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Stakes are high as Mexico's new President bids to end the bloodshed caused by drug conflict Enrique Peña Nieto takes office with calls to pursue the drug barons and protect the public
As he is sworn into office as Mexico's new president today, Enrique Peña Nieto may privately wonder if his campaign promises to slash the death toll from his country's ferocious drug conflict can ever be fulfilled.
Despair at the bloodbath is what drove millions of Mexicans to vote for Mr Peña Nieto and his reviled Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, whose previous corruption-riddled, 71-year rule ended in 2000 after it was finally forced to stop rigging elections.
The telegenic 46-year-old former state governor has vowed not to enter unwritten deals with the cartels – as the PRI is widely thought to have done in the 1990s – and to carry on the pursuit of the drug barons. "We will continue working strongly to combat drugs and insecurity with innovative policies so that consumption [within Mexico] falls," said Emilio Lozoya, widely tipped for a cabinet post.
Mr Peña Nieto's proposed reforms include the creation of a new 40,000-strong paramilitary police force, a major increase in the numbers of the existing federal police, and centralising security decision-making in the hands of his interior minister.
Yet many in Mexico regard that as rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. According to the national statistical office, INEGI, 72 per cent of Mexicans believe the security situation will remain the same or worsen.
"He will change the rhetoric of the security strategy, although operationally I think little will change," said Carlos Ramírez, an analyst with Eurasia political risk consultants.
That may be because the primary drivers of the violence – US demand for illicit drugs and the cartels' arsenal of high-powered firearms bought legally north of the Rio Grande – remain outside the president's control.
Yet one important clue to Mr Peña Nieto's strategy to reduce the bloodshed is his plan to take off the streets the 45,000 soldiers and 17,000 marines that his predecessor, Felipe Calderón, of the conservative National Action Party, used to combat the drug gangs.
Many analysts believe that removing the military from the equation may, on its own, be enough to see the violence subside.
Mr Calderón, who will now take up a teaching post at Harvard University, took that desperate measure as a response to the drug-lords' ability to buy off corrupt police of even the highest rank.
And, unlike the police, the army and navy were able to outmatch the firepower of the cartels. As a result, the death toll surged and some 60,000 Mexicans perished in the conflict during Mr Calderón's six-year term.
Yet the militarisation of counter-narcotics policy is widely viewed as a failure, with the armed forces being linked to repeated human rights abuses. Meanwhile, the cocaine arriving in the United States via Mexico during Mr Calderón's term is thought to have increased by more than 90 per cent.
Ultimately, Mr Calderón, who staked his presidency on winning his full-frontal assault on the traffickers, ended up urging the White House to consider decriminalising cocaine and other drugs.
Mr Peña Nieto has already ruled out taking a similar position. He is also keen to switch the focus onto economic issues, including his proposed shake-ups of the tax code and energy sector. Mexico's economy, already the 14th largest in the world, is expected to grow by about four per cent this year, and within a decade will overtake Brazil as Latin America's largest.
Yet many remain excluded from that rapid growth, which is fuelled largely by manufacturing. While telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim is the world's richest person, 46 per cent of Mexicans – 52 million people – remain mired in poverty.
Pemex, the creaking state oil monopoly that provides 40 per cent of government revenues, has seen its output fall 26 per cent since 2004 to 2.5 million barrels of crude oil per day. Mr Peña Nieto wants to open it to private investment but without relinquishing government control of an industry whose nationalisation in the 1930s remains an almost mythical source of national pride.
As he moves on those different fronts, he will also have to tread the fine rhetorical line between paying frequent homage to the PRI's populist roots in the Mexican revolution while defending the party's 1990s conversion to the free market. As if all that were not enough, Mr Peña Nieto also lacks a congressional majority and faces widespread scepticism that his clean-cut good looks are matched by political savvy.
As he takes his first steps as president in the coming days, 112 million Mexicans will be watching, hopefully – and not a little anxiously – for signs that this young politician is up to the Herculean challenges his country faces.
Drug wars by numbers
Estimated number of people killed in drug violence during Felipe Calderon's six years in power
The amount the US channelled to Calderon's government to tackle narcotics
Number of people estimated missing during the last six years
Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/stakes-are-high-as-mexicos-new-president-bids-to-end-the-bloodshed-caused-by-drug-conflict-8372483.html


text: The Subject Was Roses -- Theater Review 8:52 PM PDT 10/14/2010 by Jay Reiner , AP FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Empty TWITTER Empty Spending an evening in the company of Frank Gilroy's Pulitzer-winning 1964 family drama "The Subject Was Roses" is a little like visiting a museum that once held fond memories. Objectively, everything is just as you remember it, but exhibits that once seemed vital and even poignant have mysteriously lost much of their luster, not to mention their life. Gilroy's play is about a 21-year-old veteran, Timmy ("The Hurt Locker's" Brian Geraghty), who returns to his Irish Catholic home in the West Bronx after World War II only to find that his parent's joyless marriage has frayed perilously close to the point of no return. The father, John (Martin Sheen), snipes at and ignores the mother, Nettie (Frances Conroy), who is filled with resentment; both bristle with barely disguised indignation. Worse, almost immediately Timmy is pressured into playing old childhood roles and assuming familiar alliances that no longer seem relevant. Clearly, he'd like to be a man, if only Mom and Pop would let him. The play offers little breathing room in its tight focus on Timmy' predicament -- should he continue to take, as he always has, his mother's side? How does he really feel about his difficult father? Should he take any side at all? What can be done to improve the situation? The questions are valid, but in retrospect, Gilroy's treatment of them seems less probing than remembered and the characters less sympathetic. Reduced to its bare essentials, "Roses" is a string of sentimental cliches preserved in the amber of good intentions. There's the I-made-your-favorite-breakfast scene between Mom and Timmy; the let's-go-to-the-ballgame scene between Dad and Timmy; the living room-dance with Mom; the "I love you, Pop"; the slammed door, the slap, the all-too-tidy ending. With its carefully crafted but predictable dramaturgy, the play would make a nice fit on your TV screen. Part of the problem is the acting, which lacks the kind of bite a play this eager to please needs more than most. Jack Albertson provided the bite in the original Broadway production and the film that followed four years later, in both of which Sheen played the son. As the father, Sheen skates the surface of the character's pain -- the rawness and roughness are missing -- and the result is an unconvincing slickness. Conroy's thin, high-pitched, childlike voice as well as her withholding attitude are too one-note not to become irritating. Geraghty has a shy skittishness about him that helps bring Timmy to life, though the character is the least interesting of the three. Venue: Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles (Through March 21)Cast: Martin Sheen, Frances Conroy, Brian GeraghtyPlaywright: Frank D. GilroyDirector: Neil PepeSet designer: Walt SpanglerLighting designer: Rui RitaCostume designer: Laura Bauer FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Jay Reiner email@example.com @thr AP email@example.com @thr

