text:
Lavender U. By the Fall of 1973, a new concept in education had swept the country, "free universities," which existed as free newspapers that listed classes for all things, such as art, literature, crafts, photography and of course, "new age" subjects as TM, TA, EST, yoga and meditation. Heretofore, most classes were associated with established institutions, such as colleges and churches. A group of gays in San Francisco decided to start such a free newspaper and call it "Lavender U". The organizers hoped that it would foster social and educational opportunities of special interest to gays. The paper was published every two months. As I recall, the fee was $6.00 per ad.
Jack and Gardner. Jack Baker and Gardner Pond were friends of the Lavender U organizers and were asked to list a class. They had an interest in furniture refinishing and decided to list a class in that. They were also runners, and at the last minute, decided to change their ad to a "learn to jog" calss. As members of the San Francisco, Dolphin, South End (SFDSE) Runners, one of the largest running clubs in the country, they modeled their "class" on that club, which had a "scenic run" every Sunday. They listed a two-month schedule of runs, beginning with a half mile, adding a half mile each week and finishing with a five mile run on "grduation" week.
The First Run. The first run was on the first Sunday in January, 1974. It began near the South Windmill in Golden Gate Park. Each week, the run was at a different "scenic" location. When it came time to renew the ad (they hadn't planned ahead), they simply began the series over again. After repeating it a few times, they settled into a routine of listing a variety of three-to-five mile runs. For the first couple of years, the ad listed a fee of $2.00 for each series of runs, but they never bothered to collect. At some point that first year, the listing changed from "learn to jog" to "Lavender U Joggers". Some of the early runs were Golden Gate Bridge, Portals of the Past, Stern Grove, Miracle Mile (Folsom Street), Aquatic Park, Palace of the Legion of Honor, Lands End, Dolores Park, and of course Stow Lake. Every Sunday, Jack brought a gallon of coffee. Once a month Jack or Gardner would bring doughnuts.
Bud Joins. I joined the group in October, 1975 at the Golden Gate Bridge run. Weekly attendance varied from five or six to 15 to 18 out of a total of 45 or so "members". Lesbian runners were few and far between (an issue the club continued to struggle with for years). During Spring and Summer of 1976, Jack and Gardner increasingly asked me to schedule and lead the runs. By the end of the year, I was the club leader by default. I soon expanded the repertoire of runs. Eventually, we had 26 "scenic" runs, which repeated twice each year. The group gradually grew in numbers, attracting up to 30 runners at a time. The monthly "tailgate brunch" became routine, with many runners contributing to an increasingly healthy repast. Coffee gave way to fruit juice; doughnuts gave way to trail mix. Occasionally, a group of us would go to a restaurant after the run for a real brunch.
Unique Role. The club played a unique role in the community at that time. In the early 70s, there were only a handfull of gay organizations: the gay pool, bowling and softball leagues, Gay Rap and the royal courts, to name a few. There were few gay activities that were not centered around the bars. There were no gay hiking clubs, track, swimming, skiing, wrestly, bicycling or tennis clubs, bands, choruses, theater groups. For many, the Lavender U Joggers was their first gay group they had joined. For more than a few, it was their first experience knowing and being around other gays. Although many exchanged their full names, many others revealed only first names - there was no membership list. In 1978, the club first staffed a water table at the San Francisco Marathon.
Lavender U's Demise. By the Summer of 1978, Lavender U newspaper had gone out of business. Not only did the club need a new way to publish the schedule of runs, but it occurred to me (I'm a slow learner) that it was not good for any group to be dependent on one person. The regulars all agreed that we should re-organize and have paying members, elected officers and bylaws.
Reinventing Ourselves. There was consensus that the club should be a "running club", with other activities secondary, that it should be welcoming to runners of all abilities, from beginners to serious competitors, that it should serve not only gays and lesbians, but be open to all who wanted to join, including those who could not (or would not) pay. Remember, many gays at that time would not join an organization, because they were fearful of revealing their names, We modeled ourselves on the many straight running clubs in the city, especially SFDSE and Pamakids (yes, it means Pa, Ma and the Kids). We wanted to join the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which controlled amateur running at that time, and put on and participate in road races. We held many organizational meetings throughout the Fall of 1978 at Gary May's house. Many members wanted to change the name of the club, not only because Lavender U had ceased to exist, but because many did not like the word "joggers". We voted on "Front Runners" at the second or third meeting. Half the people who came to those meetings swear that the name was their idea. They are all correct; quite a few people suggested it. Yes it was inspired by Patricia Nell Warren's novel, and no, we did not ask her permission - it never occurred to us to ask. We had a nominations committee and a bylaws committee and established the dues at $5.00 per year. The officers were to be elected at the first meeting in January, 1979. The first two newsletters were published in December, 1978 and January, 1979. They contained mostly information about joining and voting. About 40 paid their dues and became "charter members". All but three or four listed their full names and addresses in the membership directory, a brave showing for that time, which surprised us all. It was the first time that many of us knew each other's full names. By the end of 1979, there were 75 members.
The First Officers. The first elected officers were Gary May, President; (Ms) Pat Stein, Vice President; Marvin Shipley, Secretary and Frank Churchill, Treasurer. We joined the AAU (first gay club of any sport to do so) and Pat went regularly to their meetings as our delegate. Club meetings were held monthly at first, but bi-monthly, soon after.
The First Gay Run. The 1980 officers were Bob Plantz, President; George Fischer, Vice President; Greg Dunning, Secretary and Jim Milton, Treasurer. The club name appeared on the 1980 T-shirt as FrontRunners (one word), which became the club's "official" name thereafter. The Advocate magazine approached the club and asked if we would put on a race, which they would sponsor, and call it "Gay Run". After much discussion about affiliating with a sponsor, the members decided to do it. There were 5K and 10K runs, with awards for women and men in four or five age categories. It was a great success; about 400 runners entered.
The First "Other" Front Runner Club. In the Spring of 1980, Bob Plantz got a call from Malcolm Robinson, who was editor of the club magazine for the New York Roadrunners (a huge club, with about six or seven thousand members). It is the club that puts on the New York Marathon. Malcolm said that he was starting a gay running club and wanted to call it Front Runners New York. He asked for permission to use the name. Bob explained that we did not control the name, and yes, it was OK. Malcolm was a nationally-rated runner and he knew many other top runners who were gay. He wanted to have these top runners enter (and win) major races as members of a gay club. He liked the way that our club welcomed all runners, and discarded the idea of forming a club for elite runners. Other FrontRunner clubs formed in rapid succession.
Gay Pride. I am proud to have played a role in the early developement of the FrontRunners. I am proud of all of the members, officers, committee members and volunteers - of all Front Runner clubs - who have worked so hard over the years to make the clubs what they are today. And what are they? The answer has been the same since the days of the Lavender U Joggers. Each club is a place to run for fun or fitness, a place to compete or not compete, a place to brunch, a place to look for a lover, a safe place to meet and be with spirited gays and lesbians of wide diversity and a place to find or be oneself. CONGRATULATIONS to all the Front Runner clubs (no matter how you spell your name) for continuing to provide our community with a comfortable place to participate in running, walking, and socializing.


