the person in front of me spun off on the final lap! I had major cooling issues. My crazy cooling arrangement just […]

by Racing Aspirations August 28, 2013 | , ,


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APC Smart-UPS SC 450VA 230V - 1U Rackmount Tower

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The economical UPS to start your business APC Smart-UPS SC is the perfect protection for the IT resources of your growing ... Read More

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The economical UPS to start your business

APC Smart-UPS SC is the perfect protection for the IT resources of your growing business. Manageable and cost effective, APC Smart-UPS SC is designed for use by small and medium companies looking to protect entry level servers and networking equipment, providing both power and data-line protection. Included PowerChute Business Edition management software allows you to configure safe system shutdowns and take advantage of advanced UPS management features like automated risk assessments and runtime capacity calculations. (All major operating systems supported). Communications are through your server's standard serial port. When you are ready to take your business to the next level you can use the same software environment found on Smart-UPS SC to seamlessly manage other Smart-UPS models, allowing you to grow your IT infrastructure without having to replace your software or retrain your administrators. Built on the same standards as the award winning Smart-UPS UPS, the Smart-UPS SC is the UPS to start your business with.
AC outlet typesC13 coupler
AC outlets quantity4 AC outlet(s)
Battery capacity108 VAh
Battery recharge time5 h
Battery replacement alarmsLED
Battery technologySealed Lead Acid (VRLA)
Cables includedRS-232
CertificationC-tick, CE, GOST, VDE, PEP, EOLI
Colour of productGrey
Depth383 mm
Dimensions (WxDxH)432 x 383 x 44 mm
Filtering0.7% IEEE/UL 1449
Form factorRackmount/Tower
Height44 mm
Hot-swap batteryYes
Input connection typeIEC-320 C14
Input operation voltage (max)302 V
Input operation voltage (min)151 V
InterfaceDB-9 RS-232
LED indicatorsYes
Noise level38 dB
Nominal output voltage230 V
Non-operating altitude0 - 15000 m
Operating altitude0 - 3000 m
Operating relative humidity (H-H)0 - 95 %
Operating relative humidity range0 - 95 %
Operating temperature (T-T)0 - 40 °C
Operating temperature range (T-T)0 - 40 °C
Output connections(4) IEC 320 C13
Output power280 W
Output power capacity (VA)450 VA
Output voltage note5: 1
Package dimensions (WxDxH)476 x 589 x 164 mm
Package height164 mm
Package weight11730 g
Package width476 mm
Power supply input frequency50/60 Hz
Quantity per pallet24 pc(s)
Rack capacity1U
Replacement battery cartridgeRBC18
RoHS complianceYes
Serial ports quantity1
Storage relative humidity (H-H)0 - 95 %
Storage relative humidity range0 - 95 %
Storage temperature (T-T)-15 - 45 °C
Storage temperature range (T-T)-15 - 45 °C
Surge energy rating320 J
Surge protection featuresDigital Subscriber Line (DSL),Fax,Modem,Network
Typical backup time at full load5.9 min
Typical backup time at half load19.4 min
Weight10180 g
Width432 mm

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• Steve Pratt

Karue Sell Celebrates Australian Open With Team Osaka

Updated: Mar 5

Former UCLA star helps star Naomi Osaka win second Aussie Open and fourth Grand Slam serving as full-time hitting coach.

Originally posted on USTA.SoCal.com. Read it HERE.

Former UCLA tennis player Karue Sell invited a few buddies over to his Hermosa Beach home recently, served up some Red Bulls and ordered pizzas just after midnight before settling in to watch Naomi Osaka capture her fourth Grand Slam singles title.

There was a lot at stake for Sell as he watched Osaka take out his former Bruins classmate Jennifer Brady in the Australian Open final to win the $2.75 million winners’ prize money, a small portion of which would be awarded in due time to Sell as a valuable team member of the No. 2-ranked player in the world.

