text:
Lieutenant Hunter Ethredge is a Carroll County native, and has spent his entire law enforcement career with the Villa Rica Police Department. Before joining the department, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from the University of West Georgia. During his time at the agency, he has served in various roles including patrolman, corporal, detective, shift sergeant, and traffic unit sergeant. Lieutenant Ethredge has attended a wide array of law enforcement training during his career, but some of his certifications include CVSA Examiner, Instructor, Supervision, and Management. Currently, he is serving as the patrol division lieutenant.
Lieutenant Ethredge is responsible for assisting with oversight of day to day police operations within the patrol division which includes patrol shifts, traffic, SRO's, and other activities within uniform services. Lieutenant Ethredge may be reached by phone at 678-840-1313 or by email at [email protected]


text:
Core Business
Property Development
Offering a quality and refinement for all its development initiatives. The concept behind the planning and design of all DatumCorp projects is the incorporation of environmental sustainable features. An urban transformation like no other will fuel the economy of the country
Property Management
Overseeing of residential, commercial and/or industrial property, including residences, business units and shopping complexes. The enabler of social and economic activities that will generate urban entities into self-sustaining and dynamic communities.
Bumiputera Entrepreneurial
Creating a business opportunity to support an active, innovative and creative Bumiputera entrepreneurship business ideas through business consultancy,collaboration and impressive business scheme.
Implementing agency of Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and Selangor Darul Ehsan State Government to generate more investment opportunities and income. DatumCorp welcomes the benefits and economies of scale that would be derived from business collaboration with other like developer and investors.

