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Are YOU feeling the challenges off financial stress?
A few years ago, when I first started learning how to create income from working online I became a friend and business partner with a person I met via the internet and he shared a story with me that I have never forgotten.
He told me about a time when he and his wife fought over little things…
A towel left on the floor….a fork left in the sink….
You know the kind of "little fights" I am talking about? They don't really matter in the big scheme of things, but when you are feeling stressed, any little thing can set you off.
Once he built an income and gained financial freedom, those "little fights" stopped happening.
I can relate because once I began earning online, it was amazing how much better my relationships became.
So much of the stress in our lives, and those things we think are about something else are really related to the financial pressures we feel around money.
Or, lack of it…in most cases…
How to Become Financially Stress Free
Take a moment and imagine what you could do with an extra $5,000 every month . . .
What would your life be like?
How would you spend your time?
Can you think of any problems that would fix?
Would that extra money relieve any stress you may be feeling now?
In speaking with people around the globe, I have noticed there are 2 things in common that most people want to accomplish in their life.
This seems to be a Universal message….
1. They want to make sure their family has all their needs taken care of … and they are financially secure.
2. They want to be able to give back to their Communities and help others in need.
The best way to help the poor is not be poor yourself!
If you are not currently making $5,000 to $10,000 per month or more with a home business … what is your plan to get there?
Do you have a solid game plan to get it done?
The internet and your own business provides one of the most solid ways that you can go about creating an extra $3,000 a month and more, while somewhat on auto pilot.
Yes, you have some steps to take daily, and they are not difficult or time intensive, especially when you know exactly what to do.
Here are my 5 Ways to Relieve Financial Stress:
I do this part time (daily) and you can too
1. Blog Daily (or almost) I focus this on my target audience, like you!
2. Market the content from my blog (blog posts, YouTube videos, etc) I offer complete training on how to do this as part of my business system.
3. Network online with a few people who might be right to partner wtih – via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
4. Learn something new or reinforce old learning on techniques that work in business
5. Personal Development – feeding my mind and belief system
That's pretty much it!
With these simple daily actions, consistently, you can begin generating thousands of dollars in residual income in a very short time.
Don't wait on this!
IF you have a business you love, then get busy!
IF you are still looking, and still need the online tools and training to get it done online, then you can learn more about the – Simple Money System
It can be confusing online, and you probably know what I mean –
Who to follow and learn from
What programs and systems to use
How to put it all together in a daily plan
I would love to help you with all of those and make it simple for you to succeed.
<—— Did this article help you? If so, it would mean a lot to me if you would share it with others!!! And, share your comments below!
Let's have some conversation…
EXPECT Success!
Mark Edward Brown
If you are happy in a business, that is great. If you are looking for the right business; the right coach; something you can build online, I would love to share what I am doing with you. Click here and let's explore the possibilities.


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Teachers Use Compassion To Boost Attendance At Gwinnett School
Last Updated by
This story is part of WABE and American Graduate's Advancing Atlanta: Education series.
Of all the problems facing public schools, one that has stumped educators for years is how to get kids to show up. Truancy, or chronic absenteeism, can be a particular problem in low-income areas. State research shows attendance is tied to achievement. Kids who miss more than six days of school during the year tend to see their academic performance slip.
But Richards Middle School in Gwinnett County seems to have found a way to get kids excited about coming to class.
Going from 'Not Bad' to 'Very Good'
For some kids, middle school can be that awkward space that comes after the comfort of elementary school and before the freedom of high school.
"Middle school was such, such a terrible experience for me, and I did not make good decisions," says Mark McCain, principal at Richards Middle School. McCain says those regrettable years are probably what propelled him to become a principal. He came to Richards six years ago. At the time, scores on the state's former reading and math tests, the CRCT, were so-so.
"Our student pass rate was only at, like 72 or 73 percent," he says. "But the last year we gave the CRCT our sixth grade and eighth-grade pass rates were at 89 to 90 percent."
Richards is a Title I school. That means a high percentage of students come from low-income homes. Title I schools often face challenges, including high suspension rates, low test scores, and sagging attendance. Richards doesn't have those problems.
"I was looking, in fact, at January, and we had a 99 percent attendance rate for our students," McCain says.
A walk around the school reveals what could be Richards' secret weapon: a change in school climate, where teachers interact in new ways with students –who want to be there.
A Nontraditional Approach
Laurethia Cleveland's eighth-grade math class is reviewing for a test by taking a "gallery walk," also known as a scavenger hunt, through the halls. Students, like Clifton Williams, make their way down a vast hallway, solving problems posted on the wall every few feet.
"Sometimes, I mess up, like for example, this problem," he says. "I messed this one up, and I like to go back before I ask the teacher; I like to go back and look at my own mistake first."
Cleveland keeps a close eye on her students' progress, checking their comprehension as they move through the "gallery" of math problems.
"Tell me what you're going to do," she tells a student. "Walk me through what you're working on."
Research from America's Promise Alliance, an organization looking at boosting opportunities for young people, shows positive relationships with adults are critical to keeping kids in school, especially those at risk of dropping out.
"Middle school is a tough time for our kids," says Felicia Strong, a reading intervention teacher at Richards. Strong is Richards' 2015 Teacher of the Year.
"Being Title I, we have a lot of kids that deal with a lot of different things," she says. "So, we have to display the compassion and that care for our students for them to want to be in our classrooms."
Teachers Lead the Way
The school's staff also credits a discipline system the school adopted six years ago for some of the school's improvements. The program is called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS for short. Behaviors are taught and reviewed, like subjects. Students are rewarded for positive behaviors. Physical education teacher and PBIS Coach Sheree Forrester says students know what's expected.
"Instead of it being a guessing game – 'What do I do here? How do they want me to act here?' – it's just being consistent and speaking the same language across the board," she says.
Principal McCain says the program has worked in large part because teachers have embraced it. And achievement at Richards isn't tied to time spent sitting behind a desk. It's felt throughout the school, from the seventh-grade guitar class to the sixth-grade English/Language Arts class researching in the media center. In that class, the students were all assigned different historical figures to research for Black History Month.
Nicole Giraldo can't wait to show off her project. She holds up a poster covered with pictures and facts she's written about Ruby Bridges.
"She was in the civil rights movement, I guess you could say, but she only did it when she was only about seven years old," she explains to her classmates.
|According to Georgia's Department of Education, data indicates that missing more than five days of school each year can impact a student's academic performance and attitude about school. Even more, with students in grades 6 through 9, attendance is viewed as a better predictor of their dropping out of school than test scores
To McCain, Giraldo is an example of what makes the school successful – kids who are excited to come to class to learn. Despite its Title I status, Richards earned an 83 on the most-recent state report card. It was the highest score of any Gwinnett County Title I middle school and almost 10 points higher than the average for all Georgia middle schools.
McCain says his staff worked really hard to make the school a place where kids want to come every day.
"That kind of positive mentality and attitude and framework from the teacher certainly trickles down to our students," he says.
The rest, he says – high attendance, better test scores, fewer discipline problems – came as a result of those efforts.
By MARTHA DALTON • MAR 15, 2016
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subset: commoncrawl


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Royal Opera House Live Cinema Season 19/20: The Sleeping Beauty
Book Tickets
Click a time to book tickets
Thu 16 Jan
Sun 19 Jan14:00 (Encore)
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Please be aware that there are no trailers before the performance.
- Thu 16 Jan to Sun 19 Jan
- 180 minutes
This production of The Sleeping Beauty has been delighting audiences in Covent Garden since 1946. A classic of Russian ballet, it established The Royal Ballet both in its new home after World War II and as a world-class company. Sixty years later, in 2006, the original staging was revived, returning Oliver Messel's wonderful designs and glittering costumes to the stage. Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky's enchanting score and Marius Petipa's original choreography beautifully combine with sections created for The Royal Ballet by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon. This ballet is sure to cast its spell over anyone who sees it.
Approximate running time: 3 hours


