text:
Upcoming Showsno upcoming shows listed (solo, or for current projects)
Past Shows
Alita Dupray
Soul from Vancouver BC
Contact DetailsAlita Dupray
Born to sing, Alita Dupray, an accomplished vocalist with a contagiously free spirit, is a versatile performer in the Vancouver music scene. A true improviser she is known for her diversity. Influenced by a dynamic range of music; everything from Jazz to Blues to Reggae , Rock , Electronica and Hip Hop - she has transposed her passion and authentic sound into a growing number of gorilla performances Canada wide.
Recording & performing with Grammy award winning hip hop group :Wu-Tang Clan, opening for Grammy award winning Innercircle and Toshi Regan. She has graced the Labrynth stage at Shambhala with DJ EMOG and also shared various stages with the likes of Jim Byrnes, Diana Krall, Micheal Buble , Robert Wilson and The Blackbird P.A and many others including the late jazz great Linton Garner who deemed her the dynamo of jazz. Alita's voice projects from the depths of her soul and takes the listener on journey to another stratosphere.
Past Projects
|Alita Dupray Quintet
|2005-The End
|Alita Dupray Quartet
|2005-The End
|2003-The End


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Upcoming Showsno upcoming shows listed (solo, or for current projects)
No articles found
Past Showsno past shows listed
Katy Kerr
Unknown - Confirmed: Jan. 4, 2010 (Awaiting Update)
Age: 29 (estimated)
jazz/r&b/jazz funk from Victoria BC
Instruments: Vocals, Trumpet details
Contact DetailsKaty
jazz/r&b female vocalist or backup singer.Jazz funk vocalist with Tower Of Power at Berklee College of Music.Also play trumpet. Currently studying at Central Washington University.
No audio samples have been linked to this profile.
Listing last updated/confirmed Jan. 4, 2010

subset: commoncrawl


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Dear Ones,
A few months ago I asked you this question:
What wellness design subject would you like me to write about in my next book?
a) The Treatment Room Cure – How to design exam and treatment rooms that make your patients feel nurtured and safe.
b) The Waiting Room Cure – How to create a patient-centered waiting room that nurtures your patients and employees the second they step through the front door
c) Feng Shui for the Wellness Space – How practical Feng Shui design can help grow your wellness business
When the votes came in, I didn't expect the outcome to be as close as the latest presidential election.
A and B were almost tied but A came out a bit ahead. In my mind, A, B and C are all Hillary and none of them Donald.
I've already started writing The Treatment Room Cure and I'm loving every minute.
In my new book, I pour my heart and soul into sharing what I've learned in the past fourteen years of designing treatment and exam rooms, and how to do-it-yourself.
You'll be flooded with dozens of beautiful illustrations and pics of various exam and treatment rooms laid out in a variety of ways to achieve the best possible design specific to your needs.
As a thank you for your vote, (and only if you are on my list — sign up here) I offered two free custom virtual design renderings for a small treatment or exam room to be included in my book.
I asked my tribe if you or someone you knew had a treatment or exam room in need of some redesign love, to please let me know.
The winners only needed to email me a simple hand drawn floor plan of the room with the dimensions of windows, doors and walls. As long as I have all the correct dimensions, the drawing itself can look like your five year old drew it.
In return, the winners received a computer 3-D artistic rendering of their treatment or exam room with new colors and furniture laid out in the space.
Here's an example of one of my 3-D renderings of a physical therapist's treatment room:
These two free designs were awarded to the first two people who responded to my email.
Don't worry if you missed this opportunity. Make sure you sign up to my list and you'll be among the first to know about my future offers.
If you need help with selecting the best paint colors for your wellness space, head over this way:


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Fishing Republic
Great news for sport and recreational anglers in Cape Town – The Fishing Republic interactive tackle store is set to open in The Strand, on the 1 December 2017!
Check out their new website and online shop at http://fishingrepublic.co.za. Any feedback would be fantastic.
In as much as the new shop will always be a true and traditional fishing tackle store, using technology to stay in touch with customers is part of the game plan. Kegan Matheys, owner of Fishing Republic, is way down the tech path, and will be using all the convenient networks and platforms, to be always available. With fishing tips and advice, weather and fishing conditions, you can order bait and tackle, organise a fishing trip or arrange a fishing buddy And, Kegan promises to share some of his secrets learned fishing The Strand so well, as he does.
Already busy on their Facebook page, which is at…
The shop is opening at…
And this is the kind of fishing you can expect, fishing The Strand and surrounds, with the Fishing Republic Interactive Tackle Store.
If you have any questions about fishing the Falsy Bay waters, or if you need some tackle, or advice, get in touch via the following form:
Fishing Republic will be holding fishing clinics and arranging fishing trips up and down the Southern African coastline.
Check back soon, for more news from The Fishing Republic, and fishing the beautiful waters of False Bay…


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Switch Hitting: Region of the Brain Plays Dual Role in Sorting Visual Information
Watch a video abstract with David Freedman and Chris Rishel on their recent paper in Neuron
Primates, including humans, have a remarkable ability to quickly categorize visual stimuli into meaningful categories. Think of sorting fruits from vegetables, or even better for this time of year, a baseball umpire quickly deciding whether a pitch is a ball or a strike.
David Freedman and Chris Rishel, neurobiologists from the University of Chicago, are researching which part of the brain does this visual sorting. In a study recently published in Neuron, they found that one region that was already busy interpreting spatial information steps up to the plate for visual categorization too. John Easton has the story in our Newsroom:
"We found that multiple functions can be mapped onto a particular region of the brain and even onto individual brain cells in that region," said study author David Freedman, PhD, assistant professor of neurobiology at the University of Chicago. "These functions overlap. This particular brain area, even its individual neurons, can independently encode both spatial and cognitive signals."
Freedman studies the effects of learning on the brain and how information is stored in short-term memory, with a focus on the areas that process visual stimuli. To examine this phenomenon, he has taught monkeys to play a simple video game in which they learn to assign moving visual patterns into categories.
"The task is a bit like a baseball umpire calling balls and strikes," he said, "since the monkeys have to sort the various motion patterns into two groups, or categories."
Science Life covered Freedman's work last year when Rob Mitchum spoke to him about his research on the parietal cortex.
Rishel, C., Huang, G., & Freedman, D. (2013). Independent Category and Spatial Encoding in Parietal Cortex Neuron, 77 (5), 969-979 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.01.007


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Column One: Students
But unlike most other researchers, Preston is barely old enough to drive: He is a senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.
One of five students in a class in chemistry research, Preston has created what is considered the only lab in the country designed for diamond-synthesis research, a process to create an impenetrable diamond film that is useful as a protective coating. The film could be used to make eyeglass lenses and electronic scanners at supermarket check-out counters.
Last fall, after attending a summer program at North Carolina State University, Preston built his lab, and then conducted two workshops on diamond synthesis for teachers across the state.
As a result of the workshops--and teaching materials Preston created--at least seven North Carolina schools have built similar labs.
Students who work after school more than 10 hours a week tend to drop out of extracurricular activities and spend less time on homework, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin at Madison has found.
But the study of 12,000 high-school students in Wisconsin and California also found that those who participate in extracurricular activities--even up to 20 hours a week--tend to have higher grades than those who do not.
"There appears to be some benefit--a modest benefit," to participation in extracurricular activities, said B. Bradford Brown, a professor of educational psychology at Wisconsin.
Mr. Brown noted, however, that students who said their favorite activities were "glory sports"--baseball, football, and basketball--did not enjoy the same academic benefits as those involved in school-leadership activities or clubs.
Although millions of adolescents are at risk of problem behaviors and school failure, there are dozens of programs that have proved effective in helping them, a new book concludes.
Adolescents at Risk, published by Oxford University Press, notes that several states and cities have developed comprehensive programs linking schools and community agencies to deal with delinquency, teenage pregnancy, school failure, and substance abuse.
The author, the researcher Joy Dryfoos, urges the creation of an independent federal agency to coordinate state and local efforts and sharpen their focus.--rr
Vol. 10, Issue 27
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Once a car maker has plundered and plagiarised its own heritage to create a new model, it's almost inevitable that modern takes on the most evocative period versions will follow. Mini was quick off the mark with the Coopers, Fiat is working on a 500 Abarth, and in the US Ford has helped create the Hertz and Shelby Mustangs. And why not? If you're going to go the retro route, go the whole hog, especially if it creates more dynamic models.
The Ford Shelby GT apes the legendary Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 of the '60s, but I must admit to having a few early misgivings about it when I discovered that the scoop riveted to the bonnet is purely cosmetic, the engine upgrade gives just 19bhp and the reworked suspension is an off-the-shelf Ford Racing package. The phrase 'making a fast buck' sprang to mind.
Subscribe to evo magazine
However, the credibility of the Shelby GT rises a few points when you learn that it rolls out of Carroll Shelby's workshops in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shelby takes a standard 300bhp V8 Mustang and adds a Ford Racing handling pack (comprising lower, stiffer springs and a beefier front anti-roll bar), 18in five-spoke wheels, a lower final-drive ratio and a revised intake and engine ECU (also from Ford Racing). Finally, of course, the GT350-aping Shelby styling parts and stripes are added.
Inside, your gaze is immediately drawn to the very '60s-style Hurst shifter with its blade-like stem and cue-ball top. In any other car it would be the focus of attention in the early miles, being very short of throw and weighty so that you feel you're forcing the gears to mesh, but in this Mustang you're more absorbed by the engine noise. If there is a better sounding V8 in production, I haven't heard it. It may even be the best-sounding road-car V8 I've ever heard. It has all the thunder you could want but with an edge, a subtle but serious, almost race car-spec V8 whine, that, in league with its remarkable smoothness and eagerness to rev, suggests very high performance. Its instant and thumping delivery at anything over 2500rpm led a few of us here to reckon it was producing approaching 400bhp, but Ford was adamant that it was a stock lump with merely the '90mm cold air induction kit' and a remap, and therefore good for the quoted 319bhp. Having been underwhelmed by this 4.6-litre, 24-valve V8 on many occasions, I am now its biggest fan.
It certainly invigorates the stiffer, lower chassis. The relatively light steering isn't big on feedback but is quick and accurate, the front-end composed and little distracted by lumps and bumps. The rear is something else. It's rare to encounter a beam axle these days and a journey down a ruckled B-road shows why: the mass of the axle is hard to control, leading to jolts and occasionally the feeling that the dog is being, if not wagged, then at least distracted by the tail. On the upside, when that perfect 90-degree left-hander heaves into view, you know you're going to have fun. Almost too much. Turn in too hard and you'll induce oversteer, pick up the throttle and you're in control of the angle, the lack of a limited-slip diff no issue with this much grunt on tap. I'm sure the laughably labelled BF Goodrich g-force T/A tyres contribute to the ease with which it drifts – comically on cold, damp roads – but accept that you're in charge once you turn TCS off (and even with it on, to be honest) and the Shelby GT becomes utterly engaging. I had more fun and connected better with this Mustang than any other I've driven.
Ford GB has no plans to import the Shelby GT, but there are companies here in the UK that will import one for you (left-hand drive, of course), ready to drive away, for about £27K – Nissan 350Z money. Not tempting enough? How about the mechanically similar Bullitt Mustang? Costing around $5000 less in the US, it's finished in the same hue as the car McQueen drove in the movie and has an engine note that's claimed to be tuned to match that classic soundtrack (though how it can be any better than the Shelby's I've no idea). Now that really is very, very tempting.
|V8, 4606cc
|Max power
|319bhp @ 5750rpm
|Max torque
|330lb ft @ 4500rpm
|5.0sec (estimated)
|Top speed
|150mph (estimated)
|On sale


