View post tag: Washington USS George Washington Starts Sea Trials View post tag: trials View post tag: starts Training & Education View post tag: George View post tag: USS USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, May 12 to conduct sea trials in preparation for the ship’s next patrol.George Washington sailed from its Truman Bay pier into open waters to begin a certification process that will ensure the ship, its equipment and crew are ready for extended periods at sea.“We’re ready to execute sea trials,” said Capt. David A. Lausman, George Washington’s commanding officer. “This is an all hands evolution and we have the most professional Sailors who thrive on ‘by the book with the book open’ operations. They will execute the mission meticulously.”After working alongside craftsmen from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka to complete routine maintenance to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, Sailors will now put the ship through a series of tests before going underway.“This is an exciting day,” said Cmdr. Wes McCall, George Washington’s navigator. “It’s been six months since we were last underway so it’s great to be heading back out where we belong.”Before leaving port, crew members participated in two simulated days at sea to begin the testing period and to get in the right mind set for the anticipated patrol. In 2011, George Washington safely navigated 55,000 nautical miles across the western Pacific.Sea trials will test every system, every procedure and every piece of equipment. Tests will include opening and closing hangar bay doors, raising and lowering aircraft elevators, testing internal and external communication systems, as well completing each department’s unique check-off list to ensure mission readiness.“This is an important time for us,” said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Sullivan. “It’s our time to prepare and make sure all our equipment is 100% ready to support the ship’s mission.”George Washington’s permanently-forward presence and mission enhances security and stability throughout the Western Pacific by working with our allies and regional partners on a wide range of issues and responding to any tasking across the operational spectrum as directed.George Washington is the flagship of the George Washington Strike Group.[mappress]Naval Today Staff , May 14, 2012; Image: US Navy May 14, 2012 View post tag: sea View post tag: Naval Back to overview,Home naval-today USS George Washington Starts Sea Trials View post tag: News by topic View post tag: Navy Share this article
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No more sex discounts for Union members
Oxford Union members will no longer be able to enjoy discounts from the Adult World sex shop on Cowley Road.The decision comes after several national papers reported that there was disagreement within the Union over one of the ‘Treasurer’s Treats’ discounts offered to Union members. It was claimed that some members of the Union found the ‘Treat’ offensive and that it undermined the women’s initiative. Up until this term, students had been able to take advantage of the discount their Union membership gave them in Adult World in Cowley.The decision means that the discount has not been renewed for students this year. However, when contacted, Adult World’s store manager claimed that, “They [the Union] hadn’t actually informed us of that.” The Union’s spokesperson, Alistair Walker, said, “It’s not that the discount has been removed, just that it has not been renewed.”The Union said that shop had been approached, but that they had not made contact, following which the contract could not be re-negotiated. “No conscious decision was made to discontinue the discount; however, the Union’s committees chose to pursue other priorities instead, such as securing top speakers and debates, as well as negotiating new Treasurer’s Treats for this term”, said Walker.Roisin O’Hare, store manager of Adult World, was surprised to hear that they were no longer included as part of Treasurer’s Treats.She went on to explain that she thought that many students’ sex lives benefited from the shop. O’Hare said, “I think that having safe, consensual, fun sex as a student is something that is quite often part of student life.”“Anything we can do to facilitate that, I am all in favour of.”Some students were disappointed to hear the news. Savs Tan, a second year linguist, said, “I can’t believe that there will no longer be discounts on battery powered love.” “Joking aside, I enjoyed the fact that there was a range of discounts available to us and am disappointed with the news that we now have one fewer.”
National Grid Gives Tips To Protect Customers From Holiday Scams
Share:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) JAMESTOWN – National Grid is alerting customers about recent reports of scams where the imposters are promising refunds or discounts over the phone.Below is a list of how National Grid says scammers are trying to prey on customers:Customers may notice their caller ID displays an incoming call is from a phone number in anearby town or even the neighborhood where they live.When customers answer the phone, a recorded message explains that due to beingoverbilled, they are owed refunds or discounts on their utility bills.The customer is instructed to press ‘1’ to learn more about the refund or discount.The customer is transferred to someone who explains that the customer is eligible for arefund or discount.The customer is then asked for personal information, which may include their utility billaccount number.The scammer also may ask for the customer’s bank account number or other personal orfinancial information. Divulging this level of information can lead to identity theft orcustomers having their bank accounts accessed.Officials say scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in replicating National Grid’s recorded messaging and directions for phone prompts. They say it makes it more difficult to differentiate an actual National Grid phone call from an imposter’s call.Customers who’ve fallen victim to the scam should contact National Grid immediately. The company asks customers to use the toll-free number on their billing statements. The company is offering these warning signs to identify this recent scam:Do not cave to pressure. Never – under any circumstances – offer personal or financialinformation to someone who you cannot identify.Scammers will not have access to your account information, and you should neverprovide that information if you are asked.National Grid representatives who call you will know your account number.Verify that you are speaking with a National Grid representative. Ask the caller toprovide the last five digits of your National Grid account number.If the caller does not know your account number, hang up the phone.