For the past 15 months, Sell has served as Osaka’s hitting coach while the WTA star has lived in Los Angeles. One year ago, the 27-year-old Sell was Down Under as part of Osaka’s team, including new fulltime coach Wim Fissette. Shortly after, the March pandemic lockdown went into effect cancelling the BNP Paribas at Indian Wells and shutting down the WTA Tour for the summer.

But that did stop Brazil’s Sell from continuing to work and train with Osaka and he traveled with her team to New York helping Osaka win her second straight Grand Slam at the improbable 2020 US Open.

Three more months of training ensued with Sell helping Osaka once again get prepared to win a third Grand Slam and second Aussie Open title. Unfortunately, because of visa issues, Sell was unable to travel Down Under and be there in person for Osaka, who dedicated the winner’s trophy to “her team” during her post-match remarks.

“I’ve been sort of telling people before the tournament to watch out for her,” said Sell, who graduated from UCLA in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography at UCLA. “Before she left, it was the best I had seen her hit. I was pretty confident she was going to win it. She had that one close call, but she was so dialed in.”

Sell will tell you he’s much more than a hitter or backboard to Osaka.

“It really depends on the player, and the coach,” said Sell, who served as the Pepperdine Volunteer Assistant in 2016 and 2017 before heading out fulltime on the USTA Pro Circuit Futures and Challenger Tour. “Some women don’t want the input, some do. Naomi was incredibly respectful of me and was willing to listen. I’m the one hitting so I know what is happening and can tell her what we’re trying to do.”

Sell, who got to as high as No. 371 in the world rankings in July of 2018, said his relationship with Fissette has been an important part of the team dynamic. “We text each other about tennis and about her game,” Sell said. “He definitely likes my input and to see what I have to say. We discuss strategy and I definitely think I do more than just hitting because I feel like I can help.”

Sell added: “It’s a team effort, but she’s the star. But at the same time, she needs a team, and she trusts her team.”

Sell said Osaka’s strengths lie in her natural, physical gifts. “She can lift and run for hours and hours and her body can take the beating,” he said. “Serena [Williams] is her idol so she probably models here came from her. Big serve and big strokes. You can’t hit through her. Not even a guy can hit through her. You’d have to move her from side to side and you’re not going to have enough power. It’s this combination of physicality. Just like when Serena came on tour.

“She has all the Serena tools, and she’s younger. She has the work ethic and the mindset of a champion. It’s a combination and it’s hard to have all of it, but she has it. It’s actually pretty incredible to see.”

Sell remembers Brady as a “sweetheart” as a young freshman on the Westwood campus

in 2014 before she left school a year later to pursue her professional dreams. “She decided to leave the USTA and move to Germany and work with a coach there and it’s really paid dividends,” Sell said. “She’s become one of the top six women on tour right now.”

Sell said he doesn’t have a long-term commitment with Osaka, and is not sure what his future holds, or if he plans to return to the professional tour.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I’m not sure I would want to be a WTA Tour coach and travel around. I could see maybe doing some college coaching if I can. I still have that in my plans. But I want to ride it out as long as I can with Naomi and maybe win a few more Slams and to maybe help get her to No. 1 in the world.

“It’s a great gig but we’ll see what happens. There’s not really a tour right now to play for me anyway right now.”

RacquetWire.com editor Steve Pratt’s columns appear weekly at USTASocal.com.

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2016 NAMM chat with Steve Vai, Pat Metheny bassist Mark Egan, four-time Grammy Winner Jimmy Douglass, and Dream Theatre’s Richard Chycki & Maddi Schieferstein (Part 4)

March 1st, 2016

Radial had hundred of musicians, producers and gear-heads stop by the NAMM booth this year.

In this episode we talk with Steve Vai, Mark Egan (Bassist – Pat Metheny, Gil Evans, Elements), Jimmy Douglass (Engineer – Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Rolling Stones), Richard Chycki (Engineer – Dream Theatre, Rush, Aerosmith) and Maddi Schieferstein (Tech/Coordinator – Dream Theatre, Whitesnake, Deep Purple)

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Adult Children "Going no Contact"

Episode 148 · March 5th, 2019 · 48 mins

About this Episode

Why are adult children cutting of their parents and “going no contact”? Misplaced individualism is leading to narcissism. Protests are destroying thousands of years of history in France. Why are violent protests the norm among the millennial generation? Could it be due to the rejection of masculinity? Feminism and modernity have rejected patriarchy, but goes this leave male leadership wanting? Dr. Phillip Chavez of The Men’s Academy joins Trending with Timmerie.

