text:
Wrecks refer to beaters (run down versions of cars that still drive with less performance), or burnt out cars found around the maps of all the games.
Wrecks have been featured in certain forms beginning GTA III, where scrapped cars and school buses of unknown origins are scattered in various junkyards; GTA III's scrapped vehicle are also featured in GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas, although such wrecks may also be sighted in a wider range of locations. The first known drivable vehicle to appear as a wrecked prop is the Walton in GTA San Andreas, where a rusting Walton is present in rural San Andreas. GTA IV would later see the vast majority of wrecks based on existing vehicles in the game.
The GTA series has not traditionally featured working cars in dilapidated form until GTA San Andreas. Earlier signs of such vehicles are primarily present in GTA III's Hoods Rumpo XL and GTA Vice City's Gang Burrito (variants of the Rumpo and Burrito, respectively). Both vehicles, which are essentially variants of commercial vehicles, feature multicolored body panels and paint jobs, as well as graffiti on their sides, but they are both superior in performance over the vehicles they are based on.
GTA San Andreas was the first game to evidently feature standard cars in run down appearances. The Clover and Tampa appear with mismatched body paneling, the Tampa itself depicting a lopsided license plates. In addition, damaged variants of the Glendale and Sadler are scattered throughout rural San Andreas, with their body panels dented and irreparable. GTA San Andreas' approach to the depiction of dilapidated vehicles was further refined in GTA IV, where up to four cars are designed with normal and dilapidated appearances.
This section links to all articles about cars that have beater versions. These cars are old and rusted, but still drivable, besides some performance issues. In San Andreas, these are actually separate vehicles to their usual counterparts in the game's code, explaining why they cannot be repaired or modified.
- Glendale (GTA San Andreas)
- Sadler (GTA San Andreas)
- Clover (GTA San Andreas)
- Tampa (GTA San Andreas)
- Hellenbach GT (GTA Liberty City Stories)
- Vigero (GTA IV)
- Emperor (GTA IV)
- Sabre (GTA IV)
- Esperanto (Roman's Taxi) (GTA IV)
This section links to all articles about cars that can be found burnt out or rusting in various locations.
- School Bus
- Walton (GTA San Andreas)
- Hotknife (GTA San Andreas)
- Admiral (GTA IV)
- Blista Compact (GTA IV)
- Faction (GTA IV)
- A beta Merit (GTA IV)
- Mule (GTA IV)
- Peyote (GTA IV)
- Rancher (pickup) (GTA IV)
- Speedo (GTA IV)
- Voodoo (GTA IV)
- An unknown '90s-like sedan (GTA IV)
- A van similar to the Burrito but with a different grille and headlight design (GTA IV)
- A van similar to the Pony but with a different grille and headlight design (GTA IV)
- A car similar to the Idaho (GTA III), (GTA Vice City), (GTA San Andreas)
Wrecks in San Andreas
|Idaho wreck
|A Idaho looking wreck, Ganton
Can also be seen several places in Little Haiti, Vice City
|Roofless wreck
|A wreck seen outside Ryders house, in Ganton
Can also be seen several places in Little Haiti, Vice City
|Walton wreck
|A wreck of the walton seen outside Catalinas house
|Green wrecks
|2 green wrecks seen behind Angel Pine Junkyard, Whetstone
Can also be seen at Phil's Place and Vice City Junkyard , Vice City
|School Bus wreck
|2 School Bus wrecks can be seen in the sidemission Kickstart, in the Blackfield Stadium, and is used to perform stunts
Can also be seen several places in Little Haiti, Vice City
|Hotknife wreck
|A wrecked and rusty Hotknife, seen in the Loco Low Co. garage. It is possible it is placed there to be build into a Rat Rod
|A beater version of the Glendale
|A beater version of the Sadler


text: Charles Barkley continued his righteous public crusade against all things Miami Heat today, when he spoke to the "Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. Nothing revolutionary here, just the special vindication that comes with hearing someone with a national audience say things that said audience has been saying to one another for the past eight months: "Yeah, they have the worst fans. No question." There it is.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Professional Candle Making Supplies Since 1972
Fresh Whipped Vanilla and Warming Musk make up this new twist on classic Vanilla from Bath & Body Works.
Not gel compatible.
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- Good for Paraffins and Natural Waxes
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Product Description
All designer or brand name fragrance "Types" are Trademarked names and are the exclusive property of the original manufacturers. Fresh Vanilla is a Trademark of Bath & Body Works, Inc.
People Who Bought This Item Also Bought
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To see shipping costs, proceed to checkout to get up-to-date rates. Orders are shipped by UPS or FedEx. View the Shipping Information page for more details.


text:
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Interpretations of interactions in LGCM
Mplus Discussion
Growth Modeling of Longitudinal Data
sabahat cigdem bagci
posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 5:33 am
Dear Dr Muthens,
I am running a parallel process growth model with a time-invariant moderator, but have difficulties on the interpretation. My DV is well-being, my IV is friendship quality (both measured at 3 time points) and have an observed moderator (ethnic identity) measured at T1.
I am intersted to see whether the initial levels of friendship quality and ethnic identity and their interaction (defined by the XWITH command) predict the slope of well-being.
Results showed a negative effect of quality intercept, a negative effect of identity and a positive interaction on well-being slope.
1) I guess the negative main effects on well-being slope do not show that initial levels of quality and identity lead to decreases in well-being, but rather means that higher initial levels of quality and identity lead to lower levels of change in the slope of well-being? But how do I understand the direction of the change?
2) How can I interpret the positive effect of interaction?
3) For plotting the simple slopes between a latent growth factor and an observed variable, how can I obtain the variances of the IV, moderator and the interaction?
Thank you very much.
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 - 12:25 pm
1. When you have a significant interaction. you do not interpret the main effects. You interpret only the interaction.
2-3. Plot the interaction. See the LOOP option of Example 3.18.
sabahat cigdem bagci
posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 3:10 am
Thanks Linda, also just a basic question to confirm:
My univariate models showed that friendship quality increases over time and well-being is stable over time.
If I find a significant and positive covariance between these two slopes, does this mean that increases in quality is associated with the increases in well-being, or increases in quality is associated with more stable well-being?
Thank you.
Linda K. Muthen
posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 - 11:34 am
It means increases in quality is associated with the increases in well-being.
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text:
By Miguel Rodriguez Thu, Sep 5, 2019
By Jonah Bronstein Sat, Oct 13, 2018
Good Morning, Buffalo
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text:
Is voice recognition, text-to-speech, or anything like that possible in C++? Or should I just do it in assembly and/or machine? Just checking, thanks;-)!
Is voice recognition, text-to-speech, or anything like that possible in C++? Or should I just do it in assembly and/or machine? Just checking, thanks;-)!
One more thing. If you can do it in C++, can I get the code? Thanx;-)!
Yes, it is possible... it's been done! Could you do it? No. Could 99% of the population of the world do it? No. Could 99% of all programmers do it? I'm guessing no.
Code for something like this would span many many many many many pages and would be extremely complicated. If you really want, you may be able to find examples somewhere on the internet... why not try www.google.com?
> Could you do it? No
Check out the Windows SAPI interface. For further help, try posting to the discussion board on www.generation5.org.
If you want write the such a thing from scratch, then admittedly this would be hard.
Dooh - I've done it again. The full stop on the end the link above will stop the link from working. Try
>Is voice recognition, text-to-speech, or anything like that
>possible in C++?
Yes it is. Though it requires a lot of math, especially the theory of signals and systems, to understand the involved algorithms which are used in digital signal processing.
A very good resource:
An easy way out would be to download the speach sdk from MS.
Thanks, the links didn't help me with my program, (I gave in and used a Microsoft product, the speech SDK), though they helped me with another part of program. I'll post it when I finished it. It's more assembly then C++.
>the links didn't help me with my program,
Perhaps you were too less specific.
>I'll post it when I finished it.
That would be nice.
I was talking about programming it from scrath.. which it seems to me, is what he was asking.
It also seemed to me that he was asking how to do speech processing in C++ from scratch. But "voice recognition, text-to-speech, or anything like that" is not very specific.
it's possible in linux (text to speech) with the festival packages
I'll be able to do Voice Recognition one day. I really will. And about that 99% of the programmers cant do it? Hah! My uncle did before 1995. Ofcourse you can do it, just put your mind to it, learn what it involves, learn the mathematics, and ofcourse the API for the soundcard(no, not Win32 API). What always makes me laugh is when I see things like "Microsoft is developing Voice Recognition! For year and years and its almost done! We've got the technology and the scientists to get the tasks done!" lol, because they make it sound like their so great and that it sso hard, but once you figure it out... how hard can anything be? Anyways, good luck with it man.
have limited knowledge on this but anyway when starting from scratch, it does seem hard since you would have to translate the input from the mic, presumeably measuring and then translating the wavelengths or something. how to do it, I have no idea.
think only with code.
write only with source.
>And about that 99% of the programmers cant do it?
I'm quite sure that most programmers can't write speech processing software from scratch. It requires a lot of knowledge and good understanding of digital signal processing and speech processing in specific. Most programmer's don't have that knowledge.
>Hah! My uncle did before 1995.
>it does seem hard since you would have to translate the input
>from the mic, presumeably measuring and then translating the
>wavelengths or something. how to do it, I have no idea.
The process of recording audio with the soundcard is called sampling. If you sample for example with a frequency of 44 kHz, then each 1/44k seconds a sample will be taken. The sample can be seen as the current amplitude. The soundcard will provide you this value as N bits, where N depends on the type of soundcard.
So the original audio signal, which is analog, will be represented as a digital signal, which is in fact a long array of values (samples). Note that you cannot allways capture the full signal, if the sampling frequency is N kHz, then you can at most capture frequencies of N/2 kHz.
Note that this is the process for recording the speech. After recording the speech you can use the digital version to perform operations on it for recognition and that kind of things.
Speech syntesis, the process for text-to-speech, is something different. You can to translate the text to a phonetic alphabet. Then you can use the phonetic alphabet elements to link it with a sound. This is how primitive text-to-speech is done. Today there are much more sophisticated algorithms for doing this.