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=== Programming ===
=== Programming ===
FX frequently competes with channels like HBO and Shotime
FX frequently competes with channels like HBO and Shotime for audiences all offer edgy programming with controversial subject matter basic cable television. For example, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia deals with drugs, , racism, and among other topics. The Shield deals with corrupt cops, Rescue Me revolves around a group of misogynistic fire fighters, and Nip/Tuck takes place in the in the seedy of plastic . Also similar to HBO and Shotime, FX fills their schedule with recent movies to which they have first-run rights <>for .. . . - . .
<>Signature Programming
FX, again like HBO and Shotime, aims for a blend of comedic and dramatic shows dealing with a darker subject matter
FX, again like HBO and Shotime, aims for a blend of comedic and dramatic shows dealing with a darker subject matter. Signature programming includes the successful series listed above and Terriers, The League, Louie, Archer, and Justified. Currently, FX's original series are trending towards the comedic with five of their eight series being firmly trenched in the comedy genre. Terriers blends comedy with the detective genre, following two unlicensed private detectives. Rescue Me, one of FX's dramas, blends drama with dark comedy. FX also seems to be taking an interest in sports-themed shows with it's current League which follows a groups of friends in a fantasy-football league and it's upcoming show, Light's Out which follows a former boxing champion and his struggles in life.<>FX. FX , . . . . . .
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=== Scheduling and Promotional Techniques ===
=== Scheduling and Promotional Techniques ===
Revision as of 22:14, 1 December 2010
- 1 FX Network: There is No Box
- 2
- 3 Signature Programming
- 4 Feature Films
- 4.1 Scheduling and Promotional Techniques
- 4.2 Production, Distribution, Transmission
- 4.3 Current Programs on FX
- 4.4 Textual Analysis
- 4.4.1 Justified
- 4.4.2 It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
- 4.5 Audience and Online Analysis
- 4.6 References
FX Network: There is No Box
FX Network is a top cable network. FX channel provides highly popular original series and motion pictures.
Industrial Analysis
FX Network is a basic cable channel founded in 1994 by Fox Entertainment Group, a company owned and operated by News Corporation.
Originally named fX, the channel started with the slogan "TV Made Fresh Daily" and offered "live programming" broadcast from New York. After little success with live programming,[1] fX changed to FX and took different approach to reaching audiences.
In 1998, Peter Liguori became President and CEO of FX Networks. During his five-year period, FX expanded their reach from 39 million homes to 84 million, becoming a "top-five basic cable network," and achieved their highest ratings and revenue.[2] Under Liguori's guidance shows like "The Shield," "Nip/Tuck," and "Rescue Me" became wildly popular.
In 2005, John Landgraf became president and general manager of FX Networks.[3] Currently a "Top 5 network", reaching over 90 million US homes and providing hit original series,[4] FX networks has also acquired the basic cable rights to popular movies such as Avatar and The Social Network.[5] In 2007, FX Networks launched a marketing campaign behind the slogan, "There is no Box." Mr. Landgraf said that FX wanted to "elevate nonconformity to an aspirational experience." He wanted to showcase how FX differs from generic TV genres. The logo can still be seen on the official FX website and on TV. [6]
-President and General Manager: John Landgraf
-Executive-Vice President Marketing and Promotion: Stephanie Gibbons
-EVP Original Programming: Nick Grad
FX frequently competes with channels like HBO and Shotime for audiences and all offer edgy programming with controversial subject matter not often found on basic cable television. For example, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia deals with drugs, homelessness, racism, and gay marriage among other topics. The Shield deals with corrupt cops, Rescue Me revolves around a group of misogynistic fire fighters, and Nip/Tuck takes place in the in the seedy underworld of corrupt plastic surgeons. Series tend to push boundaries with colorful language as well. Also similar to HBO and Shotime, FX fills their schedule with recent movies to which they have first-run rights instead of relying on re-runs.
FX has had many successful programs run for very long stretches.The Shield, Rescue Me, and Nip/Tuck all ended after six seasons of awards and accolades, including multiple Emmys and Golden Globes. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia just entered its sixth season. And Sons of Anarchy is currently in its third. A slew of newer shows - Justified, Archer, and The League - are all due for a second season while Terriers just finished its first. Lights Out, their newest original, will start in January.
Signature Programming
FX, again like HBO and Shotime, aims for a blend of comedic and dramatic shows dealing with a darker subject matter. Signature programming includes the successful series listed above and Terriers, The League, Louie, Archer, and Justified. Currently, FX's original series are trending towards the comedic with five of their eight series being firmly trenched in the comedy genre. Terriers blends comedy with the detective genre, following two unlicensed private detectives. Rescue Me, one of FX's dramas, blends drama with dark comedy. FX also seems to be taking an interest in sports-themed shows with it's current showThe League which follows a groups of friends in a fantasy-football league and it's upcoming show, Light's Out which follows a former boxing champion and his struggles in life.
Target Audience
FX's covets the 18-49 age range in their target audience . Their promotional techniques and the subject matter in their shows appeal directly to this demographic. FX features a late-night programming block called Fully Baked. It runs Louie, Archer, and other original comedy series. The vulgar humor intertwines pop culture references, drugs and sexual innuendos that appeal to an immature, hip audience. As the title implies, the humor especially suits those who smoke pot. FX advertises Coors Light, a popular beer for inexperienced and underage drinkers, as well as Call of Duty, an obsession of male youth culture. The Fully Baked programming block seems to say, "Up late? High? Why not watch some FX comedy? It's just what you need when you're baked". FX also found airing blockbuster films attracts their desired target audience.
Feature Films
FX utilizes many different genres of movie to appeal to as many demographics as possible.
FX airs family movies as well which appeal to small children with middle aged parents. These movies are high profile enough to attract the whole family. FX has box office hits such as "Madagascar 2" and "Madagascar 3," "Monsters vs. Aliens," "Kung Fu Panda," "Horton Hears a Who" and "Shrek 4";
FX shows many comic book movies whose action based premises appeal to children but whose big budgets can entertain adults as well. These include "Transformers 2," "Spider-Man 3," "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" and "Hellboy II""Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man 2," "Captain America," "Thor" and "The Avengers"
Releases "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," "2012," and "Live Free or Die Hard," "Taken," "Beowulf," "Jumper," "Cloverfield," "Hancock," "Eagle Eye," "Wanted,""21" "Vantage Point," provide a more mature counterpart to supplement the child-oriented comic book films.
For young adults and adults looking to watch critically acclaimed movies, FX broadcasts Oscar winners and nominees such as "There Will Be Blood," "Changeling," "The Wrestler" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
FX has a score of comedies with box office success. "Tropic Thunder," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "Superbad," "Step Brothers," "Pineapple Express," "What Happens in Vegas," "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" and more. These shows appeal to audiences with content similar to Fully Baked. Immature "frat pack" humor appeals strongly to adolescent audiences.
The channel also has movies such as "27 Dresses," "Bride Wars," "Baby Mama," "Marley & Me." The strong female leads in these movies along with the romantic comedy plots appeal to female audiences of many ages.
Scheduling and Promotional Techniques
FX only has a few apparent scheduling techniques. In 2009, The League premiered followingIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on Thursday nights[7]. This strategy follows in 2010 in an effort to retain It's Always Sunny's audience for The League. The fact that they placed the shows on Thursday may be an effort to piggy-back off of the comedic programming that runs on NBC every Thursday from 8-10 pm. Viewers of the comedies on NBC may find it easy to continue their night of comedy for another hour by simply changing the channel to FX.
FX uses their wide range of movies and off-network re-runs to lead into their original programming. Currently, FX uses Two and a Half Men to lead into their original comedy series. FX began scheduling movies more heavily than off-network re-runs when ratings were poor for off-network re-runs and when it was discovered that movies pull in a younger audience than the re-runs. By utilizing the movies, FX attracts more of the 18-49 target audience and is able to slip in promos for their original programming through the film[8].
FX's promotional strategies expand to clips and episodes available for viewing on their website as well as a presence on youtube, myspace, and facebook[9]. FX's online website also provides multiple opportuniites for fans to engage with their favorite shows. They have also performed public stunts such as holding a live rendition of the musical "The Nightman Cometh" from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia[10].
Production, Distribution, Transmission
The FX Network has a hand in the production of all their shows through either the FX Production Company or Fox 21. These are two production studios owned and operated by Fox which are directly involved with the production of all their shows. The level of involvement and preparation that each show requires, however, varies greatly.
For example,It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was created by Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day with only a handheld video camera and a $200.00 budget.[11] The actors are the creators and they are responsible for all creativity. Despite such inconspicuous conception, it has become wildly successful, and rules the primetime 10pm spot on FX's Thursday night lineup.
In contrast to Sunny's streamlined production, it takes one month to create an episode of Archer. Floyd County Productions in Atlanta Georgia is responsible for creating concept sketches, while Trinity Animation in Kansas receives these sketches and translates them into three dimensional images. Then animators and illustrators storyboard the entire episode and apply the voices of the actors, recorded in Hollywood. The actors are removed from the experience beyond their voice recording (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZdJX1jDcYI).
FX partners with production companies beyond those owned by Fox. To produce It's Always Sunny FX collaborates with Bluebush Productions, 3 Art Entertainment, RCH, and Sunny Television Productions.[12] RCH and Sunny Television Productions deal solely with It's Always Sunny. Bluebush Productions works exclusively with FX shows and it has helped shepherd Damages and 30 Days to the air as well. 3 Art Entertainment, on the other hand, has dabbled in many projects. They are responsible for such theatrical hits as Girl, Interrupted, Down to Earth and Constantine. They have also produced dozens of episodes of King of the Hill. Compare this to the production company Actual Reality, responsible for FX's show 30 Days. They have a much less conspicuous resume. Their most notable achievement is their eleven episode stint with Greatest American Dog. 30 Days also uses a production company called Warrior Poets. Initially, Warrior Poets was created to produce 30 Days in 2005 but they have since produced 7 other documentaries without commercial success.[13] Their 2007 documentary, What Would Jesus Buy? only grossed one hundred and ninety six thousand dollars and used a two million dollar budget.[14]
The FX channel is carried in some ninety six million homes.[15] FX transmits shows throughout the United States, UK (Bravo Television, Fiver), Japan (WOWOW), Hungary (Viasat 3, Comedy Central), Norway (FEM), Estonia (TV3), Romania (AXN), Greece, Belgium, Germany (Sony Pictures), Finland, Canada (CanWest), Argentina (LK-TEL) and Italy. They broadcast on the internet as well through the News Corporation's merger with Comcast - check for free episodes on either fxnetworks.com or hulu.com.[16] FX may lose some fourteen million viewers due to a dispute with Dish Network.[17] Fox is also threatening to pull their programming from Time Warner which could affect up to thirty million viewers in thirteen million households.[18] FX continues to reache a huge audience through cable/satellite/internet systems.[19] Even with such business disputes, FX reaches a huge audience and remains FOX's premier channel for original programming.
Current Programs on FX
Malcolm in the Middle
The Bernie Mac Show
Two and a half men
Spin City
That 70's Show
The Practice
Lights Out (Premieres January 2011)
The League
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Sons of Anarchy
Rescue Me
30 days (Completed)
Nip/Tuck (Completed)
The Shield (Completed)
Textual Analysis
Form and Content
Justified is a procedural episodic serial. It follows U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens and the other marshals in Harlan County, Kentucky as they carry out justice. In the series, we are given a representation of the Marshals' jobs and responsibilities. For example, in the second episode of Justified, Raylan must transport a prisoner, one of the US Marshals actual job duties. Most episodes focus on Raylan and the other marshals tracking down one criminal or a set of convicts that is almost completely resolved by the end of the episode. In the first episode, Raylan and the marshals take down a gang of neo-Nazis led by Boyd, an old friend of Raylan's. At the end of the episode Raylan has shot, but not killed Boyd, closing the episode's main storyline but leaving the conclusion of the arc of Raylan and Boyd's relationship open to be explored in the next episode which it is. It would also seem that in addition to the runner of Boyd and Raylan's relationship, Raylan's relationship with his father is a runner that will initiate one of the ongoing plotlines of the show. In the first episode, it is hinted that Raylan has a complicated history with his father and in the second episode, Raylan encounters a convict who knew his father and their relationship is again touched upon.
Construction of Target Audience/ Cultural Meanings
As stated in our earlier report, FX's target audience is the 18 to 49 range. The crime fighting content of Justified matches that of other shows like Memphis Bea't, Burn Notice, and Law and Order (imdb.com). Burn Notice had the highest ratings for the summer in the 18 to 49 and 18 to 35 ranges.[20] The similar content of Justified would draw the same coveted audience range. Justified's premiere also drew 1.42 million men in the 18-49 range, FX's highest rating in that range since the premiere of The Shield.[21] Justified's weekly averages 7.5 million viewers, of which 3.9 million are adults (18-49). The show was rated number one for a "new series," within the demographic of men of ages 18-49.
Also, as stated in our earlier report, FX is trying to provide content similar to and in competition with HBO's programming. One similarity these two networks have in common are the actors in HBO shows also appear in FX shows. For example, Kristen Bauer, who is a recurring character in True Blood, apears in the second episode of Justified. Also, HBO's critically successful Deadwood has more than a few similarities to Justified. Not only do they both follow US law enforcement figures, but the main character of Justified is also in Deadwood. Timothy Olyphant stars as Raylan Givens in Justified and as sheriff Seth Bullock in Deadwood (who is also a former marshal).[22] Both shows also feature a hazy obedience of the law and a lot of gunfights. In the first episode of Justified, Raylan is transferred for his penchant for shooting on-sight and only shooting to kill, which the superiors in the Marshals' office frown upon. Later, the marshals are caught in a massive gunfight in the middle of a town road. In Deadwood, the lawlessness is personified by the setting of the Wild West, where shootings and gunfights were a common occurrence.[23] The common actor and content is clearly a bid by FX for the same audience that HBO and Deadwood attracted while it aired on television.
Justified is also able to make a bid for the 18 to 49 range in its source material. Raylan Givens is a character created by the writer, Elmore Leonard. Leonard, who continues to put out novels in the present, has been published regularly since 1954.[24] Leonard also serves as an executive producer on the show.[25] His books have been read by all ages and there are certainly fans of his work that fall into the 18 to 49 range. A way FX is trying to appeal to a younger demographic is by making Justified modern. Unlike Deadwood that is set during the time of Manifest Destiny, Justified is set in the present. Therefore, the show plays hip-hop music during montages and Raylan, though dressed in a suite and cowboy hat, owns a Blackberry phone. Making Justidied more modern attracts a younger demographic.
Even though FX if mainly a channel viewed by many males, Justified tries to appeal to women. For example, Ava Crowder does not portray the stereotypical abused housewife. Even though her character is portrayed as very sexual, she stands up for herself against her abusive husband. Anther example is Rachel Brooks, who is an African American, female cop. She is part of Raylan's cop group. In the show, she is portrayed as a tough, smart woman who doesn't take orders from anyone, even her boss (as shown in a specific scene in the pilot). The show has very few female characters, but the ones who are in it appear as strong women that would appeal to a female demographic.
Brand Identity
FX's current branding strategy is the "There is no box" campaign. The campaign aims to promote the common elements of anti-heroes and nonconformity present in all the original shows on the network.[26] Raylan Givens is clearly our protagonist and a good guy, but he's got a set of morals that doesn't quite fit in with those of the law. If Raylan pulls his gun, he means to kill and he shows no remorse about such things. Justified is also unusual for a television show in that it shows Raylan as having a kind and friendly, in some cases, relationship with the criminals he encounters. Also, as stated earlier, FX tries to compete with HBO in the edgy content of its programs, which Justified certainly has with its gunfights and neo-nazis. Rated TV-MA, Justified steps outside the box by including more profanity, sexual activity, and violence.[27] It is clear that FX tried to disregard "the box," by making Justified edgier in content.
Production History
Justified is jointly produced by FX Productions, Nemo Films, Rooney McP Productions, Sony Productions and Timberman-Beverly Productions (imdb.com). Justified marks the first time any of the companies besides FX Productions has produced a work that aired on FX.[28] FX Productions also helps produce the FX programs Terriers, Archer, Lights Out, and Damages[29].
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Form and Content
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a half hour, comedic episodic serial on FX. It follows Dennis, Dee, Charlie, and Mac, four friends around thirty years old who own a bar in Philadelphia. Dennis and Dee's father, Frank, joins as a main character during the second season. The main characters of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are arguably the worst human beings on the planet. For example, Dennis develops an elaborate dating system called the D.E.N.N.I.S. system[30]. He tricks girls into depending on him so he can sleep with them, and then abandon them. The main characters never let principles stop them from inflicting abuse upon each other. For example, in one episode Frank sets his daughter on fire two times.
Most episode plots are self-contained and feature "the gang" encountering and unorthodoxly solving a problem without facing lasting repercussions. However, there have been two-part episodes in the series' past featuring continuous plot lines. For instance, in "Mac and Charlie Die: Parts One and Two," Mac and Charlie fake their own death and watch their friends grieve unconventionally for two episodes[31].
Aside from a couple of two part episodes, the long-term effects of the gang's behavior on minor characters display the serial nature of the show. Several episodes feature a character named Cricket. In almost every episode something happens to him that permanently debilitates him. In the season two episode, "The Gang Exploits A Miracle", Cricket is on the verge of becoming a priest, but Dee tricks him into thinking that she is in love with him. She exploits a crush Cricket has had on her since high school and he mistakes her manipulation for genuine affection, deciding to abandon the ministry for her. Dee promptly rejects him and her life continues unaltered[32]. We learn in season three, that Cricket has become a bum after renouncing the church[33]. In a later episode the gang falls in debt to the mob and begins to deal cocaine, enlisting the homeless Cricket to peddle drugs to hobos. Cricket becomes addicted to cocaine after the gang smears it on his gums[34]. In season five, the gang enlists Cricket as the heel in a benefit-wrestling match held for the troops. At the end of the episode, Frank accidentally slices open Cricket's neck with a garbage can[35]. When Cricket reappears in season six, he is deeply bitter towards the gang about his time on the street and also about the injury Frank inflicted on his neck. He reappears talking in a deep, hoarse voice because of the cut[36]. The gang dispenses lasting misery but escapes problems unscathed.
Construction of Target Audience
Both South Park and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia portray edgy topics including, but not limited to abortion and racism in a similar satirical manner. For example, in the episode "Charlie Wants an Abortion" (season one, episode 2) Mac pretends to oppose abortion in order to seduce a catholic pro-life protester[37]. In the South Park episode "Woodland Critter Christmas" (season 8, episode 14) a group of mountain lion clubs perform an abortion on the character Stan's anus[38]. These similar ludicrous scenarios appeal to an immature sense of humor. South Park's satirical style and edgy content consistently pulls in high ratings in 18-49[39]. By offering similar content to South Park, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is able to attract a similar audience.
The characters of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia come from both ends of the economic spectrum. Frank is extremely wealthy from his past as a businessman. Dennis and Dee started out the series as being fairly affluent but have since become poorer as the series has continued. Mac and Charlie both fall into the lower class economic bracket. By portraying characters who occupy both ends of the economic specturm, the show is able to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. The show does lack diversity as all the main characters are white but guest characters come from a range of ethnic backgrounds.
Cultural Meanings and Brand Identity
The cultural meanings behind It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia do not present themselves readily since the show covers such a wide range of issues without imparting any logical, realistically applicable version of right and wrong. The show consistently pokes fun at society through its characters' severe moral turpitude. It offers many opinions on issues but nothing as definitive as the lessons taught by Maude or All in the Family. The show covers such hot-button issues as racism, jihads, abortion, drug addiction, poverty, the recession and gay marriage while presenting absurd interpretations of the issues. It definitely fits in with FX's slogan: "There is no box." The branding ad for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia says "there is no brotherly love", "there is no smart one", and "there is no moral to the story"[40]. In "The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention" the gang confronts Frank about his substance abuse while drinking wine, brandishing firearms and screaming at him through loud speakers. These episodes definitely fit in with the network's aim to promote its show as nonconformist[41].
Production History
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is distributed by FX networks but is produced outside of FX productions[42]. It is produced by Bluebush Productions, 3 Art Entertainment, RCH, and Sunny Television Productions. Bluebush has helped produce other FX programs like Damages and 30 Days[43]. 3 Art Entertainment has not helped produce any other FX programs. RCH and Sunny Television Productions have only produced It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia[44].
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia airs at 10 p.m on Thursday nights. The lead in to It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is Two and a Half Men. This does not mesh with FX's claim that leading into shows with movies often helps boost the audience for their originals but FX president John Landgraf believes "It will be younger and very compatible with the types of FX original programs that we have"[45]. As mentioned in our earlier in our industrial analysis report, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia follows NBC's comedy block that airs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. NBC's comedy block features the popular programs Community, 30 Rock, andThe Office. The scheduling of It's Always Sunny in Philadelpha directly after the of the comedy block might be a ploy to capture some of NBC's comedy-viewing audience once its programming ends.
Audience and Online Analysis
Programming Availability
FX makes a limited amount of its programming available on its own website. Video clips are available for all of its original series airing on television, even if they are not in season. The channel's two newest shows, Louie and Terriers, have more full episodes available on FX's website than any of the other shows. All 13 episodes of Louie's first season are available and the five most recent episodes of Terriers are available. Through streaming more episodes of Louie and Terriers than its other programs, FX is trying to increase the audience for these new shows. The maximum amount of episodes available on FX's website for its other series is three.
FX programming is also available streaming from Hulu. The quantity of full episodes is about the same as on FX's website. On both sites, the full season of Louie is available as are the last five episodes of Terriers. Other shows only have three full episodes available at most. Hulu also features many of the same behind-the-scenes videos and episode clips available on FX's website. Video clips and behind-the-scenes footage are present on Youtube. However, the sources for these clips are not always official. Many of the clips are uploaded independently of the show or FX. Despite this, FX still makes many of the clips and footage on their website available on Youtube as well. Active forums for the shows exist on Imdb as well as on the FX home website. This is in addition to the comments viewers are allowed to leave on videos streamed at Youtube and Hulu.
Even though FX provides full episodes on Hulu and on its official site. The online audience is not very happy with FX's posting efficiency. Most viewers are unhappy that full episodes aren't added until 30 days after the season premiere. It took FX four weeks to upload It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia's sixth season premiere. For new shows, it takes eight days to put the full episodes up on their site. The League and Sons of Anarchy were not put online till after the 30-day mark. FX audiences are not happy with this delay, which means that FX can loose viewers because they are not able to keep up with the season[46].
Opportunities for Participation in Brand and Content
In addition to streaming episodes and video clips, FX operates a forum for each of its original shows. All show pages feature links to the show's forum, twitter page, and a site to register for optional mobile content. Some shows provide blogs that give insight to the production process of the show. There are also featured galleries of high quality images from episodes and from the production of episodes. If you want to go beyond viewing images, most show pages have wallpapers, posters, and screensavers available for download. Some show pages encourage more fan participation than others. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's page features fan submitted photos, a program that lets you edit your own trailer for the show, and ecards. For The League, fans can leave voicemails with their opinions about the show and some of the voicemails are then selected to be aired on the show's website. On Justified's website users can play the online games Quickdraw and Target Practice. This is in stark contrast to the page for Terriers, which does not foster the same level of fan participation and only provides minimal access to paratexts.
Paratexts available on the website include blogs, games, ecards, behind the scenes video, and interactive features. For example, "The Crimeline" is an interactive overview of famous criminals in the USA provided by Justified's website. Also, FX provides links to downloadable apps for the iphone for its programs (e.g. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia soundboard app).
FX also provides further ways for fans to interact and consume their programming with links to facebook and myspace pages for individual shows. In addition to the myspace and facebook pages, fans can purchase merchandise from their favorite shows at FX's online store. The online store is linked to on all of the individual show websites. Currently merchandise sold in the shop is related to the FX programs Archer, Sons of Anarchy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, and Rescue Me. Merchandise related to other News Corporation holdings is also available in the shop including items related to programming on News Corporation's broadcast network, Fox. When you click on the sale tab in FX's shop it takes you to the Fox Shop. You can buy American Dad, Family Guy, and The Simpsons merchandise in Fox's online store without ever realizing you've left FX's online store.
Online Advertising
The FX network web site highly advertises their own shows and the feature films it airs by creating banners displaying scheduled air times. A large portion of the advertising on FX's website is provided by beer companies. Knowing that FX's main target audience is males between the ages of 18 to 39, beer companies are attracted to advertise on the network. Miller Lite and Coors Light have the greatest presence on the web site. Coors Light has a bigger presence than Miller Lite on the site because most of the advertisements for Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia feature Coors Light. Being one of the shows sponsors, Coors light is always in the prevalent in the show with characters drinking out of clearly labeled bottles and cans. Miller Lite tries to target the male audience that visits FX's site by displaying an ad where the word "manly" is highlighted.
The FX website also advertises other cable networks and programs. For example, National Geographic's Great Migrations and Big Ten Network's Big Ten Icons are advertised on the FX site. News Corporation, who owns the FX network, also owns national Geographic and Big Ten Network. Even though advertising another channel's content does not help FX directly, News Corporation gains profit from the cross promotion and advertising.
Online Fans and Forums
For the most part, fans are very supportive of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia for its originality of content and penchant for absurdity. The political incorrectness and vulgarity are major selling points. One fan on the FX message boards said "I'd eat a horse t*rd for Sweet Dee in a hot second" and this post echoes the general sentiment of most discussions, not just those on FX Networks[47][48]. An enormous majority of the fans use the message boards to offer praise to the show's creators. Through the first 100 of FX Networks 424 discussion threads, only 5 of them started with negative subject matter. A majority of the forums on the Internet discuss favorite characters and quotes or directly suggest ideas for future episodes[49]. The laudatory threads garner much more interest than the derogatory ones. Between the first 3 negative threads on FX Networks there are 30 posts, while there are 200 posts between the first 3 positive threads[50]. Even threads started with negative intent such as "WTF is up this season?" or "The next episode should be The Gang Loses Their Audience" only stir a fraction of the interest positive minded topics solicit[51]. Sites with 1 continuous thread to host all conversation, like Television Without Pity, rarely sustain disparaging conversations but focus on a common love and admiration for the show[52].
While FX has many different threads with consistently fewer than 100 posts, some unofficial forums offer 1 thread with thousands of posts[53]. Threads begun as discussions of the pilot episode 5 years ago reveal interesting evolutions among their viewers. Many people initially started watching Always Sunny as a fluke or simply because it aired after Starved[54]. Television Without Pity fans are clearly confused early on about the show's range of topics and absurd characters. As they begin to recognize the consistent lunacy of the show, the show inevitably wins them over – or they stop posting[55]. The all-encompassing threads provide an interesting insight into the evolution of the show and its followers.
These threads also offer much more diversity in terms of critical opinion and the discussions have much more legitimacy in their long running analyses of the show. TV lovers often frequent sites like Fan Forum or IMDB and contribute to Always Sunny threads as an afterthought[56]. The members celebrate a love for all television and contribute more refined opinions and more succinct analyses of the show. They don't just concern themselves with a zealous devotion to Always Sunny but consider its place in the entirety of television.
In FX forums, egregious misspellings and immature hermeneutics create an air of juvenility. People come just to acknowledge the creators and offer thanks to the network. Many of the posts endearingly ask FX administrators to identify particular songs and items of clothing used in the show; these questions constitute a larger percentage of FX's posts than they do for unofficial websites[57]. FX also consistently leads its members into conversation by presenting new threads and new questions to discuss instead of allowing ongoing conversations to develop. The topics created by FX Administrators concern the show's promotion as well. Members can vote for the show to win awards or they can participate in specific contests the network hosts. One such contest asked fans to make a commercial for Coors, a sponsor, and the winning commercial would air during the show[58].
For the most part, the show receives two types of criticism. First time viewers with heightened sensitivity to political correctness immediately lambast the show for its profanity and offensive themes. These people do not maintain a consistent presence on the boards – they often leave one comment to receive backlash from dozens of die-hard fans. The ill-willed responses hardly solicit an extended conversation though. Most fans respond with one post, sometimes weeks later, attacking the critics' poor sense of humor. The intensity of the attack depends on the fan's loyalty to the show. The critic seldom responds to the insults and their criticisms rarely kill the momentum of supportive discussion.
One poignant form of criticism comes from legitimate fans. Some sects rejects the show's product integration. They rally around "The Great Recession" as an egregious example of product integration where both Coors and Dave and Buster's figure prominently. The blatant commercial agenda destroys their faith in the show.
The most consistent form of criticism from long time fans, however, centers over a decline in the show's quality. The 6th season has caused the most controversy, alienating many fans that want the show's creators to reclaim their currently dwindling writing duties and take a more active role in producing the show[59]. Some people lost interest as early as the 3rd season but many feel the plots of recent episodes have deteriorated, especially since the audience has expanded[60]. In "Seriously: What Happened This Season?" an FX forum, fans spew discontent with the new season. They chastise the creators for losing the edge that gave the show such originality in the first place. Only 2 of the 16 posts defend the show but the thread itself dies very quickly due to simplistic analysis and unsophisticated arguments.
In many cases, however, the anger fans feel at their show's betrayal causes them to swear off watching new episodes. They say the show sold out, either commercially or creatively, and they resign to cherishing only the first few seasons.
Despite some negativity, the overwhelming sentiment of the online community is positive. Fans love It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia for its creativity, originality and how it bears no semblance to any other show on television.
- ↑ Wen, Howard. "TV Made Unfresh Daily." Wired. Wired.com. September 1995. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.09/streetcred.html?pg=14
- ↑ "Peter Liguori." Discovery Communications Inc,. October 6, 2010. http://corporate.discovery.com/leadership/peter-liguori/
- ↑ Schneider, Michael. "The Two Faces of Fox." Variety. Reed Elseiver Inc. March 26, 2005. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117920089.html?categoryid=1296&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;cs=1
- ↑ "FX Networks." Hoovers.com. Hoover's, Inc. October 6, 2010. http://premium.hoovers.com/subscribe/co/factsheet.xhtml?ID=ryscfcxyjfkxxky
- ↑ Walkter, Hunter. "FX Picks Up Rights to 'Social Network,' 'Wall Street 2.'" The Wrap. The Wrap News, Inc. October 5, 2010.
- ↑ Elliot, Stuart. "Box? We Don't Need No Box." Media Decoder. The New York Times. December 11, 2007. http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/box-we-dont-need-no-box/
- ↑ FX networks. FX Networks, 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2010. http://www.fxnetworks.com/
- ↑ Umstead, R. Thomas. "A New RX for FX." Multichannel News. NewBay Media. 8 Feb. 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2010. http://www.multichannel.com/article/448033-A_New_Rx_For_FX.php
- ↑ FX networks. FX Networks, 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2010. http://www.fxnetworks.com/
- ↑ FX networks. FX Networks, 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2010. http://www.fxnetworks.com/
- ↑ Jones, Bryan. "Comedy Central Grabs 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' For Syndication." TV Overmind. Ultimate Magazine. October 22, 2009. http://www.tvovermind.com/tv-news/comedy-central-grabs-its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-for-syndication/11728
- ↑ "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. October 6, 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472954/
- ↑ "Warrior Poets." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. October 6, 2010. http://www.imdb.com/company/co0169151/
- ↑ "What Would Jesus Buy?" IMDB.com. Amazon.com. October 6, 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0939681/business
- ↑ "FX Networks, LLC." News Corporation. June 8, 2010. http://www.newscorp.com/management/fxn.html
- ↑ "News Corporation, NBC Universal and Comcast Reach Strategic Online Video Distribution and Content Agreement." News Corporation. June 8, 2010. http://www.newscorp.com/news/news_331.html
- ↑ Nakashima, Ryan. "FX, NatGeo, Fox regional sports channels, MSG dropped from Dish in fight over fees." Star Tribune. October 1, 2010. http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/tv/104152283.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUq9_b9b_jEkP:QUiacyKUzyaP37D_MDua_eyD5PcOiUr
- ↑ Deggans, Eric. "Fox TV owner News Corp. threatens to pull stations from Time Warner Cable." TampaBay.com. St. Petersburg Times. December 19, 2009. http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/fox-tv-owner-news-corp-threatens-to-pull-stations-from-time-warner-cable/1059888
- ↑ Direct Tv Inc. Direct TV, 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2010. http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/new_customer/base_packages.jsp?footernavtype=-1
- ↑ Seidman, Robert. "Summer Scripted Live+7 Recap: 'Burn Notice,' 'Royal Pains' &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; 'Covert Affairs' Top Basic Cable With Adults 18-49." TVByTheNumbers.com. TVbytheNumbers, Oct 2010. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/04/summer-scripted-live7-recap-burn-notice-royal-pains-covert-affairs-top-basic-cable-with-adults-18-49/66483.
- ↑ Seidman, Robert. ""Justified" Scores Second-Highest Series Premiere Ever for FX." TVByTheNumbers.com. TVbytheNumbers, 17 Mar 2010. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/17/justified-scores-second-highest-series-premiere-ever-for-fx/45353.
- ↑ "Sold Under Sin Episode Recap." Tv.com. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.tv.com/deadwood/sold-under-sin/episode/323259/recap.html?tag=episode_recap;recap.
- ↑ "Justified." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/.
- ↑ "Novels." Elmoreleonard.com. Elmoreleonard.com, n.d. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.elmoreleonard.com/index.php?/novels/the_bounty_hunters/.
- ↑ "Justified." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/.
- ↑ Becker, Anne. "FX Brands Itself With Slogan 'There is No Box'." Broadcastingcable.com. NewBay Media, Dec 11 2007. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/111557-FX_Brands_Itself_with_Slogan_3There_Is_No_Box_.php.
- ↑ "Justified." Fxnetworks.com. FX Networks. Web. Wed. November 4, 2010. http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/justified/.
- ↑ "Justified." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/.
- ↑ "Justified." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/
- ↑ "The D.E.N.N.I.S. System". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 19 Nov 2009. Television.
- ↑ "Mac and Charlie Die: Part One and Two". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 2 Oct 2008. Television.
- ↑ "The Gang Exploits A Miracle". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 27 Jul 2006. Television.
- ↑ "The Gang Exploits A Miracle". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 27 Jul 2006. Television.
- ↑ "The Gang Gets Whacked Part One and Two". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 1 Nov 2007. Television.
- ↑ "The Gang Wrestles For The Troops". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 29 Oct 2009. Television.
- ↑ "Mac's Big Break". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 7 Oct 2010. Television.
- ↑ "Charlie Wants An Abortion". It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX Network. 11 Aug 2005. Television.
- ↑ "Woodland Critter Christmas". South Park. Comedy Central. 15 Dec 2004. Television.
- ↑ Gorman, Bill. "Wednesday Cable Ratings: Storm Chasers Goes Calm; Terriers, South Park, Ultimate Fighter, and More." TVByTheNumbers.com. TVbytheNumbers, 28 Oct 2010. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/28/wednesday-cable-storm-chasers-goes-calm-terriers-south-park-ultimate-fighter-ugly-americans-mythbusters-more/70059
- ↑ "There is No Box." FXnetworks.com. FX Networks, 2008. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.fxnetworks.com/thereisnobox/#/Nav/FXLogo/SideLogo/VideoPlayer/ThereIsNoBrotherlyLove/
- ↑ "There is No Box." FXnetworks.com. FX Networks, 2008. Web. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.fxnetworks.com/thereisnobox/#/Nav/FXLogo/SideLogo/VideoPlayer/ThereIsNoBrotherlyLove/
- ↑ "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/
- ↑ "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/
- ↑ "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia." IMDB.com. Amazon.com. 4 Nov 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/
- ↑ Umstead, R. Thomas. "A New RX for FX." Multichannel News. NewBay Media. 8 Feb. 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2010. http://www.multichannel.com/article/448033-A_New_Rx_For_FX.php
- ↑ Killan. Is FX Alienating their Online Audience?. Clicker-Blog.com. October 18, 2010. Accessed November 17, 2010. http://www.clicker.com/blog/is-fx-alienating-its-online-audience-5973.html.
- ↑ FX Network Members, FX Forums. FXNetworks.com. 18 November 2010. http://community.fxnetworks.com/forums.php?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3asunnyForum%3asunny
- ↑ Television Without Pity Members. Televisionwithoutpity.com. 18 November 2010. http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3129229&st=2445
- ↑ FX Network Members, FX Forums. FXNetworks.com. 18 November 2010. http://community.fxnetworks.com/forums.php?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3asunnyForum%3asunny
- ↑ FX Network Members, FX Forums. FXNetworks.com. 18 November 2010. http://community.fxnetworks.com/forums.php?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3asunnyForum%3asunny
- ↑ FX Network Members, FX Forums. FXNetworks.com. 18 November 2010. http://community.fxnetworks.com/forums.php?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3asunnyForum%3asunny
- ↑ Television Without Pity Members. Televisionwithoutpity.com. 18 November 2010. http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3129229&st=2445
- ↑ Fan Forum Members. Fanforum.com. 18 November 2010. http://www.fanforum.com/f40/s-always-sunny-philadelphia-1-a-50564/index11.html
- ↑ Fan Forum Members. Fanforum.com. 18 November 2010. http://www.fanforum.com/f40/s-always-sunny-philadelphia-1-a-50564/index11.html
- ↑ Television Without Pity Members. Televisionwithoutpity.com. 18 November 2010. http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3129229&st=2445
- ↑ "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia." IMDB.com.18 November 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472954/board/thread/171211278?d=171348839&p=1#171348839
- ↑ FX Network Members, FX Forums. FXNetworks.com. 18 November 2010. http://community.fxnetworks.com/forums.php?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3asunnyForum%3asunny
- ↑ FX Network Members, FX Forums. FXNetworks.com. 18 November 2010. http://community.fxnetworks.com/forums.php?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3asunnyForum%3asunny
- ↑ Television Without Pity Members. Televisionwithoutpity.com. 18 November 2010. http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3129229&st=2445
- ↑ FX Network Members, FX Forums. FXNetworks.com. 18 November 2010. http://community.fxnetworks.com/forums.php?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3asunnyForum%3asunny


