| Uganda: Untested Meters Spark Fear Over High Bills
So in our books, we don't have such meters, but if it's in someone's house, they have to report it," she said, adding that UNBS actually did inspect the faulty consignment in question."When the meters come in at UNBS, they test, certify and dispatch to us. So in that respect they passed through the proper process." Ms Kemigyisha did not explain how ordinary consumers were to identify a fast-running meter and while she did not give any numbers, the utility has connected at least 93,000 new consumers to the grid since taking over distribution. Of Uganda's 3.3 million electricity users, very few have any competence to distinguish between a faulty and a proper electric meter. In the event that Umeme in-stalled a fast-running meter, the consumer is likely to bleed millions of shillings in power bills to the utility, considering the high power tariffs obtaining here.
BOOKS: Watch their lips move
In this economic meltdown, we have witnessed politicians, bankers and financial gurus running for cover, attempting to wash their hands of blame and pointing the finger at anyone and anything other than themselves. Losses in billions have boggled our eyes and still some of the fat cats carry off large amounts of wonga in salaries, bonuses and pensions while ordinary people lose their jobs. The open-jawed citizen knows something is wrong but, perhaps, cannot see through the fog of spin and claptrap to get at the truth. Talbott has done us a service by taking a calm and thorough look at this number-crunching recession and offers evidence that truth was not high on the priority list of the scoundrels in this global drama. The lies on his list include the notion that going into the current crisis the US economy was the strongest and most resilient in the world; that this was a sub-prime mortgage problem no one could have foreseen; that, like the Great Crash of 1929, it was primarily a liquidity problem and injecting cash into the system would solve it; that senior executive remuneration is deserved because it is determined in a highly competitive market; that excessive regulation is not needed because there is enough protection already on the statute books; and that government regulation is bad for economic growth and prosperity.
Spotlight Iowa City: Running and writing
Matt McCue, 26, recently penned the book An Honorable Run, from which he will read from as part of the “Live from Prairie Lights" series, at Prairie Lights Books, 15 S. Dubuque St., at 7 p.m. today. An Honorable Run is a coming-of-age story and an homage to the two track coaches who left an indelible mark on McCue's running career. His high-school coach, Bob Brown, was the first to impress him in his time on the track team at Regina High School. “I was a pretty good freshman runner," McCue said. “His plan involved more patience, while I wanted quick results. Ultimately, it was up to me to decide." As a young man, McCue had the kind of respect for Brown that allowed him to take his advice. For him, the coach's job wasn't only putting a good program together, he was also a mentor when it came to mentally preparing for practice or a meet.
Popular Didcot club calls past members to a party
For 27 years it has provided activities and events for disabled youngsters, running trips to London and Blackpool and organising weekly youth club nights. Since founder Terry Moylan moved to the West Country, the Monday evening club has been run by Jennifer Pozzoni. The reunion will be at the Marlborough Club, Didcot, on October 31 from 4.30pm to 9.30pm. More than 200 people are expected to attend. Mr Moylan said: “Any past or present members, helpers or supporters are welcome to come along and renew old friendships, reminisce and celebrate the club's 27 years. “We're all getting older, and we missed the 25th anniversary. “I was going through a big pile of scrapbooks and talking to a mate of mine in Didcot, and we said why not have a get-together? For years, it took nearly all my time.
Saturday: Jason Mraz returns
Where do you know him from: Jason's "I'm Yours" has entered the record books as the longest running song in the history of Billboard Hot 100 chart, He's played the happy little hippie song for five years and it has spent a remarkable 71 weeks on the chart. It's certified 4x platinum and ranks as the third best-selling digital single of all time. Why should you go: His Gratitude Café Tour has proven a popular and critical success with sold-out shows accompanied by a bevy of rave reviews. Mraz will perform Oct. 4 alongside Willie Nelson, Neil Young and Dave Matthews at the 2009 Farm Aid benefit concert in St. Louis before embarking on his first South American tour in late November. Mraz has been touring the past two years promoting his platinum-selling CD "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." A live CD/DVD, due out Nov.
NEVADAN AT WORK: Bootcamp leader helps students push their limits
Education: Degree in health and nutrition from Tuks University, South Africa; diploma from the Exercise Training Academy in South Africa; certified in spinning, pilates and yoga through Steiner in London.
Work history: Personal trainer in South Africa and England; fitness director and personal trainer onboard ships for Holland America Cruise Line; trainer for Nellis Air Force soldiers preparing for annual military fitness tests; started Las Vegas Bootcamp in January 2007.
Hobbies: High-altitude mountain climbing, adventure racing, biking, rock climbing, running, reading motivational books and autobiographies, spending time outdoors with his wife and their dogs, Birdie and Elvis.
Favorite book: "How To Make Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.
Banned Books Week adopts author's anti-censorship poem as manifesto
All these issues affect children. Look at the statistics. Closing your eyes won't make these things go away. Why not talk about them with your kids, to arm them with knowledge. Open the books with them. Listen to the author speak with them." Objections from challengers have ranged from upset over positive portrayals of homosexuals to books which were seen as too sexual or too violent, according to Banned Books Week. In 2008 Khaled Hosseini's novel The Kite Runner became one of the top 10 most challenged books, with objectors complaining about its sexual content and offensive language. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy was the second most challenged of the year, over its "political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence", while And Tango Makes Three, a children's story about two male penguins bringing up a chick, or for complainants "a homosexual storyline that has been sugar-coated with cute penguins", topped the list for the third year running.
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