text:
Elk Wellington
"My husband's an avid hunter and fisherman, so we often try new recipes with elk, deer, rabbit, turkey or fish. Our family loves this special game dish," says Sandy Green from Ignacio, Colorado. The elk fillets are dressed up in puff pastry and drizzled with a savory onion-mushroom sauce.
Total TimePrep: 30 min. Bake: 30 min.
Makes8 servings
- 8 elk fillets (about 4 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons minced chives
- 1 package (17-1/4 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 1-1/3 cups finely chopped mushrooms
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon browning sauce, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- In a large skillet, brown elk fillets in oil on both sides; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the mushrooms, parsley and chives; set aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out each sheet of pastry into a 16-in. square. Cut each into four 8-in. squares. Top each square with mushroom mixture and one fillet. Fold pastry over fillet; seal seams.
- Place seam side down on a rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Beat egg and cold water; brush over pastry. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.
- Meanwhile, for sauce, saute mushrooms and onion in butter in a saucepan until tender. Sprinkle with flour; stir until blended. Gradually stir in the broth, browning sauce if desired, tomato paste and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with pastry.


text:
Version 2.3.6
Discussions about Z-Way software and Z-Wave technology in general
Post Reply
- Posts: 126
- Joined: 30 Sep 2016 23:49
Re: Version 2.3.6
Correction: I also have crashes with the latest dev-version from github. It seems this happens shortly after midnight, when sone scenes are automatically activated but specially when the hue-app is involved. No interresting debug log details to see. It simply stops and zway killed itself.
Re: Version 2.3.6
if you can run it via gdb, would help us a lot.
Make sure to do this in gdb begore typing run:
handle SIGILL nostop
handle SIGPIPE nostop
handle SIGHUP nostop
Make sure to do this in gdb begore typing run:
handle SIGILL nostop
handle SIGPIPE nostop
handle SIGHUP nostop
- Posts: 126
- Joined: 30 Sep 2016 23:49
Re: Version 2.3.6
It was working for a week without any issues. So today I reactivated some two logical rules, triggering two scenes and two scheduler. And: It just crashed silently again when the scheduler seemed to run, while doing some hue-stuff.
So I just started the whole thing with gdb and will post, whatever happens here. However, I also just noticed some error messages appearing during startup of gdb zway as follows:
So I just started the whole thing with gdb and will post, whatever happens here. However, I also just noticed some error messages appearing during startup of gdb zway as follows:
Here is what I got in gdb, while started keep you posted with further details if I see some...
Code: Select all
[2018-01-16 01:07:44.417] [I] [core] Creating device sensorBinary ZWayVDev_zway_16-0-113-6-Door-A
[2018-01-16 01:07:44.617] [I] [core] Notification: error (core): Cannot create vDev based on: 16-0-113: TypeError: Cannot read property 'forEach' of null
[2018-01-16 01:07:44.646] [I] [core] TypeError: Cannot read property 'forEach' of null
at maskArrayToTypes (automation/modules/ZWave/index.js:5400:21)
at automation/modules/ZWave/index.js:5415:83
at Array.forEach (native)
at ZWave.parseAddCommandClass (automation/modules/ZWave/index.js:5388:25)
at ZDataHolder.<anonymous> (automation/modules/ZWave/index.js:3987:12)
at ZWave.dataBind (automation/modules/ZWave/index.js:3578:10)
at ZWaveCommandClass.<anonymous> (automation/modules/ZWave/index.js:3695:9)
[2018-01-16 01:07:44.659] [I] [core] Creating device battery ZWayVDev_zway_16-0-128
[2018-01-16 01:07:45.263] [I] [core] Creating device sensorBinary ZWayVDev_zway_17-0-48-10
Code: Select all
Starting program: /opt/z-way-server/z-way-server
[Thread debugging using libthread_db enabled]
Using host libthread_db library "/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf/libthread_db.so.1".
Cannot access memory at address 0x0
Program received signal SIGILL, Illegal instruction.
Z-Way version v2.3.6 from 2017-10-04 15:13:33 +0300 (build a25d58db56fe93180d0e891dcc11d62d87ec8c2c)
Looking for modules in ./modules
Module modhttp.so loaded
Module modcrypto.so loaded
Module modiconinstaller.so loaded
Module modenocean.so loaded
Module modinstaller.so loaded
Module modws.so loaded
Module modzwave.so loaded
Module modnotification2ext.so loaded
Module moddhs.so loaded
Module modhomekit.so loaded
Module modzbw.so loaded
Module modskininstaller.so loaded
Module modsockets.so loaded
Using default configuration file config.xml
Error: 'debug-port' number is out of range. Skipping it.
[New Thread 0x73fff450 (LWP 27274)]
[New Thread 0x756d1450 (LWP 27275)]
[New Thread 0x7569d450 (LWP 27276)]
[New Thread 0x7568d450 (LWP 27277)]
[New Thread 0x7567d450 (LWP 27278)]
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[New Thread 0x71dff450 (LWP 27285)]
[New Thread 0x6fbff450 (LWP 27304)]
[Thread 0x6fbff450 (LWP 27304) exited]
Post Reply


text:
Logitech Wireless Mouse M185
In a contoured shape, the M185 is a wireless mouse with simple plug-and-play capability and 1-year battery life. It is backed by a three-year warranty.
Tags: input device, logitech, wireless mouse
Product Specification
|Wireless Technology
|Logitech Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity
|Other Features
|Operating System Compatibility


text:
Warner Home Entertainment has revealed that all its future Blu-ray Discs will tap into Hollywood's UltraViolet cloud-based movie locker to provide punters with downloadable copies of films they buy.
Warner said it will make UV the standard for double- and triple-play BDs that offer a digital copy.
Sony said it will offer digital streams and downloads through UV too, but not until later in the year.
Both firms were speaking at PEVE Entertainment, a conference run this week by market watcher IHS ScreenDigest.
Warner has dipped its toe into UltraViolet over here before, releasing Final Destination 5 late last year with a UV link.
Buying a movie on a UV-enabled disc gives you free access to the film for streaming and downloading, once you've created a UV account. The system encompasses a host of DRM mechanisms to ensure that any given gadget - net-connected TVs, media players and such - can access the movies you've bought and play them.
Apple's DRM technology, FairPlay, isn't one of them, but you'll be able to access UV content on iDevices through UV partners' apps, such as Warner's Flixster and Viewster, or Tesco's Blinkbox. UV titles bought from one vendor will play on another supplier's app. ®
Sponsored: Webcast: Ransomware has gone nuclear


text:
The Eurostars David is magnificently located, close to the Moldau river and next door to the famous Dancing Houses by the architects Gehry and Milunic. It is set in the new city, a mere five minutes from the access to the old part of Prague. The major tourist attractions of Prague are easily accessible on foot: Wenceslas Square, the Charles Bridge, the old plaza, the National theatre (a mere 2 minutes from the hotel), the National Museum, the Jewish Quarter of Josefov, the house of the Black Virgin, the Spanish Synagogue and many others. In the vicinity, there are numerous restaurants, cafeterias, shopping areas and jazz clubs, concerts and black light theatres.
Being so close to the river, it is also worthwhile having a wander along the Moldau river left bank where, 10 minutes from the hotel one of the most debatable, famous monuments can be visited: the monument to the Red Army, a soviet tank painted pink several times by Czech artists and activists.
More info in this link.From the airport: the journey from the airport by taxi takes 25 minutes and costs a maximum of CZK 750 (30-35 euros).
From the airport by public transport: Bus number 100 to Zlicin metro station - the last stop on the 100 route. From Zlicin (Yellow line B) to Karlovo Namesti (Charles Square). Then walk in the direction of the Dancing House - 4 minutes. The total journey time is 45 minutes.
From Hlavni Nadrazi train station (main station) by tram: Take tram number 9 to Lazarska and then number 14 to Jiraskovo Namesti. - 12 minutes.
From Hlavni Nadrazi train station (main station) by metro: Take line C (red line) to Florenc (yellow line B), change at Florenc to line B metro in the direction of Zličín to Karlovo Namesti (4 stops). Then walk in the direction of the Dancing House - 4 minutes.