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On Her First Solo Show in Oakland
By James Dennehy
Original artwork by Dara Lorenzo
I met Dara Lorenzo, an Oakland-based printmaker and artist, at Studio Morey (located at 5500 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland) where her works are currently showing to inquire about her thoughts on art school, Baltimore, and the influences of her unique medium: Mono-type printmaking.
I see that you attended the San Francisco Art Institute for grad school. What are your opinions about the different art schools around the Bay?
Academy of Art is a little bit more corporate, and when I say corporate I mean that there's a lot of them. I'm very interested in CCA, especially their printmaking program. I see a lot of really good relief prints coming out of that school. They've had the same long-term printmaking instructor for a while. San Francisco Art Institute was a really good program for me. I felt it really challenged me.
Do you think college is necessary for someone who wants to be a professional artist?
Taking classes can be really helpful. I went to Towson University for undergrad and West Virginia University for painting, and it was never really a focus, this idea of conceptual art. I just did art and talked about it. I knew what I liked, but once I was asked the questions in grad school, "What are you doing, what is it about this, what is it about you that makes you wanna make these marks?" These were significant questions that I had no answers to! So I feel like grad school, in a sense, challenged me to really think about "why." I mean we do stuff all the time, but rarely think about why is it important to us or investigate yourself or your process. So it was a good experience for me. It was very challenging.
Was it helpful to have your work critiqued in college?
Critiques can sometimes be quite paralyzing during the process of making art, but they are essential and an important part of making art. People can be harsh, but we push through and take in the things that help us, and omit the parts that don't help so much. Ultimately it is the artist making their own art and we have to make the decisions about what really matters in our creations. We make the decisions about what we want our work to say.
You grew up in Baltimore but spent your most recent years herein the Bay. In which place do you feel most at home?
I would say that I've started to feel that Oakland is my home. Hence this show, I feel like it is really important. Because when I was a teenager in Baltimore, I used to take a lot of photos and it was something about just capturing the city, capturing the people, capturing the interactions. My interactions, my relationship to it in an image of something I walk by every day is really important to me. And then I moved here, and Oakland had a lot of similarities to Baltimore. And so I've been here for six years and it's become a home. I've shown in Oakland quite a bit in the last year, and I've had solo shows before, but this is my first solo show in Oakland!
Personally, I've never seen photo etching before, so I'm wondering about the process and what your influences were for it.
My process started because I was always taking pictures, that's been a part of my process for a long time. It's more about what I like and what I want to capture for me to kinda root through later. After that it goes through the whole process of photo etching: there's a surface and there's a light source and then the process of transferring the image to the plate and getting the topography on the plate; after that I can play and do whatever I want with it.
The influence came from when I was in undergrad. I started doing printmaking after I was a painting major for a long time (I switched to printmaking because I felt like I had hit a wall with painting). And printmaking is so different, its interdisciplinary so you can paint, you can draw, you can write; it's all part of the process and there's a lot of science involved. So, I got really interested in it and in one of my classes the professor showed us photo emulsion. I like taking photographs but I don't like the photograph to be the art; well it's part of it, but I don't like it to be the only layer of what's going on. For me there's so much more. So, when I went to grad school, I decided to focus on it. I asked the studio coordinator who to talk to about photo etching and he said Mark Zaffron. So they sent me over there and he was like my mentor and showed me all his stuff. He taught me everything I know about photo etching. He made a photopolymer film called Z-acrylic that I used in my workshops and classes that I taught before he passed away. I used it for a long time, but when he died it was so sudden that he kept all his secrets. He showed me everything and I took what I learned and turned it into my own way of doing things.
What role does the artist have in society?
As an observer and to take those observations and kinda regurgitate it in a way, because I feel like you have to as an artist. Artists need to make art; hence the 30 pieces that are surrounding us, I feel like I've got to constantly make work. You take everything that you see and everything that you feel and pull it through yourself and push it out there and show everybody how people can think in a different way.
Dara Lorenzo's most recent project will be on display at Studio Morey, 5500 MLK Ave., Oakland through December. www.daralorenzo.com


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SAINT LAURENT Jeans Slim Low Waist Embroidered SL Detail
- model size 32
- sizes: 29(44), 30/31(46), 32(48), 33/34(50), 36(52)
- waist 42cm, crotch 31cm, length 115cm, hem 16cm
- fabric: 100% cotton
- 53858780
mientus presents the complete SAINT LAURENT collection at mientus NEUER WALL in Hamburg.
Founded in 1961, Yves Saint Laurent was the first couture house to introduce the concept of luxury prêt-à-porter in a 1966 collection called « Rive Gauche », synonymous with youth and freedom. This shift represented a first critical step in the modernization of fashion and revolutionized the socio-cultural landscape. Yves Saint Laurent continues to position itself at the summit of the luxury universe. Today, Saint Laurent collections include women's and men's ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, small leather goods, jewelry, scarves, ties and eyewear. Yves Saint Laurent is part of the Kering Group, a world leader in apparel and accessories which develops an ensemble of powerful Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle brands.
mientus presents the complete SAINT LAURENT collection at mientus NEUER WALL in Hamburg.


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We are pleased to announce that the 2020 WCAF Expo Exhibitor Services Kit is now available and provided by Shepard Exposition Services, the official services contractor for The West Coast Art & Frame Expo. The online kit has all the exhibiting information you will need, including important deadlines and required forms on everything from electrical needs to labor services.
If you'd prefer to download a PDF of the exhibitor kit, please click here.
Shepard Exposition Services
5845 Wynn Road, Suites A,B,C,D
Las Vegas, NV 8911
Customer Service Phone: (702) 507-5278
Customer Service Fax: (702) 948-0341
Customer Service Email: email@example.com
For logistics questions, email: firstname.lastname@example.com
For artwall package questions, email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Copyright 1999 -


