Kwakwani woman to go to trial
Attempted murder of husbandSamantha Henry of Potville, Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), who has been charged for the attempted murder of her reputed Hemant Deonarine on July 12 last, is expected to take to the stand to repeat the statement she had given to the Police following the incident.This course of action was recommended by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after the file had been sent there for further advice.This matter will continue on August 24.RecapSamantha Henry faces an allegation of attempting to murder 39-year-old Deonarine, having reportedly slashed his neck with a broken bottle during a heated argument at their home at Potville, Kwakwani, on July 12 last.Henry was not required to plead to the indictable charge before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court on July 20, and was remanded, but has this month been placed on $50,000 bail by the same magistrate.According to the Prosecution’s case, the accused and the victim lived together and have four children. On the day of the incident, they were reportedly consuming alcohol at their home, along with a relative who was visiting.The trio were reportedly intoxicated when Henry reportedly accused Deonarine of having an intimate relationship with that relative. A heated argument ensued between Henry and Deonarine, and it reportedly ended up in their bedroom. The sound of a bottle being broken was reportedly heard, and Deonarine exited the bedroom bleeding profusely from a wound on the left side of his neck.Neighbours summoned the Police, and responding officers rushed Deonarine to the Kwakwani Public Hospital, where he reportedly became unconscious. He was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was admitted a patient.The accused was arrested and escorted to the Kwakwani Police Station, where she was told of the allegation and placed in custody.She allegedly admitted under caution that she had slashed her reputed husband with a broken bottle; and she said it was because she had seen him hugging her sister.
Below are several photos from the Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care Project construction site. The photos show that significant progress continues on-site with retaining wall for the project. Construction will continue for several more weeks on-site until they take a break for the winter. Planning work will continue throughout the winter. The photos are courtesy of Northern Health.
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Cpl. Jodi Shelki of the Fort St. John RCMP says Chris Boswell was reported missing by his family on Saturday, and since then, officers have been combing the immediate area, but have yet to locate the missing gentleman.The family of Boswell is particularly concerned that he’s left all of his belongings at home, including his eye glasses.Boswell is described as 29 year old, Caucasian, 5’10”, medium build, short light brown hair, hazel eyes and numerous tattoos.- Advertisement -If you have information about Boswell’s whereabouts, contact the Fort St. John RCMP at 250 787 8100 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477.
Manchester United have been handed a boost with news defender Phil Jones is close to a first-team return after featuring for the club’s Under-21s side on Monday.Jones, out since mid-April with an ankle injury, has been sorely missed by manager Louis van Gaal in recent weeks, with the Red Devils losing all three of their matches in his absence at the back.But the 23-year-old is now pushing for a starting place again after playing 62 minutes as the United youngsters beat Southampton 1-0 at Leigh Sports Village.Jones was an unused substitute in Saturday’s Premier League defeat to West Brom but was short of fitness after three weeks out.The former Blackburn man was recently rated the best young centre-back in Europe, with better stats than Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez and Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, in a survey by Swiss statistical analysts CIES Football Observatory.And he now hopes to have put himself back in the frame to return to the side at Crystal Palace this weekend.Jones told MUTV: “I’m happy to play in the Under-21s and get some fitness. I feel I’m ready to go again and hopefully I can make the squad on Saturday.”The loss to West Brom means United still have work to do to secure a Champions League qualification spot, with fifth-placed Liverpool closing back to within four points.Jones said: “We have got a long way to go as there are still three games coming up – three massive games – and we have got to approach it in the right way. I’m sure we can do that and cement that top-four finish.” Manchester United defender Phil Jones 1
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREWalnut’s Malik Khouzam voted Southern California Boys Athlete of the Week Co-Dependents Anonymous Step Study will meet, 6-7 p.m. at Antelope Valley Hospital, multipurpose meeting room, second floor, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call (661) 944-4927. 12 Step Recovery Groups for alcohol and drug addiction, co-dependency, relationship addiction, overeating, fear and anxiety issues, meets, 7 p.m. at Desert Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1011 E. Ave. I, Lancaster. Call (661) 945-2777. Recovery Inc., a self-help group for people with panic attacks, anxiety or depression, will meet, 2 p.m. at Antelope Valley Hospital, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster, third floor. Call (661) 943-3956. The Palmdale Elks Lodge, 2705 E. Ave. Q, Palmdale, will host bingo at 5:30 p.m. The grill will be open. Call (661) 947-2027. Overeaters Anonymous will meet, 6-7 p.m. at the Lancaster United Methodist Church, 918 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call (661) 722-0393. Co-Dependents Anonymous will host a 12-step recovery program, 7:30-9 p.m., at Antelope Valley Hospital, multipurpose meeting room, second floor, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call (661) 944-4927 or (661) 946-5846. Grief Recovery Outreach Group will meet, 6:30-8 p.m. at Family Resource Foundation, 38345 30th St. E., Suite A-2, Palmdale. Call (661) 266-8700 or visit www.frf.av.org. Adult Anger Management Group will meet, 6:30-8 p.m. at Family Resource Foundation, 38345 30th St. E., Suite A-2, Palmdale. Call (661) 266-8700. The Highs and Lows, a support group for those diagnosed with manic depression or related disorders, will meet, 7-9 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Master, 725 E. Ave. J, Lancaster. Al-Anon will have a discussion, 7 p.m. at 51st Street West and Avenue K, Lancaster. Child care provided. Call (661) 274-9353 or (800) 344-2666. Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter 572 will meet, 9-11 a.m. at the Mayflower Gardens chapel, 6570 W. Ave. L-12, Quartz Hill. Call (661) 943-3089. Early bird bingo games will begin at 6 p.m. with regular games beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Elks Lodge, 2705 E. Ave. Q, Palmdale. Call (661) 947-2027. Early bird bingo games will begin at 6:30 p.m. with regular games beginning at 7 p.m. at Paraclete High School, 42145 30th St. W., Lancaster. Call (661) 943-3255, Monday evenings: (661) 943-1017. Billiard Gang for seniors will meet, 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Flex and stretch, a workout for seniors, 8-9 a.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Bring a floor mat and hand weights. Call (661) 267-5551. Parent support group will meet, 6:30-8 p.m. at Family Resource Foundation, 1529 E. Palmdale Blvd., Suite 203, Palmdale. The facilitated group is for parents who need help coping with family issues. Call (661) 266-8700. Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – HOW Concept will meet, 6 p.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38530 Sierra Highway, Palmdale. Call (661) 273-1016. Expectant parents can tour the Antelope Valley Hospital obstetrics department, 1600 W. Ave. J in Lancaster, and get information on what to expect during hospitalization, at sessions starting at 6 p.m. Visitors meet in the main lobby. Narcotics Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call (661) 266-2200 or check www.sava-na.org. TUESDAY J&J Social and Travel Club will host its weekly league bowling, 6-8 p.m. at Sands Bowl, 43323 Sierra Highway, Lancaster. Call (661) 267-2586. Prostate Cancer Support Group meets, 12:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Lutheran Church of the Master, 725 E. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call Susan Baker at (661) 273-2200. Toddler story time for children ages 2-6, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, 39228 10th St. W., Palmdale. Call (661) 272-9134. Celebrate Discovery, a Christian-based 12-step program, will meet, 6:30 p.m. at Palmdale United Methodist Church, 39055 10th St. W., Palmdale. Call (661) 947-3103. Jazzercise classes, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at George Lane Park, 5520 W. Ave. L-8 in Quartz Hill. Call (661) 722-7780. Lupus International Support Group meets, 6:30-8 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in Palmdale. Call Danielle Duffey at (888) 532-2322, Ext. 4. Successful Anger Management course, 7-9 p.m. in Lancaster. Call (661) 538-1846. Sand Creek Orators, Toastmaster International meets, 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Hummel Hall, 2200 20th St. W., Rosamond. Call Miik Miller at (661) 256-0328. Caregiver Support Group will meet, 5:30-7 p.m. in Conference Room 1 at Lancaster Community Hospital in Lancaster. Sponsored by ProCare Hospice. Call (661) 951-1146. Tears in My Heart Support Group will meet, 10:30 a.m.-noon and 5:30-7 p.m. at ProCare Hospice, 42442 10th St. W., Suite D, Lancaster. Call (661) 951-1146. Rocketeers Toastmasters meets, 1:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Call Pam Raneri at (661) 275-5287. Pancho Barnes Composite Squadron 49, Civil Air Patrol, will meet, 6-8:30 p.m. at Rosamond Sky Park, 4171 Knox Ave., Rosamond. Call (760) 373-5771. Antelope Valley Archaeology Club will meet, 9:30-11 a.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5656. Grief Support Group will meet, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Hoffmann Hospice, 1832 W. Ave. K, Suite D-1. Call (661) 948-8801. Toastmasters Sand Creek Orators Club meets, 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 2500 Orange St., Rosamond. Call Miik Miller at (661) 256-0328. Take Off Pounds Sensibly will meet, 9-10:30 a.m. Call (661) 272-0207 or (661) 947-7672. Snyders Dance Groove meets, 6-8:30 p.m. the first and second Tuesdays of each month at the Antelope Valley Senior Center, 777 W. Jackman St., Lancaster. Cost: $2. Call (661) 609-6510. Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) meets, 9-11:30 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month for brunch, speakers and crafts at Central Christian Church, 3131 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Cost: $6 per meeting, plus $2 per child for child care. Scholarships are available. Call (661) 945-7902. 12 Step Recovery Group for alcohol and drug addiction will meet, 7 p.m. at Desert Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 1011 E. Ave. I, Lancaster. Call (661) 945-2777. American Indian Little League will meet, 7 p.m. at HomeTown Buffet, 422 W. Ave. P. Call Harry Richard at (661) 267-2259. High Desert Woodworkers Club meets, 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Denny’s restaurant, 2005 W. Ave. K, Lancaster. Call (760) 240-4705. Grief/Bereavement Group will meet, 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at ProCare Hospice, 42442 10th St. W., Suite D, Lancaster. Call (661) 951-1146. Youth Anger Management Group for ages 8-11 will meet, 6:30-8 p.m. at Family Resource Foundation, 38345 30th St. E., Suite A-2, Palmdale. Call (661) 266-8700 or (800) 479-CARE, or visit the Web site: www.frf.av.org. Plane Talk Toastmasters will meet, noon-1 p.m. at the Lockheed Federal Credit Union, 1011 Lockheed Way, Palmdale. Call (661) 572-4123. Harmony Showcase Chorus of Sweet Adelines International will rehearse, 7:30 p.m. at 44857 Cedar Ave., Lancaster. The group is part of an international organization of women who sing four-part harmony. Call (661) 273-0995, (661) 285-1797 or (661) 940-3109. Al-Anon will hold a discussion, noon at 1737 E. Ave. R, Room 104, Palmdale, and 7 p.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, Room 704, Palmdale. Call (661) 274-9353 or (800) 344-2666. Cardio Knockout Blast, a workout for seniors, 8-9 a.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Bring a floor mat. Call (661) 267-5551. Billiards Gang for seniors, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program representative will be available, 1-3 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551 for an appointment. Tumbleweed Card Club for seniors will play canasta, pinochle and other games, 1-4:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Line dancing, 6-7 p.m. for beginners and 7-8:30 p.m. for intermediate dancers at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Palmdale Youth Council will meet, 5:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Parks and Recreation office, 38260 10th St. E., Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5611. Sierra Club will offer one- to two-hour conditioning hikes leaving at 6 p.m. from the Palmdale Park and Ride lot, Avenue S at the Antelope Valley Freeway. Moderately conditioned beginning hikers are welcome. Call (661) 273-2761. Expectant parent tours of the Antelope Valley Hospital obstetrics department will start at 6 p.m. from the hospital lobby, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Overeaters Anonymous will meet, 7-9 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1821 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster. Beginners will meet at 7 p.m. Call (661) 948-2571. Hotline: (661) 789-5806. Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – HOW Concept will meet, 10:30 a.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38530 Sierra Highway, Palmdale. Call (661) 274-4178. Also in Lancaster, 6:30 p.m. at Sunnydale School, 1233 W. Ave. J-8. Call Karen at (661) 723-9331. Overeaters Anonymous – HOW Concept! will meet, 7:15 p.m. at Robin’s Law Office, 203 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call (661) 949-9192. Narcotics Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call (661) 266-2200 or check www.sava-na.com. WEDNESDAY J&J Social and Travel Club will host a games social, 7 p.m. in Lancaster. Bring a snack to share and a beverage. Call (661) 267-2586 (661) 946-5222. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3000 will serve specialty meals, or hamburger baskets, 5:30-8 p.m. at the post, 4342 W. Ave. L, Quartz Hill. Proceeds will benefit community affairs. Members, guests and public welcome. Call (661) 943-2225. Kids Managing Anger Together for ages 13-17 will meet, 4:30-6 p.m. at 38345 30th St. E., Suite. B-1, Palmdale. Court approved. Call (661) 266-8700. Low-cost Facilitated Women’s Group will deal with the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of relationship, infertility and other issues, noon-1:30 p.m. Call (661) 266-8700. Fobi-Lyte Support Group meets, 7-8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month to address the medical, nutritional and social ramifications of weight-loss surgery in fourth-floor Conference Room 16 at Antelope Valley Outpatient Imaging Center, 44105 15th St. W., Lancaster. Call (661) 723-5123. Caregivers Support Group meets, 7-8:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center, 44421 10th St. W., Suite I, Lancaster. Call (661) 945-4852. Take Off Pounds Sensibly will meet, 9-10:30 a.m. Call (661) 272-0207 or (661) 947-7672. Eye Opener Toastmasters Club will meet, 7-8:30 a.m. at Denny’s Restaurant, 2005 W. Ave. K, Lancaster. Call Al Moore at (661) 726-3627. Talents Unlimited Toastmasters will meet, 7-8:30 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente. Call Alan Strech at (661) 940-4640. Scrapbookers Club will meet, 5-7 p.m. at Peldyns, 27021 Twenty Mule Team Road, Boron. Free tools for use. Bring book and photos. Call (760) 608-1422. Antelope Valley Intertribal Council meeting, 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale. Call (661) 435-0423. AIDS-related death support group meets, 5:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 42442 10th St. W., Suite D, Lancaster. Call (661) 951-1146. Sudden-death support group meets, 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 42442 10th St. W., Suite D, Lancaster. Call (661) 951-1146. Dual Recovery Anonymous, an informal 12-step group for mental health consumers with a history of substance abuse, will meet, 3 p.m. at the Antelope Valley Discovery Center, 1609 E. Palmdale Blvd., Suite G. Call (661) 947-1595. Antelope Valley Interfaith Choir will meet, 6:30-8 p.m. For adults and mature teenagers. Call Kathe Walters at (661) 285-8306. Hi-Desert Woodworkers Club meets, 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Don’s Restaurant, Victorville. Call (760) 240-4705. Schizophrenics Anonymous will meet, 2 p.m. at the Discovery Center, 1609 E. Palmdale Blvd., Suite G, Palmdale. Call Bill Slocum at (661) 947-1595 or (661) 319-5101. Belly dancing classes, 7-9 p.m. at the Alpine Grange, 8650 E. Ave. T-8, Littlerock. Lessons: $2. Call (661) 944-1747. Desert Noon Lions Club meets, noon-1 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the California Pantry, 120 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale. Call Barbara at (661) 947-4079. Successful Marriage and Parenting course, 7-9 p.m. in Lancaster. Free. For information and location, call (661) 538-1846. Emotions Anonymous will meet, 7-8:30 p.m. in the multipurpose meeting room on the second floor at Antelope Valley Hospital, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. The organization is a 12-step, self-help group. Call (661) 943-5466. Little Angels, a support group for families with young children with Down syndrome, meets, 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the North Los Angeles County Regional Center, 43210 Gingham Ave., Lancaster. Call Cyndee Moore at (661) 945-6761 or e-mail cyndeem@nlacrc.com, or visit the Web site at www.geocities.com/littleangels_angelitos. Al-Anon discussion group will meet, 7 p.m. at 39055 10th St. W., Palmdale; Alateen at 7 p.m. at 39055 10th St. W., Palmdale, and a women’s discussion group at 7:30 p.m. at 32142 Crown Valley Road, Acton. Call (661) 274-9353 or (800) 344-2666. A Course in Miracles discussion, 7-9 p.m. Call (661) 723-9967. Palmdale Moose Lodge, 3101 E. Ave. Q, Palmdale, will host bingo games beginning at 10 a.m. Call (661) 947-6777. Bridge Club for seniors will meet, noon-3 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Beginner and intermediate players welcome. Call (661) 267-5551. Blood pressure testing for seniors, 10-11:15 a.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Billiard Gang for seniors, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Flex and stretch, a workout for seniors, 8-9 a.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Bring a floor mat and hand weights. Call (661) 267-5551. Knitting and crocheting for seniors, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 704 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale. Bring your own supplies. Call (661) 267-5551. Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – HOW Concept will meet, 6:30 p.m. at Palmdale Children’s Youth Library, 38510 Sierra Highway. Call Kathy at (661) 265-1839. Overeaters Anonymous will meet, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Multipurpose Room 2 at Antelope Valley Hospital, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call (661) 256-7064. Hotline: (661) 789-5806. Women’s Eating Disorder Group will meet, 6-7:30 p.m. at Family Resource Foundation, 1529 E. Palmdale Blvd., Suite 203, Palmdale. Call (661) 266-8700. Bingo for seniors, 12:15-2:15 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Cost: 25 cents per card. Call (661) 267-5551. Talents Unlimited Toastmasters will meet, 7 p.m. at Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Center, 44444 20th St. W., Lancaster. Call (661) 949-7423. Narcotics Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call (661) 266-2200 or check www.todayna.org THURSDAY High Desert Modular Model Railroad Club meets, 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in the Experimental Test Pilots Association boardroom, 44814 Elm Ave., Lancaster. Call Bob Drury at (661) 400-4479. Cedar Open Reading meets weekly, 7-9 p.m. at Cedar Hall, 44851 Cedar Ave., Lancaster, except on the second Thursday of the month when the meeting is in the gallery, 44857 Cedar Ave., Lancaster. Call (661) 943-4314. The Overcomers, an emotional and educational support group for mental health consumers, will meet, 6:30 p.m. at the Antelope Valley Discovery Center, 1609 E. Palmdale Blvd., Suite G. Call Bill Slocum or Mary Rogers at (661) 947-1595 or (661) 319-5101. Aces & Deuces Square Dance Club will meet, 7-8:15 p.m. for beginners and 8:15-9:30 p.m. for plus at Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale, for ages 10 and up. Cost: $3. Call (661) 256-7650. Grief/Bereavement Group will meet, 10 a.m. at ProCare Hospice, 42442 10th St. W., Suite D, Lancaster. Call (661) 951-1146. The Ups and Downs, a support group for people with bipolar disorder or depression, will meet, 2 p.m. at the Antelope Valley Discovery Center, 1609 E. Palmdale Blvd., Suite G, Palmdale. Call Bill Slocum at (661) 947-1595 or (661) 319-5101. Facilitated Anger Management Group for teens will meet, 4:30-6 p.m., and adults will meet, 6:30-8 p.m., at Family Resource Foundation, 38345 30th St. E., Suite A-2, Palmdale. Call (661) 266-8700 or (800) 479-CARE or visit the Web site: www.frf.av.org. Al-Anon will host a discussion, 1 p.m. at 1737 E. Ave. R, Palmdale; a step study at 7 p.m. at 1827 E. Ave. Q-10, Palmdale; and a meeting on Steps, Traditions, Concepts at 7:30 p.m. at 44815 Fig Ave., Suite 101, Lancaster. Call (661) 274-9353 or (800) 344-2666. Emotions Anonymous will meet, 7-8:30 p.m. Information and location: (661) 723-9967. Desert Aire Women’s Golf Association will meet at Desert Aire Golf Course at Avenue P and 40th Street East in Palmdale. Call (661) 269-5982. Cardio Knockout Blast, a workout for seniors, 8-9 a.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Bring a floor mat. Call (661) 267-5551. Billiard Gang for seniors, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Take Off Pounds Sensibly will meet, 9-10:30 a.m. Call (661) 272-0207 or (661) 947-7672. Sierra Club will offer one- to two-hour conditioning hikes leaving at 6 p.m. from the Palmdale Park and Ride lot, Avenue S at Antelope Valley Freeway. Moderately conditioned beginning hikers are welcome. Call (661) 273-2761. High Desert Toastmasters will meet, 7 p.m. at Crazy Otto’s Diner, 120 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale. Call Catherine Tedeski at (661) 273-7296. Country line dance lessons for seniors, 1-2 p.m. for beginners and 2:15 p.m. for intermediate dancers at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Donation requested. Call (661) 267-5551. Soroptimist International of Antelope Valley will meet, noon at the Holiday Inn of Palmdale-Lancaster, 38630 5th St. W., Palmdale. Business and professional women are invited. Call (661) 946-1609. Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – HOW Concept will meet, 5:30 p.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38530 Sierra Highway, Palmdale. Call (661) 274-4178. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Chapter 569 will meet, 6:30 p.m. at Grecian Isles Mobile Home Park, 4444 E. Ave. R, Palmdale. Call (661) 947-7672 or (661) 285-5003. Overeaters Anonymous will meet, 7:30-9 p.m. Step Workbook reading and writing. Call (661) 947-7935. Hotline: (661) 789-5806. Support group for women in abusive or battering situations will meet, 1-3:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A Spanish-language group also will meet, 10 a.m.-noon. Call (661) 945-6736 or (661) 945-5509. Narcotics Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call (661) 266-2200 or check www.sava-na.com. FRIDAY Grief Support Group will meet, 10-11:30 a.m. at Lancaster Presbyterian Church, 1661 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster. Call (661) 951-2988. Celebrate Recovery will meet, 7 p.m. at the Harvest Office and Ministry Center, 43209 10th St. W., Lancaster. Call (661) 942-2803. Emotional Freedom Technique Group offers demonstrations and practices, 6:30 p.m. (except before three-day weekends). Self-help tapping technique used to reduce or eliminate stress, cravings, pains, fears, phobias. Call (661) 945-4045. Speakers in the Wind Toastmasters will meet, noon-1 p.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale. Call Jack Knight at (661) 946-7166. Adult Anger Management Group will meet, 6:30-8 p.m. Court approved. Call (661) 266-8700. Low-cost Facilitated Parenting Group will meet, 10-11:30 a.m. Court approved. Call (661) 266-8700. Successful Marriage and Parenting Course, 10 a.m.-noon. Call Carmen Andersen at (661) 273-8122. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets, 9:15 a.m.-noon the first and third Fridays of each month at Church of Christ, 1655 E. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster. Includes a hot breakfast buffet, discussion groups, featured speaker, craft and demonstrations. Children welcome. Cost: $5 for moms and $3 for kids. Call (661) 943-3162 or (661) 942-1638. Stress Management will meet, 1 p.m. at 43423 Division St., Suite 107, Lancaster. Call (661) 947-1595 or (661) 726-2850, Ext. 221. Speakers in the Wind Toastmaster Club 2867 will meet, noon-1 p.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale. Call Joyce Hall at (661) 946-1181 or Barbara Linde at (661) 947-2537. Take Off Pounds Sensibly will meet, 9-10:30 a.m. Call (661) 272-0207 or (661) 947-7672. Celebrate Recovery, a biblically based 12-step recovery program, will meet, 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 44648 15th St. W. Call Pastor Pat Tanner at (661) 948-0855. The Lightkeepers, Spiritual Discussion Group, will meet, 7:30 p.m. at Center of Light, A.V. Church, 1030 West Ave. L-8, Lancaster. Call (661) 718-8731. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3000 and Ladies Auxiliary will serve steak or shrimp dinners, 5:30-8 p.m. at 4342 W. Ave. L, Quartz Hill. Takeout orders. Proceeds will go to community affairs. Members, guests and public welcome. Call (661) 943-2225. Meditation class, 7-8:30 p.m. For location and information, call (661) 945-9832. Schizophrenics Anonymous will meet, 6:30-8 p.m. in the multipurpose room on the mental health ward at Antelope Valley Hospital, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call Bill Slocum at (661) 947-1595 or (661) 319-5101. The Ups and Downs, a support group for people who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or depression, will meet, 2 p.m. at the Antelope Valley Friendship Center, 43423 Division St. Suite 107, Lancaster. Call Bill Slocum at (661) 947-1595 or (661) 319-5101. The Kaiser Permanente Grief Support Group will meet, 10-11:30 a.m. at the clinic offices, 44444 20th St. W., Lancaster. Open to the community. Free. Call (661) 951-2988. The Weekenders, a social and recreational group for mental health consumers, will meet, 1-2 p.m. at Antelope Valley Discovery Center, 1609 E. Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale. Call (661) 947-1595. Al-Anon will have a 12-and-12 meeting at 10:30 a.m. at 1821 W. Lancaster Blvd. and a beginners meeting at 7 p.m. at 1737 E. Ave. R, Room 104, Palmdale. Call (661) 274-9353 or (800) 344-2666. Pinochle Group for seniors, 6-9 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Flex and stretch, a workout for seniors, 8-9 a.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Bring floor mat and hand weights. Call (661) 267-5551. Billiard Gang for seniors, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Oil painting class for seniors, 9-11 a.m. at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q-12, Palmdale. Call (661) 267-5551. Shop Talk Toastmasters will meet, 7-8:30 a.m. at Crazy Otto’s Diner. Call Stan Main at (661) 269-1424. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Chapter 1681 will meet, 9:30-11 a.m. in Room 14 at Lancaster United Methodist Church, 918 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call (661) 943-4459. Rosamond Moose Lodge, 1105 Sierra Highway, Rosamond, will serve dinner, 5-8 p.m. Cost: $4-$6. Bingo will start at 10 a.m., offered by the Knights of Columbus, 719 W. Ave. M, Lancaster. Overeaters Anonymous will meet, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Lancaster United Methodist Church, 918 W. Ave. J, Room 13, Lancaster. Call (661) 943-0595. Hotline: (661) 789-5806. Narcotics Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call (661) 266-2200 or check www.sava-na.org. SATURDAY J&J Social and Travel Club will host a mixer and kareoke night, 7:30 p.m. in Lancaster. Food and nonalcoholic drinks will be provided for a nominal charge. Reservations must be made by noon Friday. Call (661) 267-2586. Seniors Lunch-Bingo Hour, noon-5 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at the Antelope Valley Senior Center, 777 W. Jackman St., Lancaster. Sponsored by Buklod ng Pagkakaisa (Bond of Unity). Call Emerita Ross at (661) 723-7876 or Marie Cabrera at (661) 726-5309. Al-Anon will have a Spanish-speaking discussion meeting, 9 a.m. at 38345 30th St. E., Suite C-3, Palmdale. Call (661) 274-9353. Facilitated Anger Management Group for ages 8-11 will meet, 2:30-4 p.m.; teens, 4:30-6 p.m., and adults, 10:30-noon or 12:30-2 p.m. at the Family Resource Foundation, 38345 30th St. E., Suite A-2, Palmdale. Call (661) 266-8700 or (800) 479-CARE or visit the Web site: www.frf.av.org. Beginning yoga, 9-10 a.m. at Unity Church of Antelope Valley, 39149 8th St. E., Palmdale. Call (661) 273-3341. Women and Self-esteem support group meets in the Acton area. Call (661) 947-0839. Healing Heart support group will meet, 4-5:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army store, 45001 Beech Ave. in Lancaster. Call (661) 943-5830. Compulsive Eaters Anonymous – HOW Concept will meet, 9 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 1737 E. Ave. R, Palmdale. Call Jane at (661) 945-4798. Women Midlife Transition Support Group for women over age 40 is facilitated by a professional psychotherapist. Call (661) 947-0839. Overeaters Anonymous will meet, 10-11:30 a.m. in Room 13 at Lancaster United Methodist Church, 918 W. Ave. J, Lancaster. Call (661) 724-1820. Hotline: (661) 789-5806. Narcotics Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call (661) 266-2200 or check www.todayna.com or www.sava-na.org. SUNDAY J&J Social and Travel Club will meet, 12:30 p.m. at Don Cucos Mexican Restaurant, 1106 W. Ave. K, Lancaster. Call (661) 267-2586 for reservations by Friday. Nicotine Anonymous will meet, 8-9 p.m. at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 43824 30th St. W., Lancaster. Call (661) 946-7606. Buklod ng Pagkakaisa (Bond of Unity) Seniors’ Social Hour, 4-7 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at the Antelope Valley Senior Center, 777 W. Jackman St., Lancaster. Meetings feature films, talks, singalongs, talent shows and dancing. Call (661) 723-7876 or (661) 726-5309. Costume Figure Sessions, 2:30-5:30 p.m. the fourth Sunday of each month at Cedar Centre Hall, 44857 Cedar Ave. Cost: $5, students with identification are admitted free. 40 and Up Singles dance, 6:30 p.m. Sunday at 240 E. Ave. K, Lancaster. Admission: $7. Club membership: $20. Call (661) 718-8997. Life Figure Sessions, 2:30-5:30 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at Cedar Centre Hall, 44857 Cedar Ave. Cost: $5, students with ID are admitted free. Teen Care and Support Group, for teens who have lost a family member or friend, will meet, 6:30 p.m. at Desert Vineyard Christian School, 1011 E. Ave. I, Room 302, Lancaster. Call (661) 945-2777. Palmdale Moose Lodge, 3101 E. Ave. Q, Palmdale, will host bingo games beginning at 1 p.m. Call (661) 947-6777. Revealing Truth, a meditation and spiritual discussion, 4:45-6:15 p.m. Call (661) 723-9967. Antelope Valley Chess Club will meet, 1-5 p.m. at American Legion Post 771, 39463 10th St. E., Palmdale. Call (661) 726-1323. Narcotics Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call (661) 266-2200 or check www.sava-na.org. Overeaters Anonymous will meet, 5-6 p.m. at 44960 Cedar Ave., Lancaster. Call (661) 789-5806. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! TODAY Beyond the Light, a socialization and support group for young adults, ages 17 to 25, with mental health issues, will meet, noon-1 p.m. at Transitional Youth Services, 104 E. Ave. K-4, Lancaster. Call Bill Slocum at (661) 947-1595. Jazzercise classes, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at George Lane Park, 5520 W. Ave. L-8, Quartz Hill. Call (661) 722-7780. Snyders Dance Groove will give ballroom, Latin, country and swing dance lessons, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Antelope Valley Senior Center, 777 W. Jackman St., Lancaster. For ages 40 and up. Cost: $3 per person. Call (661) 609-6510. Take Off Pounds Sensibly will meet, 9-10:30 a.m. Call (661) 272-0207 or (661) 947-7672. 