text:
Listen up, little monsters.
All three of Lady Gaga's performances at the Chicago Theatre next month have been moved to the Rosemont Theatre, and tickets that have already been issued aren't valid.
The shows are still slated for January 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m., but concertgoers will need new tickets to attend "The Monster Ball" at the new venue.
It's likely not as bad as it sounds. People who already bought tickets are guaranteed the same number of seats at the new venue, but they must be exchanged during a 48-hour pre-sale period which ends Thursday at 5 p.m.
Tickets must be exchanged at the same outlet where they were purchased. For most people, that's Ticketmaster.
The Rosemont Theatre can hold about 700 more people than the Chicago Theatre, and those extra seats will go on sale to the general public on January 4 at 10 a.m.
Concert promoter Live Nation said the venue was moved due to the size of the flamboyant performer's production.
For more information visit www.livenation.com/ladygagachicago.
Lady Gaga's "Monster Ball" Changes Venue
Chicago Theatre tickets need to be exchanged
Listen up, little monsters.


text:
Ka-blam: Storyboarding the comix
"I'm one of the few people who knows that Tom Cruise is secretly gay!" Colin Whitlow laughs, making a joke about the issues on his mind when he decided to write, produce, shoot, edit, and publish a graphic novel. Although his creation has nothing to do with Cruise, when reading Lavender and Other Colors, one does get the impression that the author is revealing some deep secrets.
Hollywood's transformation of a few cult classics such as Hell Boy and Sin City into blockbusters has turned the spotlight on graphic novels. But Lavender is not an ordinary graphic novel with garish colors and exaggerated drawings. In fact, there are no drawings.
Whitlow envisioned Lavender while he was a fourth-year UVA student. With his prestigious Aunspaugh fellowship, he wanted to combine his background in photography and literature in an unpredictable way. The result is the semi-autobiographical book in which traditional comic drawings are replaced with photographs.
"I wasn't really a hardcore comic fan prior to doing this," says the 26-year-old photographer. "I had to do months of research."
Five months after diving into the comic book world and honing the script, Whitlow was ready to shoot. In addition to Charlottesville residents, he photographed actors from the UVA drama department, one of the first major collaborations between students from art and drama.
"It's a good transition project for stage people who are interested in film," says Richard Warner, Whitlow's drama department advisor. "They played each part as a scene in a movie, bringing out the depth of the characters."
"I'm somewhat of a control freak," Whitlow admits, "but making the books taught me to let things go. Working with the cast opened up the characters of the story more than the lines did."
After completing Lavender, Whitlow used his own money to publish his crossover creation. His first instincts led him to comic book conventions, but he found the aficionados of that world unreceptive. "My friends into art and film have been more into my by book than comic folk have been," he says.
Last summer, Whitlow dropped by Sundance, Utah, hoping to enter a program that selects eight amateur directors from thousands of applicants and walks them through the movie-making process with established Hollywood producers and directors. Although he wasn't chosen, Whitlow snagged an art department job on a film in production and was able to generate interest in his graphic novel among other crew members.
Whitlow is now gearing up for his next big step: film school in California. Completing a project as large as a full-scale graphic novel has energized his film directing dreams.
"I learned how to go ba**s to the wall," he says. "I'm a lot less scared to jump into a project and take it on."
Colin Whitlow


text:
JohnJAT necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 129 diseños de 46 diseñadores freelance.
We are looking for a logo that conveys the experience and professionalism of our team and reflects the upscale, affluent nature of our client base. This logo should make clear that we are neither a quirky upstart nor a faceless corporate entity but rather an established, talented boutique-like firm.
Jennifer Ames Chicago
Jennifer Ames Chicago is a team of real estate professionals. We are a group of top-tier agents serving the luxury and high-end markets in Chicago proper.
We are not typical real estate agents. We are something of a boutique firm tailored to the city's more affluent clients. The homes we primarily list are luxury residences in Chicago's Lincoln Park, Gold Coast and Lakeview neighborhoods. These properties run the gamut from modern construction to vintage (late 1880s) buildings and from small condos to large, 8,000-square foot city homes. We serve both buyers and sellers in these categories. You can see our listings at http://www.jenniferames.com.
We need a logo that is suitable for use on signage, business cards, letterhead, websites, etc.
- The logo must have our tagline "Your Home. Our Expertise." to convey that we are a team, not an individual agent.- The logo should be elegant without being pretentious. Something along the lines of what might be seen on a law firm or a boutique shop (without confusing consumers as to the nature of our business) would be ideal.- A feature to the logo implying that we are a real estate company would be great. A stylized, vintage architectural element could be one possibility. No cliché real estate symbolism ("for sale" signs, house images, etc.).- The logo should be clean and classic – think Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn.- The logo must be provided as a vector image (Illustrator CS2 compatible file).- We like PMS 577U color. We also like the colors that Restoration Hardware uses for their paint samples (http://www.restorationhardware.com). Prefer two-color design.- We would prefer that "Jennifer Ames" stand out a little more than "Chicago" in the logo.
- Generic city skylines- "Corporate" or "Web 2.0" style logos- Cliché real estate symbolism ("for sale" signs, house images, etc.)
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Hermit Park Open Space
Southeast of Estes Park
The 1,362 acres of Hermit Park Open Space nestle into the hills at 7,880-8,964 feet elevation. Ponderosa pine forests and wetland meadows characterize this beautiful property and its abundant habitat for an impressive variety of mountain wildlife. Features include cabins, RV and tent camping, group campground, reservable group pavilion, and trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
The preservation of this stunning area was a joint effort between Larimer County, Agilent Technologies, Town of Estes Park, Estes Valley Land Trust, Great Outdoors Colorado, City of Loveland, Erion Foundation, City of Fort Collins, McWhinney Foundation, Town of Berthoud, and many more contributors.
Don't miss the freshly renovated group pavilion
The renovation features stone wrapped columns, new picnic benches, a gas fire pit and improved lighting and utilities. There is a new catering area with a charcoal grill. The pavilion can accommodate 175 guests. Make a reservation today at www.larimercamping.com or 1-800-397-7795. It is open to walk through so people can check out the amenities it offers.
Hermit Park Open Space requires entrance and camping permits, and is open March through mid December. It is located 2 miles southeast of Estes Park, Colorado.


text:
Kansas BOE To Discuss Teacher Regulations
KSCB News - May 29, 2014 10:20 am
The Kansas State Board of Education plans a special meeting next week to approve regulations for a new law that allows applicants without education degrees to obtain teaching licenses.
The law takes effect July 1 and was included in a school finance bill approved by the Legislature in early April.
State education officials said the change would increase the available pool of teachers in science, math, engineering and technology. The law will allow people with bachelor's degrees and significant work experience in the designated fields to teach in secondary schools.
Another section makes it easier for teachers licensed in other states to obtain Kansas licenses.
The state board will meet via conference call Tuesday to approve the necessary regulations.


