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Strategic Plan
Rhythm on the Riverfront Summer Concert Series
NOARDA hosts concerts each summer on the second Thursday of June, July and August from 6:30-8:30. Bands play in the gazebo just west of Village Hall at Riverfront Park. Raimondo's pizza sells slices of delicious pizza and cold drinks. Visitors bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets.
The second concert of the series will be July 9, 2015. Come on down to the riverfront and enjoy the music with family and friends.
Parking is available at Island Park and public lots on the southwest side of the riverfront area.
3rd Of July Fireworks - Yes, you read it right, that's no typo! The fireworks are on Friday the 3rd of July this year.
The Village of North Aurora once agains joins with the City of Aurora for a fantastic Fireworks display on Friday, July 3 to celebrate Independence Day.
There will also be many exciting activities for the whole family, so make plans to spend the evening with friends and family and enjoy the activites.
Visit the City of Aurora's website for parking and shuttle information at: https://www.aurora-il.org/events/4th_fireworks.php
FREE Family Activities & Fireworks!
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
RiverEdge Park - 360 N. Broadway Ave.Great food along with an amazing view of the fireworks at Aurora's premier outdoor concert venue.
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. American Legion Band7:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. Fox Valley Orchestra
McCullough Park - Illinois Ave. & Lake St.Local food vendors with taste-tempting treats and FREE FUN for all with inflatables and music that will make you want to get up and dance!6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. SuperDogz Agility Performance7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Evolution-Classic to Current Rock CoversDon't miss the roaring life size animatronic T-Rex head!
Fireworks Extravaganza: July 3, 2015At approximately, 9:30 p.m., The City of Lights will live up to its name with a pyrotechnic extravaganza illuminating the night sky with a rainbow of colors! Fireworks can be viewed from both locations and along the banks of the river.
Park Remotely & Ride Our Shuttles FREE!The City of Aurora is offering free park and ride shuttle service from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. providing roundtrip transportation to 13 convenient locations throughout the city. The shuttles will resume service after the fireworks display with the latest departure scheduled for 11 p.m.
The Village of North Aurora will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2015 in observance of the Independence Day Holiday.
Have a fun-filled and safe 4th of July.
Waste Management will be picking up trash, recycling and yard waste on Friday July 3 as usual.
The 4th of July holiday falls on Saturday, and therefore, will NOT affect your regular pick-up.
A Community Garage Sale will be held in conjunction with North Aurora Days this year. This is a Village sponsored community-wide garage sale planned for Thursday, August 6, Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, 2015.
Residents who are interested in participating in the North Aurora Community Garage Sale must register to be included on a Garage Sale Map. Residents can download the garage sale registration form from the North Aurora Days website at www.northauroradays.com or pick up a form at the Village Hall. There is no cost to register.
Please submit the completed, signed registration form no later than Friday, July 24, 2015 in order to be included on the Garage Sale Map. Any registrations forms received after this date, will not be included on the garage sale map. Submit completed forms to: Village of North Aurora, Attention Cindy Torraco, 25 E. State Street, North Aurora, IL 60542. Registration forms may also submitted by e-mail: email@example.com.
Garage Sale Maps will be available at the Village Hall and on the North Aurora Days website by (www.northauroradays.com) Tuesday, July 28. Additionally, the community-wide garage sales event will be advertised in a local paper.
* All registrations forms that are submitted by e-mail will get a response, therefore, do not assume a form was received unless you receive a response from the Village.
The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors today voted unanimously to hire Greg Bedalov as the agency's new Executive Director effective today. Bedalov replaces outgoing Executive Director Kristi Lafleur who announced her resignation earlier this month.
Bedalov will step down as the president and CEO of Choose DuPage to join the Tollway and oversee day-to-day operations of the agency that serves 1.5 million daily drivers and maintains a system of four interstate tollways crossing 12 counties in northern Illinois. Since 2010, Bedalov has overseen the organization responsible for leading the economic development efforts for DuPage County. Before joining Choose DuPage, he gained local economic development experience as President of the Downers Grove Economic Development Corporation. Prior to that, he was the director of global business development and North American sales and marketing for Pulsafeeder.
Bedalov brings an understanding of the Illinois Tollway and how the system of roadways generates local development and job opportunities and serves as the economic engine for Northern Illinois. In addition, the Tollway Board members cited his support and participation for the $3.4 billion Elgin O'Hare Western Access Project as a valuable asset as the Tollway continues to support regional transportation and transit options.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has informed the Village of North Aurora that the Illinois Tollway Authority is beginning construction work to reconstruct the Mitchell Road Bridge.
Beginning the week of June 22, the Mitchell Road Bridge will be closed to all traffic between Bilter Road (just south of Route 56) and the Aurora side of the I-88 tolllway. In addition a roadway closure will be put in place between Bilter Road and Sullivan Road. A signed detour will be put in place directing traffic to use Indian Trail Road, Illinois Route 25 and Butterfield Road. The bridge is anticipated to be closed until mid-December, when the project is expected to be completed.
The Tollway Authority did not reconstruct the Mitchell Road Bridge last year when the road was closed for reconstruction, due to the fact that the Church Road Bridge was already being reconstructed at that time and they did not want to have both bridges closed at the same time.
Please allow extra driving time if your commute includes this area and plan on an alternate route. For more information, please click the link below from the Illinois Tollway website: http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/15899/20150616+-+Mitchell+Road+Bridge+Over+Reagan+Memorial+Tollway+%28I-88%29%20in+Aurora+Scheduled+to+Close+Next+Week+for+Reconstruction
The Village of North Aurora has launched a new website address today, www.northaurora.org. We are so excited to tell everyone that they can now get all the village information at northaurora.org (and it is so much easier to say then www.vil.north-aurora.il.us).
Check out our new web address and also our updated website design, which features the Village's new logo and tagline, Crossroads on the Fox.
The Village Board also approved the new logo and tagline at the board meeting on June 15.
Through a request for proposal process, a company by the name of Rule 29 was hired by the Village of North Aurora to create a new logo and tagline. As part of the design process, the Village Board was interviewed by Rule 29 in order to incorporate their thoughts and visions for the community's past, present and future. Rule 29 presented multiple logo and tagline options which were discussed by the Village Board at several public meetings.
The final logo incorporates elements of the Village, including the State Street Bridge, which symbolizes the Village moving forward, as well as the connection to community; the iconic Fox River, which is central to the Village; and rays emitting from beneath the bridge to represent community connections and nature trails; while the circle around the logo represents a community united. The colors chosen for the logos include an exciting blue tone to reflect the Fox River, which is a major source of identity and enjoyment for the residents of North Aurora. Also chosen was a warm brown which brings the natural earth elements to the logo, and is indicative of a warm and inviting sense of community. The font used in the logo will use both colors, with the blue highlighting the "North" as a stand out feature of the Village of North Aurora. The new tagline "Crossroads on the Fox" ties in with the logo, and was selected as the slogan that best represents the Village of North Aurora. The Village Board and village staff are all very excited about incorporating the new logo in all aspects of the Village and creating a brand identity that our residents can recognize and be proud of.
Village of North Aurora***Press Release***
Dated: June 9, 2015
Village receives a 10% decrease in power rates with Dynegy Energy Services for the Residential Electric Aggregation Program for a Two-Year Period with 100% Renewable Energy.
The Village of North Aurora was one of the first communities in northern Illinois to manage a residential aggregation program for its residents. The Village has operated its aggregation program since 2011 and has lowered the average homeowners' home Commonwealth Edison bill almost $500 since the program was initiated. For the entire community, the program has achieved approximately $2.5 million in savings during that time.
The current aggregation program ends in September, 2015. The Village recently held a renewal bid and has entered into an agreement with Dynegy Energy Services for electricity supply for residents and small commercial businesses. The agreement will be effective beginning September, 2015 and will be for a twenty-four (24) month period ending September, 2017.
Residents and small businesses that are currently enrolled in the Village's aggregation program as well as ComEd customers will receive a letter in June describing the terms of the agreement as well as an "opt-out" form if the resident wishes to go back to ComEd for supply and/or elect to choose a different supplier.