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Cover Me In Jewels
Good looks attract the eye, and personality attracts the heart. But your jewellery speaks volumes about you so make sure to get quality rings, bracelets, and watches.
Cover Me In Jewels offers jewellery designs by Thomas Sabo and Ania Haie as well as Jag Mondaine and Sekonda watches, and beautiful jewellery boxes.
We are proud members of the Jewellers Association of Australia.
Brisbane ( (listen) BRIZ-bən), also known as Meanjin ( Mee-an-jin) in the indigenous Turrbal language, is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Queensland, and the third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania with a population of approximately 2.6 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of the South East Queensland region, which includes the several regional centres and cities. The Brisbane central business district (CBD) is situated within a peninsula of the Brisbane River about 15 km (9 mi) from its mouth at Moreton Bay. Brisbane is located in the hilly floodplain of the Brisbane River Valley between Moreton Bay and the Taylor and D'Aguilar mountain ranges. It sprawls across several local government areas, most centrally the City of Brisbane, Australia's most populous local government area.
Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries, BBQ picnic area, Bowen Hills, Bowies Flat Wetland, Brisbane Airport, Brisbane City, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane Metropolitan Area, Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane South PHN, Bulimba Memorial Park, Bunya Crossing Reserve, Council of Mayors (SEQ), Downfall Creek Dog Park, Dutton Park

subset: commoncrawl


text:
America's Patent Problem
September 15, 2013
America's patent system, when operating as intended, is the envy of the world. It fuels the technological advances that invigorate our economy, create jobs and benefit American consumers.
Unfortunately, some patent holders are abusing the system. Rather than incentivizing the creation of the next-generation iPhone or a lifesaving drug, they are misusing patents by suing unsuspecting consumers and extorting settlements. In some cases, patent abusers who maintain that a Wi-Fi router infringes on their patents have sued hotels or small coffee shops that bought the routers, instead of the routers' manufacturers. If the patent holder has a legitimate claim, it is against the company that makes the router, not the small business that bought it, yet retailers are being targeted in a pressure quest for easy settlements.
This same misuse of the system is happening in other parts of our economy. Retailers who operate websites are threatened with lawsuits by patent abusers, based on technology that another company has provided and that the retailer is ill-equipped to defend. Threats of these kind of predatory lawsuits continue to arise, hurting real businesses, large and small, that are being forced to divert resources from job creation to defend allegations of infringement.
The result of this misuse of the patent system is a drag on our economy. It also tarnishes the image of legitimate patent holders. This is not the patent system provided for in our Constitution.
We are working on a bipartisan basis to craft legislation to address this problem of abusive practices and restore confidence in the American patent system. Our legislation will increase the transparency of patent ownership, protect the customer of a patented product when the manufacturer should really be the defendant and improve the process for reviewing patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We are coordinating closely with other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee from both sides of the aisle and with Bob Goodlatte, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
No single provision will solve the problems we aim to address. But just as Democrats and Republicans came together to pass the 2011 Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, which brought the most comprehensive change to our nation's patent laws in 60 years, we again are working in a collaborative, bipartisan way. Our legislation will make it harder for bad actors to succeed, while preserving what has made America's patent system great.