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Point-in-Time: 22.05.2018
Suppose you intend to digitalise a business process in your company, or you're worried about how expensive your existing IT infrastructure has become, how slow things are to change, and are looking to modernize.
So you're looking at the possibilities out there, and there are really millions of them, and you can't get your head around it all. It has to be scalable, but not overly complex, agile and not expensive to maintain, something that does not require reams of teams with different skill sets just to keep the beast running and adapt to changing requirements. You don't want every new requirement to be a design challenge, a new microservice, a new silo.
You don't want to spend millions on buying stuff from huge software companies, but you also don't want to reinvent the wheel and figure out how to stitch together scalable solutions from open source frameworks. You realize that your business needs consistency when processing data. You are quite scared of moving off of a classical relational database solution. You recognize that consistency is not a given in most of what is on offer by the open source community. But you don't want to pioneer distributed computing, figure out how microservices will give you consistency and not go nuts. You just want to concentrate on your business.
That's what we built Cyoda for. Give you an option which makes sense.
Management Summary
What you are about to read, if you choose to do so, is a very dry rendition of the Cyoda Platform. It is not intended to sell the product, at least not in a classical sense. It might even do the opposite.
There are no pictures!
It tries not to contain any of the fluff you might find elsewhere on our web-site, or the kind of sales-speak we all encounter every day. No. It is intended to be a reference for anyone who is well versed in the field of distributed systems and data processing, who would like to know a few things about Cyoda, in as few words as possible.
You've been warned.
The Cyoda Platform (or Cyoda™) is a distributed, highly-available, transactional data processing, storage and reporting software system. The features and capabilities of Cyoda are bundled in the Cyoda Platform Library™ (CPL), which can be licensed from Cyoda Ltd to efficiently build a horizontally scalable business applications spanning a large set of use-cases.
The CPL contains the Cyoda Processing Manager™ (CPM), a runnable component which is wrapped as a Spring Boot® Application, separate instances of which can reside in an arbitrary number of distinct Apache Tomcat® (Tomcat) containers hosted on geographically distributed hardware. A collection of interacting CPM instances (CPM Nodes) form a Cyoda cluster which collectively provision the operational functions of the Cyoda Platform.
CPM Nodes and runtime instances of client software using the CPL require a running Apache Cassandra® (Cassandra) database cluster for its storage backend, as well as a Apache Zookeeper™ (Zookeeper) cluster for the coordination between CPM Nodes.
The CPL is made available as byte code for the Java® Virtual Machine (JVM).
Software Functions
The Cyoda Cluster
In a proper running state, a connected cluster of CPM Nodes (Cyoda Cluster) offer the following features:
- Consistency clock
- Extended ACID transactional properties
- Asynchronous workflow automation
- Asynchronous distributed report execution
- Event-context sharding and availability management
- Cluster status and control functions
Consistency clock
The Consistency Time is a system-wide microsecond timestamp determining the point-in-time where all transactions submitted to the system prior to this time were either successfully committed, canceled or rolled back. Conceptually it is a Consistency Clock which represents the latest time where read operations are guaranteed to see consistent information.
The Cyoda Cluster operates a configurable controller to automatically resolve errored transactions so the Consistency Clock does not stop for an indefinite period of time.
Extended ACID transactional properties
Transactional processing in Cyoda is asynchronous, and takes place in two phases: a preparation phase and a submission phase. Clients can open transactions in the preparation phase, register mutated and unmutated data objects, and submit these for processing. The processing of submitted transactions is asynchronous. The Cyoda Cluster orchestrates the execution of submitted transactions in the cluster such that clients can apply data operations with ACID transactional properties based on serializable snapshot isolation, if the associated read operations conducted within the transaction context are made with respect to the consistency time and read-dependent unmutated data objects are registered with the transaction.
Cyoda offers the following transactional properties, if associated client application code executed during the course of a transactional sequence is properly implemented:
- Transaction submissions are serialized. The data history can be seen as the time-ordered series of applied transaction submission events.
- Entity transactions are atomic in regards to concurrent read operations made at the consistency time.
- A transaction is applied under serializable snapshot isolation (SSI) and therefore transactions based on outdated information (outdated premise) which was registered with the transaction will not succeed.
- Successfully submitted transactions are durable.
- Processing of a submitted transaction is asynchronous, i.e. it will happen eventually.
- Arising from the principle of SSI, there is no guarantee that submitted transactions will complete successfully.
- The result of a submitted transaction is durable and idempotent.
Asynchronous workflow-automation
The CPL has functions for controlling data mutations via a workflow mechanism coupled to a state machine. All data which is processed transactionally is coupled to such a state-enabled context. This workflow framework both for transactional and non-transactional processing offers features which may lead to asynchronous handling of workflow-related operations. The Cyoda Cluster handles the orchestration and execution of such asynchronously scheduled processes and the associated automation of workflow transitions.
Asynchronous distributed report execution
The CPL has functions to configure and schedule distributed complex data queries (Distributed Reports). The Cyoda Cluster detects distributed reports scheduled for execution, and executes these across the cluster by partitioning the query and distributing the work across the cluster.
Event-context sharding and availability management
Processing in Cyoda is inherently distributed and asynchronous. Asynchronous processing is facilitated via the registration of events into durable event-queues (essentially a scalable message-passing mechanism). Cyoda uses the principle of Event-Context Sharding to enable consistency and avoid the need for conflict resolution due to concurrent processing. Event-Context Sharding means that two asynchronously scheduled events for the the same underlying context will always be processed serially. The ordering for processing submitted transactions is related to, but not strictly based on the transaction submission time. In other words, submitted transactions are not guaranteed to be processed in order. This implies that a transaction A may fail if a different transaction B submitted later is processed successfully before transaction A and the result of applying transaction B leads to an outdated premise for transaction A. This type of sharding relies on the specific atomicity guarantees of Cassandra, and is not related to data localization sharding.
Examples of asynchronous processes are: Transaction orchestration, workflow automation and distributed reporting. These mechanisms are internally structured to be idempotent, so that aborted event handling can be restarted without affecting the result.
Client applications however must provide idempotent elements which participate in asynchronous state machine processing to uphold the consistency and availability goals of the system.
Together with the sharding coordination between CPM Nodes facilitated via Zookeeper, these functions reduce the probability of indefinite pauses in processing requiring manual intervention (loss of availability) in the case of individual CPM nodes becoming unavailable (for example due to hardware or network failures): The Cyoda Cluster automatically detects offline nodes states and reallocates shard assignments to functioning CPM nodes.
Coupled with an appropriately configured Cassandra cluster, the Cyoda platform offers availability and fault-tolerance against a variety of failure scenarios.
Cluster status and control functions
Each CPM Node has a browser based user interface (CPM UI) with the following features:
- High-level Information about online CPM Nodes, Consistency Clock, transactions, shard allocation and queue configurations.
- Statistics about event queues
- Statistics about polling of event queue
- Details about individual events
- Statistics about diverse number of code-block execution times, and execution counts
- Ability to clear execution time and count statistics
- View of all current transactions
- View of historic transactions
- Ability to view transaction details, including entity members
- Ability to view entity
- Versions
- Changes
- State Machine Events
- Ability to hard-reset the Consistency Clock
- Ability to transition an entity
- Monitor Queue backlog
- Monitor Queue executions
- Monitor service processes, such as the Consistency Time Controller
- Monitor status and enable/disable runnable components, such as:
- Main Processing Controller
- Service Processing Manager
- Zookeeper Client Controller
Cyoda Platform Library
Only software functions which are relevant for the integration of a client application on Cyoda will be described in this document. Any library functions not explicitly mentioned in this document are internal to Cyoda, even if the CPL makes these functions visible to an application.
For the purpose of integrating client applications with Cyoda, the following functions are available:
- Data modelling and persistence
- Auditing
- Indexing
- Configurable entity workflow
- Synchronous data querying
- Asynchronous distributed reporting
- Authorization of entity operations
- Basic API functions
- Client event data
- Toolbox
A short description of these functions is giving in the following sections. Additional information can be requested by licensed customers.
Data modelling and persistence
The CPL offers services to handle the creation, modification, and deletion of stored data. Client applications can choose to model the data in different ways, depending on the classification; for low-volume data that do not need transactional features beyond atomicity and durability, a static data type is available (static entity). Data which needs to be transactionally processed with atomicity, consistency, isolation and durability (ACID) properties, a dynamic entity type (dynamic entity) is available for use.
For all entity types, the CPL enables client applications to model data at the Java class level. Domain classes (i.e. the entities) encapsulating the information which should be persisted, their substructure and the relationships between entities can be modelled via appropriate Java annotations at the class and field level, including, for example, to specify the field which acts as the unique identifier, to control range indexing on particular fields, or to specify a custom serializer for a field.
The persistence of entities is handled by the CPL via service functions in a generic fashion. Clients need only pass the object-instance of the entity to the service function; the mapping of objects to physical storage is handled by the CPL.
The CPL will execute the service requests differently, depending on the entity type. For dynamic entities, clients applications can bundle service requests for different entities within the same transaction. When interacting with data services using a transaction identifier, all read and write operations on entities are registered with the transaction (in the transaction log) and form part of the validation within the SSI mechanism.
For dynamic entities the CPL will physically store the information to the Cassandra datastore in a write-only fashion, i.e. as a series of field-level changes and associated metadata, such as the transaction timestamp.
Effectively, the write-only persistence mechanism for dynamic entities is also the audit trail for such entities. The metadata attached to entity changes include user and timestamp information suitable for audit functions.
Client applications that process all dynamic entities transactionally also may make use of an additional auditing capability if the associated transaction logs are kept: Through the linkage between the entity version and the corresponding transaction log entry, it is possible to determine all entities which participated in the transaction. Since each participating entity links all its versions to corresponding transaction logs, the entire history of data dependencies can be traversed up to its origins. Client applications can also register with the transaction relevant entities which played a role in determining the outcome, but were left unchanged. If properly done, it is possible to reconstruct the entire version history of the information upon which a particular state of an entity was based, as a form of data lineage.
Changes to static entities are also audited, but differently to dynamic entities, since static entities are not persisted using a write-only mechanism.
For dynamic entities, the CPL will automatically index certain primitive data types, including Integer, Long, Float, Double, Date, LocalDate, LocalTime, LocalDateTime, ZonedDateTime, BigDecimal, and UUID. For transactional write operations, the indexing is a direct constituent of the transaction: when conducting read operations against the consistency time, all index values are consistent with the corresponding data.
The CPL enables client applications to define, configure and manage composite indexes, i.e. indexes which span multiple primitive fields, including string fields.
For any realistic client application, the use of indices, and composite indices, via appropriate query definitions is highly recommended and forms an integral part of achieving optimal performance on the Platform.
Configurable entity workflow
A dynamic entity is workflow based, meaning that each entity has a state label (State) which may only take on values from a pre-defined, configurable finite set of States. A configurable workflow is associated with each entity. It defines the possible transitions from one State to another State, under which conditions such a transition is possible (Criteria) and what processes should be executed when it is traversed. The logic of processes to be executed upon transitioning is encapsulated in an Entity Processor class.
The CPL allows client applications to control the transactional relevance of Entity Processor configurations (non-transactional, same transaction, separate transaction, and forced non-transactional), as well as the synchronous character (synchronous or asynchronous). Entity Processor classes can be attached to different transitions and parameterized differently for each transition. Entity Processors which are executed asynchronously are serially processed in relation to a grouping identifier, which is by default the entity identifier. Client applications can provide custom grouping identifiers to override this behaviour.
The overall configuration is used by the state machine to manage the state-dependent operations of the CPL. The CPL has functions to allow client applications to manage the state machine configuration.
The state machine manages the traversal of the entity through its workflow and is embedded within the services offering data operations. During a save operation, the state machine assembles a narrative of the workflow traversal (State Machine Events), providing information about the steps taken. The State Machine Events are persisted and are available, for example, to conduct analyses and audits.
During the packaging of the CPM for code deployments, client build systems can provision client-specific entity classes, transition criteria classes, and Entity Processor classes to make these available for use within the CPM.
Synchronous data querying
The CPL offers the ability to search for entities via service calls executed synchronously. Queries can nest and combine using AND and OR logic of a large variety of basic field-level conditions, such as equality conditions, numeric (range) comparisons, string-type comparisons, etc.
The relevant field used in a condition is defined using a path specifier, unambiguously identifying the field within the data-model of the entity. The CPL offers a function which can generate the correct path specification a runtime, with compile-time validation of the correct path.
For dynamic entities, all query-based fetch operations also include a specification of the point-in-time. Any dynamic entity mutations with timestamps greater than the given point-in-time are excluded from the operation. Cyoda thus effectively offers a querying function for any arbitrary snapshot of data in the past (Snapshot Isolation).
For dynamic entities, it is possible to execute index-based queries. Index-based queries are point-in-time, and also cover range conditions. Unlike table-scan queries, the execution time of index-based queries is largely independent of the amount of data stored in the system.
Asynchronous distributed reporting
The CPL also can schedule distributed reports for asynchronous execution. The CPL allows client applications to define a report containing selection criteria based on the same mechanisms as for synchronous queries. Additionally, it is possible to specify field selection, sorting and grouping criteria.
The report configuration allows for alias definitions which combine different field-paths in the data model to a common logical (aliased) field. The constituents of an alias can be mapped to bring each field-path into a common representation, so that different representations in the data model can be joined and aggregated directly, if the corresponding data model provided by the client application allows for such associations.
During the packaging of the CPM for code deployments, client build systems can provision client-specific alias mappers for use by the CPL.
Authorization of data operations
The CPL enables data operations with and without authorization. Authorization is applied to data operations through particular security-based services (as opposed to non-security-based services). The authorization framework is based on a decision tree mechanism. Client applications provide a specific implementation of a decision tree for use by security-based services. The authorization framework aims at providing a flexible approach for defining a client-specific authorization process, which is structured, transparent and high-performance.
The decision making is based on the entity object-instance, the user effectuating the data operation, in conjunction with the specific client implementation of the access decision tree. The decision tree is a directed graph that is connected and has no cycles. The vertices (nodes) of the graph are instances of specific classes taken from a set of possible node classes. Node classes are provisioned by the client application, so that in principle virtually any logic can be incorporated into the decision making process.
During the packaging of the CPM for code deployments, client build systems must provision client-specific implementations of an access decision tree.
Basic API functions
The CPL contains elements useful for setting up Spring® Security configurations for client applications provisioning API functionality. The functions include some foundations for the use of stateless authentication based on JSON-Web-Tokens. It also includes a servlet filter for attaching the authenticated user to the Cyoda security manager. The proper attachment of an authenticated user to the Cyoda security manager is essential for correctly applying authorization and audit record keeping functions.
Client event data
Asynchronous processing within the CPM is handled via internal durable event queues. The event queue data can be customized to enable the attachment of client-specific information upon scheduling of an event, and the processing of the attached client event data upon handling of the event.
An example use case for this function is for client applications to propagate logging correlation identifiers (for example from Spring Cloud® Sleuth) across JVM instances interacting via Cyoda event queues, such as is the case when asynchronous transactions and Entity Processors are executed.
The CPL contains a Toolbox application, which is packaged as a standalone, Spring Boot application without a web environment, and is intended to be run from the command line. Configuration properties determine which tools within the Toolbox are run when invoked from the command line. Once each tool is run, the application exits.
The CPL offers the following tools that can be launched from the Toolbox invocation:
- Synchronization of the Cassandra database schema with a reference schema.
- Import of static and dynamic entity data from XML resource files
- Export of static and dynamic entity data into XML resource files
- Transitioning of selected Entities defined by a query condition.
- Reindexing
Each tool has its own set of configuration properties that can be specified via a properties file resource, and or command line options.
During the packaging of the CPM for code deployments, client build systems can provision client-specific tools for the Toolbox.
Hardware Requirements
Cyoda Ltd. does not certify the CPL for use on any particular hardware infrastructure. The alternatives offered through virtualization, containerization and direct hardware infrastructure are extremely diverse. Customers are free to choose the infrastructure that suits their needs best, but must always apply quality assurance procedures that include the full production stack, with appropriately realistic test scenarios to ensure that the system is functional and operates correctly.
The actual system requirements in terms of storage, memory and CPU depend entirely upon specific application utilizing Cyoda and the CPL, and can only specified based on detailed non-functional requirements.
Software Requirements
Cyoda Ltd. does not certify the CPL for use on any particular operating system or software-based enclosure, such as a virtualization or containerized environments. Customers are free to choose the infrastructure that suits their needs best, but must always apply quality assurance procedures that include the full production stack, with appropriately realistic test scenarios to ensure that the system is functional and operates correctly.
A CPM Node requires Java 8. It is a Spring Boot Application that should be hosted within a Tomcat 8 instance. Minor versions are not specified, since these may change, in particular in response to security-related issues. It is up to the clients using the CPL to ensure that the appropriate operating system and software versions are employed. It is not recommended to run several CPM Nodes within the same Tomcat instance in production.
The CPM must be able to connect to an appropriately configured and provisioned Cassandra v2.2 cluster. The Cassandra cluster is not a direct constituent of Cyoda.
The CPM must be able to connect to an appropriately configured and provisioned Zookeeper v3.4 cluster. The Zookeeper cluster is not a direct constituent of Cyoda.
CPM Nodes, Cassandra nodes and Zookeeper nodes may be intermingled on the same physical hardware or operating system instances. The elaboration of an optimal configuration is dependent upon the precise use-case.
The CPL is structured as an Apache Maven™ v3 Project, which contain an number of software dependencies which are automatically downloaded during the packaging process from publically available maven repositories and the Cyoda Nexus repository. The full list of dependencies is available upon request. Licensed customers with access to CPL can generate the list autonomously via Maven commands.
Distribution Media
The CPL is currently available to licensed and authorized customers via secure Internet download. Access and installation details are communicated to licensed and authorized customers.
Ordering Information
For information on available licenses, services, and distribution media, please contact your sales representative or Cyoda Ltd directly, for example via https://cyoda.com.
Software Licensing
We love the open source community. Some of us actively contribute in various places, and we'll probably contribute more as time goes on, since we are using open source and need it. We'd love to open source the CPL, actually. But, our livelihoods rest almost entirely on the commercial success of this thing, and we really want to be able to feed our kids and build stuff companies need. The moment we identify the commercial sense in open sourcing the CPL, we'll do it. But the time is not ripe for that, yet. So, basically it means:
This software is only furnished under a license.
Software Product Services
A variety of service options are available from Cyoda Ltd. For more information, please contact your sales representative or Cyoda Ltd directly, for example via https://cyoda.com.
Software Warranty
The warranty of the software is defined in the individual license contract.
Cyoda, Cyoda Platform, Cyoda Processing Manager and Cyoda Platform Library are trademarks of Cyoda Ltd. Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Apache Cassandra, Apache Kafka, Apache Maven and Apache Tomcat are registered trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation. Apache Zookeeper is a trademark of the Apache Software Foundation. Spring, Spring Boot and Spring Cloud are registered trademarks of Pivotal Software, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.
If you have read this far, congratulations! Meet us in London, Frankfurt, Sydney or St Petersburg. We'll buy you beer or a coffee or tea!