Comments Tags: Futsal Super LeagueIddi BabutopTyphoonYeak Kabowa Typhoon (white) lost 4-2 in their last game (file photo)Fustal Super League 2018/19Wednesday, 23-01-2019International Futsal Courts, Mengo-Nomad vs Park – 7:00pm-Aidenal vs Crown – 7:00pm-Mengo City vs Parakeets – 8:00pm-Equator vs Dream – 8:00pm-Yeak Kabowa vs Typhoon – 9:00pm-Bajim vs Kabowa United – 9:00pmMENGO – Unlike the usual setting in the Futsal Super League where games are played on Thursday evening, Match-Day 13 will take place on Wednesday as all referees will be attending a medical and fitness test on 24-01-2019.Six games will be played on the night with the big one involving leaders Yeak Kabowa and 6th placed Typhoon.Yeak are currently leading the pack with 23 points following their match day 12 victory over Equator (7-4).It was the first time the Kabowa based side assumed top spot in the League and will be optimistic they can take care of Typhoon.However, Typhoon will also be hoping not to go two games without a point as they were defeated 4-2 by Crown last week.Typhoon have 16 points so far, having won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their opening 10 games.In one of the day’s opening fixtures, former log leaders Park will take on Nomad.Park relinquished top spot last week after drawing 2-2 in a thrilling encounter with defending champions Dream.They are currently a point off top spot, in second. Last week’s game may have been a hard one to win but Captain Iddi Babu is optimistic they will get back to winning ways this time round.“We played a very hard game last week and at the end of it, we were glad to take a point home, said Babu ahead of the game with Nomad.“Nomad are off a victory and their spirits must be high but we also need the points so we will not give them any chances.“We want to win the league this season and we can’t do that while in second place so such games are the ones we are supposed to take three points from.For Nomad, they produced arguably the performance of the evening last week, humiliating Parakeets 6-2.It was their 5th victory of the season which put them in 5th place, having accumulated 17 points so far this season.For defending champions Dream, they have a relatively easier fixture on Wednesday, taking on Equator.Dream have been disappointing so far this season, winning only 5 games this season and subsequently sitting in 7th place with just 16 points. However, their showings against Park last week must have lifted their spirits and the acquisition of John Segawa will indeed spark them on.Dream (Blue-White) are currently 7th on the standings (file photo)Against an Equator side that has lost 5 games already, Dream will surely be fancying their chances.The other days’ fixtures will see 11th placed Aidenal take on Crown who are second currently, Mengo City and Parakeets lock horns while Elephants play Yap Stars in a battle of the struggling sides.Park’s Joesph Bukenya still leads the scoring charts with 19 goals, one ahead of Yeak Kabowa’s Shaffic Avemah.
27 September 2007South Africa gained almost 200 000 jobs in the year to March 2007, according to Statistics SA’s latest labour force survey, as the recovery in job creation that started in 2003, and the shift to formal sector employment that began in 2001, both continued.The survey, released on Wednesday, shows that the number of employed South Africans rose from 12 451 000 in March 2006 to 12 648 000 in March 2007, pushing the percentage of working-age South Africans with jobs up slightly, from 41.7% to 41.9%.While South Africa’s official unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged at 25.5%, compared with 25.6% in March 2006, this was due to the increase in the number of people in the market for jobs. South Africa’s working age population (15- to 65-year-olds) rose from 29.8-million in March 2006 to almost 30.2-million in March 2007.The trade industry (including the wholesale and retail sectors) remained South Africa’s biggest employer, accounting for 23.4% of total employment in March 2007, followed by the community and personal services industry (18.3%) and manufacturing (13.9%).The industries with the biggest employment gains in the year to March 2007 were community and personal services, including domestic, shop and sales workers (127 000 new jobs), finance (126 000 new jobs), and construction (102 000 new jobs).More formal sector jobsT-Sec economist Mike Schussler told Business Report that South Africa’s overall employment picture was positive, with Statistics SA’s latest figures showing not only that jobs were increasing, but that workers were moving from the informal to the formal sector and that earnings were up sharply.According to the labour force survey, formal sector employment – where workers are more likely to have a constant salary and a pension or provident fund – has been rising steadily since 2001.In the year to March 2007, 364 000 jobs were created in the formal sector (excluding agriculture), while in the informal sector there was a decline of 59 000 jobs.In March 2007, formal sector jobs accounted for 66.6% of South Africa’s total employment, whereas the informal sector (also excluding agriculture) accounted for 16.9% and domestic work for 7.4% of all jobs.SAinfo reporter Want to use this article in your publication or on your website?See: Using SAinfo material
Day 4: Auditing an architect-designed houseThe morning’s teachings revolve around requirements for safe combustion and the dangers of carbon monoxide. One slide portrays the family of four who died of CO poisoning in Aspen three years ago due to installation defects on a snow-melting device, and the lack of a legally required CO monitor, both of which escaped notice in a building inspection. (The criminal trials of the building inspector and HVAC contractor are set for later this year.)Fortified with new knowledge, the students load up the van for a full audit on an architecturally complex house owned by a friend of Tamasin’s. Stopping by a ranch outbuilding with a collection of used heaters, Tamasin points out the components of various systems, both smart ones that won’t fire in unsafe conditions and “stupid” appliances that fire no matter what.At the friend’s house, the class greets the owner and then examines the exterior, looking for kneewalls, hidden attics, plumbing and heating protrusions, and unusual rooflines, of which they find many.Inside, Tamasin models business procedures for the students by explaining the upcoming process to the owner. The blower-door test reveals a pretty tight house, again with about 1,700 cfm of leakage at minus 50 pascals, with most of that coming from recessed lights in the high ceiling — lights which the homeowner never uses. Tamasin’s suggestion: seal them up.In the basement, the students hit the jackpot, finding a small gas leak in the water heater: a failure of the spillage test when put under worst-case depressurization conditions (i.e. all windows closed and all exhaust fans and gas dryer running), as well as a flaw in the heater’s exhaust pipe connection, causing condensation to drip down the outside and onto the appliance, causing rust.Tamasin’s suggestion for the water heater drafting problem: Don’t