text:
EVICTION LOCKSMITH 19121 - Sheriff Eviction , House Eviction , Business Eviction ANY TIME !
Being a landlord of any type of property, if you decide to use it as a rental, take under consideration that you might deal with tenant eviction process once in a while.
Usually tenant will not have patience's to care for your things, but our helpful locksmith can change the lock and cannot access to the goods. However it is acceptable when proper permission is allowed.
Your choice of locksmith shouldn't add even more issues to this problematic situation.
We can serve you with the best locksmith facilities at your place any time you want because we are always busy in providing the locksmith services to our customers. We have all the facilities for the solution of locksmith problems but this is not the end of our services because we are not an ordinary locksmith company.
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Although old in the years of men and possessing a natural authority, Ancalimë, Steward of Arnor and Princess of the Reunited Kingdom, felt slightly intimidated when she and the Lady Nerdanel sat down with the members of the High Council of Imladris. Standing well over six feet, she was used to looking down on men; here, she was taller only than Nerdanel and was the youngest, by far. Elladan looked unusually grim, and she knew at once that he had unpleasant news.
"We have some news from the south, but nothing of technical import," he told her. "There is one point of news that, while it does not affect us directly, you should know about as it concerns the King."
"I see," she said, frowning. "Is he hurt?"
"No, it is nothing like that. It seems that he fell in love with a lady from Harad. He brought her to the Citadel and openly moved her into his apartments where she stayed for some time. It seems that he wished to take her as Queen, but she was not popular with the people and ultimately left him." He sighed deeply. "Eldarion was deeply hurt by this."
Ancalimë digested the news. Although unmarried, she was no blushing maiden, and she knew enough of her brother's past affairs to know he was extremely discreet and careful about such things. In addition, though he had the mortal heart and desires of other men, he took his position as king very seriously and would not lightly choose a queen no matter what he felt. "It is odd to think he would choose a lady of Harad to be queen, for it would not be an appropriate match from a political viewpoint." She shook her head. "It grieves me to hear of his pain, though," she said with a slight note of wistfulness. In a moment, she was businesslike again. "You were right to tell me of this though it may seem as gossip."
"The other news is more pleasant," began Armith turning to Nerdanel with a smile "We must beg your indulgence. You see, Elrohir is courting a lady from Valinor whom none of us has met. I admit that we are very curious about her, for we know almost nothing. Perhaps you know her and may tell us something about her."
"From Valinor?" she asked in complete surprise. "She is of the Noldor?"
"According to Elrohir, the lady is not an elf," he explained. Her name is the Lady Legrace."
The color drained from Nerdanel's face and her eyes grew wide. "Legrace?" she repeated incredulously.
"What is it?" asked Inwir. "Do you know her?"
"Know her?" she repeated, still blinking in confusion. "No, but I know of her. Legrace, you say? And Lord Elrohir is courting her?"
"As we said, Elrohir has told us little of her: thus we are curious," explained Armith. "Can you tell us a little about her?"
Nerdanel shook her head. "I have never seen her – she is hardly spoken of – but my sons used to know her son, for he rides with Lord Oromë."
"Her son?" asked Curandir, startled.
"My lady," began Elladan, very gently. "I may soon be calling this lady sister, you see. I suffer terrible curiosity, I own, and you may soothe me a little by telling me of my brother's lady."
Her brow was creased with a frown as she gazed at him, this powerful Elf Lord of exalted lineage who was so young next to her, only a youth even in comparison to her own children who were all now gone to Mandos. "Lord Elladan, I shall tell you what I know, but it is the stuff of myth and legends. The Lady Legrace is of the Holy Ones, a Maia of great stature and legend."
There was silence, for certainly no one had expected to hear anything like this. All of them hesitated, hardly knowing what to ask. "Is it possible that my brother is courting this lady?" asked Elladan. In truth, despite his pedigree, it was unthinkable that a partly mortal elf, such as Elrohir, would dream of reaching so high as for one of the Holy Ones.
"Why is she hardly spoken of?" pressed Curandir.
"Well, I can only tell you the legends I heard in my youth, which is very long ago. It is said that long, long ago, before the waking of the elves, she went to the Máhanaxar and appealed eloquently to the Powers to intervene in these lands of Middle-earth, for she had seen a vision of some doom. They refused; thus, she cursed them and went to dwell in darkness."
"Darkness?" asked Armith sharply.
"Yes, that is what is said by the wise of Aman, who are far older than I. Now… well, she visits her children, but she does not go to Taniquetil or Valmar and only sees those who supported her in days of yore: the Lord Oromë, the Lord Tulkas, and the Lady Yavanna. The Valar permit her to visit her children, and no evil has touched the lady, but she is very different than others of her race."
"That is the second time you have mentioned children," said Armith, a little more gently but still far more intensely than was his accustomed manner. "Who are her children?"
"Her son is called Varlon and serves the Lord Oromë, as I said. The daughter I know little of, but she is called Kitaræ." She licked her lips and looked around at al of them with a worried expression as if she were reluctant to share the last bit of information. "It is said that the father of these children was the Great Smith of Aulë, the one known as Gorthaur – he whom the Sindar call Sauron."


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The original Honda NSX was a fan favourite and it was a dark day for many in 2005 when Honda announced that the sports car would be discontinued. But now, six years later, those same fans have a glimmer of hope that one day soon this nameplate will rise up from the dead.
The NSX saviour comes in the form of new Honda president Takanobu Ito who is busy attempting to revive some of Honda's performance image. And if his recent comments prove true the automaker will get a new flagship sports car.
Ito knows the NSX well from earlier in his career when he helped develop its aluminum body. He claims that the next Honda sports car won't try to achieve Ferrari levels of grunt, but instead aim for an excellent power-to-weight ratio and high efficiency.
The original Honda NSX, sold from 1990 to 2005, weighed around 1350kg and produced 216kW – a power-to-weight ratio that still holds up well today. The NSX mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout also made it an enjoyable steer and gave it supercar-caliber dynamics combined with unrivaled reliability. Continue reading "Honda busy developing next-generation NSX?" »


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Rotating Unions (also known as rotary swivels, rotary couplings, rotary joints) are precision mechanical devices used to transfer fluid from a stationary source, such as a supply pipe, into a rotating piece of machinery. Rotating Unions are used in numerous manufacturing processes to cool, heat, or transfer fluid (pneumatic or hydraulic) power.
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Why buy property in dalaman Turkey
Property buying in the Dalaman area of Turkey has always been focused on visitors that need to be close to the international airport with easy access to many of the local coastal resorts of Gocek, Fethiye, Marmaris and the stunning town of Dalyan etc.
In recent years, one of Turkey's secrets has been revealed, the beautiful natural lake district of Akkaya just minutes away from the centre of Dalaman and the beautiful white sands of Sarigerme beach, set in lush green landscapes, a firm favourite with many Turkish people who love nature and wildlife.
Now that the secret is out, foreign visitors have also fallen deeply in love with the area and it has seen some amazing luxury properties being developed all with idyllic natural settings. Holiday homes are being snapped up and investors have seen its potential for rental opportunity and are now cashing in with excellent rental yields from both Turkish and international tourists and nature lovers.
Property for sale in DALAMAN Turkey
Akkaya is a stunning village that sits around a beautiful natural lake just a few kilometres from the busy town of Dalaman in the south-west of Turkey
A little know peace haven that is popular with affluent Turkish citizens, who love the idea of back-to-nature living. The area is a protected national park that is home to many species of wildlife and a popular place for migrating birds.
Akkaya Valley is sometimes known as 'Turkey's Secret Valley' surrounded by mountains that are covered in pine trees and olive groves which provide some natural shading for many of the luxury homes that are located around the lake. It really is a sublime place to visit totally unspoilt by mass development and mass tourism.
Akkaya is also a great spot for anyone looking to explore other areas located around Dalaman with the stunning Sarigerme beach just a short drive away, the traditional town of Dalyan also not too far away, and if you feel like a drive through further amazing scenery you can head off for the exclusive yachting resort of Gocek or a little further you can visit the busy harbour town of Fethiye and its many beaches.
Property in Akkaya
Anyone searching for real estate in Akkaya is sure to be a nature lover as most accommodation for sale in Akkaya is located near the beautiful lake and almost always have stunning views of the mountains and the thick forest areas that surround this stunning authentic secret village.
As this stunning village increases in popularity people looking to buy property in Akkaya, Turkey will see prices steadily rising as overseas buyers are now beginning to see the beauty that this areas beholds, and investors are seeing the potential too with luxury secluded homes offering extremely high rental yields.
Akkaya property for sale is mostly aimed at privacy and luxury with large exclusive villas set on large plots with stunning natural surroundings and gorgeous views over the lake, though more humble apartments can also be found, with prices for accommodation in Akkaya, Turkey currently being available for all budgets.
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The humble clock radio isn't dead: it has evolved. The GEAR4 AlarmDock Reveal is a perfect example of just such a thing, doing exactly what it says on the tin. Except the "reveal" part and we can't quite figure out why it is called the Reveal - it doesn't open a mac or lift its skirt for you.
Looking at the design you'll find mesh wrapped around all sides of the rounded-off cube, dipping down at the front to reveal the LCD display. Ah ha, perhaps that's it. The display is a little on the small side - if you wear glasses and peer bleary-eyed at it in the middle of the night you probably won't be able to read it.
The top of the AlarmDock lays out the controls, with volume and playback assembled around the front of the iPod dock. A line offering power, sleep, mode and set sit under that, finished off with an alarm slider, so select the choice of two alarms. Behind the iPod dock is a dimmer which lets you adjust the brightness of the display, a welcome feature for those who have darker rooms and don't want 03:47 beaming out on a restless night. The front of the AlarmDock top is a giant snooze button.
Set-up is simply a case of inserting the backup battery in the bottom (which will keep the time and your alarms in case of a power cut but nothing else) and connecting to the mains. There is a connected FM aerial at the back for you to deploy appropriately. There are a choice of four dock inserts (iPod touch, iPod nano, iPod classic and iPhone) although these won't necessarily fit all models, but you could always leave it out if you don't have the perfect fit.
It is very simple to use, with the alarm switch meaning you can easily set two alarms if you and your partner have to rise at different times, or if you want a different time for the weekend or whatever. The snooze function gives you a 10-minute lie-in before the music or buzzer returns.
The alarm can be set to iPod, FM or buzzer. You an also set the volume you want the alarm to come on at. To use the iPod, you have to make sure it is on your chosen song when you head to bed for the night. There are five radio presets, although no RDS, so you'll only see the frequency on the display, and rather than offering preset buttons, you have to cycle through them in radio mode by pressing the play button - no great hardship.
Sleep will cycle through 10-minute increments up to an hour at which point it will shut down. To turn a ringing alarm off you simply have to press the power button, which turns it off, leaving the alarm set for the next day.
When it comes to sound quality, the AlarmDock Reveal has an authentic clock radio sound to it too. It is slightly tinny, but we found the iPod music sounds much better than the radio especially when it comes to bass delivery. The radio sounds rather flat, but the iPod delivery is good enough for its intended purpose.
It is a clock radio and designed as a bedside buddy, not as your primary music source, so we shouldn't be too critical. If you can afford more space over the compact 130 x 130 x 95mm device, there are a range of iPod docks that offer the same features but with the capacity for better audio performance.
There is little to get offended about with the GEAR4 AlarmDock Reveal, it does exactly what it is supposed to, providing a place to charge your iPod or iPhone at your bedside, giving you the radio and a clock. The mesh surrounds look good, although the choice of glossy plastic for the top means it will attract fingerprints and noticeable dust when installed for any period of time.
The price of £49.99 makes this an affordable docking option and about the only thing we'd want to see changed was the size of the time display to make it slightly larger.


