text:
(Archived document, may contain errors) 6/29/88 207
ANGOLA'S FREEDOM FIGHTERS: WHY THEY MERIT U.S. AIDA s Jonas Savimbi, President of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), visits Washington this week for the first time since th e United States resumed U.S. military assistance to his freedom fighters two years ago, events are moving on several fronts that will affect the future of his struggle: * * Four-party negotiations between the communist Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) regime of Angola, their Cuban patrons, South Africa, and the U.S. have begun to explore a negotiated solution to the conflicts in Angola.. and. Namibia.. + * At last month's Moscow summit, U.S. and Soviet officials agreed to set next September 29 as the deadline for the negotiators to reach agreement on a southern African deal. Cuban leader Fidel Castro has reinforced his contingent of combat forces in Angola by 12,000 since last January, bringing the total to an estimated 50,000. Ominously, they have been deployed within artillery range of the Angolan-Namibian border. Turning the Tables. Amid this diplomatic and military maneuvering, Savimbi brings a simple message of gratitude and hope to Washington: gratitude for U.S. help and hope tha t, with continued help, the war will end in true peace. With U.S. assistance,,estimated.at-S30. mil- lion over the past two years, UNITA has been able to turn the tables in the 13-year war against the MPLA and its Soviet and Cuban patrons. U.S.-supplied S t inger anti-aircraft and TOW anti- tank missiles have blunted the effectiveness of the MPILA's vast arsenal of sophisticated com- bat aircraft and heavy tanks, allowing UNITA to take the offensive against MPLA garrisons in the northern provinces of Angola. It is UNITA's increasing military, successes that have forced the MPLA and the Cubans to the negotiating table. Today Savimbi"s forces control 40 percent of Angola, and, in effect, have established a government in the liberated zone. In desperation, Castro has sent reinforcements to southwestern Angola. This has heightened U.S. and South African concerns over the MPINs sincerity in the discussions, and could be designed to provoke a South African milit ary response. Cuban forces have patrolled so close to the Namibian border that they have clashed with South African units: a battle ear- lier this week left hundreds of Cubans, Angolans, and South Africans dead.
Communist Concession. While Savimbi was arriving in Washington, U.S. diplo mats led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Chester Crocker were returning from the latest round of the four-party discussions, held in Cairo on June 24 and 25. Prior to his departure for Egypt, Crocker announced that discussions with MPI A representatives in Washington-had yielded a major concession: the Angolan communists had agreed to drop their demand that the U.S. terminate its assistance to UNITA. But serious doubts still;remain about the MPIXs intent in these negotiations. Do they re a lly seek a negotiated peace for Angola and inde- pendence for Namibia, or are the discussions a stalling tactic until they can reinforce their defenses? Two considerations seem to indicate that, contrary to the hopes of U.S. diplomats, the MPIA is not ser ious about the talks.
First, the timing is suspect. With a U.S. presidential election less than five months away, why would the MPIA bargain in good faith? They know that Michael Dukakis, the Democratic Party's presumptive standard-bearer, has promised tha t, if elected, he will ter- minate U.S. aid to UNITA. Why should the MPILA seek a deal now, when they would have- to give up something of value, when they stand at least an even chancei of a new Administration ending aid to UNITA unilaterally? The MPILA u n derstands, moreover, the political embar- rassment for the Reagan Administration - and for Vice President George Bush - that would come with failed negotiations. There likely would be a strong temptation within the State Department as the deadline approac h ed to accept a flawed deal in the hope it would boost the Administration's diplomatic prestige. Second, and perhaps more important, UNITA is not rep- resented in the discussions. No matter what conclusions are reached in the four-party negotia- tions, tru e peace will elude Angola until the MPIA reaches an accord with UNITA. Contrary to MPILA propaganda, UNITA is no one's "puppet." UNIrFA has fought for true inde- pendence for Angola for over two decades, first against the Portuguese Empire, and then agains t the Soviet Empire. UNITA will lay down its arms when it decides that it is in its inter- ests to do so. Savimbi long ago announced his conditions: removal of all foreign forces and the creation of a coalition government to hold free elections under inter national supervision.
Testing Sincerity. U.S. negotiators should inject these demands into the discussions. The Reagan Administration should insist that a UNITA delegation be invited to the negotiations; this should be a test of the MPIA's sincerity. Washi ngton then should test Moscow's claims of "new thinking" in its foreign policy by pressing the Kremlin to use its influence with its An- golan clients to force the MPILA to deal with UNITA. The U.S. also should demand that Mos- cow use its influence with its Cuban clients to remove the additional 12,000 Cuban soldiers from Angola. The Administration, moreover, should recognize the dangers of an artificial deadline and reject the agreed upon September 29 date.
Above all, Washington must remember what forced the MPIA and Cuba to the negotiating table. U.S. military assistance to UNITA should continue until all Cubans have withdrawn from Angola and a coalition government has been formed to hold free elections. Until that oc- curs, UNITA will continue to fight for true freedom in Angola, and any negotiations will be a waste of time. William Pascoe Policy Analyst
For further information: Fred Bridgland, Jonas Satimbi. A Key to Aftica (New York: Paragon House, 1986). William Pascoe, "In Southern Africa, the State Department Bets Against the Reagan Doctrine," Heritage Foundation Backgmnder No. 633, February 12,1988.}}


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News is out today that Chinese-made drywall is causing severe headaches for homeowners– physically and financially.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – James and Maria Ivory's dreams of a relaxing retirement on Florida's Gulf Coast were put on hold when they discovered their new home had been built with Chinese drywall that emits sulfuric fumes and corrodes pipes. It got worse when they asked their insurer for help – and not only was their claim denied, but they've been told their entire policy won't be renewed.
Thousands of homeowners nationwide who bought new houses constructed from the defective building materials are finding their hopes dashed, their lives in limbo. And experts warn that cases like the Ivorys', in which insurers drop policies or send notices of non-renewal based on the presence of the Chinese drywall, will become rampant as insurance companies process the hundreds of claims currently in the pipeline.
At least three insurers have already canceled or refused to renew policies after homeowners sought their help replacing the bad wallboard. Because mortgage companies require homeowners to insure their properties, they are then at risk of foreclosure, yet no law prevents the cancellations.
What a disaster! The law requires homeowners insurance, but what do you do if no insurer will step up to the plate? You lose your home, that's what. Moreover, the sulfuric-emissions coming from the drywall is affecting homeowners' health and ruining the rest of the house.
During the height of the U.S. housing boom, with building materials in short supply, American construction companies imported millions of pounds of Chinese-made drywall because it was abundant and cheap. An Associated Press analysis of shipping records found that more than 500 million pounds of Chinese gypsum board was imported between 2004 and 2008 – enough to have built tens of thousands of homes. They are heavily concentrated in the Southeast, especially Florida.
The defective materials have since been found by state and federal agencies to emit "volatile sulfur compounds," and contain traces of strontium sulfide, which can produce a rotten-egg odor, along with organic compounds not found in American-made drywall. Homeowners complain the fumes are corroding copper pipes, destroying TVs and air conditioners, and blackening jewelry and silverware. Some believe the wallboard is also making them ill.
I have to wonder– how the heck does a homeowner know if one's drywall is from China? Is there a "Made in China" stamped on each sheet? If not, do homeowners now have to call drywall manufacturers, researching exactly where the drywall originates? It's crazy! The best bet would be to STOP all this importation of CHEAPO Chinese crap! Between the toothpaste, the pet food, the milk products… haven't we had enough toxicity in our products yet? But that would require that our government to cease their special interest with the Chi-Coms. It's all just another symptom of how Americans are cattle, to be corralled under the guise of "the economy" but we're only just servants of the Big Government and their Chinese profiteers. It all makes me SICK.
ABC News has a video about the story, if you want to see it.

subset: commoncrawl


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Ardlair Bed and Breakfast is situated 1 mile north of the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool, enjoying an elevated panoramic view over Lochbroom and surrounding mountains. An excellent base for exploring the Highlands or just relaxing and taking in the fantastic views. We have a choice of family, double or twin rooms, all with private shower rooms. All rooms are well furnished and have tea/coffee making facilities, lcd Tv's and free wireless internet. Choice of continental or home cooked breakfasts. Discounts for two nights or more!
Company websites
www Website1