The fixed-rate for the upcoming period beginning September, 2015 will drop 10%, from 7.856 cents per kWh to 7.073 cents. One year later, the rate will drop again, to 6.838 cents.
The rate includes the support of 100% renewable energy. ComEd's non summer rate-to-compare is 7.17 cents per kWh. ComEd also assesses a Purchased Electricity Adjustment (PEA) on a monthly basis that can be a charge or credit of up to 0.50 cents per kWh. This PEA charge could result in an effective ComEd rate of 6.67 cents per kWh or as high as 7.67 cents.
The fixed rate provided by Dynegy is not subject to the PEA. Once enrolled in the aggregation program, there are no termination fees if a resident wishes to choose another supplier at any point during the term of the agreement, or chooses to go back to ComEd.
By continuing the aggregation program for a two-year period with a competitive rate the Village ensures that residents will have aggregation as a choice of electric supply over the next twenty four months with support for 100% renewable energy. For questions or more information please call the North Aurora Village Hall at (630) 897-8228.
North Aurora, IL – North Aurora Police are investigating criminal damage to property on North Aurora's northeast side after a man wanted in connection with a domestic incident fled from police through a golf course, residential lawns, and public park.It began early Sunday morning at about 12:40 a.m. when police were on scene on April Ln. investigating a domestic disturbance when the male suspect drove past with headlights turned off. Officers caught up to the truck on River Rd. (Rt. 25) near the Fox Valley Country Club golf course. When officers signaled the driver to stop, the driver began driving recklessly as he pulled into the driveway of the golf course. He lost control of the truck and spun out in the grass, causing large divots. The truck then fled through the golf course in a north-northwest direction. Officers found the truck driving on Slaker Ct. and when the driver saw police again, he drove northbound between two houses, through Wingfoot Park toward Wingfoot Dr.The truck, a maroon 1995 Ford pickup truck (full size) with a cap on the back, was located at the owner's residence in Plano, Illinois approximately 30 minutes later. The suspect, Christopher B. Stankovich, 44, of the 300 blk. of Dearborn St., Plano, turned himself in at the North Aurora Police Department Sunday evening. He was charged with:• Aggravated Fleeing & Eluding, a class 4 Felony• Criminal Damage to Property, a class 4 FelonyStankovich attended a bond hearing this morning where a judge set his bond at $12,500 / 10%. He remains in custody at the Kane County jail.This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident or who has damage to their property in the area is asked to call North Aurora Police at (630) 897-8705.
Water is a precious commodity. We depend on our water infrastructure of pipes, pumps, and meters to deliver clean, high-quality and reliable water to our homes.
Did you know... the average household wastes 10,000 gallons of water per year on leaks, enought to fill a swimming pool?
You can help by checking toilets, faucets, showerheads and appliances for leaks.
Water Infrastructure needs to be maintained by both your utility and you. Utilities can check for leaks in pipes on the way to your home, and you can check for leaks in your home. Both actions can prevent water waste and improve the reliability of your water supply.
Thank you for doing your part to help ensure our community and neighboring communities have a clean and reliable water source now and for future generations!
For more information on water conservation please visit www.epa.gov/WaterSense.
Planning a home improvement project this spring? Installing a fence or deck? Planting a tree or shrubs? Whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional, be smart and call J.U.L.I.E. at 811 before you dig! Every digging project requires that you call... even if you are just planting shrubs or bushes. Calls should be made 48 hours (2 business days) prior to doing any digging. The call is free and JULIE will notify all utilities to mark their locations to prevent any unintentional damage to underground utilities. So be safe and smart - Call JULIE before you dig!
The Village of North Aurora is excited to announce that residents/customers can now pay their water bill online, without transaction fees, using the following link: https://northaurora.merchanttransact.comThe types of payment accepted include Visa, MasterCard, Discover and eCheck. Residents and customers can also use this link to sign up to opt out of paper water bills, receive water bills by email and also view water usage history.
In addition, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards are now also being accepted at the village hall for payment of water bills, as well as other transactions such as building permits, business/contractor registration, waste stickers, or ordinance violations.
Along with the upgraded payment options, residents may have noticed a new format to the Village's utility bill. The new format was designed to provide residents with additional information on their water bills, including a graph that illustrates both past and current water usage.
Please contact the Utility Billing Department at (630) 897-8228, x223 for further information
Help Reduce Storm Water Pollution - Water pollution prevention and control measures are critical to improving water quality and reducing the need for costly wastewater and drinking water treatment. Because water pollution can come from many different sources, a variety of pollution prevention and control measures are needed.Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over impervious surfaces such as driverways, sidewalks and streets, which prevents the runoff from soaking into the ground.Stormwater runoff can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into the storm sewer system or directly into lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands. Anything that enters the storm sewer system is then discharged into bodies of water we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water. This in turn can increase costs for treating our drinking water.In an attempt to educate the community on ways to prevent the potential for storm water pollution, we ask that residents be aware of the direct links between land activities and rainfall and snow melt runoff that drains into storm drains and ends up in our rivers and streams. Clean up pet waste to keep it out of street gutters; sweep up grass clippings and rake leaves to keep yardwaste debris from blowing into street gutters; apply lawn fertilizer and pesticides sparingly; control soil erosion on your property by planting ground cover; clean up spilled automotive fluids such as oil, anti-freeze and transmission fluids from driveways and don't hose the spills into the street. Please do your part to help eliminate storm water pollution. For information on disposal of hazardous waste and pollution prevention, contact Kane County at 630-208-5118. For more recycling information, send an email to email@example.com or call 630-208-3841.
Waste Management Recognized Holidays - In the event that any of the following holidays fall on a weekday, all refuse, yard-waste, and recyclable collections services on that day, and for the remainder of that week, shall be delayed one day after the recognized holiday. This will generally result in trash collection on Saturday for your regular Friday pick-up. The following are the RECOGNIZED HOLIDAYS that will affect trash pick-up in 2015:
New Years Day 1/1 - Trash pick up Saturday Jan. 3Memorial Day 5/25 - Trash pick up Saturday May 30Independence Day 7/4 - Trash pick up will be on Friday July 3 as usual (due to the holiday falling on Saturday)Labor Day 9/7 - Trash pick up Saturday Sept. 12Thanksgiving Day 11/26 - Trash pick up Saturday Nov. 28Christmas Day 12/25 - Trash pick up Saturday Dec. 26
All other holidays such as Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day, or Veterans Day WILL NOT affect your regular Friday trash pick-up.
The Village of North Aurora would like to remind residents that pertinent information about our community is always available on the Southwest Fox Valley Cable Consortium's public access channel.
Additionally, please take a moment to complete a short survey (5-10 minutes to complete) which is designed to give Comcast customers in the Southwest Fox Valley Cable and Telecommunications Consortium communities (North Aurora, Plano, Sandwich and Yorkville) an opportunity to assist the Consortium in determining cable-related needs and interests as provided for by the Federal Cable Act (47 U.S.C. 546(a)(1)) and local ordinances. To take the survey, please click the link below:
Help define the future of North Aurora!The Village of North Aurora is in the process of creating a new Comprehensive Plan. The Plan will address land use, development, transportation, neighborhoods, parks and open space, the environment, community facilities, and much more.How can I provide input regarding North Aurora's future?The Village is seeking your input to help create a plan that addresses local issues and aspirations. Please go to the Village's website (http://www.vil.north-aurora.il.us/) and click on the link here - http://www.hlplanning.com/portals/northaurora/ or click the "Comprehensive Plan Interactive Website" button on the right-hand portion of the homepage. This link will take you a one-stop portal where you can provide input through on-line mapping tools and questionnaires, receive updates about the planning process, and review preliminary plan recommendations.What is the next chance to provide input to the Comprehensive Plan?In addition to the project website, there will be several face-to-face opportunities to provide input. The next opportunity will be a Visioning Workshop held in early September. Please stay tuned for more information regarding the date, time and location for the workshop. The workshop will allow you to put markers to maps and describe your vision for key issues facing North Aurora, such as the role of the Fox River in recreation and development, the revitalization of IL 31, new economic development along Orchard Road, residential growth and development, public safety, and much more.How can I receive information about the planning process?The best way to receive information about the planning process is to check in on the project website. Village staff will also distribute information through its email distribution list regarding the Visioning Workshop and opportunities to review preliminary recommendations. Please contact email@example.com–aurora.il.us to be added to the email distribution list.