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Switzerland Confirms FM Switch off Date

Radio programs will be available via FM until the end of 2024 at the latest

Bernard Maissen, deputy director for the Federal Office of Communications, has announced that Switzerland’s radio programs “will only be available on the FM Band until the end of 2024 at the latest.”

Credit: Wiki Commons

OFCOM said in a release that Maissen based his decision on the radio industry’s existing agreement and legal provisions. As per studies available to OFCOM, at the end of June only 17% of listeners tuned into radio using FM.

According to the organization, in December 2014, the Digital Migration Working Group (AG DigiMig) stated that radio broadcasters intended to phase out VHF broadcasting by 2024.

It said that SRG and more than 80 percent of private radio stations agreed to this decision in 2015. And in October 2017, the Federal Council adopted the radio industry’s target and provided the legal framework for VHF switch off.

Maissen then announced the country would extend VHF radio licenses expiring in December 2019 until 2024, with the possibility of shortening the duration if the radio industry wishes.

Simultaneously, OFCOM would examine whether individual VHF transmitters in peripheral areas with insufficient DAB+ coverage could continue to operate for a limited period after 2024.

GfK research institute collects figures every six months on behalf of OFCOM and the AG DigiMig. Its results show the Swiss listening to an average of 65 minutes of digital radio per day out of 100 radio minutes.

This, says OFCOM, demonstrates a digital radio usage increase of 16% in three and a half years: from 49% in autumn 2015 to 65% in spring 2019. At the same time, VHF usage fell 16 percentage points from 51% to 35%.

While DAB+ has mainly replaced FM in the home and at work, the reports also reveal that FM is still more frequently used in car (56%). In spring 2019, listeners tuned into radio in the car via DAB+ for 38 out of 100 radio minutes. OFCOM points out, however, that the share of in-car DAB+ listeners is rising.

Findings also show that in the first half of 2019, the Swiss purchased some 136,400 DAB+ radios (excluding cars). According to GfK’s semi-annual surveys, consumers in Switzerland have bought a total of 4.3 million DAB+ devices since 2000.

Swiss Radio Day took place in Zurich on Aug. 29.


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Dine at our Bandar Seri Begawan restaurants

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The word “riwaz” is an Urdu term for tradition, luxury, and style—all of which are reflected in the redefined culinary journey our Riwaz restaurant provides at Radisson Hotel Brunei Darussalam. Inspired by heirloom recipes from the kitchens of India and state banquets from times past, each dish prepared at Riwaz is carefully crafted with great attention to detail. Our chefs use the freshest ingredients alongside authentic herbs and spices to create a modern twist on traditional Indian cuisine. Stop by to treat yourself to an innovative and delicious meal in an elegant setting.

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Eurotunnel reports strong revenue growth for the first quarter 2015

Groupe Eurotunnel recorded an 11% increase in the number of freight trains using the tunnel in the first quarter of 2015, with Shuttle revenue increasing by 10%.

A new all-time record was also broken for the amount of Truck Shuttle traffic in March 2015, with 140,009 trucks transported through the fixed link.

Chairman and Chief Executive Jacques Gounon said: “On top of the excellent progress in revenues across the Group’s activities, the new all-time record for truck traffic recorded in March shows the potential of the Channel Tunnel, which will be further strengthened by the current investment programme”.

With 2,297,400 passengers in the first quarter, Eurostar’s traffic remained stable as a result of the terrorist attacks in Paris at the beginning of January and then the problems at the end of January and on March 2, when traffic was interrupted on HS1 in the UK.