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- "How dare you barge into my private residence! Who do you think you are?"
- ―Palpatine, after General Grievous smashes through his window
Palpatine's apartment suite was a series of Senatorial apartments in the upper levels of 500 Republica on Coruscant used by Palpatine during his tenure as Senator of Naboo, and later as Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic.
Palpatine's apartment was an expansive suite of rooms perched in the upper levels of the 500 Republica tower, a stepped building located in the old and prestigious Ambassadorial Sector of Galactic City.[1] Although luxurious by common standards, Palpatine's apartment was still modest in comparison to the formidable palaces inhabited by certain other senators.[2] The suite consisted of a reception room leading into the Royal Suite, from which Palpatine's personal quarters were located via a carefully guarded corridor. The primary reception room had access to exit turbolifts, and to a curving corridor leading to a soundproof ante-chamber to the main lounge area. This spacious room was located on the "corner" of one of 500 Republica's residential towers, and featured large windows on the two exterior walls, with a balcony running along the side of one wall.[3] That balcony was equipped with a holoprojector, and it hosted secret meetings between Darth Sidious—Palpatine's Sith Lord alter ego—and his apprentice Darth Maul.[4] In a busy, teeming ecumenopolis like Coruscant, there were innumerable balconies and corridors, which allowed the Sith to hide in plain sight.[1]
- "You certainly make no secret of your favourite color, Senator."
"Scarlet figures prominently in the crest of my ancenstral house."
- ―Staff Aide Sei Taria and Senator Palpatine
Every room of Palpatine's quarters, from floor to ceiling, was decorated various shades of red—a color scheme that would later inspire the look of his Chancery office[5] and his private chamber onboard the second Death Star.[6] Even part of the furniture, including the armchairs of the reception area, was reddish-brown in hue.[3] During his extensive traveling prior to his tenure as Naboo's representative, Palpatine had gathered many foreign art objects, and those were displayed in his apartments. His unusual decorating taste revealed that the senator had distanced himself from his culture, having adopted a more cosmopolitan point of view.[2] The various objects and statues picked up on his travels seemed to hold great personal value for him. It was often noted that he would enter into a near-meditative contemplation of the form and alien beauty of his collection, and seemed to draw strength from them.[7]
He also displayed several items given to him by his peers in the Galactic Senate. Senator Tikkes of Mon Calamari gave him three large pearls from the seas of his homeworld, held in the cup-like ends of polished, fossilized trumpet weed; Senator Baskol Yeesrim of Malastare offered an ornate, ceremonial Gran wind drum from an ancient spiritual era; and Triffian Senator Eelen Li bequeathed Palpatine with a near-prehistoric stone carving of one of her species.[7]
During his time as a small-time politician, Palpatine maintained official quarters on his home planet of Naboo. He later relocated—with his collection of decorative items—to Coruscant upon being elected to serve as his homeworld's representative following the assassination of Senator Vidar Kim in 52 BBY.[8] During his tenure as senator, Palpatine rarely allowed strangers in his sanctum; only his most trusted confidants were normally admitted there.[2] It was in his apartments that Palpatine discussed the broadening of Naboo's horizons with King Ars Veruna prior to the latter's abdication in 33 BBY, and discussed the Trade Federation invasion of Naboo with his successor, Padmé Amidala, a few months later.[8]
During the clandestine search for Queen Amidala in 32 BBY, Palpatine met with Darth Maul on the balcony of his quarters at night, with the hawk-bats shrieking overhead.[4] Later meetings with his Sith apprentices would take place elsewhere, including a LiMerge Power building in The Works.[9]
Palpatine retained his apartment suite upon becoming Supreme Chancellor, though he was afforded an office suite in the Republic Executive Building that boasted its own private chamber in which Palpatine could rest after particularly tiring days. It was from his 500 Republica apartment that General Grievous attempted to kidnap Palpatine during the Battle of Coruscant,[10][11] though the Chancellor was rescued, briefly, by Jedi Shaak Ti and Stass Allie. During this struggle, Grievous smashed the window of Palpatine's apartment,[10] and though it was presumably fixed, it is not known whether Palpatine retained his quarters upon becoming Emperor of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY.
Behind the scenesEdit
Palpatine's chambers appeared in the 1999 movie Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. They were made red so as to reminisce the colors of the Emperor's Royal Guards, who were first seen in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi in 1983.[12] That particular set, which was built on one of the soundstages of Leavesden Studios,[13] was only completed the day before the shoot. The outsides of the apartment's windows were entirely covered with blue screens, which were replaced by a panoramic view of Galactic City.[12]
- Darth Plagueis
- Cloak of Deception
- Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace novelization (First appearance)
- Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
- Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace junior novelization
- Darth Maul's Revenge
- Sith Attack
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars – "Friends and Enemies" (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Clone Wars – "Chapter 23"
- Star Wars: Clone Wars – "Chapter 24" (Mentioned only)
- The Wrath of Darth Maul (Appears in flashback(s))
- Labyrinth of Evil
- Inside the Worlds of Star Wars: Episode I
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 32 (COR11-12, Coruscant - Palpatine's Apartments)
- Star Wars: Complete Locations
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
Notes and referencesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Inside the Worlds of Star Wars: Episode I
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Star Wars: Episode I The Visual Dictionary
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Darth Maul's Revenge
- ↑ Star Wars: Complete Locations
- ↑ Inside the Worlds of Star Wars Trilogy
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Official Star Wars Fact File 32 (COR11-12, Coruscant - Palpatine's Apartments)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Darth Plagueis
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Star Wars: Clone Wars – "Chapter 23"
- ↑ Labyrinth of Evil
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Star Wars: Episode I Insider's Guide
- ↑ Episode I Snapshot: George Lucas stands with Ian McDiarmid on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)


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Giant stone balls are the natural enemy of the heroarchaeologist. They flatten our fedoras, chase us down long corridors and guard the tombs we're trying to loot. The Ball busts that paradigm, handing you a bonecrushing pet boulder as your sole tool for solving first-person puzzles. It's like a wacky, mismatched copbuddy movie. Lethal Weapon, with Mel Gibson as The Ball.
You've fallen into a Mexican pit, full of enough miles of beautiful forgotten ruins to fill a decade's worth of National Geographics. You find an enchanted, gun-shaped artefact that acts as a controller for a large, ancient steel ball. It has two functions: magnetically drawing the ball toward you, and punching it away from you with a superpowerful piston. This is the basis for six hours' worth of underground puzzle-machinery-driven challenges that task you to move gears, traverse lava, loosen stone blocks and push buttons to raise water levels to advance to the next room. If Portal was about mid-air agility and outside-the-box, cerebral problemsolving, The Ball is about slow momentum and pushing your way into the next room with God's bowling ball. Think of it as a magical Mayan bowling alley.
It has more combat than Portal, even if that combat is simple and over quickly: between puzzle rooms you're chased by entombed horrors, such as mummies and a zombified King Kong. These aren't clever enemies: they run directly at you, and swat you with their decrepit claws until you either die or crush them with your weighted companion sphere. Being mostly defenceless kept me off-balance in places – I caught myself in a panicky fit of bunnyhopping at one point, yelling "Ohgodohgod!" when I was separated from my ball and hounded by angry mummies. But the fighting doesn't demand any creative thinking: even the handful of bosses use the tired, matador-style 'lure, dodge, attack' mechanic we've seen in hundreds of games.
Difficulty is at its greatest in the four-level survival mode, which dumps waves of enemies into a circuit of hazards and makes you leap through hordes of giant bugs and mummies to reach controls that activate deadly traps.
It's The Ball's puzzles that make it unique and worthwhile. None of them are particularly brain-breaking (and there's a hint button within reach at all times). Most amount to guiding your globe over obstacles to reach buttons, but they're gently paced in a way that produces something calming and enjoyable (in between mummy attacks). You lead the lumpen sphere around like it's a giant puppy, coercing it to do your bidding. The easy, intuitive fun of kicking your dynamically-lit, polished, multi-ton marble through the environment and watching the ballet of Newtonian physics play out is an adventure in itself.


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Here is something I don't see all that often. This is a 1993 Mercedes-Benz E36 AMG Cabriolet. If you are asking yourself why you never see these cars, it is because they are incredibly rare. The W124 E36 is exactly what it sounds like, a W124 with a 3.6 liter M104 from AMG with some cool bumpers and wheels. For as German as Mercedes-Benz is, they are dreadful for publishing production records on cars that aren't worth a million dollars. Although maybe they just aren't very open with sharing their information either. From what I understand, under 200 W124 E36 AMG cars were produced during the last few years of the W124 production run in the sedan, coupe, cabriolet and estate bodies. Of the less than 200, 57 officially went to the UK as right hand drive models and the rest were scattered around the rest of the world. Much to no ones surprise, none made it to the North America. Today, we have an E36 AMG Cabriolet up for bid in Illinois. Except this car isn't one of those 200 cars. Please stay with me here.
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Dog Paddles: Family Kayak with your Dog!
Summer is just around the corner and it is time to get our 4-legged friends outside for some kayaking. Yes, Dog Paddles are the latest way to bring the whole family out for some water fun. We work with all breeds and temperaments.
Some dogs love the water and we teach them how to stay IN the kayak. Some dogs are afraid of the water and we teach them how to be comfortable around the water and in the kayak. Some dogs have never had an opportunity to be around the water, so they get to find out how much fun it can be.
We start with on land instruction and then take an easy paddle around Mission Bay. Then we make a pit stop at Fiesta Island for a quick romp and some exercise. Then we launch again for our trip back to the launch area. Family Kayak makes it easy for you to go out for a paddle. We provide the kayaks, life vests, paddles and safety equipment plus an ACA certified kayak instructor.
No previous kayaking or swimming experience is required for the humans or canines. We use stable, roomy kayaks that can accommodate any size dog. The kayaks can be set up for one or two human paddlers and one or two canines. Each kayak can hold up to 500 lbs.
Cost is $42 per adult, $17 per child (2-14 years of age), $10 per dog for each private session. If you have a group of friends with dogs that already know each other, we are happy to put together a group lesson. Give us a call for group discounts.


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Here you will find some frequently asked questions, and answers. If you have questions that are not adderssed on this page please feel free to send me an email on my contact page.
Some key questions I always ask are:
"What do they know about what they are recommending? (Who is on the management team of the company or fund?)"
"Do they own what they are selling?"
"Do you learn from them? (Are they teaching you anything or just telling you what to buy)"
"Do they bring you new ideas or just buy and sell what you ask them to?"
"Will they allow you to use limit orders? (Often brokers don't like limit orders because they know there's a chance the order may not be filled, and they don't make their comission for the trade.)"


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Page Content
+++ Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the TU Berlin Summer University will not take place on campus this year. Registrations for our Summer University Online program are now open! +++
This course is designed to be taken together with our courses in Terms 2, 3 or 4, to give participants maximum value from their time in Berlin. Please take a look at the summer school courses available here.
Learning Goals and Syllabus
The primary goal of language instruction should be the development of communication. To achieve this, you must engage in as many communicative situations as possible, and the course is designed to provide you with ample opportunities in the classroom and on a course-related excursion to do so.
The course follows the standards of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for level A1 (beginners with no prior knowledge), which will be achieved by the end of the course. Equal emphasis will be given to five language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture.
At the end of the course, you will:
- Be able to deal with everyday situations in a German speaking environment and conduct simple conversations (e.g. at the grocery store, in a restaurant, at a public office)
- Be able to understand discussions on familiar topics
- Have developed reading strategies that allow you to understand simple newspaper articles as well as short literary texts
- Have learnt how to write, revise, and proofread short texts in German
- Achieve CEFR German level A1
Please click here to see the syllabus.
You may find the syllabus useful when discussing with your home University whether the ECTS credits attainable for this course are accepted by them.
Course components
1. Attendance and Homework (30%)
Each class session consists of four modules. It is simply not possible to make satisfactory progress in this or any language course without thorough preparation for class and punctual submission of assignments. Because productive and constructive participation is an integral part of learning a foreign language, it is absolutely necessary that you attend class regularly.
2. Essay and Journal (20%)
You will compose and revise one essay on a given topic. Throughout the term, you will also compose various journal entries to reflect on certain aspects of your stay in Berlin.
3. Midterm and Final Exam (20%)
You will take a midterm and final exam based on course material, consisting of sections on listening and comprehension, vocabulary and grammar, reading comprehension, and composition.
4. Oral Presentation and Group Project (20%)
You will be asked to prepare a short presentation and speak freely about an assigned topic. You will also work with peers on a creative presentation about your impressions of Berlin.
5. Excursion (10%)
On one course day during the term you will go on a course-related excursion and take an excursion-related quiz.
The general prerequisites of the TU Berlin Summer University are the following: at least one year of university experience + English level B2 or equivalent.
Please send direct questions about the course to the TU Berlin Summer University Team at: summeruniversity(at)tubs.de. We will answer your questions and direct specific queries regarding course content to the course lecturers where necessary.