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The CelloTrack Nano solution provides precisely the knowledge you need to manage your cargo and mobile assets more effectively.
Enables real-time monitoring of the location and condition of cargo and assets, including specific alerts related to issues and delays, using a smart portable hub with sensing capabilities and short range Wireless Sensor Network (WSN).
Ensures continuous recording, event-triggered logic and 'management by exceptions' through flexible programming of business rules to eliminate supply chain mistakes, avoid delays or damages, and reduce insurance expenses.
Prevents theft, losses or misplacements by using proximity, tampering and location sensing throughout the entire supply chain.Prevents theft, losses or misplacements by using proximity, tampering and location sensing throughout the entire supply chain.
· The CelloTrack Nano solution offers the following sensing capabilities:
· CelloTrack Nano hub: temperature, barometric pressure, sound, tampering, impact, geo fencing, movement, light, man down.
· MultiSense: temperature, humidity (MultiSense TH), door status, impact/free fall, movement, light.
· SiRFstarV™ engine supporting Hybrid GNSS.
· Communicates with backend server via cellular communication (2G, 3G networks) for remote monitoring (OTA), configuration and firmware upgrades.
· Compliant with cold chain standards and regulations including pharmaceuticals (GDP), perishables transportation standards (EN12830).
· A scalable solution, utilizing a wide range of cost-effective peripheral sensors resulting in reduced TCO (total cost of ownership).
· Configuration and upgrades via the powerful Cellocator+ software tool.
What can you do with the Cellocator-Nano?
Use Cases: The CelloTrack Nano is the essence of IoT - where sensors, location and communication technologies meet. The versatility and modularity of the CelloTrack Nano solution enable you to meet almost any of your monitoring needs, such as:
Cold Chain: Real-time monitoring of temperature and humidity controlled containers, trailers, pallets or boxes with pharmaceutical or perishable goods. The CelloTrack Nano enables on-the-fly responses when deviations from the required temperature boundaries occur, and guarantees compliance with the strictest cold chain regulations (EN 12830).
Logistics & Security: Verification that the required shipment conditions of high-value goods (such as art or consumer electronics) from manufacturer sites or distribution centers are kept according to the defined specifications. The CelloTrack Nano provides real-time alerts in case the goods are mishandled – for example, if they are unloaded at the wrong address, deviate from the planned route, or are opened unexpectedly. Continuous recording and event-triggered logic performed by the CelloTrack Nano help improve efficiency by reducing supply chain mistakes, avoiding delays or damages.
Rental Equipment: Efficient monitoring of rented assets, such as storage containers, construction machines, generators, trailers, mobile offices, and chemical toilets. The CelloTrack Nano enables stakeholders to monitor the profile of their assets' usage during the rental period, including location, damage, displacement, operation hours (by movement/vibrations), door status and other inventory management aspects.
Lone Worker: A quick and intuitive way to indicate distress by activating a panic button, or relying on the 3D accelerometer profile, which automatically indicates modes such as man-down (prolonged inactivity). The CelloTrack Nano enables the monitoring of workers' locations, health statuses and general activity (such as check-in / check out, and movement).
· Input Voltage 5VDC ±5%.
· Average Current Consumption Normal: 30mA.
· Hibernation: <1mA.
· Internal Battery[2] Li-Ion Polymer, 3.7V, 1000mAh, rechargeable.
· Embedded NTC for temperature controlled charging.
· Protections: Over current, overcharge and over discharge.
· Temperature Accuracy ±1.0°C, Resolution 0.1°C.
· Accelerometer 3D, ±8g range, 4mg resolution, I2C interface.
· Light Effective range 1÷1023 lux.
· Impact Impact with threshold up to 8g.
· Movement Detection of stationary or movement state by accelerometer.
· Tampering Dual tampering detection: from Cradle and from mounting surface.
· Barometric Pressure Air pressure translated to "Meters above sea level".
· Effective range -400m÷6153m, Resolution 0.1m.
· Listen in[3] Built-in microphone.
· Charging: 0°C ÷ 45°C.
· Temp, operation: -20°C to +60°C full performance (Discharging).
· Dimensions: 86.2 x 59.1 x 22.7 mm.
· Weight: 94 gr.
|3,0 Months


text:
Would you try to build a house without a blueprint? Would you solve a 3,000 piece jigsaw puzzle without looking at the picture on the box? Do our Retrievers march onto the soccer field, rugby pitch, or baseball diamond without a game plan? Similarly, you know that UMBC has specific requirements you must meet in order to claim a degree and a diploma. And, you know what your goal is—to enter law school, get a job as a Math teacher, or whatever. So you need a plan (blueprint) that meets both the UMBC requirements and your life goals.
It only makes sense to line up your courses completed and in progress against the requirements/goals and then scope out what your remaining semesters need to look like. Even though this makes so much sense, it is a rare student who arrives for an advising appointment with that blueprint in hand. And, guess what? Those students graduate sooner! And they have a more coherent vision of their future, which is even more important.
Other than completing a degree, what are your main goals in college? Do you want to get all the technical education necessary for a career in Information Systems? Do you want to capitalize on your natural gift for writing by majoring in English? Or do you want to major in something else but add a Minor in Writing? Is it your passion to become a veterinarian? You could major in Biology with an emphasis on the animal (as opposed to plant!) coursework. And you will need to make sure you take all the prerequisite courses for entrants into veterinary school.
If you don't have this kind of big goal defined by about 50 credits into college, you need to intensify your research on majors and careers. Even if you wind up changing goals, it is important to have goals to work toward as soon as you reasonably can. If you are on the fence between areas that are closely related, such as Physics and Math, your near-term plan can be to take courses that would be valuable for both.
Once you have declared your major, minor, and certificate programs, you can build those into your blueprint and then track your progress using degree audit.
Step 1. Start by reviewing your degree audit on line and making note of all gaps in general education courses, university requirements, and all courses needed for your major, minor, certificate programs, etc. You can find your degree audit by logging on to your myUMBC account and clicking on the topic "Advising and Student Support".
Step 2. Create a grid or spreadsheet with spaces for courses, credits, and notes that shows your planned courses for each semester, and Winter and Summer sessions if relevant. See the very end of this message for a sample grid you can download to use or adapt.
Step 3. Begin filling in the blanks with courses you KNOW you need to take for your major. Take into account whether these courses are offered every semester, only in fall, only in spring, etc. when you slot them into your plan. Also take into account prerequisites and course sequences.
Step 4. Then fill in courses for minors and certificates, and finally general education courses. It is fine to put "upper level AH course" or "Writing Intensive course" as a placeholder if you have not settled on the specific course yet. At least you have the category covered. Also include any electives you would like to fit in.
As you build your future schedules, remember not to load up with too many super difficult courses, too many courses with heavy reading, too many science courses in any one semester. Strive for a balanced list.
Step 5. Enter the total credits for each semester and make sure it is a reasonable number. A 15-18 credit schedule is good for most full-time students with jobs and extracurriculars of 15 hours/week or less. If you have a substantial work commitment, long commute, or big family obligations, then scale back the credits.
Make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor to review your long-term plan.
HINT: Make this appointment when the campus is quieter--early in the semester, on a Friday, during a snowstorm.
You may want to e-mail your plan to your advisor in advance, just in case he or she has a minute to print it out and look it over before your appointment.
When you come to your appointment, be ready with a list of "issues" that may have arisen, such as:
• Courses you may want or need to repeat
• Plans to take certain courses at another institution
• Any "substitutions" you may want to propose in the major/minor requirements
• Any excess credits permission you may need to complete your degree on time
Although your advisor may give you excellent suggestions to refine your blueprint, it is ultimately up to you to be sure that it is complete and realistic.
And yes, you need a plan even if you know that you may switch concentrations within your major, you may drop your second major down to a minor, and you may want to add a certificate. The process of building the plan will help you assess the feasibility of these changes! It is even more important to have a solid written plan if your academic career is in flux. And if you want to see how your courses might fit into a different major altogether, take a look at the "What If" degree audit on line.
Although your college education is a work in progress right up until after commencement when your final credits are posted, it should be unfolding based on a blueprint you designed. College is not mandatory and not free; attending college is a choice you have made to increase your life prospects. You need to shape your education to fit your needs. A frequently updated written plan or blueprint is a powerful tool for making sure you are meeting all the university's demands and achieving your personal goals as well.
Additional resources to help you build your blueprint:
UMBC 2012 Undergraduate Catalog on line here:
Navigating the First Year, 2012 New Student Advising and Registration Guide on line here:
Website of your major, minor departments. See listing here:
Peer Advisors in the Office for Academic and Pre-Professional Advising (email@example.com)
Download Graduation Plan grid below!
Do you have a written plan to complete your degree at UMBC? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.