The North Aurora Water Department will be upgrading some of the meter reading equipment located on the exterior of houses in various locations throughout the village, over the next 6 months. Please be advised, these equipment upgrades will not affect or interrupt your water service. Water department technicians will be performing this work and residents should not be concerned if they notice a village vehicle and/or village water technician working on the meter at their home. Please contact the North Aurora Water Department at 630-897-8228, ext. 223 with any questions or concerns you may have.
Stop by the Village Hall and pick up your copy of the "History of North Aurora" book - now just $15.
This book is a wonderful history of your community from the early days of when it was settled through life in the 1940's. This history provides some very interesting facts about North Aurora. There are numerous pictures on every page that provide a visual history as well. Be sure to stop in soon to purchase a copy.
Memorial Bricks are available for purchase for the Veteran's Memorial Plaza. Engraved bricks are placed in the Veteran's Memorial Plaza as a way to honor and recognize North Aurora Residents who have served and given their lives in service of the United States. Single 8x8 bricks are $75 - Two bricks are $125If you would like to honor a veteran by purchasing a brick, please stop by the North Aurora Village Hall at 25 E. State Street to pick up an order form or call 630-897-8228 for more information.
Did you know that the North Aurora Fire District provides lockboxes for residences of senior citizens who live alone or any resident with an illness or injury that would prevent them from answering the door in the event of an emergency situation? There is a $20 deposit for the lockbox and it would be installed by the Fire District. The lockbox would only be accessed by the Fire District in an emergency and remains the property of the Fire District. When the resident moves or requests removal, the lockbox would be removed and the $20 deposit would be refunded. Residents who would like to obtain a lockbox or would like further information regardng this program, should contact the Fire Station at 630-897-9698.
7/9/2015 - NOARDA Summer Concert - Riverfront Park
7/3/2015 - Fireworks in Aurora on Friday, July 3, 2015
7/3/2015 - Independence Day Holiday - Village Hall Closed
7/2/2015 - Waste Management Trash Pick-up is on Friday July 3
6/30/2015 - North Aurora Community Garage Sale - Aug. 6-8
6/25/2015 - The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors announce new Executive Director
6/24/2015 - Mitchell Road Bridge Closed for Construction
6/16/2015 - North Aurora launches new website address and approves new logo
6/9/2015 - Press Release: Residential Electric Aggregation Program Renewal with Dynegy Energy Services
5/18/2015 - North Aurora Police Investigating Criminal Damage to Property
4/27/2015 - Water Conservation Tips - That Drip is Money Down the Drain
4/6/2015 - Call JULIE Before You Dig - dial 811
4/6/2015 - North Aurora Accepts Credit Card Payments (no transaction fees) On-line and at Village Hall
3/23/2015 - Help Reduce Storm Water Pollution
12/15/2014 - Waste Management Holiday Pick-up Information
11/12/2014 - Southwest Fox Valley Cable Consortium
7/28/2014 - Comprehensive Plan - Help Define the Future of North Aurora
5/2/2014 - Water Department to Upgrade Meter Reading Equipment
8/2/2013 - History of North Aurora book - Now Just $15
6/19/2012 - Bricks Available for Purchase for Veteran's Memorial
6/14/2012 - Fire District provides Lockbox Program for Senior Citizens
Village of North Aurora 25 East State Street North Aurora, IL 60542
Driving Directions
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Administration (630) 897-8228 ext. 224Administration Fax (630) 897-8258Police (630) 897-8705Police Fax (630) 897-8700Finance (630) 897-8228 ext. 225 Community Development (630) 897-1457 ext. 228 Code Enforcement (630) 897-1457 ext. 231 Building and Zoning (630) 897-1457 ext. 222 Public Works (630) 897-8228 ext. 260 Water (630) 897-8228 ext. 223Fire District (630) 897-3050
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Adventurous, outgoing, and a little hint of ridiculous sums me up pretty well. I tend to just go with the flow of things, question a couple ideals here and there... and most of all keep in mind that I'm living, so I might as well experience what I can.
My philosophy is not to regret what is inevitable. I refuse to look back on some decisions and think, "Why!?" because I knew at the time what I was doing. I stand by that for my future. I own up to my faults and am very honest. Everything is a learning experience even if it's not always the most pleasant thing.
I know that's not a very in-depth summary of who I am as a person, but I think if you saw what I saw or experienced it with me, you'd understand me a lot more than telling you about "me" on an online summary.

subset: commoncrawl


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Find the Perfect Function Venue
It's always exciting to plan a Function in Docklands, but with the number of function venues available, it is difficult to find the right venue space needed for your Function in Docklands. Luckily, Venuemob is here to help. By providing us with the type of event you have in mind, we are able to access information and prices of numerous function venues that are most suitable for your event.
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The Harbour Kitchen claim that they're in possession of Melbourne's "best views of the Docklands" is frankly, one that is probably declared with quite a bit of truth. Located on the "sunny side" of Melbourne's newest harbourside precinct, the Harbour Kitchen have seen their popularity grow in leaps and bounds since setting up shop. With sprawling, picturesque views through the glass pavillion and spaces for occasions of any size, Harbour Kitchen Docklands pride themselves in providing a sublime function venue for every need. The Pavillion looks out onto the Docklands and the glittering lights of the skyline, while floor to ceiling glass protects party-goers from whatever Melbourne's weather has thrown into the mix. The Lounge area couples an open fire with stylish decor, and glass that opens up on sunny days. Catering packages are easily constructed to suit any occasion or budget, and each room is adaptable for any occasion. Sit down dinners as well as cocktail parties find themselves in a beautiful setting just a stone's throw from the CBD. Both large and small groups, casual or formal, find themselves right at home in this Docklands gem. Harbour Kitchen Docklands is unique, effortlessly stylish, and manages to bring a point of difference to every event, that's as unique as the people who attend them.
Once upon a time, The Woolshed Pub was a wool storage facility. Way back in the day, that was - in the early 1900s, to be exact. If you'd wandered in looking for an after work pint and a pub meal, you'd have been disappointed. And surrounded by wool. Luckily for all of us, the entire area has been now been transformed into a hotbed of restaurants, bars and waterside views. Success. It's easy to see signs of the Woolshed Pub's past though, even as one enjoys the aforementioned after work pint and pub meal. The spacious expanse of concrete floors, the lofty ceilings, the rustic beams … it all speaks of Melbourne's old docking and shipping precinct. Modern design and fixtures though, make sure the Woolshed's stylish enough for the office workers of Melbourne to feel very much at home within the Woolshed's walls. The Woolshed boasts a diverse menu, full of both aged meats, fresh seafood (we are near the ocean, after all), and some stellar boutique beers. Upstairs, there's a striking and modern event space for use as a function venue. The Woolshed Pub is found along Harbour Esplanade, just at the beginning of Historic Walk/Central Pier. Which, in case that's not specific enough, is opposite Etihad Stadium, and near LaTrobe Street. The 30, 35, 70 and 71 trams will get you there.