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The Senate yesterday resolved to probe the employment irregularities in all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
The resolution was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Abubakar Bagudu entitled 'Employment Irregularities in the Nigerian Immigration Service and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Nigeria'.
Consequently, it mandated its committees on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs, and Employment, Labour and Productivity to 'holistically' investigate the matter.
Moving the motion, Bagudu noted with serious concern media stories on irregularities in employment at the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and other ministries, departments and agencies in Nigeria.
He also noted that, according to a statement credited to the controller-general of Nigerian Immigration Service, over 4,000 employment slots were approved by the federal government but were being sold to job applicants and some allocated to various other personalities, whereas due process involving advertisement for interested members of the public to apply has not been observed.
The lawmaker further observed that employment letters were allegedly offered for sale between N400,000 and N500,000 by the syndicate whose operational bases were in Gwagwalada, Karu and other places. He added that the 'recruitment exercise favoured some states of the federation, which is a total negation of the federal character principle'.
Most of the senators who spoke on the motion said the heads of the paramilitary agencies and heads of MDAs should be fired if their MDAs are found culpable.


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Its been about a year and a half since I moved to the UK and after a fair few stumbles and a lot of pushing myself, I've been trying things I've never experienced before and overcoming each of my irrational fears one by one. With an apartment I'm in love with in a neighbourhood that makes me happy every time I walk down its pretty streets, a few select friends I can actually trust and open up to and a cafe and neighbourhood shop that actually know my name, Manchester is slowly but surely beginning to feel less like a dream and more like home.
I feel a certain sense of pride when I'm able to find my way around certain parts of the city without Google maps and friendly strangers, when I can give friends advice on which restaurants to go to and, more importantly, when I can give them advice on where to shop!
I absolutely love shopping online. So after a lot of searching (and a lot of shopping!) I've found a few lesser-known online brands (because everybody and their third cousin shops at ASOS) from the UK that hit the nail on the head for me every single time. I know that no matter what the occasion, sartorially, they'd have my back.
These stores are on-trend, stock a variety of sizes, are pocket-friendly, deliver quickly and offer free returns. They may not all deliver internationally yet, but they're worth bookmarking for when you're traveling to the UK / around Europe or if you have friends or family generous enough to carry you some goodies back to your part of the world. So shop now, thank me later![three_fourth]
{OUTFIT DETAILS} Trousers: ASOS | Bodysuit: Boohoo | Bag: Bought in Manila | Bomber Jacket: SM Makati, Manila | Shoes and baseball cap: Adidas | Sunglasses: Miu Miu
.[/three_fourth] [one_fourth_last]
Price Range: £10 – £50
It may be one of the most popular websites in the UK, but not a lot of people outside the UK seem to have heard of it. One of my all-time favourites, I know I can head to Boohoo to find anything I'm looking for from edgy denim culottes to wear to a fashion event, to a flirty top to wear on holiday to a glamorous dress for a wedding.
Their collection is seriously vast so there's always something for everyone. Oh, and their award-winning plus size section looks like heaven for people size 16 and over. They've recently had pop-up stores in New York, L.A and Paris to expand to international markets, so they're definitely one to watch!
.Price Range: £10 – 50
Very similar to Boohoo, Missguided is where I head for sexier pieces to wear on nights out, although they have an amazing selection of bodysuits, embroidered bomber jackets, jumpsuits and, well, pretty much everything else fashion-related under the sun.
.Price Range: £10 – £40
Similar to the others in terms of the items they sell, PrettyLittleThing manufactures all their own clothes, with over 80% of the clothes being made in the UK itself. You'll find everything you need from 90's necklines to halter tops, duster coats, kimonos and jeans. You name it, they've got it.
.Price Range: £15-£40
InTheStyle's USP is that they pick British reality TV stars with a unique sense of style and a fashion-conscious following and collaborate with them on exclusive fashion lines, so that their fans can achieve their style on a budget. If you love reality TV, you'll find that stars from Made in Chelsea, Geordie Shore and The Only Way Is Essex, the UK's biggest reality shows, have a collection with InThe Style, offering cute playsuits, lace dresses and flirty tops you'll often find them sporting on the show.
Price Range: £10 – 40
Okay I'll be honest. Whilst writing this article, I opened the Select website, noticed they were having a sale and may have filled up my shopping cart with a load of adorable tops, jackets and other things I didn't need but want more than anything. I'll be honest, I first took notice of them when they started sponsoring The Only Way Is Essex (I'm a reality TV fiend) and some of the stars on the show started wearing some really cute outfits. I bought a top and a dress a couple of weeks ago that I am very happy with and will definitely be shopping there again. I fact, I kinda just did. They also have brick and mortar stores, if that's more your thing.
Price Range: £10-£50
I was at a bar and complimented a girl's shirt when I discovered AX Paris. I'd have to say that their strong point is definitely their dresses. Whether you need one to wear to a business meeting, a rock concert at a grungy bar or a day at the races, they have all bases covered. They also have a great selection of everyday / going out tops. A fab place to start building a wardrobe on a budget. PS you can also pop in to one of their brick and mortar shops on the high street.
Price Range: £5
Yes, you heard right. EVERYTHING really is only £5 on this site! Its like sale season all year round! I don't know how they do it or where they source their clothes from, but a lot of their stuff is very on trend and fairly decent quality. Their products cater to match every taste and they even have a plus size section. If you think its too good to be true, check out their FAQ section to have your questions answered. While you're doing that, I'm going to help myself to this perfect holiday blouse, this striped peplum dress, this studded top, this indie floral slip dress and these army boots sans any guilt whatsoever, K? Thanks. Bye.
Price Range: £20 – £45
Ego is your one-stop shop for all the hottest shoe trends of the season. Whether its a pair of thigh high boots you covet, perspex heels you're lusting after or fur slides you've been dropping hints to your S.O about for ages now, they have it all! I recently bought a pair of Gucci Marmont inspired gold block heel loafers from them after being inspired by Alexa Chung at some fashion week or the other. I'm still deciding whether the best part of the purchase was all the compliments I got when I wore them, the fact that they were only £25 or that they were super comfortable to walk around in all day! They also have brick and mortar shops, if you're interested.
Want to treat yourself and update your wardrobe every month on a budget? Head on over to Justfab. Fill out a little questionnaire about your style, and each month, Justfab will curate some fabulous shoes, bags and even clothes for you based on your answers. In fact, the monthly £35 you pay if you are a member, usually covers items a lot higher in value. By signing up, if you don't like the items they have for you to pick from that month, you can choose to skip that month by the 5th, or on the 6th, they deduct £35 from your credit card like they normally would, but instead, it gets stored on the site in the form of store credit – that you can redeem whenever you like! Its a bit different from the norm, but its an idea I'm definitely into!
{PHOTOGRAPHY} Sabina Sher of Fashernably Late
Price Range: £15 – £100
And lastly, I thought I may as well throw it in there in case you were living under a rock. Free worldwide delivery, a vast range of clothes and brands, fabulous plus size range, always bang on-trend and has something for everyone. The list would be incomplete without it!
Have I missed out your favourite store? Share it with me or tell me how you feel about the ones I listed above by leaving me a comment in the box below, or chatting to me on social media. I am 'bombaybubble' on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. See you at the next post!


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5K Run/Walk
St. Paddy Runs Tacoma 5K is an annual tradition and fun for the whole family. Runners and walkers are welcome to join in this 3.1 mile event.
>Map My Run here<
Registration Price
To see the price list click >>HERE
- A transaction fee is assessed when registering online
- Price increases occur at midnight
- There is day of race registration
Start/Finish Location
815 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
Click here for directions
Start Time
The Course
USATF Certified (#WA12008MN)
Gear Check
Gear check is provided for your personal items at the start line gear check tent. Please tear your gear check tab off of your bib, fill out and attach to your gear check bag (using the zip tie provided in your gear check bag). Your gear check bag was given to you at packet pick up. Please do not put valuables in your bag. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. You may claim your bag after you finish by providing your bib number.
Chip Timing
Chips are integrated into your bib and do not need to be returned.
Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female winners, and to the top three overall masters male and female winners. Age group awards will be given to the top five in each of the following divisions: 9 & under,10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-80, 80 & over.
Nike Phantom Vision DF FG


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The city of Criciúma was colonized by Italian immigrants that arrived in Brazil in the 19th century. The date of its foundation, as considered by historians, is January 6th, 1880. From the agricultural activity, the colony rapidly grew larger, driven by the discovery of mineral coal in
it's territory, around 1910, drawing the attention of investors in central areas of the country, as Rio de Janeiro, and abroad, as English investors. Railroads were soon built to transport the mineral, connecting the city to the main areas of the country, contributing to growth of the city that resulted in its political emancipation on November 4th, 1925.
In the 1960's, the city experienced a major boost caused by the diversification of its economy, starting by the strong ceramic coating industry. In the following decades, the city was gradually modernized and its industry kept its diversification reaching the disposable packages, clothing, metalworking and chemistry industries, among many others, besides becoming the most important medical and university center between the capital cities of Florianópolis (SC) and Porto Alegre (RS), and the Catarinense mountain range. Criciúma also harbors important food industry companies, supermarkets and construction activities, broadening even further its activities in the State of Santa Catarina and neighboring states. During the 1980's boom the Crisul Hotel was built, which was then reinvented by Rede Interclass in 2017 and delivered in 2017.
The city has an Exhibition Center, where business fairs take place, and several other convention centers. Every year, Criciúma promotes the Book Fair, considered to be one of the most important fairs in the State of Santa Catarina, and the Festival of Tradition and Culture, current "Nations' Celebration", which gathers members of various ethnicities such as Italian, German, Polish, Portuguese, African, Arab and Spanish, with their respective typical foods and dances.
The current estimated population of Criciúma is 208,153 inhabitants (IBGE 2016). The city is located next to the road BR 101, in the Southern Coast, between the capital cities of Florianópolis (199.8 km) and Porto Alegre (279.3 km). The near beaches and lakes are within 30 km and the Italian cuisine center, in the city of Nova Veneza, is located at a distance of 25.9km. The Rio do Rastro mountain range, in the city of Lauro Müller, is at 51.7 km, and the Canyons, in Praia Grande, at 103.4 km.
The closest commercial airport is the Regional Airport Sul Humberto Bortoluzzi, in the city of Jaguaruna, at 43.4 km. Approximately eight kilometers from Criciúma, in the city of Forquilinha, is the Regional Airport Diomício Freitas, currently operating only with private flights. The city can also be reached by intercity and interstate bus services, also offering near access to bus services to neighboring countries.