Marketers pivot to lead support for members during coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically shifted the way we do business. Especially for those in marketing and public relations for credit unions. Many of the traditional ways of reaching our members had to be sidelined as the pandemic forced closures, shifts in how we do business and how we provide services to our members and potential members.But marketers are savvy and if there’s one common quality that all good marketers have, it’s the ability to pivot and refocus efforts to adapt to fluid situations. No more is this true than now.In the Mountain West region (Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming), and across the nation, marketing professionals immediately began looking for ways to help members, their communities and their internal staffs. To get a better idea of what worked and what things will likely become part of standard operations going forward, we conducted an informal survey of our truly stellar marketing leaders in the region. What we heard was a common theme that members needed sympathy for the immediate financial hardship they were facing. Not only did they need sympathy, but they also needed solutions fast. Last, they needed to receive information from their credit union through as many accessible channels as possible. Proactive communication to tell members what options they had became a lifeline for those struggling to make sense of the ever-changing and challenging hardship.As state and local economies began to see the immediate impacts of the pandemic and the personal financial hardships as a result, credit unions immediately incorporated flexible programs to assist members including:Loan deferment solutions for Auto, Credit Card, Home Equity and Personal LoansShort-term, Emergency Relief Loan ProgramsIncreased debit/ATM card limits for expedited access to fundsMortgage payment deferments and assistanceFee refunds – waived fees and penalties on many productsDebt restructuring to help lower payment, support reduced income, avoid the loss of assets, and help reduce stressParticipation in the Paycheck Protection Program, allowing for small businesses to receive immediate assistance through a forgivable loan programCommunity Outreach – finding unique ways to help in individual communities such as food drives, gift card giveaways, online contests, donations and volunteeringWith lobbies closed and access limited, marketers began to rely more significantly on digital marketing including their websites, social media, email blasts, and text alerts. While these tools have become increasingly popular over the years, they were now vital to member communications. Some credit unions even engaged in very traditional activities like calling individual members, especially seniors, to help them adapt to using services like online and mobile banking. With lobbies closed, helping members utilize these services was essential.While we are far from being completely through the pandemic, marketing teams have adapted and have somewhat settled into what we all call the “new normal.” Digital ads, online content, newsletters, customizing COVID-related content produced by leagues and CUNA, graphics and other materials have helped marketers communicate through the crisis. These months have also proven that especially in a crisis, investing in marketing is a necessary and critical operational priority for all businesses, especially credit unions. ShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr,Patti Hazlett As Director of Corporate Communications for the Mountain West Credit Union Association, Patti oversees all aspects of public affairs and communications for the Association and member credit unions. She is … Web: https://mwcua.com Details
Port of Oslo Gets New Onshore Power Supply Connection
Ferry operator Stena Line inaugurated a new onshore power supply connection in the Port of Oslo on January 8.“The completion of yet another onshore power supply connection in the Port of Oslo is an important milestone in our efforts to reduce emissions and we are now closing in on our target of connecting 25 % of our terminals in 2020,” Erik Lewenhaupt, Head of Sustainability, Brand and Communication at Stena Line, said.With this development, the company’s vessel Stena Saga will now be able to connect to the electricity grid during calls into port, marking an important step in Stena Line’s sustainability work.With Stena Saga, 14 of Stena Lines 38 vessels can now connect to green electricity when in port.“Many of our vessels call at locations close to cities which makes it especially important to be able to shut down engines when docked,” Lewenhaupt added.Every year, nearly 1.3 million passengers travel with DFDS and Stena Line to Denmark, according to the port’s data.The power requirement of the ferries is about 2-3 MW. This is almost sixty times stronger than current fast charging devices for electric cars. With shore power, the ferries save about 1420 tons of fuel annually.The development is in line with the Port of Oslo’s efforts to become a zero-emission port.