Sumac's Moroccan influences are visible in the venue's dark wooden hand etched floorboards, vibrant fuchsia colour scheme featuring luxurious fabrics, dark metal latticework and traditional Moroccan hanging lamps. A dramatic floor-to-ceiling cream curtain sweeps along one side of the room and a bronze mirrored bar stands at one end. The space features high ceilings and rich colours – a reference to the spice from which Sumac takes its name. Drawing on the simplicity of the space and making the most of natural daylight, Sumac is transformed by night, its ambience enhanced by soft lighting. Sumac offers a culinary experience which will not disappoint. The gently spiced Middle Eastern and Moroccan influenced menu, created by Atlantic Group's Executive Chef – Catering Operations, Tom Milligan, ensures Sumac lives up to the example set by the land of its inspiration. The menu includes an extensive array of plated dishes as well as an exciting mix of food stations and bars designed to make the food a defining feature. To complement the mouthwatering fare, the wine list is extensive, including varieties from large and boutique wineries throughout Australia and New Zealand. Sumac's functional design houses green rooms, stylish bathrooms and a mezzanine level for those who need extra space.
Peninsula is Melbourne's most glamorous and avant-garde waterfront event space. Inspired by London's iconic Tate Modern Museum, Peninsula features nine metre high ceilings, exposed trusses and huge floor to ceiling windows flanked by the original loading doors of the heritage-listed Shed 14. The venue has a contemporary colour palette of black, white and grey and includes a stunning 66-metre crystal chandelier streaking along one side of the room. Peninsula is one of the largest venues in Victoria with a capacity of 1344 for a sit down dinner and 2500 guests for a cocktail party. Great attention to detail has been placed on the culinary experience, with a large, diverse and delectable range of menu options. Peninsula offers a refined, modern Australian menu including an extensive array of plated dishes from traditional style through to more exotic creations designed by Atlantic Group's Executive Chef - Catering Operations, Tom Milligan. In keeping with the versatility of the venue, a wide selection of specialty food stations are available as well as an informal BBQ menu. An incredibly versatile space, Peninsula can be broken into two independent spaces via an operable wall. The audio visual and lighting systems are state of the art and on site staff offer a creative approach to technical design and production.
Attending an event in Sketch is to experience the height of luxury. In this stunning private dining room, no expense has been spared. From imported showcase fittings including a feature chandelier from Milan to designer crockery and cutlery from Spain, Sketch provides a level of class and sophistication that no other venue can offer. Located at the end of Central Pier with a floor to ceiling glass window overlooking the water, the striking interior décor of rich purple and black is sure to make a lasting impression with you and your guests. Sketch accommodates up to 180 guests, surpassing many of Melbourne's top restaurants. The menu selection is second to none and uses the finest and most exotic ingredients. Inspired by some of the great Chefs from Australia and Europe, each dish is designed to excite the diner's curiosity. Sketch is one of the only premium venues in the world where clients can select and design their own menu. To create the ultimate dining experience, the perfect wine is matched to the subtleties of the ingredients in the menus. The selection focuses on wines that highlight the integrity of varietal and regional expressions. Just like the food philosophy, the wine selection displays an intimate understanding of grape variety, the terroir, the vintage, and the wine maker. The end result: an amazing food and beverage experience for you and your guests. No request by a client with respect to a theme or menu requirement will go unheard. Sketch is committed to providing clients with whatever their heart desires, ensuring a rich memorable experience.
River's Edge is located within Melbourne's most recent Waterfront development WTC Wharf on the fringe of the city. This unique and luxurious event space is a refreshing and vibrant addition to Melbourne's event industry. River's Edge delights with exquisite sweeping views of the Yarra River & city surrounds, and boasts an abundance of natural light through clear floor-to-ceiling glass expanses. In tones of slate, charcoal, silver and white, a sophisticated and minimalist approach to design, accompanied by the undeniably premiere location is sure to impress. The formal entrance to River's Edge is marked by a grand stair case with feature lighting and plasma screen. The room extends further towards the river with two stunning Juliet balconies, perfect for a cocktail and canapés upon arrival. Additionally, operable doors ensure the room can easily be configured to suit more intimate groups as small as 20 guests. Whether it be a meeting, seminar, conference, luncheon, fashion show, cocktail party, or celebratory dinner, the experienced team at River's Edge will ensure your events success.River's Edge Events is part of Melbourne Events Group. Bringing together three dedicated event spaces: The Rocks Williamstown,The Park Melbourne and River's Edge Events.
Perched on the banks of the Yarra River and only minutes walk from the CBD, The Wharf Hotel is superbly located in Melbourne's most recently developed waterfront precinct. The setting for drinking and dining is like none other along the river. With premium areas both indoors and outdoors, The Wharf Hotel enjoys the unique combination of a friendly local pub with stunning city views and waterfront ambience. The architecture and interior draws influence from the location, seamlessly incorporating features from the old wharf in the contemporary design. This part of the city and the Yarra River is fast becoming one of Melbourne's premiere waterfront locations. The Wharf Hotel can cater for a variety of functions, intimate groups of 10 private dining, or up to 600 for stand up cocktail events. The balcony promenade provides shade from the daytime sun and views of the night sky by night. The combination of floor to ceiling glass windows and spectacular views is sure to leave a lasting impression with your guests.
Melbourne's MV Pearl is pure, undiluted victory. By undiluted victory, we of course are referring to the enormous sense of contentment and delight that comes with being on an 80-foot yacht, with three levels of European luxury on board for any given event.The MV Pearl is an unrivalled setting for a function, with a combination of sumptuous modern decor, a view of Melbourne's bays (Docklands to Brighton to St Kilda) and a dose of something unique and out of the ordinary. As in, this is a boat, people.Having received a full facelift in recent years, the MV Pearl now sits pretty at the height of luxury. The open upper deck is a perfect vantage point for watching the sunset and the city lights, in the sea breeze. Downstairs, there are multiple spaces for entertaining. The modern spaces available mean the MV Pearl is adept at hosting all manner of functions, be it a corporate event entertaining clients, a Christmas party, birthday celebration, a Spring Racing shindig, or sporting team breakup. Weddings too, are a particular specialty of MV Pearl.The MV Pearl is elegant enough for nuptials and cocktails parties, and possesses enough music video swagger for birthdays and exclusive parties, all while overlooking Melbourne's skylines and bays.
Situated at the end of central pier's historic runway and housed in a 1914 heritage-listed cargo shed, Alumbra is an authentic warehouse conversion with an opulent penthouse feel.This alluring waterfront cocktail venue is situated in the very heart of Melbourne's docklands precinct. Valet parking is available on central pier, with easy access to public transport and other parking precincts.Modular in design, as well as large and versatile Alumbra features five spaces that can be individually tailored to your event and requirements.
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The Top 10 In Action Sports
01Brick By Brick: Camping Lego Style
02Booze and Bikes: 14 Tours That Let Combine Two of the Best Things in the World
03Who Needs Hollywood? These Incredible Videos Were All Filmed on the Simplest Cameras
04Sam Pilgrim vs. The World: The Champion Aiming To Reclaim His Crown In A New Era Of Biking
05Eccentric Adventures Episode 2: Britain's Most Brutal Illegal Event is All About Cheese
06A Journey Into Darkness: We Went Mountain Biking in the Abandoned Mines of Slovenia
07After the Apocalypse: Inside The World's Most Breathtaking Ghost Towns
08Debate: Let's Stop Hating On Parents Who Want To Raise Adventurous Kids
09Guns, Roses, And Eating Insects: Adventure Cycling in Vietnam
10From Intense Trails to Intensive Care: Dicing with Death In a Mountain Biking Paradise
RVCA caraVAn | Australia 2013
In a fleet of brightly colored Jeeps filled with surfboards, skateboards, music equipment, art supplies and crates of Carlton Dry, the RVCA Caravan made its way from Byron Bay to Sydney. It was a two-week adventure that brought together a group of multifaceted RVCA advocates to inspire each other creatively and just go where the wind blows. The Caravan was loose, and the crew was an eclectic and eccentric group who don't normally find themselves on the same program: surfers Alex Knost, Makua Rothman, Ford Archbold, Ellis Ericson and Dino Adrian; skaters Josh Harmony, Kevin "Spanky" Long, and Julian Davidson; artists Kelsey Brookes, Dmote, Benjamin Jean Jean and Mark Alsweiler; womens advocates Ashley Smith and Margaux Aaramon Tucoo. Everyone coming together from different backgrounds and various places in the world to share their passion for life, adventure, art and music. Filming by Brandon Jensen & Jimmy James, Edited by Brandon Jensen, Music by Tomorrow's Tulips Visit RVCA.com for the full caraVAn experience: http://www.rvca.com/b/post/caravan-tour


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CNBC's Jackie DeAngelis reports on the drop in WTI Crude.
