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Japanese brewer Asahi is seeking "maximum recovery" of the losses it claims it incurred when it purchased Papakura-based Independent Liquor off two private equity firms in 2011, saying those companies allegedly inflated earnings figures during the sale process.
The company, Japan's biggest beer maker, has just confirmed that two of its subsidiaries - Independent Liquor NZ and Asahi Holdings Australia - have launched proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne today against Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and Unitas Capital.
The Japanese company purchased the New Zealand firm off the two private equity players for $1.5 billion in September 2011.
Asahi alleges that PEP and Unitas engaged in "misleading and deceptive conduct" by making false representations of Independent's financial position, in particular by inflating its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) figures.
The Japanese firm said it was seeking damages from PEP and Unitas "for loss suffered as a result of their conduct in breach of Australian Consumer Law".
The legal action follows an in-depth investigation, Asahi said.
Atsushi Katsuki, managing director of Asahi Holdings Australia, said the company conducted thorough due diligence during the purchase process and had relied on the financial figures it had been provided with.
"We are seeking maximum recovery of our loss and we have commenced legal proceedings for this purpose," Katsuki said. "Notwithstanding our legal action, our commitment to the Independent Liquor business remains the same and we will continue to drive synergies in the region."
Independent Liquor
* Founded by the late Michael Erceg in 1987.
* Purchased by Japanese brewer Asahi for $1.5b in August 2011.
* Employed more than 480 staff in late 2010.


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Pre-Columbian nepohualtzitzin abacas
Teacher workshop uses ancient abacas
By Kris Rodriguez
Public Affairs Specialist
(May 21, 2009)--The UTSA Academy for Teacher Excellence in the College of Education and Human Development will host a staff development workshop for area classroom educators from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday-Friday, May 21-22 in Buena Vista Street Building Room 1.338 at the UTSA Downtown Campus.
Today's headlines
- La Prensa Foundation is newest member of UTSA Lone Star Society
- UTSA alumna Jordan Kaufmann wins $50K for new stent-graft start-up
- UTSA begins new way-finding sign installation this summer at Main Campus
- USA Today: UTSA long jumper Tyler Williamson rescues three-year-old boy
Article tools
Author and mathematics expert Everardo Lara Gonzales will conduct the workshop using a nepohualtzitzin, an abacus-type instrument used in Meso-American societies, to relate numerous indigenous children's games to today's Math TEKS standards.
The goal of the Pre-Columbian Mathematics Workshop is to help create more culturally proficient educators to meet the demands of a growing number of culturally diverse students. The workshop is co-sponsored by the SAISD bilingual department.
Additionally, the academy will host 25 students from the Young Women's Leadership Academy from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, May 23.
The Academy for Teacher Excellence was established as a hub for school districts, community colleges and UTSA to research, design, implement and evaluate educational programs addressing statewide and local educational issues associated with a growing diverse population. A major focus is the implementation of a Title V Hispanic-serving institutions grant to coordinate community resources in preparing teachers for culturally diverse classrooms.
To register for an information session, e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com with your name and the information session title. For more information, call (210) 458-6170 or 458-6174.

subset: commoncrawl


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Brine-Doyle 2nd at girls' meet
Jackie Brine-Doyle finished second with a time of 17:05.8 to lead the Pequot Lakes girls to a third-place finish on Monday, Aug. 26, at the Cardinal Invitational at Pine Ridge Golf Club in Motley.
Caitie Ryan added a fifth-place finish in 17:29.8 for the Patriots. Tony Fitzer placed ninth for Pequot Lakes as the Patriots finished fourth.
TJ Lukanen led Pine-River Backus with a 13th-place time of 21:03 as the Tigers placed sixth.
Pequot Lakes is scheduled to host their invitational on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Emily Greens Golf Course.
Team scores: 1-Detroit Lakes 53, 2-Park Rapids 58, 3-Ottertail Central 64, 4-Pequot Lakes 83, 5-Staples-Motley 128, 6-Pine River-Backus 147, 7-Bagley/Fosston
Individual winner: 1-Isaac Overmyer (PRA) 17:44.9
Pequot Lakes results: 9-Tony Fitzer 20:34.6, 16-Karl Brine-Doyle 21:19.6, 17-Jacob Tschida 21:31.1, 18-Seth Golden 21:40.8, 23-Dalton Engholm 22:42.7, 25-Cody Huss 22:42.7
Pine River-Backus results: 13-TJ Lukanen 21:03, 28-Troy Fetter 23:01, 34-Jake Riley 23:42, 35-Zach Tulenchik 23:50, 37-Jacob Sescher 24:39, 38-Kyle Tschida 24:49, 41-Luke Downie 25:49
Team scores: 1-Park Rapids 43, Detroit Lakes 43, 3-Pequot Lakes 61, 4-Staples-Motley 76
Individual winner: Megan Ostkie (DL) 16:49.5
Pequot Lakes results: 2-Jackie Brine-Doyle 17:05.8, 5-Caitie Ryan 17:29.8, 17-Colleen Tschida 20:03, 18-Leric Larson 20:05.2, 19-Elsa Headlee 20:14.9, 22-Jessica Faacks 20:57.9, 23-Bridget Erickson 21:01.8


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Donald Mustard
Infinity Blade 3 cost only "a little more" than original
Infinity Blade 3 took Chair Entertainment at least twice as long to develop as the last entry, but apparently wasn't much more expensive.
Donald Mustard headlines
Infinity Blade: Dungeons shelved
Epic Games has confirmed that Infinity Blade: Dungeons is not just "on hold" but cancelled altogether.
Infinity Blade II's crunch time "not worth it"
Chair Entertainment co-founder Donald Mustard won't repeat the "death march" development cycle of Infinity Blade II.
Developer diary takes a look inside Infinity Blade II's gameplay
Epic has released a developer diary for Infinity Blade II, which features Chair Entertainment's Simon Hurley and Donald Mustard explaining and demonstrating the game's new attacks.
Infinity Blade II environments change over time
With the sequel to its smash-hit iOS game, Infinity Blade II, Chair has injected more variety into the environments.
Mustard: Infinity Blade's graphics "a one-time deal"
Chair Entertainment's Donald Mustard has commented that post-Infinity Blade, graphics won't be enough.
Infinity Blade took five months to make, new content update incoming
Chair Entertainment's confirmed that Infinity Blade is to get a new content update soon, and has also told a GDC crowd that the iOS game took five months to make.
Chair has "sweet ideas" for Shadow Complex 2
Chair Entertainment boss Donald Mustard has said the Epic-owned studio has "sweet ideas" for a Shadow Complex sequel.
Blizzard's Rob Pardo to give lecture at GDC
Think Services has announced that during GDC next month, Blizzard's Rob Pardo will give a lecture on design philosophies.
Shadow Complex devs confirm new project
Chair Entertainment co-founder Donald Mustard has confirmed to MTV Multiplayer that the developer is working on a new game, saying only as much that it's in "the design phase." "We're definitely working on…things. I'm just not going to tell you what it is…we're still evaluating in the design phase." Is it Shadow Complex 2? We'd […]
Shadow Complex has a multipurpose foam-gun, decent price
Chair Entertainment's Donald Mustard was at Comic-Con, and he talked a bit about Shadow Complex, the side-scrolling action title Chair's working on with Epic. There's a video over on Destructiod featuring Mustard discussing weaponry, speed runs, and the foam gun which allows you to cover an enemy with quick-hardening foam or use to create a […]
Donald Mustard latest
Developer diary takes a look inside Infinity Blade II's gameplay
Infinity Blade took five months to make, new content update incoming


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Hac φ/Talks
From HaskellWiki
If you'd like to give a talk, announce it here; tell us your name, the title of the talk, a short description. Please also let us know if you won't be attending Saturday afternoon and want to present at some other time.
|Talk Name
|Towards "Big Data" in Haskell
|Edward Kmett
|What is the purpose of the mysterious github.com/analytics account? Why am I doing this? How will it work? What does it mean? When did I start talking to myself?
|Layering Domain Specific Languages and Such
|Gershom Bazerman
|A runthough of the talk (http://lambdajam.com/sessions#bazerman) I'm preparing for lambdajam. It will attempt to have something useful to say about adjunctions. I expect fellow attendees will help me reduce the amount that it is incorrect.


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Access your Emirates Skywards or Business Rewards account
Explore our website in multiple languages for a tailored experience.
Find flights, see our featured fares and earn Skywards Miles on your travels.
Find the best fares across our global network.
Check in online, choose your seats and add extra services with one click.
Connect to new experiences, people and cultures in over 150 destinations worldwide.
Open up a world of rewards every time you travel. Enjoy reward flights, upgrades, exclusive benefits and more.
Cricket offers strong synergy for Emirates, in terms of the key cricket playing nations and its major route networks across Asia, Australasia and the UK. As such, cricket has formed an important part of our sponsorship strategy – providing us with a powerful platform to connect with fans and communities.
Emirates is proud to be associated with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and all their major events including the ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC World Twenty20 and the ICC Champions Trophy. The ICC partnership also sees Emirates featured on the official kit of the ICC elite panel of Umpires.
In the UK, Emirates has forged strong partnerships with Durham County Cricket Club and more recently with Lancashire County Cricket Club. These deals include naming rights to both clubs' playing grounds; the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground and Emirates Old Trafford, as well as branding on their respective T20 team shirts. On a tournament level, Emirates is proud to be Title Sponsor of the Emirates Airline Twenty20, which brings successful County Cricket Clubs to Dubai to compete for the coveted T20 trophy.
At a grassroots level, the Emirates Airline ARCH Trophy is a cricket competition contested by schools in the UAE.