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CINCINNATI, OH – April 4, 2015 – Avondale Community Development Corporation (ACDC), The Community Builders Inc. (TCB) and Powernet will begin the installation work to create Avondale Community Wi-Fi. The initial phase will be located between Blair Avenue extending to South Shuttlesworth Circle along Reading Road spilling to the east and west.
"The community Wi-Fi program is one of the investments being made in Avondale thanks to HUD's Choice Neighborhoods grant program, said Mindy Turbov, director, Choice Neighborhoods, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "Through the initiative, cities are given the flexibility to use some of the grant funds creatively for neighborhood improvements, such as expanding online access. In today's economy, web access is a critical tool to compete in the job market and in the classroom."
By utilizing 15 access points along the targeted area, 250+ community residents and businesses will be able to use free Wi-Fi to connect with their neighborhood news, do research for projects, apply for jobs, pay bills etc.
"Avondale Community Wi-Fi is one more way that we can support the residents of this transforming neighborhood. Through strategic partnerships we're now able to make Avondale a more livable community," said Ozie Davis III, executive director of ACDC.
Residents located in public areas simply look for "Avondale Community Wi-Fi" on their devices and connect to access the internet. This project works to support revitalization of the neighborhood, improve the quality of life, and attract future business to the Avondale area.
"As we build or redevelop over 300 apartments, new commercial space and invest in neighborhood projects, Avondale becomes more and more attractive as a place that new residents and businesses choose to locate," said Jeff Beam, TCB director of development, Ohio.
Powernet provided a plan to use equipment and technology that is the same deployed in large stadiums, offering longer range and high density usage.
"Our goal is to support the community of Avondale and local organizations' mission to improve its economic development by providing Wi-Fi technology. It's apparent to us, access to technology is a problem in many communities. We want to make steps to erase the digital divide" said Alli Stevens, CEO from Powernet. Installation is to be completed by spring 2016.