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Jason Chamberlain, Partner, Asset Finance at global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

Extracting value from new approaches

Jason Chamberlain, Partner, Asset Finance at global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP

The Department for Transport has recently turned to the private sector for ideas, because as Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling declared: “Governments do not have a monopoly on good ideas for the railways.”

Against a backdrop of largely stripping Network Rail of responsibility for upgrading the railway, the DfT launched its Rail market-led proposals - Call for Ideas.

At the same time, but ring-fenced from the call for third-party ideas, the DfT has called for specific third-party ideas on much-needed rail access from the south to Heathrow Airport - what it calls the Southern Rail Link to Heathrow (SRLtH).

Separately (yet not), it has pushed out another rail enhancements initiative - Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline: A New Approach for Rail Enhancements - to create a pipeline (the RNEP) down which it will put the rail enhancements government funds. Sounds as if they need some ideas in the acronym department!

The DfT wants to use the market-led proposals it receives in response to its Call for Ideas to help create some “contestability”.

Contestability is something you do with or against or around Network Rail in the delivery of railway infrastructure. In a circle as round as it is unbreakable, the DfT has endorsed Network Rail’s response endorsing the independent review Network Rail commissioned into how third parties compete with NR in delivering railway infrastructure, which Network Rail commissioned under pressure from the DfT to make NR subject to competitive pressure when delivering railway infrastructure.

And then, apart from all that, government-owned Network Rail declared itself open for business to third-party investment to develop the upgrades it has identified. Perhaps NR understands contestability as being contestability with the government for ideas and investment.

So, Grayling was right: the Government does not have a monopoly on good ideas, but it certainly seems to have a monopoly on not necessarily joined-up ideas that it thinks is a good idea to publish all at once.

But if the public sector is constrained in how much it spends improving the railway, the private sector is the only place left to look to fill the gap.  And there is obvious value in establishing an enhancements programme, so that the industry and its supply chain can plan.

The right idea then, but what will be critical to whether anything tangible comes of it will be if the DfT can generate enough market confidence that there is the opportunity to realise enhancements ideas, including to monetise them.  That confidence is generated by expectation management of pipeline content, certainty of process, and likelihood of reward.

So, who is in the market to make market-led proposals?

A market-led proposal (MLP) is an “unsolicited bid” to enhance the railway (unsolicited, that is, if you ignore all the soliciting by the DfT for market-led proposals), which the DfT has not already sent down the RNEP. Anyone not publicly funded can make a market-led proposal.

Proposals have been split into two types: ‘Category 1 MLPs’ and ‘Category 2 MLPs’.

Category 1 MLPs are those which do not require public money, government guarantee or exclusivity. You might call them ‘Magic Bean Ideas’, because the idea that there are dormant rail enhancements projects out there that do not require some form of money, underpinning or exploitation rights (or a combination of those) belongs in a fairy tale.

On the assumption that we won’t be seeing the rail equivalent of a giant beanstalk any time soon, let’s focus on Category 2 MLPs, which means the following:

N We are really talking about market-led proposals where promoters are looking for some sort of government support.

N Promoters must develop their Category 2 MLPs at their own risk and cost.

N At some point a promoter will have to run the gauntlet of the DfT’s governance process.

That process - the so-called ‘RNEP Framework’ - contains the five stages or gateways that a promoter of a railway enhancement must go through before it will be made (below).

These are what you might call instead the five Ds of Dodgeball - Dodge, Duck, Dive, Dip and Dodge - because the owner of an idea to enhance the railway must do each of these things in order to see that enhancement realised. It looks a bit like an obstacle course. To those familiar with government-led procurement, it probably conjures up images of a ‘tough mudder’ with caged crawls, electric shocks and butter-smeared monkey bars.

Despite A New Approach suggesting that an idea can enter the RNEP at any stage, it still needs a government-endorsed business case and to have passed the decision point for that stage. So, in truth, you probably cannot skip a D - unless you’ve Dodged, Ducked and Dived, you won’t be Dipping.