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Rosee Royce
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I know it's silly (and unoriginal) but I love watching both men and women orgasm.If you are looking for a unique person, you have just found me . Why am I here ? Why am I good at being a cam girl ? Because I love what I do ! If you drop in my private room you won't be sorry. I want to give you satisfaction and want you to come back for more.
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I have several fantasies. I like a man in uniform or a politician. Someone with power but also a dark side. I like sex outdoors, random places around the house, and once in a while in the bedroom. I love wearing heels and short skirt.
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Oh, gosh. Breast play, voyeurism, cum...
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Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke
English politician and Viscount
(Redirected from Henry, Viscount Bolingbroke St. John)
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (September 16, 1678 – December 12, 1751) was an English statesman and philosopher.
- Truth lies within a little and certain compass, but error is immense.
- Reflections upon Exile (1716)
- I have read somewhere or other, — in Dionysius of Halicarnassus, I think, — that history is philosophy teaching by examples.
- On the Study and Use of History, letter 2; in fact this relates to a third-century CE treatise on rhetoric, wrongly attributed to Dionysius of Halicarnassus, which says (xi. 2): "The contact with manners then is education; and this Thucydides appears to assert when he says history is philosophy learned from examples". The line is not found in Thucydides.
- Nations, like men, have their infancy.
- On the Study and Use of History, letter 4 (1752)
- They (Thucydides and Xenophon) maintained the dignity of history.
- On the Study and Use of History, letter 5 (1752); compare Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, book xi. chap. ii.; Horace Walpole, Advertisement to Letter to Sir Horace Mann; Thomas Babington Macaulay, History of England, vol. i. chap. i.
- The landed men are the true owners of our political vessel, the moneyed men are no more than passengers in it.
- Some Reflections on the Present State of the Nation (1753)
- The second proposition admits and encourages the very practice we censure so justly, for which the saint [ Augustine of Hippo ] was so famous, and by which he contributed so much to promote contentions in his own days, and to perpetuate them to ours. The practice of deducing doctrines from the scriptures that are not evidently contained in them... Who does not see that the direct tendency of this practice is exactly the same as the event has proved it to be? It composes and propagates a religion, seemingly under the authority of God, but really under that of man. The principles of revelation are lost in theology, or disfigured by it: and whilst some men are impudent enough to pretend, others are silly enough to believe, that they adhere to the gospel, and maintain the cause of God against infidels and heretics, when they do nothing better, nor more, than espouse the conceits of men, whom enthusiasm, or the ambition of forming sects, or of making a great figure in them, has inspired. If you ask now what the practice of the christian fathers, and of other divines, should have been, in order to preserve the purity of faith, and to promote peace and charity, the answer is obvious... They should have adhered to the word of God: they should have paid no regard to heathen philosophy, jewish cabala, the sallies of enthusiasm, or the refinements of human ingenuity: they should have embraced, and held fast the articles of faith and doctrine, that were delivered in plain terms, or in unequivocal figures: they should not have been dogmatical where the sense was doubtful, nor have presumed even to guess where the Holy Ghost left the veil of mystery undrawn.
- Lord Bolingbroke's Philosophical Works (1754) Vol.III, Essay IV, Sect XVI
- It is the modest, not the presumptuous, inquirer who makes a real and safe progress in the discovery of divine truths. One follows Nature and Nature's God; that is, he follows God in his works and in his word.
- Letter to Alexander Pope; compare: "Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, But looks through Nature up to Nature's God", Alexander Pope, Essay on Man, epistle iv. line 331.
- The shortest and surest way of arriving at real knowledge is to unlearn the lessons we have been taught, to mount the first principles, and take nobody's word about them.
- As quoted in Treasury of Wisdom, Wit and Humor, Odd Comparisons and Proverbs (1891) by Adam Woolever