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There are some films that are extremely difficult to categorize, and Maskhead is definitely one of them. In some ways the film is exactly what it says: the story of Syl and Maddie, a lesbian couple who make fetish movies along with their "associates," the Cowboy and Maskhead. The two find their victims through a fake modeling agency that encourages its models to "believe in yourself, and the world will be your ass monkey." Truer words were never spoken, I guess. On the surface, Maskhead is fetishistic torture porn. But it's also satire, and at times it's very funny. The film is largely successful at combining distinctively grisly violence with humor and clever dialogue, and as a whole it can only be described as a nightmare funhouse that is both extreme in all respects and incredibly unique. Check out a more detailed synopsis after the jump.
Maskhead starts where it ends: a woman bound to a bed, but we don't learn exactly what's in store for her until the end, and that scene is by far the most disturbing. We are introduced to Syl and Maddie as they are filming Maskhead electrocuting a man, and then the film cuts to a hilarious ad for SM Modeling, Syl and Maddie's "agency." The ad was my favorite part of the movie, and it included my favorite line: "ambition, the thing that builds empires, and kills entire races of people." Syl and Maddie's interaction is a key part of the movie, and the two actresses do have great chemistry. Then Syl and Maddie start their interviews, where we meet Nikki Diver, who ends up starring in the funniest of the fetish segments, which include sexy cupcake frosting among other things. We learn quickly that the supporting characters don't stay long, to say the least, but the Nikki segment was very enjoyable. Somehow Food Girl seemed surprised to meet her fate, but did she really think this was all on the up and up?
The film's best character is the Cowboy, a sociopath who spends the majority of his time hitting on women in bars by telling horrible stories about slaughterhouses that somehow actually work. Cowboy is pretty hilarious, despite his, uh, amorous exploits with the mentally disabled, which he uses as another pickup line. And it works. Watching him pick up chicks is so awkward, especially since the viewer knows it'll end terribly for the women.
Though all of the characters are villains, the scariest one is Maskhead. The mask itself is very effectively creepy, as are the scenes that Scott Swan and Fred Vogel feature him in, especially the scene where we see Maskhead kill a man in a mirror. Maskhead kills one woman in a torture chair made from a shopping cart, which was very unique and creative. As the film continues and Maskhead is featured more prominently, he just gets creepier, especially as we see…more…of him.
The writing is quite good and I liked the way the movie was shot. The handheld cameras weren't a hindrance and they weren't jarring, and the actors were aptly cast and played well off one another. The supporting characters are a highlight of the film, and they provide good unsuspecting foils to Syl and Maddie's depraved protagonists. Maskhead as a whole is certainly not for everyone and can be difficult to stomach, but it is jarringly unique and provides excellent moments of comedy to offset its extreme violence. Swan and Vogel have crafted a film that is one of a kind and surprisingly intelligent, and it's worth checking out if you've got a strong stomach and want something different.