CNBC's Rick Santelli discusses the latest action in the bond market, and the U.S. dollar, as an emergency summit is taking place in Greece.
CNBC's Mary Thompson reports on Tuesday's market open.
Nearly 200,000 Reddit users call for action from the interim chief executive.
Subway spokesman Jared Fogle is reportedly the subject of a child porn investigation in Indiana.
The Tekla World Healthcare fund celebrates its recent listing at the NYSE; and OncoSec Medical, a bio pharma company focusing on cancer therapies at the Nasdaq.
Jim Cramer explains what to watch ahead of the open, including Horizon Pharma proposing to buy Depomed.
CNBC's Robert Frank reports on the likely most expensive home ever sold at auction.
Crime scene investigators are seen carrying out a computer after Federal authorities raided the home of Subway spokesman Jared Fogle Tuesday morning as part of a child porn investigation. Fogle is seen leaving the home.
Ringing Tuesday's opening bell is, Tekla World Healthcare Fund at the NYSE, and OncoSec Medical at the Nasdaq.
Don't start your trading day without finding out what CNBC's Jim Cramer is watching ahead of the opening bell.
David Hunt, Hunt Auctions President, discusses the historic baseball auction.
Ivory Johnson, founder of Delancey Wealth Management, explains the roles asset allocation and portfolio diversification play in investment strategies.
Federal authorities are raiding the home of Subway spokesman Jared Fogle Tuesday morning as part of a child porn investigation. Aerial footage by NBC affiliate WTHR.
Discussing the U.S. economy, the Greek crisis, and where to put your money right now, with Louis Navellier, Navellier & Associates CIO.
CNBC's Rick Santelli reports on May trade balance.
CNBC's Steve Liesman weighs in on May trade balance, and the U.S. economic recovery.
Discussing Greece's economic and political crisis, with former Greece Ambassador Nicholas Burns.
Former lead U.S. negotiator on Iran's nuclear program Nicholas Burns, provides perspective on the Iran nuclear deal talks.
Ivory Johnson, founder of Delancey Wealth Management, discusses the advantages of a revocable living trust.
Harry Wilson, Maeva Group founder and CEO, weighs in on Greek PM Tsipras leadership.
Harry Wilson, Maeva Group founder and CEO, discusses the auto sector and General Motors' position.
CNBC's Michelle Caruso-Cabrera reports on the impact of Greek capital controls on business there, speaking to Kosta Kanaroglou, Cana Laboratories CEO, about the struggle.
CNBC's Courtney Reagan reports Wal-Mart will hear from over 340 existing or potential suppliers to pitch their American-made products to the retailer.
Discussing Greek bank closures, and when a deal could get done, with Wilbur Ross, WL Ross Chairman and CEO.
As traders turn their eyes away from Greece and on second quarter earnings, are they getting it right? Monica Dicenso, JPMorgan Private Bank, and Ed Keon, QMA managing director, discuss.
CNBC's Landon Dowdy sits down with Kathryn Minshew, co-founder and CEO of The Muse, to discuss her ways of running a successful business.
CNBC's Dominic Chu reports on which countries are falling into correction.
CNBC's Geoff Cutmore spoke to Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem in anticipation of Greek proposals.
Warren Buffett makes his major annual gift to charity, $2.8 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock.
Get the best of CNBC in your inbox
The reality series features the sharks who give budding entrepreneurs the chance to make their dreams come true.
Marcus Lemonis is an entrepreneur who helps struggling businesses desperate for cash and a deal by putting his own money on the line to save the business.
"Restaurant Startup" is on a quest to discover, invest in and launch America's next generation of epicurean superstars.


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Cameroonian masks usually carry gender associations. This is a male mask, identified by its headdress and beard. Frequently worn in ensemble performances, such masks can be seen at funeral celebrations of elders and other prominent people, as well as at annual festivals demonstrating loyalty to the fon, or king.
Catalogue Description:
Wooden mask of human face with crescent-shaped beard. The mouth is open and teeth are clenched. Ears protrude on either side of face. A crescent shaped crown appears on top of head. Eyes are almond shaped and outlined. CONDITION: Lower left corner of beard void, with some flaking of patina.


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Heather Hill Country Club
149 West Bacon St., Plainville, MA 02762
0 people saved this
Heather Hill Country Club provides year round golfing enjoyment, located 3 miles from 495, exit 15 & I95 Route 1. Our beautiful 27 hole golf course is conveniently located near many popular attractions including Gillette Stadium, Bass Pro Shops, Emerald Square Mall & Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. There are many excellent lodging accommodations nearby.
Of Note:
- Amenities: Accessible Facilities
5 Ways to Enjoy the Boston Harbor in Summer
While winter tends to keep most Bostonians off the water, the onset of summer brings...
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China, Starting To Move Again? 0 comments
(click to enlarge)There have been many articles and much discussion about China's economy this year. High debt levels, housing bubble, economy hitting the wall...all kinds of concerns about their economy. China's economy is 2nd largest in the world and it is the most populous country with over 1.35 billion people, 19% of global population and 4.3 times the United States' population.
And it is the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Snake. Not sure what that implies for the economy, other than maybe it's slithering along, winding back and forth, not galloping ahead like a horse. I last discussed China in my post titled "The Global Economic Stagecoach" on July 14th. In that post I said "So it seems the big question is China. Will it start to wear on the other horses or will it catch its breath, turn around and head higher again? My thought is that if the Shanghai Composite breaks the 2008 lows, it will negatively affect the rest of the team and could be serious trouble for the global economy."China Stock Market
So far the 2008 lows have not been broken and it seems the Shanghai Index may actually be turning around. Let's take a look at the Shanghai SE Composite Index. In the chart below you can see that it went to a lower low in June and has now turned up. A couple of things to note. First we don't have a higher high followed by a higher low so downtrend is still officially intact. But a downtrend line from January has broken.(click to enlarge)Shanghai Composite Index
The August and September move occurred on huge volume increase. And the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is very strongly overbought, more than January of this year. The RSI(10) had a reading of 87.33 on Thursday. The Shanghai Index has not had a reading this strong since April, 2007. When it started its big bull move from 2005-2007 the first time it hit 87.33 or higher on the RSI was on May 10, 2006 when it closed at 1545.69 on its way to the peak of 6124.04 on Oct. 16, 2007.
So I am not predicting that it will hit 8,000 or anything like that. My point is that this move appears to have power behind it, similar to 2006. Let's see if it can take out the February 18, high of 2,444.80.Chinese Technology Stocks
Ok, so I don't trade the index but what about Chinese stocks. I follow 7 Chinese stocks at the moment. Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ:BIDU), considered the Google of China. This is getting a little pricey at $142.64. Currently I prefer to target stocks priced around $85 or lower. This helps folks who may want to trade options with a smaller trading account.
The other stocks are Ctrip.com International Ltd. (NASDAQ:CTRP). I think of this as the Expedia of China. It closed at $48.46. Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. (NYSE:QIHU) a competitor of BIDU, closed at $87.86. Sina Corporation (NASDAQ:SINA), an online media company, closed at $83.04. Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ:SOHU) provides online media, search and gaming, closed at $64.75. YY Inc. provides an online social platform, closed at $45.96.Youku Tudou (NYSE:YOKU)
And Youku Tudou Inc.(YOKU) operates an internet television company that some call the 'YouTube of China'. It closed at $26.83 on Friday, up 8.9% for the day on 11.2 million shares. That was the highest volume "up" day in the last 12 months. I watch all of these stocks and currently have no positions but I did sell my October 22 calls on YOKU on Friday, minutes before the close.(click to enlarge)YOKU Daily
I got a buy signal, then bought calls on August 30th. YOKU was really starting to test my patience as it proceeded to move sideways but the moving averages were all aligned and it looked like a possible swing move higher. So I held tight.