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We've got at least a day to spare in a business trip to Barcelona.
We're planning a 2 hr walking tour of the Barrio Gotic, then onto the MNAC for a couple of hours (pretty much the longest I can stay in a museum before Museum Head kicks in) with the Romanesque stuff. Probably an hour or so at the Boqueria in between. We've got to be at the airport by 1830, so that pretty much wraps the day up
We're both pretty Gaudi-ed out, and I've never seen the point of the Ramblas But in the possibility we get an extra half day to ourselves, I thought maybe the Museu d'idees i invents de Barcelona and maybe the Archaeology Museum.
Food, what we call pre-Reformation art (I'm seriously allergic to anything Spanish post about 1550, though Mrs F quite likes some of it if it doesn't bring out her Inner Prod too much) and the odd bit of eccentricty. The Museu de la Xocolata doesn't appeal.
Anything I'm obviously missing? Staying near Zona Universitaria metro
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A spare day (or maybe a day and a half) in Barcelona
We've got at least a day to spare in a business trip to Barcelona.
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And why again are you in Barcelona?
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Have you been to Palau de la Música Catalana? If not, I recommend taking the 50 minute guided tour (English tours on the hour from 10:00 to 15:00). You could pair it with a look at Santa Maria del Mar (in Riberia/Born), a beautiful Gothic church and some strolling through Born.
I haven't been to Museu d'idees i invents de Barcelona. If you go there, I'd be interested in reading your thoughts on it.
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"We've got at least a day to spare in a business trip to Barcelona. "
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For a short time you have, why spend an hour at Boqueria looking at vegetables?
oopsy has given you excellent suggestions.
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The Museum of the History of Barcelona gives access to the underground remains of the Roman city, which I found very interesting.
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I found the museum of the history of the city of Barcelona fascinating.
They have a huge underground excavation (several city blocks) showing how the shops and homes such were arranged in Roman times. A really interesting presentation of how people lived back in the day.
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And the Boqueria has much more than vegetables. Just the candy displays are worth a visit. Not to mention the exotic spices, cheeses, etc. etc.
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Or you could visit the neighborhoods of Gracia and/or Sarria, which are off the beaten path. Fewer tourists & more locals. In Gracia, there is a lovely square with a church surrounded by restaurants/sidewalk cafes where you could have lunch.
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"For a short time you have, why spend an hour at Boqueria looking at vegetables?"
Because I won't have time to go the farmers' market at home on Sunday, and the price of Iberico round here is shocking. Are you suggesting I shop at Carrefour?
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Not familiar with Carrefour.
When in Barcelona, some
people like to spend time on the beach, some in a museum, some buying cheese.
À chacun son goût.
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Also found the history museum (capxxx mentioned it) very interesting.
If proximity to the hotel is a factor: the Monestir de Pedralbes is somewhat nearby. Though not exactly in walking distance.
The (somewhat) new Arts Santa Monica center (Rambles/ near Columbus column) is probably too contemporary but for free. The current exhibitions are quite interesting.
For the sweet tooth (if applicable): Escribà (cakes, pastries, chocolates; near Boqueria on the Rambles).
I don't know if the food at the Boqueria is the best you can get. You probably pay more for location as so many tourists go there from the Rambles. A less quaint alternative is the Mercat de Sant Antoni, currently in makeshift quarters 10 minutes from the Boqueria, near the MACBA, once the covered market get renovated. But I did not find the food less appealing.
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Thank you all for your suggestions.
I was wrong on two counts
I'll admit to being underwhelmed by the suggestion of the City Museum. I've been round more Roman excavations than many of you will have had decent hot dinners.
I was flabbergasted. The best explanations anywhere of Roman winemaking and its textile industry, an extraordinarily far cry from most Roman town sites - and a fascinating variation from how Barcelona, New York, London and Liverpool decide what a "museum of the city of..." is there for. Odd really: the Met, the BM and the Louvre are almost identical. "Museums of the city of..." give themselves utterly different jobs
I also forgot I wasn't Gaudi-ed out, because we'd never been inside Sagrada Familia. Gobsmacking.
Honestly the most astonishing place I've been to for years.
Strong restaurant reco: Cuines de Santa Caterina at rthe Santa Caterina market
Sadly, ran out of time for the Museu d'idees i invents de Barcelona.
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Glad we could come up with something to flabbergast a guy to whom old Roman stones are commonplace.
My favorite bit of information from the tour through the ruins under the streets of Barcelona: in Roman Barcelona, people left containers in the street outside their homes with the expectation, indeed the hope, that passers-by would urinate into them. The urine was then used to disinfect and clean the laundry, mixed with ash and lime.
To someone who has seen more Roman ruins than I've had decent hot dinners, this might be old news, but I don't believe I'd heard that particular information before. Fortunately none of our neighbors followed that policy when my husband decided to leave a toilet we didn't need out by the curb in the hopes that somebody might take it.
But I digress.
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Well an easy excursion to Montserrat - the fabled pilgrimage mecca just outside of Barcelona would be an option - take a commuter train to Montserrat then a funicular or cableway up to the perched on a mountain holy shrine - nice walks, including one of the Way of the Cross. And you can queue to glimpse the famous Black Madonna as well in the ornate sanctuary church.
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I'm not showing off (not much anyway). But human and animal urine was part of the fulling process round here for part of the Middle Ages. What fullers didn't have to do here, though, was pay the Barcino Colonia council for the right to use the piss from passers by.
Probably yet another example of the split between the grape and grain culture. In our predominantly beer-drinking society, where people didn't dehydrate much, a few pints a day probably meant the fuller and his team generated enough urine by themselves.
In Barcino's wine drinking universe, if people dehydrated as much as I did climbing up Montjuic, the fuller probably needed all the extra wee he could find.
Anyway: thanks again to you all for suggesting it.
FWIW, the Romanesque wallpaintings at the MNAC were also gobsmacking. The Gothic stuff was eye-opening: utterly different from what was going on in Italy (and is now preserved in London, Paris and New York) at the same time. Sadly, though, so awash with bling as to bring out the Inner English Prod in even the most pious Irish Catholic.
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I agree, having been inside Sagrada Fmailia a week ago, was gobsmacked too. However, we spent several hours doing a food tour of chocolate shops, patisseries, and the Boquerria market which was almost as good. For those of us who love food, it's a real experience - even if we are used to French markets, as I am.
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Flanner, you would FIT RIGHT IN anywhere on Las Ramblas given your predisposition for the outrageous.
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I second the recommendation for the Palau de Música Catalana. It's stunning.
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"given your predisposition for the outrageous."
I have never seen anything remotely outrageous - or in any way noteworthy - on the Ramblas.
Just another tacky and pointless street that tourists, for some utterly incomprehensible reason, have been told's worth walking along.
Piccadilly Circus without the good taste.
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text:
Fallon family gather for christening
THREE generations of the Fallon family gathered at St. Columba's Church, Rosses Point, on Sunday for a poignant Christening ceremony.
Baby Sean, the grandson of Sligo's legendary soccer icon, the late Sean Fallon, was Christened by Monsg. Gerard Dolan.
Proud parents, Sinead and Paul Shevlin, and over twenty members of the Fallon family travelled from Scotland for the ceremony.
The Godparents were Sinead's sister, Siobhan Connolly and her son, Sean.
The family chose Rosses Point for the Christening as the village was one of the late Sean's favourite places in Sligo. His son, Sean junior, said it meant a lot to the family to have baby Sean Christened in Rosses Point.
He explained: "Dad and Mum brought us to Rosses Point for our summer holidays every year.
"So it's lovely to have Sinead and Paul's youngest son Christened here. It means a lot to the family."
It was an emotional end to a special week-end for the family.
They were guests of honour at a civic reception in County Hall on Saturday where a new book on the life and times of Sean Fallon was officially launched.
Sligo Champion


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Who will recieve their NWT first: TheMadBrewer or Unkunk
The contest: Who will recieve their NWT first. The estimated shipping dates are very close. TheMadBrewer in the Los Angeles, California area has the distance advantage of 733 miles to the Bike friday manufacturing facility in Eugene, Oregon. While the Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area is 2,179 miles away. I think the travel suitcase option will more than make up the time by being much easier for the shippers to handle. Anyways... the race is on.
Mine is coming with a suitcase, too -- so that part is equal. I haven't received an email with a tracking number yet either. So you pays your money and you takes your chances. :)
Who cares when you receive your bikes; the point is to ride 'em.
So the first person to reach Kansas, with their suitcase trailer in tow, wins. :D
On the basis of my Scrabble/Username theory, TheMadBrewer (23points) will receive his bike at least 2 days before unkchunk (21 points).
My choice is not in the poll options...
I think the packages are going to fall off a truck and disappear. So, neither. ;)
From the UPS tracking page:
How about a poll to see whose bike sustains the most damage in transit. I am gonna go with you on this one, Unkchunk as it sounds like UPS are rushing the delivery; it's also a longer route to Ohio - so a greater risk of spoke mutilation (or worse); what's more, I am having no problem imagining a clumsy brute of a UPS guy throwing your beloved case round as I type. ;)
Zero points for the ampersand. This is a shame as my username ties on 21 points with yours...!
In any case, you still have 6 days. From OR to CA is 2 days. TMB still has time and great weather on his side.
Anyways, the latest tracking info is:
Looks like a 1st leg transit time of 3 hours and 18 minutes for 110 miles distance giving an average speed of... 33 1/3 mph. Notice the skillfull use of the I-5 corridor at late night hours to avoid the traffic snarls around Salem. After an nice 5 and a half hour rest we're back on the road. Mostly likely on the I-84 East toward Salt Lake. This route provides splended views of the Columbia River Valley as well as provides an alternative to those long winding mountains roads. This section of road was repaved in 1997 a double asphalt substrate so we can be assured that damage to persons or cargo is very unlikely. Another possible route is the I-90 to Billings, but either eay we are well past The Dalles by now. Lastest weather shows scattered thunder showers breaking up to the northeast of Walla Walla, so looks like we can expect smooth sailing... err, anyone know the trucker talk equivalent for "smooth sailing"?
I've still yet to get an email with a tracking number, so Unkunk has a good two day lead :(
If mine doesn't get out tomorrow, I'll have no chance at all (unless the Mississippi floods)
Any tornados out that end of the US? I thought I saw a news item with trucks flying through the air, bike-shaped parcels scattering...
Not looking good for me -- just called BF and it didn't ship today ("still in cabling") -- should go out Monday. If all breaks my way I could still win, but I'd put my money on Unkunk. :(
Well, I just want to start off by saying that just because the UPS tracking page hasn't shown an update in the last 24 hours doesn't necessarily mean that anything has gone wrong. There could be several routine explanations. Uhmmm... like the destination was Denver instead of Salt Lake.
Well MadBrewer, since yours hasn't shipped out that means I still retain the yellow joisey! And if the the destination is infact Denver, I think I get the polka dotted hill climbing shirt as well. Anyways don't feel bad. There's the old saying "Never buy a car built on Friday." And since it is a Friday, that would make it on Friday to the 2nd power. Much better to have a Friday on Monday than any old day of the week. Sorry, I lost control of what I was writing.
I still think you've got a chance though. That is if the tracking shows that mine hasn't reached St Louis by tomorrow. Your's has a straight shot down I-5. The only real obsticles you have are the Med Fly Agricultural Inspection station around Weed and the Harris Ranch vapors near Coalinga. You know, I think I'm detecting a tinge of jelousy by those of the Dahon persuation here. I'll just be big about it and forgive them. They got enough problems as it is.
However, this can't be assumed for Bike Fridays, since probably all the employees there are happy and enthusiastic about working on the bikes, no matter what day of the work week. :D
Okay, I just want to start off today's installment by stating that just because the UPS tracking site hasn't updated my shipment information in the last 48 hours doesn't necessarily mean that anything has gone awry. There are still many possible explanations left to explain this, although fewer than at the 24 hour interval. Weather in the west is clear, with the exception of scattered thunderstorm activity in the western Colorado area. Winds are from the north at 6 mph and the visiblity is at 10.0 miles. That's plenty enough for your average trucker, especially when you consider the long views they have out west.
Actually, I've found with UPS Ground shipments that the status isn't updated once its on a truck. So if is on a truck from (say) Portland to Chicago you won't see any updates until the truck reaches Chicago. I once had something from Denver sent by mistake (a UPS mistake) to Boston instead of LA. It looked like the package fell off the face of the earth until about a week later I got "Arrival Scan" from Boston. UPS refused to do anything about it -- send it ground to LA which took another 10 days. That I was always ask if there is an alternative shipping option.
It's not going to work MadBrewer. You're just trying to trick me. That sort of thing might work on a One Who Must Be Obeyed, but not me. Yeah, you're thinking I'll be multiplying 48 hours by 33 1/3 mph to estimate the maximum possible distance and then take a compass and trace a circle with the the last known position as a focal point. Well there's a very simple explantion for all this. It's well known that they are heading into hostile Indian terrority about now. It's just misdirection and stealth to throw the Comanches of the track. It's a proven UPS technique. It works with the Shoshone, Blackfoot, Kickapoo, and Winnebago. Everyone knows just two or three Winnebago can bring all traffic to a stop.
Okay, I just want to state with the utmost of clairity and uhm confidence that ahhh just because the UPS tracking site has not updated my shipment information in which is now the last 72 hours that nothing is amiss in anyway what so ever. I repeat, nothing is amiss in anyway what so ever. So you all can stop gloating. There.
OK, Monday 5:30pm (PT) and no email from BF and no response to my phone call. So I guess mine didn't ship today either. :(
Classic! Five stars for the Winnebago reference!:roflmao:
Sorry Mad&DissapointedBrewer. They shipped my bike out late in the day, about 8:00 in the pm. My local UPS guy said this time of year is the busiest time of the year for them, and not Christmas as most people think. So give your email another check.
I just want start out by saying although it's been 96 hours, the UPS tracking site has finally been updated and it's in... Chicago? Yeah, why not. So the second leg, all 1,756 miles of it, came in with an average 24.4 mph. Okay, it's slower than the 33 1/3 in the first leg, but considering the long distance it's understandable to have a sustainable pace.
After a rest up tonight, it's off to a 250 third leg. This course will mostly be across open Indiana corn fields, so should have a faster pace. An important side note, this is the home area of America's most influential cyclist, none other than great Dave Stoller. Perhaps I would be so lucky that he'll draft the truck himself. Lots of good vibes there. Weather forcasts 80 percent chance of thunderstorms, Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph and a high of 75F.
|All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:10 PM.


