$5,481 CHECK DUE AFTER PHONE SNARL ENDS.(Capital Region)

It wasn't long after his story appeared in this column that local public relations guy Howard Schaffer finally got a dial tone of his own. But it took several more months before his telecom company cleaned up the last of its mistakes.

Schaffer, you may recall, is the owner of Howard Schaffer Media Marketing in Colonie. Fortunately for him, business has been good lately. In the fall, he moved to a larger office. He and his half-dozen employees left their home on Computer Drive off of Wolf Road on Oct. 24 and opened up shop in a new location on Central Avenue, a distance of about 2 miles away. Everything came with him -- his furniture, computers, paper files -- except …

Next leader of AFL-CIO could see rise in power

Richard Trumka still keeps his old coal miner's helmet on a shelf in his spacious office overlooking the Washington Monument.

The scuffed-up relic is a reminder of how far Trumka has come since he started working in the mines of Pennsylvania at 19, a path that led him to become the youngest president of the United Mine Workers and, later, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO.

Trumka is the favorite to become the next president of the nation's largest union federation later this summer _ its first new leader in 14 years _ at a time of great promise for a labor movement that has spent decades on its heels.

Several large unions that left the AFL-CIO in a …

Year in Releases

A comprehensive (we hope) list of local '05 albums

When I left Little Brother and the Justus League entourage in Boston at 4 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 18, I stumbled through security at Logan International Airport and found a clean spot on the floor in front of my gate. I slept for three hours, woke up and stumbled again onto the plane. I planned on the same routine for my layover in New York, but I didn't stop to think that I may need to be somewhat convivial on the trip's penultimate stop.

If you have ever met Christina Rentz, the tour publicist and radio handler for Merge Records, you know exactly what I mean: I think we'd had the same amount of sleep, and I'm sure my exhaustion was written all over my face and unkempt clothes. But there she was, sitting with Merge intern Lindsey Kronmiller, smiling and laughing as I strained to recognize her, rubbing the sleep remaining from the plane ride from my eyes. Within 10 minutes, the North Carolina Record Label Convocation, as I'm dubbing it now, started to assemble for Flight 3109 at 10:25 a.m. Glenn Dicker was there, along with a couple of people from the label he co-founded, Yep Roc. So was Martin Hall, who, along with Christina, constantly helps remind just how good Merge's output - this year, The Rosebuds, Dinosaur Jr., Portastatic, Tenement Halls, Destroyer, The Clientele, Lambchop and Spoon - actually is. Most of them had been up all night or close to it, simultaneously working and partying during the last night of their College Musk Journal Music Marathon stay before returning to work Monday morning.

To say North Carolina represented this year is more than valid. Take the marathon: Besides the Merge and Yep Roc bands that made the bills, a slew of local bands were invited as well. By all reports, Bellafea played a cramped, albeit dead-on set, and The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers were late for their coveted spot on KEXP's CMJ broadcast from The Museum of TV and Radio (for reference's sake, The Arcade Fire played the same slot 364 days before). That same night, Little Brother played B.B. King's in Times Square, selling the place out and bringing its own marathon for a crowd that included Atlantic Records moneybags, T.I. and most of the North Carolina hip-hop crew (Kaze, Forge & Amen, Shelly B and Shaw Hargett) that had performed for CMJ the day before at The Lion's Den.

Chatham County Line toured Europe (they return for round two on Christmas Day) and recorded for the BBC, and Tift Merritt was nominated for a Grammy. The Rosebuds started to steal the hearts and minds of indie pop-rock enthusiasts with their pretty, troubled second LP, Birds Make Good Neighbors.

But that doesn't mean it's easy. For every be-all, end-all (as far as about half of its sales goes) Pitchfork review that deems The Rosebuds "uncomfortable in a good way," there's another that myopically deems Little Brother's concept of The Minstrel Show theoretically null and void ever since Kanye West decided he could rap commercially about God. For every sold-out show, there may be a half-dozen in-store performances, meet-and-greet handgrabs and same-questions, different-dude radio interviews. As Akrobatik, emcee for Definitive Jux's The Perceptionists, told Chris Parker in an interview with the Independent: "If Little Brother went gold or platinum, I would be crying tears of joy. You hear what I'm saying? But they're going to struggle to sell 60,000. That's the reality. 'Cause they're too real."