text:
As you get closer, the figure - a human male, early middle age, brown hair - looks at you. His right eye twitches, several times, as if he is about to enter a spasm, but it quickly relents and a smile spreads across his face.
Greetings, travelers! Fine day for a walk, isn't it? I have the day to myself, free of our great work in the mines. Can't work myself to death, can I? Ha. Ha. Ha. The voice is monotone, lifeless, and there is no mirth behind the laugh. He takes no other action, however, just looking up to the sky, then down to your party.
Perception DC 15:
There is a weak, sickly-sweet smell coming from this man. Like a flower, in the early stages of decay.
Perception DC 20:
A thin tendril of plant-like material winds it's way out of the man's right ear and winds into his hair.
Not from this distance, Lioslan. Male, human, workers build - could be any of hundreds of mine workers.
The individual remains still, giving no indication of having seen your group. He does move, periodically, looking up to the sky. He isn't armed, at least from what you can tell, and is dressed in civilian clothes, dirty and tattered.
Progress up the road remains slow, though uneventful, aside from the number of bodies that remain strewn along the road. Most have plant growth emerging from every orifice on their heads, a thick, thorny, sickly green growth with oddly shaped mauve flowers.
After an hour or so, you see, about 400 feet away, a lone figure just standing in the middle of the road. It remains unmoving, giving no evidence that it has seen you. It just stands there, stock still, not responding at all.
A survivor? whispers Argentia, dropping low and moving into the bush at the side of the road.
Dargrim annihilates yet another foe, his powerful hammer reducing the foul plant into green and yellow, sappy remnants.
Combat is over! Everyone advances up to level two - please note in the discussion forum any changes to your character, any required rolls, etc.
A yellow musk creeper - very dangerous! Argentia notes this whilst dispatching one final animated corpse with a slash of her sword. I've not seen one in the flesh before - nor was I aware they were just loitering about on the way to the mines.
Actions for tranche #1:
Lioslan's arrow does no discernible damage to the grotesque, moving weed.
Innocent moves in to attack the vile plant, though as he does so one of it's tendrils whips past his head:
AOO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
It misses wide over his head, as his own blow slashes at a vulnerable pod, severing it!
Tranche #3 - Dargrim and Dorn - are up next!
Actions for tranche #5:
Gyro charges the evil-looking plant, and strikes a heavy blow with his hammer!
Not quite able to make his own charge, Kevkas moves up to J15 in order to support his gnomish companion.
Ulciscor moves forward 20' (to E17) and holds there; if things go badly he's going to have to deploy some healing!
Round six, tranche #1 - Lioslan and Innocent - are up next!
Actions for tranche #3:
Dargrim's mighty blows dispatch yet another hapless foe, his quick reverse swing breaking the beack of the bulbous corpse in front of him and liquefying any internal organs that yet had structural integrity.
As with the previous downed victim, this one releases a yellow cloud, foul smelling and inky, affecting both Dargrim and Gyro:
Dargrim - fort save vs DC 14: 1d20 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 3 = 28
Dargrim remains unaffected, but Gyro retches at the foul odour! He is sickened for the next 2 round, suffering a -2 penalty to all rolls.
Dorn repositions himself and reloads his crossbow.
Actions for tranche #4:
The plant readies against approach, and takes no other actions.
Tranche #5 is up next - Gyro, Kevkas, and Ulciscor!
Actions for tranche #1:
Lioslan fires an arrow into the large plant-mass that has been slowly advancing. It seems to shudder as the arrow finds a softer spot to penetrate.
Innocent advances and slashes at the bulbous, walking corpses. His blow - delivered with deadly precision - lops the head right off the newly arrived foe. As the body drops to the ground, limbs still twitching, several of the large growths on the corpse burst, leaving a foul, yellowish cloud in the air around the fallen corpse.
Innocent - fort save vs DC 14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
The warrior-mage feels no ill effect from the jaundiced cloud!
Tranche #2 - the shambling corpse(s) - up next!
Bulbous corpse B retches, before spewing a horrible smelling effluvia at Gyro:
Touch attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
The foul substance, aside from smelling like sewage, burns gyro like a fast-acting acid. The stout gnome resists the urge to gag and vomit himself, however, and steels himself against the pain!
Tranche #3 - Dorn and Dargrim - are up next!
Lioslan is unharmed, so Ulciscor should be able to exclude him from any channel without difficulty.
Actions for tranche #5:
Kevkas casts divine favor upon himself, gaining a +1 bonus to hit and damage for the next 10 rounds.
Ulciscor channels positive energy, healing Kevkas and Dargrim for 2 hp each.
Gyro moves forward 10' (to G18) and attacks bulbous corpse B:
Round five, up next! Tranche #1 - Innocent and Lioslan - are up!
Actions for tranche #3:
No flanking bonus for Dargrim, not that he needed it...
Dargrim's target EXPLODES as he brings his earthbreaker down with devastating force upon the shambling corpse.
Dorn's original target was annihilated by Dargrim, so his shot goes at bulbous corpse B instead.
Dorn takes aim and sends a crossbow bolt into one of the new arrivals, driving deep into the undead things chest.
Actions for tranche #4:
The horrible plant moves forward five more feet on its gnarled pseudopods.
Tranche #5 - Ulciscor, Gyro and Kevkas - are up next!
Actions for tranche #1:
Lioslan's arrow bites deep into the bloated corpse. Enough to kill an ordinary man, it merely buries into the undead monstrosity, not even slowing it! Innocent's blow, however, is less successful, not harming his target at all.
Actions for tranche #2 - the corpses:
Shambling corpse C goes after Innocent:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
It misses the grim warrior, however!
Bulbous corpse A advances 30' to E15.
Bulbous corpse B advances 25', right up to Dargrim, stopping in F17.
Tranche #3 is up next - Dargrim and Dorn!
Actions for tranche #5:
Ulciscor casts cure light wounds on Kevkas, bringing the big half-Orc back from the brink and back into the fight.
Gyro takes a 5 foot step to G20, and lays into the shambling corpse with his oversized hammer:
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
The blow caves in the back of the corpses' head, dropping it to the ground instantly.
Round three is over! Round four, tranche #1 is up next - Lioslan and Innocent!
Actions for tranche #3:
Dargrim brings down yet another shambling corpse in emphatic fashion, before repositioning himself.
Dorn's crossbow bolt narrowly misses his target. He also repositions himself.
Tranche #4 - the plant - up next!
Quivering slightly, two of the plant's horrid, fleshy pods open, and humanoid figures pop out. Horribly disfigured, covered in bulbous growths, the two figures scramble to their feet, turning their unblinking stares upon your party!
Tranche #5 - Gyro and Ulciscor (and a KO'd Kevkas) are up next!
Actions for tranche #1:
Innocent strikes hard at one of the shambling corpses, hard enough to disembowel the thing. It still stands, however, and gurgles and snarls at Innocent though ruined, rotting lips. BTW, I think you might have mistaken your position with Dargrim's - I had Innocent strike at the zombie in E19, and 5' stepping to C19
Lioslan's arrow strikes the plant, but lodges in thick, fleshy foliage and has no discernible effect.
Tranche #2, the shambling corpses, up next!
Corpse A lashes out at Dargrim:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
It's clumsy blow misses the dwarven warrior!
Corpse C pursues Innocent, striking at him with its grotesque, clawed hands:
5 foot step to D19;
But the clumsy former miner misses!
Corpse E lashes out at Kevkas:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
It hits! The blow, enough to kill any normal man, is enough only to knock the huge half orc to the ground, unconscious.
Kevkas is down, and at -3 HP.
Tranche #3 is up - Dorn and Dargrim!
Actions for tranche #5:
Gyro strikes at the shambling corpse that struck him, crushing it to the ground, unmoving.
Kevkas cuts his target nearly in half, filling the air with horrible smelling, black ichor.
Ulciscor channels his gods' energy, bringing a measure of healing to Dargrim and Kevkas.
Round two is over - round three, tranche #1, up next! That's Innocent and Lioslan.
Actions for Tranche #3:
Dorn perforates one of the oncoming corpses with his crossbow, a good shot, though not enough to fell the rotting abomination.
Dargrim blasts one of the walking dead, hard enough to lift it off it's feet before it lands hard on the ground, unmoving.
Dargrim is going to have his own little fort of corpses, if he keeps this up!
Actions for Tranche #4:
You might be seeing things, but you're pretty sure that big, horrid looking plant just got up on stalky tendrils and moved forward five feet.
Tranche #5 is up next - Kevkas, Ulciscor and Gyro!
Actions for tranche #1:
Lioslan's attack misses, and he has moved to A17 on the map.
Innocent misses, then takes a 5 foot step back, hoping to take advantage of the shambling corpses' slow reactions. (Moved to D19 as D15 is out of range).
Tranche #2 - the shambling corpses, up next!
Shambling corpse A moves forward to D16, so close Dargrim can smell the death and decay.
Shambling Corpse C takes a five foot step forward and lashes out at Innocent:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
It misses, though it did show surprising quickness!
Shambling Corpse D takes a five foot step forward and strikes at Dargrim:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 crit? 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 negative!
The foul thing slashes Dargrim, though the wound is not serious!
Shambling Corpse E strikes at Kevkas:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
A solid hit! Kevkas bears it well, though, and flinches not an inch.
Shambling Corpse F lays into Gyro:
Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Another hit! A vicious blow from the back of the shambler's hand lashes across Gyro's face. That will leave a mark!
Tranche #3 - Dorn and Dargrim - are up next!
Actions for tranche #5:
Kevkas swings hard but misses the oncoming corpse.
Ulciscor casts guidance on Lioslan.
Gyro charges at shambling corpse F, attempting to finish it off:
Attack: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9
The gnome misses! His charge will also mean he's easier to hot next round (-2 to AC).
Round one is over! Round two, up next - tranche #1, Innocent and Lioslan.
Actions for Tranche #3:
Dorn's crossbow bolt nails one of the corpses right in the chest. It remains standing and advancing, however.
Dargrim's hammer ruptures the head of the walking corpses before him; the body quivers, before dropping to the ground.
Actions for tranche #4:
The plants sits there, being a plant.
Tranche #5 is up next, Ulciscor, Kevkas and Gyro.
Actions for Tranche #2, the shambling corpses:
Corpse A advances 30', to E13.
Corpses C and E both threaten Kevkas, triggering Lioslan's attack, which is a clean miss.
Tranche #3 - Dargrim and Dorn, is up next. In answer to Dorn's earlier question, no, none appear to be bearing weapons of any kind, save their fists.
Initiative time!
Ulciscor: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Initiative groups:
Round One - Tranche #1, is up! That's Innocent and Lioslan. Front page has been updated to include the combat map, as well.
@ Lioslan: most appear to be miners or commoners, though a couple wear the leather armor of guards or light infantry.
@ Ulciscor: while the people are certainly dead, they don't appear to be undead in the traditional sense - there is no glow behind the eyes, for example. Moander is certainly not above using the dead - or the undead - for it's malignant purposes, however.
@ Dorn: despite your exceedingly moving words, none of the bodies react, or act like they have heard you at all.
The road to the mines proper is wide and well-trod, and the sun is still high in the sky, giving a more hopeful air to the afternoon. The feeling quickly dissipates, however, as you come upon a grisly scene - perhaps a dozen bodies, all but one of them a human male, lay scattered at the side of the road. Most are in a state of decomposition and smell horrible. Worse, they seem infested with some sort of plant growth, like a weed with fleshy, thorny vines, green leaves and serrated edges, and grotesque polyps cover their flesh.
To your horror, one of the bodies emits a low pitched moaning sound, before staggering to his feet. He makes no attempt to approach, just standing there, arms swaying, as his mouth, already distended from plant growth emerging from inside him, attempts to form words. Others begin standing as well, until six bodies altogether are upright and facing you.
The encounter map is here. Please place your characters anywhere on line 20 or below. No initiative yet, unless you intend to declare hostile actions.
@ Ulciscor:
You scan the white powder more closely. Your trained eye, guided by your god's aid, rejects the idea that the powder could be poison. Instead, you envision an early spring day - the pollen of plants forming a thin layer over a village square, people sneezing and coughing....the powder is actually pollen of some sort. And from what you can tell, by thickness and proximity, the statue was indeed involved in its dispersal.
After a few minutes of effort, Dargrim is able to open the safe - it uses an advanced combination lock, the likes of which few humans would have seen. Inside are over a dozen electrum trade bars. Unstamped by kingdom, city or trade coster, they still represent significant wealth.
@ Dorn:
While your efforts to value the rubies come to naught, you have more luck with the dagger. At the least, the dagger is a +1 weapon, with double the normal hardness and immune to rust. But there is a deeper magic upon it as well; when bonded to a wielder, the dagger will develop and exhibit new powers as the owner levels up as well.
Argentia lifts her head as Kevkas speaks. I know where it is, and I can take us there. Let me know when you want to leave.
The safe looks heavy and solid - dwarven make - a little trip out the window and a drop of 20 feet or so isn't likely to open it. You can certainly try, of course....
The journal, written in dwarvish runes:
The journal appears to record a number of side-dealings and skimming from the mining operations' pockets. Most of the diversions are relatively small, though some dealings with known enemies, such as Luskan, are detailed. The last entry is of particular interest - a diversion of workers, authorized by "M", to open a new dig in one of the existing mines, thought to have been played out. "The skinny bastards reeked of manure and rot ... but their gold was good, just like M said it would be. They want us to dig about 50' northeast in the old Zenex complex, said there is something there they want access to, something they lost. Brought enough gold for the boys and unstamped trade bars. Will blame lost production on an accident, so will have to sacrifice some undesireables."
"Success! The boys uncovered some sort of ruin at the end of their dig. Creepy place, to be sure, with all sorts of odd growth and the ever-present smell of death and rot. Still, the robed ones seem happy and they've paid up. They've asked that Zenex be sealed off to everyone but themselves. That won't be an issue."
After a few moments of concentration, a faint magical aura is detected under the floorboards beneath the bed. A quick search reveals a small pouch with 25 gp and two small rubies, and a dagger with edges that glitter like diamond - the source of the magic.
Most of the houses you enter tell the same tale - bodies, in the same condition as those outside. Some seem like they were seeking shelter under beds, desks, but to no avail.
That one is the foreman's office and residence - we should check it out. Argentia heads toward an elevated brick structure near the north end of the town.
perception DC 15:
The wooden stairs are covered with the white powder - and undisturbed by footsteps. Likely no-one has been inside the structure since whatever happened here, happened.
The foreman's residence is no more ostentatious than the rest of the village, though the furniture is quality, finished oak and the bed looks more comfortable than the bunks the average miner would sleep in. A thin wooden door leads to a separate office. Nedith's body isn't here - she's been the foreman the past seven months. Maybe she's still alive - I don't recall seeing any dwarven corpses out there. Let's look around, see if anything interesting is to be found.
perception DC 10:
Papers are strewn everywhere, all detailing boring day to day details of the mines' operation, staff reports, etc. The combination safe is locked and looks very secure.
perception DC 15:
A ledger on the desk shows the last entry - an accounting of copper ore extracted from an older mine - as being on the first of Tarsakh. The arrival of the new shift is not documented.
perception DC 20:
A small, leather bound journal is hidden under a false bottom in the main drawer. Written in dethek runes, it presumably belonged to the foreman.
perception DC 25:
Hidden with dwarven cunning in a floorboard under the bed is a secret compartment. Hidden inside is a small pouch with 25 gp and two small rubies, and a dagger with edges that glitter like diamond.
Perception DC's:
Though numerous, there are not nearly enough bodies here to account for both missing shifts. The ground is covered in a soft, spongy moss that does not show tracks; it's impossible to know if you were the first group to encounter the camp in it's current state.
The burned down buildings do not appear to be as a result of intentional arson; rather, cooking or heating fires appear to have gone untended. The few brick buildings appear untouched, as does the foreman's office.
The strange powder appears thickest around the centre of town; the small statue seems to stand at the centre of the destruction.
As your group moves into the camp, strange details begin to emerge. The dead - and virtually everything else in town - are covered by a fine, white powder. The eyes of the dead are swollen shut; their tongues, grossly over sized and white, protrude from their mouths. Some few have vines or other vegetation growing out from their mouths, noses and ears. Neither were village animals spared - dogs, cats, and livestock also lay dead. The extremities of the bodies have rotted quickly, some putrefying almost to liquid, and the smell is nauseating.
The vegetation in the town seems to have thrived, however, growing wildly, though into grotesque shapes that are suggestive of horrifying, nearly humanoid shapes.
At the centre of the small town is a stone dais, upon which is a small statue. The statue depicts a humanoid being, though grotesquely malformed. Reaching vines circle it's limbs and dig in with barbed claws. The head of the statue resembles a vicious, grasping claw, with a hideous fanged maw opened wide, facing the heavens.
religion DC 15:
An ancient depiction of Moander, God of rot and decay. Thoroughly evil and cruel, though now little more than a cult in the darkest corners of Faerun.
From your vantage point, no, nothing unusual when the tracks around you are examined. The road up to the mines is heavily traveled, of course, but that is to be expected.
Argentia appears troubled. If they were not attacked - then what happened? We should move in and take a look. We also need to make sure the mines are secured.... perhaps there are survivors there?
Argentia shrugs. We were never certain that the miners had been waylaid by Orcs; it simply seemed the most likely of possibilities. But you are right - if there were an Orc camp here, we'd know by now. Orcs are anything but subtle, at least usually.
@ Lioslan:
Like a shadow, you are able to make your way unseen by anyone or anything. You're able to get to within about 300 feet of the small mining camp. There's about two dozen buildings, several of which look to be burned down, though the fires have long since died. Bodies litter the open ground, some in piles, others alone; from a distance it's hard to tell but most look like civilians, and have been dead a couple of days at most. You see no sign of hostile forces, nor any movement.
Argentia was silent, scanning the area, her head straight up. This is odd. I don't see, hear, or smell any evidence of Orcs. The village is only half a mile away....their presence should be obvious.
@ Kevkas:
There is no evidence of Orcs here. In your experience, heads and bodies should be displayed as a warning, smoke from cooking fires and the sounds of wardrums should be obvious to all. Nor do you smell the scents of an Orcish camp - waste, offal, curing leather .... you feel confident that there are no Orcs here.
Very well. Let us proceed to the mines. But I'm not going to forget this. I'm not going to forget anything.
And fast forward to the mines.....
From your vantage point, you see no sentinels, no guards. Your group has good cover and, as far as you can tell, you've not been seen.
The mining camp is about a half mile past the towers; I'm surprised there are no guards there - it gives me pause. Argentia whispers this while scanning the area.
Dammit! Dammit... I know ... we've got a bigger job ahead. But this cannot go unavenged. She cuts a swift glance at your group. Those who will stand with me - if we live - I want to return here after we've killed our enemies at the mines. I want these people to be interred properly. Then I want us to find that pack of monsters, and I want us to kill every last one of them.
She picks up her bow and begins to walk from the clearing. Stopping a moment, she looks back over her shoulder. My sisters bones could be here. Maybe she fell prey to these monsters, in the dark of the night, alone...
Though herself a skilled ranger, Argentia seems unable to pick up the trail by herself; your group, working together, helps to find enough sign to direct you towards the ever-thickening woods to the east.
After a few minutes of travel, ever-deeper into the woods, you come upon a small clearing. It is clearly a feeding den of some sort; bones litter the ground, and evidence of a recent kill is clear from the amount of blood and gore. A human skeleton, largely devoid of any flesh, seems the most recent addition, being largely intact. Scraps of clothing are strewn about the clearing.
perception DC 15:
Amidst the debris you find a small purse with 5 sp and 3 gp, and a broken silver necklace, with a small medallion at the end, likely a cameo of some sort, save for the fact that it is broken.
Mielikki guard me! Argentia gasps, dropping to her knees. There was someone out there - this woman - she called to us for help and now she's dead. Climbing to her feet, Argentia looks up grimly, addressing all of you. I want them dead. I want to track those worgs and I want to kill them. I want to make sure what happened to this girl doesn't befall any other travelers out here. And I'm going to need your help.