text:
PayPal Payments Pro
- Accept credit cards, PayPal Credit, and PayPal
- Fully customizable with easy cart integration and APIs
- Phone-based credit card payments and online invoicing
Sign up: 1-877-455-1505 or Contact us
Setup: www.paypal.com/setup
Support: www.paypal.com/help
Leading innovation for your small business and the world's leading retailers.
PayPal Payments Pro gives you the flexibility and payment processing security to build a professional-grade ecommerce site. It can be configured in any way your business needs – and works across devices. Plus, because it's from PayPal, you can tap into over 390 million active customer accounts around the globe.
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PayPal Payments Pro is a true enterprise-class ecommerce payment solution that can be configured in any way that your business demands. If you're looking for shopping cart integration you're in luck. PayPal supports most all major shopping carts out of the box.
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PayPal gives your customers more payment options at checkout, which increases your chances of getting the sale. With PayPal you can accept credit & debit cards, bank transfers, phone payments, and in-person payments.
Offer customer financing
PayPal Credit offers your customers the chance to buy now and pay later with special financing. The best part is that you get paid up front with no wait. PayPal Credit is built into the PayPal checkout at no extra cost.
Simple, transparent rates with no hidden fees or surcharges. Discounts available for eligible charities.
What's included in PayPal Payments Pro?
- Keep your buyer on your site through checkoutIncluded
- Optimized mobile checkout experienceIncluded
- Accept PayPal paymentsIncluded
- Accept credit and debit cards including multicurrency payment processing in 6 currencies*Included
- Accept PayPal payments in 26 currencies from over 200+ marketsIncluded
- Accept PayPal Credit payments (U.S. only) Included
- Ecommerce Payment GatewayIncluded
- Options to simplify PCI complianceIncluded
- Virtual Terminal to accept phone paymentsIncluded
Ecommerce partners for established businesses.
PayPal is purpose-built to provide robust integration with leading shopping cart providers for all sized businesses.
Detailed order management.
For every sale, funds are transferred into your PayPal account usually in minutes plus you get detailed transaction history. You can then have it transferred to your bank account or keep it in your PayPal account to leverage it for other online business transactions. All of it is easily managed in your PayPal dashboard.
Offering PayPal can help you sell more
Up to a
lift in checkout conversion1
Up to a
increase in new buyers2
Up to
more incremental spend
from new buyers2
Frequently Asked Questions
Need help with Pro?
Need help with selecting and setting up the right payment services?
Our Developer Center is full of useful information about our APIs, platform compatibility, set up guides and other technical questions.
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1As reported in Nielsen's Buyer Insights research for activity occurring from July – November 2015, which compared PayPal transactions to non-PayPal transactions on sites that offer PayPal as a payment option. Nielsen measured 125,000 households' online behavior across 10 SMB merchants. Copyright 2016 Nielsen.
2As reported in Nielsen's Online Buyer Insights, which measured online & mobile purchasing behavior 52 weeks pre-/post-PayPal integration to calculate lift in net new customers who completed a purchase using PayPal. Weighted average results across a group of 15 small- and medium-sized merchants. Findings are based on actual transactions, measured among ~39MM US Zip11 Households. Study completed January 2016.
PayPal is a well-known, highly regarded brand, so going with them was a given for us. Today, when you have an online business you've got to offer PayPal.–Eric Michael Elliott, Owner, Ambush Board Co.
Apply online for PayPal Payments Pro today.
Get Started Today
Sign up: 1-877-455-1505 or Contact us
Setup: www.paypal.com/setup
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text:
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
Kevin Clash grew up in a sizable family of humble means. He began watching Sesame Street as a young boy, which led to watching The Muppet Show. His ravenous interest in creating and performing his own puppet characters grew. He started performing for children at his mother's day care center, which led him down a path that would ultimately blossom into a promising career as a puppeteer. But not just any puppeteer. He would ultimately become one of children's most beloved icons, a little red fury monster named… Elmo! Not too shabby for a shy boy from the suburbs of Baltimore.
ELEC-TRON-IC A cheated and spurned former computer programmer, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), of computer company ENCOM has become an arcade owner and operator. While trying to reclaim his stolen work he enlists the help of two former coworkers and current employees of ENCOM, Lora (Cindy Morgan) and Alan (Bruce Boxleitner). However they are up against Dillinger (David Warner), ENCOM's unrightfully elected man in control, and the even more controlling super computer known as Master Control Program (MCP). Master Control has been absorbing other programs, thus becoming stronger and stronger.
Flynn, Lora, and Alan break in to ENCOM and attempt to distract Master Control while Flynn hacks into Master Control's system long enough to find his stolen work and get back out again. However, things take a turn when Master Control uses an experimental laser to literally digitize Flynn into the cyber world of its inner workings. Welcome to the world of TRON!
Continue ReadingDeath Note
We all get bored. Tired of the same things day in and day out. Well, apparently this also applies to Gods Of Death or more specifically Shinigami. Ryuk is a Shinigami (Death God). If you put Billy Idol, Jack Skellington, a crazy clown, and a vampire bat all together in a food processor and pressed "chop" whatever you poured out would look something like Ryuk. He has become so complacent that he has decided to drop his notebook (or Death Note) down to the earth's surface. His purpose in doing this is because he will find it at least mildly entertaining to watch the result of his Death Note in the hands of a human being.
What does it mean to have a Death Note in the hands of a human being? Well, simply put, just as in the world of the Shinigami, if you write someone's name in the Death Note and you know what they look like they will die. This is, of course, the simple explanation of things. There are rules which govern the use of the Death Note as well.
Continue ReadingThe Adventures of Baron Munchausen
GILLIAM'S ISLAND From the clunky, cluttered, and effectively eclectic mind of director Terry Gilliam comes this fabulous wunderkind of a film known as The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. One of my personal favorites indeed! Munchausen comes as the third installment of Gilliam's unofficial trilogy. The previous two films include Time Bandits and Brazil.
A CITY UNDER SIEGE In the midst of a war-torn city its residents are struggling for survival. Momentarily distracting themselves from their distraught surroundings they watch a depiction of Baron Munchausen's adventures being put on by a local theatre company, Henry Salt And Son ["It's traditional"]. However this reenactment becomes interrupted by the authentic Baron Munchausen (John Neville) himself! He's old and cranky and he clamors onto the stage to set the record straight about himself and his adventures. Did I mention he's a liar? Or is he?
Continue ReadingThe City Of Lost Children (La Cité Des Enfants Perdus)
ONCE UPON A VERY STRANGE TIME… Dark, damp, and dreary, tucked away in a twisted dream somewhere between Oliver Twist and The Brothers Grimm is The City Of Lost Children. A ginger-headed sideshow strong man of Russian origin named "One" (Ron Perlman) has had a very bad day indeed. His sideshow barker has been knifed during their last chain busting performance and later that evening his adopted little brother, Denree, is abducted by a band of Jean-Paul Gaultier clad "Cyclopes" and taken away to an oil rig-looking platform of a mad scientist's lair! Not only is the scientist mad, but he's quite frail and cranky and even named Krank (Daniel Emilfork).
NOTE: Krank is something akin to Robert Helpmann's Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but with a shaved head.
Continue ReadingA Tree of Palme (Parumu no Ki)
NOT SO PINOCCHIO A puppet named Palme made from a sacred tree and fueled by a much sought-after sap that courses through his veins as life's blood is at the center of this animated tale. Palme, originally created to care for his creator's sickly wife, has gone lifeless since she has passed away. And now a mysterious warrioress has shown up bearing strange fruit (or rather a strange egg). Fast on her heals is a small band of purple skinned tricloptic goggle-clad subterranean mercenaries with snorkel-like breathing apparatuses driving a six-legged motorbike of sorts! Yes, I just said all that. The warrioress' arrival brings with her Palme's re-awakening and a mission!
PUPPET MASTER Palme was written and directed by Takashi Nakamura. Nakamura contributed as Chief Animator for one of Anime's most amazing spectacles, Akira. Nakamura wanted to "transcend the boundaries of animation" with this film. "I wanted to delve deep into the realm of the human soul, ethically or perhaps philosophically, taking a different approach than the rest of the anime out there."
Continue ReadingClash of the Titans (1981)
CLASH DANCE The well known and much revered stop-motion special effects guru Ray Harryhausen has brought numerous beings of various shapes and sizes to life over his career (The 3 Worlds of Gulliver, Jason and the Argonauts, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger). In the mythological world of Clash of the Titans there are many interesting characters and creatures. Playing God behind the camera one frame at a time, Harryhausen has brought some of his most memorable offspring to life (Medusa, Pegasus, Giant Scorpions, the Kracken).
STORYLINE OF THE GODS Here's the deal, Zeus (Laurence Olivier), in one of his many amorous exploits, has had a son named Perseus (Harry Hamlin). Due to Zeus' favoritism of Perseus over the Goddess Thetis' (Maggie Smith) son Calibos, a clash begins [insert opening credits and dramatic musical score here]. From that point on Perseus sets out on a quest to "fulfill his destiny" by defeating numerous obstacles, slaying fantastic beasts, and winning the hand of the doll-faced Andromeda (Judi Bowker). The script was penned by Beverly Cross who also scripted other Harryhausen films such as Argonauts and Eye of the Tiger.
Continue ReadingBeetlejuice
THIS JUICE BUGZ Somewhere between Pee-Wee's Big Adventure and Batman there is Tim Burton's feature length sophomore effort, Beetlejuice. Upon a recent rewatch, I realized I'd forgotten how truly amazing, wildly inventive and original this phantasmagoric odd-ball comedy was! It's quite frankly the purest Burton experience for me. It's just silly how much of JUICE's visual language oozes with Burtonisms! Add to that the sweet (as in cool) dialogue and characters created by co-authors Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson. I'm kinda in love with it lately!
THE DIRT ON THE DEAD… Adam and Barbara Maitland just died. Played with great wholesomeness by Alec Baldwin (Adam) and Geena Davis (Barbara). So they die. But for a while they don't know it. It becomes more apparent to them when they find a copy of the Handbook For The Recently Deceased laying around the house and the rude awakening that the Deetz' are the new occupants and owners of their house! The Deetz family comprises of the artistically manic Delia (Catherine O'Hara), her uptight hubby Charles (Jeffrey Jones), and their ever morbidly morose daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder).
Continue ReadingStar Trek (2009)
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN There are few things that get remade, revamped, remodeled or resurrected in such a way that actually makes me happy to see/visit it again. The newest take on the Star Trek franchise has made me a happy camper for sure. I blame this on several things actually...
SEVERAL THINGS Director J.J. Abrams, popular television maestro of Alias, Felicity, Lost, and Fringe uses his talents to guide us on this Trek. P.S. - Abrams has commented that he was not a Star Trek fan prior to directing the film.
Continue ReadingVoltaic: Paris, France
Not being a fan of most concert films I usually watch them with a large grain of salt. I tend to find myself let down. However, in the case of Bjork's newest release, Voltaic, I found myself pleasantly surprised.
Voltaic has been released in various packaging. You can find it solo on CD, a CD/DVD package and a Limited Edition two CD/two DVD version as well. FANCY! I would highly recommend the Limited Edition package for the most Bjork for your buck. It contains the studio recording, the Volta mixes [featuring mixes by RATATAT, MODESELEKTOR and SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO], two concert films [Paris, France and Reykjavik, Iceland], and the Volta music videos.
Continue Reading