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Storyboard Designer uses modern features that aren't supported in all browsers. For full compatibility we suggest downloading either Chrome or Safari (both free) for use with designer.
You don't have to set either as your default browser (although we highly recommend Chrome for it's all-around awesomeness) to be able you use designer with it.
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Le Case del Principe Milano
After winning an International competition, Studio Marco Piva has been commissioned to project a new residential building complex, in the broader context of the renovation of Via Principe Eugenio in Milan.The project propose a modern architectural solution able to reestablish a continuity with the city's public landscape and the other surrounding buildings, consolidating the relationship between the building and the public spaces. Green terraces also re-connect to the historical tradition that characterizes Milan's residences. Between the rigor of the rationalism and the expressive freedoms of a contemporary proposal, the new building will be a new focal point of the area.


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There are several YWCA Delaware-initiated action-oriented response networks working to meet the immediate needs of the local community after incidents of hate and injustice. Together, they are working to foster connections among community groups in their counties. The Allied Local Emergency Response Team (ALERT) (email@example.com) is the network that formed in New Castle County, and there are now 3 networks operating in PA under the name L.E.A.R.N. in nearby PA:
Delaware County (email@example.com),
Chester County (firstname.lastname@example.com),
and Montgomery County (email@example.com).
YWCA Delaware has also provided virtual assistance and advice to those wishing to start a network in other parts of the country. This service is available for free from our Director of Racial & Social Justice, and accompanies the How-To Organizing guide below.
If you have an interest in getting involved, follow a Facebook page, contact a group to get on their email list, and come out to an organizing meeting in your area.
It is not too late to join us!
If you have questions, please e-mail Rebecca Cotto, Director of Racial & Social Justice.