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Quick and Easy Biscuits and Gravy
1 bag Grand's Buttery Tastin' Biscuits (in the freezer section) or your favorite biscuits
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 lb. Jimmy Dean Sausage (in the tube)
1/4 cup Wondra (quick mixing flour for sauces and gravies)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Milk (enough to cover meat)
Bake biscuits, while baking put oil in saucepan, add sausage and brown; break into small pieces, when cooked add salt and pepper and sprinkle Wondra; mix (Wondra will clump around meat and absorb liquid, add milk (cover meat entirely) and stir constantly on medium until it boils. If gravy is too thick add more milk; if too thin add more Wondra and for a kick add some red pepper flakes.


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Turtle Beach Stealth 300
There is a lot of debate out there, in the gamer community, about which gaming headsets are the best. Turtle Beach has a wired headset out that is shifting the debate in their favor. This is our review of the Turtle Beach Stealth 300 Amplified Gaming Headset!
One of the Most Comfortable Gaming Experiences
Video games have gone through an evolution, over the last few decades. In the 8 to 16-bit days, audio always took a backseat to the visuals. It wasn't until a few years ago that the audible experience rivaled that of the visual. The company who's been the pioneer of that movement is the highly-respected Turtle Beach. Now, the iconic Palm Tree brand is stepping up their game with a new wired headset, called the Stealth 300.
When you think of gaming headsets, what are the requirements most gamers have? The two top ones that come to mind are that they have to feel comfortable and they have to provide high-quality, game-changing sound. That was in the forefront of my mind when I had the opportunity to test out the Turtle Beach Stealth 300 headset.
As I picked up the box, for the first time, I took a moment to read what Turtle Beach promised from this headset. It boasted about how the Stealth 300 had "Powerful Amplified Audio", "Durable Comfort", and how they were "Glasses Friendly". That last part took me by surprise, as I am part of the visually impaired community that dons glasses for function, rather than fashion. Admittedly, I had always noticed that there was a certain level of discomfort when wearing other headsets for long periods of time. I'd have to take off the headset, from time to time, remove my glasses, and allow my head to breathe for a moment. So, reading about this "Glasses Friendly" feature piqued my interest, and ultimately blew my mind.
After opening the box and removing the protective padding, I tried the Stealth 300s on and I immediately noticed the difference from other headsets. The Stealth 300 fits snug around the frame of your face. It's tight on above and below the ears, but not to the level of discomfort. Instead, it makes it feel more secure as it encapsulates your ears in a comfortable sound oasis.
Now you may be wondering how they could be Glasses Friendly if they're snug around the ears. Amazingly, the combination of the design of the headset and the breathable memory foam create zero pressure on the cheekbone area, where the glasses rest. They call it their Exclusive ProSpecs technology. It was originally used for Tournament and Esports gamers, until recently when Turtle Beach decided to include it in all of their products, which is a welcome addition. Moreover, that breathable memory foam material are what help make the Stealth 300 one of the most comfortable headsets on the market.
Amped Up Audio Quality Enhances Gameplay
One of the key features of the Turtle Beach Stealth 300 Headset is the Amplified Audio. That's not to confuse it with Surround Sound. This isn't a surround sound headset. On the contrary, the Stealth 300 utilizes 50MM speakers to grow the sound quality into a crisper, deeper experience. You won't hear sound coming at you from all different directions, but you will hear deeper, more enhanced tones than you would if you used a lower-quality headset/headphones or TV.
True to Turtle Beach standards, the Stealth 300 does allow gamers to change the quality of the sound through a variety of ways. There is the grooved dial behind the left ear for headset volume control and the presets button to the right of the power button. Obviously, the dial increases or decreases what is heard, but the presets help gamers really hear what the Stealth 300 can really do.
Upon pressing the button, you'll hear 1 beep. This beep stands for "Signature Sound", which is a fancy way for saying standard, no frills. 2 beeps means Bass Boost, this helps enhance deep, impactful gameplay moments. It's a good one to use, because you can never have enough Bass. My personal favorite is when you click it again and hear 3 beeps. That means Bass & Treble Boost. This boost raises the bass level, like the previous preset, but now it includes the music, the upbeat moments as well, creating crystal clear tones. Finally, 4 beeps means Treble Boost only. If you're not into Bass, this is the one for you. Meghan Trainor should avoid this setting.
Finding the setting you prefer isn't an easy feat, when you're just getting started. It takes time to figure out which one you like best. At first, it's highly likely that each preset will sound exactly the same. The more you use the Stealth 300, the more it becomes clear the differences in each preset. My recommendation is to get used to Signature Sound first and then start going through each preset you prefer. At that point, you can graduate to the different presets until you find the one for you. Whichever preset is your preference, there is little doubt that you'll be happy with the sound quality, as a whole.
The Downside
From the highs, let's move on to the lows. I'll start off by saying there aren't many issues with the Stealth 300. For the most part, it's a great product that, if purchased, will be enjoyed to the fullest. That being said, the biggest downside I have with the Stealth 300 isn't with the product itself, but rather the lack of information in the guide that comes included. You may scratch your head at this statement, but humor me. When you purchase your gaming headset and put it on for the first time, you naturally start playing around with what all it can do and the different presets. When you hear the beeps of the different presets, wanting to know what that means, you consult the instructions, only to find that they don't say anything about the different presets. In fact, I had to go online, here, to figure out what each beep means. While it isn't a deal-breaker, it's a major oversight on the part of Turtle Beach to not include it in the instructions.
Another issue is one that is simply unavoidable, but could get cumbersome, and it has to do with the wires. Obviously, when you purchase the Stealth 300, you're going in knowing that it's a wired headset and are prepared to plug the 3.5mm jack into your controller and start playing. However, unlike other headsets, the Stealth 300 requires regular charging of the rechargeable battery to work. It's not a simple plug in and play, it's a bit more technologically sophisticated than that.
Where the issue lies is in the cumbersome amount of wires you'll eventually have to deal with. The Stealth 300 uses the same charging cord as the Playstation 4 controllers, and various other forms of technology, the Power A USB 2.0. The charging port is right under your left ear, along with the Stealth 300 wire. So, say you run out of charge on your headset but aren't done gaming, and have to charge it to the console. Thus, you'll have to now find a better angle to game to reach the cord and keep playing. It becomes a bit of a chore to handle both wires. The need to charge is an unavoidable one and the use of wires is likely a non-issue for most, but it is something to consider when purchasing. If purchased, it's ideal to keep the headset regularly charged.
A Solid Headset at a Bargain
The current going rate for the Turtle Beach Stealth 300 Headset (PS4 or Xbox One) is $79.99. To the casual gamer, that may sound like a lot of money for a headset. In all actuality, though, it's a bit of a bargain. Think about a competitor's headset. A wired headset without any frills or bells and whistles could cost anywhere from $40 to $50, and that just includes a mic and headphones, no enhanced audio, no volume controls, nothing. For just a little bit more, you get an extremely comfortable headset you can control how you want to listen to your games and you have the peace of mind knowing that you're using a high-quality brand that has perfected this technology.
Additionally, the Stealth 300 has a really cool mic that doesn't get in your face, it's tucked in the left ear and only requires flipping up to turn on and flipping down to turn off. It's an awesome feature that I may have gotten a little too excited about when I first used it. Furthermore, there is dial for mic volume to prevent the gamer from getting distorted.
With all that in mind, $79.99 is a good deal for one of the premiere brands in the headset game, today. It's a solid headset that will enhance your gameplay experience, with its extremely comfortable material and design, and gorgeous sound, tuned the way you like it. In terms of wired headsets the Turtle Beach Stealth 300 gets our recommendation as the one to get.