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STEM Pay and Job Security (Continuing Series That Began
June 30)
In the twenty-first century, workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (the STEM disciplines) will drive our nation's innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, and creating new companies and industries, according to a recent report from the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM: Good Jobs Now and for the Future.
In 2010, about 1 of every 18 American workers (7.6 million workers) worked in STEM occupations. STEM jobs have grown three times as fast as non-STEM jobs over the last 10 years. This growth in STEM occupations is projected to continue at a rate well above the average for other jobs. From 2008 to 2018, the projected rate is 17.0 percent, compared to 9.8 percent for non-STEM occupations.
To take advantage of these opportunities, an undergraduate degree is beneficial. More than two-thirds of STEM workers have at least an undergraduate degree, compared to less than one-third of non-STEM workers (with the physical and life sciences having the highest-educated workforce). STEM-educated workers are also less likely to experience joblessness.
The benefits of STEM education and employment are not equally distributed across the STEM education levels and occupations. Interestingly, the highest earnings premium for STEM workers is for those with less than a college degree. Also interesting, almost two-thirds of the 9.3 million workers with a STEM undergraduate degree work in a non-STEM job. Yet even these STEM degree holders enjoy an earnings premium relative to other college graduates. The larger payoff, however, comes when a STEM major goes on to work in a STEM job, as their earnings (all else equal) are about 20 percent higher than those of non-STEM majors working in non-STEM jobs. The largest earnings advantage goes to STEM workers as a whole, who command 26 percent more, on average, than workers in non-STEM fields, a six percentage point increase since 1994.
Jon Kerr Named Adult Education Director in Washington State
On July 8, 2011, Jon M. Kerr began his duties as the adult basic education director for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Kerr succeeded Israel Mendoza, who had served in that position since 1996. An early pioneer of Washington's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST), Kerr was the founding director of the I-BEST Program in the Pierce College District in the state. He has provided I-BEST training in Washington as well as in several other states. In his previous position as dean of instructional programs and library director at Lower Columbia College, Kerr piloted the first academic I-BEST program as well as an I-BEST model for developmental education students. He has a long history in adult education, serving as an instructor, coordinator, and director for over 36 years. Kerr holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in theater and education from Central Washington University.
OVAE Welcomes Lekesha Campbell
OVAE is pleased to welcome Lekesha Campbell as a management and program analyst for the Division of Adult Education and Literacy (DAEL) Accountability Team. She is working on a variety of projects, including the Workforce Investment Act reauthorization, coordination of Incentive Grant state applications and awards between the departments of Education and Labor, the interagency workgroup on unified state planning, and the CTE strategy workgroup on partnerships. Before joining OVAE, Campbell served as a workforce analyst at the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Office of Policy Development and Research. Prior to her policy position, Campbell worked as a federal project officer managing several research and evaluation projects of ETA programs. She holds a joint master's degree in public policy and social service administration from the University of Chicago and a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Welcome, Lekesha!
AACC Releases Policy Brief
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recently released its latest quarterly policy brief Promoting Educational Opportunity: The Pell Grant at Community Colleges. The brief outlines why community colleges are a sound investment for students and communities and examines the historical and programmatic nature of the Pell Grant program, following its trends through the 2010-11 program year.


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In my user stories book and in all my training and conference sessions on user stories I advocate writing user stories in the form of:
"As a <type of user>, I want <some goal> so that <some reason>." While I consider the so-that clause optional, I really like this template. At a conference, someone asked me why. Because I get that question fairly often, I want to give three reasons why here:
Reason 1
Something significant and I'm tempted to say magical happens when requirements are put in the first person. Obviously by saying "As a such-and-such, I want …" you can see how the person's mind goes instantly to imagining he or she is a such-and-such. As for the magic, Paul McCartney was interviewed and asked about why the Beatles songs were so amazingly popular. One of his responses was that their songs were among the first to use a lot of pronouns. Think about it: She Loves You, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, I Saw Her Standing There, I Am The Walrus, Baby You Can Drive My Car, etc. His point was that these helped people more closely identify with the songs. I tried briefly to find a source for this interview tonight and the closest I found was this. The information in that reference fits my recollection of hearing McCartney says this during a radio interview in 1973 or 74 that I assume was recorded when the Beatles were together.
Reason 2
Having a structure to the stories actually helps the product owner prioritize. If the product backlog is a jumble of things like:
- Fix exception handing
- Let users make reservations
- Users want to see photos
- Show room size options
… and so on, the product owner has to work harder to understand what the feature is, who benefits from it, and what the value of it is.
Reason 3
I've heard an argument that writing stories with this template actually suppresses the information content of the story because there is so much boilerplate in the text. If you find that true, then correct it in how you present the story. I've seen backlogs in Word that present the boilerplate in grayed text with the unique parts in black. I've created product backlogs in Excel that use column headings to filter out the common text.
Look here, and you'll see what I mean:
Seriously take a look at the image above before continuing … I'll wait … Please, really look at it before reading further.
OK, here's how I bet you read the spreadsheet. I bet that as you read most of the rows you added in the "As a …," "I want …," and "so that …" text, possibly even by looking at the heading as you read across each row. I've experimented by asking people, and this is what most people do. If that text is unnecessary, why do we mentally mouth the words to ourselves or even glance at the heading while reading the row? Perhaps it's not so non-essential after all.
For now, and probably a long time to come, I'll be sticking with the, "As a <type of user>, I want <some goal> so that <some reason>" template for these and other reasons.


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The team of Liz Boyer, Sue Janovic, Ralph Trimmer and Bob Nobes came in first at 1-over par in the Brierwood nine-hole mixed scramble Jan. 20. Fran Thomas, Rita Dugan, Carola Hornfeck and Larry Boyer were second. Glen Green, Marianne Nobes, Bob Janovic and Chuck Hornfeck were third.
There are dozens of golf activities for people of all ages in Brunswick County.
Clubs with memberships run tournaments, guest days, member-member events, club championships and mixed events. The Elks, the VFW and various special interest and/or friendship groups sponsor leagues. The Carolinas Golf Association has an active tournament schedule. Most churches and charitable organizations have fundraising events each year.
One of the best opportunities to play golf in Brunswick County is sponsored by the Brunswick County Parks and Recreation Department.
Dr. Katie McGee, the outgoing superintendent of Brunswick Schools, has been a strong supporter of The First Tee since the beginning, according to Rusty Petrea, the founder (with wife Carol) of The First Tee of Brunswick County.
On Jan. 14, the Brierwood Men's Golf Association had its first Thursday tournament of 2010 because of the cold weather. The game of the day was two best balls of the foursome, with the team of George Edwards, Dave Harper and a draw finishing at 15 under par. The team of Paul Salerno, Bernie Gruzlewski, Chuck Hornfeck and Rich Hornfeck finished at 14 under.
In a CFAG match Friday at Meadowlands, Ron Doeblin and Joe Gallo placed first with a 75. The two-man teams scored one net per hole. Placing second were John Ducey and Steve Maiorca.
Several years ago, I watched a petite young lady pound balls on a practice tee. Her swing was classic, the balls flew long and straight.
The kid was cute, long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, a wide infectious smile. I had a feeling I'd see her again.
Last week, I did.
Lauren Hunt is still petite with that same winning smile, but she's all grown up now. Done with high school and junior golf, she has graduated from the University of North Carolina, where she played on the women's golf team.
In an CFAG event Dec. 28 at Farmstead, Steve Maiorca, Frank Janton, John Ogden and Joe Meo placed first with a 160. Teams scored one net and one gross per hole. Placing second were Ned Meier, Jerry Rubin, Joe Gallo and a draw.
On Dec. 30 at Meadowlands, Steve Maiorca, Bob Jaeger and John Ogden placed first with a 94. The three-man teams scored one net on the par-3 and par-4 holes and two nets on the par-5s. Frank Janton, Jen Dearborn and Joe Meo were second.
I love Jan. 1!
Other people hate the New Year; they don't like to see the dates change. They don't like to see time marching on. They don't want to admit they're a year older.
I, on the other hand, love that another year has gone by. Hopefully, I will have learned some lessons in 2009 that will help me live 2010 just a little bit better. And the best part of the New Year is that I'm still here!
Although The First Tee of Brunswick County is fewer than five years old, it has received high marks from its national office in St. Augustine, Fla.
Chapters of The First Tee are ranked according to their scope and performance, and I'm proud to say that our local chapter has received the "Ace" level designation, the highest rank possible. That is awesome, and a true testimony to the level of commitment by our kids, volunteers, paid staff, donors and community at large.
In the CFAG event Dec. 21 at Farmstead, John Ogden, Ned Meier, Bob Jaeger and a draw placed first with a 152. Team scoring was two nets per hole. Steve Maiorca, John Ducey, Sid Pennington and a draw placed second.
On Dec. 23 at Meadowlands, Frank Janton, Jerry Rubin, Joe Meo and a draw placed first with a 136. Teams scored three nets on the par-3s, two on the par-4s and one on par-5s. Placing second were Ned Meier, John Ogden, Jody Serensits and Bob Jaeger.
Copyright © 2017
The Brunswick Beacon is your source for local news, sports, events and information in Brunswick County, North Carolina and surrounding areas.