But after sitting with this for a couple of weeks, when I got the move on Friday, I had to take my profits. I am not complaining, as it was a 93.1% profit. I do think that YOKU may move higher but I am hoping I get a pull back to below the 10 ema first, to provide a setup to get on board again.
I got out because the range for the day was one of the highest for the year with huge volume and it closed outside the Keltner Bands. So it was time to hear the cash register ring.(click to enlarge)YOKU Big Picture
If you look at the second chart, you see what looks like a large diamond formation that could be signalling a major bottom in this stock. So YOKU could very well be on its way to much higher ground, I just want it to pull back a little first. Maybe it's time to learn a little Mandarin.Back To JoeHentges' Instablog HomePage »
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As of 2014, an average person spends $3,735 per month. This monthly average amounts to $44,820 per year and this is approximately $5,000 less than the average consumer spent in 2007, when the average was $49,648.Know More
Americans spend the most money on housing and utilities, which includes rent or mortgage, natural gas and electricity bills. The second highest expense is with healthcare and this includes fees for hospital care, nursing home care, home healthcare, doctor services, dental services and medical laboratories. Americans also spend a lot on miscellaneous goods, including things like household cleaning supplies, tobacco, jewelry, photo and films supplies, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, personal care items, watches and games, toys and hobbies.
People spend the least on household furnishings, including furniture, dishes, outdoor equipment, appliances and tools. Recreation items are the second lowest expense for Americans and this includes things like television, musical instruments, pleasure boats and bicycles.
There are some things that cost Americans a lot of money each year that is not a part of the average spending figures. On average, American households have $15,270 in credit card debt. ATM fees are another area of expense with $3.81 being the average ATM for an out-of-network ATM. In 2010, Americans as a whole spent approximately $7 billion in ATM fees.Learn more about Cultures & Traditions
An average American teenager spends 33 to 35 percent, or around $105, of her weekly income or pocket money on fashion and clothing, according to surveys conducted by Coinstar and Teenage Research Unlimited in the 2000s.Full Answer >
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010, the average household spent $1,700 on clothing, footwear and related services. This expense accounted for 3.5 percent of the total yearly budget.Full Answer >
As of January 2015, the average American spends about $1,200 a year on fast food. Americans consume fast food twice a week, spending, on average, $12.50 per meal. Seventy percent of Americans consume fast food up to three times a week, while 7 percent consume it on a daily basis.Full Answer >
The average person spends 1 to 1.5 years on the toilet. The time per week spent on the toilet is estimated at an hour and 20 minutes to an hour and 45 minutes.Full Answer >


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Watch 'Avengers 2' Cast Play Family Feud on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'
'Avengers 2' cast played 'Family Feud' and discussed fan art in clips from last night's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live', along two new clips.
Emmy-winner Jimmy Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," ABC Television Network's distinctive late-night talk show. The show features a diverse lineup of guests, including celebrities, athletes, comedians, politicians and human interest subjects. Along with a light-hearted and recognizable cast of characters, a hip house band and comedy bits in Kimmel's inimitable style, the show additionally offers one of the funniest, freshest monologues on television today, drawing from all forms of topical media. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" often features elaborate, innovative stunts such as having notables like J.J. Abrams and Quentin Tarantino guest-direct an entire episode; traveling the show to Detroit for a week's worth of Super Bowl-themed shows; conducting a special episode from a hospital bed with interviews featuring the doctors on staff of "Grey's Anatomy," as they tended to Jimmy's snakebite wound; and constructing a state-of-the-art performance stage in the center of Hollywood Boulevard to showcase A-list music acts. The show originates from Disney's El Capitan Entertainment Center, located on Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of LA's star studded Walk of Fame. This illustrious location is featured prominently in the show as Kimmel showcases the unique character of Hollywood. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs weeknights at 12:05 a.m. in most markets. In its fifth season, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is enjoying a ratings boost and has featured such high profile regular guests as George Clooney, Britney Spears, Jennifer Garner, Robin Williams, Shaquille O'Neal, Clay Aiken, Eva Longoria, Eminem, Diane Sawyer, Lindsay Lohan, Hillary Duff, Jessica Alba, Simon Cowell, Janet Reno, Kiefer Sutherland, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Kelly Ripa, Jack Black, Teri Hatcher, Sir Ian McKellen and Mariah Carey; plus musical guests Coldplay, 50 Cent, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Destiny's Child, Jane's Addiction, Toby Keith, Gwen Stefani, Audioslave, Nelly, Motley Crue, Green Day, Barry Manilow, Franz Ferdinand, Lionel Richie, The Wiggles and Alanis Morissette since its premiere on Super Bowl Sunday, January 26, 2003. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is taped later in the day than other late-night shows – at 7:45 p.m., PT. This allows the show to be extremely topical -- able to respond to the news of the day more quickly than the competition. Kimmel applies his irreverent wit to politics, television, the media, the FCC, popular culture – everything is a target. A weekly comedy segment called "Unnecessary Censorship" pokes fun at the FCC's crackdown on the media by unnecessarily censoring clips from TV news, political speeches, reality TV and nature shows. Other regular comedy segments include Cousin Sal's hidden camera pranks, number one Michael Jackson fan Jake Byrd's "man on the street," feisty Aunt Chippy on location, parking lot security guard Guillermo's Hollywood Gossip Round-up and adorably clueless Uncle Frank's coverage of red-carpet premieres. Jimmy Kimmel and Jill Leiderman serve as executive producers and Jason Schrift and Douglas DeLuca as co-executive producers. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" is shot live in front of a studio audience and produced by Jackhole Industries in association with ABC Studios.
Cast & crew
Himself - Host
Himself - Musical Director
Himself - Announcer
'Avengers 2' cast played 'Family Feud' and discussed fan art in clips from last night's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live', along two new clips.
By Brian Gallagher | 3 months ago
25 Shares•0 Comments
Robert Downey Jr.'s big Marvel news was the announcement that the entire main cast will be appearing live on two ABC talk shows.
By B. Alan Orange | 3 months ago
471 Shares•2 Comments
Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow appeared together on the set of the classic sitcom 'Friends' ten years after the final episode.
By B. Alan Orange | 10 months ago
71 Shares•0 Comments
Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana and Bradley Cooper join Jimmy Kimmel for a special look at Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.
By B. Alan Orange | 11 months ago
18 Shares•3 Comments
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper will make a special appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel' July 21.
By B. Alan Orange | 12 months ago
10 Shares•2 Comments
Stars Shailene Woodley and Theo James will introduce the footage, with Zedd performing a song from the soundtrack.
By Brian Gallagher | 1 year ago
23 Shares•1 Comment
The late-night talk show host releases an epic nine-minute trailer for this spoof movie during his post-Oscar special.
By Brian Gallagher | 2 years ago
44 Shares•4 Comments
This 9-minute trailer for the greatest movie ever made features every genre of film with stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, and Chewbacca.
By B. Alan Orange | 3 years ago
0 Shares•6 Comments
The actor has angry words with his furry 'Star Wars' co-star in this Jon Favreau-directed clip.
By Courtney O. | 4 years ago
0 Shares•20 Comments
We also take a look James Franco asking Judd Apatow advice on how to host the Oscars and Justin Bieber getting killed on 'CSI'.
By Brian Gallagher | 4 years ago
0 Shares•16 Comments
'The Green Hornet' filmmaker will helm the January 13 episode which features Seth Rogen.
By Brian Gallagher | 4 years ago
0 Shares•1 Comment
The comedian/actor tries to present the trailer to his long awaited super-hero movie on the popular late night talk show.
By Jami Philbrick | 5 years ago
0 Shares•1 Comment
Seth Rogen to be a guest on the show that night.
By Evan "Mushy" Jacobs | 5 years ago
0 Shares•9 Comments
Take a look at this trio of endings that aired on 'Jimmy Kimmell Live' after the finale.