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S.F. Fancy Food Show reveals the next top tastes
Long before sea salt ever met caramel, before we started wrapping every conceivable morsel in bacon, and even before a murky brew called kombucha nudged its way onto the tea shelf, there were people who saw it coming.
They are food fortune-tellers, equal parts marketing whiz and epicurean, who often make their predictions at the winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, the just-concluded annual extravaganza of up-and-coming specialty foods designed to wow consumers' palates with the Next Big Thing.
Kara Nielsen of Oakland is a professional food trend spotter. It's her job to find out what we are going to like before we've even heard of it, by sampling and sipping at the 13,000 exhibits that were crammed into Moscone Center last week. She's among an elite group of eight tasters chosen by the Fancy Food Show to telegraph the biggest food stories of 2014.
Surging flavors
"In many ways it's all the same stuff, but I'm trying to spot the slight variations, the new flavors that are surging, a familiar thing in one category turning up in another, what new health claims people are making," said Nielsen.
"Quinoa is a good example. We were trending it for years before it went mainstream as a grain. Eventually it started turning up in chocolate bars."
Nielsen is a former pastry chef whose taste has landed her jobs as a "food trendologist" for the Center for Culinary Development in San Francisco and trend spotting for CEB Iconoculture Consumer Insights. This was her 13th trip to the Fancy Food Show, and as a veteran, she showed up in sensible shoes, with a water cup and toothbrush in her purse. Her first stop is always the What's New corner, with banks of gleaming glass cabinets. Vendors pay a premium, above the standard $3,400 booth fee, to get into the What's New section.
"There's a lot of Thai coconut flavoring," Nielsen noticed as she snapped photos of Thai coconut lemongrass chickpea snacks from the Good Bean, and a Thai Coconut Pumpkin savory jam from Skillet Street Food Inc.
There were Korean barbecue rice chips, sriracha peach jam, gluten-free sweet potato fettuccine, date and chia seed muesli, and a "high-caffeinated" energy tea from the Republic of Tea.
Next she spotted Perky Jerky, a turkey jerky made with caffeine.
"That's a little goofy, but I'm sensing an energy trend," she said.
With her notebook full of ideas, Nielsen hit the floor to put her tongue to the test. Her first stop was the Savor California section, a collective of small, state purveyors, many marketing their wares for the first time, such as Payam Fardanesh, a former computer programmer from Roseville who decided he'd rather bottle the cucumber and mint refresher his grandmother made in Iran and see if he could make it big.
"Oh, my God!" Nielsen said, after her first sip.
"That's five, we've gotten five 'Oh, my Gods' so far, and it's only an hour into the show," said Fardanesh, co-owner of Silk Road Soda.
"What's the base?" Nielsen asked.
"It's organic white vinegar and apple cider," he said.
Nielsen jotted down vinegar in her notebook. Vinegar drinks are starting to surge, she said.
Then she noticed a small crowd jostling for something nearby.
"Brazilian cheese rolls! I'm all over that!"
Flavia Takahashi-Flores of P-DE-Q in Fresno could barely pass out her warm, golf-ball-size gluten-free pão de queijo Brazilian tapioca-based bread snacks fast enough. They had a soft yet crisp texture, and came in cheese, jalapeño, chocolate and carrot flavors.
"Doing something new, especially in ethnic food with (gluten-free), is very new," Nielsen said.
Making it big
After two full days of sampling, Nielsen was ready to say what she thought would go big in 2014:
-- Anything with sriracha sauce: mixed in peach jam from the Jam Stand in Brooklyn, lots of sriracha popcorns and a Bloody Mary mix.
-- South American snacking: P-DE-Q cheese rolls; qancha, an Peruvian heirloom corn snack tossed in avocado oil and sea salt from a San Francisco company called Nazqiz; and alfajores "snickerdoodle" cookies from Buenos Aires Alfajores in Oakland.
-- Yogurt in new ways: as a Mediterranean spread from Blue Isle, a chocolate Greek yogurt from Wallaby Organic Yogurt, and a probiotic cultured goat milk drink called Yo-Goat from Coach Farm in New York.
-- Dessert teas: chocolate mint and chocolate rooibos "indulgence" teas from Numi, a white chocolate and a salted caramel maté tea from Stash, and Tea Forté's Noir Peach Brulee.
"It's permissible indulgence," Nielsen said.
Meredith May is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: email@example.com Twitter: @meredithmaysf