text:
My Nonprofit Reviews
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text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|2 Apr 1985
|Filing date
|16 Sep 1982
|Priority date
|16 Sep 1982
|Fee status
|Publication number
|Chitranjan N. Reddy
|Original Assignee
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (6), Referenced by (28), Classifications (19), Legal Events (6)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to clock generator circuits of the type used in VLSI semiconductor memory devices.
Semiconductor integrated circuit devices are being constructed with ever-increasing circuit density, Dynamic MOS memory devices are now being developed containing 256K bits, and 1-Megabit devices will soon be designed. These devices require scaling of the transistor sizes, i.e. reduction in the physical size of each part of the transistor, including the thickness of the gate oxide. With gate oxide of 200 Å thickness and supply voltage of +5V, the electric field across the gate oxide can cause failures due to dielectric breakdown. In particular, booted nodes are needed in clock generator circuits or the like to assure full logic-level outputs, and transistors connected to such booted nodes are subjected to excess electric field across the gate oxide.
It is the principal object of this invention to provide improved clock generator circuits for semiconductor integrated circuits such as memory devices. Another object is to provide improved protection from overvoltage for the gate oxide of MOS field-effect transistors as may be used in circuits having high-level booted nodes.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, in a clock generator circuit for a dynamic RAM or the like it is necessary to boot certain nodes to a value above the supply voltage in order to provide a high-level gate voltage for output transistor. To prevent excess voltage on the gate oxide of a transistors connected to a booted node, a series transistor is added which has the supply voltage on its gate, so neither transistor will have the full booted voltage across its gate oxide.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as other features and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the detailed description which follows, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic diagram of a clock generator circuit according to the invention;
FIG 2. is a timing diagram showing voltage as a function of time for various nodes in the circuit of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram like FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a clock generator circuit of the type used in a VLSI type semiconductor memory device is illustrated. Typically, the device may be a 256K-bit dynamic read/write memory using one-transistor cells generally as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,993, issued to McAlexander, White & Rao, assigned to Texas Instruments. A number of high-level clocks must be generated on the chip in a memory device as in such patent; the clock voltages must drive capacitances of perhaps 50 to 100 pfd, at a voltage level at or very near the supply Vdd, and the timing delays are preferably in the nature of a few nanoseconds. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,239,990 and 4,239,991 issued to Hong et al, assigned to Texas Instruments show the general type of clock generator used in the memory device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,993.
In FIG. 1 a basic low-level clock Φ with its corresponding precharge clock Φ drive two push-pull input stages consisting of pairs of transistors 10 and 11; these clock voltages are seen in FIG. 2. Generally, the clock Φ is one of the active cycle clocks derived from one of the inputs to the device such as RAS, CAS or chip select, whereas the clock Φ is a precharge cycle clock. The voltages on the output nodes 12 and 13 from the input stages 10 and 11 are used to drive the circuits which control the gates 14 and 15 of two large push-pull output transistors 16 and 17, producing a high level output on node 18. The Φ clock drives the gate 15 high, holding the node 18 down at Vss by conduction of the transistor 17. Nodes 12 and 13 are also held low by Φ. When Φ goes high as seen in the timing diagram of FIG. 2, the gate 14, which is also the node 19 at the gate of the transistor 20, is charged to Vdd-Vt through the decoupling transistor 21. This transistor 21, having Vdd on its gate, allows the node 19 to be charged, but then isolates the input. Then, the node 19 is booted to above Vdd when the node 22 (also gate 15), is discharged, providing sufficient drive for the gate 14 of the transistor 16 for a proper high-level output on the node 18. The node 19 is discharged when the clock Φ' goes high, see FIG. 2, by a transistor 23 and a series transistor 24 having Vdd on its gate. This part of the circuit is an important feature of the invention because, during the time the node 19 is at a level higher than Vdd, the gate oxide of the transistor 23 must be protected from excessive voltage which would tend to cause breakdown failure. This is especially important where the gate oxide is very thin, about 200 Å, as needed in scaled VLSI devices. The stress on the gate oxide is increased when the part is operated at higher than nominal supply voltages and temperatures, reducing reliability and performance. To reduce the effects of the electric field on the gate oxide of the transistor 23, the device 24 in series with the transistor 23 drops part of the voltage on node 19 so the electric field is less than the node 19 to ground voltage seen in FIG. 2. No node in the discharge path has more than Vdd across it. That is, the voltage at the node 25 is no more than Vdd-Vt, and the voltage between node 19 and node 25 is also no more than Vdd-Vt.
The node 22 is precharged to Vdd-Vt by the transistor 26 when Φ is high, and so is the node 27; these nodes stay high when Φ goes to ground, because node 13 is held low during Φ and transistors 28 and 29 are off. Then, when Φ goes high, node 13 goes high, and after the selected delay as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,990 the node 22 is discharged through transistors 28 and 29. This turns off the transistor 30, allowing node 31 to go toward Vdd as transistor 20 turns on due to the voltage on node 19 being driven by Φ through transistor 21. As node 31 goes toward Vdd, the node 19 is booted above Vdd through capacitor 32.
The ouput pulse on node 18 is terminated by a transistor 33 which has the Φ' clock on its gate. This same clock Φ' is used to discharge the booted node 19 as discussed above.
Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, where all of the circuitry prior to transistors 16 and 17 is the same as FIG. 1. What is added is a booting voltage input via capacitor 35 whereby a clock Φ�d functions to boot the output voltage on the node 18 to a level higher than Vdd. This type of booted clock is used for an X-address voltage as explained in said U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,993. The clock Φ�d is merely a slightly delayed version of the output voltage on the node 18 and is derived therfrom; this delay is much less than the width of output voltage on node 18 as illustrated in FIG. 2. To prevent undue stress on the gate oxide of the transistor 17, a series transistor 36 with Vdd on its gate is added. The net electric field seen by the gate oxide of transistor 17 is thus no more than Vdd-Vt. The transistors 36 and 17 are of sufficient size to produce a proper zero level while predischarging the capacitor 32, if necessary.
While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications to the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|5 Jan 1973
|18 Jun 1974
|Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co
|Driving circuit for an indicating device using insulated-gate field effect transistors
|29 Apr 1976
|27 Sep 1977
|Nippon Electric Company, Ltd.
|Flip-flop accompanied by two current switches, one having a smaller current sink capability than the other
|3 Mar 1978
|22 Apr 1980
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Avoidance of hot electron operation of voltage stressed bootstrap drivers
|7 Sep 1978
|16 Dec 1980
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Clock voltage generator for semiconductor memory with reduced power dissipation
|7 Sep 1978
|16 Dec 1980
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Clock voltage generator for semiconductor memory
|10 Sep 1980
|12 Apr 1983
|Mostek Corporation
|Delay stage for a clock generator
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|29 Aug 1984
|13 Jan 1987
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|High speed CMOS clock generator
|25 Apr 1986
|30 Jun 1987
|International Business Machines Corporation
|High voltage swing open collector driver
|20 Dec 1985
|25 Aug 1987
|Motorola, Inc.
|High voltage decoder
|30 Apr 1985
|20 Oct 1987
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Low power clock generator
|14 Nov 1986
|5 Apr 1988
|National Semiconductor Corporation
|VDS clamp for limiting impact ionization in high density CMOS devices
|30 Dec 1985
|26 Apr 1988
|Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|MOS semiconductor integrated circuit in which the production of hot carriers near the drain of a short n channel conductivity type MOS transistor is decreased
|1 May 1987
|16 May 1989
|Texas Instruments Incorporated
|Pass gate with low transistor junction breakdown susceptibility
|6 Jan 1988
|15 Aug 1989
|Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|MOS semiconductor integrated circuit in which the production of hot carriers near the drain of a short n channel conductivity type MOS transistor is decreased
|9 Apr 1987
|3 Apr 1990
|Nec Corporation
|Boot-strap type signal generating circuit
|17 Feb 1989
|8 Oct 1991
|Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|Delay circuit that resets after pulse-like noise
|16 Jan 1991
|23 Jun 1992
|Jun Kim
|Pulsed bootstrapping output buffer and associated method
|30 May 1989
|18 Aug 1992
|Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
|Sense amplifier driver for memory device having reduced power dissipation
|18 Dec 1991
|19 Oct 1993
|International Business Machines Corporation
|Boosted drive system for master/local word line memory architecture
|30 Apr 1992
|7 Dec 1993
|Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
|Boosting clamping circuit and output buffer circuit using the same
|7 Sep 1995
|7 May 1996
|Nippon Steel Corporation
|Bootstrap circuit
|2 Jun 1997
|6 Apr 1999
|Motorola, Inc.
|Transistor protection circuit and method
|31 Jul 1998
|12 Oct 1999
|Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
|High voltage tolerable input buffer
|2 May 1996
|15 Aug 2000
|Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
|High voltage tolerable input buffer and method for operating same
|20 Jul 1993
|20 Feb 2001
|Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
|Device for reducing plasma etch damage and method for manufacturing same
|4 Nov 1999
|23 Apr 2002
|Cochlear Limited
|High voltage protection circuit on standard CMOS process
|14 Feb 2000
|27 Aug 2002
|Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
|High voltage tolerable input buffer
|26 Jun 2001
|28 Sep 2004
|Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
|Overvoltage protection circuits that utilize capacitively bootstrapped variable voltages
|22 Sep 2005
|22 Mar 2007
|Honeywell International Inc.
|Voltage divider and method for minimizing higher than rated voltages
|24 Oct 1986
|6 May 1987
|Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|High potential hold circuit
|24 Oct 1986
|21 Feb 1990
|Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|High potential hold circuit
|1 Apr 1987
|28 Oct 1987
|International Business Machines Corporation
|An integrated circuit including a high voltage swing open collector driver
|1 Apr 1987
|10 Jan 1990
|International Business Machines Corporation
|An integrated circuit including a high voltage swing open collector driver
|29 Jun 1999
|11 Jan 2001
|Cochlear Limited
|High voltage protection circuit on standard cmos process
|U.S. Classification
|327/294, 326/88, 326/98, 365/233.1, 327/589
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|16 Sep 1982
Owner name: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED 13500 NORTH CENTRAL
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:REDDY, CHITRANJAN N.;REEL/FRAME:004035/0912
Effective date: 19820913
|22 Sep 1988
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|21 Sep 1992
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 8
|15 Oct 1996
|Surcharge for late payment
|15 Oct 1996
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 12
|5 Nov 1996
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed


text:
BTW, it's only a 4km ride (short route) so it doesn't compare with your commute, even at -10C.
So I made a late New Years resolution to try to ride to work maybe a couple days a month. Today was the first day. Weather was gorgeous, slight tailwind, low 50s; the kind of day that has me checking how many vacation days I have available. (But no, I decided to stay at work :o ) The ride went by a lot quicker than I remember. I was navigating here and there and all of a sudden I popped out on Chapin Road (a few miles from the office) and thought wow, I'm almost there.
10 deg F at 4:00 am. But I had no traffic I only saw one car on a side street. Couldn't shift gears very well I think they were freezing up.
Rode all the way in the rain this morning but it was relatively warm (57 deg.F) so really, not that bad. Only hit the deck once, coming off a traffic light and my rear tire hit one of those wide white pavement lines just as I put the force on the pedal.
I was on the ground fast! Fortunately the motorist behind me saw what happened and didn't run over me. Otherwise, just rain, nothing dramatic (thankfully).
Rick / OCRR
This morning was kinda gruelling. It was 11degF, but the cold wasn't as much an issue as the combination of a decent headwind and the winter tires. A lot of work, even in granny gear. I would do it again, but it was one of the tougher commutes I have done. A "character builder."
This morning the temp was all of 18F, all of 3 degrees higher than yesterday, but somehow it felt less brutal. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. There was a headwind, which slowed me down, but didn't feel particularly harsh. I still have to tweak what I wear; I ended up sweaty again.
There's snow coming tomorrow. Not very much by the sound of it, maybe an inch the last I looked at a weather report, but I haven't done snow yet. It might start before I go home tomorrow evening, but I think it'll mostly be an issue on Sat. Should I chance it in city traffic?
1 Attachment(s)
I thought it was just in my head, but I can now confirm the wind shifts so that i have a headwind coming and going.
FenderTL5, what site is that graphic from? I also have a headwind coming and going on my commute. Although today we have chinook winds which should stay westerly for a tailwind home. Here is a cool wind visualization map.
Drove in this morning but did a midday out and back about 6 miles each way, to check out a different route for my commute.
Most of you aren't going to like this: it was too hot!
I think winter tires magnify the Suckiness of headwinds. If a given headwind sucks X amount on summer tires, it will suck 1.3X on winter tires. I don't have data to back that figure, but it sure seems that way.
10° with a wind chill of 0°.
this morning was better, 14 F and wore double gloves and double socks, less numb extremities
coming home was warmer with 21 F, its surprising how warm 21 feels in comparison to 10, but 25+ mph wind gusts that last 5 minutes at a time suck in any weather.
My hairy legs were feeling sore and tired this morning, so I lamed out and took the loser cruiser (minivan).
I can confirm that driving still sucks.
My '94 Nishiki Sport XRS, on my commute today (36 miles round trip)
Great ride home... about 70 with a slight tailwind (both ways today!)
Temps all over the place lately. Couple of weeks ago my morning commute was mid 20s F, then 30s, 40s, yesterday it was 61, then 65 on the way home. This morning 52.
Each morning I have to check the weather, and make a decision as to what to wear. I'm not a morning person and hate trying to think before I'm awake.
1 Attachment(s)
19° with headwind - celebrated my 52nd birthday by riding in the snow! When I got up about 6:50 there was nothing, when I left the house at 7:30 the ground was totally covered. I took the pic below about 20 mins later. It was cool riding the mup on virgin snow - my tires were crunching along. The bad spots were street crossings and the last part of the ride on downtown city streets. I guess it's the cars packing down the snow but I was sliding all over the place - considering taking my front wheel to the lbs down the street from my office to get a studded tire... nah
This morning it was an even 60 Deg.F but it was raining, so light base layer, bib shorts, Woolie Boolie socks, Showers Pass rain jacket.
Rick / OCRR
Beautiful morning for a ride. No wind, no rain (wet roads, though), and 55ºF (~20º+ higher than it's been the past several weeks.) No cold fingers today.
This afternoon is looking to be nice, too. 62º and partly cloudy. Certainly can't complain about that during January.
The last couple days, I came out in 11 to 14 degree weather and that was 6 am in the morning too. Peeps looked at me like I was crazy. The second day, I doubled up on my socks, and put a liner in my gloves. Much better. BTW, today I passed, didn't ride!! ;)
About 0°C but I dressed too warmly anticipating the ice pellets and freezing rain that's supposed to come through this afternoon and evening. Although it's supposed to be warmer by then and in theory I could come home in shorts and jersey. It's an unusual weather pattern for this area and I don't trust the forecasts at all today.
Dark, drizzly, but a warm 40 degrees. I prefer the gravel section to be frozen rather than the muddy surface I have like this morning. It felt like it was sucking my tires down even though it's not very deep. Traffic was very busy this morning: at least 5 cars passed me in 9 miles.
|All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:05 AM.


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Push To End Kansas Proof-Of-Citizenship Rule Falters
Associated Press - September 4, 2013 6:20 am
A legislative effort to repeal a Kansas law requiring new voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship when registering has stalled.
The House refused Tuesday to consider a proposal to rescind the policy, which took effect in January.
The proposal from Wichita Democrat Jim Ward would have allowed new voters to simply affirm that they are citizens, rather than requiring them to produce papers.
The Republican-controlled House ruled the proposal out of order. Ward offered it as an amendment to a bill revising a law on sentencing of some convicted murderers.
The registration law is designed to prevent non-citizens from voting. But the registrations of more than 15,000 legal Kansas residents are on hold because they have yet to provide proper documents.
I believe everyone should be able to produce some type of documentation. Until our government stops protecting everyone in the world but its own citizens and stops the invasion of our country from Mexico this has to be done. Further elections have become so corrupt something must be put in place.
How do they know 15,000 people living in Kansas are legal that have a hold put on for not having proper id? Further how many of those 15,000 are real people?
how exactly do you prove your citizenship? someone please explain.
I would say, birth certificate?
A citizen in the US has a long paper trail would not be hard to prove citizenship.


text:
Thank you to everyone who participated in our #FCDChristmas social media contest! We got some fantastic submissions from our #DTID fans and the randomly selected winner of four tickets to a 2014 FC Dallas game is @the_charles11!
@FCDallas #FCDChristmas just got my jersey and scarf!! pic.twitter.com/6GQBPMyOFH
— Charles (aka Jack) (@the_charles11) December 25, 2013
Check out our Storify bringing together all the #FCDChristmas submissions and find yours!