By Brian Gallagher | 5 years ago
0 Shares•3 Comments
The show will air live from Hawaii immediately following the 'Lost' series finale on May 23rd.
By B. Alan Orange | 5 years ago
0 Shares•1 Comment
The two and a half hour series finale will air on Sunday, May 23.
By Brian Gallagher | 5 years ago
0 Shares•10 Comments
The stars and producers of the show will appear on the late-night special.
By Brian Gallagher | 5 years ago
0 Shares•0 Comments
Robert Downey Jr. will be on the late-night program to debut the new trailer for this sequel.
By Brian Gallagher | 5 years ago
0 Shares•10 Comments
The executive producers go on the late-night talk show to talk about the season premiere that aired hours earlier.
By Brian Gallagher | 5 years ago
0 Shares•0 Comments
The late night show host stays on through 2010.
By Courtney O. | 7 years ago
0 Shares•0 Comments
Airing their first-ever 90-minute special.
By Brian | 7 years ago
0 Shares•4 Comments
The late night host airs his all-star video in response to comedian Sarah Silverman's hilarious video.
By | 7 years ago
0 Shares•16 Comments
Get a glimpse into tomorrow night's episode.
By | 7 years ago
0 Shares•0 Comments
The swap comes courtesy of the writers' strike.
By B. Alan Orange | 7 years ago
0 Shares•0 Comments
Will return airing on ABC without the show's writers.
By | 8 years ago
0 Shares•0 Comments
He will head back on January 2nd.
By B. Alan Orange | 8 years ago
0 Shares•0 Comments


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A gimballed optical system within a seeker head includes a relatively low power laser coupled to a relatively higher power laser by way of a flexible fiber optic cable to reduce the mass that must be oscillated in a scan.
1. A laser radar transceiver comprising:
a sensor head having a housing and a frame, said frame being movably coupled to said housing by a gimbal;
a laser actuating device being located remote from said sensor head;
a laser being disposed on said frame for movement therewith and being coupled to said laser actuating device by a first energy transmitting cable, said laser being adapted to emit a laser beam in response to receiving energy from said laser actuating device;
an optical system being disposed on said frame for movement therewith and being adapted to transmit said laser beam and to receive reflections of said transmitted laser beam; and
a signal processing circuit being located remote from said sensor head and being coupled to said optical system by a second energy transmitting cable, said signal processing circuit being adapted to process said received reflections.
2. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gimbal has two degrees of freedom.
3. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said gimbal facilitates pivotal movement of said frame with respect to said housing about a first axis and about a second axis, said second axis being substantially perpendicular to said first axis.
4. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:
a beam segmenter being disposed on said frame for movement therewith and being positioned to receive said laser beam and to segment said laser beam into a plurality of laser beams.
5. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said optical system comprises:
transmission optics for transmitting said laser beam toward a target area; and
collection optics to receive reflections of said transmitted laser beam from said target area.
6. A laser radar transceiver comprising:
a sensor head having a housing and a frame, said frame being movably coupled to said housing by a gimbal;
a laser actuating device being located remote from said sensor head;
a laser being disposed on said frame for movement therewith and being coupled to said laser actuating device by a first energy transmitting cable, said laser being adapted to emit a laser beam in response to receiving energy from said laser actuating device;
a beam segmenter being disposed on said frame for movement therewith and being positioned to receive said laser beam and to segment said laser beam into a plurality of laser beams;
an optical system being disposed on said frame for movement therewith, said optical system having transmission optics for transmitting said plurality of laser beams toward a target area and having collection optics to receive reflections of said transmitted plurality of laser beams; and
a signal processing circuit being located remote from said sensor head and being coupled to said optical system by a second energy transmitting cable, said signal processing circuit being adapted to process said received reflections.
7. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said gimbal facilitates pivotal movement of said frame with respect to said housing about a first axis and about a second axis, said second axis being substantially perpendicular to said first axis.
8. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said gimbal comprises:
a first motor coupled to said housing and said frame to pivot said frame about said first axis; and
a second motor coupled to said housing and said frame to pivot said frame about said second axis.
9. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said laser is selected from a group consisting of a Nd:YAG laser, a Nd:YLF laser, and a ND:YVO4 laser.
10. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said transmission optics comprise a scanner for transmitting said plurality of laser beams along a predetermined path.
11. The transceiver, as set forth in claim 10, wherein said scanner comprises:
a pivotable mirror; and
a third motor coupled to said mirror for controllably pivoting said mirror.
The present invention relates to a laser radar ("LADAR") seeker and guidance system adpated to scan a target area with laser energy, detect the reflected laser energy, and compute range and intensity values, permitting the processing of guidance and control signals for the missile as it approaches the target.
As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,392, gimbaled laser seekers are known. However, such gimbaled seekers require numerous and complex components to be mounted within the gimbaled assembly. This calls for large and heavy drive motors which further increases the weight of the entire assembly.
Thus, there remains a needs for a laser seeker head that minimizes the components that must be driven by a gimbal drive system to scan and detect a target of interest.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is used as a missile guidance system to identify and home in on a military target. The system is capable of generating three dimensional images of target areas by ranging on points in the imaged scene. Processing electronics are employed for actuating a LADAR transmitter and for processing the laser signals reflected from the target area. The processing system determines where a target is located, identifies the target, and provides guidance signal information such as line-of-sight rate, range, range rate, and a relative position vector (delta x,y, and z). Range and intensity information is generated for a two-dimensional array of points scanned by the LADAR seeker. Range data is obtained by measuring the time delay between transmitted and received laser light pulses emitted by the seeker. The pulses are provided by a Q-switched, solid-state laser, such as Nd:YLF, Nd:YAG, or Nd:YVO4 laser for example, pumped by an external, remotely located diode laser, for example GaAlAs diode laser.
The GaAlAs diode activating laser and its associated power supply is fixedly mounted to the vehicle housing, off of the frame holding the gimbaled optics components. Similarly, the detection and processing components are mounted away from the gimbaled components, thus reducing the mass that must be oscillated to scan the laser beam. This substantially reduces the weight of the drive components, reduces costs, and substantially simplifies assembly.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away and partially in section, of the sensor head and LADAR transceiver optics;
FIG. 2 is an elevation, sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 taken as on line III--III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of several components of the optical train of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3; and
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the beam segmenter of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-4.
FIG. 1 depicts a LADAR seeker head 10 that may employ the present invention. The LADAR seeker head 10 includes an optical system 12 which is gimbal mounted for pivotal movement within an outer housing 14. The outer housing 14 is non-movably mounted within the forward end portion of a missile or other vehicle, not shown. The seeker head further includes a gimbaled frame 16 on which the movable members within the seeker head are mounted.
FIG. 2 depicts an elevation view of the seeker head 10. The optical system 12 is pivotally supported by upper and lower bearing assemblies 18, 20, respectively, for permitting yaw movement of the optical system within the housing 14. A servo controlled azimuth drive motor 22 is connected to drive the optical system about an axis A (�22.5 degrees).
FIG. 3 depicts a further sectional view of the seeker head 10, taken along the section line III--III of FIG. 2. The outer housing 14 contains left and right bearing assemblies 24, 26 which are similarly mounted on the housing 14 for pivotally supporting the optical system, permitting pitch movement of the optical system 12 about an axis B. The optical system 12 is pivoted about normally horizontal axis B by a servo controlled scanning motor 28, which, in the prefered embodiment, is operable to scan the system through an arc of �thirty degrees from a central transmission axis.
FIG. 4 provides and exploded view of some of the optics of the seeker head 10. A gallium aluminum arsenide laser 30 pumps a solid state laser 32, which is mounted on the gimballed optical system 12 and which emits the laser light energy employed for illuminating the target. The GaAlAs pumping laser 30 produces a continuous signal of wavelengths suitable for pumping the solid state laser 32, e.g., in the crystal absorption bandwidth. Pumping laser 30 has an output power, suitably in the 10-20 watt range, sufficient to actuate the solid state laser 32. The pumping laser 30 is fixedly mounted on the housing 14, whereas the solid state laser 32 is mounted on the gimballed frame 16 for movement with the optical system 12. Output signals from the pumping laser are transmitted through an input lens and through a fiber optic bundle 34 which has sufficient flexibility to permit scanning movement of the seeker head during operation.
