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A number of countries aim to set occupational competence standards, to support skills development, employability and vocational education developments. This is to help establish country specific, occupational quality standards, build credibility in skills, enable skills transfer and recognition; supporting skills issues, within the context of business achievement, and economic competitiveness globally. Having led a number…
Definition of ‘Occupational competence’ [UK Training Agency (1988) – although there are many more current definitions]: … the ability to perform the activities within an occupation or function to the standards expected in employment. (This includes)… the ability to transfer skills and knowledge to new situations … organisation and planning of work, innovation and coping…
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Join us for Intro to Ham Radio and find out everything from the nuts and bolts of the technology, to the amazing things you can do with it; all while you learn what you need to know to get your license and get on the air.
Learn from the experts in the Hamilton Wireless Association.
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What shocks me the most about jg's offensive prowess is that she has used the same offensive lineup everyday. Today marks the first change according to my research. Wow! As a contrast, Vagabonds has used 1,647 different lineups this year. ...and yes, it's research. She's really good at this game - I'm attributing a lot of good draft luck (I'm looking at you Prince Fielder), but still she got game.
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Browse artists whose last name starts with »K«
Below you can browse the artists by their last name. This is especially useful if you are not quite sure how the artist's name is spelt. When you click on an artist's name, you will automatically access all the artist information (such as art prices, signatures/monograms and photos).
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Ann Hodgman
All Work
At a college in another state, students were being murdered by a weird serial killer. One girl who’d survived his vicious attack claimed that he had razor-sharp claws where his fingers should be. But that has to be a rumor, a sophomore named Megan Trier scoffed. Besides, the dark…
Discussion points for members who have not read this month’s book:1. Studying the cover of this month’s selection may provide hints to the reasons that Margy MacDougal chose this book for your group. What does the metallic font used for the title convey—pretension, or insecurity…
It’s lucky that dolls can sit still longer than human beings. If a doll bellies up to a bar and orders a beer, she’ll have to wait while the bartender puts three drops of resin into a miniature stein, adds a dot of yellow dye and three drops of hardener, and then stirs the mixture…
Members of the House Rabbit Society have a lot in common with early Christians: they are a small, fervent band with a lot of uphill conversion work ahead of them. When Mary Cotter, who now heads the New York chapter, organized her first meeting of rabbit lovers in Westchester, in…
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Mexican Invasion of US Ends, Study Finds
The flow of immigrants into the United States from Mexico has come to a standstill and may have reversed, bringing a stunning end to a four-decade surge of newcomers from the country's southern neighbor, according to a study released on Monday.
The report by the non-partisan Pew Hispanic Center found that an influx that brought 12 million immigrants to the United States since the 1970s, more than half of whom came illegally, began to slow five years ago and may have reversed in the past two years.
"The standstill appears to be the result of many factors, including the weakened U.S. job and housing construction markets, heightened border enforcement (and) a rise in deportations," it said.
Other factors include the growing dangers associated with crossing north illegally from Mexico and the long-term decline in Mexico's birth rates. The report said it was possible the immigration wave would resume as the U.S. economy recovers.
An estimated 11.2 million illegal immigrants, more than half of them from Mexico, live and work in the shadows in the United States. The issue of what to do with them has become a hot-button issue in the United States in recent years.
Democratic President Barack Obama promised to deliver comprehensive immigration reform, tightening security on the Mexico border while offering millions of illegal immigrants who learn English and pay a fine the chance to become citizens, but he has so far failed to deliver.
Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney, meanwhile, supports tough enforcement. He has expressed support for Arizona's state law cracking down on illegal immigrants that is subject to an appeals hearing in the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday to determine whether the state strayed too far into the federal government's powers.
Former President George W. Bush brought the last attempt at an immigration overhaul to a vote in 2007, but it was killed off by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.
The Pew study, which drew on both U.S. and Mexican government data, found that the sharp downward trend in net migration from Mexico began about five years ago and has led to the first significant decrease in at least two decades in the population of illegal immigrants from Mexico.
As of 2011, some 6.1 million Mexican immigrants were living illegally in the United States, down from a peak of nearly 7 million in 2007, according to Pew estimates based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Over the same period, the population of legal immigrants from Mexico rose modestly, from 5.6 million in 2007 to 5.8 million in 2011.
"While it is not possible to say so with certainty, the trend lines within this latest 5-year period suggest that return flow to Mexico probably exceeded the in-flow from Mexico during the last year or two," the study found.
Around 30 percent of all current U.S. immigrants are Mexican-born. The next largest sending country - China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan - accounts for just 5 percent of the estimated 40 million immigrants currently in the United States.
Beyond its size, the most distinctive feature of the modern Mexican wave has been the unprecedented share of immigrants who have come to the United States illegally. Just over half, or 51 percent, of all current Mexican immigrants are in the country without legal permission, while some 58 percent of the estimated 11.2 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States are Mexican, the study found.
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Rumored Buzz on toeic
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When persons move to another region, a number of them decide to Keep to the customs of The brand new country. Other folks choose to maintain their own personal customs. Which one do you like? Guidance your answer with certain facts.
"For that IELTS test, it needs a Talking test, but I get to fulfill the real individual. It absolutely was just like an everyday dialogue so it's a lot more at ease and simpler for me due to the fact I got to meet the person nose to nose, so I do think the TOEFL IBT is much tougher."
Converse about your region?�s countrywide anthem or flag. Describe it, then say, in which it can be utilized and the place it are available today? Incorporate aspects and examples to help your reaction.
Should really new university students all be needed to study a similar ebook in the summer in advance of they start their initially training course of study? Reveal your solution.
The two individuals look at the girl's dilemma. Describe the trouble and state which of the two methods you favor and why.
Would you agree or disagree that a star must set a very good illustration for teenagers? Use aspects and illustrations to assistance your rationalization
A pal of yours has been given some money and designs to work with all of it either to go on family vacation or to purchase a car or truck your Pal has questioned you for tips.
Does one agree or disagree with the following assertion? A manager or even a supervisor shouldn't variety near friendship with their employees.
People understand a difference between young children and Grown ups. What gatherings (ordeals or ceremonies) make a person an adult? Use particular factors and examples to clarify your response.
Would you favor to are in a conventional residence or in a modern apartment building? Use unique good reasons and facts to assist your decision. minutes in duration. These passages contain two university student conversations and four tutorial lectures or discussions. The conversations contain a pupil and both a professor or simply a campus services company. The lectures are a self-contained part of an instructional lecture, which can contain pupil participation and won't think specialized qualifications awareness in the subject area.
You are already quite fast paced and not able to get ready with the Test tomorrow. You can either stay awake late to study and slumber less or just study less and get complete night?�s rest. Which alternative would you select?
Examining The Reading through part includes questions on three-five passages, Every somewhere around 700 terms in duration. The passages are on academic matters; They are really the kind of fabric Which may be found in an undergraduate College textbook. Passages require knowledge of rhetorical capabilities such as result in-outcome, compare-contrast and argumentation.
Many people believe young children should get started their official schooling at an exceedingly early age and will expend most of their time on university research. Some others believe that younger small children must spend most of their time participating in. Evaluate both of these views. Which check out does one agree with? Why?
Contrary to the CBT, the score on the Crafting element (often called the Test of Prepared English, TWE) is not Portion of the ultimate score; as an alternative, it is documented independently on a scale of 0??6.|Would you concur or disagree with the following statement? Persons should read through only Those people books which might be about serious occasions, true people today and set up specifics. Use unique factors and information to aid your viewpoint.|It's not long ago been announced that a whole new cafe might be in-built your community. Do you aid or oppose this plan? Why? Use certain good reasons and details to help your response.|Do you favor traveling on your own or touring that has a companion? Use details and examples to help your clarification.|Do you favor to have a lengthy trip on a yearly basis or have several brief vacations All year long? Use aspects and examples to help your rationalization.|??If you want to|If you wish to|In order to|If you'd like to|If you need to|If you would like} take virtually any test, Be sure that you may have more than enough time to prepare for it. I generally try out to organize myself no less than two months ahead of the exam just to allow myself to get used to the examination and to review for that take a look at.??Does one concur or disagree with the subsequent statement? Classmates are a more essential influence than mother and father on a toddler`s results at school. Use unique explanations and examples to support your solution.|If you're to choose from 2 apartments to reside in following semester, one particular condominium is close to the campus but marginally high priced, one other is a little bit considerably within the campus but cheaper, which 1 do you prefer and why?|A lot of people who take the TOEFL check are planning to examine at colleges and universities in which instruction is in English. Furthermore, a lot of federal government businesses, scholarship plans, and licensing/certification companies use TOEFL scores To guage English proficiency.|Should you had been asked to deliver one thing representing your country to an international exhibition, what would you end up picking? Why? Use unique explanations and aspects to elucidate your alternative.|Ryan's paid out and unpaid services and products Engage in all This playlist is a collection of videos that explain the compensated and unpaid IELTS products and solutions I make accessible to candidates.|Persons operate given that they need to have funds to Reside. What are some other explanations that men and women perform? Talk about one or more of such good reasons. Use distinct examples and particulars to assistance your answer.|It is usually recognised by Qualified bodies, immigration authorities and also other federal government companies. More than 2 million people today a calendar year go ahead and take check. What is the IELTS exam like?|Do you believe it is necessary for folks to teach their kids to learn the way to control funds? Use reasons and unique illustrations to help your viewpoint.|Who has long been your favorite Instructor so far in your daily life? Use motives and specifics to assistance your respond to.|Some pupils decide to enter the university promptly soon after finishing highschool, Other folks prefer to having day without work prior to beginning the College course. Which choice do you believe is best?|An organization has declared that it needs to construct a significant manufacturing facility close to your Group. Explore the benefits and drawbacks of this new affect on the Local community. Do you get more info aid or oppose the manufacturing facility? Explain your situation|What exactly are some important traits of an excellent supervisor (boss)? Use distinct particulars and illustrations to clarify why these features are very important.|We are performed! Thank you for encouraging us comprehensive this wonderful chalk mural with all of your terrific responses. We're so proud of every single student and member of our Global community since they proceed their journeys overseas and in the home.|Exam takers pay attention and skim in English and give their responses into the queries. The exam will not require specialised expertise or vocabulary beyond that of the one who utilizes English in daily life and function action.|Numerous pupils have to Stay with roommates while heading to highschool or university. Exactly what are a few of the significant characteristics of a fantastic roommate? Use specific motives and examples to clarify why these features are crucial.|The place would you most like to Dwell? Explain this location and reveal why you read more want to to live there.|Would you concur or disagree that luck has nothing at all to try and do with achievement? Use information and illustrations to help your rationalization.|Finally, our college student's past word of recommendation is a person that your mom would likely Offer you ??be rested and very well fed.|She also check here recommends utilizing textbooks rather than free of charge on the net test components. Immediately after getting a minimal rating The 1st time she took the TOEFL IBT, check here she spent the money on review guides for the exams.|Should you have money, would you prefer to order a dwelling or a business? Use specifics and illustrations here to aid your explanation.|Do you agree or disagree with the next assertion? Playing a sport is exciting only any time you win. Use particular good reasons and illustrations to support your solution.|Would you concur or disagree that learners master much better with the help of technological innovation? Use facts and illustrations to support your explanation.}}
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Microsoft Might Take Midnight Launches Digital
A recent Microsoft executive's comments on Twitter hint at the future of the Xbox One's digital downloading service.
Phil Spencer has recently responded to a gamer's suggestion on Twitter that the Xbox One should be doing digital launches at midnight for new games while offering a video streaming service of the midnight launch events worldwide as the game itself is downloading. Spencer responded by saying that the gamer's comment is an ideal that Microsoft is aspiring to reach. Spencer is currently the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Game Studios.
For a system that was originally intended to be completely disc-less and primarily dependent on digital downloads, the Xbox One should be adhering to this concept. A future goal of digital new releases on consoles should stem from the PC archetype, where players can preemptively download the entire game before its release and the game fully unlocks at the stroke of midnight on the night of its release. This could help build more incentives for gamers who are on the wall about digitally download their console titles.
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mathHow high is a tree that casts a 33 foot shadow at the same time a 6 foot pole casts a 4 foot shadow?
November 17, 2014
Financewhat is the internal rate of return for an initial outlay of $10,500 resulting in a single cash inflow of $19,932 in 11 years?
November 9, 2014
statistics31% of a certain breed of rabbits are born with long hair. What is the probability that in a litter of 8 rabbits, exactly 5 will have long hair? (Give your answer correct to three decimal places.)
November 1, 2014
MathA bag contains 8 green marbles and 4 blue marbles. If two marbles are drawn in succession without replacing them in the bag, what is the probability of drawing a green marble on the second draw?
October 7, 2014
mathJ and P are partners. J does four times the work of P, and also takes four times the profits. If total profits for the month of June is $8,000, what is J's share?
January 20, 2014
MathLisa borrowed 8,000 on an 8% , 60 day note after 15 days she paid 2,000 on the note on day 45 she paid 1,000 on the note what is the total interest and ending balance due by the us rule of ordinary interest.
April 12, 2013
algebraA certain region is losing about 12 million acres of rain forest each year. A. Find a linear function f that calculates the change in acres of rain forest in millions in x years. B. Find f(8) and interpret the results
April 10, 2013
matha recipe call for 8/9 of a cup of granola. you only want to make 1/9 of the recipe. How much granola do you need?
April 3, 2013
English compI am trying to turn a poem into prose and I am totally lost. Can some help me if I send them the poem?
April 2, 2013
grammarWhere does apostraphe go on days in the sentence. Soldiers carried several days cold rations.
October 13, 2011
grammar Where does apostraphe go in Polands when the sentence is Polands Jews fled from the German soldiers.
October 13, 2011
Phl103a. Gruyere made the best cheese sandwiches. b. all philosophical arguments were inductive arguments. c. radical skepticism was the best approach to philosophy. d. at least one thing could be shown to be absolutely true.
September 28, 2011
statisticssuppose we selected a random sample of five woman from our school measure the height of each and calculated the sample mean if we wished to know whether the height of woman at our school is typical of height of women inourtown how should we compare our sample data to ...
July 27, 2011
Criminal JusticeWhat safeguards might be employed to reduce or eliminatee unethical activity within the walls of a correctional facility?
June 12, 2011
PsychologyAccording to Skinner and psychologists who study operant conditioning, which of the following provides the best consequence? 1. Pay your children $10 for n a report every 'A' that they will earn on a report card. 2. "I like the way you are sitting so quietly."
February 20, 2011
Education PsychologySteve ponders a math problem that asks for the number of handshakes if six people at a meeting shake hands just once with each other. The problem then asks for the number of handshakes if there are n people. Steve arrives at the correct answers after a couple of minutes ...
January 27, 2011
BusinessNo one can predict a natural disaster or world crisis, when a hurricane, flood, or a pandemic strikes a country, who is most likely to respond first? Which economicsystem is the best solution to handling a crisis of epic proportion?
October 30, 2010
english i wrote thins hoping that someone can help me with giving me some ideas on the topic this is what they want In a total of 200 words, write two paragraphs with about how interest rates affect our purchasing decisions. Identify the topic sentence in each by underlining it "...
September 23, 2010
englisji wrote thins hoping that someone can help me with giving me some ideas on the topic this is what they want In a total of 200 words, write two paragraphs with about how interest rates affect our purchasing decisions. Identify the topic sentence in each by underlining it "...
September 23, 2010
english In a total of 200 words, write two paragraphs with about how interest rates affect our purchasing decisions. Identify the topic sentence in each by underlining it i was wnating to know what else i can put with this to complete my assignment any ideas? if you have cash, in ...
September 23, 2010
mathDraw your best fit line then use two points that it goes through to calculate the line. Use the slope and the point-slope formula to get the equation.
May 18, 2010
Science-Bohr Model 2I just answered that in my long answer to your last question. The empty spaces are the "holes" that the last shell has that hasn't been filled with electrons yet. Oxygen has six electrons in its outer shell so it has two empty holes in its outer shell. Therefore...
April 13, 2010
MathematicFactor the equation into (x -1)(x + 3) <0 then break it up into two statements x -1<0 or x +3<0 then solve for x<1 or x<-3 then graph that on a number line which is all points less than 1 with an open circle on 1.
April 13, 2010
Science-Bohr Model 2The atom is trying to achieve stability with 8 electrons in its outer shell. Basically it would like to look like its closest Noble gas. Metals tend to lose electrons to go back to the Noble gas configuration before it making the protons outnumber the electrons giving them a ...
April 13, 2010
mathA family invested $4,000 and paying 6% compounded monthly, how much is in the account after 5 months.
April 3, 2010
mathNext step is -8n +24 < n + 6 Then subtract 24 from both sides to get -8n < n - 18 Then subtract n from both sides to get -9n < -18 then divide by -9 and make sure you flip the sign since you're dividing by a negative to get n>2
December 3, 2009
physicsIf an object is hung from a cable with a weight of 40 N, what is the tension in the two cables? I got T1=21.23N and T2=18.77 but I don't know if I am doing these problems correctly...
December 2, 2009
alegbrawhat is the product of the solutions to the equation x squared minus 15x minus 36 equal -72
June 29, 2009
MathA person begins work at 9:00am on the east cost and ends their shift at 1:00 am on the pacific coast. How many hours did they work?
June 9, 2009
Mathslope is rise (y-axis) over run (x-axis). y2-y1/x2-x1 Doesn't really matter which one that you set at the first data point and which is the second. Just be consistent. -6--2/-1-3 -4/-4 = slope of 1. I would have to graph it to see if it was right, but I think it is.
February 27, 2009
MathIf you change the x and y to real numbers such as -2 and 3 the x-y=-5 and y-x=3--2=5 then multiply by 2 to get 10. So, I would thin that the LCM might be -2. Try it out in a few more weird number situations and see if it works.
February 26, 2009
ScienceYes, I believe so. That's why the amu of an element is always a decimal (if it can be weighed before decomposition) Those isotope weights have to be factored in.
February 26, 2009
englishStart with an introduction. Did you learn a lot? Was it a worthwhile year?Tell about what subjects you learned. Now pick three things that will each be a large paragraph. First pick something you were good in and got better. Why do you like it? What specifically did you learn...
February 26, 2009
Microeconomics3. If Shawn can produce more donuts in one day than Sue can produce in one day, then a. Shawn has a comparative advantage in the production of donuts. b. Sue has a comparative advantage in the production of donuts. c. Shawn has an absolute advantage in the production of donuts...
February 13, 2009
Social StudiesThe thing is, i do have some ideas on the five benefits of co-operation-:development,improvement stable environment,stable political climate and ethnic harmony,but i just wanna be sure about the answers.
February 3, 2009
ethics 125write a 1,050- to 1,400-word research paper identifying the linguistic, political, social, economic, religious, and familiarl conventions and/or statuses of four hispanic groups living in the United States. Your paper should cover Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and two ...
September 13, 2008
AccountingRedmon Company uses a sales journal, a purchases journal, a cash receipts journal, a cash disbursements journal, and a general journal. The following transactions occur in the month of June. June 1 Purchased $8,100 of merchandise on credit from Vick, Inc., terms n30. 8 ...
September 9, 2008
englishSince American Idol premiered on television, many talented contestants have appeared on the show.
July 25, 2008
historyWhat are the fundamental differences between Western philosophies and Native North American ways of knowing?
March 12, 2008
Math(Solve the system)In the second equation, subtract the 2y to get x=-2y-3. Then plug you new value for x into the first equation: 9(-2y-3)- 5y = -30. Find the answer for y and then plug it into either equation to get the answer for x.
March 6, 2008
mathYes. Monomials have one term like 4xcubed. A binomial would be something like 4xcubed - 3ysquared.
March 6, 2008
mathIt depends on what shape the area is. The simplest way is to count the square units the shape encloses. If the shape includes diagonal lines, a triangle for example, you will need to use its area formula. For a triangle that would be 1/2 the number of base unit squares times ...
February 19, 2008
AlgebraOk, so you know that parallel lines have a special trick with their slopes. When you multiply the two slopes of the lines together, you should get -1. So what number could you multiply 3 by to get a -1? -1/3! So far, your line equation should be y=-1/3 x + b. How do you get b ...
February 19, 2008
ChemistryWell this was the original problem: The first excited state of Mg is reached by absorption of 457.1 nm light. Calculate the energy difference (kJ/mol) between the ground and excited states. The energy difference (E) came out to be 262kJ/mol. So now, I need to find out how many...
February 13, 2008
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Supervisor Adam Hill
WorkingFor Our Community
“Having served with Adam Hill for 8 years on regional boards, I have relied upon him to vote with me consistently in favor of preserving the environment, improving transportation and protecting human health against air pollution. For the well-being of the entire county, vote to re-elect Adam Hill Third District Supervisor.”-Jan Marx, San Luis Obispo Mayor
Adam Hill For San Luis Obispo County Supervisor
Stand UpFor Progress
“Adam has helped our local economy as much as anyone I’ve ever seen.”-Councilwoman Carlyn Christianson
Join The Team:
Improve
Doing MoreTo Represent Us
“As a local elected and 30 year resident of this county, I am sincerely grateful for your accessibility to all and your willingness to go to bat for issues that matter to the people of SLO County.”-Councilwoman Karen Bright
Protect
Stand UpFor Leadership
“When other county leaders told me that they would not provide safety for my family during the oil pipeline construction in front of our home, Adam Hill came to our rescue… I have been so impressed by his support of things that mean a lot to me – the health and safety of my family, preserving our county’s amazing natural beauty and natural resources, and treating all people living or working in SLO County with equality. This is the kind of person I want to be in office. This is the kind of person that I want making decisions about the direction of our county – decisions that can have a huge impact on our livelihood and wellbeing.”-Natalie B.
Participate
Doing MoreFor The Central Coast
“I support Adam Hill as he works hard for the businesses and constituents in his district. Adam Hill showed me what a small-business friendly leader is all about. My restaurant in Avila Beach is set to thrive, but without Adam’s help and understanding, we might very well be on a downward trend. Thank you Supervisor Hill!”-Tim Gill, Ocean Grill
Serving SLO County
Supervisor Hill is proud of his service for the people who live in San Luis Obispo County. His dedication to service keeps him motivated, passionate, and looking forward to continuing his service.
Know How
Too many people talk about what they think should be done. Supervisor Hill’s record proves that he does what he says. His experience working with people, businesses, and organization all throughout California is key to ensure measurable progress; not just talk.
Committed
Adam loves the Central Coast. It’s his home, and he fights for all the things we love about it every day. His personal connection to this area keeps him committed to improving our future.
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Professor Ramsey is the scientific founder of Caliper Technologies, a company that commercialized microfluidic biological assay technology developed in his laboratory. The company was started in 1994, capitalized with venture funding in 1995, and became publically traded in 1999. The companies name changed to Caliper Life Sciences in 2003 and was acquired by PerkinElmer in 2011. Prof. Ramsey more recently cofounded 908 Devices Inc., where he is a director and the scientific founder. 908 Devices is commercializing miniaturized mass spectrometry technology developed in his laboratories. Dr. Ramsey will discuss his experiences from these commercialization efforts.
Please join us after the seminar for a networking reception at the Great Room, Top of the Hill Restaurant and Bar. The event is free of charge, but we request that you register so that we can be prepared to accommodate everyone smoothly and efficiently. Here is the registration link: http://tinyurl.com/meyt4ek
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Liberal hypocrisy on Bloomberg's moneyed fight for gun control
President Obama heads to Colorado today in his push for gun control – a cause NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has spent millions to support. Liberals who usually oppose the influence of money in politics are now praising Bloomberg. Such hypocrisy undermines their cause.
Lynn and Chris McDonnell, parents of Newtown shooting victim Grace McDonnell, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, speak at a news conference at City Hall in New York, March 21. President Obama will be in Denver today to praise Colorado's new gun law and push for national gun control.
Brendan McDermid/Reuters
View photo
New York
Bloomberg is buying another term in office! It’s an outrage!
That’s what lots of my fellow liberals said when billionaire Michael Bloomberg spent $102 million of his own cash – about $174 per vote – to win re-election as New York mayor in 2009. And they were right. Unchecked money turns politics into a corrupt poker game, where the well-to-do get to stack the deck.
As President Obama heads to Colorado today to praise the state’s newly passed gun-control legislation and push for action in Congress, it’s worth taking a step back to look at the money in the fight. The National Rifle Association spent roughly $25 million – more than twice as much as Bloomberg did – in the 2012 elections. Liberals will argue they’re only trying to even the playing field – to fight fire with fire, using their own loaded benefactor to counter the muscle of the NRA.
But if we are truly opposed to the undue influence of money in politics, we should protest that influence in all cases – no matter who wins. If we only call for limits on campaign spending when our team is losing, then we don’t really believe in those limits at all.
There’s no question Bloomberg’s money has swayed election outcomes. In 2012, he spent more than $3.3 million to unseat Democratic gun-rights supporter Joe Baca in a California state Senate race – roughly three times three times what Mr. Baca spent himself.
Now, Bloomberg has poured about $12 million into his recently established political action committee, Independence USA, to back eight candidates around the country who have progressive platforms, including support for marriage equality, education reform, and especially gun control.
In Illinois, the PAC became a major player in the special election primary race for Jesse Jackson Jr.’s old congressional seat. Bloomberg’s PAC spent more than $2 million to help defeat Democrat Debbie Halvorson, condemning her “A” rating from the NRA.
Bloomberg reportedly paid for the entire ad campaign and also funded the “national day of action” on guns that the Mayors Against Illegal Guns group organized for last Thursday. The day drew lavish praise from Mr. Obama and others on the left.
But whereas liberals have blasted the mayor for purchasing his own re-election, they were largely silent about Bloomberg “buying votes” for gun control.
That’s patently inconsistent, and it’s also deeply cynical. Campaign-finance regulation came to America 100 years ago via people who called themselves “Progressives.” So it’s particularly outrageous to see self-described progressives seemingly turning a blind eye to it today, when it suits their purposes to do so.
For the first century of American history, most political campaigns were financed via the spoils system: The winning political party got to hire government employees, who were in turn “assessed” a fee by the party. Starting in the 1880s, however, Congress and the states instituted civil-service examinations and bans on party assessments.
So the parties looked to America’s burgeoning corporate sector for election funds. In 1896, Republican operative Mark Hanna raised at least $3.5 million – a then-unheard-of sum – in support of the victorious William McKinley, distributing more than 100 million campaign documents in 10 different languages. According to Theodore Roosevelt, Hanna “advertised McKinley as if he were a patent medicine.”
But in 1904, during his own successful run for the White House, Roosevelt was stung by revelations that his campaign manager – a partner in the J.P. Morgan investment bank – had secretly deposited almost $50,000 in an account of the Republican National Committee. To get in front of the scandal, Roosevelt called for a ban on corporate contributions in federal elections.
Three years later, Congress enacted such a ban. Shortly after that, it also passed laws requiring parties to disclose their campaign contributors and capping total expenditures on House and Senate contests. “The use of inordinate sums of money in campaigns is un-American and undemocratic,” declared one lawmaker, in support of the reforms. “It puts a premium on greed and avarice and magnifies these qualities into political ideals of the nation.”
A local judge echoed the same Progressive theme: Without strong regulations, rich people would dominate politics. "Our boasted freedom and equality have become mere mockery and delusion,” the judge wrote, if “the hopes and aspirations of every man for political preferment, whatever his learning, ability, and talents, must be measured and bounded by the size of his pocketbook.”
Alas, that’s precisely what happened. In the 1970s, Congress restricted how much an individual candidate could contribute to his or her own campaign. But the restrictions were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in its 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision, which deemed campaign contributions a form of speech – and hence protected by the First Amendment.
And three years ago, in the Citizens United case, the Court struck down limits on corporate spending as well. Although corporations are still barred from giving money directly to campaigns, they’re now free to shell out as much as they’d like to persuade the public to vote for – or against – a candidate.
Liberals like myself howled at these rulings, which allow a billionaire like Michael Bloomberg – or any big corporation – to exert an absurdly disproportionate influence on electoral outcomes. To borrow our favorite metaphor, the rich get a megaphone. And it drowns out the rest of Americans, no matter how loudly we shout.
So where are the liberal voices, rising up in indignity to protest Bloomberg’s most recent political spending spree? I don’t hear them. Instead he’s our hero, because he’s bankrolling endeavors that we embrace.
Our Progressive forbears knew that politics should depend on who can make the best arguments, not on who has the biggest wallet. Gun control was an urgent and worthy cause well before Michael Bloomberg started underwriting it. By keeping quiet about his undue influence on the process, we erode our own credibility. And that might ultimately harm the campaign for gun control, all in the guise of propping it up.
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blog posts
Does the Market Always Work for Public Services? Advocating a Balanced Approach
There is much discussion of government administration versus privatization in recent years ranging from the discourses of academic economists to that of TV News commentators. For some, the issue may seem settled with the incantation of “let the market work.” Although receiving less media attention, business school research has much to offer and with nuanced real-world institutional detail to inform the conversation. As an example, consider the case of prison privatization, which poses particular ethical, legal, and empirical challenges. While some research suggests that competitive pressures will lead to efficiency in the operation of private prisons such as Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and the GEO Group, Inc., other research maintains that competition for prison beds occurs in a constrained market that parallels the contracting problems that have been identified in the defense industry.
In this light, some suggest that the United States is now witnessing the emergence of a “prison corporate complex” that parallels the warnings of Dwight Eisenhower’s famous 1961 speech on the “military industrial complex.” Analogous to Eisenhower’s warning of the military industrial complex in which defense contractors pushed for increased military spending, we now are witnessing a prison corporate complex in which a set of bureaucratic, political and vested economic interests encourage increased expenditures on imprisonment. Private prisons such as Geo and CCA use lobbying, direct campaign contributions, and networking to encourage tough-on-crime legislation to ensure an increased supply of prisoners (particularly for non-violent drug offenders). Inmate populations have increased tenfold, from under 200,000 in 1971 to over 2.3 million in 2008. It would be naïve to think that a continuation of current trends will not touch the lives of any of our own (or friends’) children in our communities in the near future.
How are markets working here? Empirical results concerning the efficiency of private prisons are mixed, with some research studies finding cost savings while others provide evidence against the claim that private prisons reduce costs. In this context, basic questions about productivity, quality, and operational efficiencies in management are entangled with issues of better governance. In the case of prison privatization, private subcontractors also must deploy resources in response to complex conflicting signals about the purposes of their activities in an ambiguous field where goals are negotiated and malleable.
Research on the private management of prisons from the fields of strategic entrepreneurship and management illustrates how a focus on resources and capabilities can shed light on the goals that organizations pursue in the public interest. Refer to file at the end of this article for a forthcoming paper I co-authored with Peter Klein, Anita McGahan, and Christos Pitelis on this issue. Such clarity is essential for reducing public exposure to the destruction of value through excessive service provision (i.e., “public bads”). One emerging area of such research deals with the quality of public outputs. For example, some research studies find that the quality of prisons (as measured by recividism rates) may initially be improved under private governance. However, there are sound economic reasons to anticipate that there will be pressures on private-prison managers for quality shading to reduce costs, which would destroy public value. Long-term investments by privately governed prisons to perform on dimensions such as education, drug reformation, and health care services may be greatly curtailed by expressing balanced public objectives in contracts that cede responsibility to private organizations. When such complex objectives cannot be managed, then privatization may simply be too risky to tolerate. A recent analysis summarizing the findings of extant empirical research comparing privately managed and publicly managed prisons indicates that cost savings for private prisons are minimal and that the quality of these prisons (such as greater skill training and fewer inmate grievances) were slightly better in publicly managed prisons.
When capabilities that are essential to the public interest are controlled by private individuals, agents, or organizations, the essence of the public interest may not be pursued as a consummate goal. By following the rules in a perfunctory way, rather than with intensity and in the spirit of the rules, actors may leverage capabilities to direct organizationsinefficiently, and in ways that may or may not foster the public interest. Activism may be required for alignment of public and private goals.
Taking a public service and placing it more in the “domain of dollars” can have unintended consequences that should give us pause. Consider the recent "kids for cash" scandal, which unfolded in 2008 over judicial kickbacks at the court of common pleas in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Two judges accepted over $2.6 million in payments from Mid-Atlantic Youth Services Corp, operator of two private, for-profit juvenile facilities, in return for contracting with the facilities and imposing harsher sentences on approximately 2,000 juveniles brought before their courts to ensure that the detention centers were more fully utilized. Economic analyses concerning private vs. public prisons rarely consider the different opportunities of participants playing outside the rules of the game and their different consequences. Here, informed strategic analyses within our business and public policy schools are needed.
I do not know much for certain, but what I do know is that glib comments like “let the market work” are not good enough. What to do? Dialogue among thoughtful business school researchers and those with practical management experience is needed. First, formulating problems well is exceedingly difficult, and second, solving problems can be as difficult. Reflective practitioners and academic researchers could achieve much together --- and yet we are structurally isolated with few incentives/opportunities for dialogue. Neither group in isolation will likely be sufficient to make substantial headway for such complex societal problems. Maybe this blog can be the start of something great in action. Many thanks, in advance, for any constructive comments you may provide.
__________________________
Joseph Mahoney
Caterpillar Chair of Business
Universtiy of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Hinduism
Year 11 SOR2
Hinduism
Year 11 SOR2
What you need to know:
This unit covers five main areas:
Origins
Principal Beliefs
Sacred texts and writings
Core Ethical Teachings
Personal Devotion in the home
Each section has sample questions that you need to be able to answer. These are examples of 3-10 mark responses that could appear in an assessment task. Please complete them as you work through the unit.
You can access the Studies of Religion Syllabus here (page 22), and the syllabus dot points here
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The discovery of Cas9, a large protein that involves in all processes the type II system of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat, an adaptive immune system from bacteria and archaea, is a paradigm shifting molecular tool in the world of cell biology research due to its potential for various biotechnology applications. As an RNA-guided DNA targeting endonuclease, Cas9 can essentially cleave any DNA sequence of interest based on Watson-Crick base pairs using the guide region of a single guide RNA (sgRNA), which is comprised of the processed sequence of CRISPR RNA (crRNA) that carries the spacer sequence that requires searching for the targeting DNA, covalently linked to a trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA) that provides a scaffold for Cas9 protein to bind to the crRNA. While Cas9 has tremendous application in any DNA-associated problems, which includes eradicating genetic diseases or gene mutations, Cas9 has an inherent off-target DNA cleavage – that is cleaving a potential DNA target that may have a similar but incorrect sequence compared to the on-target DNA sequence – due to one or multiple mismatches between the gRNA and the targeting DNA. As a result, it poses a concern regarding its use in gene therapy in human or other animal systems. We chose to address this DNA target specificity and efficiency issue by establishing and studying through a novel Cas9 system from a subtype different than the established systems – a type II-C Cas9 from thermophile Acidothermus Cellulolyticus 11B (AceCas9). Further information of the classification of Cas9, molecular processes that involved Cas9, the significance of Cas9 and this research project are addressed in Chapter 1. Without any previous studies on AceCas9, we established the in vitro biochemical functions of AceCas9 through combinatorial methods to determine 1) the sgRNA sequence that yields a Cas9 RNP, 2) a functional PAM sequence that permits AceCas9 to cleave dsDNA through an in vitro DNA library assay, 3) determine the target specificity of PAM and target DNA in vitro through mutational analysis on oligo DNA substrates, and 4) environmental conditions that influence target efficiency of AceCas9 in chapter 2. The results showed that AceCas9 recognized a novel, cytosine-specific PAM sequence (5’–NNNCC–3’) and proves to be functional in vitro. AceCas9 depends on limited divalent cations for DNA cleavage, yet it proves to be functional at a wider range of temperature, from 37 °C to 60 °C. To further establish DNA cleavage specificity and efficiency, we performed cleavage assays as well as a series of single-turnover kinetics assays to determine how specific and efficient AceCas9 cleaves plasmid DNA substrates with various mutation and/or DNA topologies under in vitro condition in chapter 3. Results showed that substrates with higher helicity permit AceCas9 to cleave those substrates quicker, yet decrease AceCas9 target specificity. Finally, with the hypothesis that the sgRNA may influence target efficiency and specificity, we performed both in vitro and a bacterial-based in vivo assays to determine how elongation on the guide length may influence DNA interference by AceCas9. We demonstrated that an elongated guide length from 20-nt to 24-nt significantly improves AceCas9 DNA targeting efficiency both in vitro and in vivo, but it does not contribute significantly in target specificity. Intriguingly, AceCas9 can only be functional in vivo with either a 24-nt or 26-nt guide in sgRNA, suggesting that AceCas9 is selective to the length of its spacer, contrary to its counterparts.