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Originally got my bees to pollinate my garden. Since then started researching plants. Has anyone had any trouble with their bees after planting store bought plants from somewhere like Lowes ?
Wasn't sure if it would hurt them or not.
Originally got my bees to pollinate my garden. Since then started researching plants. Has anyone had any trouble with their bees after planting store bought plants from somewhere like Lowes ?
Wasn't sure if it would hurt them or not.
Do you mean as in hurt them from chemicals? Either way i believe it would be fine. They go to store bought plants at the stores and after people plant them. Also, only a small percentage of your foragers will actually visit YOUR plants. Store bought plants should be completely fine.
Plant away...it will be your most productive garden yet, though admittedly, I start most crops from seeds. Never had a problem though with those that I don't! As an FYI, bees LOVE Basil, and it makes for some kick butt honey, too! I remember reading somewhere, that when you get into beekeeping, you are really doing much more. We also become meteorologists, botanists, woodworkers, etc.... Have fun with your bees, and welcome!
And here I thought I was the only one that had developed an unhealthy fixation on weather patterns.We also become meteorologists, botanists, woodworkers, etc....
Try it. What could happen?
I agree with BIM: In the past few weeks I have turned my yard into a Bee yard.
Planted 2 Orange Trees that bloom at different times. 1 Lemon and 1 Lime tree (Everbearing so they flower throughout the year).
Planted Borage, Comfrey and threw down a bunch of flower seeds at the edge of my property along with Pumpkin and cantaloupe.
I'm currently working on 3 separate 8X8 garden areas where I hope to plant Rosemary, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and plants like that.
So not only does my yard look nice to me, I also get to watch a few bees work plus I get Honey and fruit etc...
Last edited by trance; 04-24-2013 at 12:41 AM.
trance: Yup!! I don't plant anything anymore that my bees can't work! Now I just have to convince the husband that his acre of St Augustine grass is useless!!! Every bush, shrub, flower, plant...now has benefits for my bees. He's getting the hang of it, though!! I don't think the St Augustine yard will go away any time soon, though....sigh....
Yeah! Honey bee plants are my favorite topic now that I have started beekeeping in my backyard. Just
finish harvesting 2 big bags of canola seeds today. Should be ready to plant after tilling the soil.
When you goto Lowes look around the plant racks. When you see honey bees on them like lavender, etc
then you know this plant is safe for them. Those are the one you want to buy.
Don't forget to buy some seeds for succession planting too such as russian sage, sunflowers, thyme, catnip,
rosemary, cucumbers, canola, and collards, etc.
I will tell you a little story about MOST (Not all) store purchased plants.
The goal is to feed and grow/trim as fast as the farmer can to get them as big and bulky as possible so that the customer will want to buy it. Some plants should not be treated this way.
For example I live in Florida and all types of Palms are sold around here. many growers will trim back the growth so that the tree will get taller faster. Sounds fine right? Nope, what you end up with is a very skinny base/trunk at the bottom and as it grows in your yard like it should the tree is allowed to thicken out like normal so what you end up with is a skinny bottom and a thick top part of a tree. It looks a bit odd. My neighbor was continuing to do what the nursery (or store) told him to get it to grow faster until I told him the correct way, it may grow slower but looks much better.
I think it is lavender that I read last night that also shouldn't be pushed with a bunch of ferts... but I have to check my notes on that ( I researched a few plants around 3AM, not the best time for me to remember things... lol
Again, some (probably most) plants are fine to speed up while others are not. Just make sure if you're not sure.
Thanks y'all so much ! I keep reading all the stuff about GMOs an fertilizer. I agree with my yard is turning into a bee yard as well ! I'm off to lowes today !
Don't worry about the fertilizer. All growers now use synthetic fertilizers because growing organic is more expensive for them. Get the one that the bees collecting nectar/pollen all over then you will be fine. Don't get the full bloom plants but some with the buds to flower
later on. The one season flowers are good too.
I grow all year long so no stopping for me. So many winter varieties to choose from.
We have very nice rosemary that over winter well and will bloom in early spring
time. They grow all year long only slower in the middle of winter on frosty days. All you have to do is to trim them back in
the fall a bit to control how they grow. You don't need a lot of land to grow them because you're not trying to start a plant
business. I'm only trying to grow some for my backyard bees and experiment on which one is better for them. So far borage,
canola, and collards they like a lot. I am sure the Russian sage and Goldenrod they like to when they bloom in the fall. In
Florida you have the Goldenrod so try to plant some if they are not available near by.
Our yard is also becoming a bee yard. I snatch up plants pretty quickly when I see honeybees on them at the store. Funny part is, we don't even have our bees yet, hopefully I will be picking up nucs soon. But until then I'm helping out some hives a few blocks over.


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If you could have just one gun what would it be? I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm sure we have a lot of new people. I did not want to use a poll, just to many guns to list.
My choice is the XD 45 compact.
Printable View
If you could have just one gun what would it be? I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm sure we have a lot of new people. I did not want to use a poll, just to many guns to list.
My choice is the XD 45 compact.
One handgun? Or one gun in general?
Considering this is a handgun forum I'll assume handgun and go with a Walther p99qa in .40.
This one can keep you tossing and turning in your sleep.
For practical purposes my Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag. Stainless 5 1/2 inch barrel. You could hunt with it and with 44 Special loads maybe a little hot, it would be a good self defense weapon. A bit heavy to be clearing leather real quick, but a definite fight stopper.
Tough choice Spacedoggy, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time.
TC Contender with multiple barrels. You can hunt with it then change barrels to practice with. And if you need it for SD one shot from that big bore should be sufficient to solve your problems no matter what size/gender/species you need to make stop bothering you.
Of course it doesn't work so well against zombies..... :smt083
I'll take my old .357 Python as it can do it all with the 6" barrel. It can drop a hog or white tail and settle a fight in a hurry.
Because I romanticize everything I'd take a 1973 Colt SAA with 4 3/4inch barrel.
Smith & Wesson model 29-2 .44 magnum
Hecklar and Koch P2000 in .40
I would say my Walther p99 9mm.
My Dan Wesson 357. Interchangeable barrels, you know.
HK USP Compact .45 SS:smt023
I would have to say my 1911 comander any day of the week! :smt023
I would have to say my ruger gp100 .357 with six inch barrel. Can be used to hunt for food and lets just say if i were the bad guy and somedody pulled out a six inched barreled .357 i prolly wouldnt hang around........would you?:target:
Ruger Security Six in 357 Mag in stainless steel.
Small enough to carry, large enough to hunt with, stainless to last, and 357 means it could shoot 38s or 357s.
Ruger KP90DC
Smith & Wesson Model 686 stainless steel 7-shot .357 Mag with a 4" barrel. You can load it down or load it up, it goes bang when you pull the trigger, maintenance is simple, and ammo is plentiful. It shoots SA for precise shooting, or DA for social stuff. Plus it's built like a tank and you can use it for a bludgeon if you run out of ammo.
I would pick a 4" S&W 686+ in 357 Magnum It could do anything that needs to be done. Fortunately I do not have to limit myself to 1.


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White Sage Hanging Accessory (BLUE)
Sacred White Sage accessory is to cleanse and purifying a space and a Guardian Bear protect you.
Materials: White Sage, Wood barrel, Suade Lace, Feather
Warning: Not Food. Keep Out of Children's Reach. Store in dry place.
* Products may vary in appearance. Each is a unique handmade piece.
This item comes with a Let Mother Earth Speak CD.
Album Info
With a focus on world and inner-peace, in Let Mother Earth Speak, each song begins with thoughtful spoken words from Dennis with Kitaro providing the musical accompaniment. Following Dennis' narrative, Native American drums and culturally correct instruments begin as Dennis sings a traditional Native American Indian song. A new featured and beautiful composition, PEACE with music by Kitaro heads the inspired track listing and will be released with the entire album on September 11, 2012.
The unique mix of Kitaro's music with Native American instruments along with the insight of Dennis Banks makes Let Mother Earth Speak one of the most unique marriages of musical and spoken word driven projects of this or any year. It's a journey we all should take and a message to which we all should carefully listen.
Song List
01. Thank You Great Spirit
02. Song Of Responsibilities
03. The Missionary Song
04. A Good Day To Die
05. Don't Cry
06. End Of The Day
07. She Don't Love Me Anymore
08. Longest Walk 2
09. Peace
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US Supreme Court upholds Katie's Law
The Supreme Court has ruled criminal suspects can be subjected to a police DNA test after arrest -- before trial and conviction -- a privacy-versus-public-safety dispute that could have wide-reaching implications in the rapidly evolving technology surrounding criminal procedure.
The law, named after NMSU student Katie Sepich, sparked a debate that split the highest court in America. Sepich's mother, Jayann, told ABC-7 she was satisfied with the justices decision.
"What it means is that murderers will be identified sooner and put away where they can no longer murder, and rapists will be stopped before they can rape again and again. And so there are so many young women who will never have to go through what out Katie went through," she said, "which means there are so many families so many mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters that will not go through what we've been through and that to me is just a wonderful thing."
At issue in the ruling Monday was whether taking genetic samples from someone held without a warrant in criminal custody for "a serious offense" is an unconstitutional "search."
A 5-4 majority of the court concluded it is legitimate, and upheld a state law.
"When officers make an arrest supported by probable cause to hold for a serious offense and they bring the suspect to the station to be detained in custody, taking and analyzing a cheek swab of the arrestee's DNA is, like fingerprinting and photographing, a legitimate police booking procedure that is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment," the majority wrote.
Law enforcement lauds genetic testing's potential as the "gold standard" of reliable evidence gathering, especially to solve "cold cases" involving violent offenders.
But privacy rights groups counter the state's "trust us" promise not to abuse the technology does not ease their concerns that someone's biological makeup could soon be applied for a variety of non-criminal purposes.
Twenty-six states and the federal government allow genetic swabs to be taken after a felony arrest and without a warrant.
Each has different procedures, but in all cases, only a profile is created. About 13 individual markers out of some 3 billion are isolated from a suspect's DNA. That selective information does not reveal the full genetic makeup of a person and, officials stress, nothing is shared with any other public or private party, including any medical diagnostics.
The Obama administration has signaled its support.
The case involves a Maryland man convicted of a 2003 rape in Wicomico County in the state's Eastern Shore region. Alonzo King Jr. had been arrested four years ago on an unrelated assault charge, and a biological sample was automatically obtained at that time. That sample was linked to the earlier sexual assault.
King moved to suppress that evidence on Fourth Amendment grounds, but was ultimately convicted of the 2003 first-degree rape offense and was given a life sentence. The Fourth Amendment grants the "right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures."
Both King and his legal team turned down CNN's request for an interview.
A divided Maryland Court of Appeals later agreed with King, saying suspects under arrest enjoy a higher level of privacy than a convicted felon, outweighing the state's law enforcement interests. That court also said obtaining King's DNA immediately after arrest was not necessary in identifying him, and that the process was more personally invasive than standard fingerprinting.
But the high court decided in favor of the state. Kennedy was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer, and Samuel Alito.
The issue of citizen privacy has been particularly acute since the 9/11 attacks. Federal and state governments have stepped up surveillance of suspected terrorists and their allies and of high-risk targets, like government buildings and shopping malls.
The current conservative-majority court has generally been supportive of law enforcement in recent search and privacy disputes, but not always. The court last year ruled police could not place a GPS tracking device on a drug suspect's car for several weeks without first obtaining a search warrant.
In a sharply worded dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia said the majority's reasoning established a "terrifying principle."
"The court's opinion barely mentions the crucial fact about this case: the search here was entirely suspicionless. The police had no reason to believe King's DNA would link him to any crime."
Scalia added the state law "manages to burden uniquely the sole group for whom the Fourth Amendment's protections ought to be most jealously guarded: people who are innocent of the state's accusations," describing of the legal concept of innocent until proven guilty.
He was supported by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. Scalia's prior support of Fourth Amendment protections is well-documented, so his siding with three more liberal members of the court was not surprising.
A 1994 federal law created a national database in which local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies can compare and share information on DNA matches from convicted felons, but courts have been at odds on just when such samples can be collected and the information distributed.
In a brief filed by 49 states supporting Maryland, officials also said the information is secure, and retested when an initial "hit" is identified. After a warrant is issued for probable cause, another fresh DNA sample is taken and it is that test that is used to ultimately prosecute in court. Each initial test costs about $30.
The Fourth Amendment requires the government to balance legitimate law enforcement interests with the privacy rights of individuals. A key area of concern in the high court was whether developing "Rapid DNA" technology would allow initial identification testing to be completed within about two hours. Currently it can take two weeks or more, depending on backlogs.
Civil liberties groups worry inadequate testing by overwhelmed lab technicians can lead to errors, such as the one that sent Dwayne Jackson to prison for armed robbery. It was three years before a lab mistake was noticed, and the Nevada man was freed as an innocent man.
DNA -- Deoxyribonucleic acid -- is a coded molecule providing a genetic map for the development of all known living organisms. By 2000, all 50 states and the federal government required DNA collection from convicted offenders, and that was soon expanded by many jurisdiction to criminal arrests.
The number of offender profiles in federal Combined DNA Index System is now about 10 million, with more than a million arrestee profiles.
Congress in December passed the Katie Sepich Enhanced DNA Collection Act, a grant program to help states pay for the expanded system. The 22-year-old woman was murdered in 2003, but her killer was not identified until three years later, after his conviction for another crime, when his DNA matched cold-case evidence found under the victim's fingernails.
Her mother, Jayann Sepich, personally lobbied lawmakers for months to ensure passage.
"This is what I expected," Sepich said. "And from the very beginning I knew this would end up in the Supreme Court. I knew we would have to have a ruling and I had faith that it would be a good ruling. And it is a very good ruling," she said.
President Barack Obama signed the bill earlier this year. "It's the right thing to do," he said in 2010, of expanding DNA swabs for arrestees. "This is where the national registry becomes so important."
The case is Maryland v. King (12-207).