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Perry Brief Bonanza
On December 6, the Ninth Circuit will begin hearing the appeal of District Judge Vaughn Walker's decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, which struck down California's gay marriage ban as a violation of Equal Protection and Due Process under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Supporters of the appellant, ProtectMarriage.com, filed their amicus briefs last month. The Alliance Defense Fund, appellant's co-counsel, has compiled links to those briefs–26 in all–here.
Yesterday, the opposition amicus briefs–that is, those arguing to uphold Walker's decision–flooded in. Prop8TrialTracker.com has compiled 24 of the briefs here.
I would like to commend, in particular, my friend Justin Ford of O'Melveny & Myers, for a job well-done co-authoring the National LGBT Association brief. I've known Justin since our days at Duke together and regret that our tenures at Georgetown Law did not overlap. If gay marriage–and with it, full and equal rights for gays–is the final frontier for American civil rights, then the Nat'l LGBT Ass'n brief squarely addresses the corresponding jurisprudential final frontier: whether laws classifying on the basis of sexual orientation should be subject to heightened scrutiny.
In arguing that heightened scrutiny should apply, the brief surveys the history of federal and state discrimination against gay Americans, including this lovely 1966 letter by then-Chairman of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, explaining the continued ban on gays in the federal government's employ:
Pertinent considerations here are the revulsion of other employees byhomosexual conduct and the consequent disruption of service efficiency, the apprehension caused other employees of homosexual advances, solicitations or assaults, the unavoidable subjection of thesexual deviate to erotic stimulation through on-the-job use of thecommon toilet, shower and living facilities, the offense to members ofthe public who are required to deal with a known or admitted sexual deviate to transact Government business, the hazard that the prestige and authority of a Government position will be used to foster homosexual activity, particularly among the youth, and the use of Government funds and authority in furtherance of conduct offensive both to the mores and the law of our society.
Of course, gays are no longer banned from working in the federal government, and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is on the outs, whether judicially or politically. But the brief argues that these gains made towards sexual orientation equality in the United States don't stand in the way of recognizing gays and lesbians as a suspect class:
The existence of, for example, the Civil Rights Act of 1870, Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Voting Rights Act of 1965—not to mention the Fourteenth Amendment itself—obviously does not negate the suspicious nature of race-based classifications. More to the point, the Supreme Court in Frontiero noted the existence of antidiscrimination legislation enacted by Congress for the benefit of women—including the then-pending Equal Rights Amendment—as a factor cutting in favor of applying heightened scrutiny to sex-based classifications, because it showed that "Congress itself has concluded that classifications based upon sex are inherently invidious."
Indeed, to show that gay rights have not enjoyed a one-way ratchet towards equality in recent years, the brief offers a litany of legislated from state statutes and constitutional amendments banning gay marriage to the federal Defense of Marriage Act to Congress's failure to amend the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to include protection against sexual orientation discrimination. "In light of these repeated legislative and ballot-box defeats," the brief states,
it is difficult to see how gay people can be seen as "politically powerful" in any way that could possibly make a difference to the equal protection analysis. On the contrary, women and African-Americans have long demonstrated an ability both to obtain substantial protective legislation, and also to elect and appoint representatives to higher office, and yet legal classifications based on sex and race (rightly) remain suspicious and subject to heightened equal protection scrutiny. It is, in short, as indisputable as it is unacceptable that gay people continue to be treated differently by the law, and by voters, from straight men and women. Such differential treatment is a product of historical animus and unjustified stereotype, and thus warrants the most searching scrutiny when subject to judicial challenge in any context.
The brief goes on to tackle the Ninth Circuit precedent standing in its way. In the 1980 case of Hatheway v. Secretary of Army, the Ninth Circuit upheld a challenge to the military's criminalization of sodomy, but along the way declared sexual orientation a quasi-suspect classification, like gender, worthy of intermediate scrutiny. But this was reversed in 1990 by a case called, High Tech Gays v. Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office. Because the Supreme Court in 1986 ruled in Bowers v. Hardwick that states could criminalize homosexual conduct, the Ninth Circuit in High Tech Gays held that "because homosexual conduct can thus be criminalized, homosexuals cannot constitute a suspect or quasi-suspect class entitled to greater than rational basis review for equal protection purposes."
The brief then invokes a similar syllogism in support of returning to the Hatheway standard of review:
The central premise underlying High Tech Gays—that sexual orientation cannot constitute a suspect or quasi-suspect classification because homosexual conduct may be criminalized without any constitutional impediment—was squarely rejected in Lawrence v. Texas, which explicitly overruled Bowers. The Lawrence Court determined that the "State cannot demean [gay people's] existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime. Their right to liberty under the Due Process Clause gives them the full right to engage in their conduct without intervention from the government."
Because the foundation upon which High Tech Gays rested has been rejected by intervening Supreme Court precedent, the case is no longer controlling and must be overruled. Just as High Tech Gays overruled Hatheway in light of Bowers, this Court should overrule High Tech Gays in light of Lawrence and apply heightened scrutiny to classifications based
on sexual orientation.
Overall, the brief is a powerful and accessible argument for the application of heightened scrutiny to classifications based on sexual orientation. But the question remains: is heightened scrutiny even necessary, given that Prop 8 failed to meet the rational basis test in Judge Walker's courtroom? Here, there is some equivocation. As Walker wrote:
The trial record shows that strict scrutiny is the appropriate standard of review to apply to legislative classifications based on sexual orientation. All classifications based on sexual orientation appear suspect, as the evidence shows that California would rarely, if ever, have a reason to categorize individuals based on their sexual orientation. Here, however, strict scrutiny is unnecessary. Proposition 8 fails to survive even rational basis review.
In its previous gay rights cases, the Supreme Court struck down anti-gay laws using only the rational basis test. Such review clearly empowered Judge Walker to extend that rationale to gay marriage bans, but it is unclear whether the Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court will be equally disposed towards such an extension. That uncertainty, it seems, has led the National LGBT Association to advocate for a more secure jurisprudential protection against discriminatory laws. But given Justice Kennedy's pivotal fifth vote, trusting in his just-for-gays rational basis review may be a better bet than counting on him to anoint a new suspect class.
As I wrote on the night of Judge Walker's decision:
[S]exual orientation's rational basis review, which started as a dodge by Justice Kennedy back in Romer v. Evans and continued by Justice O'Connor in her Lawrence v. Texas concurrence, now seems to be as protective as intermediate and strict scrutiny. Rational basis review is supposed to be the most forgiving of acts of discrimination–if one gives even a hypothetical justification in defense of a discriminatory law or practice, that law or practice would always be deemed constitutional. Higher levels of scrutiny were left for "officially" illegitimate identity-based classifications.
But now, the Court, in avoiding the anointment of a new suspect classification for fear of bringing the Clinton/Bush era culture wars into the courtroom, has made its imprimatur irrelevant. If you enact a law or institute a practice that tells a distinct and traditionally maligned group of Americans that they are unequal citizens, then you are irrational. Hypothetical justifications are now inadmissible opinions unworthy of deference. And when this case reaches the Supreme Court, the justices' reliance on rational basis review will no longer be a peevish dodge or refusal to stratify suffering; it will be an honest reckoning of an America that no longer tolerates intolerance.
It's also worth considering that heightened scrutiny can be turned against the parties who originally sought it, whereas a uniform rational basis with bite test, as deployed in Romer and Lawrence, does not have the same pitfall. Even rational and benevolent classifications based on race are subject to strict scrutiny, which has led to the cutting back on affirmative action over the last three decades. Should sexual orientation classifications be subject to heightened scrutiny, future laws that seek to remedy past discrimination against gays may fall when challenged by straights incidentally burdened by such laws.
In all, however, as long as assignment to levels of scrutiny are meted out by identities and not by actions–which is always, given the Equal Protection Clause's protection of persons–the National LGBT Association's brief should be taken very seriously. After Romer and Lawrence, our Equal Protection Clause jurisprudence with regard to sexual orientation makes no jurisprudential sense. The brief forcefully states the obvious: heightened scrutiny for sexual orientation classifications is a no-brainer given the indisputable history of legal and social animus against gays in America. Further, relegating sexual orientation classifications to rational basis also strains doctrinal integrity. Over time, something must give: either all non-suspect classifications must be subject to similar biting "rational basis" review as laws impacting gays, or laws impacting gays must be subject to the standard forgiving review all non-suspect classifications have long enjoyed.
Whatever the Ninth Circuit decides (if it gets past the standing issue to get to the merits at all), the decision will ultimately be the Supreme Court's, and thus, Justice Kennedy's. I have doubts that his liberal colleagues will once again join him in ducking the standard of review. If he once again refuses the call to heightened scrutiny, this time to deny a majority over the issue, he will, at best, do so to push forward an idealistic vision of America in which rational basis alone is sufficient to defeat all discriminatory laws. At worst, he will be committing unprincipled, political cowardice.
My suspicion, however, is that should he vote for a federal right to gay marriage (which is hardly certain), we will find his reluctance to anoint a new suspect class to have evolved. However happy he might be to retain Romer's rational basis with bite, he will be the senior justice in the majority responsible for maintaining such a majority, particularly if he assigns the opinion to himself. If he seeks anything short of intermediate scrutiny, he may have four justices threatening to splinter the majority and leave him with a lonely concurrence in the judgment, thereby robbing his opinion of its historical force. Although addressed to the Ninth Circuit, the National LGBT Association's brief is ultimately directed to this very to this consideration.
Marriage, Not Gay Marriage – says Judge Walker
I'm speed-reading through the Prop 8 case decision that just invalidated the ballot measure as violating the 14th Amendment's Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses. Judge Walker framed his decision not as creating a new right to gay marriage, but rather a vindication of the institution of marriage itself:
Plaintiffs do not seek recognition of a new right. To characterize plaintiffs' objective as "the right to same-sex marriage" would suggest that plaintiffs seek something different from what opposite-sex couples across the state enjoy —— namely, marriage. Rather, plaintiffs ask California to recognize their relationships for what they are: marriages. (p. 114)
And because the Supreme Court has long held that marriage is a fundamental right, and holds that California's domestic partnership alternative for same-sex couples is no substitute for that fundamental right. Walker then applies strict scrutiny to the plaintiffs' claims and concludes that Prop 8 violates the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, largely because he held in the findings of facts that the defense's witnesses were "unreliable and entitled to essentially no weight":
As explained in detail in the equal protection analysis, Proposition 8 cannot withstand rational basis review. Still less can Proposition 8 survive the strict scrutiny required by plaintiffs' due process claim. The minimal evidentiary presentation made by proponents does not meet the heavy burden of production necessary to show that Proposition 8 is narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest. Proposition 8 cannot, therefore, withstand strict scrutiny. Moreover, proponents do not assert that the availability of domestic partnerships satisfies plaintiffs' fundamental right to marry; proponents stipulated that "[t]here is a significant symbolic disparity between domestic partnership and marriage." Accordingly, Proposition 8 violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
On the Equal Protection front, Walker did not assign a heightened level of scrutiny to gays and lesbians, abiding by the Supreme Court's refusal to cast equal suspicion on classifications based on sexual orientation as those based on gender or race. But sexual orientation's rational basis review, which started as a dodge by Justice Kennedy back in Romer v. Evans and continued by Justice O'Connor in her Lawrence v. Texas concurrence, now seems to be as protective as intermediate and strict scrutiny. Rational basis review is supposed to be the most forgiving of acts of discrimination–if one gives even a hypothetical justification in defense of a discriminatory law or practice, that law or practice would always be deemed constitutional. Higher levels of scrutiny were left for "officially" illegitimate identity-based classifications.
But now, the Court, in avoiding the anointment of a new suspect classification for fear of bringing the Clinton/Bush era culture wars into the courtroom, has made its imprimatur irrelevant. If you enact a law or institute a practice that tells a distinct and traditionally maligned group of Americans that they are unequal citizens, then you are irrational. Hypothetical justifications are now inadmissible opinions unworthy of deference. And when this case reaches the Supreme Court, the justices' reliance on rational basis review will no longer be a peevish dodge or refusal to stratify suffering; it will be an honest reckoning of an America that no longer tolerates intolerance.
Walker provides an example of this leveling of rational basis and heightened scrutiny by collapsing sex and sexual orientation discrimination into each other:
Having considered the evidence, the relationship between sex and sexual orientation and the fact that Proposition 8 eliminates a right only a gay man or a lesbian would exercise, the court determines that plaintiffs' equal protection claim is based on sexual orientation, but this claim is equivalent to a claim of discrimination based on sex.
In doing so, he also pulls out a nugget from Justice Ginsburg's Christian Legal Society opinion that some seized on several weeks ago as a gay marriage "time bomb" in dicta:
Indeed, homosexual conduct and attraction are constitutionally protected and integral parts of what makes someone gay or lesbian. Lawrence, 539 US at 579; FF 42- 43; see also Christian Legal Society v Martinez, 561 US __, 130 SCt 2971, No 08-1371 Slip Op at 23 ("Our decisions have declined to distinguish between status and conduct in [the context of sexual orientation].") (June 28, 2010) (citing Lawrence, 539 US at 583 (O'Connor, J, concurring)). [my emphasis]
Just for the sake of it, though, Walker does explicitly intimate his belief that even though he is applying rational basis, strict scrutiny is appropriate:
The trial record shows that strict scrutiny is the appropriate standard of review to apply to legislative classifications based on sexual orientation. All classifications based on sexual orientation appear suspect, as the evidence shows that California would rarely, if ever, have a reason to categorize individuals based on their sexual orientation. FF 47. Here, however, strict scrutiny is unnecessary. Proposition 8 fails to survive even rational basis review.
This note, however, is more evidence that levels of scrutiny collapse when one recognizes animus-driven actions for what they are. More searching review may come in time for less overtly hostile acts and practices, but hopefully by that time, there will be no more suspect classes and only suspect actions.
A jurisprudence of rights as opposed to identities appeals to Justice Kennedy, whether or not American society has caught up to his ideal. Kennedy might not have liked to watch this case at first, but he will most certainly enjoy being in the center of the action once Perry v. Schwarzenegger gets to the Court. As opposed to his more conservative brethren, he sees rights as robust vessels rather than narrow privileges. For this reason, Walker's Due Process analysis broadly reading the right of marriage will be Kennedy's reasoning of choice, while we can count on Scalia to see such a robust reading as leading, at the very least, to unions between all consenting adults no matter how many or how closely related.
But for unanimity's sake, Kennedy, or maybe a justice or four in the liberal bloc, would be well-advised to latch onto Walker's Equal Protection analysis as well. Under this analysis, Scalia has already accepted gay marriage as an legal inevitability, per his Lawrence concurrence:
This reasoning leaves on pretty shaky grounds state laws limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples. Justice O'Connor seeks to preserve them by the conclusory statement that "preserving the traditional institution of marriage" is a legitimate state interest. Ante, at 7. But "preserving the traditional institution of marriage" is just a kinder way of describing the State's moral disapproval of same-sex couples. Texas's interest in §21.06 could be recast in similarly euphemistic terms: "preserving the traditional sexual mores of our society." In the jurisprudence Justice O'Connor has seemingly created, judges can validate laws by characterizing them as "preserving the traditions of society" (good); or invalidate them by characterizing them as "expressing moral disapproval" (bad).
Of couse, gaining Scalia's vote–even in an exasperated concurrence–is wishful thinking. But at least the Court's putative majority in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, — U.S. — (2013) will take pleasure in quoting him, as Walker did in his Finding of Fact 21(c) on page 61 of his 136-page opinion:
Lawrence v Texas, 539 US 558, 604-05 (2003) (Scalia, J, dissenting) ("If moral disapprobation of homosexual conduct is 'no legitimate state interest' for purposes of proscribing that conduct * * * what justification could there possibly be for denying the benefits of marriage to homosexual couples exercising 'the liberty protected by the Constitution'? Surely not the encouragement of procreation, since the sterile and the elderly are allowed to marry.")
Nevertheless, there always does remain the chance that this putative majority may turn to mush in the face of a federal right to same-sex marriage, whether or not Walker's framing survives the Ninth Circuit's go-round. And as I wrote after the Massachusetts DOMA cases:
The question now, however, is whether Justice Kennedy, the author of both Romer and Lawrence and the putative fifth vote in a gay marriage case, is willing to extend his sexual orientation discrimination jurisprudence the same way he has expanded his death penalty jurisprudence. In other words, is recognizing a federal constitutional right for same-sex marriage more akin to sheltering juveniles from life without parole for non-homicide crimes, or is it more like deeming the death penalty at all times unconstitutional under the Eighth Amendment? If the former, the Perry plaintiffs can take heart. If the latter, Perry may fail to gain Kennedy's approval, and Gill and Mass v. HHS will become the preferred precedents in the fight for marriage equality.
We must remember that even though Kennedy likes his rights robust, he has also become the limiting agent to the abortion right he helped preserve in Casey. But there is a difference between the gay rights Kennedy has helped protect in Romer and Lawrence and the abortion rights he has since restricted since Casey: gay marriage, unlike abortion, has no dauntingly actual life-or-death element.
Yet as a matter of political consequence, a critical mass of states has not yet come to pass on gay marriage. With only a handful of states and the District of Columbia recognizing same sex marriage, Perry may be more Roe than Loving, and I imagine that every member of the Court will have that in mind when considering the case.
What is certain is that same-sex marriage is gestating in the states, however few have so far endorsed it. The question, then, will be whether Kennedy sees Walker's opinion as a new birth of freedom for a class long robbed of its dignity, or as a grisly killing of viable progress throughout the states' slow and steady political processes.