subset: commoncrawl


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Opal Bar Necklace
Our classic bar necklace created with welo opal gemstones.
Complete with our signature handcrafted tension "S" clasp closure. Perfect for anyone that struggles with solo-clasping a lobster or spring ring clasp.
Metal: 14k Gold filled
Gemstones: Opal
Dimensions: Row of gemstones is 1"
OPAL is formed from rain. We are not sure EXACTLY how this process goes, but many believe it is formed when water from rain seeps down into crevasses in the rock. Once the water evaporates, the silica that is left behind dries out and hardens into precious. On the more metaphysical side, it can sooth and clear the emotional body, and boosts the will to live and the joy of one's earthly existence. It kindles optimism, enthusiasm and creativity, and allows for the release of inhibitions inspiring love and passion.
ABOUT 14k GOLD FILLED:
*Gold filled is the next level and is an amazing, quality alternative to solid gold
*Gold plating is the lower level and these items tend to tarnish and can often times turn the skin green. Gold filled is an actual layer of gold-pressure bonded to another metal.
*If you can wear gold jewelry without skin sensitivity, you can most likely wear gold filled!
*Many owners find that they never have to clean gold-filled items at all. If it's necessary, clean gold-filled using mild soap and water. Hot weather and water will not damage the material
*During the mid to late Victorian period, gold filled jewelry was very common and was manufactured in large numbers.


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Latitude: 51.5397 / 51°32'23"N
Longitude: 0.6944 / 0°41'39"E
Nearest Postcode: SS0 7LP
OS Eastings: 586947
OS Northings: 185755
OS Grid: TQ869857
Mapcode National: GBR Y7B.0M
Mapcode Global: VHJL4.ZKGH
The nearest postcode is for approximate location purposes only (eg, sat-nav use), and is not necessarily the correct postal address postcode for this location.
The Street View image is of the nearest location (within 1km) that has imagery available. It isn't necessarily the precise location of this object. It's just there to give a general impression of what the surroundings are.
(Links open in a new window)


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The conviction this week of Joseph Percoco, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's former aide, on three felony charges is further evidence that Albany is in serious need of significant ethics reform. That need has been apparent for years, and lawmakers—including Cuomo—continue to say that it is a priority, but the scandals roll on.
Percoco was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of soliciting bribes.
Blair Horner, executive director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, called the verdict "a wake-up call to Albany to do something to clean up its ethics act."
But there have been plenty of wake-up calls in the past—see the upcoming retrials of former state leaders Sheldon Silver and Dean Skelos as evidence—and little seems to have changed as a result.
Republicans across the state lined up to weigh in on the Percoco verdict.
Some—like Assemblyman Joseph Errigo of Conesus—simply took a shot at the Cuomo administration and its connection to the scandal, though Cuomo himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Others—like Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb of Canandaigua and Assemblyman Peter Lawrence of Greece—took the opportunity to make the latest call for ethics reform.
"This conviction illustrates the need for absolute transparency through our government, especially when handing out government contracts," Lawrence said.
Those calls for reform must not go unheeded. Ethics reform must not be a partisan issue.
An official abusing their power—or their access to power—is reprehensible no matter the party of the offender.
It would be nice to think that officials can be expected to behave with integrity and in the best interest of their constituents, but that is clearly not the case.
New Yorkers need to be able to trust that their elected officials are working to benefit the state, not themselves. And lawmakers should put party interests aside and do everything in their power to make that reality.