Identifier:
FSU_SUMMER2017_Tsui_fsu_0071E_13952 (IID)
Submitted Note:
A Dissertation submitted to the Institute of Molecular Biophysics in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Philosophy.
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United States Supreme Court
Violation of restraining order of Federal Court by United Mine Workers of America and John L. Lewis. Opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States together with the concurring and dissenting opinions..
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We're a DOT COM now!
I am proud to announce we are now www.mommatoldmeblog.com! This will not affect any existing subscriptions or links, so don't worry! I have to thank Shelley at Still Blonde After All These Years for helping me set this up! In addition, you can now find us on Facebook under MommaToldMeBlog! Thanks for all of the support from my loyal readers, fellow bloggers, and new readers. I have many exciting things planned for the upcoming holiday season including a Winter Wonderland Blog Carnival with Confessions of An Overworked Mom after Blogmania! Any help reaching our 500 follower goal is much appreciated, let me know what I can do for you! Thanks again!
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Popular Now
Margaret Farrelly began selling free range eggs in the early 1980s to supplement income from her husband Leo’s small farm on the Cavan-Meath border. Clonarn Clover started with 150 free range hens. Today the business has a free range flock of 160,000 hens and produces and packs 48 million eggs a year. She recently launched a new brand, O’Egg, which includes traditional free range eggs plus pasteurised liquid egg products for cooking and baking. The business employs 32 people.
What’s your business’s elevator pitch?
We are the biggest dedicated free range egg producer and packer in the country.
What do you regard as your business’s greatest achievement?
“O’Egg allowed us to grow a new market and find a use for perfectly good eggs that were just too small for the regular market.”
It also positioned us as a highly innovative business in a very traditional market.
What was the lowest moment?
Everybody remembers Edwina Currie’s sweeping statements about eggs back in the 1980s but in fact we benefited from that, as we have from all other food scares, because, in the consumers’ eyes, less intensive farming is more healthy. Our real lowest moments have tended to be around customers whose credit is running high, leaving us worried about whether we’d get paid.
How have you coped with setbacks?
When it comes to that kind of issue it’s all about good credit management. But whatever setbacks come your way, when you’re in a family business, with fewer people involved in decision making, you can act fast to ensure a situation doesn’t get out of control. I don’t know how large corporations do it, but when you’re in a family business and you’re meeting around the kitchen table at breakfast, dinner and supper, it’s very hard to miss red flags as they are being raised.
What’s your attitude to risk?
You can’t be an innovative business and be risk averse. I also have the gift of not being a worrier. I used to be the world’s biggest worrier but, in 2003, I went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and somehow I managed to leave all my worries there.
“I never worry anymore, and I don’t waste time second-guessing myself.”
Who has inspired or motivated you and why?
In life, it is my late mother. Everything she got involved in she did well. Her philosophy was that if you’re going to do something, don’t half do it. In business, I attended a course in the early noughties in St Angela’s, the food college in Sligo, and one of the speakers was Bernard Coyle of food company Mr Crumb. He was a revelation to me because here was this very successful entrepreneur who made products from bread crumbs. He was this ordinary person who was so down to earth that I could relate to him. He was the perfect role model for me. He also said things that day that have stuck with me ever since, such as not to be putting yourself down, there’re plenty of other people who’ll do that for you. And he told us to enter every competition you can, not because you could win all of them, but because they’d give you exposure.
What do you do, if anything, to switch off from the business?
Well ever since that first one I’ve been going on a pilgrimage twice a year. It’s how I recharge my batteries spiritually and physically. I’m also just back from a five-week stay with my daughter in Australia, which was fantastic. A few years ago we couldn’t have even imagined being away from the business for so long, so getting that time was an achievement in itself.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
Without a doubt, I’d put more value on our time. When we were doing our initial costings we never left any value on our work because we reckoned ‘sure, we are farming anyway’. We were also worried we’d be uncompetitive. Looking back I can see how important it is to put a value on your time and that we could have got more out of the business earlier, and still been competitive. Then again, I never felt like I was a ‘busy fool’ because I loved it from day one.
What lessons have you learned in business that others could apply?
If you’re going to do something, do it right, right from the start. Even if what you are doing isn’t producing massive fruits in the early years, if you start off on the right footing in terms of quality, you will keep that up as you grow. The other value of it is that, if you are doing things right, it gives you the confidence to tell people what you are doing, which isn’t always easy if you’re a shy person, as I was starting out. Producing quality and holding high standards, both about product and ethics, gives you confidence.
Finally, if there were one piece of business advice you’d like to give to another business owner, what would that be?
Be yourself. Let the rest of the world do what it does. Don’t be constantly comparing your business to that of others in your industry. Do what you do and do it well. And don’t rely on advisors to run your business for you. If you’re in business for nearly three decades, as we are, it’s okay to think you must be doing something right.
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Trump: 'The Tax is Going Really Well'
President Donald Trump emerged from a meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill on Thursday and told reporters, "the tax is going very well." (Published Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017)
The crush of unfinished business facing lawmakers when they return to the Capitol would be daunting even if Washington were functioning at peak efficiency.
It's an agenda whose core items — tax cuts, a potential government shutdown, lots of leftover spending bills — could unravel just as easily as advance in factionalism, gamesmanship and a toxic political environment.
There's only a four-week window until a Christmas deadline, barely enough time for complicated negotiations even if December stays on the rails. And that's hardly a sure bet in President Donald Trump's capital.
Trump and congressional leaders plan a meeting Tuesday to discuss how to sidestep a shutdown and work though the legislative to-do list.
Trump Making Another Appeal for Tax Reform
President Donald Trump heads to Capitol Hill Thursday to make a personal appeal for tax reform hours before a critical vote.
(Published Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017)
For the optimistic, it's plain that Democrats and Republicans have reasons to cooperate, particularly on spending increases for the Pentagon and domestic agencies whose budgets otherwise would be frozen. An additional round of hurricane aid should be bipartisan, and efforts to reauthorize a popular health care program for children seem to be on track.
Republicans are advancing their cherished tax cut measure under special rules that mean Senate Democrats cannot use delaying tactics. The measure passed the House just before the Thanksgiving break and moves to the Senate floor this coming week.
After the Senate GOP's failure on health care this summer, the majority party is under enormous pressure to produce a victory on taxes. Still, GOP deficit hawks such as Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee and Jeff Flake of Arizona remain uneasy about the overhaul.
While Democrats are largely sidelined on taxes, they hold leverage over a mix of budget-related issues.
First, there's the need to avert a government shutdown after a temporary spending bill expires on Dec. 8. The most likely scenario, congressional aides say, is for an additional extension until Christmas. On a parallel track are talks to raise spending limits that are keeping agency budgets essentially frozen unless those caps are raised. If that happens, then negotiations could begin in earnest on a massive catchall spending measure in hopes of having it signed into law by year's end.
Taxes have gotten all the attention so far, but the showdown over a potential shutdown right before Christmas could soon take center stage. Democrats are counting on GOP fears of a holiday season closure to ensure Republican concessions during December talks.
Senators Hatch, Brown Trade Barbs in Tax Debate
Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch and Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown exchanged heated words in a Senate Finance committee hearing debating the tax bill overhaul. The Senate version of tax bill was approved and sent to the full Senate after four days of often fierce partisan debate.
(Published Friday, Nov. 17, 2017)
Both sides would have to make concessions that may upset partisans in either party. Just as House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., fears a revolt on the right, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California risks an uprising on her left. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., round out the quartet of top negotiators.
"Everybody's got complicated politics. The chance of short-term failure is pretty high — short-term failure being a shutdown," said Steve Elmendorf, a Democratic lobbyist. "But the four of them, assuming they don't want to shut the government down for a long time, are going to have to come to an accommodation."
Talks on the spending caps are stuck, however, aides say. A GOP offer to lift the Pentagon budget by more than $54 billion next year and nondefense limits by $37 billion was rejected by Democrats demanding balance between the two sides of the ledger.
Long-delayed battles over immigration and Trump's promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border are huge obstacles. Many Democrats whose votes are needed on the spending bills insist they won't vote for any legislation that includes the wall. Trump remains dead set on his $1.6 billion request for a down payment on the project.
Those same Democrats also insist that Congress must act by year's end to protect immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children and whose protected status is set to lapse next year. Trump backs the idea despite issuing an executive order reversing the Obama administration protections, starting next spring. Conservatives oppose drawing in the immigration issue to legislation to keep the government running.
Hurricane relief is adding one more wrinkle.
Parkland Shooting Survivor Calls 'BS' on Politicians' Gun Stance
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High senior Emma Gonzalez had a message for president Donald Trump and for other politicians on their failure to enact sensible gun laws: "BS." Gonzalez was one of several survivors to speak at a rally held outside the Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to speak out against the gun lobby.
(Published Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018)
Congress has approved more than $50 billion in aid in response to a series of devastating hurricanes. The most recent request by the White House is the largest yet at $44 billion, but it's not nearly enough to satisfy the powerful Texas delegation, which is pressing behind the scenes for more.
"Completely inadequate," said Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas. "We must do far more to rebuild, repair and allow Texans to return to normal as quickly as possible."
Trump is a wild card. He warmed to the idea of cutting deals with Democrats after a September pact with Schumer and Pelosi to lift the government's debt ceiling.
He promised Democratic leaders that he would sign legislation to give the young immigrants legal status — provided border security is addressed as well.
But that demand on border security came with a long list of conditions subsequently added by the White House. Among them: building his Mexico border wall, overhauling the green card system and strengthening measures against people who stay after their visas expire.
Trump has not really engaged on the year-end agenda, however, and his impulsiveness could be a liability. He almost disowned an omnibus spending bill in May after media accounts portrayed the measure as a win for Democrats.
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Tower of Power celebrated its 45th year in the music industry last year.
Neal Schon is ready to make some changes – all in a good way.
“We’re going back to our roots,” he says during a recent interview. “The songs that we play on tour are going to sound a lot like the original records.”
Schon is the guitarist for Journey, which is on tour this summer with the Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power. Schon says while the bill is a bit unconventional, it’s one that made sense.
Journey is on tour with the Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power.
“We’ve already toured with so many other bands,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to tour with Steven (Miller) and he finally said yes. It’s something different for us. We’re out there every summer touring and doing our thing. It’s nice to keep it fresh.”
Schon says the tour also will act as a reunion of sorts because many of the longtime members of each band have played together at some point.
“I played with some of the guys when I was in Santana,” he says. “It’ll be nice to get out there with them.”
Schon says he doesn’t know what will come of the tour and what collaborations will take place on stage.
“Maybe Steve (Miller) will come on to play with us,” he says. “Maybe the guys in Tower will come out. It all depends if they want to stay out that late with us.”
Schon says that each band has a huge catalog of music and that will make for a great concert.
“Steve has more hits than a lot of us realize,” he says. “It’s going to be a night of remembering where you were when you first heard the songs.”
Before the tour started on May 15, Schon and lead singer Arnel Pineda were in the studio working on “Synchronicity” by the Police for charity.
“It was an opportunity to involve ourselves with this charity event,” he says. “They are talking about a concert and album later this year. We will see how it all shakes out.”
Journey began as a band in 1973 in San Francisco. It has carved out a place for itself with massive singles over the course of its career. With songs like “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Open Arms,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Faithfully” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the band found success in the late ’70s and ’80s.
Schon says shows and movies using the band’s songs in soundtracks have helped Journey find a new audience. One of the most successful covers of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” was when the cast of “Glee” covered it.
The Steve Miller Band is celebrating its 40th anniversary of the single “The Joker.”
“That song helped introduce us to a new audience,” he says. “I look out at the crowd at our shows and I can see four different generations. It’s really great to keep our music going and we’re able to give it to new generations.”
Steve Miller says it will be a great reunion for the bands because they all got their start in San Francisco in the 1970s.
Miller had a string of hits that include “The Joker” as well as 1977 and 1978 albums “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Book of Dreams.”
“I can’t think of a better way for ‘The Joker’ to celebrate his 40th and the Steve Miller Band to enjoy next summer than playing all our hits for all of our fans as we tour the entire (country) with our brother San Francisco bands, Journey and the Tower Of Power,” Miller says. “This is going to be a not-to-be-missed trifecta of the best of soul, greatest hits and arena rock by three of the greatest bands to come out of San Francisco, clearly a once-in-a-lifetime event. We can’t wait to get started!”
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Rugby League-Sonny Bill does u-turn, puts hand up for World Cup
WELLINGTON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Sonny Bill Williams has put his hand up for rugby league World Cup selection for defending champions New Zealand after having initially ruled himself out to take a holiday.
Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney did not include Williams in the squad he named on Tuesday because the dual international had "other commitments", but the 28-year-old, who helped the Sydney Roosters win Australia's National Rugby League title on Sunday, said he had had a change of heart.
"After a few tough seasons topped with an amazing one with the boys at the Roosters, I was then faced with the opportunity to have a long break and go on holiday with my family," Williams said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.
"Without thinking the whole situation through thoroughly, I eagerly jumped at the chance to chill out and rest.
"After having some time to really think about how much representing my country means to me, I decided to then put my name forward for selection.
"Now I know the squads (sic) already picked and I understand if I can't be apart (sic) of it, but I'm here and ready to help the brothers if they want me."
Williams' availability would be a boost for the Kiwis' title defence and Kearney said the team were "exploring options" for his inclusion in the tournament starting Oct. 26 in Britain and France.
"Our thinking had always been that if Sonny was available, he would be part of the team," he said in a statement on New Zealand Rugby League's website (www.nzrl.co.uk).
"This would require ratification by the World Cup organisers."
Williams, who won a World Cup with the All Blacks in 2011, has been tight-lipped about his future plans, but is widely tipped to quit the NRL to revive his rugby union career in New Zealand with Super Rugby's title-holding Chiefs.
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Russian Navy Runs Test Flights in Energy-Rich Area Near North Pole
Russia's navy conducted test flights near the North Pole on Thursday, boosting its military presence in an area believed to contain vast quantities of oil and natural gas.
Cpl. Vladimir Serga, a naval spokesman, said that Il-38 anti-submarine bombers and Tu-142 long-range strategic bombers of the Northern Fleet took part in the exercise, in which the planes' crews tested radio and weapons systems management equipment.
Serga described the exercise as successful.
The flights come two days after a Russian missile cruiser began patrols in the Arctic.
The Marshal Ustinov, a nuclear-capable missile cruiser, was deployed Tuesday in the Arctic area "to provide for the safety of Russia's shipping industry," the navy said in a statement.
Russia has been increasingly assertive in the Arctic region as global warming makes the area's oil and natural gas resources more accessible. Last year Moscow sent an expedition to plant a Russian flag on the seabed under the North Pole.
On Wednesday the U.S. Geological Survey announced that the area north of the Arctic Circle might contain some 90 billion barrels of oil and a third of the world's undiscovered natural gas.
The survey required four years and is the most complete of the Arctic area ever undertaken.
In May five countries with competing claims to the Arctic — Russia, Denmark, Canada, Norway and the United States — agreed that control of the region where the polar melt is expected will be decided in an orderly way.
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No Color.
I just bought this device and when I connect the component cables into the T.V the video is only in black and white. I have tried using different component cables and a different T.V with the same result. I tried connecting the game consoles component cable to the T.V and the color worked. Is this an issue with the game capture device?
I just bought this device and when I connect the component cables into the T.V the video is only in black and white. I have tried using different component cables and a different T.V with the same result. I tried connecting the game consoles component cable to the T.V and the color worked. Is this an issue with the game capture device?
i have exact same problem no colour i have tried changing the tv thing on the software also i have a video of it in black and white but i have just bought a new hd component cable because my current one does not reach 1080i only pal settings ??? what shall i do i have also reset my computer and ps3 is it the device or ... ???
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Available in lots of three and six and with 40mm Sapeli wood seating, the Margelle bench transforms the Brasero No 2 into the ideal communal firepit.
Add drama to any outdoor environment with the Brasero No 2.
Les Choses
Margelle bench
Designed to accompany the monumental Brasero No 2, Margelle is a removable bench that allows you to truly appreciate the heat of an intimate fire, while enabling you to arrange them at a distance to enjoy more intense fires. Made of folded corten steel with a massive seat composed of sapelli, Margelle is available in lots of 3 or 6.
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Legions of corpses await your sinister commands. This deck of all-foils includes entombs, exhumes, and reanimates some of the most powerful Magic creatures from all five colors of mana. Harvest your graveyard for an assortment of these face-beaters as you walk over a field of bones to claim your victory.
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Mission Discovery
The space dust has now settled on Ayrshire’s first ever Mission Discovery programme and what an event it was.
200 Ayrshire secondary school pupils and college students came together for the week-long space school, where they worked in teams to create space experiments.
Under the guidance of the International Space School Educational Trust (ISSET) team that included former NASA astronaut Michael Foale CBE, they challenged themselves to think creatively and work as part of a cohesive team!
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Unwanted Guests of the Little Variety
by admin on July 26, 2010
My fiance is 30 and owns his house, and I live with him. Many of his friends often drop by, or spend time over here playing video games/sitting on our deck/enjoying our hot tub. Sometimes they bring friends, and this has been fine for the most part. Recently, one good friend invited his girlfriend and a couple of his friends over as well. Both ladies in attendance happen to be mothers, although the children were not with them. We were having a pleasant conversation, when right in front of me, both ladies started talking about how large our yard is, and how they will have to bring all their kids up to run around in it next Sunday. What could be the problem, you ask? My fiance and I DO NOT like young children, and our house is not child-friendly (frequently a gun that is being cleaned is left out, there are fireworks leftover from the 4th, or sharp objects laying around from my fiance’s craft projects, etc). The kids are all under the age of 6. I told the group that while I thoroughly enjoy their company, perhaps they could have their children over to someone else’s home. One lady said, “Oh, but mine are so well behaved.”
I replied, “I’m sure they are, but that isn’t relevant. This isn’t really a safe place for kids.”
“I’ll keep an eye on them. I know they’d love all this room you have.”
“I’m sure you keep an excellent eye on them, but this house is kind of a child-free zone.” I am keeping my voice gentle and neutral, as I know how people can be about their kids.
“But you’ll just love them – they are so sweet!”
Finding that my protests were falling on deaf ears, I went inside to get my fiance. He came out and said that in no uncertain terms were any children to be at his house. They couldn’t believe it, and one lady said, “Well you’re an @$$hole.” I guess it doesn’t matter what his personal feelings are in HIS OWN HOUSE, we are jerks because we do not like kids. Please understand that I have many girl friends with children, and I have never told them not to bring the kids to a lunch outing, or to keep them out of my sight while I visit their homes. We just don’t want any children in our home, and don’t like when people think their little angels are welcome anywhere, regardless of what the homeowners think. 0714-10
The comments from readers on this topic could easily degenerate into a child-free/pro-child debate so be forewarned that I will edit or delete comments that head in that direction. The primary issue of this post pertains to the rights of the homeowner to establish their own house rules and the obligations of a host/hostess in how far they are to go in extending hospitality.
That said, I believe a home owner (or renter) has the right to establish the parameters which reflect the atmosphere they wish for their own home. Before anyone cheers in agreement, that “rule” is applicable for everyone which means your parents have the right to put your boyfriend in one bedroom and you in another when you come visiting overnight. It means your dearest friend from grade school has no obligation to make her four children disappear as if they never existed when you visit. And child-free adults have no obligation to extend hospitality to people who will bring their children uninvited.
The OP in this story has a little dilemma. The precedent has already been set that their friends can invite and bring secondary guests, apparently without even asking. From an etiquette standpoint, that’s pretty ballsy for a guest to presume upon a host’s hospitality and invite more guests the hosts may not be aware of. But the pattern has already been set by this couple’s friends and having breached that etiquette bulwark, the secondary guests feel no shame in inviting tertiary guests.
It is an honorable host and hostess that graciously extends hospitality to the unexpected secondary guests of friends. The reciprocal flip side is that good friends will not presume upon that graciousness excessively by assuming the host’s home and food are limitless commodities to be shared with everyone they know. They do make assumptions out of a laziness to not extend their own hospitality. Why should they when the OP and her boyfriend are so accommodating? When guests get to the point of repeatedly inviting their own secondary and tertiary guests, it’s time to encourage them to host their own functions in their own domiciles.
In the conversation with the mothers intent on bringing their children, I would have probably something said along the lines of, “Our hospitality is focused on entertaining our adult friends. Children would find this a very dull place/party.” If they persist… “I look forward to attending one of your parties at your home and meeting your children there.” And if they are obtuse and crass enough to ignore these obvious signals that their children are not invited or would be welcome, you stop them at the door with, “I’m so sorry. We are unprepared to accommodate child-aged guests today.”
@Laura: You handled this much more calmly than I would. But I’m a smart-aleck who has a lifetime parking spot in e-Hell. In your reply to Maryann (#43) you stated that your fiance is emphatic about no kids in the house, but in your post #17, a woman dropped by unexpectedly with her 5-year old. Did you actually let them in? If so, why – knowing how your fiance feels about children? I’m not slamming you at all, I wonder if you’ve thought about why you feel obligated to be “nice” to entitled and rude “guests?”
By the way, I totally commend you for the way you treated the 5-year-old. It wasn’t her fault her mother has the brains god gave a rock.
Look right at the outset I’d like to say that I think the OP was well within her rights and the guests were rude. However I also don’t like the dismissive arguments to Lizajane’s point. There are many adults with difficulty thinking of consequences who require extra supervision, from brain damaged individuals through to substance abusers. And the point she was responding to was the ‘it is within your right to refuse entry to anyone who comes to your home’. I believe she was just pointing out that many of us would be less sympathetic with this view if it were a different minority group she was excluding.
In other words, in this specific case there is no problem whatsoever, but beware making generalised statements…they almost always lead to trouble and misrepresentation of your own views.
I was taught that when invited to someone’s home, as a guest you have certain obligations:
1. Arrive on time.
2. Thank the host/hostess for their hospitality upon arrival; a small host/hostess gift is a nice touch.
3. Treat their home with respect: do not touch things without asking permission, do not go into parts of the home that are not “public” unless invited (i.e., stay out of bedrooms, studies, home offices and other “private spaces). This includes private spaces within public areas: i.e., don’t snoop in medicine cabinets or drawers, do not open closed closets or storage areas unless specifically asked to get something, don’t start pulling books off the bookshelves or picking up knick-knacks out of cabinets without first asking permission.
4. Do not complain about the facilities or criticize anything about the home.
5. Find something to compliment the host/hostess about their home.
6. Enjoy the hospitality offered.
7. Offer to assist the host; if host declines, gracefully respect their wishes.
8. Thank host/hostess when preparing to leave.
9. Leave on time, sober, and without taking anything (left0vers, unfinished bottles of beverage, other property).
10. Follow up with thanks for the hospitality the next day.
11. Never bad-mouth the hospitality received to third parties: don’t complain about the host’s home, the refreshments provided, the entertainment or the other guests. If you don’t like what you got in the way of hospitality, then just decline further invites politely.
12. Never, ever, ever, ever bring over anyone/anything you weren’t invited to bring. This includes other people, pets, relatives, dependents. It also includes videos or albums of your most recent vacation or adventure, movies on DVD that you are not asked to bring, or anything of that sort.
13. Remember that you are a GUEST. Your only rights are those extended to you by your host. Respect that and remember that it’s their home, and that doesn’t change no matter how many times you go over there. It is their home and you are a guest.
Childfree,
my SIL did the same thing at the rehearsal dinner plus the wedding. My fiace knew how livid I would be at the dinner (my SIL walked into the babysitter’s house with my 3 year old niece and then walked OUT with her and got into the car to drive to the restaurant!), so he rearraged the seating and sat next to her all night, distracting her and trying to keep her quiet. I missed sitting next to my husband to be all night and enjoying the occasion with him. I esentially hosted the dinner by myself.
I was in tears afterward. I couldn’t be mad-he was trying to fix what he thought was the problem; my anger. The real problem was the dinner became about keeping a 3 year old quiet, not about celebrating a liminal event in our lives.
Um, I have kids, but I know that there are places that are unsuitable for children……NEVER ever would I bring my “well-behaved spawn” over to invade someone’s house…..that’s asking for trouble. What do you do if your child breaks something…EEKK…..bad…..uncomfortable…….maybe an uncomfortable trip to a courtroom…..no thanks.
@simone – the difference is, children are not a minority group. They all eventually turn into teens and then adults. I don’t like having people with the flu or a contagious stomach bug in my house, does that mean I’m discriminatory? Perhaps, but eventually they’ll not be sick, and they’ll be quite welcome.
As it happens, I love children, so they are always welcome in my home, but, in addition to needing to be equipped to ensure their safety, many people own items that children would be curious about and could ruin/destroy. I think people are well within their rights to refuse people in their homes that could ruin their property (children or not), and certainly they are always in the right when refusing to entertain those who were not invited.
I wouldn’t be suprised if at some point in their lives the OP and her fiance have a cherished niece/nephew who they welcome into their home – but that wouldn’t mean they would suddenly have to welcome all children into their home, and they certainly don’t have to allow others to treat their yard as a park.
shiksagoddess,
First, cool name.
Second, my fiance and I are both emphatic about our child-free zone. As to how the one woman with her kid got in the door, I was coming home from work at the time, and didn’t know there was a child in the house until I was greeted by an irritated fiance who informed me that “something that squeals is watching the Little Mermaid in my man-cave.” So I had nothing to do with that – HE is the one who didn’t want to upset his friend who brought the girlfriend & her kid over. I have repeatedly reminded the fiance that “no” is a complete sentence. He did, however, take his friend aside and explain exactly why that won’t happen again. But I guess the friend failed to tell that to his girlfriend. ugh
Also, last night I informed the fiance that our issue was posted to EtiquetteHell.com. He wanted to know what you all said. I told him that essentially, 40+ people agree that children aren’t automatically welcome everywhere, and he can sleep better tonight knowing that.
Well, Op, you lost me with this comment. At the point your fiance lacked the spinal and testicular fortitude to politely decline the uninvited child’s admittance to his domicile, he became obligated to be a gracious, courteous host. Being irritated (and taking it out on you) and referring to his guest as “something that squeals” does not qualify as attributes of a gracious host. He was the facilitator of this dilemma and he needed to suck it up and accept his responsibilities that he obligated himself to execute.
Admin,
Understood, and I hope you don’t think that I was okay with this outcome. However, I had come home from work and everyone was already in the house – I felt it would have been in bad taste to kick someone out for a slight they didn’t realize they’d committed. I have discussed this with him, and he feels that if someone shows up, “it is not nice” to inform them that their child is not welcome, knowing how people feel about their kids. He thinks he’d lose that friend. What do you (or anyone else) feel I should have done? What if the people who brought their children drove 45min- 1hr to arrive unexpectedly (this happens more often than you’d think) – does that change your answer? I am very afraid to come across as The B!tch.
I’m fond of the “testicular fortitude” phrase; my younger brother uses that on a regular basis.
While I understand that you were not condoning your fiance’s attitude, the point of my reply was to reject his behavior and not yours. What difference is there between telling someone at the door that their child is not welcome and pulling the friend aside later and informing him in no uncertain terms that bringing uninvited children will not happen again? Either way the message that children are not welcome has been conveyed and as his friends marry and begin having families, this will certainly begin to limit how frequently his friends feel welcome in his home.
The consequences of choosing to limit who one associates with is a decrease in the overall sphere of relationships. If a person would not condone persons of particular race or religion or political affiliation entering their domicile, they must accept the consequences of that choice which will mean friends who happen to be in relationships with those restricted peoples may eventually cease to include you in their sphere of relationships. It’s quite possible to happily live with those consequences but your fiance seems conflicted. He wants his child-free domicile but wants to keep intact the friendships of those who happen to either be parents of those children or in some relationship with them. Bottom line, he can’t expect to have an open door guest policy for the adults and a closed door one for children without consequences of potentially losing friendships.
Guests actually drive 45 minutes to an hour to your place without first checking to see if you’ll be home? When people arrive at my home unexpectedly and I’m working, I greet them, invite them in with the caveat that I cannot chat for long as I have appointments and work to be done. After 15 or 20 minutes at most, I stand up and say, “Well, I must excuse myself and get back to work. I enjoyed our visit and hope you can come again.” I edge towards the door if they don’t seem to be getting the hint. If people stop by while I am in the midst of gardening project, I keep right on working while inviting them to join me in the work. I think most people are attentive to not interrupting work in progress and I’ve never had much of a problem. And btw, I don’t answer the door when taking naps or getting frisky with the husband. They may see our cars in the driveway but that doesn’t mean I am disposed to entertain them at the moment.
OP, you and your fiance are clearly hostile to children, to the point of calling them “things”, not human beings. But it’s not the children who are coming uninvited, it’s their adult parents. Why is your anger not directed at them? Your friends seem to be suitably obnoxious for you to hold it against them, not the children who have, essentially, to go whereever their parents take them. If your fiance had the anatomical fortitude to stand up to the parents, by taking a little of that hostility and putting it to good use, you wouldn’t have the problem in the first place.
Here, here, admin! I was completely on the OP and her fiance’s side until that last post. I understand not everybody likes children. I understand children are not welcome everywhere (nor should they expect to be). I agree that the OP and her fiance are perfectly within their rights to refuse to entertain children in their house, and I would certainly never bring my son to a place or event that was not intended or suitable for children (my general philosophy on parenting is to never assume that anyone else is going to find my children as adorable and talented and brilliant and fascinating as I do). I understand being annoyed and upset by an uninvited guest showing up with an unwelcome child. But “something that squeals is watching ‘The Little Mermaid in my man cave?” That’s just mean-spirited, nasty, and wholly uncalled for. You could have said no, but you didn’t, so suck it up and deal with it.
I see the last two are upset with me – please remember that in one of my earlier posts, I was taken aback by the child, but did tell her I was pleased to meet her, and offered her something to drink – I did realize it is not the 5-yr old girl’s fault that she was unwelcome in my home; as such, I wanted to do the right thing. I cannot control the actions of others.
Unacceptable. Honestly, my first concern would be that these adults can’t be trusted not to steal or burn the place down – after all, if they have no respect for this rule what assurance do you have that the others will be followed?
And for the record, I have a child of my own who lives with me 100% of the time and even he knows that the house is a kid-free zone where he himself is the only exception. None of my friends even ask to bring the kids over and I have never assumed that anyone else would like my son in their home. I wait for him to be spcifically invited as a guest or he doesn’t go. Occasionally I encounter people who say “but of course I meant him too!” and in those cases I chuckle and point out that they didn’t *say* so and it would be rude of me to assume that children or pets would be welcome in someone else’s home. This usually makes the point nicely, and people who aren’t used to this basic consideration seem to appreciate it.
I took the “Something that squeals” comment to be a humerous one. I make similar jokes to my husband. For the record, we are both very fond of children and have two of our own.
Furthermore it can be very difficult indeed to deal with a situation where someone just shows up at the door. Retrospect is a wonderful thing, and it is all too easy for those outside the situation to say “Well you should have none it this way”. The OP did state that her fiancee was irritated- nowhere was it stated that he was in any way unpeasant or rude to the child involved, or its mother.
I don’t think that we can necessarily infer rudeness from the OP’s latest comment.
In OP’s defence she didn’t say he said it in front of his guests. It is entirely possible that he said it in private to his fiance just to vent his frustration and then went back to being a perfectly agreeable host.
Asharah, we used to have office parties as a way to enhance team building. My husband’s employee was embarrassed enough about the spouse’s antics regarding the children. Anyone could tell by the look on my face that the children were unexpected and by the fact that I had to find a place for 4 more people to eat. Because of this incident, we no longer host office events, meeting instead at a restaurant, where everyone picks up his/her own tab. Although our home is not child-friendly, we frequently invite friends with children over to visit, and make arrangements for the children to have food they like and entertainment.
Lily G, the childcare venue was within 20 feet of the wedding venue so the mother could have easily be found if there was a problem with her child. My nieces were part of the wedding party (ages 5 & 7 at that time) and did not expect to participate in all of the wedding events. We did something special just for them a few days before the rehearsal dinner. They made an appearance at the reception and then went off to play with others in the child care area. Everyone was happy, with the exception of the mother who would not leave her child.
Don’t get me started on children prowling and getting into things they shouldn’t. Let’s just say that my house is not child friendly – we have guns, swords, antique breakable items, etc. – and we put these items away when we expect children. If we are not expecting children, these items are part of the décor. We have had to physically take some of these items away from children who went into our bedroom and got them out of a drawer while their parents were visiting. Since they were family, we said nothing. (Although I did tell one relative that if his daughter broke my lamp, he was paying for it and did he want to see the appraisal.).
@Jillybean – I repeat I am NOT saying that anyone has to EVER have children over, or should expect their children to be welcome anywhere.
My point is that if the exact same post came on and you substituted the minority group of your choice for ‘children’ I don’t think that people would be applauding the OP for ‘standing up for her rights’ et al. Yet some of the posts here would seem to say that rejecting ANYONE form your hose for ANY reason, including ‘I just don’t like …’ is acceptable and objecting to said attitude always an ettiquete faux pas. I am certain that people are not really proposing that (or ever would), I was just suggesting that everyone, everywhere, should always be careful of making generalised statements.
Laura- I’m not “upset” with you, per se. It does sound as though you were polite to the child and understanding of the fact that she was not the one at fault. However, truth be told, yes, your fiance’s comment really rubbed me the wrong way. It’s fine to not particularly like children. It’s fine to not want children in one’s home. It’s fine to be annoyed when a guest shows up unannounced with an unwelcome child. But none of that makes it okay to talk about a child in terms more befitting a rat than a person. As I said before, my policy as a parent is to never, ever assume that anyone else will enjoy my children as much as I do. I understand that not everybody likes or enjoys kids, and I would never take my children some place where they were not invited or that was not child friendly. If I had friends I knew did not enjoy the company of children, I would plan all our get-togethers to be kid-free. But honestly, I think I would have to restart thinking my friendship with someone who referred (or saw nothing wrong with referring) to my son as a “thing that squeals.” You don’t have to like him, and I’ll keep him out of your way, but please- he’s a person, not a rodent.
@Simone – but if it is a person’s home, then I would argue that they do have the right to exclude any would-be guest, for any reason. So if someone wanted to exclude people from their home on the basis of their status as a member of a minority group – then I would conclude that they are most likely not someone with whom I would choose to associate – but it’s still their home and their decision. I don’t get to make that decision for them, but I do get to decide if I want to continue an association with them.
I do think there is a difference between children and other minority groups, though – true, they can’t help being kids. But, that status is something that will eventually change. And when I was growing up, children didn’t have all the rights and privileges that adults do. There are places of business that don’t admit children, either, or only under certain conditions (such as bars, or movies with certain ratings not alloing children in without a parent) – does that make them dicriminatory?
I agree with firecat. My home, my rules; your home, your rules. I know without ever asking that certain of my friends are perfectly welcome in my father’s home and some are not, based on some of his prejudices and views. (Note that I still ask before bringing anyone with me, even when I’m just returning a borrowed item or whatever.) I think his views on certain groups are despicable and if we were not related it would certainly have a huge effect on our relationship, but it’s his right to decide who enters his home and who does not, and I honor these rules even though they’re embarrassing and baseless.
Thank you, admin, for taking time out of your day to post such a lengthy, and helpful response.
Yes, people drive nearly an hour without calling/texting/emailing first. I have no idea why they do this. One did it last night, and was disappointed to learn that we were on our way to dinner reservations. I hope he learned!
I would agree with the host in this case, that it is their own right to determine who does and does not come onto their property.
As a possibility, though, perhaps the person’s kids actually were well behaved? I know myself as a child, when over people’s houses, would sit absolutely still and silent in a corner, refusing offered food and drink and hardly daring to move or speak, much less go off and get hurt playing with something I shouldn’t. This was due to a mix of shyness and strict parental upbringing, but I would definitely have fallen under the definition of ‘well behaved.’ If this is what the guest had in mind, then I could understand it seeming strange and harsh to have a kid like that refused.