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Welcome to "The Marvelous City" on this family-friendly Platinum DreamTrip that lets you soak up everything vibrant Rio has to offer — from stunning beaches and lively neighborhoods to mouthwatering cuisine and legendary attractions. Best of all, you'll be in town for Brazil's Independence Day, a celebration honoring the country's freedom from Portugal. Be on the lookout on Day 6 for fun festivities like parades, fireworks, concerts and patriotic celebrations throughout the city!
But first, get a real sense of the city during tour stops at some truly impressive local landmarks. Start your first excursion with a ride on a historic trolley train to the top of Corcovado mountain. As the train climbs through lush rainforest, you'll feel the anticipation build knowing that you'll soon be seeing one of the world's best-known landmarks, the statue of Christ the Redeemer! Atop the mountain, you'll indulge in breathtaking 360-degree views of the coastline, mountains and city below. And the fun doesn't end there! Before visiting Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, you'll feast at a multi-award-winning Brazilian steakhouse. In business since 1951, Churrascaria Palace knows what it's doing when it comes to rodizio service.
The second tour brings you to Museum of Tomorrow to experience extraordinary exhibits, activities and much more! After lunch at the museum's Fazenda Culinaria — a cafe known for organic ingredients — you'll hop on a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for more awesome views as you soar high above the rainforest and ocean.
You'll end your trip with a farewell party at Rio Scenarium — ranked by British press as one of the top 10 bars in the world.
Between the tours, you can spend your leisure time relaxing at the hotel and enjoying its many amenities. Or, if you'd rather, why not venture out to explore the city at your own pace? You can walk the boardwalk to Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, or head to the city center to Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, Theatro Municipal or Modern Art Museum.
What we love:
• While touring the city on 2 full-day excursions, you'll pass through several notable neighborhoods — including Urca, Laranjeiras and Flamengo — as well as iconic beaches such as Red Beach and Ipanema.
• Standing 124 feet (38 meters) high at the top of Corcovado mountain — and with an arm span of 92 feet (28 meters) — the Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the most recognizable structures in the world.
• The cable cars at Sugarloaf Mountain are a great way to watch rock climbers scaling the steep granite walls of Sugarloaf, Urca Hill and Babylon Hill — together, one of the largest urban climbing areas in the world.
• Immortalized in popular media throughout the world, Copacabana Beach remains an iconic locale for glamorous sunbathing and people watching — a well-deserved reputation going all the way back to the 1920s.
• Rio is one of the only places that visitors can see samba shows any time of year; that's because the samba dancers rehearse year-round to prepare for the Carnival. No matter when you visit Rio, you can experience a "mini Carnival."
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'Minugurulu' eyes pan-India releaseSep 30, 2013 IANS
Chennai, Sep 30 (IANS) It's very unlikely for a low-budget Telugu film to have a wide release in Andhra Pradesh (AP), but debutant filmmaker Ayodhya Kumar is going out of the way to ensure his film "Minugurulu" has a pan-India release.
"I'm trying my best to find a distributor who could facilitate pan-India release. I strongly believe "Minugurulu" is not for niche audience, it deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. I understand it will be extremely challenging, but I don't intend to give up," Ayodhya told IANS.
A film featuring 40 visually impaired children, "Minugurulu" is the story about how these children expose the wrongdoings of their warden in an orphanage.
How does he plan to promote the film to catch nationwide attention?
"I don't have the funds to do aggressive marketing, but I'm planning to screen the film for national media. If I can impress them with my work, then I believe buzz around the film will automatically be created," he said.
"Even in AP, I screened the film for industry members, who in turn shared the good things about the film with others. I think more than promotions, good films are embraced when people talk about them," he added.
Directed and produced by Ayodhya, the film features Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Ashish Vidyarthi, Raghuvir Yadav and Ravi Babu in important roles. Click the Movie button below for more info:
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Sox Bring Their Own Music to the Trop
Some people will call them superstitions, but baseball players will call it a routine. You do the same things, you get comfortable, rinse, repeat. So what do you do when you're on the road and the batting practice playlist isn't there? You bring it yourself. DJ Buchholz spinning tracks with portable speakers. Whatever it takes to get the job done.
Also, it looks like Big Papi is launching balls off the scoreboard with a metal bat. Straight projectiles.
And apparently, it isn't the first time this week he's done this:
Just witnessed Big Papi take batting practice with a metal bat, trying to hit the Ted Williams red seat. Wow!— Ryan Lavarnway (@RyanLavarnway) October 3, 2013


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WJMX-DB Smooth Jazz Boston Global Radio Seeking Music
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WJMX-DB Smooth Jazz Boston Global Radio seeking the best smooth and contemporary jazz music for broadcast. Please submit your best track(s) for consideration.
WJMX-DB Smooth Jazz Boston Global Radio broadcasts the very best of Contemporary Smooth Jazz of over 400 of the world's most talented Artists, both independent and signed label, to our valued listeners, national and worldwide. We also provide airplay and profile listing for Independent and Signed Smooth Jazz Artists, to include Amazon and iTunes link to support the sale of their music.
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Available ebook formats: epub mobi pdf rtf lrf pdb txt html
Niko loves books. She loves to read them, to write them, to have them and to make them for other people. Much of her non-writing art ends up in book form, though some of it is in allied media like letterpress printing, relief printmaking, lithography, intaglio printmaking and photography. Oh, and she also writes and draws comics.