Catapult Greensburg helping Hoosiers transition into manufacturing jobs and careers
Greensburg, IN— Indiana residents along the I-74 corridor are getting a chance to improve their economic future through the Catapult Greensburg initiative, part of a statewide effort to get more Hoosiers into the manufacturing workforce. Catapult Greensburg is the local branch of Conexus Indiana’s Catapult Indiana initiative. Catapult prepares unemployed and under-employed Hoosiers with skills they need to enter today’s manufacturing environment.Conexus Indiana launched Catapult Greensburg to recruit from Decatur County and other surrounding counties mainly along I-74. Each month-long class trains at the Greensburg Community Learning Center, a facility connecting people with multiple agencies that can help in education, training, and career development.For many recruits into the program, it is a second chance for employment or a longer-term, stable career. The first class of Catapult Greensburg began in mid-August and will graduate on September 13. During four weeks of training, students get paid an hourly wage for class participation, are trained for job expectations in the modern manufacturing environment, and gain exposure to potential employers.The program depends on the direct involvement of local manufacturing companies who commit to interviewing program graduates and ultimately making job offers. Along with Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, which is coordinating the training, multiple local companies are also participating in Catapult Greensburg, including Delta Faucet Company, One Solution Logistics, Kelly Services, Hitachi Powdered Metals (USA), Inc., and CFA Staffing, Inc.“There are talented Hoosiers who can make an immediate impact at any of our regional manufacturing employers,” said Tim Myers, senior vice president at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. “Catapult Greensburg is about finding these people and giving them an opportunity. It benefits our business, our community and, most importantly, the employees because they will have the training and skills to be successful.”Conexus Indiana began Catapult as a way of meeting the critical needs of manufacturers who consistently have problems filling jobs with people skilled to do the work.“Indiana is fortunate to have an abundance of manufacturing jobs, but it can be a struggle for companies to find the right talent — and for Hoosiers to know where to obtain the skills they need,” said Brad Rhorer, chief talent programs officer for Conexus Indiana. “Conexus Indiana is excited to see how Catapult can help connect Hoosiers looking for career opportunities with employers who need skilled talent. We’re pleased with the fast start that Catapult Greensburg has had, and for all the participants and employers who will have a brighter future because of this program,” he said.
Batesville large trash pick up coming soon
Batesville, IN—Mayor Mike Bettice has announced that the city of Batesville will have large trash pick-up on Saturday, February 1, 2020. It is recommended to set out items the evening before as pick up will begin as early as 5 am.
O’Neill backs IFA after ‘freak weather’
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill believes the “freak weather” that forced the abandonment of his side’s World Cup qualifier with Russia would have posed problems for any country. Press Association He added: “At the end of the day there are more modern stadia that could maybe deal with it but it’s the first time in history it has happened (to Northern Ireland), so it’s not something we haven’t managed well, or have mis-managed over time.” There have been some suggestions that the lack of pitch covers could have contributed to the state of the playing surface and that the IFA might have done more to source some. But O’Neill was in no mood to lay blame. “That’s predominantly an operations thing, I am not involved in it at all,” he said. “It’s not really a manager’s position to get into that. We certainly wanted to play on Friday and we also wanted to play today, but I’m not completely sure the Russians were so keen to play today. “Either way, the referee made a quick decision this morning and said that for the safety of the players it was unrealistic to think we could play.” Behind the scenes, negotiations will start over when to play the rearranged Russia match. No decision was possible, with the visitors heading to London ahead of Monday’s glamour friendly with Brazil at Stamford Bridge, but discussions will continue. June is an option likely to be favoured by Russia, who already have one qualifier lined up during that international window, but Northern Ireland are not thought to be in agreement. “We will now have to sit down with our counterparts from the Russian Federations and decide when we can stage the fixture,” IFA head of communications Geoff Wilson told Press Association Sport. 
The Group F clash was originally due to be played on Friday night, but a deluge of snow led to the contest being pushed back to Saturday afternoon. As it was Norwegian referee Tom Hagen and the FIFA match delegates decided to cancel just before 11am, having completed further inspections in the morning. O’Neill feels the extent of the bad weather would have caused headaches for bodies bigger and wealthier than the Irish Football Association, and he said: “We experienced freak weather over a short period of time, from late Thursday and early Friday – freak weather which would have been challenging for any association to get the game on.” 
