Esmadb processed at local distribution center

A day or so before the state budget was passed last week, Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, a Kenmore Democrat, stopped by the Capitol's press room to share with a reporter details about three recipients of his successful pork barrel requests that he said will support entrepreneurship to global trade efforts. The Canisius College Center for Professional Development and the Women’s Business Center got $200,000, with lesser amounts to the World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara and the Buffalo Niagara International Trade Gateway Organization. Such post-budget passage announcements are commonplace in Albany, where lawmakers trumpet how they use taxpayer dollars to fund projects in their home districts. Lawmakers bristle at negative connotations associated with pork spending; the governor gets far more spending items in the budget that he will tout in the coming months, they note. And, legislators should be able to direct money to needs they know as their district’s chief cheerleader … [Read more...] about Local lawmakers celebrate their pork, without apology

WASHINGTON – Jamestown's National Comedy Center – which opens next Wednesday – is now on its way to being the real, official national comedy center. The House late Monday voted unanimously to approve a bill giving the Comedy Center that official designation, recognizing the Jamestown facility as the only museum exclusively dedicated to the art of making people laugh. “This is a monumental day for the center, for Jamestown, our local economy and, most of all, for comedy,” said Rep. Tom Reed, the Corning Republican who introduced the bill giving the center its national designation. “We care about shining a light on the art form of comedy on a national stage, and as Jamestown is the birthplace of Lucille Ball, it is only fair to officially designate the National Comedy Center here." As an actual bill that must be passed by both houses of Congress, Reed's legislation carries legal weight. In contrast, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer this year … [Read more...] about House passes bill giving ‘national designation’ to Jamestown Comedy Center

Initial screening: Refugees report to the UN High Committee for Refugees (UNHCR), which collects biographical data and interviews them – and then selects fewer than 1 percent of all refugees for possible resettlement. Secondary screening: A U.S. State Department Resettlement Support Center compiles biographical data and conducts an initial interview. Biographic security checks: The National Counterterrorism Center, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Department and the State Department screen the applicants; those with connections to terror groups or serious criminal records are disqualified. Checks Trump added: To make the vetting even tougher, Trump called on U.S. officials to check applicants' places of employment and names of family members as well as their social media. The final interview: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews candidates for resettlement at least once, and often several times. Biometric security checks: Refugee … [Read more...] about Understanding the refugee vetting process

NORFOLKRecommended cuts to resources in some public housing communities prompted Councilman Paul Riddick to decry Norfolk’s budget proposal this week, saying the city’s black residents were taking the brunt of spending reductions.The flashpoint: the recommendation to eliminate funding for a city-run recreation center in Grandy Village, a public housing community.Raytron White, president of Grandy Village’s Tenant Management Council, told the council Tuesday that pulling funding from the recreation center would “probably destroy our neighborhood.”“We have more kids in our rec center than other rec centers in Norfolk, some put together,” White said. Usage figures for the city’s recreation centers were not readily available from the city, a spokeswoman said Thursday.The revelation seemed to catch at least one council member completely by surprise.“That’s not happening, Raytron. That’s not in our budget,” Councilwoman … [Read more...] about Norfolk councilman blasts proposed rec center cuts, says black residents will take brunt

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Claudia Maria de Oliveira is leery of online shopping. But while browsing social media recently, the 49-year-old Brazilian spotted a bargain-priced sandwich press from local retailer Magazine Luiza SA. Frederico Trajano, Chief Executive Officer of retail Magazine Luiza S.A., poses for Reuters in Sao Paulo, Brazil October 23, 2017. Picture taken October 23, 2017. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker She swallowed her doubts and hit the “buy” button. Two days later she picked up her first-ever online purchase at a mall in Sao Paulo. “I took the risk,” said Oliveira, who cleans offices for a living. “If I have any trouble with it, at least I know I can come back to the store.” A reassuring physical presence and fast-growing online sales have vaulted Magazine Luiza into the upper echelons of Brazilian e-commerce, lifting shares over 500 percent last year and 20 percent so far in 2018. The company is relying on deep roots in its home … [Read more...] about Amazon.com plays catch-up in Brazil as local rivals thrive