Years ago, my husband and I used to do a sort of open-house every Friday night where we’d order take-out and chat and watch whatever happened to catch our fancy; we encouraged our friends to invite whoever they wanted, and we met some great people that way. So one time when a guy we didn’t know called to ask for directions, we didn’t think much of it until he arrived…with his dog (which he had not mentioned on the phone). Now, we are cat people, and anyway, the weather was wet and the dog’s paws were muddy, so I was put in the awkward position of telling this stranger that while he was welcome, we could not let in his dog because of our cats. (We ended up putting the dog in our attached garage — which was sans car at the moment — with a bowl of water. The poor thing howled the entire evening.) The guy did not seem annoyed by my refusal to let in his dog; he even came back after that (without the dog)…but even if he had been angry, it was still our house and we are the ones who get to decide who enters.
This, to me, is the same sort of situation, except that at least these people actually said something beforehand. The guests in the OP were totally rude, not only to try to bring children to a stranger’s home uninvited, but then to call the hosts names when they tried to politely refuse. In their place, I would talk to the friend who invited these people and let him know that they are no longer welcome. And at the first use of profanity, I would have said, “I’m sorry, but I think you need to leave now.” No one should put up with being called names by guests in their own home.
Incidentally, I’m childfree, too, but as the original post says, this is not about children — it’s about basic host/guest etiquette. If these people really wanted to bring their kids, they should have said, “Wow, you have a big yard. Would it be okay if I brought the kids over sometime to play?” And then if the host replied in the negative, they should have let it go.
Rachael – it doesn’t matter if the children were so precocious that they would have cleaned the OP’s house and made her drinks. The point is that if they want to declare their house a childfree zone, it is absolutely their right to do so and it was absolutely not the guest’s place to fish for an invitation, much less get offended when it was completely not forthcoming.
“Yet some of the posts here would seem to say that rejecting ANYONE form your hose for ANY reason, including ‘I just don’t like …’ is acceptable and objecting to said attitude always an ettiquete faux pas.”
In terms of people’s rights as regards their home- yes, it is acceptable to reject whomever you want from your house for whatever reason you please. As for others objecting to that attitude- objecting to the attitude personally is not a faux pas. If I knew someone who did not want to let purple people into her house simply because they were purple, she would be perfectly within her rights, just as *I* would be perfectly within MY rights to object to her exclusion of said purple people. That would not be a faux pas on my part. Where the faux pas comes in is when I insist on showing up at her house with purple people even though I have been informed that she wants her house to be a “Purple-Free” Zone.
In other words, it’s acceptable (though perhaps not always nice) to exclude whomever you want from your house. It’s acceptable for other people to object to or not like your exclusions, and to perhaps cease to maintain a friendship with you because of them. It is NOT acceptable for someone to show up at your house with an individual you have made clear is not welcome.
@Mechtilde- just out of curiosity, do you really never let your son have friends over?
God, can people please stop trotting out the ‘you might as well be discriminating against the disabled!’ line of thought? It’s not the same at all and it’s insulting to the disabled. Kids are not kids forever. While disabled people may one day be cured or whatever the appropriate word is, their condition is no fault of their own, is not a sign of their state of development and is not a consequence of their age which will change with age. Kids require supervision and can do damage. They can hurt themselves very easily and do incredible amounts of damage–not that I’d know, when I had a former friend bring her awful awful kid to my house against my express wishes. (Thank to her sterling parenting, he’s five years old and barely verbal, is not yet potty trained, and has no manners. No, wait. he has manners all right—-they’re horrible.)
And trying to make it seem like keeping kids out of your house in on a par with racism—that, likewise, is either sloppy thinking or deliberate dishonesty. Barring kids from your door is a matter of barring the behavior, not the person or the group, really. As minority groups are not known to have hive minds or identical behavior, such an exclusion is bigotry. Kids, however, mature in stages. They exclusion is temporary.
I bet the parents trotting out these tired rationalizations would be the first to sue if their kid was hurt at someone else’s house, invited or not.
Ginmar–
I’m sorry, but choosing to keep all children out of your house is prejudice–it is prejudging all children, and assuming that all children are the same, and will behave in exactly the same way. While there certainly are common ways that children behave at different ages, any one child’s behavior will also be affected by the child’s temperament and personality, the upbringing that the child has received, and the particular circumstances of that visit.
I will agree totally that there are times and places when, as a general rule, the behavior that children are likely to have is not appropriate, and so, on the whole, children should not be invited. The prejudice comes in assuming that ALL children WILL misbehave, and so NONE of them should be invited AT ANY TIME.
It would have been cool if another guest, perhaps a friend of the pushy Mommy, could have quietly encouraged Mommy to “let it go.” But people are so scared sometimes to speak up. Sometimes to the point of paralyzing fear. We want so bad to be liked, we’ll hope anyone likes us, no matter how little we’d really want them in our lives.
Mommy didn’t care about the hosts. Mommy wanted to use the hosts’ yard. Mommy is totally selfish. I fear for her children.
Lisastitch – it boils down to one thing: some people do not like children, and therefore should not have to have them in their home. It isn’t prejudice, it’s “I don’t like children.” I love them, but I know of children that I would never allow in my home because their parents are too darned clueless to have raised them properly. And quite frankly, in my experience, every.single.parent who makes the claim “My kids are sooo well-behaved” are lying to themselves. Parents whose children really are well-behaved don’t make that claim, and don’t generally show up with their kids when they weren’t invited in the first place.
That said, the OP and her fiance should be prepared to lose friendships, or at least will find themselves spending less time with friends who have children.
Simone, I think you are right for the most part, but I also think that in this (as in all things) there are grey areas. I have been the “guest of a guest” several times in the past, but they were for events. For example, a friend of a friend has a regular game night where a popular card game is played on the same day and time each week. The attitude is the more the merrier, and friends are actively encouraged to bring as many people as they can get to come. I have been in several other situations where the attitude is the more the merrier, but they are all “special” or “weekly” events for a specific purpose. In my daily life, not only would I never dream of being the “guest of the guest” just dropping in on someone. In point of fact, I wouldn’t dream of dropping in on my own friends without calling first or having it prearranged. It’s just good manners. (You is being used as the generic anyone, not directed at anyone specifically). When you drop in on someone unnannounced, even good friends and family, you are implying that they couldn’t possibly be doing anything important, and able to drop everything just to entertain you. Or are you convinced that you are such a spectacular conversationalist, that you are worth dropping everything for, whenenver you are moved to shower your presence on your friends and family.? As for the LW, maybe it’s time you & fiance reclaimed your space and time and started encouraging friends to call first and stop bringing extras. You can be firm and refuse entry to anyone and STILL be polite. Just because people show up at your door, does not mean you have to let them in. This is really something you and fiance need to sit down and talk about and find where each of your comfort levels and boundaries are. Another thing you might also want to talk about is since you are betrothed, even though it is HIS house, it is actually supposed to be both of your home, so why are you uncomfortable with enforcing boundaries in your home.
By the way, the best of luck and future happiness to you both in your life together. May you live long and joyfully.
The more I think about this, the more I think the boyfriend of the OP has been cast as a pushover and is being treated as such. Turning up from an hour away without asking first is rude. The man is thirty years old and engaged to be married, and his mates are rocking up to use his hot tub pretty much whenever they fancy, bringing whomever they fancy with them and not checking first if it’s convenient? It sounds more like a frathouse.
Whether he wants children there or not (and many people who don’t like children still host parents with no problems on either side), he should set some boundaries with his friends. Ring me first, don’t bring people I don’t know. At the moment it’s an open house and people are taking rank advantage. You can expect several more rude mothers and uninvited children if this continues, because they’re thinking hey, the host lets anyone in whenever already, he won’t mind.
My husband is thirty and I would not appreciate his being treated like a teenager who’s just got his first pad by his friends or anyone else.
This is a great post from a fresh viewpoint. I hadn’t formulated the thought, but you’re right, they’ve cultivated the atmosphere of , “Everyone’s welcome, all the time,” but can’t understand why people don’t get that some people aren’t welcome.
Again, I absolutely defend their right not to host anyone they don’t want to and am appalled at the rudeness expressed to the owner in his own home.
One of my ultimate pet peeves has to be when parents bring their kids to innappropriate places. I’m a particular person. I love kids, my nephews are my heart strings and they know not to bother certain things because they can get hurt or its something that they are not supposed to play with.
I think children are great, but there is a time and place for them. Fancy weddings, adult shows, college classes, dinner parties etc. are not the place. I am happy to deal with the children of my family, but I too do not usually like the children of strangers to invade my space. And, it’s usually not the children, but the parents. So many parents don’t watch their kids or respect your belongs and space by allowing their “little angels” to do as they please and run amuck.
A person’s home is their castle, and if they want walls of glass and white sofas they shoyld have the right. You also don’t invite yourself and your family to someone’s home. Wait for them to extend the invitation.
Lisastitch, apparently you don’t understand what prejudice actually is. While other conditions and identities do not change, childhood is a temporary state. While all kids are not the same, they all go through stages of development, and whether or not, in fact, they’re all alike is irrelevant. It’s reasonable to assume that a six month old baby will be in diapers. It’s not discrimination. Frankly, trying to make it seem like the special little snowflake is being discriminated against makes me think the affected kid is going to have a huge sense of entitlement akin to that of the pushy non-guest in this post.
I hope everybody who freaked out over the OP’s sarcastic boyfriend is likewise so exquisately sensitive when their child is being a horror show to others. I kind of doubt it. God forbid the poor guy not be Miss Manners when confronted with an unexpected guest and a kid at that.
Kids are defined by their state of development and age, which is why we refer to somebody having a tantrum as childish. Actions change as the kid matures and becomes a recognizable adult. Defining people by their actions is a perfectly acceptable means of risk assessment. Some people don’t like kids. That does not mean that they dislike them, it just means that they don’t exist in a state of ‘liking them’ which is apparently required today.
“I hope everybody who freaked out over the OP’s sarcastic boyfriend is likewise so exquisately sensitive when their child is being a horror show to others. I kind of doubt it.”
Actually, I AM. My son is not quite one year old, so he isn’t too much of a problem yet, but when he is fussy or cranky, I don’t let him inflict that on other people. I have no problem taking him out of a church service or leaving a restaurant early if he is being fussy and distracting to others. If he does disturb someone, I apologize and remove my son from the situation. I do not bring him to places where he is not welcome or that are not child-friendly- I find a sitter, or I don’t go. When he gets older, that will not change, and I will have no problem doing what is necessary to ensure that he behaves well in public and at other people’s homes.
So, yes, you can be a conscientious parent, who enforces good behavior and doesn’t inflict their children on people and places where they are not welcome, and still take offense at hearing a child described in terms more befitting of vermin than of a person. Because a child (even a badly behaved one) is still a person, and deserves to be treated as such- which means, among other things, not referring to them as “things that squeal.”
What very exacting standards people have about language that’s being used to say things they disagree with.
Onward. What I found striking was the number of times the householder had to explain that they ought not bring their children to her home. I’ll give them the first repetition; they could have been making sure they’d understood what their hostess was telling them. After she said “their alleged good behavior isn’t relevant; this isn’t a safe place for children,” her meaning was clear. That should have been the end of it.
“I’ll keep an eye on them” is no reassurance. Have you ever met a parent who didn’t think they kept a sufficient watch on their children? I’d be more inclined to trust one who instead stopped to think about the implications of “not safe.” I’m less inclined to trust one who combines “I’ll keep an eye on them” with “They’d just love all this space.” How much running are the parents prepared to do? Are they going to leash their children together so they can keep track of all of them at once? Because one of the implications of “not safe” is “bad things can happen fast.” Guests who would be grossly offended if their hosts required them to sign a waiver before setting foot on their property ought not complain about how their hosts manage liability issues.
Coming back with “But you’ll just love them — they’re so sweet!” is the moral equivalent of “Oh no, just wait until you meet my ferrets — they’re different!” If this were still a live thread, I’m sure someone would jump in to denounce my talking about children as though they were animals, and another would suggest that I substitute some other kind of unacceptable person in that statement. To this I would respond that if there were some other kind of human that’s known for having infinite curiosity but no prudence whatsoever, I’d happily agree with their objections. Until then, I’ll stick with the comparison to ferrets: they’re tireless, they’ll come up with ways to get into trouble that you could never imagine on your own, and it takes one full-time adult to keep one of them under constant observation and hence out of trouble.
It’s not up to the householders to catalog all the hazards in order to prove that their home isn’t a safe space for children. It should be enough for them to simply assert that it is.
Ginmar, I looked up “prejudice” in the Oxford English Dictionary. It is defined as “unreasonable dislike, hostility, or angtonism towards, or discrimination against, a race, sex, or other class of people”, which is the basic definition I was working with. I think it is unreasonable to dislike–or to not like–all children as a class on the basis of their age. Yes, a six-month-old will be in diapers, but their responses will be different. One baby may howl when the diaper gets the slightest bit damp; another can have the diaper so wet it’s practically falling off from the weight and still not be bothered. I think the fact that childhood is “temporary” is irrelevant, when it lasts a number of years.
I am a children’s librarian, so I work with kids. I generally like them, as I generally like most people. I see a lot of children who are well-behaved, and whose parents are working hard to make sure they are. That said, there are people of all ages, children and adults, that I don’t like, and would never invite into my home.
Part of my response is coming from an on-going conversation with my 23yo daughter, who has been working jobs in which she sees the worst side of children and their parents, and says she dislikes kids. I keep telling her not to judge all children by the bad examples she’s seeing. This summer, we had a family reunion, where she had a great time playing with her cousins’ children (ages 5-12). She was really touched when one cousin emailed her afterwards to tell her that the cousin’s daughter was missing her. She then went to visit her brother and SIL and their 9-month-old daughter, and came back raving about how cute and sweet and active and alert and intelligent her niece was. It’s getting to know individuals, rather than tarring them all with the same brush based on one characteristic.
As I said in an earlier post, there are times and places where children are generally not appropriate, and certainly one of those times is when the host doesn’t want them. Their home, their rules–no questions. And I strongly suspect that any child being raised by someone who would swear at her host is not going to be a child who is well-behaved.
The OP and her fiance have every right to say that they do not want children in their home. There are very good reasons why children are not always welcome or appropriate. But children are still people, and any time someone does not like a class of people based on one characteristis they share, it is prejudice. I hope–for their sakes’, not because it’s any skin off my nose–that they will meet some well-brought-up children, and realize that children are people, and it’s as silly to make decisions based solely on someone’s age as it is to make decisions based on any one facet of a person, whether it’s age, race, sex, height, religion, national origin–the list goes on and on!
I think Bint made an excellent point. The fiance has allowed everyone to treat their house as a gathering place. When the guests start saying things like “I’m going to bring my kids over to run in your yard!” then it’s time to put some boundaries in place. Even though I like kids, if someone said this to me, I would think it was incredibly rude. You don’t invite yourself or anyone else to someone else’s home.
I also like my friends, but I really prefer they call or text before they come over. I might be gone; I might be in the middle of something. It’s not about the kids. It’s about setting limits with the adults. There are none here. There need to be.
OP, I just have to say that I feel for you and your fiance. You were being gracious and were treated rudely. I have little kids and love well-behaved children, but that doesn’t mean that everyone must. Even so, there are several of my friends’ children who, after having behaved horribly in our house (while their parents watched), will not be invited back to our house, nor will their parents be invited back either. In the future, when we want to socialize with them, it will be on neutral territory somewhere in public.
Given the atmosphere that would be in your house with regards to children, I doubt anyone would bring their kids back after the first time anyway. Maybe try a no-smoking style sign with a pic of a child in it by the door.
I don’t see anything wrong in someone saying something along the lines of “My house is a child-free zone, please do not bring them here”. If you had a guest at a party, that was excessively loud, messy, got into arguments, didn’t respect the house or the furniture and broke things you would not want them in your house. I’m not saying a child would/could do this, but even the most sweetest little Bobby can have a bad day. Sometimes it’s the homeowners personal opinion that they do not want to be around little children, sometimes it’s because the house/surrounds are not safe/child friendly and they don’t want risk to the child/surrounds. Either way, as the homeowner, host, etc, it is their decision and I don’t see why they should be vilified for it.
Yes, I know this is a very old post, but I still want to respond to this ridiculous comment.
I think the focus on the boyfriend’s “something squealing” comment is ridiculous. Even if it weren’t meant jokingly, he had every right to say it, and it doesn’t mean that he “considered children to be vermin, like rats” or whatever. I don’t like children, or dogs, but love cats. Do I get up in arms when people call cats “disgusting things”? No, because that is their right to think, feel, and speak that way. The OP’s boyfriend made a private comment to his girlfriend. He didn’t say it in front of the kid or her parents. Second of all, if you are going to complain about people insulting children, well then, you had better not insult anybody ever! Because if you call a politician an idiot, why, you are being cruel and treating him as less than vermin, as a rat. If you talk about someone’s table manners as disgusting, well that would hurt their feelings, you are treating them as if they have none, and are thus less than vermin, rats. What does it matter if it is a private comment, not said to them, if it is what you are thinking and feeling? It doesn’t matter that it is in private, about a personal belief or feeling of yours! You don’t matter, the idea that someone, somewhere might disagree with you and be offended is more important!
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May 2017
GRW is mourning the loss of one of GRW’s founding leaders, Claude Lessig. A water resources engineer and GRW senior vice president, Mr. Lessig became the fifth employee of GRW in 1965. He died May 25 at his home in Lexington, KY.
A new section of the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) was chartered June 1 in Lexington, KY.
It's called the Bluegrass section and joins the Derby City section as the second section in Kentucky; it's the seventh section in ASHE's Great Lakes region, which also includes Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Joe Pavoni, PE, LEED AP, has been promoted to manager of GRW's Louisville office. Joe has been with GRW for 14 years and has more than 18 years of experience. He earned his Master's and Bachelor's degrees in civil engineering at the University of Kentucky.
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After spending the past 17 years trying to kill them it's a lovely change of pace to be able to cuddle them. Team17 has just launched a new line of plushies based on one of the most adorable war game franchises ever, Worms.
With such iconic character designs it's a wonder we haven't been buried in Worms merchandise before now. This latest group of stuffed invertebrates not only features worms in plain, commando, and pirate flavors, it also includes the adorable Super Sheep. Who doesn't less than three the Super Sheep?
All four plushies are now available for purchase at GameOn Stuff's Facebook store for £8 (about $12) each, with keychain versions available for £5 ($7.50). They ship from the UK, so be sure to account for shipping time. Hopefully they won't just drop them near your home in a giant crate and make you crawl to it.
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SetCPU widget?
So I had the setCPU widget on my homescreen, and was noticing that when I wake my phone up, the screen comes on but it would take about 4 or 5 seconds for it to respond to any scrolling or touch input. At first I suspected it was my screen off profile being too low (480/245). But I then removed the widget and the problem seems to be solved for the most part. Can someone confirm that this is an issue or is it just a placebo?
Oh, running PlainJaneT2 Stock 2.1 with OC and A2SD.
its well known among setcpu users that the live widget causes lag when waking the phone...... if Im not mistaking the dev has even said as much....... its recommended to just use the standard widget or none at all
the same holds true for ANY live widget you use........ they will all cause a certain amount of lag when waking the phone...... this is because when you wake the phone they have to immediatley update themselves..... they dont just pull numbers out of thin air (well technically they do)...... they have to contact the server or access the app and update their information to display for you
this is an even more pronounced lag with the setcpu widget because when you wake the screen the widget polls the app to get information.... but that information is in the process of changing because your clock speeds are changing when you wake the phone...... this means it has to wait to get the current info before it can give it to you...... this means that while the app is processing the change in clock speeds its also being pestered by a widget polling for information........ its like trying to change a diaper while the kid is taking a crap.....
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SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 81751
ASCA monitoring of Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC6300
ABSTRACT
NGC 6300 is a nearby Seyfert 2 galaxy. The observation with RXTE revealed that hard X-ray emission from NGC 6300 is described by a pure reflection model (Leighly et al. 1999, ApJ, 522, 209). This spectrum indicates that the X-ray emission from nucleus is completely blocked by thick matter. NGC6300 was observed with SAX 2.5 years after the RXTE observation. The spectrum is dramatically changed from that with RXTE (Leighly et al. 2000, RXTE meeting March 23-25). Since spectral variability gives us valuable informations on the structure of an AGN, we propose a monitoring observation of NGC 6300 with ASCA.
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Boy among 11 killed over bloody weekend in Chicago
Chicago endured another bloody weekend as a spate of shootings left 11 people dead, including a 10-year-old boy riding in an SUV and a neighborhood community leader.
Those slain were among at least 58 people shot between Friday and early Monday. The latest violence ripped through the city just two weeks after a particularly bloody Fourth of July weekend, when there were at least 14 homicides amid scores of shootings.
Gustavo Garcia
The boy — Gustavo Garcia — was killed Friday night when someone took shots at an SUV in which he was a passenger.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office said he was pronounced dead early Saturday at Comer Children’s Hospital. The cause of death — determined to be a homicide — was a gunshot wound to the back.
Gustavo “was shot while in the vehicle along with an adult,” said Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. “We still do not have any concrete information on motive.”
“Obviously,” he said, the boy was not the “intended target ”
Detectives have been working the case “around the clock,” Guglielmi said.
“We are going through the backgrounds of everyone in the car, retracing their steps from earlier in the day and canvasing for any video that might be helpful.”
According to the Chicago Tribune, the boy is the fourth child to be shot and killed in the city this year. Fourteen children aged 12 or younger have been shot in 2017, the Tribune said.
Willie Cooper
The community leader — 58-year-old Willie Cooper — was shot dead Saturday afternoon. CNN affiliate WLS said he was shot across the street from Lilydale Outreach Workers for a Better Community. That’s a non-profit agency he ran that provides jobs to teens.
“People are so cold-hearted. How could you take somebody’s life? He helped everybody. I just don’t understand,” Patricia Carter, the victim’s niece, said.
Donovan Price of citywide prayer initiative Pray Chicago said Cooper was always there to help the citizenry.
“I met him when I was a little boy and all through time there are so many stories of him doing good in the community. Him paying for funerals for other people, people to go to school. Whatever anybody needed. Whatever anybody needed,” Price said.
Street violence has been an ongoing reality in Chicago and authorities there are working to find ways to confront the problem.
Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives this spring announced a new task force aimed at decreasing the spread of illegal firearms in the city.
President Donald Trump has tweeted about the violence, in one post saying the crimes and killings within the city “have reached epidemic proportions.”
Chicago police say there has been a 14% drop in violent crime overall in the city compared to last year, with the two most violent districts seeing a 33% drop in violent crime, and fewer people have been shot this year.
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Top Kart drivers at the front in TaG, Yamaha and Rok classes throughout the weekend
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With a short trip to the Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PittRace) in Wampum, Pennsylvania, Top Kart USA would enter a handful of drivers in the fifth and sixth rounds of the United States Pro Kart Series (USPKS). With already a stout resume with their 2014 results, the Indianapolis based team would add more victories and podiums as they enter into the second half of the 2014 karting season.
“Though our results speak for themselves, we had a win that was taken away in post tech,” explained Bill McLaughlin. “Due to the fact that it was a non-performance enhancing item, the USPKS reversed the decision and awarded us the victory that we deserved as well as reinstated all the competitors that were deemed illegal with the same issue. This is a great call by USPKS as they look to make sure their customers remain happy.”
Competing in the Yamaha Pro division, Dakota Pesek continued his string of podium results as he was once again at the front of the field. Taking the main event victory on Saturday, the talented competitor proved it was no fluke by returning Sunday to cross the line in second. Killian Keaveny would also add a pair of top-ten results with seventh and sixth place finishes.
Top Kart USA would enter three drivers in the Yamaha Junior division and come home with a pair of victories. On Saturday, Zach Holden would stand atop the blocks while David Malukas found his way to the front of the field on Sunday after a disappointing DNF in Saturday’s competition. Holden would also add a sixth place result Sunday while Sheldon Mills would narrowly miss the top-ten with an 11th place result.
Pauly Massimino and Giovanni Bromante would enter the Vortex Mini Rok class and have mixed results. Massimino would back up his 11th place run on Saturday with a seventh place finish Sunday, while Bromante would finish 12th and 11th respectively. Bromante would also see action behind the wheel of his Yamaha powered Top Kart and after finishing in the fourth position, was removed from the results for a non-performance enhancing rear bumper rule.
Owen Mahle would be the lone entry in the Yamaha Rookie class and would stand on the podium on Saturday. Coming home with a third place finish, Mahle was hoping to improve two more positions on Sunday but would fail to complete the full race distance.
Abby McLaughlin (Photo: DavidLeePhoto.com)
In the ever-competitive TaG Junior field, controversy would rule the day on Sunday after multiple top-ten finishes on Saturday. Holden and Malukas would finish ninth and tenth respectively to complete the first official event day however on Sunday, several Top Kart drivers would be in the top-five. With Malukas out early, Holden stole the show as weather moved into the area and secured a dominant victory in wet and tricky conditions. However, post-race the top-five drivers would be excluded from the results for not having an over flow bottle on their radiator. Though non-performance enhancing, the rule is in the book and was initially enforced. With outrage from competitors, families and teams, the United States Pro Kart Series reversed the technical disqualifications on Wednesday, July 30th, reinstating Holden as the winner and adding to Top Kart USA’s weekend total.
Abby McLaughlin would also be at the front of the TaG Junior field and would take the point during Saturday’s main event. Settling into second and pacing with the leader, McLaughlin with the first and third place competitors began to draw away from the field. However, on lap three, McLaughlin and the leader were taken out by a blatant maneuver by the third place competitor.
Top Kart USA will now shift their focus to the upcoming USPKS and World Karting Association (WKA) events at New Castle Motorsports Park over the August 8-10 and August 15-17 weekends.
Further information on Top Kart USA and McLaughlin Motorsports can be obtained by contacting their offices at 317.870.3122 or visiting them online at www.TopKartUSA.net. The top Kart USA online store is now live and ready for orders. Visit Shop.TopKartUSA.net to place your orders today.
About Top Kart USA – Top Kart USA is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and is a distributor for the Top Kart product line. Housing a national level race team and competing in the World Karting Association and SuperKarts! USA programs as well as throughout the regional level in the Midwest, Top Kart USA is continuing to evolve and develop Top Kart dealerships throughout the United States. Supported by Top Kart importer Grand Products, Top Kart USA is owned and operated by McLaughlin Motorsports.
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How do we mitigate the effects of man-made activity—in particular the production of CO2—on climate change?
That's a question that the Carbon War Room is tackling head on. What's the Carbon War Room? It is an organization founded and funded by Sir Richard Branson, the chairman of the Virgin Group, and several entrepreneurs to examine and implement market-driven solutions for creating a low-carbon economy.
We spoke with its Director of Operations, Peter Boyd. He describes the Carbon War Room as a combination "think tank, do-tank." By implementing existing technologies, says the Carbon War Room, shipping could have efficiency gains that would translate into an annual CO2 reduction of 250 million tons by 2020.
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New OPML Features added to MultiMarkdown
For anyone using MultiMarkdown with OmniOutliner or other OPML applications, I
have added additional OPML support to MultiMarkdown.
Specifically it is now possible to “round trip” a document from a plain text
MMD file, to an OPML file containing MMD markup, and back to a plain text file
without corrupting the structure, or the content.
mmd2OPML.pl is used to convert a plain text file into an OPML file
OPML2mmd.pl is used to convert an OPML file into a plain text file
The layout of the OPML file is consistent with the structure expected by my
OmniOutliner export plugin. This
means that the OPML file can be imported into OmniOutliner, and then exported
back as an OPML, or exported directly within OmniOutliner into a MultiMarkdown
text file (with or without attachments). Which brings up the point that the
attachment support is only for OmniOutliner (at least for now).
I’m not sure what other applications are out there that would be useful for
editing MultiMarkdown in an OPML format, but these new tools make it possible.
Alternatively, it may be helpful to temporarily convert a MultiMarkdown text
file into OPML if only to help reorganize the document quickly.
One limitation of this approach is that if you are using a “non-standard”
numbering scheme for your header levels you may find that the structure of the
resulting documents are not what you expect. For example, the “children” of an
h2 level section, will by definition be h3. With plain text files, you can
specify whatever level you like — in other words the level of the header
(h2, h3) had no intrinsic meaning. In an OPML document, they correlate
directly to the levels of the outline, which obviously cannot skip a
“generation”. In my mind, however, this is a feature, not a bug, and will
probably not be changed.
Additionally, I just discovered that not every OPML tool supports a “_notes”
field. OmniOutliner allows you to have a “title” for each piece of the
outline, and a separate notes field that holds the content. It appears that
there is no standard approach to this. So some OPML apps will simply import
the hierarchy of section titles, but no content…. If anyone else uses these
features, let me know if there is a workaround for the app you use…
Unfortunately, it appears that these features may only be useful for
OmniOutliner users…
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Cameron Diaz ‘astounded by Benji’
Cameron Diaz’s relationship with Benji Madden “hit her out of nowhere”.
Cameron, 41, and Benji, 35, were photographed hand-in-hand when they went for a walk around New York City on Tuesday.
The couple was also spotted on a dinner date in Manhattan over the weekend and reportedly couldn’t keep their hands off each other during the meal.
“The relationship sort of hit Cameron out of nowhere,” a source close to the star told People. “She’s always been open-minded when it comes to men. She just wants to have something in common with them and find a personality that loves life and loves as hard as she does.”
The Other Woman actress was first linked to the former Good Charlotte singer last month when they were spotted leaving a Los Angeles gym together.
“She’s at a point in her life where she would love to settle down,” the source told People. “But for now with Benji it’s about being happy and taking things as they come.”
Cameron’s friend Nicole Richie apparently introduced the couple to each other and is married to Benji’s twin brother Joel Madden. It’s been claimed Cameron is happy feeling out the relationship at the moment, although her pal Drew Barrymore is said to be concerned that Benji might not be right for her.
Cameron was previously romantically linked with Carlos de la Torre, Alex Rodriguez, Justin Timberlake and Matt Dillon. She has never been married and has often said she would rather be alone than settle for a relationship that wasn’t right. The star recently caused controversy when she suggested that being monogamous wasn’t the be all and end all, adding she believes most people have had someone been unfaithful to them.
“Everybody has been cheated on, everyone will be cheated on. I can’t fix that, I don’t know how, I don’t have any judgment on anybody, I don’t know how to fix the problem,” she said. “We are human beings, we are complicated – you cannot go through life without tallying up a few scars, you cannot go through life unscathed, it’s just what it is. It’s all meant to happen, take your lessons, figure it out, move on.”
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Monday, September 9, 2013
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
About the Book
Sussex, England. A middle-aged man returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral. Although the house he lived in is long gone, he is drawn to the farm at the end of the road, where, when he was seven, he encountered a most remarkable girl, Lettie Hempstock, and her mother and grandmother. He hasn't thought of Lettie in decades, and yet as he sits by the pond (a pond that she'd claimed was an ocean) behind the ramshackle old farmhouse, the unremembered past comes flooding back. And it is a past too strange, too frightening, too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy.
Forty years earlier, a man committed suicide in a stolen car at this farm at the end of the road. Like a fuse on a firework, his death lit a touchpaper and resonated in unimaginable ways. The darkness was unleashed, something scary and thoroughly incomprehensible to a little boy. And Lettie - magical, comforting, wise beyond her years - promised to protect him, no matter what.
A ground-breaking work from a master, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is told with a rare understanding of all that makes us human, and shows the power of stories to reveal and shelter us from the darkness inside and out. It is a stirring, terrifying, and elegiac fable as delicate as a butterfly's wing and as menacing as a knife in the dark.
Review
I was put at a disadvantage as a kid without a Terry Prachett or Neil Gaiman on my bookshelf. Not to say that my parents begrudged my vicious need to read, but I roamed around with an imagination sewn together by Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Beatrix Potter – greats in their own right, no doubt; It wasn’t until I picked up Stardust to prove that the book was by far more superior than the movie, did I realise what I had been missing all this time – and I worked in a bookshop, for goodness sake. My world ceased to exist in reality as books became more survival and less luxury, Gaiman was always on the list – the list of books to save when the house sets on fire, the list of books to buy as gifts, the list of books to collect, the list of books that deserve mention.
So when The Ocean at the End of the Lane landed on my lap as if a sacrifice from the book Gods themselves, I sat back and waited for the dark to seep in around the edges of my imagination and weave its way into my dreams. Pitched as an adult novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, is one of those books that I so respect in what publishers call ‘The Cross-Over genre’, made popular by Twilight and The Hunger Games.
Set in England. Our protagonist is escaping a funeral, an escape that leads him (and the reader) down the lane he grew up in. Parking his car he steps into a house that jerks his memory to life; a memory that starts off with a murder, a book-loving hero and, of course, the ocean at the end of the lane.
Gaiman, is a stalwart to the fantasy genre and while I was looking for a darkly-ridden tale more grotesque (because it is an adult novel), was far from disappointed; weaving together a young boy’s imagination (an imagination conditioned by books), a nasty series of events that turns the once timid boy into a hero. There is loss of a friend, the confusion of an affair, and the power of friendship.
I would almost call this a coming of age tale, and I would be right, but there is just too many glowing aspects to fault Gaiman on the cross-over aspect, in fact, I’d see it as a winning combo.
As summer begins in the southern hemisphere – grab this copy to read on the outskirts of sunlight, and be amazed at the power of a tale.
About the Author
Neil Gaiman, author, scriptwriter and creator of graphic novels, is British and lives in the USA. His diverse catalogue of books includes the novel The Graveyard Book, winner of the Carnegie Medal 2010 and Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009, Stardust (now a major feature film), the bestselling novel for young readers Coraline (now a major 3D-animated film), and the picture book The Wolves in the Walls, which was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
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Top 7 Best Scope for 17hmr Reviews 2020
Last Updated onJune 2, 2020
The 17 HMR is quite popular for target shooting rifles and small game. The main reason for its use is increased accuracy. This explains why it is a perfect choice for taking out squirrels, gophers, and other small game at distances up to 300 yards.
As you know, to get an accurate shot in such distances, you need a scope. However, the best scope for 17hmr is not your ordinary scope. The 17hmr scope has a cartridge that is loaded with seventeen-grain bullets. It performs well when you have the best riflescope.
Best Scope for 17 hmr 2020 Reviews
Nikon Buckmaster II Review
The Nikon Buckmaster II is a great set of optics going for an extremely low price. They are fully multicoated, shockproof, and fogproof. Its eye relief is quite good despite lack of an adjustable parallax.
With 4-12 power magnification, lack of parallax adjustment is not a serious problem. The quality of this 17 hmr scope, you are guaranteed that it is enough for hunting and target shooting in average light conditions. It is easy to get a clear and bright sight picture. Moreover, you can easily use BDC reticle.
You can download the Nikon APP that is designed to help shooters and hunters determine the right hold-over needed depending on the immediate conditions, type of ammo, and target range. You will find the app more useful for target shooting as compared to hunting.
Its high performance optics offer excellent contrast and clarity. The no-glare, multi-coated lens allow you to shoot and hunt in all weather conditions. You also get a forever protection for your scope notwithstanding the number of times it is used.
This 17 hmr scope comes well presented with rubber scope caps and wrapped in a cloth. However, fine tuning is left to you. The fact that it is 2x-7x power scope, it offers you a lot of magnification than you can imagine.
You will find Burris 17hmr scope realistically a top scope: features, apparent ruggedness, and build quality with ballistic reticle makes shooting simple. Actually, it is one of the top choices for 17hmr scopes.
Pros
Long lasting
Good value
Very bright
BSA Sweet 17 3-12×40 Review
BSA Sweet 17 3-12×40 is the best-selling 17hmr scope among BSA scopes. This scope is developed for bullet weight compensation of 17HMR. As you know, BSA is a top manufacturer of scopes and other hunting and shooting products. It makes high quality scopes and BSA Sweet 17 3-12×40 is no different.