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Cable parks are popping up everywhere these days and they are offering up a whole new way to ride for everyone…just one problem. You've never ridden at the cable before! No worries – I've got you covered before you take your first laps.
That's what I was thinking when our local park (Terminus Wake Park) opened up here in Georgia earlier this spring. I've never ridden cable since the closest park was around 7 hours away. It's not too easy to make a day trip for that.
Boat riding has been my forte ever since I started wakeboarding. In the back of my mind, I always wanted to see what it would take to emulate my favorite riders in all the free ride videos I would watch like 12 Honkies, Hype, Pointless, and several others I have stashed away in my collection where they were jibbing their faces off.
After my first visit to the park, I walked away with a quick "Top 5" list that all newbies to the cable should know before you get started. Here's what you need to know:
1) The Proper Gear:
If you're a wakeboarder, you'll need a wakeboard setup with a "sintered" or "grind" base on the board. If you're a wakeskater, same deal – you'll need a wakeskate with a "sintered" or "grind" base, as well. Grind bases are made of a highly resilient material and are designed to take the beating that a cable park gives our boards.
Oh, yeah, take off any removable fins on your board, too. Parks require this before they let you hit the water.
Check out the base of my "grind" board below:
Click HERE to see more cable park boards.
Your choice of bindings need to be taken into consideration, as well. Here's why:
I personally ride a set of 2012 Ronix Cell Boots (now known as the Ronix Code 55 bindings) where the boot is mounted directly to the board. After I take a spill, I have to pull my feet out of the bindings, swim to the shore, and walk barefoot back to the starting dock. If you aren't into walking around barefoot like me, take a look at what Hyperlite or Slingshot has to offer!
Hyperlite has the System Boot and Binding setup where the boot and binding are actually two separate components – much like a snowboard boot and binding. You tighten down the straps to ride and release them to walk around like you're wearing a normal pair of shoes.
Slingshot offers something similar to my boots, but feature a removable liner in their high-end boots (like the Shredtown Boot). Loosen up the outer laces and you can pull your foot out with the liner still on your foot to walk around in.
Any boot will do, to be honest, but having a boot or a liner to walk around in if the shore is rocky is an incredibly convenient feature.
Next you will need a helmet, something that will protect your dome while you get your shred on. This one is not optional; you've got to have one to ride. There are several companies that offer quality water helmets like Pro-tec, Shred Ready, Sandbox, and Bern. Just make sure you get your own or rent one at the park when you get there if you're ballin' on a budget.
Finally, you'll need a life vest. Many cable parks require that you wear a U.S. Coast Guard Approved vest and do not allow competition-style non-Coast Guard approved vests. I strongly recommend checking the rules of the park before you head out. Better to be prepared than disappointed. Here is a good example of a USCGA Life Vest from Hyperlite to give an idea of what you'll need.
If you don't have a board, helmet, or a vest…don't worry! Most parks have a grip of rental products you can try out before picking up your own gear. Once you're hooked like I am, you'll want to start piecing together your own proper setup and ditch those stinky rentals.
2) The Starting Dock:
This is where it all really starts! There are a couple of ways to get going once it's your turn to get your feet wet.
The easiest way to start is to use the "slide in" method. Essentially, you put your gear on and hop your way to the starting line. Once your pulley comes around and the operator says "are you ready," shift your weight back over your back foot and keep the handle tight to your back hip – then wait for the pulley to pull the slack out of the rope and slide you off the starting ramp. Leaning back helps keep the nose of your board up so you don't dive the board underwater.
If the "slide in" method isn't for you, try sitting on the edge of the starting dock. This is very similar to the position that you would start riding behind the boat in. Keep your elbows and knees slightly bent and then lean back to help make sure you keep the toe side edge of your board up and out of the water. Once the pulley gets you up to speed, point the nose of your board the direction you are riding and start having fun.
Now, here's something to work up to: dock starting! You begin in a standing position on the "slide in" ramp or on the edge of the dock. Watch the pulley come around the starting dock and once the tension on the rope is taken out, hop up and into the water. With a little bit of practice, this is probably the most fun to way to enter the water but work your way up to this. Trust me.
Check out this guy's epic dock start:
3) Follow the Cable (Don't Get Slung!)
Congrats!! You have successfully made it off the starting dock!
Start by carving around on all the straightaways and making your way to the buoy markers around each turn.
These buoys are to help you know where to be when you come to a corner in the cable park. Depending on the angle of the corner, you'll need to take a little precaution before you get into the turn…because I didn't and I got SLUNG!
On a sharp corner in the park, it's going to be best to make sure you look up and see the direction the cable is about to take you, and point your board that way as you enter the turn. Otherwise…get ready to hold on because you're about to go for a ride.
After a lap or two, it all becomes second nature and you will be navigating the corners like a champ.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you ever get too much slack in the line based on the path you took into a turn, it's best to let go of the rope. Otherwise, it'll pull the handle out of your hands extremely hard once the slack tightens up, which is definitely something you're going to want to avoid.
4) Build Up to Larger Features: Don't Get Ahead of Yourself
Start small. Work on the smaller features and then move up incrementally based on how comfortable you feel on each slider, rail, or kicker.
When you fall, just make sure to pop your head up and give a quick 360-degree survey for other riders headed in your direction and start paddling towards the shore.
Generally, just ride within your comfort zone and build up on everything you're learning to get to that next feature. Also, a HUGE benefit of riding at a cable park is that there are TONS of riders with all different types of riding styles and skill levels that you can learn from.
Being able to watch how someone hits a certain rail or sets up for a kicker is such a powerful thing.
Everyone I ran into at the park was out there to have fun and progress – so don't be afraid to ask for help. I did, and it totally paid off. I've already got my eye on the next transfer rail at our park!
5) Rinse 'n' Repeat: But Don't Get Complacent
What I mean by "Rinse 'n' Repeat" is just get out there and ride!
The more time you spend at the cable park (or riding in general), the better you will become. Our sport requires practice and repetition to get tricks locked down, but don't get complacent!
Find your lines within the park, but don't go out there and do the same tricks every single time. Push yourself once you are ready to try a different press. Hell, try it switch!
Always turn one part of the day at the park into what I like to call a "progression session." Expand your bag of tricks and make the most out of what the park has to offer you.
Well, there you have it!
There are my Top 5 Things a 1st Time Cable Rider needs to know before you head out there! Most importantly, have fun! Now that you're ready to go, get your gear together and start hitting up a park near you! Maybe even plan a road trip to visit some parks with your buddies. Time to get to pressin'.


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Alexander Okere, Benin
The family of a 47-year-old man, identified as Charles Obaretin, has appealed to the Nigeria Police to unravel the circumstances surrounding his alleged murder in Ologbo community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
The late Charles was said to be an unemployed graduate of mechanical engineering from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, who had been introduced to a job at an oil mill by one of his friends.
The friend, identified as one Mr. Saturday, was said to have told him that the job, which was located at Obayantor, had a monthly salary of N120,000.
The late Charles was said to have left his home last Monday to resume work at the company but did not return until five days later when his decomposing corpse was found in a bush.
His remains were later said to have been deposited at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital on Sapele Road.
The sister of the deceased, Stella Inuwede, told Southern City News on Monday evening that she had been informed by one Mr. I. K. that he and her late brother were allegedly kidnapped by some armed men on their way to the company.
She said that the said I. K. had claimed that while he was released by the kidnappers, her late brother was shot dead when he complained of tiredness.
She explained, "As my brother went to resume on Monday, I did not see him again. On Wednesday, his friend told me that he could not find him. We went to the company but it did not look like a place where one could be paid N30,000 (as salary).
"I went to the house of the boy who was said to have been kidnapped with my brother since I could not reach him on the phone. But when I got there, I was surprised to see him and was wondering what was happening."
"So, I decided to go to Obayantor where the company was located. The police also invited the boy to explain what happened and where the alleged kidnap took place. But when we got there, I discovered that my brother was dead," Stella, who was accompanied by the 83-year-old father of the deceased, Pa Felix, said.
She, therefore, called on the Nigeria Police to expose the perpetrators, adding that she did not believe the claim of the boy that his late Charles was killed by kidnappers as his (deceased) eyes and nose appeared allegedly mutilated.
She also alleged that I. K. did not disclose the death of his deceased brother until he was asked by the police.
"I cannot find the boy who gave my late brother the job and the one who was allegedly kidnapped with him. I want the police and the state government to help me unravel the killers," the sister of the deceased added.
The Edo State Police Command could not be reached for comments as calls put across to its spokesman, Mr. Moses Nkombe, were not picked.
Nkombe also had yet to respond to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing the report.


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Christmas magic
Christmas is close and children eyes start to shine… Jacadi draws from all its expertise and understanding of elegant clothes to create a perfect dressy collection: magical, creative and resolutely stylish.
Velvet dresses with extra bow, stars pattern, pretty pleats and tutu-style pleated and glittery tulle skirts for girls; smooth corduroy jacket, elegant shirts and Liberty bow for boys.
Enjoy family celebrations with elegance and joy: dressy and chic outfits, pretty accessories, perfect gifts, christmas pyjamas and girl princess dress for magical moments!


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Frequent Links
|This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2012)
Flounder are a group of flatfish species. They are demersal fish found at the bottom of oceans around the world; some species will also enter estuaries.
The name flounder is used for several only distantly related species, though all are in the suborder Pleuronectoidei (families Achiropsettidae, Bothidae, Pleuronectidae, Paralichthyidae and Samaridae). Some of the better known species that are important in fisheries are:
- Western Atlantic
- Gulf flounder - Paralichthys albigutta
- Southern flounder - Paralichthys lethostigma
- Summer flounder (also known as fluke) - Paralichthys dentatus
- Winter flounder - Pseudopleuronectes americanus
- European waters
- European flounder - Platichthys flesus
- Northwestern Pacific
- Olive flounder - Paralichthys olivaceus
Eye migration
In its life cycle, an adult flounder has two eyes situated on one side of its head, while at hatching one eye is located on each side of its brain. One eye migrates to the other side of the body as a process of metamorphosis as it grows from larval to juvenile stage. As an adult, a flounder changes its habits and camouflages itself by lying on the bottom of the ocean floor as protection against predators.[1] As a result, the eyes are then on the side which faces up. The side to which the eyes migrate is dependent on the species type.
Flounder ambush their prey, feeding at soft muddy areas of the sea bottom, near bridge piles, docks and coral reefs.
A flounder's diet consists mainly of fish spawn, crustaceans, polychaetes and small fish. Flounder typically grow to a length of Script error: No such module "convert"., and as large as Script error: No such module "convert".. Their width is about half their length. Male Platichthys are known to display a pioneering spirit, and have been found up to 80 miles off the coast of northern Sardinia, sometimes with heavy encrustations of various species of barnacle.
World stocks of large predatory fish and large ground fish, such as sole and flounder, were estimated in 2003 to be only about 10% of pre-industrial levels, largely due to overfishing. Most overfishing is due to the extensive activities of the fishing industry.[2][3][4] Current estimates suggest that approximately 30 million flounder (excluding sole) are alive in the world today. In the Gulf of Mexico, along the coast of Texas, research indicates the flounder population could be as low as 15 million due to heavy overfishing and industrial pollution.[citation needed]
According to Seafood Watch, Atlantic flounder and sole are currently on the list of seafood that sustainability-minded consumers should avoid.[5]
A flounder plays a prominent role in the German folk tale "The Fisherman and His Wife" collected by the Brothers Grimm and in Günter Grass's novel The Flounder.
"Flounder" is the nickname given to the character Kent Dorfman (played by actor Stephen Furst) in the classic 1978 comedy film, Animal House.
- ^ Fairchild, E.A. and Howell, W.H, E. A.; Howell, W. H. (2004). "Factors affecting the post-release survival of cultured juvenile Pseudopleuronectes americanus" (PDF). Journal of Fish Biology. 65 (Supplementary A): 69–87. doi:10.1111/j.0022-1112.2004.00529.x. July 17, 2004. Accessed 2009-06-08.
- ^ Charles Clover (2008). The End of the Line: How Overfishing is Changing the World and what We Eat. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-25505-0. OCLC 67383509.
- ^ Myers, R. A.; Worm, B. (2003). "Rapid worldwide depletion of predatory fish communities". Nature 423 (6937): 280–283. PMID 12748640. doi:10.1038/nature01610.
- ^ "Dalton, Rex. 2006. "Save the big fish: Targeting of larger fish makes populations prone to collapse."". BioEd Online. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
- ^ "Monterey Bay Aquarium: Seafood Watch Program - All Seafood List". Monterey Bay Aquarium. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
External links
|Look up flounder in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.