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The B.C. NDP government's union-restricted road construction program is sparking new questions about a steep increase in costs, even as a section of Trans-Canada Highway widening work has been significantly scaled back.
Widening the Trans Canada Highway east of Kamloops is one of three major projects the NDP government designated for what it describes as "community benefits agreements." They restrict the workforce to 19 mostly U.S.-based construction trade unions under a 336-page agreement with a new Crown corporation created to administer it. The others are replacement of the Pattullo Bridge at Surrey, and the Broadway subway extension in Vancouver.
The latest contract to be let under the agreement is for a section of Highway 1 at Salmon Arm, announced in June at a budget of $185 million, including $31 million from Ottawa. The announcement by Transportation Minister Claire Trevena explained the reduced size, three-year delay and $61 million increase in costs was because the 2016 project was completed without sufficient engineering and local engagement work.
Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone, the former B.C. Liberal transportation minister, said the work was done by 2017, including consulting the Neskonlith Band. Questioned on the project by Stone and Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo, Trevena said there is still no agreement with Neskonlith to proceed with a large portion of the widening.
Stone said the 9.9 km project has been reduced to 4.9 km, "with a two-lane section stuck in the middle between Hoffman's Bluff and Chase West," and elimination of an underpass.
"These massive cost overruns and project scope reductions are the direct result of the NDP delaying these projects for upwards of three years, on top of additional costs in the millions of dollars resulting from the NDP's imposition of community benefit agreements requiring projects to utilize labour of one of 19 NDP approved unions," Stone told Black Press July 6.
Trevena said agreement with Neskonlith is needed for the federal share of the money to be provided, and other costs were affected by a "hot market" for construction, up until the COVID-19 pandemic had broad effects on the economy.
"I think what we have now is the realistic budget," Trevena said.
A tight construction labour market and high prices for steel and asphalt were also cited in the 35-per cent jump in cost for the first contract awarded under the union agreement, east of Revelstoke.
Trevena noted the first Salmon Arm contract went to a Kamloops-based company, and said the new union structure ensures more local, female and Indigenous people being hired as apprentices. That claim has been a source of bitter dispute with newer unions and non-union construction companies, who say they employ 85 per cent of people currently working in construction trades.
Premier John Horgan and the B.C. and Yukon Building Trades say it's the completion of apprenticeships that is most important, and traditional building trades have an edge there.
RELATED: Contractors picked for Pattullo Bridge replacement
RELATED: Cost jumps 35% for Revelstoke widening section
The new Crown corporation, B.C. Infrastructure Benefits, controls payroll, union dues and benefits for designated public projects. It diverts an additional 25 cents per hour worked to a new union organization called the Allied Infrastructure and Related Construction Council of B.C., and another seven cents per hour to building trades union funds for health and safety.
Non-union or independent union-affiliated companies can still bid on projects, but their employees are required to join one of the designated international unions within 30 days of starting work.
When the $1.38 billion contract to build a new Pattullo Bridge was awarded in January, Trevena acknowledged that the union-only deal would add about seven per cent to the cost. The 83-year-old four-lane bridge is being replaced with another four-lane bridge with added pedestrian and bicycle lanes, and a new off-ramp to Highway 17, the South Fraser Perimeter Road.
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Animation of a CME leaving the Sun, slamming into our magnetosphere. MPEG ( 5.7M), MPEG ( 1.9M), QT ( 8.9M), QT ( 2.8M), QT with sound1 ( 15M) |
SOHO's orbit around the Lagrangian L1 point and the Sun MPEG ( 730k), MPEG ( 213k), QT ( 4.4M), QT ( 230k), QT with sound1 (7.6M) |
Animation of how the Sun's magnetic field winds up and loops out. MPEG ( 2.1M), MPEG ( 713k), QT ( 3.9M), QT ( 941k), QT with sound1 (6.0M) |
Animation of solar wind impacting the magnetosphere and creating aurora Animation available in the following format
and size: |
Animation of Sunspot Formation and Flare (artist view) MPEG (5.9M), QT (2.0M), QT with sound1 (4.3M) |
1Credit: Juan Carlos Garcia


text:
It's Time To Party
Andrew W.K.
It's time to party, Let's party
Hang out with yourself and have a crazy party
Hey you, let's party
Have a killer party and Party!
Don't even try and deny it
'Cos you're gonna have a Party tonight
And you know we're gonna do it tonight
We're gonna lose it all
When you open your door!
Party, Party, There's gonna be a party Tonight!
Tension in my hand
When you're standin' there
Not thinkin' anything (It's time to Party!)
Doing it fast, When you're doing it long
Keep gettin' your money (It's time to Party!)
Pounding on one, touchin' yourself
It's not too late (It's time to Party!)
Open your mouth, we're all gonna come... In your face!
It's time to... party, party, there's gonna be a party tonight!