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Almost all are 6 seat boxes. The exception is 316-317 under cover (Rows D and higher) they are 8 seat boxes. The best overall view from a box seat plus the added amenities of the 3rd floor clubhouse makes these seats the most desirable. The Finish Line falls in between sections 316-317 which are both 8 seat boxes.
The 8 seat boxes come equipped with TV monitors, private betting machines and plush seats. Many of the owners, trainers and celebrities will be seated in this area. Rows C and up are undercover. Clubhouse sections are on the 1st-3rd floors of the Clubhouse at Churchill Downs and include sections 312-320, 212-218 and 111-118. Clubhouse seats get you access to bars, food courts, and betting machines which can be found throughout the Clubhouse.
For the best views we like to recommend to our customers to stick to the 3rd-floor sections. These sections are elevated enough to see over most of the infield clutter to the backstretch. 300-level Clubhouse Box seats in rows D and higher include in-box betting machines. At Churchill Downs if you have seats on the 3rd floor you can always move down to the 2nd floor of the Clubhouse and 1st floor Clubhouse Box sections.
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Gold Room - The Gold Room at Churchill Downs is the place for those whom want the absolute best horse betting experience during the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. The indoors Gold Room is located on the 6th floor next to Millionaire's Row. There are private betting booths (64 booths) as well as (18) 4 seat tables where you can sit and place your best on your own LCD monitors. The Gold Room is best suited for hard-core race betting. If you're not planning to spend your day in the thick of handicapping and betting on the races, and you want to take in more of the Kentucky Derby experience, we recommend sitting elsewhere in the Clubhouse.
Interior Premium Boxes - These 8 Seat boxes are tucked behind the 3rd floor Clubhouse Boxes of 315-316. Indoor, climate-controlled setting in a glass enclosed specially constructed new area. What is unique about these seats is you have in-seat wait service and food and beverages are brought right to your box. Many of our corporate clients love this feature as it allows them to put all charges on 1 bill and pay for their guests on Credit Card. TV monitors and betting machines are also equipped in your box. Unlike Turf Club or Matt Winn, you view the races direct from your seat.
Matt Winn Room - This is where we sat during our last trip to the Kentucky Derby and is an exclusive dining area located on the 3rd floor of the Clubhouse, just behind the Interior Premium Boxes, and next to the Turf Club. It's not recommended for a view of the race. You will need to move to the 3rd -floor Clubhouse Box seats to see the race. You get to order dinner and drinks in a private setting, but you do not get access to the Turf Club or the Interior Premium Boxes. You are free to roam the rest of the 3rd floor of the Clubhouse and into any Clubhouse or Grandstand sections on the 3rd floor or lower. Just keep in mind, the only seat you are entitled to sit in will be at your reserved table in the Matt Winn Room.