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- Access to a large pool of investment opportunities that are difficult to reach on an individual basis
- Choose your own level of time commitment in screening, investing, and managing the investment
- Learn from each other regarding various startup sectors and investment skill-sets
- Interact in a friendly environment among accomplished individuals for fellowship and networking
- Likely attain a higher return on investment than investing alone
- Experienced entrepreneurs, investment professionals, business executives, professional service providers, scientists, engineers etc.
- Prior experience with angel investment preferred but not essential
- Willingness to share sector knowledge, business and investment experience and contacts
- An intention to invest a in club deals
- Currently all new members are being admitted through member referrals
The key focal point of our activities is the monthly members' gathering where we conduct pitching sessions and discuss investment issues and club affairs.
The board, committees, and investee company-focused groups meet separately for specific purposes.
Members are encouraged to attend the monthly gatherings and actively participate in club activities to the extent their travel and work commitments allow.
Member Background
John Y. Lo (Director & Founding Member)
John is a senior level corporate commercial lawyer, qualified in both California and Hong Kong, and has been in private practice in both jurisdictions for over three decades. He started investing as an angel since the late 1990s, and has been a lawyer to startups and investors, as well as startup co-founder and advisor in the two decades. He holds BA, JD, MBA, all from the University of California, Berkeley, among other degrees. He is co-author/contributors to two books: Angel Financing: Principles and Practice for Investors and Entrepreneurs (Chinese, ET Press, 2009), and Angel Financing in Asia Pacific, a Guidebook for Investors and Entrepreneurs (Emerald, 2017). He is also an advisor to the Seraph Group, a US based angel fund.
William Yung (Director & Founding Member)
Financial professional with a solid network in Greater China and North America. Broad experience in fundraising, new market entry strategies and business development of entrepreneurial companies. Extensive experience in incubation, angel investing, venture capital, private equity, real estate, information technology, healthcare and F&B. Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Accounting from the University of Alberta.
Howard Lee (Director & Founding Member)
Over 20 years of experience in banking & finance. American with global working experience in New York, Silicon Valley, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia. Co-founder of Bridge Bank in Silicon Valley. BA, UC Berkeley. MBA, Thunderbird School of Global Management
Demetrius Yuen (Former Director & Founding Member)
Over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, acquisitions, disposals, restructuring, private equity, venture capital, entrepreneurship, investor relation, board governance, equity fund raising, startup consulting and accelerator consulting. Worked on numerous transactions globally. BS, Biomedical Engineering, cum laude, Boston University. MBA, University of Southern California. Global Leadership Development Program, Ivey Business School, Western University, Canada.
Ivan Yim (Founding Member)
Ivan is a director of Centalent CPA in Hong Kong. He has a bachelor degree in social sciences and a master degree in corporate finance. He was also awarded with the practising and specialist certificates (corporate finance) by the Hong Kong Securities Institute. With over 30 years of setting up financial operations for companies in Asia, he has worked as financial controller, company secretary and CFO across various industries. He has advised on providing corporate finance and restructuring multinational companies. Ivan also actively participates in IPO works in Singapore and Hong Kong and helps fund raising of new setup companies.
Luis Lui (Founding Member)
Advisor / mentor for start-up companies focusing on accelerating growth, with experience running global and Asia Pacific business for high tech companies in the areas of enterprise software , software as a services ( SaaS) , internet services and IOT solutions. Luis graduated with an engineering and a management degree from McGill University, Canada.
Charles Poon (Director & Founding Member)
Charles has over 20 years experience working in electronics manufacturing, telecom and software industry in both legal and business capacity covering China and SE Asia. BEng and LLB from Sydney University, LLM from GWU and Beijing University, MSc from UC Irvine. Attorney New York.
Mark Yong
Mark has over 20 years' experience in the Supply Chain and biotechnology industry. He was an early member of the e-commerce giant, Alibaba as well as a co-investor/board member of 2 biopharma start ups, Comprehensive Drug Enterprise and Alephoson Biopharmaceutics. A major part of his career was spent in emerging markets such as Vietnam, Cambodia, China and India, alongside the UK.
Mark is also a business mentor for SowAsia (Social Enterprise). He holds a Degree and DPhil in Molecular Biology (Liverpool & Oxford University, UK) and was a researcher at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO).
David Lam
Over 35 years of experience in the banking and investment management industry. Experienced entrepreneur with solid track records as Head of major Private Banks and Asset Management company in the Asia Pacific region. David received his Bachelors degree in Economics and MBA from the University of Southern California.
Mike Grundy (Director)
Michael (Mike) Paul Grundy has 40 years of experience in the Pulp and Paper Industry in various parts of the world. After attaining his bachelors in Paper Science, he worked in paper manufacturing before moving to provide chemical solutions to pulp and paper industry. For the first 20 years of his career, he worked in England and North Europe before moving to Asia in 1996. In 2000, Mike co-founded Amazon Papyrus Chemicals (Hong Kong) and has been leading the company as a CEO since that date. Under his prudent leadership, innovative vision for chemical solutions, and financial acumen, Amazon Papyrus has established itself as a leading solution provider for process chemicals to the Pulp and Paper Industry in Asia Pacific region. Presently Amazon employs almost 500 people in various countries.
Bernard Lau
Bernard is the Honorary Chairman - Hong Kong Federation of Innovative Technologies and Manufacturing Industries Ltd., the Honorary President - Hong Kong Metal Merchants Association, the President Emeritus - Professional Validation Council of Hong Kong
Industries and the Vice President - Hong Kong Brands Protection Alliance.
Jimmy Chen
Jimmy Chen is Managing Partner and Chief Enabling Officer of Amrop China, a talent and leadership success solution firm. Before that, Jimmy held executive positions at Aleris, Noveon, and Dow Chemical, among others. Jimmy shares with his local and foreign clients what it takes to succeed in cross-cultural and globalization management – from greenfield, JV, M&A, restructuring to major stakeholder relationship – covering various sectors including chemicals, energies, agriculture, transportation, consumer, retail, electronic and private equity; and spanning across both private and public sectors. Jimmy holds bachelor and master degrees from the University of Manchester and the University of Stirling. He also attended leadership programs at IMD, INSEAD and the Kelley School of Business.
Kenneth Sue
Charles K. Cheng
Charles K. Cheng is Vice Chairman and Past President of AAMA PRD Chapter after spending 20 years in various marketing and business development roles in Silicon Valley and Asia. Charles has led and launched products and businesses with record-breaking revenues of >US$500 million, drove M&A deals and founded entrepreneurial ventures. Charles is an active angel investor with current investments in China and Silicon Valley. His target investment areas include multimedia, internet infrastructure, robotics, software and storage. Charles received BA in Engineering Science from Oxford University and MBA from Stanford University.
Steve Phan
In his 25 year experience in the financial industry, the last decade of which as Managing Direcor, Steve held positions in a range of businesses ranging from corporate finance, credit analysis, financial markets, primarily in London, New York, and Hong Kong, within Paribas, Merrill Lynch, HSBC and Standard Chartered. He holds an MSc in Aerospace Engineering from ENSAE (France) and and MBA from the University of Chicago.
Charles Luchangco
Charles Luchangco is the Principal at Arete Capital Asia Limited (ACAL), and has 25 years in Hong Kong Financial Services sector. Charles is actively involved in direct investments in to both early stage and later stage companies, with a particular focus on the Information Technology and Agricultural Technology fields. Charles received a degree in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Dr Felix Fu Keung Li
30 years of experience in medical practice with specialization in kidney disease. Trained in laboratory research and clinical science, Dr Li is an honorary consultant at the Hong Kong Sanatorium; Hospital and the Canossa Hospital (Caritas) Hong Kong. Graduated from the Medical School of the University of Hong Kong and accredited as a specialist in nephrology.
Simon Lo
Simon has been a real estate practitioner for more than 25 years focusing on market research and project advisory. He served a board range of companies from stockbrokers, banks to real estate consultancy firms. Based in Hong Kong, he has launched his real estate consulting firm since February 2016 and operated an on-line real estate intelligence platform namely, www.realtythinktanks.com. He is also a licensed real estate agent (E-395442) in Hong Kong. Apart from investment sales advisory, he has been providing independent real estate consultancy services to financiers, private equities and investment managers. He holds BSc (Estate Management) from University of Reading, UK and MSc (Real Estate) from University of Hong Kong.
Alex Chen (Director Technology)
Alex Chen is an experienced strategy and market research consultant with deep experience in analyzing markets and designing sustainable business ICT solutions for technology companies including Amazon, Qualcomm and Microsoft through leveraging his diverse background in financial planning, reporting, business control, and strategic business analysis with responsibilities for global business units and functions.
Previously Controller for NSP at Hewlett Packard then Director of Strategy for Education at Microsoft, Alex has a BSc in Psychology from University of Alberta, MBA from Columbia Business School and Certification from Harvard Business School Executive Education.
Lui Tong
A strategic entrepreneur specialising in business innovation & tech enablement, cross-border e-commerce and injecting vitality into companies. She has managed top international MNC brands, SMEs and start-ups bringing products and services directly to consumers and evolving with the new economy. She established global cross-border eCommerce networks, helped launch the world's earliest social media platform, taking it public, establishing omni-channel operations and introduced the first commercialised AI mirror. Ms. Tong was named in the Top 50 Innovative Retail Leaders in Hong Kong, is a VP of the Hong Kong Federation of eCommerce and the President of the University of Washington Alumni Association in Hong Kong.
TC Pang
Mr. Pang has 11 years of experience in corporate finance advisory and was approved as responsible officer and registered under SFC. He participated in various IPO projects, including New Media Group Holdings Limited (Main Board) (708.HK), Emperor Watch & Jewellery Limited (Main Board) (887.HK), GreaterChina Professional Services Limited (GEM Board) (8193.HK), Synertone Communication Corporation (Main Board) (1613.HK), Icicle Group Holdings Limited (GEM Board) (8429.HK) and reverse takeover project for Longhui International Holdings Limited (Main Board) (1007.HK). His other strong experience includes unconditional mandatory cash offer, rights issue, open offer, capital reorganization, whitewash wavier application, major transactions, continuing connected transactions and connected transactions.
Edmund Fan
Over 20 years of experience in managing an education business, private equity investments and a R&D technology company startup. Edmund is a qualified Hong Kong solicitor, focusing on civil litigation and commercial cases. Edmund graduated with a degree in Business Economics (University of Salford, UK) and a degree in Law (Nottingham Law School, UK).