Whether you are planning on target shooting, varmint hunting, or punching paper, BSA 17hmr rifle scope will offer you the confidence you require to make each shot count. The good thing about the 3-12×40 scope is that low magnification when the range is near as the case with close varmint shots.
BSA Sweet 17 is a great scope for money. It is clear, crisp, and provides great field of view for the set price. With consistent eye relief, you are assured you will not harm yourself when using it.
Pros
Durable
Eye relief
Cons
No scope rings
Simmons ProTarget TruPlex Reticle Riflescope Review
The Simmons ProTarget TruPlex Reticle Riflescope makes even the untouchable, smallest target appear to be a simple challenge. This is a top-notch rimfire that has multi-coated optics and fingertips adjustable turrets. Moreover, it has a tube for light gathering.
It has a TruPlex reticle that is ideal for a broad range of applications to ensure you are on target in any circumstance. With Simmons 17hmr scope, experienced shooters and hunters can agree that they are getting a riflescope, which is packed with dependable ruggedness and cutting edge technology.
Pros
Side focus
High quality optics
Easy to adjust
Cons
Limited range
Barska 6-18×40 Hot Magnum Riflescope Review
The Barska 6-18×40 Hot Magnum Riflescope is innovatively designed with excellent bullet-drop technology. By using it, you are guaranteed to become a top performer as far as 17hmr shooting is concerned.
This 17hmr scope has 6-18 power magnification and 40mm objective lens that is multi-coated. Its lens has 30/30 reticles, and they are adjustable for setting up parallax corrections.
Other essential facts about this Barska 17hmr scope is that it has a multi-coated lens and high-density glass. These scopes are fog proof, shockproof, and waterproof. This scope can be used for up to 300 yards.
Pros
Fogproof
Waterproof
Cons
Limit of 300 yards
Leupold 113872 VX-1 Rimfire Scope Review
Leupold scopes have been around for several decades. They are used by law enforcement officers and the military. The Leupold 113872 VX-1 Rimfire Scope will not disappoint you. It is the most lightweight and compact rimfire model from Leupold.
With this 17hmr scope, you can hunt down even a squirrel that is 100 yards away. It has 7x power magnification. The other good thing about this scope is that it is easy to handle and carry. That explains why Leupold 17hmr is ideal for long range hunts.
This scope can be used in any Rimfire rifle, 17 HMR inclusive. It is 100% fog proof and waterproof. Thus, it is ready for use in the field no matter how harsh the weather conditions are. This scope offers a 3:1 zoom ratio erector system. That means that it can work for any particular situation.
The scope has a Multicoat 4 lens system that provides excellent clarity, a bright sight picture, and excellent contrast even in low light conditions.
Pros
Durable
Compact and lightweight
Cons
Low magnification range
Hawke Sport Optics Vantage 4-12×40 AO 17HMR IR Riflescope
Hawke Sport Optics Vantage is a top 17hmr scope that is very popular among shooters and hunters. It is a specially made scope that does not match with the majority of riflescopes currently on the market. With this scope, you are guaranteed plenty of magnification.
Despite having an extensive magnification range and full-size objective bell, it does not feel heavy or appear large once mounted to your Rimfire rifle. This scope delivers five brightness levels in Green or Red.
Pros
Easy to use
Premium features
Cons
A bit large
Best scope for 17hmr buying guide
Weight and size
Nowadays, you can easily find lighter rifles. You do not need to mess them by mounting a ridiculously heavy or large 17hmr scope. Ensure you mount a lightweight scope that does not hinder your manoeuvrability.
Target turrets
If you are using your best scope for 17hmr for long range shooting, then you need to consider target turrets. A scope with large target turrets is not desirable as it makes it difficult for you to move through a thick bush when shooting or hunting.
Magnification
If you require additional magnification on your 17hmr rifle scope, then you have more power for hunting a small game. A small game such as a squirrel requires a magnification of at least 10x. Whenever checking 17hmr scopes for sale, ensure you do not sacrifice quality for magnification.
Warranty
It is a good idea to purchase an item that has a warranty. Nearly all 17hmr riflescope manufacturers provide warranty for their scopes. In fact, some offer a lifetime warranty. Thus, you should never risk your hard-earned cash on cheap imports that do not come with a warranty.
Reliability
In a 17hmr scope, recoil is not a problem. However, if you purchase a scope that is very cheap that a bump knocks it off easily, that is a serious problem. Ensure you purchase the best scope for 17hmr that is well-constructed.
Conclusion
Although a newcomer in the shooting world, the 17hmr scope has gained a lot of popularity. The prices of ammunition and rifles are reducing drastically. Shortly, you should expect advanced rifles and optics to gain entrance into the market as people use them in shooting competitions and hunting. As of now, the above are the best scope for 17hmr, which are worth the value of your investment. Feel free to share your tips and testimonials with us in the comment section.
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Homicide squad takes over hunt for missing woman
Forensic police are scouring a lane in Brunswick this afternoon for any clues that could lead to the whereabouts of missing ABC employee Jill Meagher, whose disappearance after a night out with colleagues has now turned into a homicide investigation.
A person walking along a lane off Hope Street in Brunswick about 8am today spotted a discarded handbag lying beside a car and alerted police, who have since confirmed the handbag belonged to the 29-year-old Irish national.
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Detective Inspector John Potter, from the homicide squad, said he feared Mrs Meagher, who works as a unit co-ordinator at ABC Radio in Melbourne, had met with foul play.
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"We haven’t found anything physical [to suggest violence] but the very circumstances of the case are worrying, so as a result of that, today the homicide squad missing person's unit have taken over the case. We're hopeful for the best obviously, but we have some concerns that she may have met with foul play," he said.
Mrs Meagher had been out drinking with colleagues after work on Friday, first at The Brunswick Green on Sydney Road, before she continued 200 metres up the road to Bar Etiquette with about three colleagues.
About 1.30am she declined an offer from a male colleague to walk her home, insisting she would be fine alone.
"I rang her mobile pretty much non-stop from two to six in the morning. I also went out looking for her at about five in the morning," Mr Meagher said.
But Mr Meagher, who described his wife of four years as his "best friend", said her phone rang unanswered until about 8am, when it diverted straight to message bank. He believes her phone has run out of battery.
"I spoke to her before I left work [on Friday] and she was in great spirits. Everyone there said she was in good spirits."
Police said Mrs Meagher had consumed some alcohol, but by all accounts she was still well and able to walk home.
Inspector Potter said the streets in that area were well lit and people would usually feel safe in that environment at night.
"Having said that we don’t know what's happened to Jillian and we don’t know the circumstances of her disappearance. But normally people do walk around there. It's a relatively busy time and a busy place, I'm told, in the early hours of Saturday morning," he said.
Early investigations suggest her bank accounts have not been touched since Friday. Police have also viewed some CCTV footage of Mrs Meagher that night, however it did not shed any light on her disappearance.
Police hope to comb through more CCTV footage today, and also to trace her bank accounts and mobile phone records.
A large number of police and State Emergency Service workers are conducting line searches in Brunswick this afternoon, and police will re-trace Mrs Meagher’s movements from when she left work on Friday to when she left Bar Etiquette.
A massive social media campaign is in full swing, with a Facebook page created to raise awareness attracting nearly 24,000 followers by 12.30pm today, up from 8000 followers last night.
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Sunday, June 25, 2017
Aaron’s Rod as the State of Israel
Aaron’s Rod as
the State of Israel (Numbers 17: 16-25)
In Numbers 16
the earth swallows up Korach’s jealous haters (who mistook selfless service for
selfish entitlement), as well as the anti-aliya rebels-for-any-cause Dathan and
Aviram ( לא נעלה Lo N’[A]LeH in 16:12). This
miraculous but angry, instant and violent intervention did not solve the
crisis. (See the Korach You Tube of Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks). What finally
settles the leadership dispute by the wannabes (who symbolize the future forces
of Replacement Theology), is the slow, non-violent, positive, even Green
undeniable eloquence of the miracle of Aaron’s Rod, מטה
אהרן MaDTeH
AHaRoaN.
By the
Almighty’s command, the sturdy walking sticks of the heads of all the tribes
are to be marked and gathered overnight in the sacred Tent of Meeting. The next
morning, the staff (long-dead tree branch) of the chosen tribe will
miraculously have come to life, have sprouted buds, blossoms and botanical
produce.
This was
undeniably the sign of the Creator of Life. Such a miracle recalls Aaron’s Rod
becoming a snake, which swallowed the charmed snakes (fake staffs) of Pharoahs’
magicians. But this sign and wonder is supremely powerful because it answers
strife with positive pleasantness, with life and growth. Non-coincidently, “Her
ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful” precedes “she is a TREE
OF LIFE to those who grasp her” (Proverbs 3:17 and 18).
Every tribe
puts in their staff. מטה MaDTaH means both
tribe and staff, as a rod is a branch or offshoot of people. (Similarly, שבט SHeyBHeDT is also both a
"tribe" (Numbers 24:2) or a branch. A SEPT is an old Irish clan or
tribe, for example, and שבט SHeyBHeDT is behind SCEPTER, STAFF,
STAVE and SWITCH (the whipping branch). *
Again, the
tribes of Israel are a metaphor for the world’s peoples, and the landless,
teacher tribe of Levi is a metaphor of the wandering Jews. But, since 1948, the
Jews have returned to their Promised Land. More than the Jews waited for
Israel, Israel waited for the Jews. The land was a barren wasteland with a
malarial swamp, keeping squatters away. Read the stark testimony of travelers
like Mark Twain. But today, Israel is the world’s only country with more trees
than it had in the 19th century. It is an agricultural superpower and exporter,
growing even South American coffee and bananas, Chinese lychee, Iraqui dates,
etc.
Aaron’s rod
sprouted blossoms and almonds. The challenging tribes dropped their jaws and
complaints. One day the Black Hebrews, orthodox Catholics, liberal BDS
Protestants, militant peaceniks and sundry Lost Tribe claimants will be
impressed enough with the miracle of Israel’s resurrection to agree to be
served by a tiny tribe whom they finally come to understand is not claiming
superiority. A new generation of Torah-literate Israelis will humbly display
their god-given role as role models.
Even many
children of Ishmael will finally be satisfied with their vast superiority in
numbers and acres, and conclude that tolerating, benefiting from this tiny
miracle is more productive than wasting trillions, (defying the Koran,) and
vainly attempting to destroy her.
May the minor,
often-overlooked episode of Aaron’s Rod become a blooming walking stick with
which to progress forward towards a new world of peace.
*If not familiar with the new evidence for the
Hebrew language being a trunk, not a branch, see edenics.dot.org.
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Pages
February 24, 2013
Paranormal New Adult
While our feature spotlighted various Contemporary New Adult authors and their works, we haven't forgotten our Supies who can't get enough of the Paranormal. Here are some recommended otherworldly reads.
For P.J. Stone, being a “Seer” who has never seen anything is less than fun. And P.J. isn’t known for her patience.
To make matters worse, she must choose a suitable mate to continue the Seer bloodline. Duty always comes before her heart…at least that’s what her parents taught her. When she finds herself wanting someone who is considered off-limits, P.J. is forced to question everything she believes.
As if navigating her love life isn’t complicated enough, P.J. finally receives a vision—of a threat to her world that only she can perceive. But no one will believe a fledgling Seer’s warnings. With nowhere else to turn, she may decide to trust a stranger with her life, her world, and maybe even her heart.
Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Self-Imposed Insomniac. Sci-Fi Geek. Animal Lover. Writer . . . are just a few words to describe D.T. Dyllin. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two very spoiled GSDs.
An unusual young woman and fledgling journalist, Luna has various restrictive oddities, all of which prevent any type physical intimacy. Abusive parents take pleasure in Luna’s misery and loneliness, yet Luna strives to make them proud, finally earning their elusive love – something she craves almost as much as the painless touch of a lover.
When she learns of a tragic story involving the kidnap of baby Esta, she jumps at the opportunity to investigate, dragging her Shadows along for the ride.
Meanwhile, a dark stranger visits Luna’s dreams and stalks her reality. In lieu of the real thing, their intimate moments stimulate rather than terrify. Nestled within his presence, she begins to sense an urgent message of danger – a message she struggles to interpret until they finally meet...
Her investigations lead Luna to a vibrant seaside town, hiding copycat aliens and an underworld of Supernaturals. Here, she comes face-to-face with her own, terrifying identity. Confronted with life-changing decisions and the harshest of truths, Luna questions her sanity and searches for logic, feeling deceived by both.
Is Luna trapped in a newfound supernatural world, or within her own delusions?
Horror, paranormal, urban fantasy, adult, and new adult are Shah's favourites when selecting a book or movie, although she also enjoys dark comedy, some romance, and an occasional young adult fantasy. She also writes poetry and has had two published in anthologies.
Always a lover of the written word, including stories, storytellers and storytelling, you'll usually catch her immersed in some kind of story every day, while slurping tea and cuddling up next to her little family.
Shah lives with her German Shepherd and husband in Dubai, but originates from the West Midlands area of the United Kingdom and misses the cold, the rain and her extended family every day.
Infinity discovers a dark secret from her past that rocks everything she knows to be true.
Infinity is a troubled 22-year-old superstar singer with the worst reputation for drugs and hard partying. Now, she is on the road to a comeback with her controversial tour. But everything about doing the concert feels wrong from missing employees, to anonymous threats to ruin her career. Things spiral further out of control as she wrestles control of her life and career from a relationship that crossed the fine line between love and obsession. She deals with a powerful corporation determined to kill her and everyone she loves.
Infinity knows too much, with no way out.
Now she must put her safety and trust in the hands of sexy, tattooed and delicious Torch Channing and Boulder Vigari, hired to keep her from getting killed. Boulder wants to make her his. He won't stop until he claims her. Torch struggles with his primal need to possess her and his hatred of everything she represents.
Infinity is determined to protect her heart while dealing with the pressure of pulling off another successful tour without spiraling into another mental meltdown.
Sedona Venez writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance, and science fiction romance. She lives in the North East in the city that never sleeps. Sedona can be found online in all the usual haunts:
Showgirl Holly Starr is sick and tired of assisting her dad, a celebrity magician, in his Las Vegas casino magic show. As soon as he keeps his promise to her and shares the secrets to his tricks, she can break out on her own. But can she really make it? For years Holly has taken medication to stave off crazy hallucinations that she can levitate objects. Just when she thinks she’s ready to make a career and a life for herself, her medicine—and her luck—run out.
Elijah Brown suffers from a similar delusion—that he can read minds—and he’s out of medicine too. Determined to save himself and his old flame Holly, he kidnaps her and takes her straight to the source, a town high in the Rockies where their medicine is made. What they discover there leads them to suspect their powers are not imaginary after all...and neither is the intense attraction they feel for each other.
They make a pact to stick together as they return to Vegas to confront the people who kept them in the dark so long. But soon they’re pitting their powers against each other in a dangerous world where the nightlife is seductive, domination is addictive, the sex is beyond belief...and falling in love is murder.
A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.
Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.
NEW ADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A ZING! CAN TRUE LOVE CONQUER BAD BLOOD? Forbidden love, yearning desire, and seduction. Born from an ancient voodoo priestess clan, Alexandra Leveau falls in love with sexy vampire Vadim Blerinc. But these two are a dangerous match, and making love could literally kill them. And then local townies begin to die. Can Alexandra and Vadim save the people around them? Can they overcome the curse that has hung over their families for centuries? Can true love conquer bad blood?
Nobody knows happiness better than nineteen-year-old Felicity Eastwood. For years now, she’s been ‘gifted’ with the ability to collect and transfer happiness to anyone at will. Well, everyone except herself.
That is until Achilles - renowned criminal mastermind with a face painted like Death and enough charm to cause hormonal riots – crashes into Felicity’s world and her feel … something.
Determined not to let such a coveted superpower slip beyond his reach, Achilles kidnaps Felicity, hoping to use her ability to brave his own skeletons. Felicity is only a half-unwilling prisoner though, forgoing escape to learn more of the man behind the mask and pursue the inexplicable spark between them.
As the lines between hero and villain begin to blur, Felicity finds herself wondering if Achilles might be the key to her own happiness at long last. Is it possible to be so happy with someone so dangerous?
But Achilles isn’t the only villain in the town, and the pursuit of happiness can be a deadly hunt.
Emma Winters is a twenty-something New Adult writer from Down Under, with a love of everything Stateside. She was that weird girl at school who bought books instead of clothes, preferred the library to the schoolyard, made literary jokes that no one understood, and crushed on fictional characters instead of real boys.
While she is studying to become a teacher by day, by night Emma appeases the voices in her head by giving them life on paper. When she isn't tapping frantically at her keyboard, Emma can be found trawling marketplaces for teacups, performing embarrassing dance moves in public and private, annoying her long-suffering boyfriend with Shiny New Ideas, or planning for the zombie apocalypse, which she is sincerely excited about.
When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.
Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation--and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety.
Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.
They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do--even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.
Carrie daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.
Molded by a tragic childhood, nineteen-year-old Rogan finds it extremely difficult to trust people. Now Haydyn, her best friend and the one person she does trust, is dying and only Rogan can save her.
Setting off on a journey to retrieve the plant that will cure Haydyn and subsequently the ills that will befall them all if she dies, Rogan is stuck in close quarters with a protector she distrusts above all others.
Wolfe Stovia.
The son of the man who destroyed Rogan’s family.
At a constant battle of wills with the handsome Captain of the Guard, Rogan just knows this adventure together will be fraught with tension. She never imagined, however, that the quest would be so dangerous… not least of all when she finds herself falling for a man she could have sworn was her no.1 enemy.
I'm 26 years old, studied ancient and medieval history at the University of Edinburgh, which really just means I like old stuff, I've been self-publishing my young adult novels since February 2011 and I decided it was time to branch out into adult fiction when the characters from my contemporary romance On Dublin Street persisted on acting out scenes in my head. Fun scenes. Some of them hot... :D
Anyhoo, with a concept drawn up for an adult dystopian/UF series too, you'll be seeing a lot more from me in the adult fiction genres.
The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.
That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.
Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.
But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.
Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.
I live in central Illinois with my wonderful husband and three kids currently between the ages of 7 and 12 (the kids not the husband). My writing journey began in May, 2009 with a short story in a notebook.
Within a year, I had written seven (some good some God-awful) young adult novels. Not being a college graduate and having spent the previous fifteen years teaching gymnastics and working as a YMCA Program Director for Recreational Gymnastics, professional writing wasn't in my plans. Not even close. But ever since the day I started that short story, I haven't been able to stop. It was love at first sight.
After about a year of writing, I had a three book deal with St. Martin's Press, and a film option with Summit Entertainment. Crazy, right? I know. It wasn't until August of 2011 that I quit working full time in order to be at home with my kids more and of course, write more. My young adult time travel debut novel, Tempest, released on January 17, 2012. The rest of my personal story remains unwritten.
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In the late 1970s, ElectroVoice made a series of electret condenser vocal mikes labeled PL76, PL77, 1776, 1777. There may have been
others too, but they were all similar, more or less. To make some differences between the models, and maybe to hit a price point,
they made the PL76 and 1776 microphones run from a battery. Making matters worse, this was a mercury battery, which is not available any longer.
These aren't bad microphones by themselves, and converting one to P48 powering is fairly simple. Once you do this, battery operation is no
longer an option, but since you can't buy the batteries any longer, it doesn't matter.
Click on any image to make it larger.
The adaptor board, taped into the battery compartment of the microphone.
Nothing in this circuit is terribly critical. The links to Mouser are just suggestions. The resistors could be 1/8w, The zener diode could be a 250mW part,
or it could be a 1W part (1N number will be different). The electrolytic
capacitor is plain vanilla, and the value can deviate (larger is ok, higher voltage is ok), but when it's all done, it has to fit inside the battery compartment.
View of the assembled Vectorboard.
Another view of the assembled Vectorboard.
Construction
Cut a piece of vectorboard
that fits across the flats of the battery compartment. Tin snips work just fine. Lacking that, you can score the board by dragging
a sharp knife across the perfs several times,
then flex the board against the cut marks to encourage it to break along the scoring.
Build the circuit on the vectorboard. Fasten with tape. To build a circuit using Vectorboard,
push the leads through the board, then bend them flat
against the board, bending them to approximate a printed circuit board. Lay the leads of different components across each other and solder.
The 2 6k8 resistors go from pin 2 and pin 3 to a tie-point. one resistor from pin 2 to the point, one from pin 3 to the tie-point.
From the point, the zener goes to pin 1 (cathode/bar of zener to tie-point).
The lytic goes across the zener, + of cap to bar of diode.
The tie-point goes to the + battery contact. Just solder the wire to the battery contact. You're never going to put another battery in there anyway.
I taped the board into the battery compartment.
To get inside the microphone, unscrew the battery cover part of the body.
You'll need to access the connector. Locate the connector's locking screw at the end of the microphone. Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen it.
This is a Switchcraft insert, so the screw retracts INSIDE the connector, and you can now grab one of the pins with a pair of pliers and
gently
pull it loose (lest you break the wires attached to it). Now you can solder the wires going to the vectorboard to pins 1, 2, and 3. Then thread the wires back into the battery compartment and
reinsert the connector insert. Remember to lock the connector in place by turning the insert screw clockwise.
Now you can solder the wires to the connection points on the vectorboard.
Schematic Diagram. Parts with no values are part of original microphone.
| 3,101 |
The Count: Golden Age of Punting May Be Short-Lived
The current state of NFL punting? It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. Punters are booming the ball farther than ever, and serving a vital role on bad teams. Yet the signature play of the season so far was a coach’s decision not to punt in what seemed like an obvious punting situation. Other coaches also are thinking twice about punting. It is the age of wisdom, it is the age of foolishness. Teams are using and avoiding punting with more intelligence, yet too many of them won’t opt to keep the ball until desperation has set in and it is essentially too late.
| 635 |
Since no one else replied I'm thinking it's something on your end. If you haven't already, try logging out on all devices, clearing your cookies and cache on all, restart the browsers and then log back in.
It's strange that you mention having the same issue on your phone, if you were on OS X/iOS I might think that your preferences might be screwed up and are syncing between devices, but I don't think that happens between Windoze and Samsung browsers. I looked into your account and nothing looks out of place.
what kind of browser are you using on your phone? You should be getting the enhance mobile view on that. If possible, do you think you can show me a screen shot of it?
Are you using any plugins on IE? If you can load a screen shot of this, it would help as well. I tried opening the site on IE and I don't have any errors.
~ LL, community support
Not sure what browser is running on phone, Where would I find out what its running? ( Im not exactly computer savy) I use the normal view as I cant get away with the enhanced view.
It just throws up a message, Unfortunately the internet has stopped working.
No plugins running as far as Im aware? It doesn't do it straight away but once it starts it keeps doing it every few minutes.
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The idea behind the Parley rule is to prevent raw card power from determining the strength of a deck.
If you have ever tried to play a casual game with a friend you probably noticed that your decks were not balanced. This is fine for the first few games, but gets boring after a while since the games become predictable. With Parley each game is balanced regardless of traditional deck power.
Mana screw and mana flood are no longer a problem. If you get bad mana you can simply wait until you draw all the cards you need. The parley rule will keep you safe long enough to set up an interesting board.
The size of the meta game is expanded. A healthy meta game in a traditional format has at most 15-20 decks, but in some cases can have as few as one or two. In Parley the size of the meta game is limited to the number of decks with win conditions. At the time of writing there are about 15 thousand Magic Cards printed. The number of possible combinations of cards that make legal decks easily dwarfs the number of atoms in the universe. In other words Parley is a deck builders dream!
To build a winning Parley deck you don't have to copy a netdeck. In fact using a well known deck is probably a disadvantage. The best Parley deck is the deck you build yourself. Since neither player can win until both agree that the board looks more or less even you will want to build decks with cards and combos that are difficult to evaluate.
Now this format is only theoretically unsolvable. In the next month or two I'll be hosting a Parley tournament and will post an update with lots of pictures and results. I'll be offering some nice prizes and really try to put this format to the test. I plan on playing a traditionally weak old school deck. I'm sure my opponents will bring lots of modern powerful cards.
The main idea behind Parley is to use bargaining to balance decks before players actually battle. But how do we know that bargaining is balanced? Economists have been studying this problem for decades, and as far as I can tell from the research bargaining is balanced.
To fold the brass. I took an exact-o-knife and used it to file a groove. I knew the groove was deep enough when I could feel the metal starting to give way by hand.
Once I could feel it giving I clamped it down and folded the bend.
Although this box does not wobble or squeak. It is rather heavy. Also I don't really like the way metal feels. I learned a lot making it, but I don't recommend it, it just does not feel as nice as a solid wood box.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
If you see these little dots it probably means you're not using enough FolkArt.
The FolkArt bonds with the InkAid/Digital Ground and gives it more adhesion. The adhesion is what allows the InkAid to dry evenly over the whole card. The InkAid naturally wants to bead up like water over wax. Thats why you see the dot like pattern above. Its a result of the InkAid/Digital Ground beading up and then drying in that pattern.
2)
The problem with this one is that the text is pretty blurry.
This is probably the most common problem people have. This happens because either you don't apply enough FolkArt or your printer's settings are producing too much ink.
One of the main purposes of the FolkArt Glass and Tile Medium is to provide a porous surface to absorb ink like a sponge. If the ink is not absorbed it will have no where to go and just bleed out.
To solve this problem you apply more mixture or increase the amount of FolkArt in your mixture.
Or you adjust your printer settings to produce less ink. If you have a fancy printer you can set the ink levels directly, otherwise you'll probably have to adjust your "Paper Type" setting and do some trial and error until it looks right.
3)
This is what happens if you try to print on a card without InkAid/Digital Ground. InkAid allows the InkJet ink to bond with precision. If we don't use it the ink will look like a big blur.
4)
Here you can see that the card on the left is super washed out.
This can happen because your "black levels" in Photoshop are not low enough or your "contrast" in Photoshop is not high enough. Setting black levels and contrast requires calibration and is the main skill used in producing really nice prints.
In the above case, however, the problem turned out to be a printer problem. The guy was using a really nice Epson Photo Stylus R2880 which uses pigmented inks. It seems the solution to his problem was to adjust the printer speed. I've never seen the problem in person and it seems to be a rare problem, but hopefully it will help someone else.
5)
In the above picture there are globs of mixture on the card as opposed to a smooth texture. The exact cause of this problem is still unknown. Here are some things to try if this happens to you:
Firstly, make sure that you STIR the FolkArt. If you read the instructions on the back of the FolkArt is says that shaking it is not enough. This is true in my experience. FolkArt naturally congeals and the only way to ensure that it is a smooth texture is to take the end of your brush and stir the liquid.
If that doesn't solve the issue then the next thing to try is to apply the FolkArt first, let it dry fully, then apply the InkAid or Digital Ground as a second layer. The reason that applying the chemicals in two separate layers can sometimes fix this issue is still unknown. Most people are able to mix the FolkArt and Digital Ground with no issue. Some people, however, when using the exact same brands do experience this issue. We believe that some batches of InkAid or Digital ground have slightly different formulas that result in a chemical reaction that causes the mixture to congeal. If you have any information on why this could be happening please email me.
Mixing the two products is only a convenience and is not required for making a great print. In the non-foil video I apply the mixtures in two separate layers and achieve fantastic results.
One final note on this--if you are making a foil cards please allow enough time for the IndAid/Digital Ground layer to fully dry before applying any gloss. If you apply the gloss before the lower layers have a chance to fully dry then, since the gloss is wet, it can cause the lower layers to mix and create the bumps.
6)
In the first picture, you can see some horizontal lines running across the blue part of the card. In the second picture you can see sketchy black lines also running horizontally. There are two causes for this problem.
1) Your printer is low on ink.
2) Your print heads need to be cleaned.
Most printers have an option to automatically clean the print heads. If that doesn't resolve the issue you may need to clean your print heads manually. To do this take the print cartridges out of the printer. Take and use a cotton swab or paper towel and moisten it slightly with some warm water. Then use dab the place where the ink comes out lightly with the swab until its clean. Let it dry and put it back.
I'll be sure to post more common problems here in the future. If you don't see your problem here email me with pictures and I'll post it and the solution.
Monday, September 19, 2016
I made them with a soldering iron. Can you guess what they are for? They are actually a Quinary life counter.
Each half of the box represents one quinary numeral. You put them together to make a number.
Take this orientation for example:
The three dots on the left are the quinary number 3. Since that is the left most numeral we multiply 3 * 5 to get 15. The dot on the right is the quinary number 1. So the above orientation represents the number 15 + 1 = 16. This box can count all the way up to 24--pretty cool!
The bezel is made of brass.
I tried making boxes with wooden bezels, but the problem with that is that they squeak and wobble.
I also tried making a box entirely out of brass, but the problem with that is that the box is too heavy and also too wobbly over all, since thin metal is not very ridged.
The design is simple, but you need to make sure that the top of the bezel is perfectly flat otherwise you'll get squeaks. Takes a bit of trial and error.
The wood is 1/16th inch thick Cherry. I applied three coats of shellac to the interior of the wood to protect against acid off gassing. The shellac should last about the 20 years it will take for the wood to deplete all its acid.
Overall I don't really like this design that much because the lid tends to wobble and the metal is rather heavy... back to the drawing board for me.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
I like the design of this deck box better than
the sliding top or the suction fit since this design
doesn’t squeak or wobble.
I have two smaller pins on the top and bottom
for extra stability. When closed this box feels like one solid piece of wood.
The latch is a metal nail that I’ve bent and
driven into the lid. It fits into a ~1 cm long metal tube hidden in the side of
the box.
You can adjust how tight you want the latch to hold
by bending the nail slightly with pliers. My latch is set tight enough to never
open accidently or even when vigorously shaken.
I prefer wood deck boxes to metal ones because wood
is more rigid and lighter, but fresh cut wood does produce acid. To deal with
this it is important to seal the inside of the box with 3 layers of shellac or
polyurethane.
No need to worry about the protective layer
breaking down, by the time that happens (~15 years) the wood will have dissipated all of
its acid.
If you decide to paint your box note that it
takes three weeks for acrylic (aka latex) paint to fully dry. Even though it
feels dry, the lid will make sticky tacky sounds and may stick to the bottom.
This will all go away in three weeks once the paint is fully dry.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
I noticed that a few people were using a $25 Impulse Sealerto seal
their card sleeves.
Sealing card sleeves is cool, but I think there
are issues with judges not allowing them in tournaments since the top seals
could appear marked.
If you seal your inner sleeves this is not a
problem, since an outer sleeve will obscure the seal.
I tried sealing KMC perfect fits and it works great! (Sealing does not work with Ultra-Pro inner sleeves)
Perfect seal. Nothing is gonna damage that Gerrard’s Wisdom now!
So why bother sealing inner sleeves?
Well, it provides more protection than conventional double sleeving since it’s a
complete seal, but what I really like about it is that I can just play with KMC
perfect fits by themselves in a causal environment.
I suspect that they are actually less likely to
tear or split than normal un-sealed single sleeves since the card itself supports the
plastic corners. I’ve been doing this for months and haven’t had a single split.
Of course they keep out more dirt and moisture
than an un-sealed single sleeve.
They are obviously much cheaper than normal single sleeves.
For casual play I really like the thinner
plastic. When I play causally with friends I want the closest experience
possible to playing with just bare cards. I like that I can see the card backs
and not some ugly uniform plastic color. I like that the cards feel like cards
and not thick plastic.
The thickness of your decks is of course
massively reduced. A 75 card deck can easily fit in my pocket when using only
sealed KMC Perfect Fit sleeves.
To make a seal I recommend you take off the little
cloth thing. Put the card in a small book to push out all the air and hold it
flat. Then hold the sleeve at a 90 degree angle to the sealer. Turn the sealer
to the lowest possible setting and push down.
No need to worry about the sealer damaging the
cards either. It is not heat operated, but rather works by sending an electrical
impulse through the plastic. If you accidentally hit the card it won’t heat the card since the card will break the circuit. I’ve sealed a lot of my expensive beta cards this way. They are perfectly fine.
Just to reiterate, the impulse sealer will not work
with ultra-pro inner sleeves. For some reason Ultra-Pro plastic just disintegrates
instead of sealing.
Also, there will be little air pockets at first, but after a few days the extra air will defuse through the plastic and they will be nice and flat.
| 12,266 |
Engineering and Social Justice
by
Donna Riley
Publisher:
Morgan & Claypool Publishers
Print ISBN:
9781598296266, 1598296264
eText ISBN:
9781598296273, 1598296272
Engineering and Social Justice Edition by Donna Riley and Publisher Morgan & Claypool Publishers. Save up to 80% by choosing the eTextbook option for ISBN: 9781598296273, 1598296272. The print version of this textbook is ISBN: 9781598296266, 1598296264.
| 420 |
Personal Injury
Personal Injury Legal Assitance
Serious personal injury or death can occur in countless ways, whether from a car or truck accident, an accident at work, a construction accident, a slip and fall or trip and fall, or a defective product. The injured person or the family of the deceased should not be force to simply live with the consequences of avoidable accidents.
Those who cause such harm should be held accountable for the damages they cause. Tadross Law can guide you through the process and help you to recover for your injuries. We are passionate about giving our clients the personal attention and legal representation they deserve and make ourselves available to walk you through the process at every turn.
Get Help Dealing with Personal Injury
With offices conveniently located in center city Philadelphia and Lansdale, we proudly serve clients in the city and all surrounding counties.
| 917 |
South Africa's Sommelier
Eight years ago, Luvo Ntezo was working as a dishwasher. Now, as Cape Town's most trusted authority on wine, he's a symbol of the country's distinctive postapartheid viniculture
ENLARGE
VINEYARD HAVEN | Ntezo in the vineyards of the Steenberg Winery, just outside Cape Town
Portrait by David Chancellor
By
Tom Downey
Jan. 17, 2013 4:42 p.m. ET
IN OLD-WORLD WINE COUNTRIES, the obligations of a sommelier are clear: help diners sift through a selection of varietals and vintners, then present and serve the chosen wines with precision and care. In places like South Africa, though, where until very recently not many people actually drank wine, a sommelier's job description is a little different. "I get a lot of South Africans who are new to wine," says Luvo Ntezo, 30, who now serves as sommelier at Cape Town's One & Only hotel. "Most black South Africans started drinking wine only in the past 10 years or so."
Photos: Vineyard Dreams
Click to view slideshow. Delaire Graff Images
Many of Ntezo's customers are part of a newly affluent black professional class that is an increasingly significant demographic in postapartheid South Africa. Nineteen years after the end of apartheid, these black diamonds, as they are known locally, are wealthy enough to partake in the finer things. Likewise, the new vines that were planted at that time, when the wine industry was overhauled, are finally beginning to yield superior wines. All of this has paved the way for something unimaginable a decade ago: A black South African is now the country's finest young sommelier.
Eight years ago, Ntezo was working as a dishwasher at a hotel in Cape Town, trying to earn a little money to help continue his studies. One Friday afternoon, as the waiters gathered for their weekly wine tasting, the hotel's sommelier opened a bottle, poured sips for the staff and asked what they thought of the vintage. "Hints of mocha," a barman said. "Notes of apricot," a waiter ventured, which was followed by more earnest proclamations from wine-tasting amateurs. The sommelier spotted Ntezo hand-polishing glasses and, as an afterthought, graciously poured him a taste. Ntezo sniffed the wine and couldn't stop himself from smirking. He was no expert but had learned a little something about wine at his previous job working as a pool boy at a winemaker-run hotel. He took a small sip. "But it's corked," he said. The assistant manager of the hotel turned to his head sommelier, who took another sip and nodded that it was, indeed, a bad bottle.
Ntezo's subsequent ascent was swift: The hotel sent him to school to study wine; he was appointed their new head sommelier; and he went on to win South Africa's best young sommelier competition.
Ntezo's story isn't just inspiring—it also offers insight into a remarkable development in South Africa's viniculture. During apartheid, boycotts targeting the country's racist policies had isolated its wine-making industry from the rest of the world, which meant that modern cultivation techniques, foreign varietals and rich export markets were all effectively off-limits. In the postapartheid era, the wine market has broadened and expanded—importing vines and growing methods— radically improving the wine made there.