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The "Understands" ad, by Obama super PAC Priorities USA, insinuates that Mitt Romney is responsible for the death of the wife of former GST Steel employee Joe Soptic, five years before she died, simply because Soptic lost his job (and thus his health insurance) at a plant owned by Bain Capital.
Conventional wisdom has it that the ad is both despicable and false. The question to be answered is: Was it coordinated with either the Obama campaign or the Democratic National Committee?
Federal law typically treats a super-PAC ad coordinated with an official campaign or political party committee as an illegal in-kind contribution to the candidate or party committee. Civil penalties for making an in-kind contribution are warranted where there is "probable cause to believe" that coordination occurred.
Events surrounding the "Understands" ad should easily satisfy the probable-cause standard. But it's not clear that the FEC will find a violation, or that conservatives would prefer an agency structured to do so.
Priorities USA's actions alone meet the first requirement of an illegal in-kind contribution: The group paid for a communication that mentioned a presidential candidate within 120 days of the November 6 election. The next step is to determine whether someone at the campaign or the DNC suggested to someone at Priorities USA that a certain kind of ad would be advantageous to President Obama's reelection, or transmitted material information to Priorities USA regarding the ad's content, timing, or distribution. There is evidence for this as well.
Organizing for America is an arm of the DNC, and Stephanie Cutter is a deputy manager of the Obama campaign. On May 14 of this year, OFA and Ms. Cutter hosted a conference call in which Joe Soptic read to journalists a prepared statement recounting his wife's travails and Mitt Romney's supposed role in them. By August, the "Understands" ad featured Mr. Soptic telling, to the camera, nearly the exact story he relayed on Cutter's conference call.
It is possible for any agent to illegally suggest an ad or transmit material information, up to and including Obama confidants David Axelrod and David Plouffe, who reportedly attended Priorities USA fundraising events earlier this year. An FEC advisory opinion permits attendance at super-PAC fundraisers but does not remove the fact of attendance from the scales of justice — i.e., the FEC may treat attendance as evidence of coordination.
Further, Joe Soptic has already appeared in three official Obama-campaign ads, and Stephanie Cutter has done a better job defending the "Understands" ad in the media than has Priorities USA co-founder Bill Burton.
There's something else worth noting. In early answers about the Priorities USA ad, members of Team Obama followed a template that would later catch Cutter in a lie. On MSNBC's Morning Joe, senior campaign adviser Robert Gibbs answered friendly questions from veteran reporters Mark Halperin and Sam Stein. Halperin wanted to know Gibbs's opinion about the propriety of an ad "basically making the accusation that Governor Romney was responsible for that woman's death." Gibbs remained calm and answered slowly, distancing the campaign from responsibility for the ad but not from its message: "Look, Mark, I think, as you said, this is an ad by an entity that is not controlled by the campaign," and "I certainly don't know the specifics of this man's case," but "we know [that] when people lose their jobs they tend to lose their health care." Gibbs's denigration of Romney' s actions at Bain grew even stronger after a follow-up question from Sam Stein.
Stephanie Cutter gave virtually the same answer as Gibbs had (at 2:08 in this video) in a segment with CNN reporter John Berman: "Well, you do know that we don't have anything to do with Priorities USA," and "I don't know the facts of when Joe Soptic's wife got sick or when she died," but "as I said before, I do know the facts of what Mitt Romney did with GST Steel."
This is convincing evidence that the Obama campaign knew in advance — enough to get a communications strategy together — that the "Understands" ad would make a splash; that Team Obama had to disclaim responsibility for it; and that the super-PAC ad, if properly defended and not repudiated, had a unique potential to critically damage the Romney campaign while appearing to keep President Obama above the fray. But there is an inconsistency in Cutter's story: As her conference call with Soptic proves, she did "know the facts of when Joe Soptic's wife got sick [and] when she died."
The synchronization of events is glaring. An FEC investigation may prove that Team Obama did not correct Cutter's inconsistency before rolling out the media response because Cutter is far from the only campaign operative that has a tie to the super-PAC ad that cannot be easily explained. But even if this is true, it does not mean the FEC will find a legal violation.
Lawyers defending against a complaint will attempt to whittle down the evidence to what we already know: to the similarities between Priorities USA's ad and Cutter's role in the conference call. They will then argue that, by having Soptic tell his story to journalists on the conference call, Cutter made the information "publicly available" under FEC regulations, thereby rendering any subsequent use of that narrative by Priorities USA perfectly legal.
This argument has its problems under campaign law: Making something available to the press isn't always the same as making it available to the public. And it is belied by Cutter's desire to hide her role in the OFA conference call to CNN. If Cutter had known, on May 14, that she was making the Soptic narrative "publicly available" so Priorities USA could use it legally later, she wouldn't have had to feign ignorance to CNN of "the details of when Joe Soptic's wife got sick or when she died." Nonetheless, lawyers will argue that if super PACs can get into legal jeopardy by doing nothing more than letting journalists disseminate their ad to the public — the New York Times reports that Priorities USA has yet to put any significant money behind the ad — they can get out of legal jeopardy by relying on information that was already made public to journalists on a conference call, no matter Cutter's true intent on May 14.
Lawyers also may argue that someone from the campaign did give the idea to Bill Burton — but more than 120 days before Priorities USA produced the ad. FEC regulations say that strategic information goes stale after 120 days and can no longer be counted as evidence of illegal coordination.
Some commissioners may be grateful for any argument that allows them to wriggle out of finding a violation, and there is no guarantee the Justice Department will pursue what the FEC leaves unresolved.
Campaign-finance restrictions are designed to advance progressivism, and it is natural to want to see progressives hoisted on their own petard. But those who would prefer an FEC structured to act more forcefully in this case should remember that an equally divided commission regulating politics is still better than an odd-numbered commission, and that no one who treasures open debate should want to see presidential campaigns regulated by an agency resembling today's National Labor Relations Board.
— Stephen M. Hoersting is a former attorney at the FEC, an attorney at DB Capitol Strategies, and president of the Institute for Individualism.


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What is The Automatic Retail Guide?
The Locatify Retail Shopping Centre App is a great tool for improving the shopping experiences, delivering value to customers and businesses.
The app provides a direct digital medium for connecting with shoppers to deliver value and collect data. It can be used as an indoor treasure hunt game to gamify the shopping experience or as a guide to deliver location specific information in an innovative way.
Locatify's Retail Shopping Centre App adds measurable value, both to internal and external customers.
How is it used?
The simple to use app works for both indoor and outdoor locations, using GPS and indoor Bluetooth Beacons to detect where visitors are located and trigger content delivery. The app shows a map of an area with points of interest (Stores, facilities, entertainment etc.) and detects where the user is located, triggering corresponding challenges or notifications when guests approach pre-set objects.
The map allows shoppers to navigate the shopping center effortlessly whilst providing retail stores with a new direct medium for sending location based targeted advertisements and deals via coupons at desired times and locations.
The apps administrator can easily publish their own content and update the app using the Creator CMS (discussed below).
Where can it be used?
The Automatic Retail Guide can be used in any indoor and outdoor shopping location . Visitors simply install the app on their own phone and use it as a digital guide.
Try it for free!
Everybody can create and test their own limited tours and games in the Locatify Creator CMS and generic test-app free of charge. Simply sign up for Locatify Creator CMS and download the TurfHunt app to Android or iOS. Create your desired tour or game in the CMS and publish for testing in the TurfHunt test-app. For indoor tours and games you will need a venue floor map and your own beacons.
Get you own branded app!
Add visibility and brand awareness with a branded app with your graphics and content. You have complete control over the content which can be added, changed or removed in the Creator CMS at any time.
Read more:
- Custom Branded App increases online agency and visibility of your brand
- Offline Content does not require internet access to operate once the app is installed
- Multilingual allowing users to listen, watch or read descriptions in various languages
- Indoor & Outdoor locations supported in one app via BLE beacons and GPS
- Outdoor Navigation supported by Google Maps and GPS
- Multimedia Guided Tours to entertain and inform guests
- News and Announcements can be delivered to visitors directly through the app
- Increase Website Traffic with in-app website link (may require internet connection)
- Treasure Hunt Games support active learning & encourage people to explore the area
- Advertise local businesses or destinations
- Custom Maps & Markers create a unique user experience and allow for monetizing the app with advertisement for cafes, shops and other points of interest
- Coupons to advertise discounts for cafes, shops and other points of interest
- Optional Login to collect user contact details
- Social Media sharing integration
- Cloud based CMS to upload and make changes to in-app content in real-time
- Easily manage text, audio, video, HTML, maps, tours, games, coupons
- Easily manage locations that trigger content
- View app download reports, analytics and game observer in one place
Additional revenue and reduced costs for your business:
- Improve the guest experience leading to positive reviews and increased visitors numbers
- Increased brand exposure & ability to extend the experience after the guest leave
- Increase sales of products with in-app webshop, vouchers and promotions
- Receive commission from partners and affiliates with in-app advertising
- Service a wider range of customers with multilingual guides
- Make better business decisions with user analytics
- Collect contact details for email marketing
- Reduce costs by implementing technology that allows content to be easily updated with important and useful in-app information
- Stay up-to-date in industry as innovative and simple to use technology is being widely adopted to increase customer satisfaction
Improve the guest experience
- Simplified guidance – users can access all relevant information about a destination or area with map, user location, points of interest and navigation all in one simple to use app
- Provide an engaging and entertaining guest experience with interactive and fun treasure hunt games that encourage guests to explore the area and earn scores
- Deliver discounts and venue information in a simple and innovative way with location specific content
Included in the package:
- Software: Powerful yet simple to use content management system (CMS) to create, publish and manage in-app content and locations easily and in a time efficient manner
- Branded Automatic Retail Guide App published to Locatify Google Play and App Store accounts.
- Support: Professional support including a reasonable service-level agreement (SLA)
- Hardware (Optional) : Locatify can supply affordable low end Android Devices
- Onsite Installation (Optional) : Certified local installation partners including warranty or do it yourself with assistance of training material
- Indoor Activation and Venue: To determine the visitors location indoors we use industry standard Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons which are placed in the museum. Installation of the BLE Beacons is easy, fast and requires minimal maintenance. We recommend beacons from Kontakt.io
- Outdoor Activation and Map: To determine visitors location outdoor we use Global Positioning System (GPS) and there is no additional installation required
How to make an Indoor Tour using iBeacons and Creator CMS
Add Floors
Add Stations
Add Beacons
"THANK YOU LOCATIFY! A BIG THANKS to the dedicated Locatify team who have been working with us at Geotrail for the last couple of months.
Based on our ideas the Locatify team developed and customized the app and CMS module, that served as a virtual platform for the shopping centre event! The game concept and the technique worked as planned, and even though the weather was a bit rough, all participants seemed to enjoy the event.
At Geotrail we look forward to continuing the cooperation with Locatify, improving the app and maybe pursuing new possibilities." – Morten Salomonsen, CEO, GeoTrail