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At home with Sophie Akers-Douglas: Shopwycke Manor
PUBLISHED: 15:43 30 January 2017 | UPDATED: 14:29 31 January 2017
Jim Holden www.jimholden.co.uk 07590 683036
Fitness guru Sophie Akers-Douglas always swore she didn't want to live in an old English house. That was until she saw Shopwycke Manor, as she tells Duncan Hall
Sophie Akers-Douglas almost looks embarrassed now when she admits it took her six months to view the house that would become her new home.
"I'm used to the US – the space, the light, the big airy buildings," says Sophie, 38, who originally hails from Boston. "I always said I would never live in a UK house with low ceilings and exposed beams. The brochure was on the kitchen table, but I said 'No, I'm not seeing it – I need air!'"
It took subterfuge by her husband Dominic, 37, the commercial director for investment company the Constantine Group in Godalming, to get her through the doors and discover a new family home. "My mom came to visit and Dom told her: 'Get your daughter to see this house'," remembers Sophie. "I had to eat my pride – I loved it. It was so embarrassing! There is something about the house – it wasn't my ideal home, but I had such a gut feeling about it." It was a complete contrast to the house the family inhabited in London before, which Sophie believes was haunted, having experienced 10 months of televisions turning themselves on in the middle of the night, bathroom fans activating of their own accord and children's toys triggering themselves in the early hours of the morning.
Having lived in Shopwycke Manor for two years the family is preparing to move out in 2017 for extensive renovations, stripping back some of the house's later additions to bring out its medieval roots. "We knew we had to live here for a year or two before deciding what to do," says Sophie, who gave some of the walls a lick of paint initially just to freshen them up. She is planning to work with a lighting designer to help sympathetically illuminate the dark interiors. "We want to keep the integrity of the house – we wouldn't want to modernise it."
The Grade II listed building, located only a mile outside Chichester, is thought to date back to the Domesday Book. Over the centuries it has received several extensions, including the kitchen and a large room currently used as a family room. On the inside it has received more modern additions, such as a 1960s staircase which is going to be ripped out. And living in the house the family have discovered elements such as a medieval arch in the middle of the dining room which had been cut in half by a later partition wall.
Where Sophie has really made an impact is in the open space around the swimming pool towards the rear of the house. The open barbecue and bar space received a lot of use over the summer. But her pride and joy is her health studio, built in the former pool room. It's a complete contrast to the main house – clapperboard fronted on the outside, light and airy inside with skylights, big windows, underfloor heating and plenty of space. It's where Sophie's business Hedonistic Health is based, which she launched two years ago.
"I used to work in head-hunting in the city," she says. "I fell into recruitment as I needed a job when I first moved here. I didn't really like it." She left on maternity leave to have her son Noah, now seven, who was swiftly followed by Izzy, six. Her business grew out of a love of Pilates. "I was always a bit lazy with exercise," she says. "My mom always says she can't believe I'm in fitness. Doing Pilates felt really good – my body started to feel strong." Rather than return to the city she took a Pilates training course and began her first classes when her third child Paloma turned four months old.
"Originally I did classes in the sitting room," says Sophie, adding that work began on converting the pool room last January. "I began by emailing all the mums from Westbourne School. It grew from there as my confidence grew. I now do nine classes a week. It's more like a social centre."
The name Hedonistic Health came about when she launched her website, as she didn't want to limit herself to just Pilates. She has since become the first teacher in Sussex to offer the BarreConcept workout which takes its inspiration from ballet, Pilates and yoga. "It's very fast, set to pop music," she says. "It is ballet-inspired, but it is not slow. You work to the beat. It's amazing for lifting and shaping the bum and shaping the legs – Victoria's Secret models do BarreConcept. I started teaching it last year, and it is now my most popular class."
The studio – which has capacity for 15 people – has a barre along three of its walls, but Sophie says the back of a chair works just as well for anyone wanting to try at home. She believes a class is the best way to learn the techniques and get the best exercise though. "You need the energy of the class to carry you through," she says. "It is a really high energy boost. At the end of the class people clap because they can't believe they did it." She believes women and men exercise in different ways. "Women like the social aspect of a class," she says. "My husband runs by himself and loves it. Women like having the support of each other – they are all motivating and screaming at each other."
She now runs Tuesday night evening classes for working women, and sees a definite change in focus. "Those women work harder because they are coming to me after a long day at work," she says. "They are making a concerted effort to work out. In my 9am classes people want to chat and have coffee – I have to be a bit bossier."
Alongside the workout classes Sophie promotes healthy eating and raw cooking dishes made by Elizabeth Jones. It's all part of a wider plan to create a boutique studio. "My body is stronger and fitter now than it was when I was younger," she says. "I want to live a strong, long life, be fit and healthy for a long time. My clients range up to 60 years of age, I have people who have survived breast cancer or bipolar depression where the exercise has changed their life. I try to create a space that is welcoming and full of laughter."
For more information visit www.hedonistichealth.com
• What it's like to live in Haywards Heath - It was the arrival of the railways 150 years ago which saw Haywards Heath become a major centre in Mid Sussex. And it remains a popular commuter home for more than 25,000 people