use the Jenn Air downdraft exhaust fan (which sucks a whopping 500 cfm) when the dryer is running, or crack open a window while cooking so as not to steal needed combustion air from the basement. The minor gas leak and exhaust-pipe problems require repairs by a plumber.After it was over all, Jennifer says: “Actually, that was awesome.”In the evening, Tamasin spends time with each student to discuss future career moves. In Jennifer’s city, Tamasin discovers via online sleuthing, a weatherization program for low-income residents received a lot of federal funds and apparently still has some left. She counsels Jennifer on whom to approach about a job, the time of the week to make contact (not Mondays or Fridays) and how to parlay Jennifer’s own story as a struggling single mother into an added job qualification for serving the intended clientele. Day 1: Theory and practiceAfter sleeping peacefully in the quiet country air, we awaken to the aroma of coffee and bacon and what becomes our daily habit: being fed by Tamasin.Arriving at 8 a.m. in the classroom, a converted family room, we find animal print office chairs and handcrafted wooden tables laden with learning materials: forms used by her home auditing company, Pure Energy Coach, copies of “Residential Energy” and “The Contractor Guide to Home Energy” and “Saturn Field Guide to Energy Auditing,” as well as guides to the BPI test, which Jennifer and Stevie will be taking.Tamasin explains her purpose: to pass along her knowledge of the home as a system, and how to make homes safe, healthy, comfortable, durable and energy-efficient. She especially cares about single mothers so debilitated by unhealthy, unsafe homes that they can’t dig themselves out of poverty.As she runs through the principles of home performance with a series PowerPoint slides, her students catch on quickly. When positive and negative pressure come up, Jennifer understands: “Like when someone opens a window in a house and all the door start slamming,” she offers. “Yes, yes, yes,” Tamasin says. “You’ve got this.”Both young women come to the class with handy life experiences: Jennifer grew up a remodeling contractor’s daughter and Stevie works for a weatherization nonprofit.After theory comes practice, setting up the blower door to audit the main house. It turns out to be pretty leaky: about 3,600 cfm when tested at 50 Pascals of depressurization.Using infrared cameras and thermometers, the students discover the likely culprits: unsealed top plates and leaky ducts. Eventually they discover, behind a cabinet door, a 10-inch hole cut for a 4-inch pipe, leaking air from the crawl space to the home. “Thanks, plumbers,” Tamasin says, and demonstrates the ease of spray-foam air sealing. “Foam was sent by the angels,” she often proclaims.Toward the end of the day, a group of local women stops by for a quick overview of the program and a demo of Tamasin’s cool tools. Several want to return for the full course. When I arrive for the five-day energy-auditing course at the Pure Energy Center in eastern Montana, I see instructor A. Tamasin Sterner outside the main house, clapping her hands and doing a little dance.If you know Tamasin, a veteran energy auditor who famously counseled President Obama on the need for weatherization programs, you expect this show of exuberance.And even if you haven’t met her, you can imagine Tamasin’s exhilaration. After attending spiritual retreats on this 212-acre wooded ranch for more than 20 years, Tamasin recently bought the property, which has cabins and lodging for about 30 retreatants, from her spiritual teacher. Her goal: to further develop it into a retreat, event and training center. This is the first women-only auditing course at the site.During the coming work week, four of us — including me, a journalist coming in from New Orleans to deepen my home-performance knowledge; my step-daughter Jennifer Weedn, a mother of two young daughters in Northern California who is training for a new career, and Stevie Moe, a college graduate from Billings, Mont., seeking her life’s work — will listen, study, take notes, handle expensive diagnostic tools, audit buildings, laugh, cook, eat, hike and generally have a fun yet intense learning experience on the secluded ranch. Day 5: Review and testingAt 8 a.m. in the classroom, crunch time arrives with BPI standards, complicated math equations, and sample test questions filling the air. Eventually it’s time for the written test, the oral test, and the field test.Walking the ranch roads one last evening before the students head home and Tamasin heads to her home base in Lancaster, Penn., she’s more than happy with this inaugural course. Initially, she thought perhaps 15 students would be manageable. But after this experience, she will limit future classes to eight students to ensure time for each student’s needs.For this class, the charges are: $650 for the class; optional $200 for food and lodging, and optional $650 for BPI testing and certification. For those already BPI certified, the course earns 7.5 CEUs.To keep track of future courses, visit the Pure Energy Coach website.
Day 3: BPI standardsTo begin the day, Tamasin plays a DOE video, “Weatherization Works!” With a moving piano score, images of low-income families in sickening homes, and the weatherization workers that come in to help them, I get teary-eyed. “That’s what I’ve dedicated my whole life to,” Tamasin says.Today is all about BPI standards, calculating energy use, calculating volume, air-sealing goals, ventilation, ventilation and more ventilation. To break up the day, Tamasin demonstrates at the kitchen sink and a bathroom shower how to measure water flow. To conclude the day, we watch a video, “Building Analyst Field Training: How to Perform a Home Energy Audit.” Day 2: Auditing a tight houseAfter more PowerPoint and theory, including “Steps to a Good Audit,” Tamasin gets down to work at the tables, explaining BPI standards. During our continuing examination of the main house’s energy issues, Tamasin explains how to talk to clients and write up reports. According to her, while the black-and-white setting on the IR camera gives auditors more precise readings, the full-color display excites homeowners.On breaks, we tour the ranch, its assorted cabins, the photovoltaic array, the commercial kitchen, and the luminous main hall, big enough for groups of 100. The hall still needs insulation (two-part spray foam, of course), HVAC equipment, and bathrooms, and is the last major project before the center is ready for full operation. Tamasin talks of manufacturers possibly donating materials and labor to complete those projects, thus giving employees a unique training experience.The class then loads the blower door and other tools into the center’s minivan and heads off for an audit at an adjacent ranch. The leakage rate at this newish, tightly constructed house come in at about 1,700 cfm. Few energy or safety issues emerge, though a basement drain trap that was allowed to dry out emits sewer gases, and Tamasin counsels the homeowner to keep the trap full of water.Coming back to the classroom, we finish the day watching a video: “The House as a System” by energy expert David Keefe.