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We might see a different offense, but I think they can rest assured Ballard is a good player on that field for them.
We might see a different offense, but I think they can rest assured Ballard is a good player on that field for them.
But when you're passing offense relies so much on the TE position and you lose two of the best TE's in the league, replacing them with Ballard is not going to even come close to fixing the hole in their offense.
When Ballard had success here he had Cruz and Nicks drawing most of the pass coverage. The Pats have one of the worst WR rosters in the league, so he won't get that luxury there . . . .
Really there's no QB these days that makes the team around him by himself. Rodgers has fits when a 4-man front can get to him, Brady I still believe has been partially carried by the vast array of all-pro quality pass catchers his entire career (and having 8+ seconds to throw on every down due to his OL). Brees has shown that he depends much more on Payton's play-calling to play at an all-pro level, and Eli is, well, Mr. "I derp games for no reason"... Maybe Peyton could have carried a team by himself in his prime, but I don't think that really applies anymore.
Last edited by Toadofsteel; 06-27-2013 at 09:32 AM.
I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite team in the NFL.
Gronk and Hernandez are leaps and bounds better than any other TE the Pats have on their roster. On top of that, they run a two TE offense(well they did, probably won't see that too much this year) so yeah those two losses are going to hurt them a lot.
Last edited by Toadofsteel; 06-27-2013 at 09:48 AM.
I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite team in the NFL.
With Ballard, he had Nicks, Cruz and Manningham surrounding him. In NE he'll have Michael Jenkins, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman - hardly a comparable stable.
As for Brady being surrounded by "all-pro" receivers all his career... Think about it - how many of Brady's receivers were playing at an "all-pro" level before they landed on the Pats?
Last edited by Flip Empty; 06-27-2013 at 09:55 AM.


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Survey Shows Why Some Security Providers Are Worse Off Today
Why are some electronic security firms faring worse than they did three years ago? Bonus material from SSI's annual Operations & Opportunities Report (OOR) reveals the answers.
By Scott Goldfine · August 11, 2013
August's Bright Ideas Issue of SSI includes the annual Operations & Opportunities Report (OOR). This original research identifies the most promising security technologies, service offerings and vertical markets, as well as the best ways to reduce costs and boost profits, among other data. My Between Us Pros column in that issue went deeper inside the OOR numbers to look at specific reasons why 72% of the respondents said their companies are better off financially today than they were three years ago. Below are some of the responses offered for the flipside of that, why some are worse off.
Why is your company worse off financially today than it was three years ago?
- Slow economy with fewer opportunities
- More staff and less revenue right now
- Insurance costs
- Increased costs overall
- Employee performance is down
- Regulations
- More cheap competition
- Slow paying clients, cutting prices to secure work, higher expenses
- We are a small firm in early growth stage
- Economy holding back investment and commitment to projects
- Backlog has disappeared
- Top-heavy without the talent or skill
- IT does not know customer service, but goes toward bottom-line profit
- Slumping sales
- Margins are flat
- Fewer contracts
- Failure to adopt and integrate new technology in the marketplace until after many competitors have already made their name in the area
- Liver transplant recovery
- The poor economy has hurt us, although it has every sign of getting better for security solutions
- Cost of goods
- Company that purchased us did a poor job, but it is now coming back under my control
- Change order cost overruns on previous projects causing cutbacks to be made to balance and recover, making it difficult to staff for next projects and inability to take on more work quickly when available
- Customers want the lowest cost even if it is not code compliant or in their best interest
Article TopicsVertical Markets · General Industry · Installation and Service · Management · Physical-IT Security Convergence · Blogs · Business · Installation · Management · operations · Sales & Marketing · Under Surveillance · All Topics
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WHS Adoptable Animals
The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to build a community where people value animals and treat them with respect and kindness. For more than 128 years, WHS has been saving the lives of animals in need. We offer adoption services that place 9,000 animals in new homes annually, veterinary services that save thousands of lives, educational programs that instill respect for animals, behavior services to assist guardians and a myriad of other initiatives that help end suffering for animals. We depend entirely on private donations to fund our programs and rely on volunteers in nearly every department. If you are interested in adopting, volunteering, enrolling in a class, taking a tour or making a donation, check out our comprehensive web site at wihumane.org. The adoptable animals' web pages are updated every 30 minutes!
Nearly 100 dogs & puppies available at the Wisconsin Humane Society
Nearly 100 dogs available at the Wisconsin Humane Society
The Wisconsin Humane Society reports that there are nearly 100 dogs and puppies available for adoption at their Milwaukee and Ozaukee campuses, making this the largest number of dogs they've had at one time all year. With four additional transfers scheduled to arrive next week, the organization expects their number of available dogs to remain high in days to come.
Some of these lucky pups owe their good fortune to the PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin' program, which works hard to bring dogs from small, overcrowded shelters to larger shelters like the Wisconsin Humane Society who can place them in new homes.
"October happens to be National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, so we're hoping that families in our community will open their hearts and homes to the many wonderful dogs and puppies currently in our care," said Anne Reed, executive director at WHS.
WHS encourages potential adopters to visit their websites or stop by the Milwaukee or Saukville shelters if they're interested in adopting an animal.
For more information or to view animals currently available for adoption, visit www.wihumane.org or www.ozaukeehumane.org.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.