The solid state laser 32 is suitably a Neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG), a yttrium lithium fluoride (YLF), or Nd:YVO4 laser operable to produce pulses with widths of 10 to 20 nanoseconds, peak power levels of approximately 10 kilowatts, at repetition rates of 10-120 kHz. The equivalent average power is in the range of 1 to 4 watts. The preferred range of wavelengths of the output radiation is in the near infrared range, e.g., 1.047 or 1.064 microns.
As seen most clearly in FIG. 4, the output beam 35 generated by solid state laser 32, in the present embodiment, is successively reflected from first and second turning mirrors 36 and 38 to beam expander 40. The beam expander 40 comprises a series of (negative and positive) lenses which are adapted to expand the diameter of the beam to provide an expanded beam 42, suitably by an 8:1 ratio, while decreasing the divergence of the beam.
The expanded beam 42 is next passed through a beam segmenter 44 for dividing the beam into a plurality of beam segments 46 arrayed on a common plane, initially overlapping, and diverging in a fan shaped array. The divergence of the segmented beams 46 is not so great as to produce separation of the beams within the optical system 12, but preferably is sufficiently great to provide a small degree of separation at the target, as the fan-shaped beam array is scanned back and forth over the target (as will be described below with reference to output beam segments 48).
FIG. 5 depicts the physical construction of the segmenter 44. Preferably, a plurality of calcite wedges 48a, 48b, and 48c of approximately 5 to 7 mm. diameter is provided, the wedges being supported within a suitable housing 50 (FIG. 1) mounted on the gimbaled frame 16 and positioned in coaxial alignment with the expanded beam 42 emitted from the beam expander 40. The preferred embodiment employs three wedges, each operable as a bi-refrigent crystal to divide a circularly polarized beam into two linearly polarized beams, one vertically polarized and one horizontally polarized as shown in FIG. 5, and travelling at slightly different angles. First and second 1/4 wave retarders 52a and 52b are interposed between respective adjacent pairs of the calcite wedges 48 for changing the linearly polarized beams, produced by the wedges, back to circularly polarized beams before entering the next wedge, in order to split up each beam once again. Other beam segmentation methods are also possible provided they allow for overlapping beams, e.g. holographic diffraction gratings.
As shown in FIG. 4, the resultant segmented beams 46 are then reflected from a third turning mirror 54, passed through an aperture 56 of an apertured mirror 58, and subsequently reflected from a scanning mirror 60 in a forward direction relative to the missile. The apertured 56 must be located off the center of the aperture mirror 58. The scanning mirror 60 is pivotally driven by a scanning drive motor 62, which is operable to cyclically scan the beam segments 46 for scanning the target area. In a preferred embodiment, the beam segments 46 are preferably scanned at a rate of approximately 100 Hz. The turning axis of the scanning motor is aligned in parallel with the segmenter wedges whereby the resultant beam array is scanned perpendicularly to the plane in which the beams are aligned.
An afocal, Cassegrainian telescope 62 is provided for further expanding an emitted beam 64 and reducing its divergence. The telescope 62 includes a forwardly facing primary mirror 66 and a rearwardly facing secondary mirror 68. A protective outer dome 70, of a suitable transparent plastic or glass material such as BK-7 is mounted forwardly of the secondary mirror 68. A lens structure 72 is mounted in coaxial alignment between the primary mirror 66 and the scanning mirror 60, and an aperture 74 is formed centrally through the primary mirror in alignment with the lens structure. The transmitted beams which are reflected from the scanning mirror are directed through the lens structure 72 for beam shaping, subsequently directed through the aperture 74 formed centrally through the primary mirror, and subsequently reflected from the secondary mirror 68 spaced forwardly of the primary mirror and is then reflected from the front surface of the primary mirror 66. The resultant transmitted beam 76, is a fan shaped array which is scanned about an axis parallel to its plane. The beam array 78 illustrates the diverged spacing of the beam segments as they reach the target, wherein the beams are in side-by-side orientation, mutually spaced by a center-to-center distance of twice their diameters.
The telescope 62 receives laser energy reflected from a target that has been illuminated by the array of transmitted beams. This received energy is then reflected successively through the primary mirror 66 and the secondary mirror 68, the lens assembly 72, and the scanning mirror 66, toward the apertured mirror 58. Because the reflected beam is of substantially larger cross-sectional area than the transmitted beam, it is incident upon the entire reflecting surface of the apertured mirror 58, and substantially all of its energy is thus reflected laterally by the apertured mirror toward collection optics 80. The collection optics 80 includes a narrow band filter 82, for filtering out wave lengths of light above and below a desired laser wavelength to reduce background interference from ambient light. The beam then passes through condensing optics 84 to focus the beam. The beam next strikes a fourth turning mirror 86 toward a focusing lens structure 88 adapted to focus the beam upon the receiving ends 90 of a light collection fiber optic bundle 92. The opposite ends of each optical fiber 92 are connected to illuminate a set of diodes 94 in a detector array, whereby the laser light signals are converted to electrical signals which are conducted to a processing and control circuit 95.
The fiber optic bundle 92 preferably includes nine fibers, eight of which are used for respectively receiving laser light corresponding to respective transmitted beam segments and one of which views scattered light from the transmitted pulse to provide a timing start pulse. Accordingly, the input ends 90 of the fibers 92 are mounted in linear alignment along an axis which is perpendicular to the optical axis. The respective voltage outputs of the detectors 94 thus correspond to the intensity of the laser radiation reflected from mutually parallel linear segments of the target area which is parallel to the direction of scan.
The detection system and circuitry are fixedly mounted relative to the housing or other suitable supporting structure aboard the missile, whereby the scanning and azimuth translations of the seeker head do not affect corresponding movement of the detection system. Accordingly, the mass of the components which are translated during scanning is substantially lower than would be the case if all components were gimbal mounted.
FIG. 1 depicts the preferred structure of the components of FIG. 4. The flexible fiber optic cable 34 carries activating energy to the solid state laser 32. After striking the first turning mirror 36 and the second turning mirror 38 (not shown in FIG. 1), the emitted laser beam passes through a beam expander 40 and a beam segmenter 44. After striking the third turning mirror 54, the beam passes through the apertured mirror 58 and onto the scanning mirror 60 which is driven by the scanning motor 62. The lens structure 72 then directs the beam onto the secondary mirror 68 which reflects the beam onto the primary mirror 66. The beam, which is now a fan shaped array but shown schematically in FIG. 1 as an arrow head, passes through the transparent outer dome 70 toward a target.
Energy reflected from a target is shown schematically in FIG. 1 as a donut shaped beam. It is shown this way because the secondary mirror 68 will block a minor portion of the return energy. The incoming beam follows the same path as the outgoing beam until the expanded beam strikes the apertured mirror 58. There, the beam is directed onto the fourth folding mirror 86 and from there to the receiving ends 90 of the fiber optic bundle 92.
While the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many modifications to the present invention and this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention.
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text:
Baked Ham and Swiss Roll-Ups
When paired with a salad, these cheesy sandwiches are delicious for dinner. They can also be turned into a terrific appetizer: Create one large roll-up (skip the step of cutting the rolled dough into triangles), bake, then slice it into bite-size pieces.
Total Time:
Level: Easy
Serves: 4
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- 1 lb. pizza dough (thawed if frozen)
- 0.50 lb. thinly sliced ham
- 1 tbsp. whole-grain mustard
- 0.25 lb. thinly sliced Swiss cheese
- 0.50 small onion
- Heat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the pizza dough into a large circle and spread with the mustard. Cut the pizza dough into 8 triangles.
- Divide the ham, cheese and onion among the triangles. Starting at the wide end, roll the dough around the filling (some filling will stick out).
- Transfer the rolls to the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with a salad, if desired.
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