text:
When five struggling single moms put aside their differences to form a support group, they find inspiration and laughter in their new sisterhood, and help each other overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. Starring Nia Long, Amy Smart, Cocoa Brown, Terry Crews, William Levy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ryan Eggold, Zulay Henao and Tyler Perry Also available on Regular DVD. Technical Information
Director: Tyler Perry Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen Language: English Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.) Number of discs: 1 Rated: NR (Not Rated) Studio: LIONSGATE DVD Release Date: July 22, 2014 Run Time: 111 minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES: - "The Single Moms Sisterhood" Featurette - "The Mens Club" Featurette


text:
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text:
Another fun Paw-ty!
Sep 14, 2015 by Krysta
As most of you already know, when it comes to planning parties I can't help but to go a little bit over the top. It's who I am and who I've always been. When I was younger my mom happily passed on the party planning duties to me when it came to my younger brothers' birthdays.
With a new baby in the mix, Aaralee's second birthday kind of crept up on me this year. I ended up doing most of the planning rather last minute, but it still came together perfectly and she had a great time! I tried to keep the guest list small after seeing how jam packed our house was last year. "I'll only invite people with little kids..." I told Ryan. As it turns out, Aaralee has a lot of little friends and cousins. Our house was full of noise and toys and sugar high toddlers.
She loves puppies and doggies so her party theme was an easy choice. Contrary to popular belief, I am not a naturally crafty person, nor is baking/cooking my strong suit. That said, planning a birthday party can get really expensive, really fast, so I try to do as much of it myself (and with Ryan's help) as possible.
It was so much fun decorating for this party. Paw prints led to the front door, a fire hydrant helped guests find the washroom, and there were puppies and bones galore!
No party of mine would be complete without loads of candy and sweets. There was no shortage of junk food here, despite finishing off one very successful week of healthy eating... it was only one day, and it was for Aaralee, so it was a worthwhile setback.
The cake came together perfectly, no thanks to me! It was my idea, but in the end I think that I decorated an ear before Ryan took over. We were up until 1 am fighting with piping bags and globs of icing that quite literally looked like piles of poop, but when all was said and done, we had a sweet puppy cake. Most importantly, it tasted delicious and the birthday girl approved. She was beaming as we sang "Happy birthday" and wasted no time digging into her giant slice of cake.
After cake, it was time for presents! Although it took awhile (she needed to open every toy and read every book before moving onto the next gift), she's really got the unwrapping thing down pat this year. She tore into the gifts with excitement, pushing aside the cards and clothing as toddlers tend to do. She was so lucky to receive such fun new toys and pretty new outfits!
As the party died down, her little friends left with their very own puppies and we carried on snacking and playing the afternoon away. Despite the fact that she'd refused to nap the entire day, she was pretty happy for the majority of the day. It was a great party for a great little girl! Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated her turning 2 with us!
Aaralee is 2!
by Krysta
Last week my little girl turned 2 years old. TWO! It happened so fast and she didn't even ask my permission. Gone is my tiny, baby-faced, clumsy little toddler and in her place is this real little person who loves to dress up, always runs instead of walks and talks to us all day long.
The past year has been a whirlwind of adventure for Aaralee. She experienced her first overnights without us, her first trips to Mexico and Disneyworld, and she even became a big sister!
Looking back at photos and videos from this time last year I'm amazed at just how much she's grown and changed. She loves to talk... she'll repeat everything that we say. She still loves to eat... peanut butter toast is her current favourite. She's a whopping 24 pounds and short like her parents. She has exceeded my expectations as a big sister. She refuses to go to bed at night without first kissing Briley, and she is always eager to bring her blankets and toys. She even tried to feed her baby sister a large chunk of broccoli yesterday, but Briley declined.
To sum it all up, Aaralee is pretty amazing. As her mother I'm obviously very biased, but I'm so proud of her and I love watching her grow up and become her own little person. I couldn't be more thankful for the past 2 years and for the fact that she's all ours. I love you so much, Aaralee Marie!
To celebrate her special day, we started with a playdate with her friend Noah (and his wonderful mommy) at Cafe O'Play. We love it there. I can sip coffee and sit with Briley while Aaralee runs wild and burns off some energy. After 2 hours of playing and snacking, we headed home for a much needed nap while we waited for Daddy to get home from work. Once he was home we headed to the mall for an evening of fun!
Aaralee's absolute favourite toy at home is her toy stroller. She pushes it around the house all day long, so as a special treat for her birthday we let her push it through the mall. Cue happiest toddler in the world.
She ran and ran and ran, taking a break at Galaxyland to ride the carousel, train and balloon rides. Once we'd had our fill of rides we headed for the food court where our lucky little lady indulged in french fries and her first ever chocolate dipped ice cream cone. Once she'd conquered her gourmet meal, she was sticky, messy, hyper, and oh so happy.
We spent a good hour running up and down the ramps on Bourbon Street before it was time to go home to bed. If she had to pick one day to be her favourite in all of her 24 months of existence, I think it's safe to say that her birthday would be that day. Mommy and daddy were tired, but it was worth it.
Happy 2nd birthday sweet girl! You are so loved and we can't wait for all of the adventures that this year will bring us.
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The Environmental Services Department works with other departments in the City to address these concerns. Depending on the situation, a City crew may be able to come out and regrade the area, but a drainage easement must exist for the City to enter the property for this reason.
Show All Answers
The City does not perform regular maintenance on most drainage easements within the City. A drainage easement is a document providing the City the right to place public water on private property. Property within a drainage easement belongs to the property owner and not the City.
Further the property owner is responsible for removing trash, keeping vegetation mowed and similar maintenance activities. The City only becomes involved when there is a major blockage or infrastructure failure. The City can also become involved when structures, like fences, are built in a drainage easement or property owners bring infill to the easement.
For more information visit stormwater infrastructure in Engineering.
All City streets are designed to carry a certain amount of water during storms, even beyond the curb in most cases. Water entering a house is a concern to the City and should be reported as soon as it happens so the City can investigate the problem and look for solutions. It could be as simple as boards or other material blocking the pipe or inlet. But it can also be very involved and complicated, taking time to correct.
The City does not clean creek areas on a regular basis. Large cleanup events held by the City are typically on public land and involve large groups of volunteers. The best solution to this problem is for everyone to put their trash in the proper place - a trash can.
Any water feature is going to attract wildlife, including raccoons and snakes. The City does not perform regular maintenance along most water ways. These areas are typically designed to be overgrown. As long as the condition does not pose a threat of flooding to a home or structure, the City will not remove the vegetation.
Any odor nuisances should be called in. There is not always something that can be done about it, but the City needs to make sure the sanitary sewer system has not been leaking into the storm sewer system. The most common odor problems at storm sewer outfalls are decomposing leaves and other organic matter, and this poses no threat to human health.
This is not always a concern but should be reported so City staff can evaluate the situation and prevent problems from occurring.
There is no simple answer for this question. The City's ability to improve the situation is entirely dependent on the location and cause of the flooding. Several homes in the City were built before the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) enacted floodplain restrictions, and these homes will flood if there is a large enough storm. However some problems can be addressed by repairing the storm sewer system. If your home has flooded, please report this information to the City.
Contact Howard Redfern, environmental services manager at 817-276-4240. For more information, visit stormwater infrastructure in Engineering.