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Otay Mesa Power Plant Licensing Case
Docket Number:
99-AFC-05 (Application For Certification)
99-AFC-5C (Compliance Proceeding)
Project Status: Licensed; In Compliance Phase. Operational: October 3, 2009
The California Energy Commission approved this project's Application for Certification on April 18, 2001. The Commission monitors the power plant's construction, operation and eventual decommissioning through a compliance proceeding.
Committee that oversaw Original Licensing Proceeding:
John L. Geesman, Commissioner, Presiding Member
James D. Boyd, Chairman, Associate Member
Hearing Officer: Susan Gefter
Key Dates
- October 14, 1998 -- Hearing on Petition for Jurisdictional Determination.
- August 2, 1999 -- Applicant files Application For Certification (AFC).
- May 10, 2000 -- Preliminary Staff Assessment issued.
- October 13, 2000 -- Final Staff Assessment Part 1 issued. Part 2 issued 10/27/00.
- March 12, 2001 -- Presiding Member's Proposed Decision released.
- April 18, 2001 -- Energy Commission approves Otay Mesa AFC.
- October 3, 2001 -- Energy Commission approves Petition for the Transfer of Ownership for the Otay Mesa Generating Company LLC, from PG&E Generating to Calpine Corporation.
- October 3, 2009 - Power plant on line and producing power.
The Otay Mesa Generating Project (OMGP) will be a 510 megawatt (MW), natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant located in the Otay Mesa area in western San Diego County. The 15-acre site is about 15 miles southeast of San Diego, California, and about 1.5 miles north of the United States/Mexico border.
A new 230 kilovolt (kV) switchyard at the site is proposed. Otay Mesa plans to build a 0.1-mile connection to San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) existing 230 kV Miguel -Tijuana transmission line that passes near the eastern boundary of the Otay Mesa site. A 9-mile section of this existing line may be modified to accommodate the addition of new conductors (i.e., wires carrying electricity) on existing towers, between an interconnection point east of the plant site and SDG&E's Miguel substation. A new two-mile natural gas pipeline will be built by SDG&E to provide fuel for the project. The gas pipeline will connect to SDG&E's Pipeline 2000 which is currently under construction.
The project will use dry cooling technology, while process water for steam generation and potable water for domestic needs will be supplied by the Otay Water District via a 0.2 -mile pipeline connection. Wastewater from the plant will be transported to San Diego County's sewer system from the plant, via a new 2-mile pipeline that will connect to an existing line in Johnson Canyon. The proposed route for access to the Otay Mesa site will be from Otay Mesa Road, turning north on Alta Road. The proposed site is approximately 700 feet east of Alta Road. Otay Mesa, LLC will be building a short access road from Alta Road to the site.
Otay Mesa plans to complete construction and start operation of the OMGP by the summer of 2002. During construction, an average of approximately 400 workers would be employed. During operation, the OMGP would employ approximately 20 full-time staff.
Energy Commission Facility Certification Process
The California Energy Commission is the lead agency (for licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts and larger) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has a certified regulatory program under CEQA. Under its certified program, the Energy Commission is exempt from having to prepare an environmental impact report. Its certified program, however, does require environmental analysis of the project, including an analysis of alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize any significant adverse effect the project may have on the environment.
For Questions About This Siting Case Contact:
For Questions About Participation In Siting Cases Contact:
Public Adviser
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street, MS-12 Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-654-4489
Toll-Free in California: 1-800-822-6228
E-mail: email@example.com
News Media Please Contact:
Media & Public Communications Office
Phone: 916-654-4989
E-mail: email@example.com
Compliance Proceeding
- Submit e-Comment
- Submit e-Filing
- Documents for this Proceeding
(Docket Log)
- Exhibit List
- Proof of Service List
- Proof of Service Declaration Form MS Word or PDF
- Search Documents in this Proceeding
- Search All Power Plant Documents
- Legacy Compliance Documents Page
(No Longer Updated)
Original Proceeding
- Submit e-Comment
- Submit e-Filing
- Documents for this Proceeding
(Docket Log)
- Exhibit List
- Proof of Service List
- Proof of Service Declaration Form MS Word or PDF
- Search Documents in this Proceeding
- Search All Power Plant Documents
- Legacy Notices Page
(No Longer Updated)
- Legacy Documents Page
(No Longer Updated)


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Bel Air Elopement + Film from The Why We LoveWeddings built for two, or in this case three, are some of my favorite posts to get lost in. They have soul and are paired down to only the most meaningful moments. This elopement is a wee bit different than
View CreditsRead More


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In the
wake of Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity, everyone has pretty
much agreed that nobody agrees on what the fuck happened in
Washington. Most media outlets myopically reviewed the spectacle as
if it were a concert, and from within the confines of both literal
and figurative press corrals.
At the same time, tens of thousands of
attendees who played the crowd continue to share pics, memories, and
viruses they picked up in the Halloween jungle.


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Prices and availability are subject to change from the time and date that you print this page.
5/26/2017 3:40:01 AM. For Customer Service, please call 800.933.9904
Charming pillow proves once and for all that it's not so bad to have your head in the clouds.
Details, details
- An Allison Cole design
- Printed design
Show 'em what you're made of
- Cover: 100% cotton
- Filling: 100% polyester
Care instructions
- Spot clean only
The Land of Nod Guarantee
At The Land of Nod, nothing is more important to us than providing safe, high-quality products to you and your family. We believe that kids' products should be able to handle everything kids throw their way (literally and figuratively). That's why all of our products have an 18-year quality guarantee. And, hopefully, your kids will no longer be sleeping in bunk beds by then.
Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Radio who?
Radio not, here I come!
Who's there?
Radio who?
Radio not, here I come!
Head in the Clouds Throw Pillow
Our Designers Recommend
Fair Weather Garland $14.00
Anchor Girl Pillow $6.95 Flat Rate Eligible$14.97reg. $24.00
Dream Throw Pillow $6.95 Flat Rate Eligible$24.00 - $34.00


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- Home
- ~ Chandeliers
- Greek Revival Shelburne - Cherries & Leaves - Large
Dimensions: Height 14" • Diameter 24 1/2"
- 6 light configuration available. Similar fixtures are CH-265, CH-266 and CH-268.
Finish shown is Basic Burnished Brass.
All our lighting fixtures are hand-made to your specifications, and are well worth the wait.
Please expect 6-8 weeks for delivery.
Due to its size, this item requires an additional $60 shipping surcharge, in addition to the standard shipping charges you'll find at checkout. We've included the surcharge in our online price; if you're in the neighborhood, pick up this item at our store and save!
A 50% deposit will be charged upon checkout, and the balance will be charged when fixture is built and ready to ship


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Oxi-Defense Hydrating Eye Care
This age preventative eye gel combines powerful anti-oxidant agents, moisturizing lipids, and anti-inflammatory esculin and cucumber to nourish the delicate eye area. Helps protect skin from harmful environmental elements and diminishes the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Recommended for use at the first signs of aging.
Skin Type:
All skin types, all ages, all genders.
Primary Purpose:
To hydrate, protect and help prevent signs of premature skin aging around the eyes, and diminish puffiness and dark circles.
- Lightweight and quick absorbing formula.
- Contains important anti-oxidants and anti-aging ingredients to help combat the formation of wrinkles.
- Offers daily protection from harmful environmental elements like the sun, pollution and smoke.
- Targets puffiness thanks to soothing aloe and cucumber extracts.
- Leaves skin soft, smooth and moisturized.
- May be reapplied over makeup during the day.
Apply a small amount to clean fingertips and gently tap cream around the orbital eye area after cleansing. Apply morning and night. May be lightly reapplied several times daily as needed over makeup, without smudging. May also be used on the eyelid. For external use only. Should not be applied directly into eye. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.


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Oh no, Charlie fell! What happened?
Wish Meryl would look at him more, judges/camera less.
Oh no, Charlie fell! What happened?
Wish Meryl would look at him more, judges/camera less.
I had horror visions seeing Charlie made that mistake(remember 2008 Cup of Russia OD?) but this time he held it together. They looked a bit off today. I had the impression he was trying to catch her the entire program. This will lead but I don't know....the Canadians were better today for me
69 is kind of high, but I did think they would be placed ahead of the Canadians. Though I have to say, I really prefer V/M's SD much more than D/W's this season.
Is it only me that thinks those marks are a joke - they took a long time to recover from the slip by Charlie but beside that, the program was slppy and she was off in the swizzle section - I dont get it at all ?
I dont get it either
Anyone noticed Judge #4's marks for D/W? Three +3 and two +2 for GOE and PCS as follows: 9.50, 9.75, 9.50, 10.0, 10.0
Looking at the scores received by W/P & others and the other judges' marks for D/W, these sets of numbers seem way out of the ballpark. I hope that judge isn't American or else this will most likely be cited for national bias and get reprimanded.
I was surprised as well that D/W did not lose more points. Overall in this event and the men's, I was quite surprised by the lack of a home field judging advantage. Not so sure re: ladies although I haven't seen it yet.
1. I'm more annoyed by B/S' marks. They got HAMMERED on the levels - both Rhumbas were level two as was the step sequence. I thought they were gifted on the PCS, though - these guys are not 34-level skaters at all. Ridiculous.
2. W/P screwed up the second Rhumba sequence (level two). But I will say that I'm seeing a lot more confidence from these two (Andrew in particular) and I'm glad.
3. Both V/M and D/W are receiving the benefit of the doubt re: GOES and PCS, but those marks are definitely a little high.
Great skate for W/P ! Hope they keep it rolling for the FD..Little bit scrambly for D/W..but flukes do occur , now and then. I prefer the dress Meryl wore at SA. They may feel this one suits their music better( more modern than classic Latin ) , but the other is more flattering...this is just picking the tiniest nit, because I've never seen Meryl in a bad costume..
Quite apart from their skating ... Because B/S's program doesn't feel very Latin to me , it really doesn't help that her costume doesn't look Latin either.
R/T are beginning to breathe down B/S' neck . Look out next year. Like the costumes ,not really keen on the program.
When you sit through the earlier programs, D/W are so superior to the others, stumble or not, that their marks are well deserved. D/W's SD seemed amazingly short, while most of the others seemed to go on and on interminably. I guess that's because the others are at half speed compared with D/W.