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Eastern Canada Contact Info
Covering: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Cell: 847-962-0271
Email: email@example.com
|If you are located in Tucker's territory, please feel free to contact him directly via email or cellphone. You can also fill out the form and Tucker will get in touch with you. If you are a current customer looking for tech support, you can call our manufacturing headquarters at 847.647.7117.


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Digital Finishing: Crossing the Finish Line
For years there has been debate over the merits of in-line versus near-line and off-line finishing. But, as job run lengths and turn times continue to dwindle, more and more printers have opted to segregate finishing in a digital printing context. The variability of digital printing jobs makes off-line finishing the better call, contends Tom O'Brien, partner at AccuLink. A provider of sheetfed and web printing, in addition to digital output, Greenville, NC-based AccuLink has opted for the near-line finishing route.
AccuLink's finishing capabilities include collating, stitching, folding, trimming, perfect binding, plastic coil and Wire-O binding, diecutting, foil stamping, embossing and UV coating. Over the years, the shop has carved out a name for itself by producing certain products, such as index tabs, and now churns out ultra short-run, perfect bound books (with tabs) and short-run scratchoff goodies. A new, exciting application for the printer is the marriage of table tents with QR (Quick Response) codes.
Digital printing is gaining dominance. In 2010-speak, a long run tops out at a couple of thousand, notes O'Brien. "We're seeing lengths get shorter and shorter every day," he says. "And the turn times are getting shorter. Customers' expectations are increasing, but the amount they think they ought to pay is decreasing."
Another advocate for off-line binding/finishing is TecDoc Digital Solutions of Hudson, MA, a small digital shop that produces documents, manuals, booklets, case studies, collateral and direct mail. With custom short runs, off-line finishing provides the flexibility that TecDoc requires, according to CEO David Trombino. With some of its gear featuring computer controls, setup times are cut, providing more flexibility in the number of jobs and configurations that can be pumped through the shop simultaneously.
One of TecDoc's more unique applications is customized direct mail that is shaped relevant to the customer's campaign. "For example, if the client is selling cowboy boots, the mail piece could be diecut in the shape of a boot," Trombino says. "All it has to do is fit with a certain aspect ratio requirement that the USPS puts out."