text:
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Luna gown, $5,260, and ostrich feather Santorini shrug, $1075, both by Jenny Packham at Kelly's Closet.
High Cotton
A perfect mix of sweet Southern sentiment and wild beauty, Amy Osaba's cotton blossom bouquet elevates the common crop to a haute new level.
Caroline Cox | Photo: Angela Morris | June 7, 2012
Here in the heart of Dixie it comes as no surprise that wisps of natural cotton have been cropping up in bridal bouquets. A longstanding Southern symbol, cotton blossoms add a sense of regional charm nestled among colorful petals and buds, sparkling antique brooches or natural succulents.
For this whimsical bouquet, floral and event designer Amy Osaba was looking to achieve a rustic, woodsy effect that still felt luxurious and elegant. "A lot of images I saw using cotton had a cloudlike quality," remarks Osaba of her inspiration. The bride comes from "a good line of strong, earthy women," she explains, and this unconventional look was right up her alley, as she favors vintage, handpicked styles over more traditional ones.
Flecks of silver brunia with ranunculus and a sprig of delicate pussy willow add texture and movement, while tufts of airy cotton, ranging from bright white to overcast gray, evoke a soft, sumptuous feel. Unexpected textural touches include the empty star-shaped pods that normally hold the billowy cotton. Mixing fresh green stems and baby sweet tulips with raw elements like a twining branch give this bunch the perfect balance of femininity without being overly saccharine, resulting in what Osaba proudly declares "a bohemian sophistication."
"I definitely don't think it's for the traditional bride," she declares. But that doesn't mean cotton should be reserved for just farm or outdoor ceremonies. "I see it in a cozy mountain wedding, candlelit with long tables and plenty of white flowers."
Amy Osaba, 678.570.3816


text:
Microsoft bigwig Bill Gates backs British fridge inventor with £840,000
MICROSOFT tycoon Bill Gates has given £840,000 to an unknown British inventor who has designed a life-saving fridge.
Ian Tansley created an appliance that keeps vaccines cool without power for 35 days and can be used throughout the Third World.
It will be made by Mr Tansley's Sure Chill Company, which is based in Tywyn, Gwynedd.
Mr Tansley said: "The devices will allow vaccines to be stored safely in challenging environments with no power and ambient temperatures as high as 43C."
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding will enable field trials in East and West Africa to be carried out.


text:
Test bench
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
A test bench or testing workbench is an (often virtual) environment used to verify the correctness or soundness of a design or model, for example, that of a software product.
The term has its roots in the testing of electronic devices, where an engineer would sit at a lab bench with tools for measurement and manipulation, such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, soldering irons, wire cutters, and so on, and manually verify the correctness of the device under test (DUT).
In the context of software or firmware or hardware engineering, a test bench refers to an environment in which the product under development is tested with the aid of software and hardware tools. The suite of testing tools is often designed specifically for the product under test. The software may need to be modified slightly in some cases to work with the test bench but careful coding can ensure that the changes can be undone easily and without introducing bugs. [1]
Components of a test bench[edit]
A test bench has four components:
- Input: The entrance criteria and requirement needed to perform work
- Output: The exit criteria or deliverables produced from the workbench
- Procedures to : The tasks or processes that will transform the input into the output
- Procedures to check: The processes that determine that the output meets the standards
Kinds of test benches[edit]
The following types of test bench are the most common:
- Stimulus only — Contains only the stimulus driver and DUT; does not contain any results verification.
- Full test bench — Contains stimulus driver, known good results, and results comparison.
- Simulator specific — The test bench is written in a simulator-specific format.
- Hybrid test bench — Combines techniques from more than one test bench style.
- Fast test bench — Test bench written to get ultimate speed from simulation.
An example of a software test bench[edit]
The tools used to automate the testing process in a test bench perform the following functions:
- Test manager
- Manages the running of program tests; keeps track of test data, expected results and program facilities tested.
- Test data generator
- Generates test data for the program to be tested.
- Oracle
- Generates predictions of the expected test results; the oracle may be either previous program versions or prototype systems. Note that this is not Oracle Corporation, the database company.
- File comparator
- Compares the results of the program tests with previous test results and records any differences in a document.
- Report generator
- Provides report definition and generation facilities for the test results.
- Dynamic analyzer
- Adds code to a program to count the number of times each statement has been executed. It generates an execution profile for the statements to show the number of times they are executed in the program run.
- Simulator
- Simulates the testing environment where the software product is to be used.


text:
Javed Akhtar's family plans a surprise for his 70th birthday
Javed Akhtar turns 70 on January 17. A little birdie tells us that the family has planned a surprise for the writer-lyricist and therefore does not want to divulge the details.
Javed Akhtar
Meanwhile, Javed plans to do what he does best — pen scripts this year. His last screenplay was for his son Farhan Akhtar's film 'Don' in 2006.