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Calfskins are the most suitable type of leather for the upper parts of luxury shoes. They are characterized by a beautiful and easily maintained grain, and their taut structure makes them highly resistant to unfavorable weather conditions. We reserve thin skins measuring between 0.8 and 1.0 mm in thickness and ranging in size from 1.0 to 1.4 square meters for men's evening shoes and women's shoes. Thicker skins measuring around 1.2 mm are used for men's everyday shoes and boots. In our workshop we use chrome tanned leather from Polish, French, German and Italian tanneries.
Goatskins, or chamois. These fairly thin, compact and gently grained leathers are suitable for women's shoes or lighter men's shoes. They aren't as durable as calfskins, so we don't recommend them for year-round use. The best chamois in terms of quality and color are tanned in the Mediterranean Basin.
Suede leathers. Very delicate, velvety leather with a napped finish. It is made from the underside of the skin. Because it lacks a grainy exterior layer, it breathes extremely well and is quite soft. Shoes made of suede are very comfortable. Suede up to 1 mm in thickness is made from the skin of sheep and goats, while suede exceeding 1 mm is made of calfskin.
Shell Cordovans. Leather between 1.2 and 1.6 mm thick is made from the rump of a horse. A special production process renders it exceptionally resistant to damage and leaking, making it an ideal choice for men's fall and winter shoes. The best Cordovans come from the US and Argentina. They are also produced in Spain, Italy and Japan.
Shark leathers. The characteristic striped skin of the shark is among the most resilient types of skin. Although sharks attain massive proportions in the wild, only small specimens are used in the leather trade. Their skins measure between 1.0 and 1.6 mm in thickness and can have either a grained or a matte finish. The skins used in our workshop come from Mexico and Japan.
Ostrich leathers. These leathers are distinguished by the distinctive bumps left behind by thick feathers. Thanks to the numerous pores on the surface, the skin breathes very well and its softness makes it ideal for fitting to the shape of the foot. Shoes made of this leather are considered to be particularly comfortable. Ostrich farms may be found throughout the world. However, farms in the Republic of South Africa have long produced the highest quality hides.
Snakeskins. The highly decorative skin of cobras and pythons, imported primarily from Asia. These skins are extremely thin: from 0.3 to 0.8 mm and somewhat "papery" in texture. But despite that, they are relatively durable. The largest python skins exceed 4 meters in length and 60 cm in width.
Alligator and crocodile skins. This is the most expensive and most coveted skin in the world. Despite the large, tough scales, advanced technological processes make it possible to obtain skins that are surprisingly soft. In the past decade, nubuck skins have aroused great interest alongside traditional, grained skins. Their varying thickness, ranging from 0.8 to 1.3 mm, depends on the animal's sizes and species. In shoemaking, every shoe should be made from a single small skin roughly 35 cm in width. The best part is the belly, which due to its softness is considered more luxurious than the dorsal part. The leather used in making purses is cut from skins that can exceed 60 cm in width. The largest specimens living in the wild may weigh up to a ton and measure more than 7 meters in length. But in farms they are usually about a third of this size. Breeding farms are located in tropical regions in North and South America, Asia and Australia.
Kangaroo leathers. Worth considering due to their excellent usability. They are lightweight, thin, strong and highly durable. Kangaroos live in the wild amid thorny shrubs, so their skin is often covered with small scars. They measure around 1 mm in thickness. They come, of course, from Australia, some parts of which are truly plagued with them.
The skins of camels have been used for nearly 5000 years. Tanned using traditional vegetable methods that last a minimum of 10 weeks, they are three times as durable as cattle skins. Shoes are made from skins measuring around 1.2 square meters in area and 1.5 mm in thickness.
Elephant leathers. Skin from the sides of the largest land mammal can measure up to 4 square meters in area. It is highly irregular in texture and thickness. Elephant skins used in shoemaking and leather working are expected to measure 1.5 to 2 mm in thickness. They usually have a grained or nubuck finish, and are most often naturally earth-toned in color. The top exporters of elephant skins are the Republic of South Africa and Namibia.
Hippopotamus skins. These are similar to elephant skins, only thicker – between 1.5 and 2.5 mm. They are frequently covered with bruises and scars. They are tanned only as soft nubucks in natural colors. The supply of hippopotamus skins is extremely limited, which always makes them an attractive rarity.


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Most people use a simple approach when comparing proposals from competing factoring companies: they make the decision based on who offers the lowest rate and the lowest application fee. Unfortunately, this approach usually leads to making a wrong choice. For starters, you should look for the proposal that offers the lowest total cost per dollar – not just the lowest rate. "Lowest rate" does not always equal "lowest cost." But the bigger problem is that factoring companies structure their proposals differently – making it very difficult to do an "apples-to-apples" comparison.
Let's first look at the common parts of a factoring proposal.
- The advance: the initial amount that the factor will give you for your invoice
- The discount: the fee – or rate – that the factor charges you
- Ancillary costs: additional expenses that the factor may charge
- Application and due diligence
- A 70% advance at a cost of 3% per 30 days
- An 80% advance at a cost of 3% per 30 days
- An 80% advance at a cost of 1.15% per 15 days
- An 80% advance at a cost of 3% per 30 days
- A 70% advance at 3.00% per 30 days
- An 80% advance at 3.43% per 30 days
|Advance Rate
|Factoring Rate
|Cost per Dollar
|Option 1
|Option 2
Here's a quick math lesson: remember that 80% is entered as 0.8 in your calculator and 3.43% is entered as 0.0343. Divide 0.0343 by 0.8 and you get the cost (in cents) per dollar. This takes us to our first step in evaluating a factoring proposal.
Step 1: Ask the factoring companies to submit their rates using the same format
You will have to ask the factors to submit their rates and advances using the same format so that you can make a meaningful comparison. For example, if you want your pricing on 30-day increments (as in 3% per 30 days), then you should ask each factor to submit the pricing using 30-day increments.
Step 2: Create a table and compare costs per dollar
The next step is to create a table, ideally a spreadsheet, that compares the cost per dollar of each proposal. The following table is an example of a spreadsheet that evaluates multiple proposals, all of which charge a 30-day rate.
Let's look at the table. Which one offers the best deal? It depends, if you can live with a 75% advance, company B offers the cheapest money. If not, then company D may be a great deal because it offers a higher advance than the others but is cheaper than companies A and C. Using this table, you can make an educated and intelligent decision regarding who offers the lowest total cost per dollar.
Step 3: Compare all the extra costs
You can use a process similar to the one used in step 2 and list all the extra costs that each company charges. Add that to the information you already have in order to decide which factoring company offers the best deal.
Step 4: Cost is not everything
Selecting a provider based on cost alone can lead you to a wrong choice. There are other variables, outside of the proposal, that you should consider. Here is some information on selecting the best factoring company.
Get a factoring quote
We can provide factoring lines with high advances at low rates. For more information, get an online factoring quote or call (877) 300 3258.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal or financial advice. Numbers and calculations are not guaranteed to be accurate or representative.


text: Marty is partners with Brian O'Neill in the O'neill Stetina Group. He has spent his entire professional career in real estate. Prior to moving to Telluride, Marty was a real estate attorney on Nantucket Island for almost a decade. His primary focus was representing buyers and sellers in residential and commercial real estate transactions. Marty also acted as lead permitting attorney and has extensive experience in land use, zoning and planning, environmental compliance and construction law. After vacationing in Telluride for many years, Marty and his family relocated here full time in 2011. He is a native of Philadelphia, a graduate of The Hill School and earned an athletic scholarship from Villanova University where he played Division I baseball and earned All-Big-East honors in 1995 and 1996 and All East Region honors in 1996. Marty married his college sweetheart, Tara, and they have 3 beautiful children: Riley, Maeve, and Colby. Marty is an avid skier, scratch golfer and fly fisherman.


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Yoshi's First Job
As an introduction to a capitalist economy, Yoshi begins to build his CV through babysitting local children.
Sydlexia's Ranking: #15/100
Developer: Nintendo
My Rating:
I forgot how much I played this game as a kid. Like having your friends tell you what you did while blacked out, Yoshi's Island brought back all sorts of things I had forgotten: the fuzzies, monkeys, highly stylized drawing, and baby Mario's hypertensive-crisis-causing cry.
I don't have much experience as a baby sitter so I can't really grade Yoshi's post-natal care performance, but that doesn't stop the game from doing it. Having a big piece of game play focus on collecting flowers, red coins and stars was odd, but the game is so damn cute, it's hard to resist.
Continue reading "Top 100 SNES Review: #15 – Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995)"