The state of the artist in 2005 is still tough, and the "famous" Triangle bands have it no easier than the bar band still trying to find someone to put out their record. They're just that much closer to the chance to make their passion their career. And then it's really time to get to work.

* Alesana, Try This With Your Eyes Closed (Tragic Hero Records)

* Alvarez Painting, Forecastle Helm (Trekky Records)

* Terry Anderson and the Olympic Ass Kickin' Team, Terry Anderson & the Olympic Ass Kickin' Team (self-released)

* Nathan Asher & The Infantry, Sex Without Love (self-released)

* Audubon Park, EP3 (self-released)

* The Avett Brothers, Live Vol. 2 (Ramseur Records)

* The Away Team, National Anthem (6 Hole Records)

* Bellafea, Family Tree EP (Pidgeon English)

* Between The Buried & Me, Alaska (Victory Records)

* Big Pretty & The Red Rockets, See What You Can Find (self-released)

* Black Socks, Blue Chaplain (self-released)

* Black Taj, Black Taj (Amish Records) Boxbomb, Boxbomb (self-released)

* Bringerer, Trink! Sink! Tanz! EP (Hypnovista)

* Brooks Wood Band, Today's the First Day (self-released)

* Brother Seeker, Brother Seeker (self-released)

* Brothers Grim, Bury Me in the Swamp (Scarecrow Tracks Music)

* Can Joann, The Aiden-Grace EP (self-released)

* The Capulets, Welcome to the Close... Now Make a Decision (self-released; Internet only)

* The Cartridge Family, Here Come the Rock Stars (self-released)

* The Cartridge Family/Terry Anderson and The Olympic Ass Kickin' Team, Split 12", (Double Naught Records)

* Casadyne, Casadyne (self-released)

* Chamber Corps, Chamber Corps EP (self-released; Internet only)

* Chatham County Line, Route 23 (Yep Roc)

* Chaundon, Live from the 718 (Hall of Justus) as The Cherry Valence, TCV3 (Bifocal Media)

* Chris Boerner Quartet, Incoming (self-released)

* Chrome-Plated Apostles, Twelve Bars (Demonbeach Records)

* Classic Case, Dress to Depress (Help Records)

* Thad Cockrell and Caitlin Cary, Begonias (Yep Roc)

* Cesar Comanche, Squirrel & The Aces (ABB Records)

* Confessor, Unraveled (self-released)

* Corrosion of Conformity, In the Arms of Gods (Sanctuary Records)

* David Karsten Daniels, Angles [Re-mastered] (Bu Hanan Records)

* Nathan Davis, Live (self-released)

* Nathan Davis, Revolution Lane (self-released)

* Lois Deloatch, Closure (self-released)

* Lois Deloatch & Tyson Rogers, Holy Night (self-released)

* Des Ark, Loose Lips Sink Ships (Bifocal Media)

* DeYarmond Edison, Silent Signs (self-released)

* Dirty Little Heaters, Got It? EP (307 Knox Records)

* DJ Chela, Embedded Reporter (self-released)

* DJ Chela & Shelly B, Shellproof Volume 2 (self-released)

* DJ Paradime, ...Presents Dirty States of America Part 1 (Hall of Justus)

* Tad Dreis, Play to Remember (Hedgepig Music)

* Edgar Allen Floe, True Links (MCEO Records)

* Endless Mic, Cave Livin' (Trekky Records)

* Erie Choir, Bad Tsars is a Drag EP (self-released)

* Eyes to Space, Eyes to Space EP (self-released)

* The Experts, I Think We Made Some Plans (self-released)

* Fake Swedish, Get Correct (Demonbeach Records)