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Why is it - even when it's a rainy day - if you have to go out to the grocery store, between your house and car, there is only a little mist that stops while you're driving and returns as you exit your car, increasing as you scurry into the store?
But then. You've finished your shopping, and are ready to load up and go home. (Sigh!) Two steps out of the store, with many more to get to your car-and it comes down with a vengeance! I've been soaked more times than I can count over the past week. I have to remind myself sometimes that I need to be thankful, even for the soaking I get, that we are in fact getting that much-needed rain. Things are growing again -especially the grass. You just get it mowed, then it rains and it grows - and keeps growing because it stays too wet to mow again.
I just hope it holds off Sunday morning so we can all get to church dry! And, of course, Saturday for those of our community whose faith worships on that day. Saturday or Sunday, that question sometimes brings on some pretty heated discussions. Whichever day you choose, I think the most important point is that you do go.
And, of course, not all the things we do at our churches constitute worship. We have various events for fun and fundraising, and some are coming up.
There will be extra worship category events as well, as we enter the season of Lent, which precedes Easter.
andbull; This morning at 10 a.m., Temple Beth Shalom folks will meet in the Curry Coastal Pilot building for another 613 commandments class. Although the class has been ongoing for some time, new folks are welcome to join in. The class will be led by Rabbi Les Scharnberg.
andbull; Today is the final day for the garage sale fundraiser at Redwoods Family Worship Center. The sale goes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check it out - who knows what treasure you might find?
The ladies of the church group "Kingdom Crafters" can use donations of yarn. They knit and crochet blankets, hats, and other warm things for those who need them, and lap robes for nursing home patients as well. Even less than full skeins can be used - granny squares use smaller amounts of several colors, and when put together, the result is beautiful. If you can help, call Terry at 954-1231.
andbull; Lent is under way at Grace Lutheran church. From now until Holy Week, there will be soup suppers and Lenten devotions on Wednesday evenings starting at 6 p.m. There will also be craft activities for kids.
andbull; Don't forget the full-plate diet class that's coming up at the Seventh-day Adventist church. That starts Tuesday at 6 p.m. If you need help losing weight, this might be a good place to start.
The name might sound funny, but I can tell you from my own experience that not eating enough does not work. I once cut to one small meal a day thinking that would do the trick - and the trick was on me - I actually gained! Call 464-2738 if interested to preregister.
andbull; Thursday the Ladies Christian Fellowship will meet at 10:30 a.m. in the Trinity Center of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The speakers for this month's meeting have been much anticipated.
Mike Young and Dennis Burns will report on their most recent trip to Haiti. There will be a slide show, and they will update on progress with water purification (Mike has invented a simple device for that). There are many other activities they were involved in as well. Whenever they have returned in the past, their reports have always been very interesting and informative. They will also have a presentation of work done in Africa.
All women are welcome to attend. The group is non-denominational, and most churches in the area are represented. But church attendance is not required - faith is the key to this group, which functions well together. Lunch is catered by Northwoods at $10 per person. Reservations are required to order sufficient food. Please call Liz at 464-3539 to make reservations, or for questions.
andbull; One of the pre-Easter events that has become standard in recent years is the Taizandeacute; service. While it is a cooperative effort of several churches, it takes place March 16 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Episopal. It is a service of meditation and contemplation, and of music as well - music to also support the meditative process. It began in France in Taizandeacute;, an ecumenical community in France. All are welcome to attend.
andbull; There will be a Pastor's Forum on Thursday, March 20, at the home of Father Adam Kotas from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The Community Good Friday service is on the agenda, so pastors interested in taking part should attend.
andbull; Reach Out Ministries, a local non-profit, is in need of non-perishable food products for their food bank. Donations can be dropped off at Crescent City Foursquare church, the Mailroom, at their weekly outdoor ministry, Sundays 2andndash;4 p.m. at Highway 101 and 9th Street. You can also donate online atwww.Reachout
us.org, or call 954-6071.
To reach Martha Williams, call 460-3000, or email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Human Rights
Former McCain Supporter: McCain Is "Unleashing the Monster of American Prejudice"
October 13, 2008, 1:00 PM GMT
Amy Goodman: We turn now to the McCain campaign's strategy of repeatedly invoking Senator Obama's connection to former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers, now a professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago. It seems to very clearly have a serious effect of riling up crowds of McCain and Palin supporters, to a point that Senator McCain was booed at his own rally Friday when he attempted to defend his rival against character attacks.
Sen. John McCain: I want to be president of the United States, and obviously I do not want Senator Obama to be, but I have to tell you, I have to tell you, he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared as president of the United States.
Audience: [booing]
John McCain: Now, I just -- now, I just -- now, look, I -- if I didn't think I wouldn't be one heck of a lot better president, I wouldn't be running, OK? And that's the point.
AG: The Republican presidential nominee was speaking to a crowd near Minneapolis Friday. His attempt to defend Senator Obama was met with jeers.
At a Palin rally earlier in the week, Governor Palin referred to Senator Obama as a man connected to "a former domestic terrorist." She said she was "fearful" of his vision of America.Gov. Sarah Palin: I am just so fearful that this is not a man who sees America the way that you and I see America, as the greatest source for good in this world. I'm afraid this is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to work with a former domestic terrorist who had targeted his own country.AG: While Governor Palin was speaking about Obama, an audience member, it's believed, yelled out, "Kill him!" It's unclear if Palin heard the remark, but she didn't respond.
Obama was eight years old when, 40 years ago, Bill Ayers was a member of the militant antiwar group, the Weather Underground. Today, Bill Ayers is a tenured professor and leading expert on education reform at the University of Illinois, Chicago.
At another moment last week during the presidential debate, McCain referred to Obama as "that one."Sen. John McCain: It was an energy bill on the floor of the Senate loaded down with goodies, billions for the oil companies, and it was sponsored by Bush and Cheney. You know who voted for it? You might never know. That one. You know who voted against it? Me.AG: Our next guest, joining us from Boston, is Frank Schaeffer, the bestselling author of Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back. He's the son of the late evangelist Francis Schaeffer, considered himself a lifelong Republican. He voted for John McCain in 2000. McCain even endorsed one of Schaeffer's earlier books on military service. But on Friday, Frank Schaeffer published an op-ed piece in the Baltimore Sun excoriating McCain for "feeding the most unhinged elements of our society the red meat of hate." The op-ed is entitled "An Open Letter to John McCain." Frank Schaeffer joins us now from Boston.
Welcome to Democracy Now!
Frank Schaeffer: Thank you, Amy.
AG: It's very good to have you with us. Can you -- do you, by chance, have the letter in front of you?
FS: Yes, I do. I have it right here. What would you like to hear?
AG: Could you read it to us?
FS: Sure. This is the op-ed:
"John McCain: If your campaign does not stop equating Sen. Barack Obama with terrorism, questioning his patriotism and portraying Mr. Obama as 'not one of us,' I accuse you of deliberately feeding the most unhinged elements of our society the red meat of hate, and therefore of potentially instigating violence.
"At a Sarah Palin rally, someone called out, 'Kill him!' At one of your rallies, someone called out, 'Terrorist!' Neither was answered or denounced by you or your running mate, as the crowd laughed and cheered. At your campaign event Wednesday in Bethlehem, Pa., the crowd was seething with hatred for the Democratic nominee -- an attitude encouraged in speeches there by you, your running mate, your wife and the local Republican chairman.
"John McCain: In 2000, as a lifelong Republican, I worked to get you elected instead of George W. Bush. In return, you wrote an endorsement of one of my books about military service. You seemed to be a man who put principle ahead of mere political gain.
"You have changed. You have a choice: Go down in history as a decent senator and an honorable military man with many successes, or go down in history as the latest abettor of right-wing extremist hate.
"John McCain, you are no fool, and you understand the depths of hatred that [surround] the issue of race in this country. You also know that, post-9/11, to call someone a friend of a terrorist is a very serious matter. You also know we are [a bitterly divided country] on many other issues. You know that, sadly, in America, violence is always just a moment away. You know that there are plenty of crazy people out there.
"Stop! Think! Your rallies are beginning to look, sound, feel and smell like lynch mobs.
"John McCain, you're walking a perilous line. If you do not stand up for all that is good in America and declare that Senator Obama is a patriot, fit for office, and denounce your hate-filled supporters when they scream out 'Terrorist' or 'Kill him,' history will hold you responsible for all that follows.
"John McCain and Sarah Palin, you are playing with fire, and you know it. You are unleashing the monster of American hatred and prejudice, to the peril of all of us. You are doing this in wartime. You are doing this as our economy collapses. You are doing this in a country with a history of assassinations.
"Change the atmosphere of your campaign. Talk about the issues at hand. Make your case. But stop stirring up the lunatic fringe of haters, or risk suffering the judgment of history and the loathing of the American people -- forever.
"We will hold you responsible."
So that was the piece, and it got quite a response, actually. I've been swamped with email, and encouragingly, most of it favorable.
AG: Now, Frank Schaeffer, you supported John McCain in 2000, as you write.
FS: Yeah. I mean, you mentioned my book Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back. And really, people who have read that book will know that I come from an evangelical family that was really evangelical royalty in the '70s and '80s. My father was a frequent guest in the Reagan, Bush and also even the Ford White House -- Bush, first, that is. And my background, therefore, was very unthinkingly Republican. We were always just associated with these folks. And so, in 2000, I was actually on a number of evangelical and right-wing stations, like with Ollie North, for instance, on his radio station, pleading the cause of John McCain, who I thought would be a much better candidate than George W. Bush.
But really, over the years, distancing myself from that evangelical background, as I talk about in the book, I've come to a place where I really see what Max Blumenthal was talking about in the earlier part of your show, and that is, you know, speaking of the secessionists in Alaska, the evangelical right-wing subculture in this country, particularly the Assemblies of God, by the way, that Sarah Palin comes from, have really already ceded from our union, in the sense of the fact that they have, you know, between home schooling and their own schools, their own publishing, their own radio, their own TV, many times very fundamentally anti-American, waiting for the Apocalypse, waiting for Jesus to take everybody away in the Rapture, weirdly Christian Zionist and at the same time assuming that the Jews will all be killed in Armageddon, when Jesus comes back, as part of their Rapture enterprise.
You know, just to put it frankly, the evangelical movement that I grew up in as a child used to be a fairly respectable and respectful group of people. They regarded themselves as Americans and part of the system. And now, I really think it's been taken over by a group of people that have to be described fairly as just wingnuts. And if you read Crazy for God, you're going to find, through my own journey, coming out of the '50s and '60s, that I watched all this change. I mean, you know, I preached from Jerry Falwell's pulpit. He sent a jet up to get me once. You know, I know Pat Robertson and Dr. Dobson and all these people personally. And the fact of the matter is, the movement has gone off the rails.
And the dangerous thing about Sarah Palin is, is that there's a very direct line from her to the kind of extremism that would literally destroy this country. So, you know, when you look at what eight years of George Bush has done to our economy, on one side, when you look at the war we're in in Iraq -- and, by the way, my son was in the Marine Corps and fought twice in Afghanistan, took one mission to Iraq, one to the Horn of Africa, so I speak as someone whose son actually was out there getting shot at because of these policies. When you look at all this, as I talk about in the book, what you see is that we really are at a crossroads here.
This election is not just an election. This election is a mirror that is being held up to the United States, saying you can choose what sort of country you want to be. Do you want to be with the Sarah Palin wingnuts who are bearing high-powered rifles in their gardens for the time when the United Nations sends Black Hawk helicopter-type missions against America? You know, do you want to assume that Jesus will be coming back to rapture everybody, so you hope there's an atheist co-pilot in every plane? I know this sounds laughable, but there are tens of millions of Americans who are buying into this crap. Or do you want to be a member of the United States of America -- Republican, Democrat, left, right, center, but part of the American family? Or have you already ceded from our union?
So, basically, I think what this election is about and what my book is certainly about is, besides the politics, besides whether we have Barack Obama or John McCain as our president, is also another kind of a choice, and that is, are we going to give the right-wing evangelical/fundamentalist wing nuts of all stripes, of the Sarah Palin types, a voice in literally destroying this democracy? Do you want another eight years like the eight years that have passed, double, triple, and go from there?
So, you know, my problem with McCain now is that by nominating Sarah Palin and, as I talked about in this editorial, by opening the floodgates of hate because of his ambition to win, basically doing whatever it takes to do that, he's clearly choosing to try to empower the America that will destroy the real America. When I say "the real America," I mean people who are proud of their country. So we've come to a very weird place. We have Sarah Palin, who talks about Barack Obama not liking his country enough. Her husband and her are associated with secessionists, so we have someone who wants to run for vice president who doesn't even want the union to hang together, who would have fought on the other side in the Civil War, as it were, when it comes to the States, you know, going up against Barack Obama, who I personally think would make a terrific president.
AG: It's very significant, your endorsement of Barack Obama, considering where you come from and your own beliefs.
FS: Right.
AG: I mean, your father was a famous evangelical preacher --
FS: Yeah.
AG: -- a person who gave sermons around the world. Really, you convinced him to take up the anti-abortion line --
FS: Absolutely.
AG: -- to make it central to his philosophy and your own.
FS: Right.
AG: So, here you are, anti-choice, pro-life, and pro-Obama, Senator Obama, who is fiercely pro-choice.
FS: Right, right. And you know what? It's an imperfect world, but I would rather have a president that I disagree with on the issue of choice who's fit to be president than an old man who has just shown such a lack of judgment as to literally connect himself to the lunatic fringe of the lunatic fringe. It isn't just someone you disagree with politically. That's one point.
And I'd say something else about the choice issue. I am pro-life. I haven't changed in that regard. If people read my book, Crazy for God, they'll see that I've gone left, if you want to put it that way, in many, many areas, but not that one. But I actually believe that if your interest is not ideology and ideological purity, but rather abortion itself, i.e. you want more or less abortions, that the medical and social programs that Barack Obama is talking about for our country, in terms of care of women and children and families, improvement in education and possibilities for all Americans, actually will result in less abortions. So my interest in the abortion issue is that I think abortion is a tragedy. My interest is not the politics of it, as in always appearing to vote for the person who has the correct ideology.
And so, I think there's a choice for Americans interested in this issue who are like me, pro-life, and that is, do you want to choose ideological purity attached to a party that will so destroy our economy and all the social programs that there will be more abortions, i.e. as there have been through the Republican-controlled years, when they've been talking about this issue for thirty years and done nothing about it for actually helping women and children, or would you rather have a president like Barack Obama, who you disagree with on this one ideological point, in terms of what you might call the theology of the issue, but whose program would practically result in a more conducive environment for families to prosper, for people to have children, for kids to go to school, for women to be taken care of? And I would rather vote for a person who's going to do the job rather than just have the correct ideology.
AG: Frank Schaeffer, also on this point of terror and terrorists, you make a very interesting point. I was reading your book throughout yesterday and last night, and about --
FS: Thank you. Thank you.
AG: -- about your dad and about being invited to the White House by President Reagan--
FS: Right.
AG: -- by President Bush, Sr., by President Ford, and you talked about him calling for the violent overthrow of the United States, yet still being invited to the White House.
FS: Yeah. I mean, the hypocrisy is total. Again, it goes back to what Max Blumenthal was saying. And, by the way, I totally commend him. I hope everybody goes to his website and looks at this. This is a huge and underreported story he was talking about, and he is getting to the nub of it. So, well done, Max Blumenthal.
But people who read Crazy for God will come to see that what I decided was happening was that the people who were talking from the right were actually -- about patriotism and wrapping themselves in the flag were actually, in a weird way, profoundly anti-American. They wanted disaster. The worse the country got, the closer it was to Christ coming back, the more you needed Christians to tell you to accept Jesus as your savior. You know, they needed -- they needed an apocalyptic frame of mind.
AG: We have eight seconds.
FS: Yeah. So, essentially, yeah, I would just say, you know, my point is, there was a hypocrisy, because the anti-Americanism was very much in the right while the right was talking about and pointing the finger at the left.
AG: Well, Frank Schaeffer, I want to thank you very much for being with us, a film director, former evangelical Christian. Latest book, Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back. He has written "An Open Letter to John McCain."
Sign up for AlterNet's free, daily election newsletter to get the most important, timely information about Election '08.
Amy Goodman is the host of the nationally syndicated radio news program, Democracy Now!