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wikiHow is a "wiki," similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.
This article has been viewed 73,839 times.
Learn more...
Whether you just need more space than a purse provides or you want a custom made bag to carry school supplies, making your own messenger bag is a great way to express your style and provide function. Read below for instructions to make two different types of messenger bags.
Method 1 of 2:
Make a Bag From Pillow Cases
1Get pillowcases. You will need three ~16" square pillowcases. These should be made of heavy upholstery fabric, in the same or matching prints or colors, and include a zipper opening.
- One pillowcase will form the outside of the bag, one will form the inner lining, and the other will form the strap.
2Cut the straps. Cut one of the pillowcases to form the straps by cutting the edge with the zipper, as well as the edge on the opposite side. Now cut the remainder to form six 5" by 15" strips.
3Make a single strip. From four of the six pieces, stitch their ends together so they form one long 5" wide strip.
4Form a tube. With right (patterned) sides facing each other, stitch the long sides together to form a tube. Use your preferred method to turn the tube right side out.
5Reinforce seams. Stitch a rectangle over the seams where you joined the pieces. Flip in the ends about 3" on each side and then edge stitch all along the entire strap.
6Pin the strap. Pin the ends of the straps to the pillowcase you are using as the main section of the bag such that the zipper is open and at the top and the side seams align with the center of strap. The straps should be placed far enough down so that the folded in 3" section is entirely on the bag.
7Attach the strap. Iron flat and then edge stitch a rectangle at the end of the strap to join it to the bag (this rectangle should follow the 3" folded section). Make an "x" across the rectangle to reinforce. Do this for both sides.
8Sew the inner pocket. Fold in and iron the edges of one of the remaining strap pieces, so that the edge looks clean when viewing the facing side. Pin it to the facing side of the lining pillowcase, in the upper half section towards the zipper. Sew along the bottom edge and sides with one seam in the middle to form two pockets.
9Add the lining. Trim off the zipper and iron the edges down, so that the edge is clean. Flip the pillowcase inside out and place it inside the main bag. Pin together and then sew, one side and then the other, remembering to backstitch at each of the four ends. You're done!Advertisement
Method 2 of 2:
Make a Bag From Duct Tape
1Prepare to make a bag. You'll need a pattern and supplies in order to make this bag. Thankfully, the supplies are minimal and the pattern is very simple. Having everything you need before you start will make the process more smooth and efficient.
- Make a pattern, if you want to. The main portion of the bag will be formed from one single piece of tape-fabric (pieces of duct tape, layered to create a single surface). The shape will overall resemble one large rectangle with two smaller rectangles attached at it's side.
- You will, of course, need duct tape to make the bag from. You can find duct tape in a variety of locations and it is available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
- You will need fixtures for the bag. Four fixtures (two large, two small) will be needed to attach straps to the bag and you will need one buckle to close it with, as well as reinforcing rings for the buckle holes. All of these can be purchased from craft stores or salvaged from second-hand purses or messenger bags.
- Importantly, you will need a surface on which to build your bag and straight pins to keep the tape in place while you work. A large sheet of cardboard will be the cheapest and simplest solution.
- Finally, you will need a standard ruler (wood or metal), a measuring tape and cutting tools. The ruler will be sacrificed to reinforce the handle of the bag, so be sure it is one you will not need to use later.
2Make the first layer. With the sticky side facing up, lay out seven 36" strips, parallel, absolutely straight, and overlapping (but as little as possible). Pin the ends taught as you lay each strip.
3Make the second layer. With sticky side still facing up, lay six more 35" strips over the first layer with a 1" offset. Do not worry about pinning these. Be careful to lay them straight and go slowly, since it is difficult to get the tape back up if you make a mistake.
4Start the third layer. Cut 6 strips to 11.25" and place them using the same method as the previous layers. Place them perpendicular and covering the previous layers, at the "top"end.
5Make the sides. Cut four more 11.25" strips and place two on each side, parallel with the strips from the first two layers, such that the ends line up with the middle of the last strip from layer 3. Pin these strips in place.
6Attach the sides. Cut 4 more 11" strips and layer them over the others, with a 1" offset so that the seam with the main section is covered.
7Finish the third layer. Cut ~19" strips to cover the middle section (the section with the side panels). These should be placed parallel to and beginning at the other strips from layer 3, covering the . Once you reach the edge of sides, switch to 11.25" strip and cover the remainder of the layer.
8Make the fourth layer. This will be done similarly to layer 3 but with the strips facing sticky side down. Use 11.25" strips for the two narrower sections and then 19" strips for the wider center section where the sides attach.
9Fold into a bag. Unpin this completed piece and fold it into a bag. The side panels form the narrow sides of the bag, with the section directly between them forming the back side of the bag. The section directly below forms the bottom and front of the bag (and should fold up to align the bottom edge with the top of the side panels). The remaining top section forms the top and front flap of the bag. The result should be a box-shaped bag with clean edges.
10Close the seams. Use tape on the inside of the bag to close all the seams together and reinforce the corners and edges of the bag. Don't forget to leave the top end open.
11Make the top handle. Create a 5' long strip of tape by folding 12" sections in half with one nested in the next as it is folded. Coil the long strip into a loop with the two smaller fixtures at each end and at the center of the loop. Compress the loop and then circle tape around it to form the handle, closing in the two fixtures at either end.
12Create the handle attachments. Use 4 more 12" folded strips, one completely encased in the other, to form 2 handles. Lace these through the fixtures.
13Attach the handle. Cut 2 slits in the top of the bag where the handle will be placed, 1" long and parallel to the width of the bag. Lace the ends of the handle attachment strips through the holes. Trim a ruler to fit the length of the top and, folding the two inner ends of the strips down into the center, attach them to the ruler. Now attach the outer two ends to the ruler and tape the entire ruler to the bag, encasing and securing it.
14Form the shoulder strap. Cut lengths at least 10" and mate the sticky sides, nesting one set inside another as before until an acceptably long strip is formed. Get a piece the length of the whole strap and place the strap so that the edge runs down the center of the new piece. Fold it over to close the seam of the mated strips and then repeat on the other side.
15Attach the shoulder strap. Cutting two more 10" mated strips, form a loop and place the large fixtures inside. Anchor one half of the loop to the inside of the bag and the other half to the outside of the bag. Lace the shoulder strap through the anchored fixtures, fold over the ends, and seal them closed using more tape.
16Attach the buckle. Attach the buckle to the bottom of the bag on the front side, using the same method as for the shoulder strap anchors. You will need to make two holes for the buckle pins.
17Make a closing strap. Make a strap using mated tape, as in previous steps. Use the reinforcing rings (inside the mated pieces of tape) at the points where the buckle pins will need to fit through. The strap will need to be at least as tall as the front section of the bag. Join this strap to the front flap. Add a cover strip to the buckle if you wish to. You're done!Advertisement
Community Q&A
About This Article
To make a simple pillowcase messenger bag, get 3 square pillow cases in the size you'd like your bag to be. Cut 6 strips from one of the pillowcases, then stitch the ends of 4 of the strips together and fold them in half lengthwise. Sew the long edges together and reinforce the seams to make your handle. Once you've attached the handle to the pillowcase you're using for the body of the bag, you can use the last 2 strips to reinforce the edges of the bag. Sew the third pillowcase inside the bag to act as a lining. Finally, add a zipper if you like. Keep reading to discover how to make a bag from duct tape!


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National Wildlife Fed'n v. Clark
ELR Citation: 14 ELR 20227
Nos. No. 83-2648, 577 F. Supp. 825/20 ERC 1346/(D.D.C., 01/09/1984, 01/10/1984) Plaintiffs granted summary judgment
The court rules that the Department of the Interior (DOI) must conduct a rulemaking if it wants to rescind an arguably unconstitutional regulation implementing §204(e) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), which empowers the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee to order withdrawal of lands from coal leasing. The court first rules that the controversy is not moot despite passage of a federal law temporarily staying coal leasing. The court declines to wait until the stay expires to decide the case. It rejects DOI's argument that the Department could declare §204(e) unconstitutional and rescind the regulation without conducting rulemaking because it was not "validly prescribed." The court rules that FLPMA requires DOI to follow the Administrative Procedure Act in rescinding as well as creating regulations: both must be done under a process subject to judicial review. The court grants summary judgment to plaintiffs and orders defendant to abide by the regulation until it is legally rescinded.
[Previous opinions in this case appear at 14 ELR 20043, 20044 — Ed.]
Counsel are listed at 14 ELR 20043.


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Get Entered To Win A $100 Gas Card!
Sierra Central members who sign-up for eStatements during a month in 2020 will be automatically entered into a drawing for a $100 Gas Card!
- An added benefit to all Sierra Central Checking accounts.
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Enrolling for eStatements is easy!
If you already have Online Banking, simply login and under "Your Preferences" you will find the option to enroll in eStatements. Call us at 1-800-222-7228 or visit your local branch and ask a Representative to sign you up for Online Banking now!
*One winner will be drawn each month in 2020. To be eligible for the promotion, you must be a legal resident of the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) and at least 18 years of age on the date of entry. Enrollment for eStatements made during a specific month will be eligible for that month drawing only if the account was not previously enrolled at any time during the 2020 year and cancelled. Void where prohibited by law. Any winning entry will be deemed to have been made by the primary individual named on the account. Any SCCU account individual may refuse the prize if drawn. If a prize refusal occurs, there will not be another drawing conducted.
View the full promotion details here:


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Mayor's Office
Beginning about 8:30 a.m. Monday, December 5, "A" Street from 40th to 48th Street will close for work by Allo. The street is scheduled to be closed through Friday, December 9, but weather conditions could impact the closure. The Public Works and Utilities Department will also be conducting street maintenance during the closure.
Access to local businesses and residences will be maintained. The intersections of "A" at 40th and 48th streets will remain open to northbound and southbound traffic. The suggested detour route is South Street.
The Public Works and Utilities Department appreciates the public's patience during this project. For more information, visit lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: projects) or contact Shane Dostal, Public Works and Utilities Department, at email@example.com or 402-525-7852.


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2019 Council Meeting Schedule and Committee Appointments
Elgin County Council has passed a motion to set the schedule for the 2019 County Council Meetings. The Warden has also appointed members of Council to committees for the upcoming year.
Elgincentives 2018 Year End Review
From January to November 2018, the program was able to accept 39 applications with every partnering municipality participating. These applications resulted in $240,724 of total investment from the County which resulted in private investment of $837,820. Elgincentives will receive an additional $80,000 for the budget from the removal of the vacancy tax rebate. With $150,000 requested for the upcoming year, and $42,371 from leftover funding, this will allow for $272,341 in the budget for 2019 pending Council's approval.. The Elgincentives program continues to grow, improving downtowns, waterfronts, agricultural and tourism areas.
Elgin County Museum 2018 Annual Report
The Manager of Museum and Archives came to Council to share some of the successes that the Elgin County Museum achieved over the past year. The museum saw a total of 3578 visitors as of November 30, which was a vast improvement from the best year on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building of 1838. Social Media pages are also up by 40 percent suggesting growth in interest as well. With a new policy approved by Council earlier in 2018, the gift shop was able to take on consignments from the Elgin Tourist Association. By doing so, the shop was able to make profit of $1656.36 as compared to $179.52 in all of 2017.
Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement – Contract Extension
County Council has passed a motion that the County enter into an agreement with Guild Electric Limited to service all traffic control devices from 2019 to 2021. The total estimated cost for routine inspections, conflict monitoring, and service calls is approximately $35,000 for Elgin County. The annual increase in pricing will be approximately 1.5% year which is favourable pricing based on staff's research. Guild has provided excellent services for the County in the past, and both Council and Staff are happy to see this contract extension.
Terrace Lodge Redevelopment Overview
An overview of the Terrace Lodge Redevelopment project was presented to the new Council to catch them up to speed on the latest developments. The CAO and Director of Homes & Services highlighted the different positives and negatives surrounding an entirely new build versus renovations to the existing structure. With the help of Ventin Group, a third party consulting firm, all information was meticulously detailed to help Council make a decision in the future. Council was very excited about this project and are enthusiastic about the next steps. Council will receive another presentation on January 8.
County Fire Training Officer/Community Emergency Management Coordinator Position
Council passed a resolution to consider the hiring of a brand new position at Elgin County. The position would focus on fire and emergency training that will help ensure safety is a top priority. The position would work closely with all the local municipalities and act as their coordinator for the position as well.
The Elgin County Council Agenda Package for the December 13, 2018 meeting can be found on the Elgin County website.