Trying to settle a long-standing debateA number of utilities around the country have argued in rate proceedings that net-metering, which is available in 43 states, gives an unfair financial advantage to customers with rooftop solar or small wind generators and shifts the costs of maintaining the grid to customers who don’t generate their own power. For their part, solar advocates have claimed that retail prices used in net-metering plans may actually underestimate the value of small solar (called distributed generation) to the grid.Minnesota’s approach was aimed at quantifying the value of rooftop solar more precisely. But Xcel objected to key parts of formula: “The company supports the development of solar in and for the state of Minnesota,” Xcel’s letter said. “However, we remain concerned that the recently adopted Value of Solar methodology may tip the balance more in favor of stimulating solar development than assuring moderated cost impacts for all customers, regardless of their participation in solar offerings.”One particular point of contention was the formula’s attempt to set a dollar value on carbon dioxide emissions. Minnesota’s plan incorporates the “Social Cost of Carbon” already used by the federal government in rule-making procedures. But Xcel said it was out of place in the solar tariff calculation in Minnesota.Farrell, however, sees the issue differently. “The environmental value may be the most precedent-setting,” he wrote, “because it means that when buying solar power under Minnesota’s value of solar tariff, a utility is for the first time paying for the environmental harm of its fossil fuel energy generation.”He said Minnesota’s approach would offer something to both utilities and utility customers. Customers get a 25-year contract at a fixed price, which makes financing simpler. For utilities, he said, there would be no more concerns about cross-subsidies, and that payment for solar energy would be uncoupled from the retail electricity price.As ground-breaking as Minnesota’s plan is, Ferrell writes, it does not include all of the features that were proposed. As proposed, for example, solar production would not be limited by consumption and customers would have been paid for all the power they produced. Customers also would have retained the Solar Renewable Energy Credits. In the end, the utilities get those.Dan Wolf, the PUC’s assistant executive secretary, said Xcel’s motion for reconsideration will probably go before commissioners in the next month. But only those who voted in favor of the new tariff could propose that commissioners revisit the subject. If none does, the commission’s April 1 order will stand. Less than a month after regulators voted to adopt a new and innovative approach to calculating the value of the electricity produced by owners of residential PV systems, Minnesota’s largest electric utility has formally asked the state’s Public Utilities Commission to back up and try again.Under the plan approved on April 1, utilities may elect to reimburse customers for excess electricity they generate in one of two ways: with the net-metering rules already in place, or with a new “value of solar tariff,” or VOST.Advocates say the new methodology of compensating small producers of electricity could help settle arguments between utilities and solar energy advocates that regularly pop up around the country. Although the city of Austin, Texas, has a value-of-solar system, Minnesota became the first state in the country to adopt one.But in a letter to the five-member commission on April 21, Northern States Power Company, which does business in Minnesota as Xcel Energy, formally filed its motion for reconsideration. “Specifically, we asked the commission to review the valuation methodology to confirm that it fairly balances the interests of customers and solar developers,” Northern States Power Company CEO Dave Sparby said in a statement released by the company. “We are prepared to support the commission’s final determination.” A new approach to assigning value to PV-generated electricityMinnesota’s VOST grew out of legislation requiring the state’s Department of Commerce to come up with a method for calculating the value of rooftop solar, the source of fractious debates around the country as the number of rooftop solar installations continues to grow.The solar tariff in Minnesota would be set with a complex formula that takes into account a number of factors, including the avoided fuel cost, the avoided generating capacity cost, the avoided transmission capacity cost, and the avoided environmental cost, according to a summary of the plan provided by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.“It may fundamentally change the financial relationship between electric utilities and their energy-producing customers,” the Institute’s John Farrell wrote.VOST differs from existing net-metering rules in a number of ways. With net-metering, residential customers earn credits on their bills for excess power they generate. They’re credited at the retail electricity rate, which fluctuates over time. Solar production can’t exceed 120% of annual on-site consumption. Net excess generation, the amount of electricity above and beyond what a household consumes annually, earns the retail rate for systems rated at 40 kW or less, and the avoided-cost rate for systems rated up to 1 megawatt.With the new system, customers would still earn credits on their bills for the extra power they produce, but they will be paid at the new “value of solar” rate rather than the retail rate.The value is locked in for the term of a 25-year contract between the customer and the utility. Solar production still can’t exceed 120% of on-site consumption, and net excess generation is forfeited to the utility, according to the ILSR report.All utilities in Minnesota that elect to use VOST will calculate the rate with the same formula, but rates could vary depending on the unique generation mix and load each utility faces, according to Midwestern Energy News.Although the specifics of the formula have been set, no utility has applied to use it, said Farrell, director of the Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program at ILSR. As a result, the official price has yet to be calculated.However, Xcel’s preliminary calculation with the formula approved by regulators resulted in a value-of-solar tariff of 14.5 cents per kWh of electricity, E&S Publishing reported, 3 cents per kWh higher than the current net-metering rate.
The navy has ruled out any active deployment in the dispute-ridden South China Sea claiming that its primary area of focus remains the Indian Ocean region where it has unfinished business. Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma, however, said on Tuesday that there were global concerns about international trade routes in South China region not getting disrupted. He hoped that all should calibrate in such a manner that such a situation did not arise.”At this point of time, Pacific and South China Sea are of concern to the global community, but in terms of any active deployment from our side, it is not on the cards,” said Admiral Verma who retires later in August.The navy chief’s comments came in the wake of a recent verbal duel between Washington and Beijing over territorial disputes in South China Sea. India, too, has stakes in the region but has chosen to stay away from any direct intervention.The navy remained firm on the stated position that its focus will continue to remain on the area between Persian Gulf in the west to Malacca Strait on the east and Cape of Good Hope in the south.The Indian naval warships are on deployment in the entire region performing various tasks including anti-piracy operations.Its ships were present from the Horn of Africa to Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius providing surveillance.Admiral Verma shared developments on force augmentation.He said that nuclear submarine Arihant will be ready for sea trials in the coming months. The project has been delayed but he hoped that it will remain on track and the crucial nuclear triad would be in place soon.advertisement’AN OLD SEA DOG’Prompted by a MAIL TODAY write-up on his reticent demeanour, Admiral Nirmal Verma, who retires later in August after a career spanning more than four decades, called himself an “old sea dog” and wondered “if it was too late to learn new tricks?”In his farewell press conference, Verma said he was often made aware that he had not been forthcoming with any significantly sensational sound bytes, as are anticipated! “Yesterday’s edition of Mail Tday remarked upon my preference for reticence.I ask myself, ‘Is it too late for an old sea dog to learn new tricks’?” he said.Admiral Verma asked the media to introspect as the accomplishments of 1.3 million patriotic men and women in uniform are not covered to a degree commensurate to their sacrifice.