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Six years after a mudslide crushed luxury cars and badly damaged a garage building, the owner fears history will repeat itself.
Torrential downpours in January 2008 caused a 20-foot embankment belonging to Goss Graphic Systems Ltd to collapse onto LD Thornley garage in Aqueduct Street.
Andrew Cotton who owns the premises, said: "I've still got four or five foot of banking resting on the back of my building six years later, and water is pouring in.
"Goss's put gabions in to make the banking secure, but they've moved and there's water cutting a rut into the footpath. With all this bad weather we've been having, I'm worried it's going to happen again and we need a drainage system."
Shane Lancaster, a director of Goss Graphic Systems Ltd, said: "We instructed civil engineers to arrest the banking and gabions were installed where the bank had slipped onto Mr Cotton's land at considerable expense to ourselves.
"I looked at the site this afternoon and the gabions are still there doing their job.
"We are a responsible neighbour and if there is a problem with our site we will rectify it."
Mr Cotton added: "When it happened in 2008, I was running a Land Rover business turning over £1.5m a year and employing six people, and Leon Thornley was running a Mercedes business employing three.
"The damage put us out of business, put several people out of a job, and I've spent God knows how much money on solicitors letters trying to get decent drainage in place."


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I'm a northeastern boy who has snowboarded for most of my life and seen plenty of 100 day seasons. I'm looking for a change of pace this year and want to learn to surf. So having some friends from ES and hearing La Libertad was killer I booked a flight out to San Salvador on March 3.
Any advice anyone can give would be awesome. The more I check this out the more I am stoked but realize I need to be totally on point in many ways. I've never been out of country before yet have 2 years Spanish and some good practice with my friends. I have no idea about surf culture, I'm a very respectful boarder but I'm realizing I'm gonna be dealing with different factors (locals and im not only a nOOb but a foreign nOOb, wave priority, paddling out, ect).
I've looked at alot of ettiquette and common sense travel safety so I know the basics. Are there any tips for someone in my situation heading to ES and particularly La Libertad? I'm hoping Zunzal has a good vibe to it and would be accomodating for a beginner.
Also should I go with a surf camp, or wing it and find a hostel, board to rent, and community that would tolerate my a**. Anytips on making it back alive on Mar 13 would be spectacular.
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squid, nOOb, ect. and I dont wanna end up as calamari


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Below are listing categories for businesses in Westfield and the surrounding area. You can add your listing to these categories here.
St Benedict - Victorian Bed and Breakfast Accommodation? Check out bed and breakfast in St Leonards
Rutland Guest House Accommodation? Check out guest houses in St Leonards
The Old Granary Accommodation? Take a look at self catering in Brede
Churchills Hotel Accommodation? Check out hotels in Hastings
Manor Farm Oast Accommodation? Take a look at bed and breakfast in Icklesham
Saturday 25th November
Location: Battle
Annual Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary's Church Battle, with Christmas stalls, refreshments, light lunches, afternoon teas closes at 6pm ... more
Sunday 26th November
@ 11:00am
Location: Winchelsea Beach
Winchelsea Beach Community Association are presenting a Christmas Craft Fayre with the emphasis on Real Craft at Christmas. Plenty of ... more
Tuesday 28th November
Location: Bexhill-on-Sea
One of the most profound indie bands in the past decade, the majestic sounds of Grammy nominated and Billboard topping ... more
Friday 1st December
Location: Bexhill-on-Sea
Graham Dunning and three other artists take over the building to present an evening of live music and visual performance. ... more
Saturday 2nd December
@ 10:30am
Location: Battle
Coffee Morning and homemade cake sale in St Mary's Church, Battle. Last chance to view Christmas Trees and to vote ... more
Saturday 2nd December
@ 7:00pm
Location: Hastings
Hastings Philharmonic Baroque Christ Church - St Leonards-on-Sea Emily Armour - Soprano, Marcio da Silva - Countertenor Petra Hajduchova - ... more
Sunday 3rd December
Location: Bexhill-on-Sea
A great way to raise FUNds this Christmas. Registration is now open for the 2017 event which will take place ... more
Sunday 3rd December
Location: Bexhill-on-Sea
Join us to look at artworks, think about the ideas behind them and be inspired to make your own creations. ... more
Sunday 10th December
Location: Bexhill-on-Sea
The much-loved trio take the DLWP stage performing new music from their new album Home Counties. The band be playing ... more
Sunday 10th December
Location: Bexhill-on-Sea
Jason Manford is back with a work in progress show ahead of his national tour in 2018. The show promises ... more


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Robin Anne Richenaker, 47
Belfast — Robin Richenaker, 47, passed away on Aug. 31, 2012, in Belfast. She was born Sept. 20, 1964, in Montclair, N.J., the daughter of Allan and Elizabeth Richenaker.
Robin attended schools in Cambridge, Mass., and Little Rock, Ark., and graduated from Belfast Area High School. She received a B.A. from Wellesley College and an M.A. from Bank Street in New York City. While at Wellesley, she was awarded a fellowship at Historic Deerfield in western Massachusetts and traveled in Italy. She lived in New York City for several years, working at Sotheby's, the American Craft Museum, the American Folk Art Museum, and Riedel Crystal Company. Returning to Maine, Robin worked at Kelmscott Farm in Lincolnville and did volunteer work for several organizations, including the Waldo County YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce, and Harbor Hill. She also studied history, marine life and conservation of the local coastal area with the Penobscot Bay Stewards.
Robin was predeceased by her fathers, Allan W. Richenaker and Fred T. Breslin.
She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Breslin; her uncle, Philip Crosby, and his wife, Judith; cousins Jayne Giles and husband Mike, Janette Banks, Karen Mehorter and husband Sam and their children. She is also survived by her aunt, Darlene Richenaker, of Virginia, and many cousins. Her best friend and companion, Java, her dog, also survives her.
The great passion of her life was art. A lifelong learner, Robin was also a fine athlete and sports enthusiast. One of her great joys was coaching the Troy Howard Middle School girls' field hockey team and supporting the Belfast field hockey program. Robin loved nature, and while an accomplished city girl, she was truly at home in the natural world, taking great pleasure in watching from a kayak an eagle soaring over Pitcher's Pond or hiking in the hills along the coast of Maine. She was beloved "Auntie Rob" to Mallory B. Harnden and Claire Banks. Robin was admired for her very warm, compassionate and courageous spirit. And those who were close to her knew of Robin's great love for people, her family and animals.
A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at The First Church, 104 Church St., Belfast, with the Rev. Kate Winters officiating. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the Town Line Animal Shelter, 46 Baker St., Belfast, ME 04915; or to an animal charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences and memories may be shared with Robin's family by visiting their book of memories at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain St., Camden.


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Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin has emerged as a surprise candidate to take charge of Italy once Antonio Conte steps aside.
Conte will leave his position as Italy national team coach after the European Championships this summer and is expected to take over as the next Chelsea manager.
The Italian Football Federation have already begun the search for his successor, and reports claim that Swans boss Guidolin could be one option for them.
Guidolin was handed a deal at the Liberty Stadium until the end of the season, when his position would be reviewed, but reports are rife that Swans chairman Huw Jenkins will look to bring in somebody else.
Former boss Brendan Rodgers has been heavily linked with a return to the club after admitting he will return to management in time for next season.
Either way, it is unlikely Guidolin will be kept on and a stint in charge of the Italian national side could be on the cards.


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This recording features 23 year old Brazilian phenom, Yamandú Costa, virtuoso of the seven string guitar, recorded live, in concert, over two days last September. Accompanied by just electric bass and drums, Costa gives a bravura performance of original material by Brazilian composers such as Baden Powell, Caetano Veloso, Mariano Mores, Dilermando Reis and Radames Gnattali, plus the Django Reinhardt standard Nuages and Costa's own Samba Meu.
Costa is a true virtuoso, attacking the guitar with highly percussive, Flamenco-like attack in places, a delicate touch in other, and a passionate romanticism throughout. It is hard to know if Costa would consider this Brazilian jazz or simply Brazilian music. According to his bio, he grew up immersed in "folkloric music from the south of Brazil, from Argentina and Uruguay." Then, from the age of 17, he began a more systematic exploration of major Brazilian composers; on the evidence of this recording, it is a search that is beginning to bear fruit. Now, as his publicity material puts it, "Yamandú plays chorro, bossa nova and more, but he is also a gaúcho filled with milangas, tangos, zambas and chamamés." I am not expert enough in Brazilian genres to identify these performances, but hearing them has inspired me to go and research it more thoroughly. So watch this space. In the meantime, if you have any interest in Brazilian music, try to get hold of this recording. This is the real thing!