What’s certain is procurement. The Call for Ideas says “procurement is used to ensure value for money”. So, if you have a market-led proposal, it will be contested to some degree. It’s just that at this point you have no idea to what degree, because the messaging on procurement is completely open-ended.

It will be interesting to see what kind of market the DfT has managed to create by imposing a deadline for the submission of market-led proposals (July 31).

We know that HS4Air has been put forward - a proposal to join up Heathrow and Gatwick to both High Speed 1 and 2 by by-passing London (a sort of high-speed M25 railway), an ambitious scheme that seems to tick a lot of the market-led initiative’s boxes. Then there is Crossrail to Ebbsfleet (C2E), a plan to extend the existing Crossrail route out to Kent. Both are already in the public domain. Not much else is!

C2E is really a publicly backed scheme, so strictly not a market-led proposal. But its submission is symptomatic of the Hunger Games competition that all these initiatives create. C2E’s backers probably feel they have no choice but to throw their hat into the ring now because it is competing for recognition with all Category 2 MLPs, all enhancements that are already in the RNEP, and whatever Network Rail is still allowed to do.

And that’s really the point of all this: not to create new enhancement ideas, but to create a focal point for the DfT to marshal them.

In contrast, the SRLtH imposes no such deadline. However, while ring-fenced from the wider call for ideas, SRLtH is effectively the first concrete manifestation of the market-led proposal initiative. It invites interest in discussing market-led ideas for a southern rail link, and overlays A New Approach’s RNEP Framework to DfT decision-making.

The mainstream press has spoken of five proposals for southern Heathrow rail access: Heathrow Southern; the Windsor Link Railway; a light rail solution; an unspecified proposal by MTR; and another proposal where the only thing known publicly about it is that nothing is known publicly about it. It’s not HS4Air.

The SRLtH proposals that are known about seem innovative and genuinely distinct from each other, making the DfT’s job of assessing their relative strengths and weaknesses challenging and tempting for the DfT to cherry-pick.

Does the DfT really want you to build your own railway? Too contestable perhaps?

The DfT said in the Call for Ideas that it will protect valid intellectual property (that is, intellectual property protected by legislation and common law). In that context, that means not sharing that intellectual property with others.

Heathrow Southern’s proposal links the south to Heathrow Airport by building, operating and maintaining eight miles of new railway, over which DfT-chosen train operators operate franchised services. The new route its backers have identified joins up Terminal 5 with the South West Main Line, Paddington and HS2. They claim a proprietorial interest in their ideas, and want to operate the railway they hope to build.

But at the SRLtH market-sounding day to promote SRLtH, when Heathrow Southern challenged the DfT about the protection of intellectual property in market-led proposals, the DfT’s spokesman pointedly said that “there is no intellectual property in a line on a map”.

That sounds like while the DfT may not have a monopoly of ideas, it wants one. Some allowance must be made for an off-the-cuff response at a public consultation event, and it will be interesting to see whether the DfT continues to formally hold that line. For now, it puts investors in a poker game where they must show the dealer some of their cards, but are probably reluctant to show all of them in case he then lets the other players see them.

And it begs the obvious question: just what is protectable intellectual property in the context of designing new railways? Because if that is the DfT’s position, not much is. And if you can’t protect your ideas, you may as well not have them.

If it has created a market of private-sector proposals, the DfT must now be sorting out the genuine finds from the upcycled tat.

On SRLtH, the DfT is only exploring options at this stage. It is not the start of a procurement process. In fact, part of the exercise is to determine whether to commence a procurement at all. So, for SRLtH the DfT has commenced an open-ended conversation, but for the wider market-led initiative it might not converse at all. Neither approach helps investors who crave certainty.

But even if the DfT does end a conversation to start a procurement, who knows what it will procure? It may compete the best idea for a railway; or it may simply take the best line on a map it receives if it does not believe there is any intellectual property in drawing them, then compete the best design of that, then the best delivery. Quite simply, to the pure investor, that looks like a lottery ticket at this point.

Or, if all this is the start of an obstacle course, it looks like the kind of obstacle course that requires more luck than anything else - less tough mudder, perhaps more the kind you used to find on It’s a Knockout.