* Fashion Design, As Is/Mothballs 7" (307 Knox Records)

* Jane Francis, Skeletons for Tea (Eskimo Kiss Records)

* Jimmy Ghaphery/Jason Bivins/Ian Davis, Impermanence (Umbrella Recordings)

* Glissade, Nadia (self-released)

* The Grand Staircase, The Grand Staircase (Lavender Hill Records)

* Cole Guerra, Scarves and Knives (Cleave)

* Jason Harrod, Bright As You (self-released)

* Head Chemists, Bittersweet Melody (self-released)

* Brian Hershberger, Twice in a Blue Moon (self-released)

* Michael Holland, Tomorrow's American Treasures (Sit-N-Spin Reords)

* Imperial Pints, Fizzology (self-released)

* Jack the Radio, Jack the Radio (self-released)

* John Wilkes Booze, The Heliocentric Views of the John Wilkes Booze Pts. 1 & 2 (Saint Ives)

* John Wilkes Booze, Telescopic Eyes Glance The Future Sick (Kill Rock Stars)

* Junior Varsity Superheroes, EP (self-released)

* Kapow! Music, A Texan in Europe Revisited (Bu Hanan Records)

* Kerbloki, Poisonous Plants (Lucid Records)

* The Kickass/Continent, Don't Cry for Me Japan (Satire Records; Japanese import)

* The Kingsbury Manx, The Fast Rise & Fall of the South (Yep Roc)

* The Know, Shock & Awe (self-released)

* Kudzu Wish, En Route EP (Ernest Jennings)

* Kung Flude, Here Come the Jerks 7" (Thumbs Down Productions)

* L.E.G.A.C.Y., Project Mayhem (6 Hole Records)

* Little Brother, The Chitlin Circuit 1.5 (Fastlife)

* Little Brother, The Minstrel Show (Atlantic Records)

* Lounge Magic, A Lounge Magic Christmas (self-released)

* Maple Stave, EP1 (self-released)

* Marat, Again (MoRisen)

* Maxwell/Mosher, Maxwell/Mosher (self-released)

* Mayhap, Might Could (self-released)

* Median, Path to Relief EP (self-released)

* Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos, Papa Mojo's Roadhouse (self-released)

* Tift Merritt, Home Is Loud (Junketboy)

* Mic & Rep, Back for More (Stillhouse Records)

* The Moaners, Dark Snack (Yep Roc)

* Monsonia, Monsonia (self-released)

* Mortar and Pestle, Oak in the Acorn (Trekky Records)

* The Mountain Goats, The Sunset Tree (4AD)

* Anthony Neff, Chase Your Burden (self-released)

* The Nein, Wrath of Circuits (Sonic Unyon)

* The Nein/Cantwell, Gomez & Jordan, Split (Sit-N-Spin Reords)

* New Town Drunks, ...Trust Us with Your Car (self-released)

* 9th Wonder, Dream Merchant Vol 1 (6 Hole Records)

* NodCraft Sounds, Bench Warmers Vol. 4 (self-released)

* North Elementary, The Weeble Wobble Sound Series Volume 1 (Sit-N-Spin Reords)

* North Elementary, The Weeble Wobble Sound Series Volume 2 (Sit-N-Spin Reords)

* Shannon O'Connor, Low in Paradise (Varrga Records)

* The Old Ceremony, The Old Ceremony (Alyosha Records)

* Ol�, Flashes of Brilliance (self-released)

* Patty Hurst Shifter, The Short Record EP (Evo Recordings)

* The Physics of Meaning, The Physics of Meaning (Bu Hanan Records)

* Pleasant, Awkward as a Beehive (Pox World Empire)

* Portastatic, Bright Ideas (Merge)

* Portastatic, Ideas far Bright Ideas (self-released)

* Portastatic, Looking for a Power Supply EP (Houston Label; Spanish import)

* The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers, The Mother of Love Emulates the Shape of Cynthia (Bu Hanan Records)

* Pyramid, The First American (self-released)