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Things to Do in Dublin
Photo By: iStock
Photo By: Jay Kay, flickr
Photo By: William Murphy, flickr
Photo By: Donaldytong, Wikimedia Commons
Photo By: William Murphy, flickr
Photo By: Kaihsu Tai, Wikimedia Commons
Photo By: William Murphy, flickr
Photo By: iStock
Photo By: Thinkstock
Photo By: Thinkstock
Photo By: iStock
Photo By: Sean Munson, Wikimedia Commons
Guinness Storehouse
One of two main stops on any brew to-do list in Dublin, St. James's Gate is the home of Guinness, and, as a result of all the thirsty visitors pouring into the city, the Guinness Storehouse is the country's most popular attraction. Tours, tastings and Guinness-pouring master classes are all part of the allure.
Old Jameson Distillery
If you've finished your pint, move to the north side of the river and to the next round at the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin's old horse market area, Smithfield. Jameson's legendary triple-distilled drams are on offer at the end of tours, but if you prefer to hot the bottle right away, there's a bar and restaurant on premises, too.
Christ Church Cathedral
Founded in the year 1028, the Cathedral remains an important part of Ireland's religious life and identity. A vast medieval crypt lurks underneath and ghoulish sights, such as the heart of Dublin's patron saint, Lawrence O'Toole, and a mummified cat and rat, are on show.
Grafton Street
The heart of Dublin's traditional shopping district, the half dozen short, colorful blocks that make up Grafton Street are crammed with shoppers, strollers, buskers and tourists ambling the pedestrian street from Trinity College up to leafy Stephen's Green. No visit is complete without a stop at legendary "clattery café," Bewley's, for tea and a bun.
National Museum of Ireland
Actually a trio of impressive institutions, the National Museum of Ireland is divided between three locations; Kildare Street's Archeology and History Museum, Merrion Square's Natural History Museum and the riverside's Decorative Arts and History Museum. Almost unchanged since it opened in 1857, and nicknamed the "Dead Zoo" by Dubliners on account of its ancient collection of 10,000 stuffed, pickled and otherwise preserved creatures, the Victorian Natural History branch is perhaps the most atmospheric.
National Gallery of Ireland
Like the trio of National Museums, the National Gallery is free to visit. With masterpieces dating back to the Renaissance and a fine collection of Irish art through the ages, the grand, airy building sits on Merrion Square, close to Trinity College and the National Museum.
Dalkey Neighborhood
Once a charming fishing village outside Dublin, Dalkey is now one of the city's priciest neighborhoods, home to celebrities, reached by a scenic ride south on the swift DART train. The village offers some lovely, breezy, coastal strolls, plus charming pubs, such as Finnegan's and The Queen's, where U2's Bono often pops in for a pint.
Temple Bar
Temple Bar -- a cobbled street parallel to the River Liffey -- is a colorful 10-block stretch, crammed with restaurants, cafes, galleries and traditional pubs with people and music spilling out. Crowds pack the narrow street, which is actually comprised of Temple Bar, plus a few blocks of both Fleet Street and Essex Street East. Those who follow the street west across Parliament Street will be rewarded by encountering the quieter, quirkier Cow's Lane with its incredible cake cafe, design stores and excellent bookshop, The Gutter.
Dublin Castle
Dating back to the year 1204, Dublin Castle is not an ancient-looking castle, but one with a hodge-podge of interesting corners. Visit the stately State Apartments, the Viking defense bank, the Gothic Chapel Royal and the lofty Chester Beatty Library, with its impressive Middle Eastern, Asian and North African paintings, manuscripts and prints, plus the Library's hidden gems, the Silk Road Cafe and secret roof garden.
The Book of Kells at Trinity College
A visit to view the 9th century, painstakingly handwritten and decorated manuscript, the Book of Kells, is a two-in-one since the ancient tome is kept in Trinity College Dublin's stunning Old Library. The cobble stone squares and elegant colleges of Trinity, alma mater of Irish luminaries such as Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker ("Dracula") and Jonathan Swift ("Gulliver's Travels"), date back to the year 1592.
O'Connell Street
A grand, broad thoroughfare stretching north from the River Liffey, O'Connell Street had a pivotal place in Irish history. Among other events, the street's General Post Office bore the brunt of bombardment during 1916s Easter Rising; bullet holes still scar pillars. O'Connell Street also boasts the gleaming Spire, the world's tallest sculpture, at 398-feet high.
Old Kilmainham Gaol
Book ahead for tours of the Old Kilmainham Gaol jail that held heroes of Ireland's fight for independence from the 1780s to the 1920s, in addition to regular Dubliners including 7-year-old children arrested for petty theft. The eerie cells and execution sites might make your hair stand on end. More recently, the jail has starred as the location for movies, including "The Italian Job", "In the Name of the Father" and "Michael Collins."


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NOXUBEE COUNTY — The Small Business Administration is offering disaster loans to residents and business owners in Noxubee County affected by a tornado that severely damaged parts of Shuqualak on April 12.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has reported 49 homes and 12 businesses were either destroyed or damaged as a result of the storm.
The SBA has set up a temporary disaster loan outreach center on U.S. Highway 45 in Macon.
The SBA says low-interest loans up to $200,000 will be available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate and up to $40,000 for personal property.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations can apply for loans up to $2 million to repair and replace real estate, equipment, inventory and machinery.
The disaster declaration also covered Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Kemper and Winston counties.


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Mark Tassler
I was born and raised in Clear Lake, South Dakota. Growing up in the 60's and 70's exposed me to some legendary country music. Plus having parents listening to the 50's artists added to the sounds I grew up with. And that is the base for my background in classic country music that I work with every day. I continued my appreciation for country music thru the 80's, 90's and up to present day. And I've spent a great deal of time studying it. When I sit down to do the KXRB Morning Show each day, I have a library of music that is like nothing else in the world. I have songs spanning over seven decades to play and talk about. Hosting the show is not a job, it's a thrill. On the personal side, I'm blessed with a wonderful family with my wife Lorlane and son Mark Jr. We enjoy spending time together with movies, cooking, dining out, travelling, biking, playing baseball, fishing once in a while, and whatever else we feel like doing together.


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Lately, I've been thinking about switching over to SMAA 2.7. The results SMAA gets are just much better than FXAA's. I've integrated the code given by the team just fine, but the resulting data is wrong. SMAA's split into three pass: edge detection, blending weight calculations and finally neighbor blending. The first step seemingly works perfectly, but the second step doesn't produce the results I should get, and thus the final result is that the image isn't even antialiased.
As a side note, I'm using the precompiled DX10 application but I've taken most of the code and logic from the DX9 sample.
First of all, here's the code which sets up the postprocess:
if(HkData::iSetSMAA) { #ifdef DEBUG_PIPELINE OutputDebugString("SMAA\n"); D3DPERF_BeginEvent(PIX_COLOR, L"SMAA"); #endif if(HkData::bBenchmark) timerBench.start(); // save critical states IDirect3DVertexDeclaration9* oldVertexDecl; d3d9_realdevice->GetVertexDeclaration(&oldVertexDecl); IDirect3DVertexBuffer9* pVBOLD; uint iVBOLD_OFFSET, iVBOLD_STRIDE; d3d9_realdevice->GetStreamSource(0, &pVBOLD, &iVBOLD_OFFSET, &iVBOLD_STRIDE); d3d9_realdevice->SetVertexDeclaration( g_pVertDeclPP ); d3d9_realdevice->SetStreamSource( 0, pVB, 0, sizeof( PPVERT ) ); d3d9_realdevice->StretchRect(surfBackBuffer, 0, surfBackBufferTex, 0, D3DTEXF_NONE); // edge detection pass d3d9_realdevice->SetRenderTarget(0, surfSMAA_Edge); d3d9_realdevice->SetDepthStencilSurface(surfOldDepth); d3d9_realdevice->SetRenderState(D3DRS_STENCILENABLE, TRUE); d3d9_realdevice->SetRenderState(D3DRS_CULLMODE, D3DCULL_NONE); d3d9_realdevice->Clear( 0, NULL, D3DCLEAR_TARGET | D3DCLEAR_STENCIL, 0x00000000, 0.0f, 0 ); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTexture("colorTex2D", texBackBuffer); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTechnique("LumaEdgeDetection"); g_pEffectSMAA->Begin(&iPasses, 0); g_pEffectSMAA->BeginPass(0); d3d9_realdevice->DrawPrimitive( D3DPT_TRIANGLESTRIP, 0, 2 ); g_pEffectSMAA->EndPass(); g_pEffectSMAA->End(); // blending weight pass d3d9_realdevice->SetRenderTarget(0, surfSMAA_Blend); d3d9_realdevice->Clear( 0L, NULL, D3DCLEAR_TARGET, 0x00000000, 1.0f, 0L ); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTexture("edgesTex2D", texSMAA_Edge); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTexture("areaTex2D", texSMAA_Area); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTexture("searchTex2D", texSMAA_Search); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTechnique("BlendWeightCalculation"); g_pEffectSMAA->Begin(&iPasses, 0); g_pEffectSMAA->BeginPass(0); d3d9_realdevice->DrawPrimitive( D3DPT_TRIANGLESTRIP, 0, 2 ); g_pEffectSMAA->EndPass(); g_pEffectSMAA->End(); d3d9_realdevice->StretchRect(surfSMAA_Blend, 0, surfBackBuffer, 0, D3DTEXF_NONE); // final pass /*d3d9_realdevice->SetRenderState(D3DRS_STENCILENABLE, FALSE); d3d9_realdevice->SetRenderTarget(0, surfBackBuffer); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTexture("blendTex2D", texSMAA_Blend); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTexture("colorTex2D", texBackBuffer); g_pEffectSMAA->SetTechnique("NeighborhoodBlending"); g_pEffectSMAA->Begin(&iPasses, 0); g_pEffectSMAA->BeginPass(0); SMAARenderQuad(surfdescBackBuffer.Width, surfdescBackBuffer.Height); g_pEffectSMAA->EndPass(); g_pEffectSMAA->End();*/ // restore stuff d3d9_realdevice->SetVertexDeclaration( oldVertexDecl ); oldVertexDecl->Release(); d3d9_realdevice->SetRenderState(D3DRS_STENCILENABLE, FALSE); d3d9_realdevice->SetStreamSource(0, pVBOLD, iVBOLD_OFFSET, iVBOLD_STRIDE); d3d9_realdevice->SetPixelShader(NULL); d3d9_realdevice->SetVertexShader(NULL); if(HkData::bBenchmark) bench_current.tAA = timerBench.stop(); #ifdef DEBUG_PIPELINE D3DPERF_EndEvent(); #endif }
The shader code I'm using is taken bit-for-bit from the DX9 demo, so I won't copy the (lengthy) files here. Here's a link to the release I've been working with: https://github.com/iryoku/smaa/zipball/v2.7
I've debugged the application with maximum validation and output, but nothing in the log makes me believe the code is encountering errors. I've also done PIX runs, but I can't say I'm quite at the level necessary to understand the shader, so seeing what it does is slightly pointless. I have however taken pictures of each step (sorry for the large pictures but resizing kills all the details):
Initial image:
Related edge stencil:
Weights (alpha channel):
Demo program edges:
Demo program edge stencil:
Demo program weights:
Demo program weights (alpha):
Unless I'm missing something, it's pretty clear that my weights output is entirely different from what I'm supposed to be getting. I can't find a channel match which would indicate that the two versions use different channels for storing the data, either. I've double-checked and both surfaces I have are A8R8G8B8 like in the demo.
I'm quite stumped, but I have found very little information on how to implement SMAA outside of the main team's package. Most hits come back to the SMAA injector, which ironically works fine when wrapped around this (but it affects HUD elements and adds another layer of complexity, which is unacceptable). I can also say that I have modified the SMAA injector shader to get the weights image and it is extremely similar (if not identical) to the demo's, which makes me believe it's not a difference between DX9 and DX10 implementations, but a real problem with my code. However, considering the only inputs in the blend weights pass are the edge texture, the area texture and the search texture, all three of which appeared fine in PIX... I'm not sure what the error is.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.