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If you would like to donate to the church for your weekly offereings, special donations, or construction donations please feel free to click on the button below which will take you to a donation page through PayPal where you can select your individual amount and if you do not have a PayPal account you can also pay with your credit card just follow the links on the donation page. Thank you and God bless
© 2012 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. All Rights Reserved.


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Gucci cotton-blend faded corduroy flared pants, in a vibrant pink hue, $980, netaporter.com
Coach crossbody Nomad bag in burnished glovetanned leather in cerise with dark gunmental hardware and top zip closure, $395, coach.com.
Hermès passport holder in Epsom calfskin, in rose purple, $225, hermes.com.
Renee Lewis antique amethyse, pink tourmaline, sapphire and garnet waterfall earrings, $20,900, modaoperandi.com.
H&M button down shirt in mulberry hued silk with collar, long sleeves, buttoned cuffs and rounded hem, $99, hm.com.
Adam Lippes soft wool loose-fitting fuchsia sweater with crewneck and flared sleeve cuffs with ties, $750, netaporter.com
Proenza Schouler fine merino wool sweater with crew neck, split sides and ribbed trim, in fuchsia, $525, netaporter.com.
Balenciaga Knife mule in fuchsia satin, featuring pointed toe and kitten heel,, $665, Balenciaga.com.
Galvan fuchsia hued satin ankle length v-neck slip dress, $875, Nordstrom.com.
Stella McCartney Sofia wool-twill blazer with flap pockets and back vent, $1,325, netaporter.com.
Vetements + Manolo Blahnik bright satin slingback pumps, with folded down back, $1,585, netaporter.com.
Topshop magenta tie sleeve midi length wrap dress with tie closure, $90, us.topshop.com.
Saint Laurent Anja pump, featuring a pointed toe and slim stiletto heel, in fuchsia satin, $695, Nordstrom.com.
Salvatore Ferragamo Thalia shoulder bag, made in fuchsia leather with a chain strap, $1,150, farfetch.com.
The Vampire's Wife round-neck silk and cashmere blend cardigan in brightly hued pink, $473, matchesfashion.com.
Off-White fuchsia cotton blend knee-high socks with lame glitter trim, featuring the text "Nothing New," $123, Farfetch.com.
Balmain dark fuchsia double breasted blazer with peaked lapels and chest pocket, $2,230, farfetch.com.
Alison Lou dearest S pink sapphire ring with enamel detailing, in 14 karat gold, $902, farfetch.com.
Edun straight-leg wool trousers in fuchsia pink, $334, matchesfashion.com.
Loewe two-tone leather large clutch, with neon pink front and optic white back, $690, modaoperandi.com.