* Rapper Big Pooh, Sleepers (6 Hole Records)

* The Remix Project, The Remix Project Mixtape CD (self-released)

* Laura Ridgeway, Christmas at Home (self-released)

* Mary Rocap, Indian Summer (self-released)

* Roman Candle, An Introduction to The Wee Hours Review (V2 Records)

* Roman Candle, Live EP (self-released)

* Dexter Romweber/Throw Rag, Ten Bad Studs: A 12" Split (Demonbeach Records)

* The Rosebuds, Birds Make Good Neighbors (Merge, CD; Goodnight Records, LP)

* The Rosebuds, Unwind EP (Merge)

* The Rosebuds/The Close, Split (Goodnight Reords)

* The Sames, You Are the Sames (Pox World Empire)

* Scharpling & Wurster; Hippy Justice (Stereolaffs)

* Jon Shain, Home Before Long (Flyin' Records)

* Carrie Shull/Tara Flandreau/Reuben Radding, The Branch Will Not Break (Pine Ear Music)

* Alina Simone, Prettier in the Dark (Fractured Discs)

* Slugnut, All the Splendor and Rot (self-released)

* Snatches of Pink, Stag (MoRisen Records)

* SNMNMNM, As Best We Can (Unschooled Records)

* SNMNMNM, So Have A Cup Of Cheer (Unschooled Records)

* Henry Sparrow, Bird Songs Vol. 1 (self-released)

* The Spinns, Lost Colony (Demonbeach Records)

* Chris Stamey, A Question of Temperature (Yep Roc)

* Steep Canyon Rangers, One Dime at a Time (Rebel Records)

* Stillhouse, Through the Winter (self-released)

* STRANGE, STRANGE (Pidgeon English)

* Stratocruiser, 377 Live (Just Plain Lucky Records)

* Stratocruiser, Suburban Contemporary (Wizzard in Vinyl; Japanese Label)

* The Strugglers, You Win (Acuarela Discos)

* Supastition, Chain Letters (Soulspazm)

* Hugh Swaso, Life Through Stereo EP (self-released)

* Tennis & the Mennonites, Wicked Man (self-released)

* The Thyrday, The Perfection Xperiment 2 (Street Flava)

* Ticonderoga, The Heilig-Levine LP (54�40' or Fight! Records)

* Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga (54�40' or Fight! Records)

* Tiger Bear Wolf, Tiger Bear Wolf (Hello Sirs Records)

* Chris Titchner, Moving Day (Bridgefolk)

* Unstable Ensemble, Embers (Family Vineyard)

* Valient Thorr, Total Universe Man (Volcom Entertainment)

* Veronique Diabolique, Carte Postale EP (self-released)

* Rob Watson, To Trade Hands (Abray Records)

* Yasmine White, Yasmine White (self-released)

* Grant Withington, Grant Withington (self-released)

* Rebecca Woodard & Pearl Moen, Sing and Hum (self-released)

* Work Clothes, These are the Shoes We Wear (Fractured Discs)

* Various Artists, Compulation 2: Songs from North Carolina (Pox World Empire)

* Various Artists, Dear Santa: Holiday Music Collection Volume One [With Maxwell/Mosher] (Lions Gate Music; U.S. Postal Service)

* Various Artists, Heard Together (self-released)

* Various Artists, One Bright Sunny Morning

* Recordings with Phon] (IC Recordings)

* Various Artists, Rockin' the Blocks (Downtown Durham, Inc.)

Article copyright Durham Independent.

Peoples Bank announces new management.(KEEPING UP WITH PEOPLE)

Peoples Bank has appointed Jan Armstrong to manage the new Barkley Village Financial Canter, and Troy Wills has been promoted to manager at the bank's downtown Bellingham office.

Armstrong started at Peoples Bank in 1992 at the Cordata office with more than 19 years of experience in financial services. She was promoted to vice president and in 2001 became branch manager of the bank's Bellingham Financial Center.