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Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf may be justifying his putsch by saying it'll help him fight Islamic militants. But "as General Musharraf met with diplomats in Islamabad and the police arrested lawyers," the New York Times reports, "government officials confirmed that they had reached a peace agreement with Baitullah Mehsud, one of the area's most powerful militant commanders."
The government released 25 of Mr. Mehsud's militants in exchange for 213 army soldiers captured by Mr. Mehsud's forces in August. The army also agreed to withdraw soldiers from the area inhabited by Mr. Mehsud's tribe in South Waziristan and allow members of the Frontier Corps, a lightly armed paramilitary force, to patrol the area instead.
Meanwhile, "hundreds of Islamic militants seized a town in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday after outnumbered security forces laid down their arms," according to the AP.
"About two dozen police officers and several troops offered no resistance to militants who seized three police stations and a military post in and around Matta, a town in the Swat valley."
Across Pakistan, the *Times *observes, "policemen and intelligence agents have been diverted from hunting terrorists to arresting lawyers, who apparently are being assessed as the greater threat to the general's rule."
*The extraordinary steps General Musharraf has taken against
Pakistan's courts and its news media will in any case have little effect in Pakistan's tribal areas, where Al Qaeda and other groups are thriving. Federal judges have limited jurisdiction in the tribal areas and journalists are barred from traveling alone there... ***
Even former military officials contend that General Musharraf has had five years to contain militancy in the tribal areas and enact other reforms, but that he has failed. This was particularly the case in the past year, they said, as more and more of his attention was absorbed by maneuvering to keep his hold on power...
*General Musharraf invited Islamabad's diplomatic corps to his official residence on Monday to brief them on the situation and on his reasons for declaring emergency rule. But two Western diplomats said the encounter only reinforced concerns that General Musharraf was more focused on vanquishing his political rivals than on fighting terrorism.
*At the meeting, the general primarily railed against his political opponents, with special venom reserved for the Supreme Court.
When asked by a diplomat to describe specific plans to crack down on terrorists, General Musharraf gave only a vague answer. *
UPDATE: The usually-sharp Glenn Reynolds says the world is "more concerned with Musharraf's coup than with Hugo Chavez's emerging dicatatorship... because enemies of the United States, like Chavez, get a pass."
I can't speak for the world. But I'm more concerned because:
a) The bastards who blew up two giant buildings in my home town are still at large, in Musharraf's back yard.
b) Pakistan has enough nuclear weapons to kill millions.
UPDATE 2: "Pakistan's burgeoning dictatorship has done what every good failing state does when worried about America's response: it has targeted the lobbyists. With close to $900 million in foreign aid potentially under review, Pakistan wants to make sure that those pesky American lawmakers don't try to hold it accountable for it's recent hiatus from democracy."


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With an overall pass rate of 97%, other grades attained at A-level were:
There were similarly very high achievements in the BTEC courses.
The Headmaster, Peter Seery, comments:
"We are deeply proud of the achievements of our students in this year's A-level examinations particularly as there has been so much uncertainty around the changes to the qualification. Our students have worked extremely hard and have remained focused on what they have needed to do and I know that they will move into the next phase of their lives as confident, capable and considerate young adults.
These results represent a huge amount of dedication and hard work and I would like to thank our hugely talented and committed staff for everything that they have done to support our students. I am proud of the ongoing care and support that students at Rishworth receive from their teachers."


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Privacy Statement for CoZone
"Azets Group" means, together, Azets Opco Limited (BR019040) and any member of its group of companies;
"Employer" means the party contracting with Azets Group for the purposes of using CoZone; and
"you" and "your" means the end users, employees or contact persons of the Employer, to whom this Privacy Statement applies.
Azets Group respects your privacy as a data subject. Our goal is to provide you with a positive experience when using CoZone.
This Privacy Statement outlines your rights to privacy when using CoZone and our commitment to safeguarding your personal data. Azets Group's ambition is to be fully transparent in our privacy practices and the choices you can make regarding your personal data that is processed by Azets Group in CoZone.
Azets Group is an international business services group with legal entities, business processes, management structures and technical systems across borders. Azets Group delivers services to customers in Europe, including your Employer. The Azets Opco Limited head office is located at 16 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5AH, United Kingdom. Azets Group companies are located in the United Kingdom and the EU/EEA area and are therefore subject to European data protection and privacy regulations and directives. Our privacy policies and guidelines respect and comply with applicable privacy legislation.
This Privacy Statement for CoZone can be found at https://login.cozone.com/privacy.
Azets Group's Privacy Statement can be found at https://azets.co.uk/privacy/.
This Privacy Statement applies to CoZone only.
CoZone is an extensive portal for payroll and accounting services. It is cloud based, so the tasks and data you need is available wherever you are, whichever platform you are working on.
The applications integrated in CoZone are not covered by this Privacy Statement; please instead refer to the privacy statement embedded within the individual applications. General privacy statements specific for businesses within Azets Group may be found at:
Azets Europe: https://www.azets.com/privacy-statement
Azets UK: https://azets.co.uk/privacy
BlickRothenberg: https://www.blickrothenberg.com/Privacy-Notice
This Privacy Statement for CoZone provides information about data processing carried out by Azets Group when data processing is performed on behalf of your Employer based on their instructions.
Personal data is information that can identify you as an individual person, such as name, email address, street address or phone number. Processing your personal data is necessary for us to serve you and your Employer.
What Personal Data We Collect
The types of data that Azets Group collects when using the CoZone Portal may be:
- Contact information such as name, phone number, and e-mail
- Job information such as company name
- IP-address
How We Collect Personal Data
In general, Azets Group collects data directly from you or other persons linked to your Employer. These persons may be a manager or colleague. If your Employer purchases Azets Group services via a Azets Group company, we may collect information about you from the Azets Group company.
We also collect data when you register into CoZone for the first time.
How We Use/Process Your Personal Data
Azets Group as a Data Processor
Azets Group companies provide many different services to its customers. These services involve processing of data which may include processing of your personal data. The purposes of the processing are determined by your Employer. In such cases the Employer acts as a data controller for your data. Azets Group companies will act as the data processor or sub-processor in such cases and will process the data on behalf of and according to applicable privacy legislation and instructions given by your Employer and determined in the commercial agreement and Data Processing Agreement between the Employer and the relevant Azets Group company.
If you have any questions, comments, claims or any other issues regarding the use of your personal data which Azets Group processes, please submit these to your Employer as the data controller. As a data processor, Azets Group cannot give you access to your personal data without instructions given by the data controller to do so. If law enforcement, regulatory or other government agencies request disclosure of your personal data, Azets Group will promptly notify the data controller and we may disclose such data only to comply with applicable law or regulation.
Sub-contractors and Transfer of Personal Data
Different applications are integrated into CoZone. Some of the applications are developed by Azets Group, while others are developed by Azets Group sub-contractors.
Azets Group ensures compliance with applicable data protection legislation, including GDPR, both internally and towards all its sub-contractors. Azets Group places contractual obligations on any sub-contractors which have access to and/or process personal data in order to comply with applicable privacy legislation.
You will find the information about any sub-contractors in the privacy statements of the relevant Azets Group companies. You will find the links to these privacy statements above.
Whom We Share Your Personal Data With
In CoZone we only share your personal data with the relevant Azets Group companies who require access to the information, as well as your Employer. Additionally, Azets Group ensures that persons authorised to process the personal data have committed themselves to confidentiality or are under an appropriate statutory obligation of confidentiality. You may find the information about how each company shares personal data in the privacy statement of that specific company. Again, you will find the links to the privacy statements above.
Your Rights:
Right to Access, Rectify, Erase Your Personal Data etc.
If you require access to, or wish to modify the personal data we hold about you, you should refer to your Employer to determine the appropriate data protection contact.
You have the right to request a copy of your personal data from your Employer, who is the data controller. In such cases, again, you should refer to the Employer for the appropriate contact.
Data Security and Retention
How we keep your personal data secure
Azets Group takes the trust you place in us seriously. Azets Group is committed to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure or other deviant processing of your data. Further, Azets Group is committed to ensure proper use of the information, to maintain data integrity and to secure data availability. As part of our commitment, we utilise reasonable and appropriate physical, technical, and administrative procedures and measures to safeguard the information we collect and process. Azets Group has implemented a number of security measures, including:
- Secure operating environments - Azets Group stores your data in secure operating environments that are only accessible to Azets Group employees and subcontractors on a need-to-know basis. Azets Group also follows generally accepted industry standards in this respect.
- Encryption of payment information
- Prior authentication for account access - Azets Group requires its registered users to verify their identity (e.g. both password and generated PIN via mobile) before they can access or make changes to their account in order to prevent unauthorized access.
How long we store your personal data
Azets Group will only retain your personal data for 60 days after your account becomes inactive, and in any event only for as long as instructed by your Employer, while also taking into account our need to answer queries or resolve problems and to comply with legal requirements under applicable laws.
When the personal data collected is no longer required or as directed by your Employer, we destroy or delete your personal data in a secure manner.
Changes to this Privacy Statement
We may modify this Privacy Statement for CoZone from time to time; we will post the revised statement on https://login.cozone.com/privacy with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review the Privacy Statement regularly. If we make significant changes to our Privacy Statement that materially alter our privacy practices, we may also notify you by other means
The last update of this Privacy Statement was 7. September 2020.
How to Contact Us
We value your opinion. If you have any comments or questions about our Privacy Statement for CoZone, any unresolved privacy or data use concerns that we have not addressed satisfactorily, or questions concerning a possible breach of your privacy, please send them to email@example.com
For requests to see, correct or erase your personal data, or for other privacy matters which do not relate to CoZone, please contact your Employer.