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Syria's Cabinet resigned Tuesday to help quell a wave of popular fury that erupted more than a week ago and is now threatening President Bashar Assad's 11-year rule in one of the most authoritarian and closed-off nations in the Middle East.
Assad, whose family has controlled Syria for four decades, is trying to calm the growing dissent with a string of concessions. He is expected to address the nation in the next 24 hours to lift emergency laws in place since 1963 and moving to annul other harsh restrictions on civil liberties and political freedoms.
More than 60 people have died since March 18 as security forces cracked down on protesters, Human Rights Watch said.
State TV said Tuesday Assad accepted the resignation of the 32-member Cabinet headed by Naji al-Otari, who has been in place since September 23. The Cabinet will continue running the country's affairs until the formation of a new government.
The resignations will not affect Assad, who holds the lion's share of power in the authoritarian regime.
The announcement came hours after hundreds of thousands of supporters of Syria's hard-line regime poured into the streets Tuesday as the government tried to show it has mass support.
Protests that began March 18 and ensuing violence has brought sectarian tensions in Syria out in the open for the first time in decades, a taboo topic here because the country has a Sunni majority ruled by minority Alawites, a branch of Shiite Islam. Assad has placed his fellow Alawites into most positions of power in Syria.
But he also has used increased economic freedom and prosperity to win the allegiance of the prosperous Sunni Muslim merchant classes, while punishing dissenters with arrest, imprisonment and physical abuse.
Many of the pro-regime demonstrators emphasized national unity Tuesday.
"Sectarianism was never an issue before, this is a conspiracy targeting Syria," said Jinane Adra, a 36-year-old Syrian who came from Saudi Arabia to express support for Assad.
"The Syrian people are one, there is no place for religious divisions between us," she said, flanked by her children, ages 3 and 5, carrying red roses and pictures of Assad.
Mohammed Ali, 40, said Assad was in touch with the Syrian people and aware of their need for reforms.
"This dirty conspiracy will be short-lived, we are all behind him," he said, cradling an Assad poster on his chest.
The president of 11 years, one of the most anti-Western leaders in the Middle East, is wavering between cracking down and compromising in the face of the protests that began in a southern city and spread to other areas.
The unrest in the strategically important country could have implications well beyond the country's borders given its role as Iran's top Arab ally and as a front line state against Israel.
Syria has long been viewed by the U.S. as a potentially destabilizing force in the Mideast. An ally of Iran and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, it has also provided a home for some radical Palestinian groups.
But the country has been trying to emerge from years of international isolation. The U.S. recently has reached out to Syria in the hopes of drawing it away from Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas — although the effort has not yielded much.
The government-sanctioned rallies Tuesday dubbed "loyalty to the nation march" brought hundreds of thousands into the streets in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo and Hasakeh in the north and the central cities of Hama and Homs. School children were given the day off and bank employees and other workers were given two hours off to attend the demonstrations.
Still, many in Syria who see Assad as a young, dynamic leader and credit him for opening up the economy were shocked by the violence and came to express genuine support.
"The people want Bashar Assad!" chanted protesters in a central Damascus square. Men, women and children gathered in front of a huge picture of Assad freshly put up on the Central Bank building.
"No to sectarianism and no to civil strife," read one placard.
When unrest roiling the Middle East hit Syria, it was a dramatic turn for Assad, a British-trained eye doctor who inherited power from his father in 2000 after three decades of iron-fisted rule. In January, he said his country is immune to such unrest because he is in tune with his people's needs.Fox