Armstrong has been named Affiliate of the Year by the Washington State Association of Realtors and has been a member of the Kiwanis for 17 years. She has also been the active treasurer for Whatcom County Association of Realtors for the …

WIPO ASSIGNS PATENT TO INCA INTERNET FOR "WINDOWS KERNEL ALTERATION SEARCHING METHOD" (SOUTH KOREAN INVENTOR)

GENEVA, April 4 -- Publication No. WO/2011/037321 was published on March 31.

Title of the invention: "WINDOWS KERNEL ALTERATION SEARCHING METHOD."

Applicants: INCA INTERNET CO., LTD. (KR).

Inventors: Jae Hong Lee (KR).

According to the abstract posted by the World Intellectual Property Organization: "The present invention relates to a method of searching for Windows kernel driver and system alterations by using system module information which constitutes the most constant form of data in the kernel. The Windows kernel alteration searching method according to the present invention comprises: a first step in which an alteration-searching driver reads the name and the start address and end address of the driver being searched, from the system module information; a second step of extracting a mathematical function used by a driver object of the driver being searched, by using the name of the driver being searched; and a third step in which it is recognised that the driver being searched has not been altered if a factor of the mathematical function is a value between the start address and end address, and it is recognised that the driver being searched has been altered if a factor of the mathematical function is not a value between the start address and end address."

The patent was filed on Aug. 12, 2010 under Application No. PCT/KR2010/005297.

For further information please visit: http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/ia.jsp?ia=KR2010/005297

For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

RUSSIAN SPIES ACCUSED OF EXPORTING MISSILE SECRETS.(MAIN)

Byline: DANIEL WILLIAMS Washington Post

MOSCOW -- Russian intelligence agents for the past several years have quietly recruited scientists here to go to Iran and teach Iranian counterparts how to build missiles to carry deadly payloads as far as 1,200 miles, Russian and diplomatic sources said.

Russians and foreigners said officials of the Federal Security Service, Russia's intelligence arm, recruited the scientists at Russian technological institutes and weapons factories for work in Iran. The contracts, however, were negotiated in Iran between the scientists and their hosts -- apparently to insulate the security service and the government in Moscow from responsibility.

The Iranians paid the institute or factory separately, Russian and foreign officials said.

The Federal Security Service is the successor to the KGB secret police and still oversees Russia's sensitive arms factories and high-technology institutes. The agents, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, arranged for the scientists to leave Russia, Russian officials said.

Russia intends to stop recruitment and curb permission for the scientists to travel to Iran, the Russian officials said. The curtailment follows a January decree issued by Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, who has long denied that it was government policy to transfer missile technology to Iran. He and other Russian leaders insisted that any leakage was purely on a free-lance basis -- the government did not break the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime, an international accord that Russia signed and that is supposed to discourage missile proliferation.

The repeated denials have left diplomats and some Russian observers wondering whether the government is willing or able to stop the flow of scientists to Tehran.

``If it wasn't government policy before, then how can they guarantee they can stop it now? If it was government policy, then they were lying before and who should believe them now?'' said one Russian official.

If the new policy takes hold, one reason would be Russia's view that the economic gains from technology sales would be outweighed by the possible loss of financial support from the United States and Europe, a Russian official said.

The Russians also are reacting to intense American pressure to stop helping Iran build missiles that could hit as far away as Israel and Western Europe and could be mounted with nuclear warheads.

`Rules of the Road'

The Internet's advantages as a learning tool far outweigh thepotential for danger, said Pete Banks, of the National Center forMissing and Exploited Children. "But parents need to monitor andregulate Internet use just like any other activity."

How much time children spend online and where they spend itshould be agreed upon in advance, Banks says.

Here are some of the center's other suggested "Rules of theRoad" for children on the Internet:Never give out personal information such as addresses or telephonenumbers.Tell parents right away if you see anything that makes youuncomfortable.Never agree to meet online acquaintances without first checkingwith parents.Never send anyone your picture without first checking with parents.Do not respond to any messages that are mean or make you feeluncomfortable.