You know the kind: promoters are shoved into oversized comedic outfits, each carrying buckets of water with holes in the bottom, jumping over and diving under obstacles, edging along rolling greasy poles over pools of foam, while the DfT’s procurement team throw wet sponges at them to try and knock them off, before they trip over each other’s enormous feet in a sprint to the finish line to pour a few dribbles from their buckets into a plastic tube, which the DfT’s lawyers then evaluate to see who has deposited the most and so won the race.

Poker game, lottery ticket or comedy obstacle course? If that is how it’s going to be, you have to wonder whether promoters who want to profit directly from their ideas might just leave playing railways to the DfT.  If they do, where does that leave real contestability?

If the messaging around market-led proposals continues to be unclear, or the market interprets these initiatives as just a means of appropriation or the processes as death by procurement, then the DfT’s drive to promote third-party interest in rail enhancements is dead on arrival.

So, here’s an idea. Don’t sacrifice investor confidence on the altar of competitive tendering. If you genuinely want to encourage the investment of new ideas and money in the railways, perhaps the best way to do that is to let people run with those ideas… not run off with them.

There are parallels in this method of procurement with the approach taken on Thames Tideway Tunnel, the 151/2-mile sewage/rain water tunnel that is currently under construction under the Thames. Helpfully, the DfT seems to recognise this fact in the Call for Ideas, so there is hope yet.

Because if the private sector understands that there is a fighting chance of getting a return on its time and money investment, the DfT is surely going to receive more and better ideas than if the perception is less so.

No one is suggesting the DfT loses oversight - and so value for money - in avoiding slavishly competing everything itself. It could use the RNEP Framework decision points to act as oversight opportunities to compel procurement best practice. If a usage undertaking or other guarantee features, the DfT could attach conditions to it which could be withdrawn if not met at any point. The threat of withdrawal would keep finance-backed investors honest.

The DfT could even establish a procurement board, steering committee or project company - much like East West Rail, Crossrail or PF2 - if it wished to retain a more hands-on role to ensure value for money. The DfT and the chosen private sector promoter could work in partnership that way (a word the DfT uses a lot of these days in other contexts).

Reading the Call for Ideas, it seems this initiative might work for those players who want the railway enhanced, but who aren’t interested in playing railways. Those promoters who don’t claim a proprietorial interest in their ideas or who aren’t concerned with how it is delivered or by whom - for example, ports or housing developers, and even C2E perhaps.

From a pure investor’s perspective, it may not seem worth the candle if you contest the best market-led proposal for a given rail scheme, then contest the best design of that best proposal, then contest the best delivery of that best-designed best proposal, then contest the best operation of that best-delivered, best-designed best proposal. It will certainly get on promoters’ wicks if they perceive that the DfT will not protect their ideas, but instead compete the hell out of them.

If they do, there’s a danger that what the DfT might be left with is a market where the only proposals are owned by real believers… those who aren’t deterred by process, odds or reality - like those who might propose a tunnel-less Atlantic seabed railway, or magnetically levitating trains in low-vacuum tubes. No, wait, I’ve actually heard that last idea somewhere!

In the end, it’s commendable to try and plan future enhancements and to get third-party money into the railway to enhance that plan. But if you invite that money in, you have to accept that it is not free. It has to see a way to a return, otherwise it goes elsewhere.

At the moment, the opportunity to enhance tomorrow’s railway seems like… what’s the word? A contestable one at best.

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  • Ian Watkins - 30/10/2018 22:26

    If you work on the assumption that the DfT couldn't organise one of those events in Burton on Trent, then the likelihood of this idea actually working becomes clear. The level of incompetence displayed in our Civil Service nowadays is truly frightening.

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If you are using a Dremel throughout the day it is an EXCELLENT idea to have two batteries charged and ready to go!! Nothing is worse than being half way through and running out of power!!

This item features just the charger itself. It does not include a battery. This is charger #756-01 for batteries for the Dremel 7300. They will recharge a battery in approximately 3 hours.

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