Even so, Ntezo has to introduce wine to drinkers who may know little or nothing about Bordeaux, Riesling or Pinot Noir. His approach is simple: Wine can't just be about taste, color and mouth feel. It must also tell a story. "When I serve Grangehurst's Nikela, of course I want people to notice the blend of grapes," says Ntezo. "But I also tell them that Nikela means 'tribute' in the Xhosa language, that winemaker Jeremy Walker created this wine as a memorial to his parents and that he bottled his first batch of Grangehurst on their former squash court in Stellenbosch. That's something they'll always remember and associate with the wine." It's sommelier as storyteller, a role for which Ntezo is well suited as he confidently looks down over his spectacles at customers more than twice his age.
The One & Only hotel group opened its first South African property in Cape Town three years ago and launched with a Gordon Ramsay restaurant in the space where Ntezo now works. In 2010, the hotel shuttered that outlet and brought in South African chef Reuben Riffel, who created a new branch of Reuben's, his restaurant from the Cape Winelands region. Riffel cooks simple, fresh South African food, using local ingredients prepared in a style strongly influenced by his Cape Malay background. (The Cape Malay community comprises ethnic Malays who began to emigrate to Cape Town more than 200 years ago.) "The food Reuben cooks is the food I knew growing up in the region," says Ntezo. "Things like bobotie, a Cape Malay minced-meat curry." Ntezo's challenge is to find wines that don't just stand up to the strong, spicy flavors in Riffel's cooking but that also bring something more to the palate. "I see my job as finding a wine that helps complete what a dish is giving you," Ntezo says. "But it's hard. A chef can create exactly the flavors he wants. I can only work with what the winemakers give me."
Related in Off Duty
Just as the One & Only realized that diners wanted something distinctively South African—and not another international chain restaurant—so too does Ntezo understand that customers now want to drink local wine, not bottles imported from abroad. That's partly national pride and price consciousness, but it's also a reflection of the sheer variety of new South African wines. "Other new-world wine countries do one or two styles of wine well," says South African Darren Humphreys, who leads wine tourists to South Africa. "But South Africa has a varied climate, and its winemakers have an experimental approach." Much of the South African wine that reaches America's shelves is marketed as a lower-cost alternative to American or European offerings, which means that the country's highest-quality wines are often available only for the domestic market. A trip here is an opportunity to drink vintages that are impossible to procure at home.
And there is no shortage of distinctive wines to be savored. Apart from being ringed by beautiful mountains and two great oceans, Cape Town is also surrounded by many of the country's significant wine-making regions, which means Ntezo can hop in his car on a Saturday morning and, 40 minutes later, be drinking new offerings at the vineyards of his winemaker friends. "People choose to live in Cape Town because of its beauty, its location, its mountain backdrop," says Ntezo. "Sommeliers choose to live here because it puts us right next to the most important wine-producing region on the continent."
Though Ntezo's specialty is South African wine, he trained for international competitions by tasting the finest vintages in the world. After he'd won South Africa's young sommelier competition, he was sent to Vienna in 2008 to vie for the world championship. To help him prepare for competition against young sommeliers from France, Italy and England, who'd spent years drinking European wines, One & Only general manager Clive Bennett found him a wine mentor and shipped in cases of French and Italian wines. Ntezo placed fourth and returned home with the skills to measure South Africa's wine against the best in the world.
On Wine
Wine sellers targeting countries with newly wealthy populations have often adopted the same simple sales tactic: offer the most expensive, exclusive and famous French Burgundies and Bordeauxs to their Chinese, Russian, Indian and Brazilian customers. Even in Johannesburg, Ntezo argues, customers often gravitate toward the priciest offerings on the wine list. "In Jo'burg they drink wine to massage their egos," he says. "In Cape Town we drink wine to massage our palates."
Still, many wealthy South Africans are in search of good value when they open Ntezo's wine list. Years ago that would have meant drinking old South African mainstays like pinotage—a distinctively South African blend of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut—or Chenin Blanc. Now sommeliers like Ntezo have more choices to recommend and can find a ready and interesting South African corollary to the foreign wines that their guests already love—most likely a wine that came of age in the last decade or so, just as Ntezo did. And they can be found just down the road.
This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.
| 8,720 |
2) I'm teaching an introductory Watercolor Painting class at Montgomery County Community College. As some people know, these classes are open to all Montgomery county residents and can be taken not just for credit, but as "continuing education" at a very reasonable cost. There's also no pre-requisite for people not taking the class for credit. This semester the class runs January 21-May 12, Monday & Wednesday, 12:55-2:55 pm, on the Bluebell, PA campus. You can get the registration info on the MC3 website: http://www.mc3.edu/ Look for Watercolor Painting ART*222*EC (20720)
3) I'll also be teaching an Art Historyclass at Montgomery County Community College, but it is already full.4) In addition, I am teaching a mixed level Drawing 1 & 2 class at Montgomery County Community College. This class is also fully enrolled.
Philadelphia Plein Air Painters at NAA
This group show features works by artists in the Philadelphia Plein Air Painters. Artists exhibiting: Niloofar GH, Mike Manley, Nancy Bea Miller, Charles Newman, Alina Osipov, Jen Polillo, William Sentman, Lexi Thomas.
"The Philadelphia Plein Air Painters is a group of students and alumni from the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, who have come together through their love of chasing light and painting on location in the outdoors. Although each artist has his or her own individual voice and painting style, the group’s work as a whole shares a common passion for careful observation of color and light, as well as the academic painting tradition.
Urban, suburban, seaside or country–everything is a subject for their brushes and palettes." ~NAA
| 1,655 |
Journey Diary
This is my diary of bike rides to different parts of India. Roads & People I saw through Bike Rider's eyes.... WELCOME to the biker's world !!
Mumbai - Jawhar- Trimbak- Nashik
Our Ride
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Dhoom 2 – Ride to Jawhar – Trimbak – Nasik
Dhoom 2 – Ride to Jawhar – Trimbak – Nasik
I thought about this name for this ride blog , just because it was a sequel to our previous ride ( Shirdi ). Just like Dhoom 2 after Dhoom 1 , just as hit as first part.
In our previous ride we went to Shirdi and came back through Nashik – Trimbak – Jawhar route. So on that ride while coming back , astonishing beauty of that road in monsoon really made us ride on the same route again. While coming back from Shirdi only, we already had decided about our next ride – Mumbai – Manor – Jawhar – Trimbak – Nasik.
So, ride began on 25th July @ 7.00 am from fountain hotel. After a brief photo session all riders hit NH 8 towards Ahmedabad. First halt decided at Manor , 58KMS from Bhayender. Weather was pleasant and Gang was big. What else you need for a ride ?
Instead of going to Manor and stopping there for breakfast , we stopped at Kamat's , 4 kms from Manor phata. It was a wise decision taken by our own Food Minister – Twinspark Sr. At Manor there's just a tea stall with some vada pav and bhajia. So, everybody agreed to stop at Kamat's and have our breakfast. What an Idea Sirji !! Upma , Misal pav , Vada Sambhar, Batata vada , Chai...... Ordered ....... & finished in minutes ..... Ready to hit road...... Twinspark Sr. Again Instructed Twinspark Jr. “ Second right at Manor from here “ ..... “HMMM” “ Malum Hai “. Twinspark Jr. He was leading the pack. So We started again towards manor, following Twinspark Jr. And as a tradition in every ride , he just zipped past the Manor Phata , following him Varun also passed the road. Twinspark missed the right and went ahead towards Dahanu. Hmmmm...... I went after them to stop them, rode for almost 18 Kms, but couldn't find them, so came back at Manor. Meanwhile somebody called up Varun to tell them, they have gone in wrong way. He received the call and confirmed that he is coming back, While our Leader already had reached Charoti Naka. So he called up and told us that he will meet us at Jawhar directly. So, Leadership was taken over by Twinspark Sr. We started back towards Jawhar. Once you enter Manor and proceed towards Vikramgadh , beauty of nature starts unfolding itself . Starts giving you the complex about your own living conditions and concrete jungle we live in. All small villages along the road , small rice fields, villagers working in those rice fields, mild scent of trees and flowers and soil. Cows and goats grazing in the fields ... perfect setting for tension free life. It actually makes you forget about everything , even you don't feel yr bike under you. You are just flying with the wild flowing wind. In 20 mins or so you reach to Vikramgadh. This is the last major village on the route to Jawhar. Nothing much to say about this village. It's a market place actually and kind of Junction from where one road goes towards Bhiwandi and one towards Manor – Mumbai. There are one or two nature resorts in Vikramgadh , if one want to take halt. After crossing vikramgadh , you are in some different world altogather. Ghat starts through dense forest , good road leads you to Jawhar 22 kms from Vikramgadh. So we crossed Vikramgadh and started riding on the heavenly Ghats through dense forest. Only sound on the road was of our machines and birds chirping.
Small waterfalls and steams were plenty , but somehow we resisted. We were about 8 kms away from Jawhar, and we spotted medium size , very friendly waterfall , and then we could not resist ourselves. Everybody parked their bikes at roadside , removed shoes and just jumped under the waterfall. Chilled water , shark even said that water is very sweet. I Guess nobody dared drink it to taste it, so Shark's point accepted without doubt. Entire OnM gang was freaked out. Clearly they were enjoying the entire set up immensely to the fullest. Jumping here and there like little kids , screaming under chilling waterflow. Every man has a child inside him.... Right guys ? Photo session started , with some decent posses and with some non decent / vulgar posses ...hahahaha..... courtesy SHARK. I tell you , once he wears dark goggles , he becomes Mafia cum hip hop artist. Starts screaming “YO” with finger guns in both hands. Hahahaha...... Twinspark Sr. and TC went ahead to Jawhar to meet Twinspark Sr. who already had arrived at Jawhar. Photo session ended and we started towards Jawhar once again. Merely 8 kms away. Reached.
Jawhar is bigger village than Vikramgad. Must be Because Tribal King “Jayabarao Mukne” and then his dynasty lived there. The village is a paradise of various Picnic Spots / Points like Hanuman Point, Sunset Point, Jai Vilas Palace, Natural Waterfalls, Jai Sagar Dam, Jeejamata Udyan and many mores. With the highest Rainfall and Fog in the region, for many it is "MINI MAHABALESHWAR". About 1800 ft above the Sea Level, and embellished by beautiful natural 'Waterfalls', 'Hills', 'Trees', 'Fog'.
Our Plan was to reach Trimbakeshwar for lunch. So everybody decided to Just visit Hanuman Point at Jawhar and skip Palace. It started drizzling when we reached Hanuman point. Beautiful point to be at. You can see all small villages in belt of Vada – Mokhada- Jawhar , downhill. We found one solitary rock at the end of the cliff and again photo session started. This time few adventurous poses on the rock. Rocking !! Gushing wind and drizzling rain had made the atmosphere impeccable. Descending cloud cover made it misty. Village kids were amused to see all our bikes and all the bikers giggling with joy. We were smaller than those kids at that moment. Photo session ended with all the memories captured in innovative angles. We started towards Trimbakeshwar. Secluded road , almost nobody on the Road, zero traffic , few pilgrims walking towards Trimbak to attend Nag Panchami Festival. Superb !! Tribal Energy has just come back from his Alps & German Off roading bike ride. So has new found love towards Off Roading. He along with Tribal Energy tried their hands at Off Road biking in the green fields. While on our way to Trimbak We witnessed very very funny thing. A helmet wearing driver was driving a tractor with front wheel removed altogather. And he was driving this 3 wheel tractor for too long. At first we were amused to see , why would he drive the tractor with helmet on ? Then , when we saw that his front Wheel is “ Gayab” then we understood the significance of helmet. Later on in the day Bhupi told us ( after two pegs down ) “ Abe Punjab me Tractor aise hi chalate hai “ , no logic ..... nothing “ bus aise hi chalate hain “....... Hahahahahahaah !
Ok so we reached Trimbak at 2.15 pm. Not bad again , after such a fun frolic ride we are just 15 mins behind our schedule. We entered Trimbakeshwar and decided to have lunch first. Policemen were recruited on all the gates, so they drove us towards parking lot , which is almost a KM away from main place. Amazingly Nobody stopped Twinsparks ..... I don't know..how and why ... while we were walking all the way , these guys coolly came inside riding their bulls. “Sala”...” Tum Log Ch***a hai “ “Bindaas leke aane ka gaadi “ “ Abhi bolo khana kidhar khane ka “ “ 1km pe ek mast dhaba hai “ finally we decided to have lunch in Trimbak only , because we wanted to visit origin of Godavari .. Brahmagiri. Kunal Menon know one hotel there which serves good food. We reached the hotel and ordered our food. Ok food with Crispy flies around in hoards and real attitude of hotel staff. They were behaving like , they are doing some favor on us by serving food to us. But to my understanding this is not one off experience , you go any pilgrimage and you will find the same attitude. Just faces are different each time. So at 4.00 we finished our food and started towards “Brahmagiri “ Origin of “Dakshin Ganga – Godavari”
Little History :
Gautam Rishi Accidentally Killed a holy cow , which was actually Parvati's Friend Jaya. All rishis and sadhus advised Gautam , bath in the Ganges would set him free of his sins. He He was too old to go to Ganga , so he worshiped lord Shiva , who was controlling Ganga. Pleased with Gautam's worship Lord Shiva Appeared at Brahmagiri. Ganga Refused to part with Shiva , so refused to appear. Angry Shiva did Tandav at Brahmagiri. In a rage he dashed his jata on the rock ( Jatashankar ), frightened Ganga appeared at brahmagiri. Ganaga Appeared in south India thats why she is Dakshin Ganga. People who can not go to Ganga, can come to Dakshin Ganga.
Gautam Rishi wanted to take bath in Ganga , but she kept on appearing from different places , so finally Gautam rishi surrounded the river with enchanted grass and put a vow to her. The flow stopped there and the tirtha thus came to be called Kushavarta. It is from this Kushavarta that the river Godavari flows up to the sea. Famous Kumbh mela takes place at Trimabakeshwar and first holly bath takes place at Kushavarta. One of the 12 jyotirlinga – Jatashankar – Developed by Nanasaheb Peshwa after building Temple with full black stones.
Ok, so we decided to visit Brahmagiri – source of River Godavari. Twinsparks were exhausted , and decided to resort to Nashik, where we had booked our stay. Everybody else started towards Brahmagiri. It's about 400 steps up. Trimbakeshwar has boon from Lord Indra , God of Rain , so it rains heavily there. 400 steps - 4248 feet ascending with heavy down pour , was not all easy. Atleast not as easy as we thought. Now I can safely admit it..haha ! No place for shelter no place to hide , just keep walking , drenched in rains. Everybody understood the importance of fitness. After almost every 30 35 steps we were stopping , sitting on steps , catching breath and continuing ahead. Rod , with his long long legs was leading the pack here and he was just surging ahead of everybody. Here we must appreciate spirit of Hanelle ( Piku ) . She was enjoying this experience , the rain as much as we were. This lady never complained about anything in entire ride. Always was smiling and clicking the pics. Tremendous spirit she showed. Rains were getting heavier , and strong water streams had started flowing downwards from steps. So now we were climbing against the water flow , rains, and our own breath. “Will power boss !!” “ Wills Power Boss !! “ against all odds, not for a single moment anybody thought about stopping or returning back. Those mountains , huge Milky Waterfalls , surrounding clouds and mist , Green velvet covered hills would not let us go back unfinished. We got to Reach Brahmagiri to witness the spectacle. Indeed it was a spectacle. 10 – 11 huge Waterfalls falling down from Anjneri mountains , Clouds playing Merry – Go – Round , Wind tossing the rain , up down left right ...... nature was it's sporty best. It took us 1 and half hour to reach top. Guys visited Godavari origin, offered prayers. Also visited Gautam Rishi Ashram , which is located on next hilltop. Clicked Pictures , Group photos. Octopus has great Cam , I really really hope that he has clicked great pictures of that breath takingly scenic spot. At 6.15 pm we started descending back. Now it was a easy task.. Hmmmm...... entire time Kunal Menon was Gayab. Where was he ? Hahahahaha....... believe it ...... he was sleeping on steps under heavy rain. He was damn tired and didn't had sleep previous night. So he chose to take a nap under the rains , while we came back. While coming back we all waited for hot cup of tea and there we saw Kunal menon walking towards us , with sleepy eyes. Hahahahaha ! In next 20 mins were at the bottom of the mountain from where we started our climb. Piece of cake !!
Reached base village , Trimbakeshwar. Had our much needed garam garam chai..... nothing much refreshing and needed when you have done a hard climb trek in pouring rains , than a cup of boiling hot tea. Almost 8.00 pm in the night. Time to head to Nashik about 28 kms away , where we had pre-booked accommodation at Hotel Rajmahal. Initially we had booked three rooms for 14 guys, but then we need to book one more room ( only available room in the hotel ), to accommodate 20 guys. Hmmmm ...2 guys added to tally of 20. two more guys from OnM Gautam and Vipul joined us at Nashik. 22 total. But we were more than happy to accommodate everybody in given space. After all Riding bike in a group means a camaraderies. Knowing each other, having fun with each other and standing by each other.
Night had fallen , and was calling for Daru ...... Everybody arranged their own Daru .... Ordered for Food and all the riders assembled in one room to laugh the night out. Entire OnM Group started playing cards. Started with rummy and switched on to “Teen Patti” later. I Think “Rod” was winning and they were playing Teen Patti on credit. I have understood from “Rod's” colleague , that he forgets the previous night after drinks. So I think the guys who were loosing out to “Rod” were very relaxed to loose , as he was expected to forget about his winning, next morning. While they were engrossed in loud card games, We were engrossed in chatting and talking and drinking and laughing. Room with 20 guys , full on with daru.... can you imagine the noise level ? I guess it must have crossed police permitted decibel level too. Finally Hotel guys called up at 1.30 am, to request us , “ scream slowly” hahahahaha , how can anybody scream slowly ? So we decided to do favor on Hotel and other residents and resorted to bed. Next day we had a plan to get up early and visit Someshwar , on our way back.. Hahahahaha........ Get up early !!...... hahahahahaaha !!
Day 2 :
As expected Twinsparks were ready by 9.00 am. But lot of guys were still in the bed. So we served notice, we are leaving by 10.00 am. At 10.00 am everyone was ready. Miracle ! We should have announced 9.30 am. After settling hotel bills , We started towards Someshwar. Now there's nothing much to talk about this place , I mean historically , but this place is beautiful. Lord Shiva temple on river bed of Godavari. Nice setting. This place has one more significance for Nashik City. It's a Lover's Paradise. Almost 50 % couples who are looking out for some privacy come here to spend time. So eventually in search of Privacy they flock this place in abundance , and finish sitting very close to each other. So close that if boyfriend talks to his Girlfriend, Another Girlfriend of Another boyfriend replies him back, thinking her Boyfriend has spoken something. Anyway, we were not there to listen to the love crooning , no ..no..just clarifying myself ...hahaha......we were there to enjoy this River and temple setting. One more place was on the agenda for visit. Gangapur Dam. This Dam provides almost 80 % of water to Nashik City. So after Someshwar , we started towards Gangapur Dam. It's another picnic spot for Nashikites. About 4 Kms away from Someshwar. After reaching Gangapur Dam, Tribal Energy again started Off Road Biking. Hmmm.... Octopus joined ..... I also joined...... Varun Joined..... Bhupi joined. A muddy narrow road towards Dam. Led us to the spot. Again a photo session. Then few acrobatic bike tricks on uphill by Octopus, Bhupi, Ashish , Varun. Again a Photo Session. 1.30 pm in the watch. We had to start our journey back. Stopped at one hotel for lunch. As expected he took almost an hour to prepare the food. But nobody seemed to be in hurry. Logic was instead of 8 pm we will reach at 10 pm. Whats the big deal ! So finally after finishing our food, we started our journey back to Mumbai by same route we came. By the time we reached Trimbakeshwar , rain had started pouring again. “Indra Dev ka Ashirwad ...aur kya ?” waited for few mins, but there was no sign of rain slowing down. So we decided to start riding in the rain itself. We decided to stick togather and ride real slow. Hahaha...... something has to happen if the entire ride has gone smoothly. Kaput........ my Bull suddenly stopped . Barely 5 kms away from Trimbak. Octopus and Tribal were with me. Somehow we figured out that something must be wrong with Point. Yes , correct, water had gone inside the point. ( all bullet owners know that what this nuisance called “Point” is all about ). did something with the point , loosened or tightened ( I don't know what we did ) the some screw and bull started. Wow.. now we know, what to do , if it again stops. Fortunately it did not. Bullet has it's own mind, it decides on it's own when to run and when to stop. It's not like slave Japanese bike, runs on owners command. Hey hey.... I 'm not finished, if it's not my Bull, it doesn't mean that there would be no other problem.
We started riding the in ghat back to our home. We were almost in the heaven. Big Big blue mountains, flowing river, milky waterfalls , descended clouds had made the atmosphere heavenish. Our souls were almost detached from our bodies and only our bodies were riding our machines, while we were birds flying in the wild. Screeeeccchhhhh............... we stopped .......... Amul's Enticer ....... gone... refused to start. Hmmmmm....... Octopus checked few things, engine speed, petrol flow , plug..... something happened ... Enticer started .. I think it was combination of all the faults. Hahahaha ! 15 kms from there.... Enticer stopped again.... again octopus did some first aid ..... it started. Octopus was like a compounder at doctors place... when doctor is not there and patient come , he does his own analysis , and gives some medicine , hoping it will cure the patient. Miraculously patient also responds to this treatment and gets cured for time being. Our machines were all those hopeful patients at compounder's helm. So, Enticer started back , we reach Jawhar. Now it was was almost 6.30 pm. Locals say it's dangerous to drive on this road in the night , because of it's notorious place for road robbery and snatching. We decided to stop directly at Manor now on highway 50 Kms away. Road is good , so we should be there by 7.30 pm. Not to be..... Enticer would not give us the permission to do so. It stopped thrice and asked for compounder's attention. Amazingly, nobody minded it. After this rejuvenating ride, everyone was in great spirit and we slowly moved on towards Manor. At 8.30pm we were at Manor. Hmmm...... Time to say Good bye to all, coz after this there was every chance of loosing each other in the night and heavy traffic of NH 8. We had our Chai and Sutta at Manor and started our journey back to respective homes. Day before when we rode on the opposite lane, distance looked ridiculously less. 58 Kms is like 1 hr drive MAN ! No to be . Road towards mumbai is in pathetic condition and we had to find road to drive our bike through BIG craters and ditches. 15 days back this road was Butter and now this road is butter on hacksaw. Anyway , after two hours few of us reached Hotel fountain. Our last stop of this Ride, just to say final good bye and handshake. Man... you don't need country side , hills and rocky patches for Off road biking, those who want to experience off road biking can go to mumbai to manor take U turn and come back. Complete back massaging experience. Or rather Back breaking Experience. Hennele was still smiling... amazing...... it's not easy for pillion rider to sit there for two hours, while rider doesn't know whether you r on his back seat or on the road.
Anyway, we bid adieu to each other and headed back to homes. That brings us to “The End” of Dhoom 2 ...... very very eventful and lifetime ride for all of us.
Do we have any Sanjay Gadhvi ( Director of Dhoom ) to make Triology of Dhoom ? I would be certainly starring again .... and I think most of us will do the same ........ Cheers !! See you again on the Road !! Till then Dhoom machale ....... Dhoom machale ............ DHOOM !
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-> Removed the temporary fix.
-> Added a new method close_window_on_confirm(), which displays a confimation dialog box to quit pygtk main_window.
-> This method is mapped to quit() and exit() calls in the ipython console.
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Pages
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
It has been a busy week at work and dog sitting and driving my son where he needs to be. I am so excited that I got my Stampin' Start sets this week, can't wait to build my own snowman :) And my next order will be here tomorrow!! Can't wait to get back into my place and really dig into all my new sets and make some great cards to share.
I have a class this Saturday called "Chock Full Of Cheer", this new Christmas set is soo fun! And on June 30th I have my Butterfly Wings Class and I'm really looking forward to that as well. There is still so much going on, and so much to be excited about and the new Holiday Mini will be here soon.
This past weekend I was asked to make do a page for my son's friend. Yay!! My first custom order! I love how it turned out and it brought tears to the eyes of the daughter and the father, happy ones though!
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Glass Bead Bracelet Set
Polish off your look with these stretch bracelets. Three-piece set features simulated glass beads on a stretch band. Customized in size and scale for the plus size woman. For your comfort, all Catherines jewelry is free of lead and nickel.
Item #168475
Metal alloy / synthetic materials
Spot clean
Imported
8" circumference, with stretch
By Catherines®
Glass Bead Bracelet Set
4.5
5
2
2
Really beautiful ! No over stretching when worn. No elastic showing at all !
December 27, 2012
just right
I liked these bracelets as a group. I needed something to wear with brown and tan and these seemed right for that. The price was right as they were on sale. At first I couldn't tell if it was 1,2, or 3 separate loops. Upon removing the bow, I discovered 3 bracelets which pleased me. Each one has enough weight to hold up on my arms but together they aren't so heavy as to encumber me. They are bigger than I need but are manageable. I like them without the bow but you may choose to use them that way.
December 26, 2012
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Cyber Tuesday
40% Off Everything. Excludes Clearance, Perfect Price, Spanx®, Kiyonna, IGIGI, Palm Beach Jewelry and select handbags. Use promotional code CYBERCA at checkout to receive discount. Valid on Catherines purchases only. Cannot be combined with any other promotional offer or used towards the purchase of Gift Cards or Perks memberships. Valid online only until 11:59 PM PT on 11/29/11. Valid on in-stock merchandise only. Final discount reflected at checkout.
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Today as a result of your help, we have won a major victory for American workers.
This morning, after a long campaign, Jeff Bezos of Amazon announced that the company would raise its minimum wage for all United States employees to $15 an hour — a move that will impact more than 350,000 full-time, part-time and temporary workers.
I want to thank the Amazon workers who worked with us on this campaign and the more than 100,000 of you who signed a petition demanding that Mr. Bezos do exactly what he announced today. This is what happens when we stand up and fight for justice together.
I also want to give credit where credit is due, and that is to applaud Jeff Bezos for his decision today. It is no secret that I have been a harsh critic of the wage and employment practices of Amazon and Mr. Bezos. Today he did the right thing. And the decision could very well be a shot heard around the world because there is no reason why other profitable corporations should not follow his lead.
The time is now for Walmart, McDonald’s and the fast food industry, the airline industry, and the retail industry in general to start paying their workers a living wage — at least $15 per hour. The American people are tired of having to subsidize profitable corporations who pay their workers wages that are so low that many of them are forced to go on food stamps, Medicaid, subsidized housing and other federal programs. That has got to change, and Mr. Bezos’ decision today is a major step forward in that direction.
When I talk about the political revolution — people standing up in their communities and at their workplace and fighting for change — I mean exactly what the Amazon workers and people everywhere did to achieve this victory.
But this fight is far from over because it is not just Amazon workers who deserve a $15 minimum wage. No worker in America should be forced to live in poverty.
I am more convinced than ever after this morning’s news that if we continue to fight for each other — for economic, social, racial and environmental justice — we will win.
3 Comments
Amazon has now slashed benefits for UK warehouse workers, offsetting at least half of a big pay rise it announced. The removal of employee share and incentive schemes could cost thousands of workers £1,500 in a single year, according to the GMB union, which accused the online retailer of imposing “a stealth tax on its own wage increase”.
The retailer’s warehouse workers currently receive one Amazon share, worth $1,961 (£1,508), at the end of every year they work at the company, and an additional share once every five years. If they hold on to the shares for two years, they can cash them in tax-free, according to the GMB. The loss of that payout would be equivalent to roughly half the £3,120 rise in pay promised to the average Amazon warehouse worker outside London. These workers currently earn about £17,000.
Nor will staff will be eligible for cash bonuses they can currently earn if they meet productivity and attendance targets over the peak Christmas trading period.
Tim Roache, the GMB’s general secretary, said Amazon had not said “a dicky bird about cutting staff benefits” when the new hourly pay rates were announced. Roache added: “This is a basically a stealth tax by the employer on its own wage increase – a clear case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. “If Jeff Bezos – the richest man in the world – really wants to give hardworking staff a pay rise, he should let them keep their share options as well as increasing their hourly rate.”
Thanks for your commentary. I appreciate it and plan to send it to Sen. Sanders, Sen Warren, Sen Leahy, Congressman McGovern and others with whom I regularly communicate.
In my state of MA, USA — the minimum wage is $14/hr and raises every fiscal year. This is no accident since we hire our local, state and federal government leaders (our public servants) to follow our dictates and if they do not do so, we replace them.
We also have learned to fight for our rights.. If they do not follow our bidding, you should see us rabble-rouse. … My sister and I learned to start being little fighters when we were children. We always were standing up for social justice and environmental issues since we had many Quaker and other friends, such as Jewish Freedom Riders, who were role models for us. And our parents, Quaker pacifists, supported our efforts and trained us to get better and better at the efforts that we each undertook in our own individual ways. (I can guarantee that even young children can find satisfaction in trying to improve conditions for a community, other individuals who are less fortunate and the natural world.)
The fact is that if people want change regardless of the issue, they have to get off of their rumps and not expect other citizens or government leaders to provide for them. ,,, Nothing will be ceded in terms of power, money, control without an effort much of the time and the effort context (whether wage, climate change mitigation for one’s community, homelessness, starvation, pollution, etc.) doesn’t matter.
Rising up in unison to demand change does. This should be amply clear — i.e., that apathy, passivity, expectation that OTHERS will take care of a problem doesn’t cut the grade. … Howard Zinn explains it amply that we all have to rise:
Presented by History Is A Weapon. … Slavery Without Submission, Emancipation Without Freedom … Of all the people who took us up on it, no one collected. The Empire and the People · A People’s War? · History Is A Weapon’s response
PDF]A People’s History of the United States, 1492-Present – MV Lindseyhttps://mvlindsey.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/peoples-history-zinn-1980.pdf by H Zinn – Cited by 5347 – Related articles A People’s History of the United States, 1492-Present. By Howard Zinn ….. easy acceptance of atrocities as a deplorable but necessary price to pay for progress. (Hiroshima and …. It also engaged in (let us not overlook this) the ritual killing. [PDF]a peoples history – United Diversity – Library library.uniteddiversity.coop/…/Howard_Zinn-A_peoples_history_of_the_United_Stat…
A People’s History of the United States … All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be ….. ties as a deplorable but necessary price to pay for progress (Hiroshima …. It also engaged in (let us not overlook this) the ritual killing of.
Today, the Republic of India faces its gravest moment since it was born seventy years ago. What has hit the second most populous nation in the world – just in the last few months itself – is nothing short of a crisis of Biblical proportions. An untreatable viral epidemic, a debilitating lockdown, a collapsed economy, hunger stalking every corner of[Read More…]
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My work applies a folkloric and historicist lens to medieval and early modern British literature and forward into popular culture.
My interests are in how the narratives of the folk are both read in and repressed by mainstream accounts.
Mascot for #DevilDiss
Mascot for #DevilDiss
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Planning but not writing?
This week I've been more obsessed than usual with my Milton project.
But a sneaking thought crept into my head. This class is about learning HOW to write a thesis or dissertation. However, the end project is NOT a thesis or dissertation, instead it is only a prospectus. So, that's what I realized this week. I'm spending all semester finalizing this project (after working on it and researching it since last spring) with never writing it.
I don't think I can do that.
I don't see how I can work over a year on something and not see it through. So, what to do? Here is the connundrum. I am exhausted. Part of it is the commute every week to school (5 hours round trip). Part of it is the stress of work (making me just want to curl under the covers more) and part is just that it's been a cold, grey winter. I don't know where I will find the energy or time to write a 35-80 page thesis. And I wouldn't have any input in the drafts. There is no advisor, there is no end result. I would do it, just to do it. And yet, I can't comprehend doing all this work and not seeing it through to its final result.
There's a little over a month and a half left of class. And class assignments due. And work to balance on top of that. But I have to figure it out. Wish I was in a program that required a master's thesis.
We'll see. I'm sure that I'll be letting you know.
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About Me
I am a PhD candidate in British and Irish Literary Studies
at the University of New Mexico. My research focuses on how folkloric
characters are represented in literature and popular culture,
specifically the devil.
I regularly write reviews and articles for Sequart Organization. My most recent scholarly work analyzes the function of the folkloric forest in Twin Peaks for an In Focus section of Cinema Journal (2016), the functional aesthetic of the Nightmare on Elm Street films in Style and Formin the Hollywood SlasherFilm (2015), and the creation of Elfego Baca as a folk hero in "Don't Just Print the Legend, Write It: The Odd Construction of Elf ego Baca as Folk Hero" for Western Folklore (2015).
Dissertation Project
The popular understanding of the devil is of a visually different Other who deceives, tempts, and seduces good men and women away from God’s divine authority. He is often portrayed as an adversary and individuals or groups associated with him, such as Jews, Moors, and unruly women, are marginalized and marked as a threat. Yet a longue duree analysis of the English devil from the Anglo-Normans to the Restoration reveals an innately political devil who threatens power structures and defines English nationalism through negation. William of Malmesbury’s Gesta regum Anglorum describes devilish leaders as the greatest threats to England’s stability, who must be defeated by great leaders. Þe Deulis Parlement constructs the democratic collective of Parliament and free speech as demonic. Both I Henry IV and Macbeth demonstrate the dangers of devilish leaders who rebel, challenging the divine authority of the monarchy. Each of these elements; devilish leaders, demonic parliament, and diabolic rebellion are presentand revised in Paradise Lost where Satan is the vehicle for this concerns about English nationalism after the Restoration.
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Tag Archives: 30 years
IFEDA, the Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association is celebrating 30 years of raising standards within the fire protection industry. The association was formed on a desire to bring fire extinguisher technician training to the independent fire trade beyond the confines of the manufacturing companies. Credit for the association should go to Mr Dave Hulse and his company National Fire Training. Through his good offices and at the direction of the founding committee members, IFEDA quickly added what was to become one enduring principle, which is the stated aim of raising quality standards within the fire protection industry through third-party accreditation, initially being BS5750 and lately ISO 9001.
To this day IFEDA requires that its members should achieve third-party accreditation as a means of continued membership. This ensures that the quality standards and workings of member companies and their technicians are independently assessed via UKAS approved schemes such as BAFE SP101 and BAFE SP203 etc. IFEDA itself, whilst being the first fire industry trade association to require members to achieve third-party accreditation, was also the first association within the fire trade to achieve ISO 9001 for its services to members and training courses.
IFEDA members are fire protection service companies, and membership works on the democratic principle of one member, one vote. From humble beginnings, IFEDA board members now sit on various industry committees including British Standards workings groups for fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire safety signage. In addition they also sit on various BAFE scheme committees including fire extinguisher technicians, fire alarms, kitchen suppression and the dry/wet riser scheme. This ensures that IFEDA members’ voices and points of view are represented across the industry.
Graham Ferris, General Manager at IFEDA commented: “There are simply too many people who have made massive and telling contributions to this association over the past 30 years to try and name and pay tribute to their efforts and input, to do so would risk offending an omission who was equally deserving. However, special mention should be made with regards to my immediate predecessor Mr Ray Griffin and our long-time Chairman and now Executive President Mr Colin Payne. Both, in the early 2000’s, were at the inception of major changes in IFEDA not least in making the, then cost-prohibitive, attainment of ISO 9001 available to all the membership, irrespective of their company size.”
Mike Tobin, Chairman of IFEDA remarked: “2019 marks an important milestone in this fast paced and ever-changing industry. I am honoured to be part of the IFEDA journey which has been built from the heart. With sustainable foundations that are built with human spirit, and a drive to continually improve the relevant industry standards. We believe IFEDA is possibly the most authentic trade association within the fire safety sector. Our aim going forward is to direct our operations to assisting members in a fast-moving market, backed with applications to assist in the day to day engineering of systems and services.”
IFEDA continues to raise standards within the fire protection industry, and achieves this by running training courses across a number of disciplines, including: fire alarms, fire extinguishers, dry risers, hose reels, train the trainer, and fire safety signage. All of IFEDA’s training courses have Continuing Professional Development status from the Construction CPD Certification Scheme.