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Bootup Time Working Group
This page has references for various resources for use by the Bootup Times Working Group.
Table of Contents:
Working Group Information
- The Bootup Time Working Group shall work to minimize the activation and deactivation times of Linux systems. This includes making improvements in cold start bootup times and shutdown times, as well as improvements in the speed of suspend and resume operations. The Working Group shall establish requirements for Linux systems and sub-systems in order to accomplish this goal of timely activation and deactivation. Also, the Working Group will evaluate and recommend technical solutions and implementations which accomplish this goal.
- The scope of this Working Group includes firmware, operating system kernel, and user space issues. It may include work to accelerate device initialization by means of coordination between the firmware and the OS, work inside the OS to reduce the time to initialize kernel sub-systems and device drivers, and work to increase application startup speed. Also, the Working Group may specify, evaluate or recommend instrumentation and tools for analysing bootup and shutdown times.
- The Working Group will not consider compiler technologies related to this issue.
Current Tasks
- See the Bootup Time Howto Task List
Documents and information
- Boot-up Time Definition Of Terms - defintions of terms used by the working group
- /\ - no content yet - Boot-up Time Delay Taxonomy - list of delays categorized by boot phase, type and magnitude
- Presentation: - Reducing Startup Time in Embedded Linux Systems This document is a presentation that was prepared based on existing bootup time reduction techniques.
- Kernel Instrumentation - lists some known kernel instrumentation tools. These are of interest for measuring kernel startup time.
- Filesystem Information - information about bootup times with various file systems
Current Projects
- Boot-up Time Reduction Howto - this is a project to catalog existing bootup time reduction techniques. Work on this project is under way. The wiki will serve as the primary repository of information gathered for this project.
- Timing_APISpecification - requirements (and specification?) for a simple API to support bootup timing measurements
- see also Instrumentation_API for some background research on this API
- Calibrate Delay Avoidance Specification - avoiding the cost of calibrate_delay()
- Done - see Preset LPJ
- IDE_No_Probe_Specification - force kernel to observe the IDE "noprobe" command line option
- IDE_Preempt_Specification - change IDE busywaits into preemptible timeouts
- Kernel_XIP - support Execute-In-Place for the kernel.
Implementations and/or patches
Measurement Systems
- Printk Times - simple system for showing timing information for each printk
- Kernel Function Instrumentation - more complete system for reporting function timings in the kernel (The patch for this has not been isolated, but it's currently in the CELF tree)
Patches for Reducing Bootup Time
- Preset LPJ - Allow the use of a preset loops_per_jiffy value
- IDE No Probe - Force kernel to observe the ide<x>=noprobe option
- IDE Preempt - Make IDE driver init busywaits preemptible
- Kernel XIP - Allow kernel to be executed in-place in ROM or FLASH (code is not isolated yet, but is in the CELF source tree)
External projects
De-serialized user-space service startups (RC scripts)
- IBM article on on using Makefile techniques to express dependencies between services and support parallel service start. See http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-boot.html?ca=dgr-lnxw04BootFaster
- Richard Gooch project to rewrite boot script system from scratch. Eliminates lots of BSD and SYS V-isms, and introduces dependencies. See http://www.atnf.csiro.au/people/rgooch/linux/boot-scripts/
- Serel project - for parallelizing service startup. Commands are inserted into RC scripts to cause needed services to start (based on XML database of dependencies). See http://www.fastboot.org/
- LSB specification for comments in RC Scripts which allow parallization. See http://www.linuxbase.org/spec/refspecs/LSB_1.1.0/gLSB/initscrcomconv.html
- Kexec is a system which allows a system to be rebooted without going through BIOS. That is, a Linux kernel can directly boot into another Linux kernel, without going through firmware. See the white paper at: http://devloper.osdl.org/rddunlap/kexec/whitepaper/kexec.pdf
- here's another Kexec white paper: http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-kexec.html?ca=dgr-lnxw04RebootFast
Pre-Linking and Lazy Linking
- see this excellent paper for an overview of dynamic linking issues: http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~mwh/papers_DB/ieee_computer97.pdf
- http://www.bootsplash.org/
- http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS5907201615.html - any FSM Labs folk have pieces of this?


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Celebrate your anniversary, milestone birthday or newborn baby with personalized photo books, filled with pictures to look back on and reminisce over. They're such sentimental, keepsake gifts, your loved ones will cherish them forever.
As a creative outlet, create a personalized photo book with text for your children to read at bedtime, or to help them with some words they're having problems spelling. Making an educational exercise fun is a great way to engage little ones. We've also seen our personalized photo books being used with Alzheimers and dementia patients, as they help to recall and process memories, people and places in a nice, stress-free way. Design yours today and make someone smile.