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Let's Encrypt: Nginx-Proxy Docker Companion
I've been using the fairly popular nginx-proxy reverse proxy for Docker containers, created by Jason Wilder. It's a slick, super-simple method of putting many containers on a single host that all need to share HTTP/HTTPS ports. I am also a huge fan of the Let's Encrypt project. Free SSL certificates as long as you can prove that you are the domain's operator. This is really how it should work: In my book, forcing people to pay for SSL certificates is shitty and exploitative, especially considering how incredibly important encryption is these days. And incidentally, the behavior around self-signed certificates in browsers is stupid and broken.
So anyways, I played with the Let's Encrypt stuff late last year when they went into public beta. Best Christmas present ever! So the idea is pretty simple: You tell your Let's Encrypt client (probably best to use certbot) that you want a certificate, and it talks to the Let's Encrypt server, requesting a certificate from the CA. That causes Let's Encrypt to make a curl call to your domain, requesting a specific resource that certbot creates. That resource looks something like
http://www.example.com/.well-known/acme-challenge/g89SrgM4UAJGHiukm3GqQ3xMjTnpN-kZDYb27u4aTRW. That resource is just a regular file on disk. It has contents that look something like
DTe7mGGhLlML7Vlh4dyNTu97OiIrIIs7xd5O0Fpmlq8.TaRs2K47il2D0K9RjmOKOx7Neuu91FdEpLp2Wo4FcNI. As long as that resource matches what Let's Encrypt is looking for, you get a free SSL certificate! And they've built some magic into certbot so that it automagically installs that cert into your webserver if it's a common one (e.g. Apache or Nginx or something).
I wanted to use it on on my Dockerized web frontends, which use nginx-proxy. I had spotted a couple of issues on nginx-proxy's Github page which mentioned Let's Encrypt, but I hadn't yet tried to get this working with my nginx-proxy container. Getting that to work does not seem like a trivial task. Not having the spare minutes to get Let's Encrypt working in my infrastructure, I put it on the back burner and made a mental note to check in every once in a while. Well, I completely forgot about it until I got an email recently reminding me to renew one of my SSL certs. And I'm not paying $8.99 for something that should be free, so I knew it was time to check back in with Let's Encrypt being incorporated into the nginx-proxy project.
Enter nginx-proxy-letsencrypt-companion. This is a docker container that sits coupled to your nginx-proxy container, sharing its volumes and paying attention to containers spinning up that have
LETSENCRYPT_HOST and
LETSENCRYPT_EMAIL environment variables set. The idea is that you start your nginx-proxy container, then start up this nginx-proxy-letsencrypt-companion container, and then start up your other containers that need Let's Encrypt certificates. The companion will request new Let's Encrypt certificates for containers that do not have current certificates and which also have those
LETSENCRYPT_* environment variables set.
So here are my notes for getting this going. I ended up adding
/usr/share/nginx/html as a data volume in my nginx-proxy container, and making a couple of the volumes
rw instead of
ro. Thus, my nginx-proxy run command looks something like this:
docker run -d \
--name="nginx-proxy" \
--restart="always" \
-p 80:80 \
-p 443:443 \
-v "/var/docker/nginx-proxy/htpasswd:/etc/nginx/htpasswd" \
-v "/var/docker/nginx-proxy/vhost.d:/etc/nginx/vhost.d" \
-v "/var/docker/nginx-proxy/certs:/etc/nginx/certs" \
-v "/var/run/docker.sock:/tmp/docker.sock" \
-v "/usr/share/nginx/html" \
And the command for the brand new nginx-proxy-letsencrypt-companion container looks like this:
docker run -d \
--name="nginx-proxy-letsencrypt-companion" \
--restart="always" \
-v "/var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock:ro" \
--volumes-from "nginx-proxy" \
And finally, your individual containers will follow this pattern (note the environment variables mentioned above):
docker run -d \
--name="example.com" \
--restart="always" \
-e "VIRTUAL_HOST=example.com,www.example.com" \
-e "VIRTUAL_PORT=2368" \
-e "LETSENCRYPT_HOST=example.com,www.example.com" \
-e "firstname.lastname@example.com" \
-v /var/docker/example.com/ghost:/var/lib/ghost \
And there you have it! Once you get your containers up -- in that order: nginx-proxy, nginx-proxy-letsencrypt-companion, and your web container -- give the Let's Encrypt a minute to phone home and get a call back, and you'll have a free SSL certificate and related miscellany there in
/var/docker/nginx-proxy/certs on your host. Also, the reason I created a data volume in the nginx-proxy container at
/usr/share/nginx/html instead of a bind-mount volume. I do this because the Let's Encrypt client in the companion container will continually update the authorization data, and I don't want to have to worry later about cleaning up a huge, sprawling directory full of those files, some of which would contain valid information, and many others containing invalid information. Of course, you do whatever you want, as long as its right for you. Good luck!


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Bleach Your Whites Safely
Wearing white clothing can be tricky. While white clothing always looks fresh, you can see each and every stain as clear as daylight. There's nothing like wearing a fresh crisp white button-up shirt to work, so we at OMO want to make sure that you use bleach properly to keep these items as fresh and crisp as can be.
Using bleach can be daunting for anyone, which is why we have some handy tips for you to keep in mind:
- Make sure to only use water and to never mix bleach with any other liquid or detergent as this could cause an unwanted chemical reaction.
- If you have a white piece of clothing with a wine / chocolate / coffee stain on it, wash it in cool water. Cool water will help stop the stain from spreading.
- Create enough ventilation in the room you are using the bleach so that no chemical fumes remain in the air for you and your family to breathe in.
- Always use the recommended amount of bleach. Too much bleach can cause fibres to deteriorate, so make sure you always follow the recommendations on the package. Stronger does not mean better.
- Be sure to wear protective clothing and gloves when using bleach as it could spill on your clothes or cause a chemical burn when it comes in contact with your skin
- The surface matters. Ensure that your favourite carpet isn't ruined, by not using bleach in rooms that have carpets.
Now that you have these tips to help you use bleach safely, why don't you try using OMO Regular bleach available in 750ml or 1.5L at major retailers nationwide. Your white garments will thank you!
For more information, visit our website.


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How can Administrators reset user credentials and passwords?
This article describes how to help your users reset their passwords. There is also an option within the app for users to reset their own password.
1. Login to CloudStax Content Manager and Click on the Catalog associated with the user
2. Navigate to the People tab and input the user name in the search field
3. Click the Edit button to the right of the correct user
4. Choose Send Reset Password Email to have the user reset their own password.
The email is sent from fatstaxapp.com to the user email address. Check to make sure they receive it and it is not in a spam filter. The user can follow the instructions to reset their own password. This is the recommended action.
5. <Optional> Administrators can choose a password for a user and reset their account
Click on Password button under the Last Name field to reveal the Password fields. Passwords must at least 8 characters in length.
Note: if users start having login issues even when they have not reset their passwords, resetting the account in this way sometimes helps.


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If you'd like to learn how to train your dog or if your dog has a behavior problem you'd like to resolve, don't hesitate get help from a qualified professional trainer or behaviorist. Many Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDTs) and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAABs or ACAABs) offer telephone consultations, in-home private consultations and training sessions, and group classes.
There are also a number of excellent books and DVDs to explore. Here are some of our favorites:
- The Power of Positive Training by Pat Miller (and other books by her)
- Maran Illustrated Dog Training
- Dog-Friendly Dog Training by Andrea Arden
- The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
- How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks by Ian Dunbar, PhD
- Take a Bow-Wow! video series by Virginia Broitman and Sherri Lippman
- New Puppy, Now What? DVD by Victoria Schade
- Clicker Magic DVD by Karen Pryo
You can also locate certified animal training and behavior professionals through Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
Related Links
If your dog is engaging in unwanted behaviors, you might want to try a "time-out" method. The time-out method is a useful tool for discouraging your dog from engaging in behaviors such as jumping up or begging during mealtimes. Follow these steps to ensure your time-outs are effective.