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Lakewood Health System foot care clinics to be held in July
Lakewood Health System will host three foot care clinics on the first, third and fourth Tuesdays of July. The first clinic will be held at Lakewood's Staples clinic (49725 Cty. 83) on July 2 from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. The second clinic will be held on July 16 at the Scandia Valley Town Hall (3518 320th St. Cushing) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The third will be held at Lakewood's Long Prairie office (720 Commerce Rd. Suite 2) on July 23 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For all clinics, a nurse will be available to provide basic foot care needs including a foot examination, toenail trim and foot massage. There is a cost of $20 for each appointment. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 218-894-8080.


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TWITTER: I am writing.
FACEBOOK: I like writing.
INSTAGRAM: Here's a photo of my writing.
YOUTUBE: Watch me writing.
LINKEDIN: My skills include writing.
PINTEREST: Here's a recipe for my favorite writing snack.
4-SQUARE: This is where I write.
GOOGLE+: I am a Google employee who writes.
What's your favorite social media and why?
~ Jillian
*Inspired by Social Media DE-MYSTIFIED


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[quote user="SFranciscan"][quote user="TroyArcher"][quote user="SFranciscan"][quote user="TroyArcher"][quote user="SFranciscan"][quote user="theyregood"][quote user="TroyArcher"][quote user="theyregood"][quote user="pezman1963"]Same thing ya did to Dallas, Atlanta, and Green Bay,........ Shut down the run game then rush the passer till mistakes are made.
Keep in mind GB did not turn it over much either till last week.
But GB beat themselves with dropped passes and allowing Hail Mary TDs, those things dont really happen, just luck.[/quote]
And the Falcon blowout was lucky? Shut their offense out and they have a better QB and offensive weapons than the 49ers. You are a fool.[/quote]
they dont have a running game like the 49ers, and your rushing D is last.[/quote]
Gore got knocked out of the game last time and we did not have a rushing game against New York, so it was pretty much Smith versus Manning and Smith came out on top.*
If you want to take Smith over Eli good luck with that.[/quote]
Are Smith and Eli going to be throwing the ball through a little hoop downfield to see who makes it in the most times?* Because, if they changed the NFL rules for scoring points to making free-throws, then I might be inclined to take Eli.
As for non-fantasy football, I'll take Smith and the 49ers offense against the Giants defense over Eli and the Giants offense over the 49ers defense.*
I guess you have not been watching the Giants defense the past 4 weeks. They have been dominating. Eli is a much better QB that Smith at this time and has a much better chance of winning the game if it comes down to that. Eli has been through this before and I have a feeling Smith is a little nervous today.[/quote]
I think Smith is probably less nervous today because he knows that with Gore healthy, we will have a running game.* I grant you that the Giants are a much healthier, better team than the last time they came to Candlestick but so are the 49ers, so I think those advantages offset.
If the game is as close as analysts are predicting, I would take David Akers over Eli Manning.* Not only can he score from fifty yards without too much of a sweat but he has a better pass completion record than Manning.*
Eli is a SB MVP and is now regarded as a Top 5 QB in the NFL. Your remark is quite ridiculous.


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Vote Happening on Cuba Travel Ban Tomorrow
Posted by Tex Dworkin in Freedom to Travel to Cuba, World News & Events on 29th June, 2010 | No Comments
The time has come. Wednesday, June 30th the House Agriculture Committee will vote on the "Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act." What happens Wednesday will determine if this landmark legislation sees the light of day on the House floor this summer or dies in committee. Find out how to keep on top off what's happening and how you can get involved.
Read More...


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Eddie Walker: The Working Man Heading Into GLORY 5 London
- Published in Interviews
Eddie Walker is a name that has been popping up more and more over the past few years, first in relation with K-1's resurgence here in the United States, which equated to nothing but false starts for him. Finally Eddie Walker got his shot at the big time when Lion Fight called him up and offered him the fight with Joe Schilling. Schilling is one of the bigger names here in the United States muay thai scene and it was a fight that Walker had been looking to take for a while. The talk was that Eddie was out of his league, that he didn't stand a chance, and it was no doubt a rough fight for him, until he knocked Joe out.
That set the scene for Walker signing with Glory and appearing in one of their Road to GLORY USA events, fighting in a one-night tournament with himself and Mike Lemaire as the big names. It was fate that evening as Walker cruised through the first few rounds of the tournament before the big main event between Lemaire and Walker went down, a tough fight between two of the better fighters at 187lbs in America with Lemaire walking away with the victory but Walker impressing Glory officials. It turns out that Steve Wakeling didn't have an opponent for GLORY 5 London after Schilling and Marcus fell through, so he gladly accepted.
"I'm glad to be involved with Glory," he stated while walking home from his day job as a manager at a recycling plant. "I guess that I impressed Cor and them with my last fight, so they offered me this fight and I was glad to take it."
Walker divides his time between two careers and a family life, something that not many fighters have to do anymore, but Kickboxing and Muay Thai don't pay like MMA does, which leaves him working a fulltime job, the same job that he has worked at for 13 years now. His schedule is grueling, to say the least, with him waking up at 4am each day to get in an early morning workout before he heads to work, gets out of work at 3pm and heads home to take care of his kids before his wife comes home. Then after his wife comes home it is straight to the gym where Walker works on honing his skills and preparing for his next fight before it is back home for dinner and rest before starting it all over again.
"It's exhausting," he laughed after explaining his day-to-day. "Muay Thai and Kickboxing just don't pay enough for me to do this full time. MMA might pay that much, but I just don't have the time to dedicate to the training to feel prepared for MMA right now. So yeah, for now I'm sticking with the job."
If he were younger and had less responsibilities he might be able to do more in the way of training, but with a family to support he knows that he has to take the hard road. It doesn't stop him from noticing how younger guys don't understand what they have, though. "Man, I see these 19, 20 year old kids and they don't work a fulltime job, they don't have a family and they half-ass it in the gym. They show up for their fights and they are all out of shape and they look terrible. You gotta put in the work to be a fighter and most aren't willing to do that."
Family plays an important role in Walker's life, as much as he loves fighting and would love to do it fulltime, he understands how important they are and that they come first for him. His wife, Ashley, plays a vital role in his fighting career as well. "My wife is a graphic designer," he explained. "So she had this idea to take some photos from all of my knockouts and blow them up and hang them up around the house. So I have these 'Knockout Walls' all around, it's kind of cool. She does a lot for me, my marketing and PR, she designed my website, too."
When asked if he'd like to add Wakeling to his wall, he seemed happy at that prospect. "Oh absolutely, that would be great. Steve's a great guy, though. I have nothing bad to say about him. I know that there is some promotional video floating around of me saying that I'm gonna knock him out and all of that, but I don't like trash talk. This is a professional sport and I'm not here to do that crap."
I was quick to point out that his previous opponent, Joe Schilling, is well known for his trash talk, which seemed like a sore subject for him, as was a rematch. "You know, I respect the guy. The way that fight even started was on Facebook. I made a post asking if I should watch the fight between Marcus and Schilling, two guys that I wanted to fight, or the fight between Tate and Sahak, two guys that I'm friends with. Well, Joe and I were Facebook friends at the time and he made a comment telling me to keep dreaming and whatever. So, you know [Andrew] Tate, right? Well, he and Joe went at it on there and it turned into this big thing.
"I just don't like that trash talk stuff, we're not in middle school anymore. We are professional fighters in a professional sport, there is no room for that. I found out that he had talked some trash on my wife as well, which you just don't do. You don't do that. I didn't find that out until after the fight, either. I don't want her to have to deal with that."
So Walker goes into his fight with Steve Wakeling with a lot of respect for him and his skills as well as everyone else on the card. "Man, so many guys are fighting that I'm not sure that I'll even show up on anyone's radar for this fight. Even when I fought Schilling it was an arena full of Schilling fans or people asking me if I was the guy that was fighting Schilling. There are a ton of names on this card, I'll just get lost in it," he joked after I ran through the list of names on the card.
Even with his busy schedule, though, he still tries to make time for having some fun, or else he might go crazy from stress. The other day he posted a photo of him holding the new God of War game for PS3, which he laughed about. "That is my game, man. I don't play a lot of games or anything, in fact, the last game that I played was the last God of War. But man, that is my game, I love them. I had to pick it up right away. Even then, I only got to play for like an hour last night after the kids went to bed, when my wife was just staring at me I knew that I had to stop."
So while Eddie Walker might not have finished God of War: Ascension before his fight with Steve Wakeling at GLORY 5 London, let's hope that he has the time after the fight to just sit back and relax for a while. On March 23rd Eddie Walker will meet Steve Wakeling in London on a stacked card headlined by Remy Bonjasky vs. Tyrone Spong.


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Hey there. I just heard of "The Oliver Trap", and then found Randy's detailed explanations at http://scientificbeekeeping.com/figh...al-tactics-ii/ . Has anyone tried this, and what were your results?
Also, I didn't know that honeybees would tear brood cells and turn them into drone cells as needed. Do they do also this in reverse, drone to brood?
Thanks for this great forum!