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Would you pay a nickel more for a cage-free Egg McMuffin?
But McDonald's must think it is, because it recently decided not to have 5% of its eggs come from cage-free chickens. The American consumer must not think an organic McMuffin is worth the extra cost, according to McDonald's reasoning. Even if that cost, by my calculations, would be 5 cents per sandwich, or maybe even less.
Is an inexpensive breakfast worth a premium price so that you can feel good about the environment and how that breakfast is made?
I don't know the numbers McDonald's has come up with for how much it would have to charge to get eggs from chickens with a little more room to spread their wings, but with cage-free eggs costing about 60 cents more per dozen on the wholesale market, getting such an egg on a sandwich should cost about a nickel. Maybe less once more suppliers offer them and McDonald's uses its sizable purchasing power to buy millions of the eggs at a discount.
The company's board of directors said that the scientists don't agree on "how to balance the advantages and disadvantages of laying hen housing systems." But a senior director of the Humane Society's factory farming campaign pointed out to the New York Times that McDonald's has committed to going 100% cage-free by the end of 2010 for all of its European operations.
Consumer demand for cage-free eggs must be higher in Europe than it is in America. The European Union will ban conventional small cages in 2012.
Most organic products cost more than non-organic, and it can be a personal choice if it's worth the extra cost at the grocery store. For my money, any organic fruit or vegetable that has a thin skin tastes better. Organic bananas are a ripoff because it's unlikely that pesticides would penetrate the thick skins. I've eaten organic beef and chicken, and they taste better than traditionally raised beef or chicken. Same with organic eggs and milk, at least for my money.
Like the bananas and avocados, some organic produce isn't worth the extra cost and is like buying something with a brand name instead of the cheaper generic brand.
Finding organic produce is becoming easier as more people have asked for it. Until more Americans decide that they want cage-free eggs, the Egg McMuffin and its daily allowance of cholesterol will continue to be a cheap and yummy breakfast -- not a nickel more.