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I’ve expressed my love for the RoyalSlider WordPress pluginbefore, but it takes a little massaging to get it to fully work with retina displays. This walkthrough is intended for non-technical users and uses two completely free WordPress plugins.
Retinafying the Slider Image
The first step is to make the main image of the slider retina compatible. I use Jordy Meow’s WP Retina @2x plugin. This plugin uses the excellent retina.js script and automatically creates @2x versions of all your images for all your image sizes if they are of sufficient resolution.
The reason we need to preload these images is that retina.js looks for image files, searches for an @2x version, and if it finds one, replaces the standard res image with the retina image. If RoyalSlider doesn’t preload the images, retina.js won’t replace them. The downside is that this will slow page load times. I think it’s justifiable, but that may not always be the case.
Retinafying the Thumbnails
To swap the thumbnails to retina, we need to make a new image size, and to do that we are going to use Rahe’s Simple Image Sizes plugin. If you’re more technically inclined, you can also add this directly to your theme. We need to add this size because RoyalSlider doesn’t officially register the image size with WordPress, so WP Retina 2x won’t automatically create @2x versions of the images.
Once you have installed the plugin, in WordPress:
Settings -> Media
Click: Add a new size of thumbnail
Name the new size
Click: Validate image size name
Enter width and height information, default thumbnail size is 96×72, which will be fine in most cases.
Choose a public name, you can use the size name you entered before.
Click Crop. Thumbnails, by default, are cropped, meaning they’ll fit the full height and width of the image. Unless you have abnormally wide or tall images, or images that have essential information that is being cropped, check this button.
If you want to be able to insert this image size into posts with the media menu, click “Show in post insertion,” though this probably isn’t something you want.
Click validate.
I have a site where the images in a slider are particularly wide and the cropping of the thumbnails looks terrible. I just made a new thumbnail size of 126×72 and the problem was solved. If you are on a storage-limited server, you may want to limit the number of image sizes you create. However, 126×72, or even the 252×144 @2x version have small file sizes.
Next we need to generate @2x versions of these images, so we go back to the WP Retina 2x plugin:
Media -> WP Retina 2x
Click: Generate
and that’s it! Retina thumbnails!
Retinafying the Interface
This step is going to require a slightly higher level of technical knowledge. Also, I have only created retina interface elements for the “Light” theme, as this is the one I use.
The first thing we need to do is add an @2x version of the sprite image containing all the interface elements. Download this file and place it in /wp-content/plugins/new-royalslider/lib/royalslider/skins/default-inverted/ add the following to the bottom of rs-default-inverted.css in the same directory:
/* if you are retinafying your preloader, but the CSS for that right here */
}
Please note line 38 and modify it accordingly.
You may also want to include a retina preloader, the spinning graphic that displays as the slides load. The downside here, again, is that a retina preloader is going to load more data, but, again, it isn’t that much in comparison to the retina images the slider will be loading. Additionally, since we have to preload all the retina images this preloader will display for longer than the non-retina version.
I have created two new images for the preloader animation using preloaders.net, that you can download here and here. You can easily make your own: a 20×20 file named preloader.gif and a 40×40 file named [email protected]. Put those files in /wp-content/plugins/new-royalslider/lib/skins/preloaders/ and add this to the rs-default-inverted.css we modified earlier.
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/* Preloader */
.rsDefaultInv.rsPreloader{
background-image:url(../preloaders/[email protected]);
background-size:20px20px;
}
And that’s it! Everything is retinafied!
RoyalSlider is also available as a jQuery plugin, I have no idea if anything written here applies.
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The period from the July 31, 2013 elections to January 1, 2014 has been dominated by a nasty inclination in some sections of the media: fear mongering. But really, it is an inclination that has been consistent with the doomsayers who believe Zimbabwe without the West — or without the rule of the West’s preferred politicians here — will die.
They had this inclination in 1998 when Zimbabwe decided to go into the DRC to assist a fellow African country. Zimbabwe did not die.
They had this inclination in 2000 when Zimbabwe decided to take back its land.
Zimbabwe did not die. They had this inclination in 2002 and 2003 when the European Union and then the United States imposed their economic sanctions on Zimbabwe. Again Zimbabwe did not die.
They had this inclination in 2008 /9 when Zimbabwe embarked on the road to economic empowerment and indigenisation. Zimbabwe did not die.
Now they are singing the same discordant tune after the July 31 elections because their preferred horse once again came up short.
We are getting sage-like premonitions from the fear mongers about how bad 2014 will be. Some are even dreaming of an election this year because Zanu-PF will have run the economy into the ground. Naturally, these merchants of disaster will not tell you that perhaps they are predicting economic collapse because they are actively working towards such a scenario, never mind that they will in all likelihood not win an election in the snowball’s chance in hell event that a poll is called thus year.
What they are trying to do is create a sense of despondency, to breed malaise and lethargy that will sit well with their desire — and efforts — to collapse Zimbabwe.
But Zimbabwe will not die. It did not die in 1998, it will not die in 2014 and it will not die any time after that. Not in this generation and not in the next. This is because Zimbabwe has discovered a resource that no amount of screaming headlines or machination by any doom monger can erode. That resource is self-confidence.
Yes, we have stuttered and stumbled. But we have not fallen. If anything, as a nation we have managed to always regain our bearings and move on stronger than before.
When fast-track land reforms started, some predicted that half the country would die of hunger. They said agriculture in Zimbabwe had been sent to hell in a hand basket.
And now we have eminent scholars telling us that Zimbabwe’s much-maligned “peasant” farmers are producing in remarkable quantities. Not that we need anyone to tell us how our revolution is progressing, but it’s just nice to know that other people around the world can see what is happening on the ground. Indigenisation and economic empowerment has been met with the same unquestioning derision of the fear merchants. But not one foreign company has declared that it has pulled out of Zimbabwe because it is not happy with owning “only” 49 percent of the business.
People all over Zimbabwe are in their own ways contributing to this revolution.The woman who grows tomatoes and sells them at Mbare Musika, instead of waiting for produce from a foreign farm to take the market through a supermarket, is putting her own nail into the coffin of the old, dying Rhodesian enclave economy.
The young man who is innovating in Internet-based solutions for the services sector rather than being a mere user of what the techies in Silicon Valley throw our way is digging the grave of that old economy.
And the indigenous executive who has thrown away his title of commercial director of a large multinational miner and has opened his own gold mine somewhere in Midlands province is planting the seed of the new Zimbabwe.
It is a Zimbabwe that can boldly face the world on its own terms, a Zimbabwe that knows that it is no less a nation than any other just because it is small and is in the heart of Southern Africa.
Yes, there will be birthing pains, there are birthing pains. But the experience of the last 16-odd years — much like the experience of the 14 years of armed struggle — show us that together we can overcome.
No comments:
Pan-African News Wire
The Pan-African News Wire is an international electronic press service designed to foster intelligent discussion on the affairs of African people throughout the continent and the world. The press agency was founded in January of 1998 and has published thousands of articles and dispatches in newspapers, magazines, journals, research reports, blogs and websites throughout the world.
The PANW represents the only daily international news source on pan-african and global affairs.
PANW editor Abayomi Azikiwe is often solicited by various newspaper, radio and television stations for comment and analysis on local, national and world affairs. He has served as a political analyst for Press TV and RT worldwide satellite television news networks as well as other international media in the areas of African and world affairs. He has appeared on numerous television and radio networks including Press TV, RT, Al Jazeera, China Global Television Network, BBC, NPR, Radio Netherlands, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, South Africa Radio 786, Belgian Pirate Radio, TVC Nigeria and others.
| 5,226 |
Meta
Get Hard
Will Ferrell is a millionaire businessman who is accused of committing fraud and is bound for San Quentin prison. Scared by the notion of being homosexually raped he consorts Kevin Hart to help him prepare for prison survival.
Now, already you are probably feeling a little uncomfortable just about the plot to Get Hard. Let alone the continual racist, homophobic and sometimes sexist assault that is watching it. I feel uneasy calling this a movie, because honestly that is unfair to everything else in cinemas at the moment.
But first let’s start with what’s good about it. There is one funny joke. Whether it’s actually funny or I just laughed due to the sheer difference between these five seconds and the rest of the oppressive mess is unclear. But I did laugh once.
Ok, now for the bad. If later in 2015 you see a more offensive piece of work than Get Hard you can count yourself one of the least fortunate people to exist on this planet. I plays out like this detestable porridge of homophobia, thick with patches of horrible racism and the occasional crouton of misogyny. Even if it was funny in parts the sheer offensiveness of the material would be unforgivable, but it really isn’t. Even if it wasn’t as cripplingly hateable it would still be an awful movie experience because it is so unfunny.
You know how I told you not to watch Unfinished Business? Well now you have a reason. To escape Get Hard. Why such a horrendous decision would ever come up I don’t know. But honestly do whatever you can to avoid this film. Fake an illness, break your leg, fly to Argentina. Do anything.
| 1,624 |
Kaossilator BPM-out mod (or any LED)
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS UNDER SUPERVISION, THERE IS AN ERROR I CANNOT DETECT IN THE CIRCUIT
Welcome to acidotunismo.com!
This is the first article I post, I hope many will follow. Basically it’s a site about DIY (do it yourself). It’s a sort of open log of some of my projects for anyone that could be interested. It’s in english and spanish.
What does it do
This circuit is a mod/hack to Korg’s Kaossilator (v1) to extract clean rythm pulses (BPM) from it and be able to control other home-made devices and synchronize them. Specially practical for the “tapping” BPM control and sync’ing with the automatic drums (P.90-P.99).
The circuit is electrically autonomous, feeding from the Kaossilator itself, generating 0 to 6V pulses approx.
It’s not exclusive to the Kaossilator, it can also be used to extract pulses from any LED integrated to a device.
The circuit
Mainly it uses two BJT transistors to detect a negative and positive from a LED inside the digits display, then it goes two a monostable circuit using the famous LM555 to generate a reliable positive pulse and “absorb” small (fast) changes produced by PWM and digit iteration (see Why it works ahead).
I’ve seen in other tutorials that they take ground (GND) from the battery spring, but that’s not optimal as pluging an external power source, the socket disconnects ground from the spring making it effectively disconnected from the rest of the circuit. The pins I found best to take as power source work for battery power and from an external source/transformer.
Origins
I’ve detectet that, no mater which condition, the Kaossilator turned on and off a LED in the numerical display with each rythm pulse and I imagined it could be extracted electronically.
As I don’t have an oscilloscope I’ve tried with a computer speaker: The sleeve of the TRS plug connected to circuit ground and the tip of the plug through a resistor to different pins on the numeric display to hear which one sounded more when the BPM LED was turned on. After detecting one, leaving the connection there, I started trying other pins with the plug’s sleeve to see which pin improved the signal. A common circuit bending technique.
Afterwards with a 9V battery and a generous resistor of 10kΩ (just in case) I tested and effectively with those pins, in the orientation thought to work, turned that led on.
Why it works
This is a more complete and technical explanation of the inner workings of the circuit.
7 segment displays + dot inside are usually 8 leds that share a common anode (+) or cathode (-).
Most of the times, to economize pin counts in controllers, a method better than one pin per led is chosen. All anodes (+) of LEDs of the same segment on each digit is shared, but each digit has it’s own cathode (-). They change at high speed, faster than what the eye can perceive, iterating each cathode.
The Kaossilator’s display has 3 digits monolithically sharing pins. With the classic method it would need (8 anodes) x (3 digits) = 24 pins, but optimized we have (8 anodes) + (3 cathodes) = 11 pins, cathodes are shared by each digit and anodes are shared by each segment on the digits.
The NPN and PNP transistors work as gates. When the NPN base conected to the LED’s anode detects a positive, it opens. Same happens with the base of the PNP detects a negative voltage.
Logically it worked, but I was left with a doubt, because to turn on/open BJT transistors, the voltage in the base has to be higher than the one in the emitter for NPNs or lower than the emitter in case of PNPs. In this circuit the emitters are connected to each other, apparently being an “what came first: egg or chicken?” situation. I’ve ended up testing the circuit in a LTSpice IV simulation to try to understand what was going on.
I’ve concluded that leakage currents were filtering in both transistors, generating a snowball effect until both transistors open completly.
This afterwards gos to a monostable LM555 circuit (explained in thousands of sites) to generate a stable pulse.
The fastest rate the Kaossilator handles is 300BPM = 5 beats per second, or 1/5 seconds per beat.
Half of that period is good for us: 1/10 seconds.
In between, the circuit absorbs pulses from the iteration of digit cathodes and PWM used to lower the intensity of the digits (and save power).
According to calculations for the 555 monostable, we have that the period T = 1.1 x R x C. I used 100kΩ y 1μF, ergo T = 0.11s almost the 1/10 seconds I was aiming for. Good enough.
My other DIY devices generally use 9 volts. To be able to connect them to this device that delivers 6V, a PNP transistor could be used as the right side of the schematic shows.
I hope this was easy to understand and worked for you, thanks for reading!
10 comments
Wawww Great job! Please can i ask more details of where to connect the cables please. I mean, where the cables goes? I’m working on my own. Have already done several extreme mods as connect a linear lcd behind the Kaossilator. It does not worked yet. Hope i will not burn my device. I would like to give it a try of your idea… before i close and finnish it. Peace!
Marcelo, thanks! You can see the connections in the photos I uploaded to the article. The article is under revision because it had some false triggering with my Korg Volca Beats but works ok with my other devices. I’ll be buying an oscilloscope soon to -hopefully- capture the glitch goblin and make it more stable.
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Great! I had the same idea, to suck the DP Point of the TOT-3301 to trigger. And whilest looking for a decoupler I found your site.
I never was able to get a schematic of the Kaossillator out of Korg.
The output Board KLM-2797 has two unused jack places. I guess its the same board as for the KaossPad 1 (this unit has 2 Audio in).
Has anyone tried to feed an Audio signal into the Kaossillator?
Greetings
So, I checked this: No input signal will be go into the Kossillator! But the other issue is to also use the lower, RED Led which, in some cases activated, gives out a parallel 8x faster signal synched to the display-bpm-led.
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Harvest is coming to Pennsylvania!
Harvest is coming to Pennsylvania!
Not only is Harvest expanding to serve patients all across Arizona, but our nationwide presence is continuing to grow, too!
We recently learned that Harvest’s application for a dispensary license for a Pennsylvania dispensary was approved by the state’s Department of Health, which under PA law means we’re authorized to operate not just one, but THREE new Harvest dispensaries!
Our first Pennsylvania dispensary will be located in the city of Reading. While we don’t yet know the exact locations of the next two dispensaries, we do know that our position in the southeast corner of Pennsylvania means that they’ll be located in or near the populous and competitive Philadelphia metro area.
The chance to operate in the state’s most competitive region allows our unique abilities as medical cannabis providers to shine brightest. When we’re up and running, we’ll be able to help countless Pennsylvanians who live with chronic conditions, and who have waited a long time for the ability to treat their ailments with their choice of safe medicine. We hope that Pennsylvania patients’ successes in improving their quality of life with cannabis can inspire future expansion of safe cannabis access across the country. So the next time you search for “dispensaries near me” in PA you will see a Harvest marijuana dispensary.
Harvest is coming to Pennsylvania!2017-08-092018-10-02https://www.harvestofaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/harvest-medical-marijuana-dispensary-logo.pngHarvest of AZhttps://www.harvestofaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/harvest-medical-marijuana-dispensary-logo.png200px200px
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University of Minnesota employees seek paternal leave equity
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - University of Minnesota employees are pushing to make the institution's parental leave policy more inclusive.
University policy gives women who give birth six weeks of paid paternal leave, while fathers and adoptive parents receive two weeks.
The University Professional and Administrative Senate passed a resolution in the spring calling for six weeks of paid leave for all parents.
The Minnesota Daily reports that the resolution was created in part as a response to concerns about providing sufficient pay to adoptive parents.
Ian Ringgenberg is the professional and administrative senate's chair-elect. He's spent the semester encouraging others to adopt the resolution. He plans to present it to the Social Concerns Committee in early December.
The resolution will likely be presented to the University Senate in the spring.
Members of the newly created commission to regulate ethics laws for Wisconsin office holders and lobbyists are beginning their work with the simplest of tasks: deciding on a name. Weightier decisions aren't far...More >>
Democratic Wisconsin Senate Leader Jennifer Shilling says she is open to releasing more details about sexual harassment claims made in the Legislature. Shilling said Wednesday that she's trying to strike a balance...More >>
Attorney General Brad Schimel says he hopes that contempt proceedings against nine people who worked on a now-closed secret investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's campaign will lead to evidence revealing who...More >>
Attorney General Brad Schimel says he hopes that contempt proceedings against nine people who worked on a now-closed secret investigation into Gov. Scott Walker's campaign will lead to evidence revealing who leaked...More >>
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Organization: United Jewish Children’s Fund dba The Kings Soldiers (Chayolei Hamelech)(Notice these numbers are not from the camp’s 990, that is yet to come, this is a separate non-for-profit used to launder money, WIS will explain in a separate post)
Total Revenue: $350.089
(Lot’s more about this Org to come – separate expose jusr for this).
UPDATE: How could WIS have forgotten this big one
Business: Empire Holdings L.P. and D.S. Community Management Inc.
Owned and Operated by: Chanina Sperlin Family
Office Location: 549 Empire Blvd. Brooklyn, NY 11225
Assets: In the Millions. Exact amount unknown.Bellow you will find a list of just a few of the properties the Sperlin family owns…
Just a Few
The above has but been just a few small examples of how much money flows in the streets of Crown Heights.
So how is it that with so much money flowing amongst those who brought Braun to Crown Heights (promoted Braun etc…) can’t put together $18.000 dollars to help a poor family. Can’t they do some laundry for this poor family of eleven?
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A summary report of the Korean film industry submitted to South Korea’s National Assembly last week by the Korea Film Council contained rare surveys on the country’s film distribution system by local film professionals. In the report — part of the mandatory documents for an annual audit hearing held every fall — 86.6% of 492 film professionals said Korean multiplex theater owners are “unfair” in selecting films between their affiliates and other producers. The survey also said that theaters discriminated against films of other producers in allocating the number of screens and screening time. Up to 67.2% said local theaters are “unfair” in allocating screens.
Chun Byung-hun, a lawmaker with the Democratic United Party, who initiated the survey, said the report is a telling sign of films that are playing in theaters now, citing that Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King, which opened on 689 screens last month, and sold 6 million tickets in just 20 days, was backed by CJ Entertainment, which also runs the country’s largest theater chain CGV. Spy, a film from Lotte Entertainment, which runs the second largest Lotte Cinema, had a smooth start by securing 533 screens.
“Even without discussing film quality, it’s hard to deny that the backing of major multiplex theaters was an absolute factor of the films’ success,” Chun said.
Lim Seong-kyu, a spokesman at Lotte Entertainment, declined to comment specifically on the government survey, but added that the company has been collaborating with film bodies like the Korea Film Council to achieve “shared growth” with local film professionals by strengthening copyright issues of screenwriters and properly insuring its production staffs. Elsewhere, CJ Entertainment operates “Movie Collage,” or special screenings of art house films.
But in a country of less than 30 arthouse theaters, the survey result sums up the complaints film directors and producers have about theater owners. .
“There are no rules to the market competition at the moment,” Korean art house director Kim Ki-duk told THR. “In many countries outside of Korea, theater owners are banned from producing or investing in a film for a good reason. When I went to a theater in France, they had 13 screens and they still played 13 different films, and TheDark Knight was only one of them.”
Pieta, Kim’s latest film, which won Golden Lion award in Venice, opened in 153 screens locally, and closed after 27 days.
“Pieta filled 46% of seats on average,” Kim said. “By the general market rule, theaters would have expanded screen numbers, but films [produced by affiliates of theaters] with less than 15% of seating were given more screens instead. This attitude of major distributors shows the market trend. Clearly, they don’t want to screen films like Pieta, because it challenges their system of filmmaking.”
Others like Jeon Chan-il, the programmer at Busan International Film Festival, however, disagree with that view.
“The problem about the monopoly in the film industry is not limited to Korea,” Jeon said. “I also think that despite such conditions, Korean cinema is still one of world’s most vibrant and diverse, and the country being the world’s 7th largest film market is a telling sign.”
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Girl Scouts Cookie Locator lets you find Girl Scout Cookies close to you. Use your phone's GPS location to find sales nearby, or find them by ZIP code, city or state.
You can map your way to a Girl Scout Cookie booth or share results with friends. Add the sale details automatically to your calendar and sign up for email alerts so you always know when Girl Scout Cookie sales are near you.
| 391 |
Violence against women rises in Pakistan
More than 5,000 cases of violence against women were reported in the first half of this year
November 28, 2016
Violent crime against women in Pakistan this year increased 37.5 percent, claims the country's leading feminist advocacy group.
"Some 5,500 cases were reported in the first six months of 2016. This is a sharp increase on last year when about 8,000 women were victims of violence across the country", said Mumtaz Mughal, resident director of the Aurat (woman) Foundation.
"In Punjab, the most populous province, only 21 percent have a share in inheritance but many do not have the ownership or occupy their piece of land. Six million female children are school dropouts while girl enrolment in schools is lower at 44 percent compared to boys at 56 percent," Mughal said.
"Even women lawyers and journalists cannot pursue their careers because of unsuitable environment at their respective workplaces," she said.
Mughal was addressing the media on Nov. 24 to mark the International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign.
The theme selected for Pakistan is "Education, secured for everyone". The foundation plans more than 120 events including dialogue sessions, seminars and conference till Dec. 10, Human Rights Day.
| 1,296 |
fredag den 7. august 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has warned that the US will "take action" against Eritrea if it does not stop supporting militants in Somalia. (...)
At a joint news conference with him after the meeting, she said: "It is long past time for Eritrea to cease and desist its support of al-Shabab and to start being a productive rather than a destabilising neighbour.
"We are making it very clear that their actions are unacceptable. We intend to take action if they do not cease."
She added: "There is also no doubt that al-Shabab wants to obtain control of Somalia to use it as a base from which to influence and even infiltrate surrounding countries and launch attacks against countries far and near."
Mrs Clinton said if al-Shabab obtained a haven in Somalia "it would be a threat to the United States".
Forty-one percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Thursday say they favor the war in Afghanistan -- down 9 points from May, when CNN polling suggested that half of the public supported the war.
Fifty-four percent say they oppose the war in Afghanistan, up 6 points from May.
| 1,154 |
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Re: what is god to you?
Re: what is god to you?
Originally Posted by davemelnick
I work w/ a property appraiser. Iow, dealing w/ real-life facts -. Then again, always get LOL when I hear religious nuts speak of illogical events/plagiarisms & frauds as real-life history. At best I can see why they rely on astronomy & astrology & economics/trade for milleneas.
I work for a pest control company, dealing with real life termites and bugs. What does that and your statement have to do with anything. We deal with real life facts all the time. It doesn't preclude faith. And why am i a nut because I choose to take God on faith? I don't believe in astrology or reading the stars (I guess that's what you mean by astonomy) to make any decisions. Who do you know that does? And if they believe in astrology and use it to make decisions AND say they are a Christian, they are not practing what the bible preaches. Astrology is the same as false prophets and should be used for entertainment purposes only.
And by calling we who believe "religious nuts" you are judging and persecuting us and that is wrong whether you are a Christian or not.
Re: what is god to you?
Nope, don't believe in GOD! Too macho for me.. Typical male coming to the rescue.. and calling all the shots! HA, seems emancipation hasn't reached to heaven yet!
Until there is talk about a GODDESS I'm keeping my options open.
Re: what is god to you?
Agnostic for the win
I tried believing in a god once, never did anything for me, couldn't feel what other people seemed to feel, figured it was just all chemical related, you know like dopamine and other chemicals in the brain
I realized how many other possibilities there are, and it all just turned to stone
I believe in the inability to fully understand things, and that faith is just a game, a silly game that makes no sense, as if our lives are just gambles; the idea that we were created just to love and worship whatever god so we can make it to whatever paradise is just stupid to me, and I'm not really sure why other people don't see how funny it all is really; overall, I don't really have a problem with religion, just those who follow it, who block off all thought for the idea that maybe it's not what they think it is, that maybe it's possible we're all being scammed; I don't mean no disrespect, and I'm getting into any debate, so don't bother calling me names or trying to prove me wrong, because I'm not here to be proven wrong, nor am I here to be proven right, just speaking my mind
Re: what is god to you?
Originally Posted by boogerb53
That's why it's called FAITH!!!
Hi again,
I always asked for me, what is faith?Then I came
to following conclusion: Faith, at least for me, is to
believe in things that don't exist, ie, the ancient
civilizations had faith in his gods, but until now any
evidence about existence of anyone been found.
Otherwise, we would have a Universe riddled with of gods.
Re: what is god to you?
Originally Posted by Felipe
Hi again,
I always asked for me, what is faith?Then I came
to following conclusion: Faith, at least for me, is to
believe in things that don't exist, ie, the ancient
civilizations had faith in his gods, but until now any
evidence about existence of anyone been found.
Otherwise, we would have a Universe riddled with of gods.
Well, maybe the universe is, and we're just the dust & so many icky microbes on one of their marbles...or dust bunnies.
Now while I don't have "faith" or "a faith" in any ideological supreme being or beings, I don't understand why faith in something would have to be relegated to something that doesn't necessarily exist...or does..or even hasn't..or has, for that matter.
I have faith in me, so by using that logic, then I don't exist...okay, so now maybe I'm gettin' a little creeped out.
| 4,086 |
Middlemore Hospital admits it failed musician Peter Gutteridge
Middlemore Hospital has admitted that it “failed” musician Peter Gutteridge, who died in the hospital’s Tiaho Mai mental health unit.
Deputy Chief Coroner Brandt Shortland has found that Gutteridge’s death early on Monday September 15, 2014, was self-inflicted.
Gutteridge was a founding member of late 1970s and early 1980s Dunedin bands The Chills and The Clean, and was described by Flying Nun, the label that released much of his music, as “a true hero of New Zealand music”.
Gutteridge, who was 53, was admitted to Tiaho Mai under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act after arriving at Auckland Airport in an “agitated and confused” state on Friday September 12, after visiting the United States.
The hospital placed him on a system requiring observations every 15 minutes, and the coroner’s report records that this regime was followed through the night before he died.
Two friends who visited him over the weekend told a registered nurse that they were concerned for his safety because he said, “I don’t know if I’m going to last very long,” and he was worried that he had not made a will.
This information was passed on to nurses on the overnight shift.
But Counties Manukau District Health Board clinical director of mental health and addiction services Dr Peter Watson told the inquest that his service “failed Mr Gutteridge”.
An internal review found “shortfalls in a number of areas” including:
• “Staff competency in recognition, assessment and the treatment of acute opioid dependence detox was lacking.”
• “There were issues with clinical leadership and communication across the continuum of care with after-hours medical and nursing teams.”
• “There was a failure to organise a follow-up medical review, as requested by the admitting consultant psychiatrist.”
• “Clinical notes were at times poor and the checklist for the generic 15-minute observations was completed inconsistently.”
The current $57 million rebuild of the Tiaho Mai unit includes design changes aimed at preventing future deaths, but construction has been delayed by this month’s financial collapse of the builder, Ebert Construction.
An external review by Dr Sue Mackersey of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board found that Gutteridge’s “acute and changing needs were not formally reassessed during the two and a half days following his admission”.
Mackersey found that the initial assessment “was not formulated in a way that directed monitoring and treatment of withdrawal” from opiate drugs, and that staff failed to consult with Gutteridge’s next of kin, his sister Elizabeth Gutteridge in Dunedin, after she rang the unit twice on the day he was admitted.
Mackersey recommended changes including having acute patients reviewed by a registrar and a psychiatrist over a weekend and liaising with family members.
“Dr Watson acknowledged that Elizabeth Gutteridge was Mr Gutteridge’s next of kin and their quality of information and communication was woeful,” the coroner found.
An inquiry by the Health and Disability Commissioner also found failings in the hospital’s care of Gutteridge and recommended changes.
“As a direct result of Mr Gutteridge’s unfortunate death, the CMDHB Mental Health Services (In[patient Services) underwent a major restructure,” the coroner said.
He said a senior doctor was now rostered to work on weekends and holidays, guidelines on internal staff handovers had been improved, and a new adult inpatient unit was being built with safer design features.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else’s mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
| 3,923 |
Homeless man held in Falmouth threatening case
A 35-year-old homeless man was ordered held in lieu of $1,500 bail Monday after pleading not guilty in Falmouth District Court to stealing $100 out of a woman's car Friday night, then threatening to kill her early Saturday morning.
FALMOUTH -- A 35-year-old homeless man was ordered held in lieu of $1,500 bail Monday after pleading not guilty in Falmouth District Court to stealing $100 out of a woman's car Friday night, then threatening to kill her early Saturday morning.
Andy Morales was arrested at around 3:10 a.m. Saturday after the woman called police to report that he was at her Davis Straits residence but was not wanted there, according to the arrest report. At about 9:15 p.m. Friday, Morales allegedly opened the woman's car door, reached under the seat and took $100 out of a wallet, police said.
Morales later came to the house and banged on the woman's door, with the smell of alcohol and vomit on his breath, according to the report. He told police that he lived at the residence; the woman said she occasionally allowed him to stay.
When he was advised to call someone and make arrangements for the night, Morales directed profanities and racial slurs at the woman, then insinuated that he would fight the police if he were placed in protective custody, the report says.
As he was put in handcuffs, Morales told the woman that she was "done" and threatened to kill her, police said.
Morales was charged with breaking and entering nighttime for a felony, larceny of less than $250 and intimidating a witness, according to court records. He is scheduled to return to court Aug. 29 for a pretrial hearing.
| 1,676 |
Maine West hazing lawsuit.
Maine West hazing lawsuit.
Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune
The mother, left, of a 14-year-old student at Maine West High School in Des Plaines whispers to attorney Antonio Romanucci, during a Loop news conference announcing a lawsuit claiming the high school allowed a soccer team hazing incident that included physical and sexual abuse of the woman's...
The mother, left, of a 14-year-old student at Maine West High School in Des Plaines whispers to attorney Antonio Romanucci, during a Loop news conference announcing a lawsuit claiming the high school allowed a soccer team hazing incident that included physical and sexual abuse of the woman's... (Chris Walker, Chicago Tribune)
The mother, left, of a 14-year-old student at Maine West High School in Des Plaines whispers to attorney Antonio Romanucci, during a Loop news conference announcing a lawsuit claiming the high school allowed a soccer team hazing incident that included physical and sexual abuse of the woman's...
| 1,008 |
17009 E Olde Copper Ct
Louisville, KY 40245
Welcome home to 17009 E Olde Copper Court in the wonderful Copperfield subdivision! This 4 bedroom and 3.5 bath is a fantastic opportunity to live in a charming neighborhood that is conveniently located! The first floor offers a formal living room, formal dining room that is open to the eat-in kitchen offering updated counter-tops, plenty of counter and cabinet space and a wonderful island, the family room is also open to the eat-in kitchen featuring a gorgeous fireplace. The hardwood flooring throughout the main level has been recently refinished! A half bath completes the 1st level. The second floor offers new carpet, 3 bedrooms including a master suite and an additional full bathroom. The master suite features vaulted ceilings and an en-suite bathroom offering dual vanities, soaking tub, and a separate shower (with new shower doors). The laundry is also located on the 2nd level for added convenience. The finished walk-out basement is another wonderful feature of the home! A bedroom, family area and full bathroom are all found in the basement. Take advantage of this great opportunity to buy a quality home at 17009 E Olde Copper Court by scheduling your private showing today!
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Listing Information Last Updated 8/14/2018
Listing provided courtesy of RE/MAX Properties East.
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Property Summary
17009 E Olde Copper CtLouisville,
KY40245
MLS®: 1490949
List Price: $286,000
Description:
MLS # 1490949:
This property at 17009 E Olde Copper Ct, Louisville, KY 40245 is located in the Copperfield subdivision and is listed for $286,000. MLS # 1490949 has been on the market for 269 days.
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RE: PC: What a modern PC autorack would look like
Subject: RE: PC: What a modern PC autorack would look like
From: Steffan Forbes <steffanf@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:01:28 +0000
Uh... I think it's safe to say it's totally bogus. The very first fully enclosed racks didn't come out until like '76 or '77 anyway. In addition, the PC partially-enclosed racks used the new Trailer Train yellow scheme with the modern lettering. There is some remote chance, I suppose, that someone at PC or Conrail put a modern rack on old NYC 89' flat and attached the PC signs to it... but I doubt it. Nver say never when it comes to the PC paint dept...
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The Ultimate Guide To security camera installation tampa
The Ultimate Guide To security camera installation tampa
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| 5,110 |
City hospitals lack quality infra, fire safety system
Due to lack of quality infrastructure, including fire safety equipment, many hospitals in the Millennium City have not been accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).
Due to lack of quality infrastructure, including fire safety equipment, many hospitals in the Millennium City have not been accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).
According to experts, the accreditation from the NABH is considered the acknowledgement of quality services provided by any healthcare facility.
“A certificate of accreditation by NABH is a benchmark of being in the league of those who are the best. It motivates a hospital to constantly work towards providing quality care to its patients,” said Dr Devlina Chakravarty, medical director of Artemis Health Institute.
Some of the hospitals accredited by the board include Medanta-the Medicity, Paras Hospital, and Columbia Asia Hospital, while several others, such as Alchemist and Sanjivan, have already applied for the certification.
“We are in the process of getting the NABH accreditation. Nearly 18 months back we started operating in the city and in just this short span of time we are working towards accreditation,” said Ritender Singh Tomar, administrator of Alchemist Hospital. A team of experts from NABH visits the hospital and assess the quality of services before giving accreditation to the facility.
“The accreditation from such a premier body firms up patients’ faith in us,” said Sunila Khosla, public relation manager, Umkal Hospital, which is in the process of getting accreditation from the body.
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Small Business leader and City of Sydney Councillor, Angela Vithoulkas announces plans to contest 2016 election
Award winning business entrepreneur and Independent City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas, today announced plans to form a new political team, the Sydney Matters Independent Team, and her plans to contest the position of Lord Mayor at the 2016 City of Sydney local government elections.
Award winning business entrepreneur and Independent City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas, today announced plans to form a new political team, the Sydney Matters Independent Team, and her plans to contest the position of Lord Mayor at the 2016 City of Sydney local government elections.
Cr Vithoulkas said,“I’m announcing the formation of Sydney Matters today as the first step towards reinvigorating the City of Sydney LGA and restoring the balance of power in favour of residents, businesses, visitors and workers”.
“For too long there has been a lack of true community consultation from all levels of Government. The impact of policy decisions continue to play havoc with the lives of all groups in the LGA and the impending impact of light rail construction is just one example”.
The voting landscape in the City of Sydney is about to change. There are approximately 18,000 small businesses in the City of Sydney, yet last election less than 10% of them voted. Next election compulsory business voting in the LGA will go some way to giving small business owners the voice they deserve.
“Residents, visitors and business owners continuously approach me at my café expressing concerns about the direction in which Sydney is heading. The Sydney Matters Independent Team will represent those people who are at the frontline of policy decisions and I’ll be calling on the people of the City of Sydney LGA to join me and get behind the Sydney Matters Independent Team over the coming months”, Cr Vithoulkas said.
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Toughest Match, Best Performance
June 16, 2018
By: Bryan Giese
Torrent Men Give Their All In Defeat
In front of their home crowd, on a beautiful night for soccer, the Torrent men showed their best performance of the season. In a match that was technically sound from both sides, it was going to be a matchup of who could score first. Detroit City would unfortunately net the first goal of the match and hang on for the 0-1 road victory.
“This was by far our best game of the season,” stated Coach Davi afterwards. “We needed to be up by a goal or two in the game, and then start the second half.”
The Torrent began the match in complete control. They applied pressure to the backline that led to turnovers and chances for the boys in blue. Andrew Wiedabach returned from injury to have a number of opportunities. His play at the forward position complimented that of Mark Hutchinson well. Together they moved the defenders into space that allowed Peter Raymonds and Isaac Pereyra options.
Peter Raymonds Created Chances
Raymonds provided the Torrent fans one of his best efforts of the season. He showed speed with the ball coming down the wing which led to a number of quality crosses into the box. Additionally, his speed allowed his midfield teammates to play through balls to him that led to quality 1v1 opportunities for him.