Mourinho expects Moyes to prosper
“You have the guarantee that after the match, independent of the result, we are together again, enjoying our time and having a laugh. “With David we don’t have this kind of relationship, but we have a good relationship. “I think we can start this kind of very nice relationship I had always with Sir Alex, no problem. “During the game, it’s a game. It’s not manager against manager. It’s club against club, it’s 11 against 11, it’s big players against big players. We just do our job normally.” A potential break in the relationship could be caused by Mourinho’s pursuit of Wayne Rooney. Twice Chelsea have had bids rejected for the Manchester United striker and Mourinho has said a third bid will be made after Monday’s match. Asked how Mourinho will feel if Rooney plays against his side, the self-styled Special One said: “The same emotions I always feel when I play against him. “I played against him with Real Madrid and with Chelsea and with Inter. The emotions is you have to be worried with a good player. No more than that.” Mourinho takes his Chelsea side to Old Trafford on Monday for an opportunity to strike an early blow in the Barclays Premier League title race. The defending champions and the Blues are under new leadership this term, but Mourinho expects the same challenge he faced against Ferguson’s United. Press Association “There are things that we cannot change,” Mourinho said. “David has experience and he knows that he cannot change history. The history that Sir Alex did is there and it is there forever. “Is that a problem for David? I don’t think so. I think David doesn’t want to be compared with Sir Alex. “I think he’s in the best moment of his career – maturity, experience, a big, big, big club, very good players. I think he’s in a fantastic position and I think he’s going to do very well. “I hope he doesn’t win everything and he will leave something for the others, but he’s in fantastic condition.” Mourinho enjoyed a close relationship with Ferguson, who informed the Portuguese of his intention to retire before making the announcement public. After being omnipresent at Old Trafford during Mourinho’s time in management, now there will be a different face in the Old Trafford dugout. “For me the difference is the routine of meeting a friend, of being together and relaxed before the match,” added Mourinho, reflecting on his time in opposition to Ferguson. Jose Mourinho expects David Moyes to thrive as Manchester United manager and does not expect the challenge of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson to phase the former Everton boss.
Downing aims to fire up Baggies
Press Association He now switches his attention to the Boxing Day clash at Tottenham and their trip to West Ham two days later. Downing said: “I suppose there’s a bit less pressure on the lads because of what’s going on, but you’re always going to have the uncertainty of ‘who is going to come in?’ and ‘hopefully I can impress’. “At half-time against Hull we just tried to settle down a little bit because it was such a disruptive week. I just got the reflection of that in the first half and thought ‘come on, boys, that’s not us’. “There was an edginess and a tension and we’ve got to try to settle things down and play with freedom and expression.” Downing has not changed too many things since Clarke’s departure but is keen to draw positives from a difficult situation. “We’re just different personalities,” he said of his own management style. “Steve’s very astute and meticulous, a great coach. I’m a little bit of Steve, a little bit of Roy (Hodgson) before that and a bit of my own personal slant on it. “I try to get people rallied together and galvanise the group because of the disappointment of what happened last week. They’ve very much got behind me, which is great. “We’ve tried to get a bit of a siege mentality around just to try to get everyone together and have an enthusiasm, a work ethic, and to be fair the boys have been really good.” Albion were poor in the first half against Hull before Downing introduced Matej Vydra, Zoltan Gera and Saido Berahino from the bench. Vydra and Gera combined for the Baggies’ equaliser, with the Czech striker scoring the goal, but Downing was reluctant to take too much credit for the substitutions. “Maybe I didn’t get the starting XI right because I had to change it at half-time,” he said. “During games you get them right and get them wrong. But what I’ve got is a good set of substitutes and a good squad behind me, so I can look around on a matchday and think ‘he can make an impact’ and ‘he can have an effect on the team’. “The three lads on Saturday did that and it’s about having that strength in depth and someone who can change the game.” Downing revealed striker Victor Anichebe is doubtful to face Spurs with a groin injury. Downing is holding the fort at the Hawthorns as chairman Jeremy Peace and technical director Richard Garlick continue the search for a permanent head coach following Steve Clarke’s sacking last week. Downing’s first match in charge saw Albion end a four-match losing run with a spirited 1-1 draw at home to Hull on Saturday. West Brom caretaker boss Keith Downing will continue to encourage a “siege mentality” within his managerless squad as they attempt to cope with great uncertainty over the Christmas period.