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Article content
VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Aquarium's rescued otter Whiffen died on Saturday an hour into a medical procedure.
A rehabilitation team from the aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre plucked the emaciated sea otter from a beach near Sooke, B.C., on Feb. 23. It was suffering from seizures and a badly wounded flipper.
But despite efforts to stabilize Whiffen's health since the rescue, the otter wasn't gaining weight and developed head tremors, potentially caused by a parasite known as toxoplasma.
Veterinarians put the otter under an anesthetic for an MRI on Saturday to investigate their suspicions — but Whiffen never came out.
"He's been under quite intensive care for a long time, but unfortunately he kind of reached a plateau and was there for quite some time," the aquarium's head veterinarian Dr. Martin Haulena told QMI Agency. "To be honest, I was sort of surprised he even made it into the facility.... We were hoping for the best but knew his chances were really poor."
Haulena said if toxoplasma were the cause, it raises many questions, as the parasite normally affects cats, not marine mammals. It has somehow transferred to both southern sea otter populations and even Arctic belugas, raising climate change questions, he said.
"The only way to continue its life cycle is through feline species," he said. "How did it wind up affecting aquatic species?"
tap here to see other videos from our team.


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It can be windy, Whitstable,
But the mill on Borstal Hill doesn't go round.
Upkeep isn't cheap
And you can't buy sails in the sales.
So there it stands.
Restored but bored.
Wanting to give it a whirl,
Wanting to fly, but wingless,
Its spindly black cross
Unmoved by the breeze.
It's a marker for those at sea,
But that's not what it wants to be.
It's been home to a painter,
But that ain't a patch on milling –
not half as thrilling.
It went against the grain.
A mill can feel pain.
Longing to get back to the daily grind,
The thump and creak of the stones.
It yearns to do a proper job again.
To be proud.
To have its millhood restored.
But no sails, no chance.
So its best bet is a holiday let.
But when the wind blows,
It remembers what it was.
And dreams.


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Swanwick (River Hamble) SUP
From the bustle of the working end of the river to the peaceful meanders in the countryside further up the Hamble.
≈ Quick Facts:
- River Name: River Hamble
- What is the distance: 3.4 miles each way
- How long does it take: One and a half hours each way
- Shelter from wind: Any direction if light
- Best Tide: Start on incoming tide 2 hours before high tide in Warsash
- Pay To Park: No / but limited space on sunny days
- Parking Distance: 5 seconds walk
- Do you pay to launch: No, There's a public slipway
- SUP Rental: No
- Wildlife: General river birds and mullet surfacing
- Eat & Drink: Restaurants & pubs
- Toilets: No
- Hazards: Powerful outgoing & incoming tide (it is essential to get the tide right). Some form of footwear is needed for visiting the pubs (I take flip flops).
≈ Location Guide:
Where to park and launch a SUP in Swanwick
Head for Swanwick Shore Road, there are 35 free car parking spaces. When it gets busy people tend to park at the top of the slipway. On nice days it can be tricky to get a space and the surrounding area does not have parking.
Be careful with the tides!
If you get the tides wrong as a strong outgoing tide will make this trip near impossible. I got it wrong once and tried to paddle against the flow which resulted in an exhausting paddle covering only one mile over ground in 45 minutes. It is essential that you set off 2 hours before high tide as this will assist you up the river. If the tide is running downstream don't be tempted to head south towards Hamble unless you have planned for the tidal flow as it is highly likely that this will be a one way trip.
What is there to see heading NORTH?
You are paddle boarding North on this route. The start of the route sets off travelling past Swanwick Marina and the river sweeps right past The Jolly Sailor pub on the left. I tend to stop here for some refreshment on my return trip. I would suggest wearing something appropriate if stopping for food, in my case I have a stable board so I jump straight on after work in my chinos and shirt which enables me to fit in with the yachties.
Just after the pub there are often some nice classic yachts moored on the left of the river which are worth a look.
Continuing north under a road bridge will be the point at which it is essential you have the correct tide times (if you have made a mistake only the fittest riders will be able to get past this point and you may notice the standing waves under the bridge). Past the bridge you will see a series of house boats on the left, be careful to take the central channel otherwise you will be blocked by the pontoons. Head under the motorway bridge, this part of the trip has to be endured but please embrace it as it is worth the peace of the countryside north of this. Leave the pontoons to your right after the bridge and then continue up the river into the tranquillity of the countryside.
I was lucky enough to be greeted by a beautiful rainbow as I passed under the motorway so I took the opportunity to hop onto the bank and capture it.
On the first meander you will see the Manor Farm Pontoon which is a convenient place to get off if you need to stretch your legs. Manor Farm is a historic working farm with a country park. The pontoon is situated on one of the surrounding country park walks where there are benches dotted around if you wish to stop for a picnic.
The route continues meandering north for quite some time. At any point riders can turn around if they are restricted on time or endurance. Continuing you will reach a fork in the river.
Take the right fork and head up Curbridge Creek. This is a photo that I took about half way up the creek showing its quite commonly glassy waters only to be broke every now and again by the surfacing fish.
If you keep following you will come to the turning point as the small bridge crosses the river. This is the location of the Horse and Jockey pub, which is well worth a visit for a pint.
On your return journey ensure you turn left out of Curbridge Creek heading the way you came from unless you are feeling ambitious. There is an extension that can be done by heading right out of the Creek. This is a pleasant ride but remember that it is a 3.4 mile paddle back on the normal route.
Article written by Guest Author: Jon Cotgreave (Jonnie)
Jonnie is located in Warsash and has been paddling since 2009. He enjoys the peace and tranquility that paddling offers when the wind does not allow for kitesurfing. Being a real explorer, he is devoted to SUPing creeks, caves, rapids and always wondering what's around the next corner.


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Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'craft shows'.
Found 1 result
Non EZ-Up Tents??
MAS posted a topic in Business, Marketing, and AccountingHello! I'm gearing up for a big outdoor craft show in a few weeks and the exhibitors packet said "no ez up tents" due to the venue being windy. This is my first time doing this show so I'm not sure what to do! I don't own a canopy like a light dome or trim line, and I'm not sure if I'm ready to invest that much, and renting one will cost almost half the price of buying one! Anyone have any advice?? Will a good quality pop up probably be ok with proper weights? Or do I bite the bullet and buy the light dome? Thanks!


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During these uncertain times, how can we help?
See below to participate in our Impact Sector survey, access our COVID-19 Resource Hub, and explore our growing directory of COVID-19-specific and virtual volunteering opportunities.
To provide literacy support to enable and encourage disadvantaged students to become proficient readers, thus increasing their opportunities to attend college and become productive with well-paying jobs and careers, and to provide these students with positive role models and a strong peer support system
Leading Leagcies provides a comprehensive literacy program linking education and mentoring for Southeast San Diego's at risk children and adolescents. Premised on the belief that literacy improvement and support can be powerful incentives for youth to continue their education and pursue employment goals, our mission is to equip these children with a strong literacy foundation, reading comprehension, and understanding so as to assist them in taking concrete steps toward becoming our self-fulfilled and productive leaders of tomorrow. We provide a computer aided reading program (Reading Assistant by Scientific Learning, Inc.) and supplement the lessons with group readings, teambuilding exercises and field trips. We provide a safe haven for children to learn, socialize, and interact with positive role models.
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We've been hearing a number of rumors of Microsoft possibly creating a Microsoft-branded "Surface Phone," which we expected to hear by the first half of this year, especially since Foxconn has reportedly been chosen to manufacture the device. But Microsoft's corporate vice president of Windows Phone, Terry Myerson, decided to shed some light on the company's plans on possibly delivering an official Microsoft-branded Windows Phone.
Myerson hulk smashed his way through all of those previous rumors by denying such a handset would launch anytime soon during AllThingD's Mobile Conference. He followed up by saying if Microsoft were to produce an officially branded smartphone, it would do so with an effort to provide a unique user experience its Windows Phone partners wouldn't be able to achieve. Myerson believes Windows Phone partners, such as HTC and Nokia, are already providing some great mobile experiences to Windows Phone users.
When you consider all of the rumors that have been accumulating in favor of Microsoft building a Windows Phone, as well as Myerson's comments denying one would launch anytime soon, we still believe there's a Surface Phone somewhere at Microsoft's HQ.
Filed in Microsoft, Windows, Windows Phone and Windows Phone 8.. Read more about