In the first half Raymonds would have a touch on a ball played over the top of the backline. The goalkeeper for DCFC would manage to get to the ball just a moment before Raymonds could corral it for what could have been an easy tap in goal.
The second half would bring a goal for Raymonds that was called off by the assistant referee. Raymonds found himself in a familiar situation; streaking up the right wing after beating the left back with a touch that would leave the defender chasing. Raymonds would send the ball toward the back post beating the goalkeeper. The ball caromed off the far post, came back across the goal mouth to find the inside of the near post before it was grabbed by the defeated keeper.
“A pure goal that the linesman says is not a goal, it’s frustrating,” stated Coach Davi.
The Return Of Stuart Grable
Friday night did bring something for Torrent fans to smile about, the return of Stuart Grable. Back in the starting 11 for the first time since early May, Grable made a definite impact to the midfield. Grable saw action for about 55 minutes, bottling up any chances the visitors had to come through the middle easily.
Grable and the rest of the team put forth a great effort against one of the best teams in the conference. They will have some time to regroup and do it again when they travel to Detroit for their next match on July 1st.
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Ready to get started?
Get started…
Sandgate Share Accommodation
Furnished room with Ensuite in a share house
Newly renovated and fully furnished space. Your room has walk-through robe into private bathroom. There is also a 3rd room which you are welcome to use as your own sitting/study room.
Centrally located with 9min walk to train, shops, waterfront, and Sandgates thriving bars and music/art scene.
Looking for non-smokers who have a healthy lifestyle and are clean and quiet (no party animals please).
MUST be employed/studying full time - as I work from home.
Rent must be paid weekly in advance by direct debit.
This is not a party home. Please note that Room Rental is not the same as a "house share" arrangement therefore friends may visit but not sleep-over.
WiFi will be free unless it goes over the monthly limit (my usage doesn't come close to the limit). We can negotiate on Water and Power costs.
Please contact me for further information.
Paddy, Male, 25yrs
Hi there future flatties,
I'm a student in the last year(s) of my health sciences degree and work part time. I like to fish, meditate, kayak, bush walk, try my hand at music and enjoy the herbal things in life ;).
I understand people don't like cigarette smoke, so I smoke outside and away from the house (plus I aim to cut back/quit over the new year).
I'm hoping to find the right price/people/place that's just outside the city but still a short train/bus ride to the CBD :).
Looking forward to meeting you future flatties!
Cheers legends!
Paddy
Alexander, Male, 25yrs
I am super chilled and easy to get along with. Can pretty much work with anyone and can sleep through a hurricane so it doesn't matter at all if you want to party i'll probably join in. Am sociable so hit me up if you need a cruisy housemate.
Channen, Female, 21yrs
I'm a clean person who spends most of the weekday working and studying. I'm usually in bed at about 9-10 and I tend to go out on the weekend. I'm a great cook and I love cooking too. I have two cats who are very attached to each other and shy so they don't tend to leave their little space or their play pen (I have an outdoor playpen for them). If they are a no go I have a friend who can look after them for me.
Alex, Male, 23yrs
Hello, my name is Alex. I currently live in Logan but have taken a new job in Eagle farm. My girlfriend lives in morayfield. I am looking for a share house between my work and my girlfriends house. I have a bit of furniture, queen bed, 2 bedside tables and tall boy as well as a narrow bookshelf and large corner desk. I'm looking for a room to accommodate that furniture but am happy to have my desk outside of my room. If you feel your place may suit me feel free to contact me via text or pm.
Makayla, Female, 20yrs
My boyfriend and I are very easy going 20 and 21 year olds with full time employment and are interested in a 6 month arrangement as we plan to travel at the start of May. We work Monday to Friday and are quiet clean people looking for flats, studio apartments or anything similar.
Kelsie, Female, 20yrs
20 years young.
•I'm a very tidy person, don't like mess.
•I'm respectful and honest, up front and easy to get along with.
• Don't drink nor go out much. (Doesn't mean I don't like to have a good time)
• love my fitness and positive vibs.
• Studying nursing and work casual.
• PREFER a master room. Although I'm easy either way.
Im honestly very easy going.
looking for somewhere quite and nice, to call home for a while. preferably 2 house mates max.
Xo.
Ryan, Male, 24yrs
Please note I am looking anywhere in Brisbane (NORTHSIDE OF BRISBANE)
Im a 24 year old male that looking for room to rent or a granny flat
I have full time work (and shift work)
Im clean/tidy
Hard working
I am a friendly outgoing person thats always up to have fun
I dont smoke but i do drink socially sometimes
So please contact me if you can help thanks heaps in advance
Please also consider I have a 1yr old that I share and look after and would love to have a spot to cater for him so he can come and visit and play safely.
I said no children because I don't have 100% care of him but I do look after him 3-4 nights week while she works and he has had to stay a night.
I need to find a place asap
Brooke, Couple, 19yrs
Very humble, clean and quiet couple, although we do enjoy socialising on occasion. We both love reading, cooking and camping and have been living together for three years. We are looking to move closer to uni for our studies.
We are both studying at different universities also. Bryce is studying Information Technology and I (Brooke), am studying to become a secondary teacher in the fields of English and Arts.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!
I'm 18 amost 19 and am looking for a place to live. I work part time Monday to Friday. I am a receptionist for a real estate agency in Hamilton and am looking for somewhere close to a train and bus line. I am fully independent as my mum lives in the UK and my dad has moved interstate so I'm all alone in Brisbane :( I'm really respectful. I am very neat and tidy and love to have a chat but can leave you alone when you need privacy. Please message me only to suit my budget of $170 inc bills, thank you. I also am not looking to be messed around and ripped off on price, so please be fair. I'm also every keen to start a house share and get together 3 or 4 people
Peita, Female, 46yrs
Hi, URGENT ACCOMODATION NEEDED ... CAN YOU PLEASE HELP
I am looking for a nice relaxed place to live, I would like my own bathroom but that is not a deal breaker ceiling fans and or aircon would be nice. I am a writer/director working on the third draft of an Aussie Comedy hoping to shoot on the film late 2017 if I can raise the budget. I am a clean tidy considerate person who has a great sense of humour, I like a laugh a meal and a glass of wine, but I also value my space and give you yours. At the moment I will be writing from home hence the study or my own lounge, or even granny flat or studio, looking for an office next year. I am studying film editing on final cut pro. I do have a nine year old WELL TRAINED AND LOVED DOG AND A LITTLE BLACK CAT so it important that they have a little space and are safe. I am flexible with moving dates my lease is up on the 9th of October so any time after that is good for me, I am really looking for the right home. Cheers Peita:)
Jacqueline, Female, 50yrs
I am neat and tidy, mature, quiet and flexible. I have moved back to Queensland after working in Canberra and Melbourne for many years. I am not currently in a relationship so will be looking for accommodation only for myself. I am very dependable and honest.
Nick, Male, 30yrs
Hey my name is Nick, i'm a 30 year old kiwi and the house i'm living in, in sandgate is on the market so time to move on! would LOVE to stay in sandgate if i can its my favorite place in Brisbane! very open to granny flats and studio flats or acreage living! but would also be cool to live with a new crowd and expand my social circle, lets see what you've got!
I work full time as an artwork manager for a digital printing company in north lakes. i work a lot and am not home till late quite often, when i'm home i like to relax and watch TV or do artwork (painting and drawing) i also like to go out skateboarding when i can.
I'm happy in my own space but also like to socialize with flatmates too. i'm not a big party person, i enjoy a quiet beer or two after work and on weekends but i like driving my car too much so i very rarely get on it.
I am a considerate and tidy housemate. happy to do my share of cleaning and maintenance. I am a smoker but i'm working on the health and fitness part of life at the moment.
My personality would be a mix between a career driven professional, a hippie, a creative and a comedian. i love to joke around and make people laugh.
I have a dog named Gypsy she's a 4 yo kelpie x and is about the most chilled out dog you will ever meet, doesn't dig holes or chew on things! she does sleep on my bed so you'd have be cool with her coming inside. but she is very low maintenance
a list of things that would be awesome to have in a house for me would be..
-lock up garage or a carport at least - sick of washing crap off my car every day!
-fully fenced decent sized yard for gypsy
-nearby bushland, trees and plants in the yard, i like birds
-fast internet
-flatmates similar age to myself
ultimately id like to live in a granny flat on an acreage but i may be aiming a little high on that one!
so if we sound like we would fit your household please get in touch!
looking to move anytime before the new year, i'm not locked in where i am so can leave anytime.
Nicole, Couple, 39-44yrs
Hi! My name is Nicole and my partner and I, and our 7 year old whippet cross sausage dog, Marley, are looking for a room to rent. I am currently unemployed. I gave up work to become my mother's full time carer when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Prior to that I worked at Nandos for almost 6 years. I am looking at getting back into the workforce soon enough though. Stuart works as a painter (walls and ceilings etc, not the canvas sort of painter) and is fully employed. We are both friendly people, can cook, and neat and tidy. Stuart has a somewhat dry sense of humour and I tell him often that he is not as funny as he thinks he is... He disagrees :) He is also more apt at fixing things than I am, from leaky taps to servicing our car and as he's nearly a foot taller than me, he doesn't need to stand on a chair to change a light bulb and he is a good spider killer too. Marley is friendly also though pretty meek but if you give her a ball she will never leave you alone! Some days she drives me barmy! I also have a 14 year old daughter who resides with her father down the gold coast. I would like her to be able to visit on the occasional weekend if it wouldn't be inconvenient to you and when she can fit it into the oh so busy social schedule of a teenage girl. We are looking for something that will see us through Christmas/ New year with the hopes of finding something more permanent early in the new year, however we can get on with our house mates we may never leave, or you may not want to get rid of us!! Thanks!
Sean, Male, 49yrs
I am quiet. I keep to myself. I rarely drink, do not smoke or do drugs. I have a 14 year old daughter that I see every second fortnight. I am normally working full time but took time off to try and accelerate the development of a business with a colleague. I am sensible and trustworthy. I have no criminal record what so ever and have good moral and family values. I am easy going and have a good sense of humour. I am clean and tidy.
Eugene, Male, 25yrs
I am an easy going person that works hard and studies as well. I keep to myself if that is your think but I can be social as well. I can supply my own food and have all the necessary furniture for a room if required.
Warren, Male, 38yrs
Just started working on gateway Motorway upgrade and I'm from Oakey on the darling downs I'm just looking for somewhere quite to lay my head as at the moment I'm on night shift so will only be somewhere to sleep from monday to thursday during the day
Maryanne, Female, 50yrs
I am respectful of others and their property, easy going and always pay the rent on time.
I would preferably like an ensuite and would plan to stay longer depending on the situation.
Look forward to meeting you.
790 m from Sandgate
Room in a share house
This is A Great Home . Quiet ,Clean ,Tidy, Very Peaceful. Close to the water, All Bills Included ,Smoking Outside, NO PETS,
One Street to the Water And the Beautiful Shorncliffe Pier, Walking Distance to the Station and Sandgate Too,
Scott, Male, 32yrs
867 m from Sandgate
Easy going, social and friendly. I work full time, and enjoy going to the gym, my weeks are mostly working, going to gym and relaxing in the evenings.
I have a 9 year old daughter who spends most weekends with me, I am looking to find somewhere which can accommodate us both comfortably and is a kid friendly environment. Happy to share with couples or with other parents (or part time parents) if a suitable living arrangement can be found.
Tayla Curran, Female, 19yrs
1.18 km from Sandgate
I'm looking for a room to rent in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. Ideally the closer to Clontarf the better as that's where I work however I am open to everything at this stage. Must be pet friendly and good with animals. I am 19 years old and have a permanent job, so am reliable with rent. Would prefer a female housemate but like I said, am open to options. Please if you have anything or know of anyone who does do not hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have any questions just ask ☺️
1.46 km from Sandgate
Student accommodation
Budget accommodation- self contained for anyone not working or on income support that is affordable, safe & secure.
Rooms are self contained, fully furnished with kitchenettes share bathroom with 1 person.
Singles & couples rooms available.
Couples rooms have own bathroom and large as units for privacy & comfort.
2.25 km from Sandgate
Room in a share house
Room is double sized with built in, shared bathroom and study nook. Bedroom furniture can be supplied if needed.
Fully equipped kitchen and lounge room also BBQ
Off street parking shared, five min walk to North Boondall train station and bus stops
Taigum shopping center 2km
2.29 km from Sandgate
Room in a share house
Massive room (9x7m) with private entry, built in wardrobes and oodles of extra space.
Chilled, respectful and friendly home with pool table, deck entertainment area, air conditioning in lounge/kitchen, veggie gardens and blackboard wall.
Plenty of room to make your own veggie garden if you're so inclined.
-3 bathrooms
-oodles of space- the room on offer is seriously massive- check out the photos (in the photos there's a Queen size bed, 2x desks, a full size lounge suite and enough room to swing several cats!)
-2 mins to Gateway motorway
-20m from 330 bus stop which goes direct to city/KG QUT campus
-5 mins to Deagon train station
-Bills are shared and tally to $25 per week
-unlimited internet
-room can be furnished on request- let us know what you need and we can see what we can do)
P.s. We don't have any pets in residence at the moment- but If you have a precious furry friend they're also welcome- we know how hard it is to house-share with pets. Your fluffball just needs to be non-aggressive and toilet trained. Room has secure access to yard- so if you have an inside/outside pupper, they'll be stoked.
(Lots of space for a dog or a cat to travel indoors / outdoors throughout the day with high fences)
2.4 km from Sandgate
Unfurnished room with Own bathroom
You will have your own room with air conditioning and a ceiling fan as well as your own bathroom. It is a beautiful new townhouse so nice and modern. You will also have your own off street car park if required.
Most importantly you must love dogs and cats as there is one of each.
2.48 km from Sandgate
Unfurnished room in a share house
2.81 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a share house
1 furnished bedroom built-in wardrobe,split system aircon is available in a two storey house(furnished) in North Brisbane. Included in the room is a double mattress and bed frame, desk and chair. Wireless broadband internet and utilities is included in rent price. House will be shared with two other tenants only ( bothfull time employed professional). Very close to public transport (3 mins walk to bus stop), shops and a gym. Located in a very peaceful and friendly neighbourhood. Looking for a mature-minded, respectful and clean person. No pets sorry.
Chris, Male, 27yrs
2.96 km from Sandgate
easy to get along with type of guy, respectful, clean + tidy, loyal and friendly. I play alot of sport during week nights and usually spend weekends at my girlfriends, so im not home as much as a normal person.
Tomislav, Male, 26yrs
2.96 km from Sandgate
Hi all i am Tomislav and i am looking for a share house near the city or north side.
I am a friendly guy that works most days and at night go to the gym.
I'm a clean, respectable and reliable person. I rarely go out or have people over. I respect privacy and space but am also keen to get to know my flatmate/s and become friends instead of living like strangers.
I am looking for 2-3 people max (inc me) to be in the house/unit.
I do have a 3.5yr old daughter that comes over Sundays until 3 or 4pm so i would prefer to live with Females only.
Move in date is flexible.
Toni, Couple, 21-25yrs
2.96 km from Sandgate
Hi names are Toni and luke. 21 and 25 years of age. Orginally from NSW but have travelled alot and come over to qld earlier this year. We want to settle and find a home for ourselves and make qld a forever home for ourselves.
We have been together for 6 years and enjoy spending time with each other.
We love walking and adventuring in our spare time.
Toni is a qualified childcare educator and luke is a labourer/welder who is currently seeking a fulltime job.
Love meeting new people and making friends.
Rick, Male, 24yrs
2.96 km from Sandgate
I'm easy going, quiet, clean and adapt to other peoples lifestyles. I don't mind a social drink be it at the pub or at home having a bbq or watching tv.
I currently work at Brisbane Airport with an application pending for the Australian Airforce and I am looking for somewhere closer to live asap. I'm looking at paying ~$200 a week~ max which would have to include bills and internet. Offstreet parking is preferred as I have a new car but not required. My stay length is currently unknown due to Airforce Application.
I would prefer a place that is furnished but will settle for the right unfurnished place. Any other information you'd like to know don't hesitate to ask!
2.96 km from Sandgate
Hi :)
I'm an easy going music student, I play guitar and sing. But I'm always respectful with my noise. I am studying in south brisbane so I'd like to live within approx 30mins of uni (on public transport), I do also have a car though.
Ideally I'd like to find some people that I get along with well, I am good at just keeping to myself, but would prefer to make some friends :)
My ideal place would have a fairly large bedroom (I have a fair bit of music gear etc) and a bathroom to myself or one that doesn't have to be shared with too many people.
Also my boyfriend lives on the Sunshine Coast and sometimes comes over on weekends so it would be good if the house was okay with that .
Thankyou :)
Christian, Male, 18yrs
2.96 km from Sandgate
I'm a student at ACU currently studying a undergraduate duo in Exercise Science and Public Health while working part-time at Woolworths Nundah as a produce team member. I'm soon turning 19 early next month. I'm told to be mature for my age as I like to act as a leader. I am a basketball player therefore I am tall. As a roommate I am clean and look after myself. I like to get along with everybody as i am a bit of a loud playful guy once i get to know everyone. I'm living away from home for university as I'm originally from Toowoomba. Therefore I'm a bit of a "lone-wolf" in a big city. My ideal sharehouse occupants would be with people in their 20s, preferrably students, however professionals are also considered. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you're interested.
2.96 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a share house
Furnished Upstair bedroom with double bed and build in wardrobes for females only ) , with kitchen/dinning lounge room and bathroom downstairs
You will be sharing this with two other girls age 26 and 27 , working / studying.
( bedroom is private . All bills included , electrical , water and Internet .
Street parking , safe area , bus at end of street , going to city. Good transport ACU.
We are a married couple with a big house , we live upstairs , work full time and easy going . Looking for someone independent . Most of the house work is included , just need to keep your room clean , kitchen and the bathroom (shared with the other girls )
Let me know if you would like to view the room
Just give me a call or text
Regards
Jo
Pool
Second kitchen Dinning room
For females only
No pets
2.98 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a Flatshare
2.98 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a share house
Looking for a female student or worker (prefer Asian background) who would like to rent large furnished room in a very convenient location.
House is located in the prestige area of Boondall. It comes with your own private balcony with views. This property is walking distance and short travelling distance to train station, University, Nudgee College, Airport, shopping centre, school, public transport and other facilities. It is a quiet and safe location.
-Plenty of parking space available.
-Fully furnished house.
-Furnished room with built in robes, Internet, electricity and water all included in the rent!
If you would like to inspect the room, please contact Pri by message or email to arrange a day & time.
Private Balcony
Security gates and fully fenced property
Furnished lounge
Furnished diningFurnished Kitchen
Study room
3.03 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a share house
Hi I have a couple of spare rooms available in my house ATM, it's close to shopping centres and gyms all within 5-10mins drive some even walking distance. It's a large property so we won't feel as though we are crowded at all, I do have 2 dogs that are outside dogs but do occasionally come inside. The house is fully furnished other than the bedrooms I'm renting out
I'm looking for tenants under 30 years old aswell
3.03 km from Sandgate
Room in a share house
The property is located in a nice quiet street in Brighton. There is a deck on the back of the house which is great for sit out of in the morning eating breakfast and that morning pick me up coffee. Then in the afternoons sit out on the large covered desk which gets a nice ocean breeze most afternoons. Great pace for a bbq and a few quiet drinks, some music and relax.
The house is equiped with Solar, Gas appliances, Gas Hot water (so it always hot and never runs out), Ducted Air Conditioning, speaker in the ceiling, Unlimited High Speed Cable Internet and for your safety the Yard is fully fenced with electronic gate at the driveway.
I have 2 queen size spare rooms for rent one is furnished and unfurnished.
Finally, there is one thing the house is for sale at the moment so I am looking for tenants who are looking for short term accomodation approximately 6mth at this stage. I am not in any rush and I am not going to be accepting less than 90day settlement because I am planning to move oversea in April/May and am not wanting to moving before then. I would provide as notice as possible and would have taken the ad down it I was in negotiations with any potential buyers.
3.05 km from Sandgate
Unfurnished room in a share house
There are 2 bedrooms available in this 3 Bedroom house located on a quiet street. Walking distance to shops, bus stops and schools.
Both moderately sized private rooms with shared bathroom and seperate toilet. Also shared dining/living/kitchen spaces and a sun room.
Large size back yard and off street parking.
Hedva, Female, 24yrs
3.09 km from Sandgate
I am a neat and friendly medical student who loves to chat over a nice cup of tea about all things animals, rock climbing, hiking, and travelling. I am mostly looking for a quiet place to rest and cook simple meals after a long day at the hospital.
3.2 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a share house
There are 2 rooms available for rent. The bigger room has a built in wardrobe and is $160 a week including bills. Smaller room is $150 a week including bills and does not have a built in wardrobe but has a brand new cupboard which i recently bought from Ikea =)
The bus stop is just a 20 seconds walk and Bus 330 and P331 takes you directly to King George Square in the city. There are also Coles and Woolworth nearby.
3.24 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a share house
Comfortable room in large, modern family home. Double bed with all linen supplied, ceiling fan, desk, office chair and built in cupboards in room. Home has a pool and several indoor and outdoor living areas. Internet and Foxtel are provided and there is pool table. Located in a small, quiet estate that is in walking distance to station, bus stop, IGA, take aways outlets and gym. We are a busy couple who currently share our home with two easygoing Uni students. You are welcome to join us for family dinners. We have two cute dogs that enjoy company and love a walk in the adjoining park.
3.33 km from Sandgate
Unfurnished room in a share house
3 bedroom 2 bathroom house in taigum, close to shops, public transport, highway and airport. Ducted air conditioning throughout home with undercover and off street parking available. Fans and built in wardrobes in all bedrooms. Bedrooms are large with lots of space for furniture and study desks etc. large kitchen and lounge room with main areas of the home furnished.
3.35 km from Sandgate
Furnished room in a share house
Are you looking for a nice clean cosy and secure house to live in?
I'm Iooking for housetrained, Sane Flatmates to share a clean,roomy house in Bracken Ridge. You'll be sharing with an IT professional and Pizza Guy (cheap pizzas!)
I have a lockable furnished 3mx3m bedroom with large wardrobe,Ceiling fan, flyscreens, blackout curtains and carpet.
We have A/C,Solar hot water,Gas oven, 3D TV with Media centre/netflix, Coffee machine.
Close to TAFE, shopping centre and library.
Buses nearby - 326 & 330 (chermside / sandgate/ toombul / city)
Rent Includes Power and Internet/Netflix
Offstreet parking available
No Pets, Couples or Kids please.
Smoking outside only.
AC
NetFlix
Solar hot water
Gas Stove/microwave
Sharlee Wolfenden , Female, 16yrs
3.58 km from Sandgate
Hey I'm Sharlee, I'm 16 years old and I'm currently looking for somewhere to live. I'm a very clean, kind hearted person, I'm always up for a chat, I'm also very independent and I like peace and quiet. I enjoy reading and getting out doors and I love all animals, I have a cat of my own and would like to find a place where I can take him with me. I will be in my last year of high school next year and I work part time in an age care facility.
Chelsea, Couple, 22-23yrs
3.58 km from Sandgate
Hi everyone. I'm looking for a room for myself, my boyfriend, our two inside/outside anti social cats and outside dog. We're both easy going and enjoy socialising on the weekends but are also happy to stay home. If your interested send me a message 😊
Thank you!
Kimberly, Couple, 39yrs
3.58 km from Sandgate
Hi!
We are a friendly, reliable, quiet couple looking for a Granny flat situation in the northern suburbs. We have just moved back to Brisbane from 8 years on Hamilton Island where Adam was a handyman/Gardener/pool tech and I am a swim instructor and international tour manager.
We are happy to offer criminal background checks and references.
We would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Kim and Adam
Kaehlee , Female, 17yrs
3.69 km from Sandgate
I am a 17yr old female just graduating from high school and needing a place to rent. I am employed and look to continue my studies further next year at UNI. I am fun, laid back and very responsible. I love being active but still enjoy kicking it back and watching a movie.
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NO RETURNS for Laminated Prints are accepted unless the problem is a material or workmanship imperfection from our production. All of these products are produced for a unique order and cannot be restocked.
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Hudson Valley College’s Theater Makes National Top 25 List
Another company has ranked something, this time it is The Best College Theaters. College Rank is the name of the company who has compiled this list. According to a press release, College Rank took into account seating capacity, architecture and each theaters programming. Programming could include, but not limited to musical performances, stage performances, poetry readings, even movies.
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Related
Supporters of the Togolese ruling party Union for the Republic (UNIR) gather ahead of a march in Lome on September 20, 2017. Thousands thronged the streets of Togo’s seaside capital on September 20 after the ruling party asked supporters to march at the same time as planned opposition protests demanding the removal of President Faure Gnassingbe, the scion of Africa’s oldest political dynasty. The rival demonstrations in Lome came a day after the opposition boycotted a vote on constitutional reform which would have included a presidential term limit, arguing that it was a ploy to let Gnassingbe remain in power till 2030. / AFP PHOTO / MATTEO KOFFI FRASCHINI
Thousands thronged the streets of Togo’s seaside capital Wednesday after the ruling party asked supporters to march at the same time as planned opposition protests demanding the removal of President Faure Gnassingbe, the scion of Africa’s oldest political dynasty.
The rival demonstrations in Lome came a day after the opposition boycotted a vote on constitutional reform which would have included a presidential term limit, arguing that it was a ploy to let Gnassingbe remain in power till 2030.
The opposition wanted the limit to apply retroactively so that Gnassingbe, who has been in power since 2005, could not run again in 2020. His father Gnassingbe Eyadema ruled from 1967 till his death in 2005.
The opposition marches began at around 11:00 am (1100 GMT) at three meeting points.
They came after giant rallies on September 6 and 7 seeking the president’s ouster that drew more than 100,000 people on the streets — a record in a country which has been widely criticised for stifling democracy.
The protesters held up posters declaring “Faure must go” and “Free my country, 50 years is enough”.
Police and soldiers armed with heavy machine guns flanked the streets in pick-up trucks. Mobile phone networks and 3G services appeared to have been severed.
“We are not jihadists, we are not rebels,” said Abdallah, 42, a supporter of the Panafrican National Party (PNP). “We just want democracy, we are tired.”
Communications Minister Guy Lorenzo condemned what he called a “coup d’etat” on the streets.
The government meanwhile asked the opposition to show “responsibility and restraint” and warned that “people of foreign nationalities were looking to participate in acts of violence” during the marches.
– ‘Explosive situation’ –
More protests are planned on Thursday against what veteran opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre called “the monstrous machine that has been crushing Togo’s people for more than 50 years”.
He said there would be “no let-up” as long as Gnassingbe remains in power.
Comi Toulabor, head of research at the Institute of Political Studies in Bordeaux, called the counter-rallies by the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party “a strategy to disrupt the opposition protest”.
“It’s very amateurish but it shows the party isn’t ready to give way,” he told AFP, calling the situation “explosive”.
About one thousand UNIR supporters quietly gathered on the beach in Lome on Wednesday, some sitting in the shade of palm trees.
“It is a pleasure to be here,” UNIR supporter Georgia, 34, told AFP. “We are peaceful.”
One young protester said he received 5,000 CFA francs (7.50 euros, $9) to participate in the pro-government rally.
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"My whole ambition in life is to set in motion machinery which will bring noble ideas to the door of everybody, and then let men and women settle their own fate.Let them know what our forefathers as well as other nations have thought on the most momentous questions of life. We are to put the chemicals together; the crystallization will be done by nature according to her laws. Keep the motto before you "ELEVATION OF THE MASSES WITHOUT INJURING THEIR RELIGION”
- SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
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Plaintiffs brought this tort case to recover for injuries sustained in an automobile accident. There are four plaintiffs. Denise Etling and Harlan Etling are husband and wife. Shirley Johnson and Lisa Doyea are children of Denise Etling. The accident occurred when the defendant's car apparently slid into plaintiffs' lane of traffic. The defendant had been traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour and, according to his version of the occurrence, was forced to apply his brakes when a car in front of him stopped because a car in front of it was pulling off the road.
2
The case was tried to a jury. The jury returned verdicts in favor of each plaintiff and against the defendant in the following amounts: Denise Etling, $471.40; Harlan Etling, $882.00; Shirley Johnson, $32.50 and Lisa Doyea, $913.50. Judgment was entered on the verdicts and the plaintiffs were awarded costs.
3
Plaintiffs filed a motion for a new trial on the issue of damages on the basis that said verdicts were insufficient to compensate plaintiffs for their out-of-pocket expenses which were causally connected to the accident. The motion was denied. Plaintiffs took this appeal from the trial court's denial of their motion for a new trial on the issue of damages. Essentially their argument in this court is that the verdicts returned by the jury were in certain instances less than the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the plaintiffs and are therefore insufficient as a matter of law. They also claim that this insufficiency resulted in part because of the trial court's refusal to grant a directed verdict in their behalf at the close of all of the evidence.
4
First, it was clearly not error for the trial court to refuse to direct a verdict in favor of plaintiffs at the close of all of the evidence. In this circuit we apply the State standard for direction of verdicts in diversity cases. Illinois State Trust Co. v. Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, 440 F.2d 497 (7th Cir. 1971). That strict standard is clearly set forth in the opinion of the Illinois Supreme Court in Pedrick v. Peoria and E. R. R., 37 Ill.2d 494, 510, 229 N.E.2d 504, 513 (1967).
5
"In our judgment verdicts ought to be directed and judgments n. o. v. entered only in those cases in which all of the evidence, when viewed in its aspect most favorable to the opponent, so overwhelmingly favors movant that no contrary verdict based on that evidence could ever stand."
6
More important, by its refusal to grant plaintiffs' motion for a directed verdict at the end of all of the evidence, the trial court submitted the action to the jury subject to a later determination of the legal questions raised by the motion. See Rule 50(b), F.R.Civ.Proc. This is the common practice in federal trial courts. By following this course, the court avoids the need for a second trial if the appellate court should hold, contrary to the view of the trial court, that the evidence was sufficient to raise a jury issue. See Wright, Federal Courts (2d ed.) p. 416.
7
Separated from the directed verdict question, plaintiffs' argument is simply that a new trial should be ordered because the awards of damages were inadequate. We disagree with this contention also. The limits of our authority on review on this issue have been expressed by Chief Judge Swygert writing for this court in Taylor v. Bennett, 323 F.2d 607, 609 (1963).
8
"Appellate courts will review the adequacy of damages only in cases where the jury awards nominal damages, that is, where it is apparent that the jury did not attempt to appraise plaintiff's loss at all, or where the verdict is less than the amount of undisputed loss." (Emphasis in original).
9
As further pointed out by the court in the Taylor opinion, it is within the discretion of the trial court to grant or deny the motion for a new trial on the question of the adequacy of damages, and the decision of the trial court should not be disturbed on appeal except where there is a clear abuse of discretion.
10
In denying the motion for new trial on the issue of damages in this case, the trial court concluded, "Having considered the evidence, including the medical testimony, including plaintiffs' own physicians, this court cannot say that the verdicts of the jury are erroneous." Upon our review of the record in this case, we agree with the conclusion of the trial judge. The damages awarded to each plaintiff, while perhaps low, are more than nominal damages. It is also apparent that the jury made every attempt to appraise plaintiffs' loss. In no case was the verdict less than the amount of undisputed loss. For example, in the case of Harlan Etling, plaintiffs argue that the award to him of $882.00 was less than his proven medical expenses and lost wages. Harlan Etling testified that he paid $489.00 in medical bills. He also testified that he lost two weeks' earnings amounting to $500.00. However, he also stated that his computation was approximate and that he was not on salary and that his earnings could vary. And, because of the lack of seriousness of his injury and the speculative nature of his earnings, the jury could have readily rejected a substantial part of his alleged lost earnings. The evidence introduced relating to the damages suffered by Denise Etling was also speculative and inconclusive. In her case as well as in the cases of her two children the verdicts were not less than the amount of undisputed loss.
11
The defendant-appellee has also filed a motion for an order compelling the appellants to pay the attorneys' fees and costs incurred in the necessary preparation of an Additional Appendix. In oral argument counsel for the defendant-appellee candidly admitted his own lack of cooperation in the preparation of the Appendix and we therefore deny the motion for attorneys' fees and costs. For the benefit of the bar of this court, however, we stress that the Rules of Appellate Procedure now provide for the filing of a single appendix. Rule 30, F. R.App.Proc. Paragraph (b) of Rule 30 encourages the parties to agree as to the contents of the appendix. And, if they cannot agree they must serve designations on one another. This rule is apparently not followed in many cases coming before this court. For an excellent discussion of the purpose and mechanics of the rule, see Strubbe, "A Lawyer's Guide to the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure — A Practical Handbook," 3 John Marshall J. of Prac. and Proc. 260, 321-329 (1970).
12
As Mr. Strubbe points out in his very thorough article, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has criticized counsel in that circuit for failure to comply with the single appendix provision. The admonitions of that court bear repeating in this circuit.
13
"We wish to record our disapproval of the parties' disregard of the provisions of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Although Rule 30 does not require that the parties agree on the contents of an appendix, it explicitly requires the filing of a single appendix. The parties chose instead to file an appellant's appendix and an appellee's appendix. Thus, in order to consider a given witness' testimony in this highly technical case, it was necessary for us to jump from one appendix to the other. The rule requiring a single appendix was adopted to facilitate our task of judicial review.
14
"Appellants also failed to reproduce in their appendix the two pamphlets, Exhibits 5 and 15A, on which they rely to establish a cause of action for breach of express warranty.
15
"Litigants are advised to consider these remarks as a warning of the possibility of more drastic action by the court in the future." Braniff Airways, Inc. v. Curtiss-Wright Corporation, 411 F.2d 451, 455 (1969).
16
We trust the bar of our circuit will follow the directives of Rule 30 more closely in the future.
Senior Judge William J. Campbell of the Northern District of Illinois is sitting by designation
18
FAIRCHILD, Circuit Judge (dissenting).
19
I would reverse and direct a new trial. The jury allowed only special damages for injuries which were virtually undisputed. Those injuries must necessarily have caused pain and suffering. The verdicts were, in my opinion, inadequate as a matter of law because they allowed nothing for those elements of damage. The fact that the jury may have correctly decided that some of plaintiffs were attempting to exaggerate their injuries and properly rejected the excessive parts of their claims, does not justify granting them less than they were truly entitled to.
20
I do endorse Senior Judge Campbell's comments concerning the too frequent failure of counsel to follow the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, printed in the Rules volumes of Title 28, U.S.C.A.
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The body-cam video suddenly turns shaky as an Ohio police officer fires his gun into a car, leaving an unarmed black motorist dead, shot in the head. In Wisconsin, slow-motion images show an armed man lobbing his gun over a fence, then falling backward, before a police officer fires a fatal shot into his chest. And in Minnesota, a police dashboard camera captures an officer abruptly firing seven shots at the driver of a car he has stopped, as the man’s girlfriend and her young daughter watch from inside the car.
Each of these videos held an essential role in a courtroom this month, as jurors tried to decide whether the officers had committed crimes. Yet none of the cases brought convictions; in Cincinnati, the trial of the Ohio police officer ended in a mistrial on Friday, the second time the case had been tried without jurors’ agreeing on a verdict.
Since the 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo. — a shooting that was not captured on video — there has been a nationwide push for more video recording of the police. But, as the three cases this month show, videos by no means ensure convictions.
“It’s not the end-all, be-all,” said John T. Chisholm, the district attorney for Milwaukee County, who presented video from two officers’ body cameras in the case against Dominique Heaggan-Brown, a police officer who fatally shot Sylville K. Smith in August. On Wednesday, Mr. Heaggan-Brown was acquitted.
Without body-camera video from the shooting of Mr. Smith, Mr. Chisholm said in an interview, he would not have brought criminal charges against the officer who fired the fatal shot.
Image
An image from a police video showing Diamond Reynolds, Mr. Castile’s girlfriend, handcuffed in the back of a police car with her daughter after the shooting.CreditMinnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
“It was absolutely central to this case,” he said. “But for the body cameras there would not have been the confluence of facts and law that would have merited a criminal charge.”