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Teacher of Mathematics, Oxfordshire
Closing date:
Start date: September 2020
Contract type: Full Time
Contract term: Permanent
Suitable for NQTs: Yes
A unique career opportunity to join our dynamic Mathematics Department for September 2020
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, highly motivated professional to join our department from September 2020 in a supportive and team-orientated School graded as 'Good' in all categories. (Ofsted June 2018).
The successful candidate will be someone with a passion for their subject who will inspire and engage our students, and who will actively assist in the further development of Mathematics within the School. You will join a committed, hardworking and friendly department who work closely together to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students. The ability to teach across the range of Key Stages, including 6th form, is desirable but not essential. You will have good classroom management skills and excellent subject knowledge.
Our Mathematics Department is an energetic and exciting environment. It has grown in strength with the current team and we are looking for a passionate and driven individual who will contribute to the current teaching and learning strategies and develop their own teaching practice with our support.
Applications are welcomed from both NQT's and experienced practitioners. We are always happy to meet potential applicants prior to interview; please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information or to arrange a visit to the school.
At The Bicester School we pride ourselves on having successfully created an ethos that is nurturing, but challenging, and fully inclusive to all staff and students. We are fortunate to be located in a rural part of North Oxfordshire with excellent transport links.
To apply for this position please complete the application form listed in the Recruitment Information Pack on the Current Vacancies page.
To arrange a visit or to submit an application form please contact our HR department by Email: email@example.com or Telephone: 01869 243331
Closing Date: 10th January 2020
Interviews: tbc
Previous applicants need not apply.
Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, candidates will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.
The Bicester School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Contact The Bicester School
Thanks for your interest in this role.
Simply fill in the form below to ask any questions, request a call, or schedule a school visit.
This field is required


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A look at the candidates and issues in Zimbabwe's upcoming election
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe's July 31 elections show the determination of Robert Mugabe to extend his 33 year rule of the southern African country and the challenge from former trade union leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
__President Robert Mugabe, 89, former liberation leader in power since independence from Britain in 1980. He freed his country from white minority rule and took over a prosperous nation that was the envy of Africa before a catastrophic economic meltdown began in 1997, triggered at first by a corruption scandal and then the seizures of thousands of white-owned commercial farms.
__Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, 61, labor activist turned politician, the first real challenger to Mugabe who has run three times since 2002. He narrowly beat Mugabe in the last elections in 2008 but boycotted a presidential run-off vote to protest widespread violence against his Movement for Democratic Change party.
__Welshman Ncube, head of a breakaway faction of Tsvangirai's party, his small group is likely to draw votes from Tsvangirai in the western Matabeleland provinces.
__Dumiso Dabengwa, former Soviet-trained guerrilla leader nicknamed the "Black Russian," once a Mugabe ally. Dabengwa is also expected to take votes away from Tsvangirai in the Matabeleland provinces.
__A fifth contender, Kisinoti Munodei Mukwazhe, of the minor Zimbabwe Development Party, withdrew from the race.
__Voting for 6.4 million registered electors opens at 7 a.m. on July 31 for a straight 12 hours but may be extended to a second day.
__Voters will cast ballots for the presidency, 210 parliament seats and 1,200 rural and urban council districts across the southern African country of 12.9 million people. Zimbabwe is slightly larger than Germany or the U.S. state of Montana.
__Mugabe's ailing health and his ability at 89 to maintain his authoritarian rule for another five year term after 33 years in office. Rival candidates in the nation's coalition say he frequently falls asleep in ministers' cabinet meetings.
__Military and police commanders, mostly guerrilla leaders who swept Mugabe to power in 1980, have refused to salute Tsvangirai, who is prime minister but did not participate in the war that ended white-minority rule. Tsvangirai alleges they and the security and intelligence services are the power behind Mugabe and continue to resist yielding control.
__Mugabe's ZANU-PF party vows to press on with a sweeping, 13-year-long black empowerment program it says can create 2.2 million new jobs by taking over remaining foreign businesses and revitalizing often violently seized farmland, much of which still lies idle.
__The former opposition Movement for Democratic Change led by Tsvangirai says it will rely on creating a local and foreign investor-friendly environment to rebuild the troubled economy, create jobs, restore collapsed health and education services and bring a return to the rule of law after a decade of political violence and economic turmoil.
__Despite little political violence this time around, human rights groups say free and fair elections are not possible because of widespread discrepancies in the voters roll, unfair access to the media, and partisan activities of the state army and police. Mugabe's rivals accuse him and his loyalists of working to repeat rigging and manipulation seen in past disputed polls.


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Listings in Fiber, Testing / Analysis Services, Vacuum Regulators, Relays and Bellows
in Spectrographs, Lamps, Spectrophotometers, Spectrometers - Visible, Raman Spectrometers, Spectrometers - X-Ray, Monochromators, Spectrometers - Infrared, Mirrors, Spectrometers - Ultraviolet, Testing / Analysis Services
Manufacturer of precision instruments, with over 65 years' of experience. We specialize in high performance monochromators, spectrometers, spectrographs & purpose built spectroscopy systems for wavelengths from 1 nanometer to 20 microns or more.
7-A Stuart Road
Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824-4107
United States of America
in Semiconductor Equipment, RF / Microwave Components, Power Supplies - Capacitor-Charging, Displays / Monitors, Physics For Engineering Students, Graduate-Level, Connectors, Power Supplies - DC (High-Voltage), Power Supplies - DC (General), Semiconductor Materials, Capacitors, Connectors, Fans, Fuses, Oscillators, Potentiometers, Relays, Resistors, Semiconductors, Switches
7290-A Investment Dr.
North Charleston, South Carolina 29418
United States of America
Fax: 631-234-7407
Velmex, Inc.
in Actuators, Rotators, Translators, Motion Control Systems, Micropositioning Stations, Relays, Relays
7550 State Route 5 US 20
Bloomfield, New York 14469
United States of America
Fax: 585-657-6153
Anderson Materials Evaluation, Inc.
in Materials Characterization, Electron Microscopy, Analytical Services, Semiconductor Analysis Services, Microscopy Services, Materials Analysis, Testing / Analysis Services, Sputtering Services, Chemical Analysis, Coating Thickness Measurement
We are your path to replacing speculation with understanding, whether your problem is due to contamination, corrosion, process control, vendor error, unknown properties of new materials, a new property requirement, or the usual unruly suspects.
9051 Red Branch Road
Suite C
Columbia, Maryland 21045
United States of America
Fax: 410-740-8201
Geller MicroAnalytical Laboratory Inc.
in Materials Characterization, Electron Microscopy, Analytical Services, Semiconductor Analysis Services, Electron Microscopes, Microscopy Services, Materials Analysis, Testing / Analysis Services, Calibration, Coating Thickness Measurement
426e Boston St.
TOPSFIELD, Massachusetts 01983-1216
United States of America
Fax: 978 887-6671
Helium Leak Testing Inc
in Vibration Bellows, Vacuum Equipment Service & Repair, Systems, Throttle Valves, Leak Detectors - Mass Spectrometers, Testing / Analysis Services, Vacuum Gauges, Vacuum Regulators, Vibration Isolation, UHV Bellows
19348 Londelius St.
Northridge, California 91324
United States of America
Fax: 818-717-8584
Equilibar, LLC
320 Rutledge Rd
Fletcher, North Carolina 28732
United States of America
Hunan HMC Metals Co., Ltd.
in Fiber
Unit 1409
KNF Neuberger Inc.
2 Black Forest Road
Trenton, New Hampshire 08691-1810
United States of America
RAM Optical Instrumentation, Inc. (RAM)
in Testing / Analysis Services
1175 North St.
Rochester, New York 14621
United States of America
Fax: 585-506-4307