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Peter H. Raven
VISIBLE EMPIRE: Botanical Expeditions and Visual Culture in the Hispanic Enlightenment. Daniela Bleichmar. xii + 286 p. University of Chicago Press, 2012. $55.
In an age when human activities are causing the natural world to decline rapidly, both in biodiversity and in sheer magnificence, it is fascinating to contemplate a time when exploration was, with similar rapidity, allowing members of the Western world greater comprehension of Earth's beauties. The inexhaustible encyclopedic appetite of 18th-century Europe is revealed by the more than 12,000 illustrations of plants made throughout the Spanish empire—in the New World, the Philippines, and regions in the Americas and Asia touched by Spanish expeditions—during a period of approximately 25 years spanning the late 1770s and the early 1800s. In Visible Empire, Daniela Bleichmar curates a selection of these images, presenting them along with seven insightful essays on such entwined subjects as empire, race, botany and natural history. In concert, the essays and images offer insights into not only the botanical works themselves, but also the times, visions and dreams of the people of the era.
The body of art that is Bleichmar's subject is preserved in air-conditioned vaults at the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid. The selections she includes represent the collection as unique in both the number and the excellence of the paintings it contains. Through her deep and fascinating analysis, we are transported back through the centuries and brought into contact with the motivations and attitudes of the Spanish explorers, scientists and artists who made the images. Spanish authorities saw the discovery and use of these new kinds of plants as a possible source of wealth. They also viewed the knowledge that they were able to exhibit as a competitive weapon in their ongoing struggle with other nations—and in the attempt to recast conceptions of the regions where the paintings were produced. Contemporary viewers, by contrast, might see the images primarily as an impressive body of artistic work, with little political or historical meaning, were it not for the existence of this thoughtful book.
The "discovery" by Westerners of the New World, Asia, Africa and, ultimately, Australia, and the subsequent exploration and colonization of these regions, led quickly to a strong desire on the part of imperial explorers to describe and catalog everything they could find. This impulse can be seen as part of the broader desire to catalog and rationalize knowledge that was exemplified by many of the intellectual activities of the 18th century. These efforts included the great work of the encyclopédistes in France; the comprehensive investigations of life made by Carl Linnaeus; and initiatives such as that represented by the body of work discussed in Visible Empire. The result was that richness much greater than had been recognized earlier began to unfold.
A central figure of the historical period analyzed in this book was José Celestino Mutis, who was born in Spain and lived in Santa Fe de Bogotá (now Bogotá, the capital of Colombia) for most of his long life. Mutis arrived in South America in 1761 at the age of 28, and was later ordained a priest. Realizing the opportunities afforded by his new residence, he proposed to the King of Spain a continuing botanical expedition. Royal permission led to 25 years of exploration, starting in 1783. Ranging deep into the interior of what is now Colombia via the valley of the Río Magdalena, Mutis and his associates discovered and described thousands of new kinds of plants, arranging for many of them to be illustrated. His story and those of many others are recounted in the course of Bleichmar's essays.
Mutis was visited by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland during the course of their expedition throughout Latin America (1799–1804)—a journey that revealed to the West the incredible biological riches of the tropics. Just a few years afterward, Napoleon's invasion and occupation of Spain, coupled with the independence movement that subsequently swept its empire, brought to an end both the possibility of and the motivation for continuing efforts to catalogue the botany of lands occupied by the Spanish Empire. In part as a result of these events, some of the collection of plates now stored in Madrid was not published at the time. The delay in publication may also have resulted from the Spanish empire's desire to properly exploit the information they contained; colonial powers sometimes displayed ambivalent feelings about publishing descriptions of the biological wealth of their overseas territories.
In a rich and scholarly fashion, Bleichmar brings us as close as humanly possible to understanding the era. We are afforded a sense of the Spanish government's motivations in sponsoring the expeditions and residencies that led to the creation of these plates; the relationships between the explorers, botanists and artists responsible for the images; techniques for accurately rendering fragile specimens whose colors rapidly faded; and the way the images decontextualized botanical specimens from their native environments and from the people who lived there.
An estimated 100,000 or more plant species are native to Latin America—a quarter or more of the world total—and scientists still do not have a thorough understanding of this flora. Throughout the world, habitat destruction, incursions by invasive species, global climate change and other forces are driving species to extinction much more rapidly than we can find and recognize them. During the period described in this book, the world population reached one billion people for the first time; now it is seven billion, many more than the world can nurture sustainably. It would be a rational step, if the means and motivation could be found, for nations to collaboratively embark on an exploration of the world's botany that is comparable in scope to that described so beautifully in Visible Empire. Without such an effort, much of the life that exists now will be lost forever, without ever having been seen by humans.
Peter H. Raven is George Engelmann Professor of Botany Emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis and President Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, which he headed and developed for 39 years. He is a co-founder of the Flora of China project, an effort to produce a descriptive encyclopedia of the 32,000 different kinds of vascular plants there. The project involves the collaboration of botanists from throughout the world; the last of 50 volumes will appear this year.
You can find this online at http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/imperial-imagery
© 2016 Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society


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Biopharmaceutical companies are expanding into emerging markets, sometimes without involving supply chain operations. The operational function (operations) should play a strategic role in emerging market expansion planning.
Facing slow growth in developed markets, biopharmaceutical companies increasingly are expanding into promising emerging markets. Yet too often companies plan emerging market entry and expansion without involving supply chain operations.
A study by PwC indicates that the operational function (operations) should have a deeper strategic role in emerging markets, a role that is new for companies with a developed market bend.
Three emerging market operating models
|Investment requirements
|Considerations for deployment
|Low investment:
Distributing products locally through distributers, logistics providers, and other transactional suppliers.
|Appropriate for companies with innovative product portfolios—typically small molecules under exclusivity, select specialty products, and complex biologics; a low-capital method for companies to launch molecules in a specific emerging market.
|Medium investment:
Manufacturing, packaging, and quality testing in an emerging market country for local and/or regional distribution.
|Typically represents the initial emerging market operational investment to establish regional controls (for example: country-hub-and-regional-spoke model). Considerations include sharing regional regulatory requirements and using existing investments to supply additional regional markets.
|High investment:
Assets, formulation, and differentiated technology invested in an attractive emerging market to manufacture or package products for global supply
|Appropriate for market-driven portfolios—typically small-molecule products with limited remaining exclusivity or a strategic manufacturing asset to support global demand. This model can combine global API manufacturing with regional or local drug product manufacturing and distribution.


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Hotel Regno - Official Site
Hotel Regno, your residence in the heart of Rome, since 1933.
Welcome to Hotel Regno, 3-star hotel in Rome!
The hotel welcomes its guests in the beautiful 16th century building with splendid terraces overlooking the rooftops of Rome!
Ideal for visitors wishing to explore the secrets of the heart of Rome. In a very central position and well served by public transports, you are within a few minutes walk from the most significant sites, such as Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.


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Taking a look at local flu numbers
BRISTOL, Tenn. - The flu season is hitting all across the country. Some states are seeing an influx of people in emergency rooms, but that's not the case locally.
While they're seeing flu patients, doctors at Bristol Regional Medical Center say they've been able to handle all of the cases.
"Nationwide it's been really severe. You may have seen the TV showing people lying in beds in the halls, we haven't had it quite that bad here. We have had an epidemic curve and that shows the peak hopefully has come and gone," says Dr. Gail Stanley, an infectious disease specialist with Bristol Regional Medical Center.
So could the flu season be winding down? Dr. Stanley says it's too early to tell, but the latest data shows a drop, which is a good sign.
Doctors tell us if you have the flu virus you can spread it to about six more people and each one of them spreads it to six more people, so you can clearly see how quickly the flu can spread. "That's why we see an acute uprise of peaks and then it begins to taper off after that," adds Dr. Stanley.
So what happens if you get the flu? Some say it feels like you got hit by a truck. "It's very common for people to say they were fine and 20 minutes later they did not think they could move. They did not think they were going to be able to leave the office and drive home. So, it's really profoundly different than a really bad cold," adds Dr. Stanley.
Dr. Stanley says not everyone with the flu has to see a doctor, but it's important to watch for certain symptoms. "Sometimes if you are dizzy or you have trouble standing up, if you're getting a racing heart or if you are having trouble breathing, the time is to be seen by some healthcare provider," he said.
Even though we're in the thick of things now Dr. Stanley says it's not too late to get a flu shot.
Here's a snapshot of local flu numbers: Throughout Wellmont Health Systems there have been more than 1,000 confirmed cases of the flu.
Mountain States Health Alliance has had 272 positive flu cases in Washington County, Tennessee. At Indian Path in Kingsport there have been 146 confirmed flu cases.


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Kylie & Kendall Jenner Sport Cute Retro Looks For 'Girlfriend'
These sisters look adorable, all dolled up in retro styles for their latest magazine shoot These mismatched pieces are a really fun look, especially on these young beauties — and you can see all the pics here!
Kendall, 17, and Kylie Jenner, 15, pose for the Feb. 2013 issue of Girlfriend magazine. These sisters look totally cute lounging poolside with their arms linked in the warm Australia sun. Their young faces are brightened up with a pop of red lipstick against two teethy grins. A touch of winged eyeliner adds a pretty touch to the summer ensembles.
We adore their dramatic hair poofs and pulled back 'do. With such busy outfits, less is definitely more when it comes to hairstyles. Kendall's thick vintage headband is a subtle detail that really pulls her look together.
Kylie's glam gold shorts really stand out against the mini floral corset that she's sporting. Gold hoops were the perfect choice of accessory. We love that Kylie shows a little skin between the high-waisted shorts and cropped top. The deep purple tank top really brings out her perfect fair skin tone.
Kendall's mix and match patterns are definitely a bold look and she pulled off the 50s styles flawlessly! The sweetheart cut of her top looked adorable paired with her silver winged heart necklace. The turquoise and black striped shorts are too cute against her picnic table print tank. It really makes us wish it was summertime.
While the retro look can quickly become too busy, these young fashionistas really woked their outfits flawlessly! A sense of style must be one of their strong suits, and definitely runs in the family. Even though the sisters bear a striking resemblance to one another, their outfits accentuate their individual styles, creating two awesome looks.
Do YOU think he Jenner girls pulled off the look? Or is it a bit too much? Comment below and let us know if you LOVE it or HATE it!
Courtney Dunn
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