But jurors, watching these images playing on projection screens in courtrooms, have not come away with simple answers. In some trials, a single piece of body-camera footage has been used to illustrate competing viewpoints: In the Milwaukee case, slowed-down, frame-by-frame video was used to show that the suspect had no weapon when he was shot a second time. The same video, played at regular speed, revealed a scene that was swift, confusing and chaotic, a boost to the defense.
Some jurors in these cases have said that, videos aside, they had been swayed most of all by officers’ assertions that they feared for their lives. And in some cases, the videos themselves do not fully show operative moments, leaving jurors to fill in the blanks.
Bonita Schultz, a juror in the case against Officer Jeronimo Yanez in Minnesota this month, said the jury had struggled with what it could not see from the dashboard camera video. Defense lawyers suggested that Philando Castile, who was fatally shot by Officer Yanez, was reaching for a gun in the moments before he was shot, though Mr. Castile’s girlfriend, in the passenger seat, said he was not.
The dashboard camera video did not provide a close-up view of the front seat, which might have resolved the point. But in the end, Ms. Schultz said, she was convinced by the officer’s account.
“It looked like he was trying to control the situation but couldn’t,” she said of Officer Yanez in the dashboard camera footage, which she described as “90 percent of the evidence” in the case. “It didn’t show everything, but it showed enough.”
The 12 jurors were at first almost evenly divided on whether to convict, then moved to an 8-to-4 split against convicting, then 10 to 2, Ms. Schultz said. Finally, she said, on the fifth day of deliberations, having covered a wall in the jury room with elaborate notes, they cleared him.
Although prosecutions of officers remain rare despite increased attention to police shootings and treatment of black people in recent years, juries have convicted at least eight police officers charged with manslaughter or murder since April 2012, according to Philip M. Stinson, a professor at Bowling Green State University who tracks such cases. They include Peter Liang, the New York City officer who fatally wounded Akai Gurley on a stairwell, and Robert C. Bates, a volunteer deputy in Oklahoma who said he had meant to use his Taser but instead grabbed his gun and shot Eric C. Harris, killing him.
At the same time, more police departments have equipped officers with body cameras, and more than half of medium and large departments have adopted or are testing such cameras.
Some people had presumed that more videos would hand juries clear-cut answers to accusations of police misconduct.
The videos “have changed things,” said David A. Harris, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh who studies police behavior, police regulation and racial profiling. “But it was a little naïve to think they’d solve the problem, or get us all the way home on the question of guilt or innocence.”
In some courtrooms, the prospect of video evidence may give people an expectation that a jury’s decision should be obvious.
Image
An image from the body camera of Officer Raymond M. Tensing showed him drawing his gun as he approached Samuel DuBose’s car. The case went to trial twice without jurors’ reaching a verdict.CreditHamilton County Prosecuting Attorney
“People think, ‘Oh, video — awesome,’” said Shannon McMurray, a Tulsa lawyer who defended a white officer, Betty Jo Shelby, charged with manslaughter after fatally shooting an unarmed black man, Terence Crutcher, as a video camera rolled. “But it’s really misleading, and it can make it worse than if you don’t have a camera.”
The Tulsa jury acquitted Officer Shelby, but the foreman eventually wrote a four-page letter, entered into the court record, that revealed how torn the jury had been. The foreman, who was not identified by name, wrote that many jurors “could never get comfortable with the concept of Betty Shelby being blameless for Mr. Crutcher’s death.”
The letter said that “the jury wonders and some believe that she had other options available to subdue Mr. Crutcher,” but that jurors were unsure whether Officer Shelby had training that would have allowed for a different course of action. “The jury could not, beyond a reasonable doubt, conclude that she did anything outside of her duties and training as a police officer in that situation,” the letter said.
The foreman said the law, as written, prevented the jurors from returning a guilty verdict, regardless of the troubling video. “I believe that I speak for the whole of the jury, when I say that the general public in these types of cases are unaware of just how specifically the rule of law dictates how a jury must reach a verdict,” the foreman wrote.
The rise of video evidence has also raised new questions about how it should be properly presented to juries.
The Milwaukee case this month pivoted largely on body camera video showing the 1.69 seconds between two shots that Officer Heaggan-Brown fired at Mr. Smith.
At the time of the first shot, Mr. Smith was holding a gun. When the second bullet was fired, the gun had been tossed over a fence. The prosecution gave jurors a frame-by-frame view of the episode, relying on the premise that the officer had committed a crime when firing the second shot.
Steven Kohn, a lawyer for Mr. Heaggan-Brown, said the prosecution had tried to slow down what had actually taken place in a split second.
“My takeaway from this is that if either side is focusing their case on slow-motion and frame-by-frame deciphering of what occurred, it is a misuse of video,” Mr. Kohn said.
For all the debate over how videos should be used at trial, jurors say such evidence undeniably has value. In one recent high-profile case in Baltimore, where there was cellphone and surveillance video but no body camera footage, a juror said she wished for the clarity that more video might have provided. Jurors there in 2015 failed to reach verdicts on any of the counts against Officer William G. Porter, one of six officers charged in connection with the in-custody death of Freddie Gray. The judge declared a mistrial, and prosecutors later dropped the charges.
Susan Elgin said she had been the only juror who wanted a full acquittal of Officer Porter. Had there been more video footage, Ms. Elgin said in an interview, “it would probably have made all the difference, whether he was even charged.”
Still, videos have not delivered the outcomes some prosecutors have hoped for. Last week, Seth Tieger, a prosecutor in the Cincinnati case, described video as “the ultimate witness” in the retrial of Raymond M. Tensing, a former University of Cincinnati police officer charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter for fatally shooting Samuel DuBose, an unarmed motorist, in 2015.
“That video has no bias,” Mr. Tieger said during closing arguments. “This isn’t 20/20 hindsight. It’s a view of what happened.”
But on Friday afternoon, jurors told a judge in the case that they simply could not reach agreement on what had happened. They were split almost evenly on the case against Mr. Tensing, according to a note they wrote to the judge, who announced another mistrial.
Jess Bidgood and Christina Capecchi contributed reporting for this story.
A version of this article appears in print on , Section A, Page 10 of the New York edition with the headline: Videos of Police Shootings Give Few Easy Answers. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe
| 9,771 |
Psychiatry Clinic
Sadashiv Peth, Pune
About
Manoveidh Kendra is a Psychiatry clinic in Sadashiv Peth, Pune. The clinic is visited by psychiatrists like Dr. Leena Mohadikar. The timings of Manoveidh Kendra are: Mon to Sat: 3:00 PM-6:30 PM. Click on map to find directions to reach Manoveidh Kendra.You can get phone numbers and call doctors of M
Manoveidh Kendra is a Psychiatry clinic in Sadashiv Peth, Pune. The clinic is visited by psychiatrists like Dr. Leena Mohadikar. The timings of Manoveidh Kendra are: Mon to Sat: 3:00 PM-6:30 PM. Click on map to find directions to reach Manoveidh Kendra.
You can get phone numbers and call doctors of Manoveidh Kendra on Practo.com.
more..[shrink]
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Welcome to our parish blog!
Divine liturgy is normally at 10:00 AM on Saturdays in the Iglesia Ortodoxa de la Santissima Virgen María, Av. Pedro de Valdivia 92, Providencia, Santiago, Chile. This church belongs to the Antiochian jurisdiction. Saint Nikola parish needs a permanent home of its own.
Those who are interested in providing assistance can donate via PayPal:
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Conductor Mitch Miller dies at 99
TV's 'Sing Along With Mitch' star worked with Mathis, Bennett
NEW YORK -- Mitch Miller, the goateed orchestra leader who asked Americans to "Sing Along With Mitch" on television and records, has died at age 99.
His daughter, Margaret Miller Reuther, said Monday that Miller died Saturday in Lenox Hill Hospital after a short illness.
Miller was a key record executive at Columbia Records in the pre-rock 'n' roll era, making hits with singers Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, Johnny Mathis and Tony Bennett.
"Sing Along With Mitch" started as a series of records, then became a popular NBC show starting in early 1961. Miller's stiff-armed conducting style and signature goatee became famous.
As a producer and arranger, Miller had misses along with his hits, famously striking out on projects with Frank Sinatra and a young Aretha Franklin.
The TV show ranked in the top 20 for the 1961-62 season, and soon children everywhere were parodying Miller's stiff-armed conducting. An all-male chorus sang old standards, joined by a few female singers, most prominently Leslie Uggams. Viewers were invited to join in with lyrics superimposed on the screen and followed with a bouncing ball.
"He is an odd-looking man," New York Times critic Brooks Atkinson wrote in 1962. "His sharp beard, twinkling eyes, wrinkled forehead and mechanical beat make him look like a little puppet as he peers hopefully into the camera. By now most of us are more familiar with his tonsils than with those of our families."
Atkinson went on to say that as a musician, Miller was "first rate," praising "the clean tone of the singing, the clarity of the lyrics, the aptness of the tempos, the variety and the occasional delicacy of the instrumental accompaniment."
An accomplished oboist, Miller played in a number of orchestras early in his career, including one put together in 1934 by George Gershwin. "Gershwin was an unassuming guy," Miller told The New York Times in 1989. "I never heard him raise his voice."
Miller began in the recording business with Mercury Records in the late '40s, first on the classical side, later with popular music. He then went over to Columbia Records as head of its popular records division.
Among the stars whose hits he worked on were Clooney, Page, Bennett, Frankie Laine and Jo Stafford. His decision to have Mathis switch from jazz to lushly romantic ballads launched the singer as a superstar.
He had a less rewarding collaboration with Sinatra, whose recording of the novelty song "Mama Will Bark," featuring a barking dog, was considered the nadir of the singer's career. Still, Miller became known for his distinctive arrangements, such as the use of a harpsichord on Clooney's megahit version of "Come On-a My House." He used dubbing of vocal tracks back when that was considered exotic.
"To me, the art of singing a pop song has always been to sing it very quietly," Miller said in the book "Off the Record: An Oral History of Popular Music."
"The microphone and the amplifier made the popular song what it is -- an intimate one-on-one experience through electronics. It's not like opera or classical singing. The whole idea is to take a very small thing and make it big."
Miller and a chorus had a No. 1 hit in 1955 with "The Yellow Rose of Texas," and that led to his sing-along records a few years later.
The years of Miller's biggest successes were also the early years of rock 'n' roll, and many fans saw his old-fashioned arrangements of standards and folk favorites as an antidote to the noisy stuff the teens adored. As an executive at Columbia, Miller would be widely ridiculed for trying to turn a young Aretha Franklin into a showbiz diva in the tradition of Sophie Tucker.
But Miller was not entirely unsympathetic to rock 'n' roll.
In a 1955 essay in The New York Times magazine, he said the popularity of rhythm and blues, as he called it, with white teens was part of young people's "natural desire not to conform, a need to be rebellious."
He added: "There is a steady -- and healthy -- breaking down of color barriers in the United States; perhaps the rhythm-and-blues rage -- I am only theorizing -- is another expression of it."
"Miller has often been maligned as a maestro of 1950s schlock ... Yet Miller injected elements of rhythm and blues and country music, however diluted, into mainstream pop," Ken Emerson wrote in his book "Always Magic in the Air."
In the Martin Scorsese documentary on Bob Dylan, "No Direction Home," Miller acknowledged that he was dubious when famed producer John Hammond brought the nearly unknown Dylan to the staid Columbia label in the early '60s. "He was singing in, you know, this rough-edged voice," Miller said. "I will admit I didn't see the greatness of it." But he said he respected Hammond's track record in finding talent.
In recent years, Miller returned to his classical roots, appearing frequently as a guest conductor with symphony orchestras.
In 2000, he won a special Grammy Award for lifetime achievement.
Reuther said her father died of "just old age."
"He was absolutely himself up until the minute he got sick," she said. "He was truly blessed with a long and wonderful life."
Miller was born in 1911, in Rochester, N.Y., son of a Russian Jewish immigrant wrought-iron worker and a seamstress. He graduated from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester.
Reuther said there will be a memorial service for her father in the fall.
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Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals titled this piece of artistry, "With the First Lady!" and posted it on Twitter yesterday. Awesome on so very many levels not the least of which is the availability of $25 cabernet, per the wall-mounted wine list. If this image doesn't warrant lifting the unspoken ban on variations of Yakov Smirnoff material, on a one-post basis, nothing does.
| 385 |
Morose yet flamboyant, overstuffed with stylistic flourishes that dazzle even as they baffle, Brian De Palma's "The Black Dahlia" is sure to appear on many critics' year-end lists -- ten best and ten worst.
De Palma is an obsessional craftsman; at his best, he uses his peerless technique to put you inside his characters' paranoia and anguish. This time, though, he's working with someone else's obsession, and he never really gets inside it himself -- he just presents it with a gloss. De Palma and scripter Josh Friedman miss the tone and flavor of James Ellroy's hard-charging novel -- its bebop prose, its toxic mix of lust and shame, its genesis in the still-unsolved murder of Ellroy's own mother. Ellroy's book was felt, painfully, from the inside; De Palma's movie is filmed from the outside.
The premise is the same: Los Angeles cops Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart), former boxing opponents, get drawn into the case of the Black Dahlia -- Elizabeth Short (Mia Kirshner), a wannabe actress who fumbled through the nightlife and screen tests of bottom-feeder Hollywood before ending up mutilated and cut in half, looking like someone's demented science project. In the book, narrated by Dwight, the cops' love lives are warped by the case; it turns Lee into a monomaniacal obsessive, swallowing benzedrines and littering his dining-room table with Elizabeth's autopsy photos. The movie follows that track, too, but nothing is as starkly compelling as the glimpses of sad-eyed Elizabeth, gamely smiling through tears in some director's office.
The movie starts off top-heavy, devoting more screen time than expected to Dwight and Lee's boxing match, staged in order to get the public to vote for a budget increase for the police department. Ellroy wanted us to see the intersection between law and politics, cops maiming each other for the city's elite. But the way De Palma shoots it, it's just his homage to old boxing pictures. The entire movie, in fact, is his homage to old movies. Cosmetically, he's a good match for this material; in classics like Blow Out and Casualties of War, De Palma focused on young, untested men haunted by women they couldn't save. But here he just seems motivated by getting to wallow in a lush period setting (the late forties) for the first time since The Untouchables almost twenty years ago.
Playing in his sandbox of the past, De Palma forgets about his talented cast, who struggle to forge some reality inside the movie's stylized scheme. The women, trying to mimic the heavy-lidded seductiveness of past screen legends, come off worst; Scarlett Johansen, as Lee's platonic companion, and Hilary Swank, as a bisexual rich girl Dwight gets involved with, are terribly miscast. (Especially since we keep hearing how much Swank's character looks like Elizabeth, though she clearly doesn't.) De Palma fills the margins with old favorite actors -- it's fun to see Gregg Henry and William Finley again, though the former is reduced to glowering at the camera and then disappearing -- and interesting performers like Rose McGowan and Fiona Shaw (going waaay over the top as a batty matron) keep turning up. But none of it coheres. We don't share the main characters' inner conflicts because the director, usually such a strongly visual artist, resorts to telling us about them (if you blink, you miss the reason why Lee is so fixated on the Dahlia case).
The Black Dahlia won't do much to dissuade the common rap against De Palma as a cold technician who takes projects just for the elaborate set pieces they provide him -- here it's yet another staircase sequence (The Untouchables, Carlito's Way) topped by yet another fall into a fountain (Scarface). De Palma keeps himself amused -- sporadically -- but elsewhere stages things lazily, ladling an overly rambunctious Mark Isham score over everything. The movie is De Palma's essay on film noir technique, and some of his hardcore followers may enjoy it on that level, but most of The Black Dahlia is neither entertaining nor compelling.
James Ellroy made this material work -- by crude, brutal force -- because he believed in it. Brian De Palma only believes in its surface, and that's where the movie stays and dies.
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N2N Bodywear Campfire Long Johns
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| 500 |
Speak Up, Speak Out to discuss election
For students interested in this year’s election, an open forum discussion will be hosted by Speak Up, Speak Out on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bovee University Center Auditorium.
Election topics will dominate Speak Up, Speak Out — an open forum series — leading up to the election. Students, staff and faculty will be speaking on the panel and attendees are encouraged to ask questions and participate.
“I hope that we can look at the issues that have made (this election) so unusual,” said professor of philosophy and religion Merlyn Mowrey. “We want to give more information about the candidates and what they stand for.”
Other topics planned to be discussed include:
The media’s role in the election.
The impact of the election on the parties’ image.
The rising interest in third parties.
There will also be representatives from REV CMU and the Civil Discourse Society to provide students with information about voting procedure and how to critically analyze information.
“This season is quite atypical and I hope we can look at the issues that have made it so unusual,” Mowrey said.
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By Del. Miller, J., Andes, Armstead, Azinger, Blair, Carmichael, Cowles, Lane,
Overington, Porter and Walters - Claiming sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to
the Constitution of the United States over certain powers - To Rules
By Del. Miley, Cann, Fragale, Iaquinta, Beach, Boggs, Campbell, Eldridge, Frazier,
Guthrie, Hunt, Louisos, Marshall, Perry, Rodighiero, Shook, Staggers, Stephens, Stowers
and Webster - Requesting the Congress of the United States to reexamine a federal law
which has seriously affected the sales of off-road motorcycles designed for children - To
Rules
45.
By Del. Wooton, Moye, Susman, Mahan and Sumner - Commemorating the passing of
William Henry File, Jr., gentleman, sailor, attorney, public servant, and a great asset to
his country and his faith - To Rules
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I get the same question from my students every term. It is: “What is the difference between British and American English?” It’s not always easy to understand why in one book it’s written centreand centerin another. What shall I say- movieor film?
Click on the link below and you’ll find some information about it. Enjoy reading!
Today I’d like to speak about pronouns. According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (http://www.ldoceonline.com) pronoun is “a word that is used instead of a noun or noun phrase, such as ‘he’ instead of ‘Peter’ or ‘the man“
So, we use she instead of Maria or it instead of cafe.
There are different types of pronouns such as demonstrative, personal, indefinite, possessive and relative. Possessive pronouns show that something belongs to someone or something. Ex. This is my house. The house is mine.
What is the difference between my and mine? Click here to read more about the subject.
Studying a foreign language implies learning of some basic rules. While speaking about writing we can’t but mention about one of its most important aspects – word order. What does word order actually mean? I would say, it’s the way you put words in sentences.
The way you write a sentence in Japanese will definitely vary from Hebrew. Let us write one sentence in various languages:
As you can see from the example above, different languages have different rules. Word order in English is rather simple than complicated. In the explanation below you can learn some basic rules.Word order
The first week at school we started with describing places. Every description means saying what someone or something is by giving some details about them. Sometimes you compare two things when describing them:
The first mountain is higher than the second one.
Using adjectives is one of the first strategies when you describe something. Click here to know more about the comparison of adjectives.
Humans are social beings that communicate with each other almost every day. Some people don’t feel confident though when they can’t find anything to talk about with a colleague or a neighbour. Why not asking questions then? You may ask about the time, weather, work or family and as long as you show your interest, you keep the conversation going.
One of the first functions of questioning is to gain information, for example an eldery lady wonders how to get to the station and she asks a stranger. People also ask questions when they want to test someone’s knowledge, to provoke others to think more deeply or just to get to know another person better. In other words questioning may be a brilliant strategy that makes a conversation alive.
Students who study English as a foreign language may also experience communication as another challenge. In order to ask a correct question, you have to know some grammar rules. We’ve already discussed how to make a question in Present Simple (check it here to repeat) and today I’d like to share some new grammar explanation, namely questioning using Past Simple.
Finally, I suggest you write a list of your own questions on one topic, such as interests, job, family, bringing up children, customs and traditions in different countries, the latest news, films, books, education system, childhood memories, previous experiences, etc. This list will help you to be more secure next time you meet new people.
– Mummy, I’m going to build a house for you on the Mercury, when I grow up, – my son interrupted me when I was reading a new book about sun system for him.
– You’re so cute, my sweetheart:) I’ll be happy if you build it on the Earth instead.
– Really, I love you so much, so I can build one on the Earth and one on the Mercury:)
Have you ever thought about the future? I’m pretty sure the answer will be yes, even if we think in different ways. Small boys will venture into space and fight against the aliens while small girls will probably become princesses. Teenagers will become adults and adults will reach their goals (if they have some). They will go on the round-the-world trip, move to another country, get a better job, 3 children, a dog, a car, a new flat, etc. We will definitely do something different in 5 years.
The task for this lesson is to think about your future and write down your thoughts. How do you see it? It can also be really amusing to write a letter to your future self and find it a couple of years later. It’s always fascinating to see if your dreams have come true or not by then. Click on the link below to repeat grammar.
Like this:
Last week we discussed the usage of Passive Voice and some students can still find it difficult to distinguish between Passive and Active Voice. Take a look at two examples:
1. Susan ate the last cookie.
2. The last cookie was eaten.
In the first sentence we know exactly that a person does the action and the focus is on Susan who ate the cookie. Here we see subject + verb + object construction that is common for Active Voice. In the second sentence we want to emphasize the object and we don’t care about who is responsible for the action. We have object + verb that is the typical sentence construction for Passive Voice.
The presentation below will help you to understand this grammar better:
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Monday, March 12, 2007
* Despite previous network claims that a conservative advantage existed on the Sunday shows simply because Republicans controlled Congress and the White House, only one show, ABC's This Week, has been roughly balanced between both sides overall since the congressional majority switched hands in the 2006 midterm elections. * Since the 2006 midterm elections, NBC's Meet the Press and CBS' Face the Nation have provided less balance between Republican and Democratic officials than Fox Broadcasting Co.'s Fox News Sunday despite the fact that Fox News Sunday remains the most unbalanced broadcast overall both before and after the election. * During the 109th Congress (2005 and 2006), Republicans and conservatives held the advantage on every show, in every category measured. All four shows interviewed more Republicans and conservatives than Democrats and progressives overall, interviewed more Republican elected and administration officials than Democratic officials, hosted more conservative journalists than progressive journalists, held more panels that tilted right than tilted left, and gave more solo interviews to Republicans and conservatives.
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Saturday, November 5, 2011
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| 975 |
Another month and another DLC package drop for the Spider-Man PlayStation 4 game, and along with it some more unmet expectations.Turf Wars is the second in the “The City That Never Sleeps” Spider-Man game trilogy's downloadable content (DLC). This DLC takes place after the events of the pr...
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The Burying Point
The Burying Point, right in the heart of Salem, is the city's oldest cemetary. It may also be on the oldest in America; a passenger from the Mayflower is buried here. A former governor of Massachusetts is also interred here as well as several prominent judges. The Honorable Justice John Hathorne, who presided over the Salem witchcraft trials in 1692, is also buried here.
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Last week (2013-04-17), I have redrawn the coastline for Vanikoro and Teanu islands, from the Bing images, much much better than the previous Yahoo source.
I am now waiting for the coastline rendering to be updated by mapnik, as it's a much longer process than standard features rendering.
By the time, I have also added some of the residential landuses and some "rivers".
A curiosity : the La Pérouse memorial is located on the opposite shore of the actual shipwreck.
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Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Hello everyone. I am glad to see the interest that my last post drew. It has been over three weeks since my last post and it is safe to say that I have been working on and updating this post during that entire time. Every day I have worked since then, I have had a conference call, email, or some other communication to look forward to that I knew would progress the deal. After waiting for over three weeks for this deal to unravel, I finally decided I would stop updating and get a post out there.
I have been working very closely with my mentor, C.J. Laboy, on finishing a deal for two clients to endorse a small snack food company. My first marketing deal has been very unique in that the CMO of the company and I were faced with a difficult challenge. He was interested in partnering with our clients, but the company is too small and cannot afford the endorsement package that we were discussing.
I thought back to the negotiations class I am enrolled in and the best lesson I have received (among many) from my professor, Earl Hill (who was a former tight end for Wisconsin), is that one has to create value by adding issues and “expanding the pie.” Negotiating is more of a team effort between those who sit on opposite ends of the negotiating table than most people realize; both sides have the same goal of reaching an agreement and there are many ways to accomplish that. I thought back to the revolutionary endorsement deal involving David Wright and Glaceau, the company that makes VitaminWater.
I inquired with the company about making a deal that would involve part cash and part ownership. The CMO was open to the idea and conversations about the endorsement resumed. C.J. and I have been doing our due diligence on the value and growth opportunities of the company in order to put a value on the company’s offer. When that happens, we will continue with negotiations and hopefully finish up my first endorsement deal.
I will be taking the summer off from blogging (unless I can report finalizing this deal before my internship ends for the semester), but during that time, be sure to follow me on Twitter @marc_h_miller, where I regularly tweet news and articles related to agents and sports business in general. Also, be sure to add me to your LinkedIn network.
I wish all of my fellow college students and young professionals the best of luck with your summer internships and leave you with two of the best lessons I learned from my very first internship with the Single-A Hudson Valley Renegades:
No task is below you.
I was remembered as the intern who got poison ivy all over myself while trimming the ivy around the outer stadium fencing and gained respect from everyone for putting my own comfort behind the comfort of the most important people: the fans.
Be remembered as the intern who did anything and everything and you will be surprised how willing those above you are to open their network to you, teach you about the business, or let you get different experiences.
Your title is not binding.
Going back to that internship with the Renegades, I was hired to put on the in-game promotions. By the end of the summer, I was selling tickets over the phone and was fully-versed in ticket operations software.
If your internship is part-time, go approach people in a different department and offer to volunteer the time you are not spending on your primary task(s). Everyone can use help and what is help to them is experience to you.
Anne MK
Great internship reminders Marc. If you blog this summer I’d love to follow it.
Dirmkt234
Marc, sounds like you’ve taken the bull by the horns in your internship and really made the most of it. Can you describe a little more about the nature of the deal you discussed here and what the connection between the snack food company is with your client?
http://twitter.com/marc_h_miller Marc Miller
Thank you for your question. We are still narrowing in on the terms, but the endorsement package would involve a 5-hour block of video/photo production, 3 convention or store appearances on the company’s behalf, announcements about the company of the players’ Twitter and Facebook profiles, and product placement at the players’ youth camp this summer. That is the jist of the clients’ involvement, but much of that is still to be negotiated on.
Tripathi_manish
Great advice for interns!
Fritz
great blog!
Lauren
Great article, Marc! I really enjoyed your comment on negotiations…very true about “expanding the pie” to get the most out of a deal.
I have another lesson to add to your internship advice: always participate. Even if you’re at a meeting with all executives and you think you have nothing to contribute. They wouldn’t have invited you if they didn’t want you to participate and provide your perspective. It’s not trivial even as an intern!! This is advice given to me at GE.
Keep up the blogging
http://twitter.com/marc_h_miller Marc Miller
Lauren,
Thank you for your input. That is a great point as well. It will go far to expand your network of mentors and you will gain respect.
Yankz83
Your an inspiration. Great work ethic and dedication leads to great success!
B-schooler
“No task is below you,” is interesting, especially since it can be difficult to take that to heart since some of us go to very expensive universities, but important nonetheless.
Steph V.
Great advice on internships. Completely agree with the “your title is not binding” statement. If you can go above and beyond your title, that’s when you’re really bringing value to the company.
Nikki Graves
Excellent advice on making the most of internships! Your excellent insights are also true for beginning a “real” job. Many of my former students report feeling discouraged in their entry-level positions. What they need to recognize is the value in performing even seemingly-menial tasks. Making copies, or in your case, trimming ivy, is an ideal way to show a positive, team-oriented attitude. Nice work, Marc! As always, you impress me.
Al M.
Most intelligent and useful blog for upwardly mobile young people.
Al M.
James
I enjoyed reading this. I wish you the best of luck!
Logan Stoddard
What a great perspective to have on negotiations, working on the same team. I wish my employer and union thought more like you.
Lara Smith-Sitton
Great advice regarding summer internships–you never know the connections you will make when you show up and are willing to help! Hope you have some time to blog over the summer. All the best to you! Keep writing!
Wmfunrun
Great Blog! I look forward to hearing about the finalization of your deal. Have a great summer!
Kevin
very interesting article, keep it up!
Jjchoi4
I see great leadership in this!
Kirbyliu
Hey Marc, awesome post. I see a lot of potential in you. keep up the good work and the blogging.
http://twitter.com/AdnanRashid Adnan Rashid
this is one of the better articles on this site. honest and straight forward
Lee
Encouraging to see the connection between college educational experiences and the “real-world”.
Greg D.
Good article, Marc. Best of luck!
Mbachou
I find this article very inspiring. I will keep it in the back of my mind when I am struggling to continue to put in the grunt work at my internship. I’m amazed at how much you do…..you really are an asset to any organization, especially in sports because you understand the nuances of the industry. Keep it coming, we all can learn something from you. Good luck.
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Tag: nfc
In our series of three articles looking at the digitization of transport we will explore some of the most impactful areas of this new paradigm:
The customer
Management of services
Infrastructure
This first article will look at the customer, the driving force behind the digitization of the service.
Why digitize?
There has been a major shift in consumer perception and expectation of how a service works. This can be attributed to the rise of the Internet and in particular to the consumezisation of the Internet with platforms like Facebook and apps like Uber. Gartner has been watching and predicting outcomes from this consumerization and expect fluidic and dramatic changes in how services expect to be delivered.
Our customers are rapidly becoming technology sophisticates and as we move well into the 21stcentury, those customers will be the true digital natives, with an expectation that the products and services they use are digital. In addition, public transport is seeing increasingly heavy usage patterns as people including those in less developed countries, move into urban areas. Transport is an area that is now crossing the chasm into the age of digitization and with that comes challenges in how to handle the end to end customer experience and at the same time optimise on the use of technology to enhance this experience.
Challenges of serving the customer in a digitized transport system
One of the challenges and also the greatest benefit of a digitized transport system is the offering of a contactless payment method.
Contactless ticketing challenges: To truly embed contactless ticketing into a given transport system, it needs to be holistic. That is, it needs to work across every touch point in the transport eco-system – from carriers, to passengers, to local authorities and transport providers. Each must be enabled to proffer, moderate and accept the contactless method. Taking the system and extending it to cover all modes of transport, including, car shares, trains, buses, taxis and even bike hire schemes, is also part of the remit of the contactless ticketing network.
As part of this challenge, industry bodies such as the Smart Ticketing Alliance and Smart Card Alliance are working towards creating standards and industry collaboration, similar to those in the mobile phone ad banking sectors to encourage interoperability between transport systems throughout Europe.
Contactless ticketing benefits: The paramount benefit of offering a contactless ticketing system to customers is convenience. Urban transport is seeing some negative changes, including increased commute time. The average commute in London is 74 minutes and in New York it’s 75 minutes. Anything that can speed up a person’s journey is welcome and a quick swipe of a card, as opposed to pushing a ticket through a barrier, can do that – how often have we experienced a ticket getting stuck in a barrier or being held up by someone experiencing that?
People like contactless too. It’s easy to use. You don’t have to remember to ‘top up’ cards and you can use the device, such as a mobile phone, that you use for all of your other transactions. In fact the idea of contactless payments, in general, is taking off. In the UK there are 76 million contactless cards issued (more than the total population). In Australia, two thirds of the population own a contactless card and 53% use those regularly. In the US 80% of those who have contactless cards used them once a week. The reason for the popularity of contactless is the removal of barriers through ease of use and contactless ticketing is just another application of this method.
Transport for London is one of the first systems in the world to embrace contactless ticketing in a holistic manner. TfL have found this new system, which is integrated across almost all modes of transport in London, to be a success, with 20% of all pay-as-you go journeys now contactless less than a year since its launch.
One of the other major benefits to both the consumer and the transport provider is the integrated nature of the contactless ticketing system. Contactless is a more personalized and transparent method of ticketing and provides more insightful audit. Users can keep track of their payments and check out their travel habits in a way traditional ticketing doesn’t allow. Transport providers can offer enhanced services and have constant contact with their customers.
Security is a possible area of concern for contactless ticketing. However, as tickets are generally at the lower price bracket they in turn have a lower barrier to uptake. Further, older technologies incorporating magnetic strips could be counterfeited, whereas many contactless ticketing systems utilize modern security techniques and authentication methods.
Strasbourg Transport Company: a modern day contactless ticketing success
The Strasbourg Transport Company (STC) is a successful example of how contactless ticketing can work. They have rolled out a Near Field Communication (NFC) method of transport ticketing to the French cities of Strasbourg and Caen. The ticketing system is based on a mobile app known as U’GO which utilizes NFC technology to purchase tickets on public transport across the cities.
One of the great benefits of the system is that it is entirely ticketless. The cost of the new system is less than a tenth of the cost of a paper-based ticketing system, savings in paper and printing alone being part of this cost reduction. The system itself is entirely turnkey, with a connected mobile app, website and information system. The system has taken into account modern requirements of multicultural, connected, smart cities with multi-lingual web content and adaptive design for use across device types. The approach that STC is using is an all-encompassing one – supporting customers from ‘door-to-door’ and embracing dialogue and discourse through online content and social outlets.
In a survey on the U’GO ticketing system, 90% said it was a useful application and 85% said they would be continued users of the system.
The future
Contactless ticketing opens up a number of new avenues to make travelling easier, cheaper and more convenient. Contactless ticketing has the potential to offer other add on value services such as vouchers and gift opportunities. As well as cutting ongoing costs, it allows a transport provider to truly interact with their consumers and build a trusted relationship.
I’m probably as fed up as you are with a lot of the stuff that gets written about “mobile payments” – almost as fed up as I am with the nonsense that people write about “mobile wallets”, but that’s a whole different discussion.
Why am I fed up? Well, basically because many of the blog posts and articles and much of the commentary around mobile payments cast too wide a net and addresses products, solutions or developments that are way wide of the mark when compared against a proper expression of a mobile payment implementation. All of this noise helps to perpetuate the idea that anything which involves:
a mobile phone, and
a payment of some sort
automatically qualifies as a “mobile payment”.
So, if I take out my Samsung Galaxy S4 and use the Chrome browser to call up the Tesco Dotcom site, place an order for groceries to be delivered over the weekend and then pay for the goods by entering my credit card details, then that’s a mobile payment, right? Or if my friendly neighbourhood plumber fixes that annoying leak under the sink and he accepts my credit card payment (well, it was an emergency!) by using his iPhone connected to an iZettle card reader, I’ve just made a mobile payment, haven’t I?
Compare that to walking into your nearest Starbucks with your Starbucks Rewards app open on your iPhone and presenting the “Pay” barcode to the scanner at the till to buy a caramel macchiato and a chocolate muffin – see the difference? It’s not the best example of a mobile payment by a long way, but at least it’s heading in the right direction insofar as you haven’t had to supply any payment credentials at the point of interaction to effect the payment (as in the Tesco example above) and you haven’t had to provide your plastic card to complete the transaction (as in the payment to the emergency plumber). Instead, information related to a payment card – in this case, the Starbucks Rewards card linked to a pre-paid account has been transferred from your mobile phone to the point of sale terminal, and all you had to do was wave your iPhone screen in front of the scanner.
If you want to get technical about it, you had to open your iPhone, which requires a screen swipe and (hopefully) a passcode; then you had to look for and open the Starbucks app; then you had to click on the “Pay” button and then orient the iPhone screen in such a way that the barcode could be read by the awkwardly positioned laser scanner… But it was easy, wasn’t it? And you got a star for making the purchase with your Starbucks Rewards card (in your iPhone app). So maybe it wasn’t that easy and it could have been better designed to ensure a smoother, more convenient customer experience, but it’s still more like a “real” mobile payment than the other examples above, despite its sub-optimal implementation.
So, in my view, there are true mobile payment solutions and there are other implementations which are “mobile payments” in name only. But what makes a good mobile payment product, as far as I’m concerned? Well, there are a number of factors at play in building a fit for purpose solution in the mobile payments space, including security, functionality and ubiquity of acceptance, but most of them revolve around the customer and the customer’s experience of using the mobile payment solution. I talk about this aspect of mobile payments and what customers are looking for in a mobile payment product in my recent white paper on mobile payments as well as discussing what makes a mobile payment a mobile payment. Take a look at it: it might help you appreciate why I get fed up with some of the stuff that I read about “mobile payments”.
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