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A gift of faith, devotional, Faith, gift of faith, trust god, what to do in the midst of the impossible
I thought I'd post a quick, "here's how we're doing" post.
So, how are we? I'm pretty sure that we're fine. We have food and clothes and shelter and we're not in any danger of losing those things so that qualifies as fine I think. Although I suppose I really could say that we're great. Our faith is high, we believe that God has something better for us, and I see His blessings around us everyday.
I was driving to the gym yesterday and while I was driving I was thinking and praying. I had the opportunity to do this because the girls weren't in the car with me. If you have girls then you understand the nonstop talking that comes with them. Although a really talkative boy is possible too- I'm married to Travis and he talks a lot more than most men I think. Anyway, I think I prayed about being tired and how this year has been one long exhausting thing after another and I can't really see the end in sight. Then I heard the question, "Are you the worse for wear?". Hmmm. I had to think about that for a minute. Am I? Am I worse off for all that we've experienced this year? I quickly realized that the answer was no. No, I'm not worse off for all that we've experienced. I'm not depressed. I'm not sad. My marriage is better than it's ever been. Our finances are better than they've ever been. And I can honestly say that I'm happier than I've ever been. I trust God more now than I ever have.
I know that under these circumstances depression is normal. Stress is normal- and I have felt moments of stress. Anxiety is normal- and I've had moments of anxiety. But I'm not looking for normal. God has given us a gift of faith that isn't normal. It's supernatural.
Here's the definition of supernatural-"(of a manifestation or event) attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature."
According to the laws of nature I should be afraid. But I'm not and it's not because I'm so full of faith in myself, God has given Travis and I a gift of faith that we wouldn't normally have on our own.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 says,
To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
I grew up in a denomination that had such an emphasis on one particular gift of the Spirit that I didn't know that these other things were gifts. I didn't understand supernatural faith. I can say that I have a much better understanding of it now.
So if you're asking the question, "What's ahead for the Buttons?" I suppose that I can't sit here and list everything that's going to happen because I don't know that but I believe that whatever God's plan is for us it's good. I believe that God has something better for us than we could have imagined two weeks ago. I guess you'll just have to stay tuned.
I'm praying for all of my readers today for a gift of faith in whatever impossible circumstances you find yourself in.


text: While he claims to be a designer at heart, Jonathan Grahm at Compartes Chocolates is actually one of the more famous chocolatiers in the world. Jonathan took the helm of this 65 year old chocolate company as a teenager and has since designed over 200 uniquely delicious flavors and visually stunning packages himself. The hardest part of sitting down to create an ice cream flavor with Jonathan was narrowing down our options! For this flavor, we are using his "California Love Chocolate Bar" as both inspiration and as an ingredient. Caramelized pretzels, Hazelnut fudge, and chocolate bars all swirled into a pretzel batter ice cream… yum!


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3 free months of web hosting and reseller accounts
3 free months of web hosting and reseller accounts! Use promo code on checkout: 3-mo-free Take advantage of this promo to test out our stability and performance for web hosting and reseller accounts. All accounts come with cPanel for web hosting and cPanel/WHM for reseller accounts. Choose performance and stability! Choose SpectroHost!Read more
35 Percent Recurring Commission Affiliates Program Revamped 2017
Rake in uncapped recurring commissions up to 35% for all orders! There are 2 affiliate account types within the SpectroHost Affiliate Program: – Standard Affiliate: receives 25% recurring commission on any sales. This is the base affiliate program. – Premium Affiliate: receives up to 35% recurring commission on any sales. The premium affiliate is for […]Read more
5 Things SMBs Website Needs To Be Successful
Building an interactive website has become an imperative for small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) in today's competitive world. There are thousands of sites being created on a daily basis all across the globe, but only a handful of them achieve success – have you ever wondered why? We are going to answer this question […]Read more


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10900 NW 17 St Plantation, FL 33322
Welcome home to Verona View, a stunningly stylish and beautiful residential community that offers a lifestyle upgrade through one, two, and three bedroom apartments in Plantation, FL. Catering to every lifestyle and living situation, our homes are spacious and offer an optimal level of comfort and style.
Each of these upscale homes features a range of world-class amenities and conveniences that help make everyday life a little easier. From spacious master suites, breakfast bars, and stainless steel appliances to tile backsplashes, vinyl wood plank flooring, and spacious countertops, your home has all of the details that will keep you smiling. You'll also find an in-home washer and dryer, extra storage space (in select homes), and a lovely screened terrace as well.
The wider community at Verona View has even more to offer you as a resident. Relax in our heated spa or enjoy the two sparkling swimming pools at your leisure. The basketball and tennis courts will bring out your competitive side and out fitness center is always ready to help you stay active. Our grounds are beautifully landscaped and offer stunning lake views as well, but if you're looking to venture out, you're in luck! Fort Lauderdale is just a short drive away, along with fantastic entertainment, dining, shopping, and recreation options!
Are you interested in one of our apartments in Plantation, FL? Get in touch with us today to inquire about availability and get started on the application process. Let us show you how Verona View can complement your lifestyle. Call now!


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Internet is usually the most important marketing and communications channel. The Best Online Presence Award includes websites, blogs and use of social media. Think about what's important to your company and invest in that.
Most common combination is the website + 1-2 social media accounts depending on the needs.
For the reference: See the winners from the 2016-2017
The website is your company's business card, source of general information and product presentation. You website must fit your company's business and image and provide information about your company's operations and product or services.
In this competition the technical implementation is a side issue, the website only needs to work on the most common browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome). Mobile devices and connections to social media are also smart things to take into consideration.
The website's domain does not weigh into the judging. A jury consisting of business representatives will review the websites and decide the winner.
Social media accounts
Use the selected social media account that you feel are appropriate for your business. Those are most likely Facebook, instagram, youtube, Linked-in and Twitter, but we don't limit the selection, just think the reasoning and target audience behind the accounts
- 500€ prize for the winner
- We run a story on the www.nuoriyrittajyys.fi and social media channels.
- A press release for additional publicity.
Deadline for participation
Deadline for participation is 14.4.2019
How to participate?
- Log in to the Nystartup.fi portal (as a student)
- Add links to your web services (in a company view) and then scroll down to the end of the form and click Update.
We'll automatically count you in if you have filled one or more social media accounts or website.
If you encounter problems while doing this, please contact JA Finland's office via email and we can check the problem.


text: VCU Holds Second Lavender Graduation By Cassie Williams Jones University Public Affairs (804) 828-7028 firstname.lastname@example.com Thursday, May 2, 2013 Approximately 40 graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex seniors participated in the second VCU Lavender Graduation on April 26. Lavender Graduation is a special graduation ceremony that honors the achievements of graduating gender and sexual minority students on campus. Participants received a rainbow cord to wear with their academic regalia at the university's official commencement activities on May 11. "It was such a delight to be part of the second annual Lavender Graduation planning group and to see the room full of people supporting our LGBTQIAA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and allies) students and their allies at the ceremony," said Liz Canfield, a member of the event's planning committee and an assistant professor and undergraduate adviser in the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's studies. "The energy level in the room was palpable, and it was truly touching to see the VCU community come together for this event." Several administrators, faculty and staff members and alumni of the VCU community spoke at the ceremony, including Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs, and Wanda Mitchell, Ed.D., vice president for diversity and equity. More than 100 friends, family members, alumni and allies appeared at the ASPiRE building for the event to show their support for the graduates. "The importance of this event can't be underestimated," Canfield said. "Lavender Graduation isn't only about visibility and community for LGBTQIAA people at this university, but also about celebration and accomplishment in community with one another." Lavender Graduation ceremonies began in 1995 on the campus of the University of Michigan and have since expanded to universities around the country. The color lavender is significant to LGBTQIAA history because it represents a combination of the pink triangle that gay men wore in concentration camps and the black triangle designating lesbians as political prisoners in Nazi Germany. The LGBTQIAA civil rights movement took these symbols of hatred and combined them to make a color of pride and community. The Lavender Graduation planning committee consisted of VCU faculty, staff, students and alumni. Sponsors of the event included the Department of Gender Sexuality and Women's Studies in the College of Humanities and Sciences, the Office of Diversity and Equity, the VCU and MCV Alumni Associations, Equality VCU, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and VCU ASPiRE. Subscribe for free to the weekly VCU News email newsletter at http://newsletter.news.vcu.edu/ and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox every Thursday.


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The Teaching Seminar features speakers with a history of interest in undergraduate mathematics education. Each speaker gives an individual perspective on effective undergraduate teaching.
Previous speakers have included Deborah Ball, Hyman Bass, Steven Krantz, Olympia Nicodemi, and Stan Wagon. This seminar is currently being organized by James Hager.
First-semester GTAs must attend the teaching seminar as part of the GTA Training Program. Attendance is also required for GTAs who are working towards their Teaching Associate certification.


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Level 1
Mayfly Watch
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Phenology Network sponsor Mayfly Watch. In this program, volunteers are asked to keep an eye out for hatches of mayflies along the Mississippi River during summer months. Millions of mayflies often emerge from their juvenile stages in the river and its tributaries all at once, sometimes even registering on local weather radar! These aquatic insects are important food for many fish. The US Fish & Wildlife Service is interested in tracking the timing of seasonal events like these. Learn more about this program at: https://www.usanpn.org/fws/mayflywatch
Wisconsin contact:
Mark Steingraeber


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Service: Event Management/Production
Pax: 1,500
Venue: Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland
Salesforce engaged International Productions to deliver an engaging technology-centric road show event to build brand awareness and provide delegates with a consistent hands-on product demonstration across the three locations.
Three weeks prior to the first event, an additional exhibition component was added, introducing unforeseen challenges including venue space, inadequate internet connection speed and catering flow which had to be considered.
During the main keynote plenary, a multi-projection large screen blend, incorporated vision live cameras, presentations and custom graphic overlays to support the clients software demonstrations, while a multi-projection screen brought the presenters mobile phone onto the screen for product demonstration.
To fit in an additional conference stream at the last minute, International Productions designed a simplified exhibition layout that maximised each venue space, a new catering flow was devised by our experienced event management team and customised internet networks were created at each venue to cater for the extremely large download requirements at the technology event.
The conference resulted in a growth in existing business and maximised new sales opportunities. The interactive technology provided delegates with higher product knowledge retention than previous events, resulting in three successful events.