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Big inside, small on the outside.
Bolder, sportier and more fun.
Advanced styling inside and out.
A legend reborn.
Best of all worlds.
Performance and efficiency.
Return of recreation.
Sleek and muscular small SUV.
The SUV for every journey.
Tough to the task.
The ultimate family SUV.
Tough, durable and comfortable.
For the toughest challenges in style.
The legendary workhorse.
Professional and reliable.
Comfort and versatility.
The Kluger SUV is here to move your family, and to move you. It's an SUV that knows you expect practicality but want luxury and beautiful design too. There's no need to wait for the kids to grow up, you can have your dream car now.
A brand new sophisticated design and powerful on road stance.
Your choice of an economical and powerful AWD Hybrid engine, or an improved V6 engine.
Toyota's latest safety technology designed to support safe driving.
This 7 seater has flexible cargo space thanks to folding second and third rows.
The 2.5 litre Hybrid engine of Kluger delivers efficient and capable motoring every day. Or choose the improved 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine for 218kW of exploring power.
With All-Wheel Drive standard on Hybrid, and optional on petrol variants, you have the confidence to take on any journey.
Sometimes, even a 7 seater can't contain your big life. Thankfully the Kluger is built to take on your biggest days.
184 kW
5.6 L/100km
Combined fuel consumption[G2]
128 g/km
Combined CO2 emissions[G12]
218 kW
8.9 L/100lm*
208 g/km*
Design & Interior
A practical SUV has no business looking this good. Well-proportioned three dimensional lines and a powerful presence means you look as good as you feel.
The Kluger has 18'' alloy wheels standard on GX and GXL, and 20'' Chromtec®[C11] wheels on Grande. All variants come with Toyo tires for confidence in all conditions.
Thanks to design improvements and acoustic glass, riding in the Kluger is quiet and serene. The Grande variant comes standard with an 11 speaker JBL®[C11] system, reproducing your music, podcasts and audiobooks with gorgeous clarity.
We know your life demands flexibility, the Kluger has an interior that meets that demand. Both the second and third row seats are foldable and can split 60:40. The second row can also slide up to 180mm to adjust your space as you need it. In Grande, enjoy the convenience of a power back door with kick sensor.
Retracting mirrors means you have the luxury of parking with confidence. Once locked, the mirrors will automatically fold in.
Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) with Pedestrian and Daylight Cyclist Detection can sense other vehicles, pedestrians and during daylight, cyclists. It can help avoid or reduce the impact of a potential collision with an audio and visual alert, then by applying extra brake force if needed. It can even apply the brakes automatically if you don't. In some scenarios the Kluger can use Emergency Steer Assist to help you avoid a collision, and keep you in your lane once collision avoidance has been initiated[S1].
The Kluger can use Lane Trace Assist to sense if you're departing your lane and can apply partial force to the steering wheel to help keep you on track. Road Sign Assist recognises certain Australian speed signs and can alert you to changes in the speed limit[S1].
Dynamic Cruise Control monitors traffic ahead and helps to keep a safe distance from the car in front to ensure you're focused on the road. Working with the Road Sign Assist setting, it can also prompt you to adjust your set speed to the current road speed limit[S1].
Designed and engineered to be strong in all the right places. The Kluger uses strengthened material and impact absorbing structures to help protect you from front, side and rear collisions.
A driver's airbag, driver's knee airbag, front passenger airbag, two side impact airbags and two curtain shield airbags which run all the way to the third row seats help protect the driver and passengers from impact.
Front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera help you to monitor your surroundings for static objects and moving vehicles behind you. Parking support brake can even apply the brakes to help you avoid a potential collision with a rear-crossing vehicle or static object while reversing[S1].
The upgraded touchscreen display means navigation (available on GXL and Grande), music and phone calls are there when you want them. Take control of your music and phone calls on screen, steering wheel, or via voice command.
Your phone is your connection to the world, and the All-New Kluger makes staying dialed in easy.
A dedicated USB port connects your phone to the audio system. Up front you'll find another two USB charger ports and in the rear two more. That's a happy family of devices[G10].
Owning a Toyota should be easy, enjoyable and safe. That's why select new connected Toyota vehicles are equipped with convenient remote features, sophisticated navigation, advanced multimedia technology as well as safety and security features that keep you in touch with help when you need it[CS1].
When you buy a new Kluger, you don't have to worry about your service costs. With the Toyota Service Advantage you'll pay the same low prices from one log book service to the next.
Every new Kluger at Kalamunda Toyota is entitled to up to 6 standard scheduled services (every 12 months) at $265* for the first 5 years or 75,000km whichever occurs first.
Toyota Service Advantage is available to eligible customers* for new current model vehicles sold.
[C11] Product & company names are trademarks of their respective owners.
[C14] CarPlay® is a trademark of Apple, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android Auto™ is a trademark of Google LLC. Requires compatible device, USB connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user's cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected. Speak to Kalamunda Toyota about device compatibility.
[G10] USB connection, mobile data, network reception & GPS signal. Mobile usage at user's cost. Apps subject to change. For details see toyota.com.au/connected/. All images indicative only.
[G12] Emissions vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle condition & options/accessories fitted.
[G13] Power and torque test standards differ. Maximum combined engine and hybrid battery system and torque constantly available within a specified speed range (Toyota Australia in-house testing).
[G2] Achieved in test conditions. Actual fuel consumption may vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle condition and options/accessories fitted. Fuel consumption data provided for comparison purposes only. Source: ADR81/02 combined (L/100km) for auto models.
[G6] Towing capacity subject to regulatory requirements, towbar and vehicle design and towing equipment limitations. Ask your dealer for Toyota Genuine Towbar capacity and availability details.
[S1] Driver assist feature. Only operates under certain conditions. Check your Owner's Manual for explanation of limitations. Please drive safely.
Give the Kalamunda Toyota Sales Team a call at Kalamunda - 08 9257 9100 or Enquire Online.
Get the very latest brochure on the Toyota Kluger.
Experience the Kluger yourself, book a test drive online.
Speak with our team for finance and / or insurance advice.
Submit an enquiry online and we will get back to you quickly.


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PlayStation Access, a channel run by PlayStation in the UK, sat down with two members of the Destiny team to dig into some of the finer details of what players can expect. In the video, community manager Eric Osborne and assistant community manager David Dague talk a little bit about what weapons, vehicles, matchmaking, and the upcoming beta.
As you might recall, Destiny will feature three weapon classes: primary, special, and heavy. Each of these will also include special drops called "exotics." These are named weapons with a backstory and unique look.
Some of the vehicles that have been revealed so far are mentioned, also. The Sparrow hoverbike is accessible to all players, but they can also steal a Pike vehicle from enemies. Each player will be able to get a personal ship for travel to different planets (and our own Moon, which has been infested by the Hive).
As for matchmaking, Bungie assures that players of different skill, experience, and play time will be able to group up. "There aren't going to be barriers between people who want to play with each other," Dague says.
As for competitive multiplayer and guilds or clans, Bungie isn't quite ready to talk. However, Dague and Osborne do encourage players to create their Bungie.net IDs. If you pre-order the title, you'll get a code for the early 2014 beta. You won't need to choose your platform yet, as Bungie is sensitive to the console launches and the holiday season.
You can watch the full interview below. You can also check out a Destiny ViDoc and more information about the beta and matchmaking.


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From early July through mid-August 2014, scientist Doug Morton of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, will be flying low over the treetops of interior Alaska. The purpose? First-of-a-kind look at the state's forests with a portable, airborne imaging system called G-LiHT to map the composition, structure and function of the ecosystem.
According to Morton, key components of the fieldwork include:
"First, we are partnering with the U.S. Forest Service, as directed by the recently-passed Farm Bill, to incorporate remote sensing technology into forest monitoring efforts. Our pilot study will be the first inventory of forests in interior Alaska; a standard ground inventory (as in the lower 48) has always been too costly or logistically challenging to implement.
Second, we will study post-fire recovery, with plans to sample more than 80 percent of all fires in the Tanana region since 1950. Fire is the major agent of change in interior Alaska, and understanding the patterns of forest recovery is essential to gauge the vulnerability/resilience of forests to future climate change.
Third, we will benchmark conditions (topography/permafrost, forest cover, forest composition) across a large portion of the Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) science domain."
Follow Morton through the summer as, Internet connection permitting, he sends updates and photos from the field.


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For the second time in less than a year, AT&T has come out on top of J.D. Power's full-service wireless customer care study.
Although its overall score of 793 is slightly down from the 795 J.D. Power awarded it in August 2013, AT&T still came in first among its contract carrier competition.
Verizon Wireless didn't trail by much with an overall score of 788. T-Mobile managed to increase its overall score by 18 points over the previous study, giving it a 778 and moving it ahead of Sprint.
Sprint meanwhile lost 15 points off its previous score and fell to fourth place with a 757.
The study's findings are based on responses from 7,195 full-service wireless customers. The study also collected responses from 2,912 non-contract wireless customers, a group that again ranked MetroPCS as the top rated non-contract carrier.
Much of the study's key findings focused on resolution of customer service issues. In particular, the study noted that the "likelihood of full-service wireless customers switching carriers increases from 16 percent when their service call lasts less than 5 minutes to 30 percent when their call lasts 15 minutes or more."


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Copyright (C) Dennis Frates
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