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Academic Programs
UNIVERSITé DE CAEN BASSE-NORMANDIE FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE ▶
UNIVERSITé DE CAEN BASSE-NORMANDIE INTENSIVE LANGUAGE – SUMMER ▶
Pre-Departure Services
API staff members guide students through the administrative processes of the pre-departure phase of study abroad, including applying to the host institution abroad and preparing for arrival on-site. Students and parents may contact API staff as often as they desire with questions about academics, on-site logistics, special needs, visa procedures, etc. API staff members, in turn, are frequently in touch with students regarding program updates, essential travel tips and recommendations for having a successful experience abroad.
All applicants have access to the @api online student account. This online system allows students to check the status of their application, download and complete post-acceptance forms, and verify that payments have been credited to their account.
All API students receive orientation information to help them prepare for their study abroad session. API students have access to a unique online service, the API Toolbox, which includes orientation materials, diagnostic exams, and language reviews. The Toolbox includes information on logistical details, cultural differences, what students can expect at their host university, health and safety concerns, travel tips, and more. Additionally, in certain locations API offers pre-departure orientation sessions for students and parents on the home campus.
All API students receive information about cell phone usage while abroad. API program fees include a variety of options, such as international SIM cards with discounted calling packages, or international phones with limited pre-paid minutes.
API can connect prospective program participants with recently returned API alumni through the API Alumni Network. These alumni can share their experience, answer questions, and connect with students pre-departure. API Alumni have the opportunity to participate in a number of alumni programming opportunities, including the API Global Leadership Academy.
API has created award-winning social networks for students to connect with each other and learn about API program offerings, including a Facebook page with student groups, a Twitter profile, a YouTube channel, a Flickr photostream, a Tumblr Blog, a Google+ page, an Instagram profile, a Pinterest page, a Snapchat account (snAPIabroad) and the API Blog. These networks provide students with the opportunity to communicate informally with past students, outbound students and API staff members, as well as to be notified of upcoming events and program developments.
API awards approximately $450,000 in scholarships annually, in amounts ranging from $250-$1,000 per student.
On-Site Services
Semester, summer, and academic year students are met at the airport by API staff on the program start date. Students receive detailed flight instructions upon their acceptance into the API program and should wait to purchase a flight until receiving more information post-acceptance.
API has highly qualified, trained and experienced English-speaking Resident Directors available to students throughout their session abroad. Most Resident Directors are locals from the host country in which students are studying and all are ready to provide practical information, language tutoring and insight into the host culture. API Resident Directors greet students at the airport, introduce them to the ways of life in their host country, help students to register at the host university, assist students with immigration procedures, and support them throughout their stay. They are available in case of any personal emergency and are ready to implement the API emergency response plans if needed. Students (and parents) can sleep comfortably knowing that API Resident Directors are available to assist them.
The on-site orientation takes place during the first week of a student's stay. API orientations include tours of the orientation city as well as practical information about life in the host city, including transportation, safety and local culture. The orientation is designed to minimize adjustment difficulties upon arrival and gives students a chance to get to know other participants in the program.
Housing is included in the API program fee. Depending on the host city, students may choose from various housing options, including homestays, apartments or student dormitories. Students can request single rooms on their housing form for an additional fee, although some sites may have guaranteed single rooms as part of the program fee.
Students have the option to live in a university residence hall or with a host family. The host family option allows students to fully participate in the daily life of a French family, to actively practice the French language and to live "à la française." Breakfast and dinner are provided Monday through Sunday by the host family, and lunch will be provided on Sundays as well. Housing for the period between the fall and spring terms for students living with a host family is included in the program price.
API students who choose to live in campus accommodations are housed in mixed residences and floors, on and off the main campus, with direct access via the tram. Each room has its own sink, with common toilets and showers on each floor. API provides students in the university housing with a meal stipend (generally good for 5-8 meals per week) to be used at the university cafeteria. Private rooms are available on a limited basis for an additional fee. Housing for the period between the fall and spring terms for students living in a dorm is included in the program price.
A $275 security deposit is due by the final payment deadline for all programs. A fee of $95 will be retained from all security deposits to cover standard cleaning fees and general maintenance fees, including minor repairs and standard touch-up painting. The remaining $180 is refundable provided that: 1) no additional fees are assessed on-site for incidentals, damages or excessive utility usage; and 2) the API program fee has been paid in full. Housing for all year students during the period between the fall and spring semesters is not included in the API program fee. Most students take advantage of this time to return home to the U.S. or to travel around their host country. In most cases, API can arrange between-term housing for students in their host city for an additional fee. Refer to the city information sections for more specific housing information by location.
All students will be provided with a monthly transportation pass.
All programs include a fixed number of credits per term as part of the standard fee. The number of credits that a student can earn each session is detailed on each program page, and varies from 10-18 credit per quarter/semester session and 3-9 credits per summer session.
Where available, students wishing to complete additional credits are assessed an additional fee after registration has been completed (either prior to or after arrival on-site).
Language tutoring is available free of charge for all API students (approximately one hour per week for each student). Arrangements can be made with the API resident director. Should additional assistance be required, API directors can help students to arrange additional tutoring at their own expense.
Given that study abroad can lead to improved conversational abilities without a corresponding improvement in written competencies, API provides academic support throughout the student's sojourn abroad through the following resources:
- A series of "action cards" and experiential learning activities, designed to give students ideas on how to engage with and integrate into the host language and culture.
- Individual tutoring for students requesting help with language classes at any point in their program.
- A post-program diagnostic language test to gauge students' improvement at the close of their program.
Medical and life insurance is provided for all students during the program term. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues.
During the program, students have the opportunity to broaden their classroom education through several organized excursions, which are included in the price of the program. Overnight lodging, breakfast, entrance fees and transportation to and from the excursion locations are included. To find out which excursions are included in the program and review their descriptions, visit the specific program page. Although excursions are subject to change depending on availability, weather and other factors, students are provided with an itinerary for their program excursions prior to departure.
Students are offered monthly API-sponsored social and cultural activities, including outings to movies, concerts, theater performances, museums, cultural tours and more. All entrance fees are covered by API. Students also enjoy welcome and farewell group meals.
Each session, API makes several volunteer opportunities available to students. Volunteer opportunities are available at varying levels of involvement. Students can choose to participate in the API Gives Back Projects, one-day group service events with other API staff and students serving local communities. Students who are interested in making a greater commitment to serve have additional options available. All activities are specific to each location and are designed to allow students to give thanks and to give back to the communities that welcome them.
Re-Entry Services
Upon their return, API students are encouraged to use the API Toolbox to discover methods to more effectively integrate the skills and knowledge they have learned abroad into their professional and personal futures.
API places great value on post-program evaluation from students and their U.S. university faculty and administrators. At the end of each session, students have the opportunity to evaluate their program through online evaluation forms. These electronic evaluations are submitted directly to the API Texas office and ensure that students receive the best service possible.
Upon completion of the academic session, an official transcript with a letter of translation (if necessary) is sent to each student's home institution. API encourages students to discuss their academic choices with home school advisors to determine how credits reflected on the transcript might be transferred toward their degree plan.
Returning students have the opportunity to continue to be engaged with API through a variety of alumni programming opportunities. Whether you are connected through the API Alumni Network, keeping up to date with current job postings and items of interest in the API Alumni Facebook and LinkedIn groups, or participating in API's Global Leadership Academy, API continues to support participants post-experience.
API's Global Leadership Academy offers student leaders the opportunity to build core competencies of global leadership in a dynamic and creative atmosphere. The program helps participants develop skills to share their experience in their community, on campus and in job interviews. Students host collaborative events to share their international story and learn to integrate their international experience into their chosen career path. The program empowers participants to transform the world, as the world transformed them.