text: Cleveland Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson (13) drives to the basket against Houston Rockets' Eric Gordon (10) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)Tony Dejak/Associated Press Rockets vs. Cavaliers When/where: 7 p.m. Friday/Toyota Center TV/radio: AT&T SportsNet/790-AM, 99.1-FM, 850-AM (Spanish) IN BRIEF: RocketsThe Rockets have won 10 of their past 13 games against the Cavaliers, but lost in Cleveland this season, 117-108 … Since winning six straight games, their longest winning streak of the season, the Rockets have lost two of their past three games. The Rockets have won 14 of their past 16 home games … Rockets guard James Harden has scored at least 30 points in 12-consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak since 1972-73, trailing only Kobe Bryant's run of 14-conscutive games … Austin Rivers has scored in double figures in seven of his eight games with the Rockets after scoring at least 10 points in seven of 29 games with the Wizards … Center Clint Capela has averaged 22 points in his past five games, but made just 4 of 16 shots on Wednesday, his worst field goal percentage in a game in his career. He has made 77.3 percent of his free throws in the past seven games … Guards Eric Gordon (bruised right knee) and Chris Paul (strained left hamstring) are out. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: As wins build, Rockets' spirits soar CavaliersThe Cavaliers have an 11-game losing streak and are 3-17 on the road, 0-3 against Western Conference teams … The Cavaliers are 1-11 overall this season against Western Conference teams, beating the Rockets in Cleveland in November … Allowing 116.9 points per 100 possessions after giving up 140 points in the loss in New Orleans on Wednesday, the Cavaliers rank last in the NBA in defensive rating … The Cavaliers average 43.9 points off the bench, the fourth-most in the NBA, after Cavaliers reserves scored 75 points on Wednesday as Matthew Dellavedova scored 17 points with seven assists in 20 minutes … Guard Collin Sexton is fourth in scoring among rookies, averaging 14.6 points per game. His 29 points against the Rockets are tied for the most he has scored in a game … Averaging a career-high 11.3 rebounds, center Tristan Thompson is on pace to average a double-double for the first time in his career … Center/forward Kevin Love (left foot surgery), guard David Nwaba (left ankle sprain), center John Henson (left wrist surgery) and forward Larry Nance Jr. (sprained right knee) are out. Guard Rodney Hood (left Achilles tendon soreness) is questionable. Statistically speaking11 – consecutive games in which James Harden has made at least five 3-pointers, an NBA record. He has averaged 6.6 3-pointers on 41 percent shooting in that stretch.


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High School Update – September 3, 2015
The High School front entry and administrative remodel was completed just prior to the start of school. The entry doors have new electronic access controls and the front office has a new reception desk and flooring. In addition, security fencing and gates were added behind the school with access only by buses and maintenance crews, […]
High School Update – August 4, 2015
Work is progressing at the High School, with the most visible changes happening to the front office and the entry vestibule. The old flooring has been removed, walls painted, new casework is being installed in the front office and electronic access controls are being added to several doors for better security. The current plan is […]
High School Remodel Update – 5/06/15
Griffin Construction, based in Prineville, was selected as the General Contractor for the High School remodel project. Jerry Milstead is working with Griffin to define the final details of the project scope. The bulk of this project comprises security improvements to the main entrance. The administrative offices will be housed temporarily in the Counseling offices […]
High School Project Goes Out to Bid
A pre-bid meeting was held at the High School on April 9th for contractors interested in bidding the High School remodel project Five contractors and two sub-contractors attended the meeting to go over the details of the planned work which mainly includes security improvements to the main entrance, remodeling of the Administration offices and rebuilding […]
Tennis Courts are Completed
The Tennis Courts are beautiful and ready for use.
High School Bleachers Installed
The walls are painted, the floors refinished and painted and the new bleachers are installed. After some additional minor projects are completed, the gyms should be available for use by the end of July.
High School Bleachers Getting Installed
Track Being Replaced
New track will be completed by mid-August.
Tennis Courts Being Replaced at High School
The existing 4 tennis courts will be resurfaced and 2 additional courts will be added. Project is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.
High School Gym Floors Finished!
Main Gym Small Gym By the first of August the new bleachers will be installed and the gyms will be ready for use!


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Michigan chestnut update – May 31, 2013
Warmer days and rainfall over the past week caused significant leaf expansion in chestnuts, particularly further north along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Growers should be preparing for the arrival of potato leafhoppers this week.
The variability in weather over the past weeks has been noteworthy, even for Michigan. As chestnut development continues, the frost and freeze damage that occurred early in May is visible, particularly in lower terminals on trees located in west central and southern Michigan. Chestnuts in northwest Michigan were still in the early stages of bud break when the frost occurred and did not sustain substantial tissue damage, except for limited leaf distortion on Nevada which is difficult to locate as leaves have expanded. Chestnuts in southern Michigan have catkins emerging, an indication that female flowers will not be far behind.
As of May 31, 2013, the East Lansing Enviro-weather station has accumulated 450 GDD50 with 2.62 inches rain over the last week; Clarksville recorded 406 GDD50 and 2.31 inches rain; and the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center accumulated 323 GDD50 with just under 0.75 inches of rain last week.
Left to right: Photos 1 and 2 show the development of the seedling propagated Chinese chestnut
versus photos 3 and 4 which show European/Japanese hybrid Colossal in northwest Michigan on
May 30, 2013. Photo 3 also contains a yellow sticky trap hung to monitor for potato leafhoppers.
No adult mites or eggs were visible during scouting in northwest this week, but reports from Michigan State University Extension personnel in the Clarksville, Mich., region indicate that adult activity is underway for European red mites and eggs are visible.
Growers should have hung yellow sticky traps in orchards to track the arrival of potato leafhoppers, which is likely imminent given the weather patterns in the forecast. Like many plants, chestnuts are sensitive to the saliva of potato leafhoppers which is injected by the insect while feeding. Damage to leaf tissue can cause reduced photosynthesis that can impact production and quality, and damage the tree. Most injury occurs on new tissue on shoot terminals with potato leafhoppers feeding near the edges of the leaves using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Symptoms of feeding appear as whitish dots arranged in triangular shapes near the edges. Heavily damaged leaves are cupped with necrotic and chlorotic edges and eventually abscise from the tree. Severely infested shoots produce small, bunched leaves with reduced photosynthetic capacity. Adult leafhoppers are pale to bright green and about 1/8 inch long. Adults are easily noticeable, jumping, flying or running when agitated. The nymphs (immature leafhoppers) are pale green and have no wings, but are very similar in form to the adults.
Potato leafhoppers move in all directions when disturbed, unlike some leafhoppers that have a distinct pattern of movement. The potato leafhopper can't survive Michigan's winter and survives in the Gulf States until adults migrate north in the spring on storm systems.
Yellow sticky traps are recommended to determine when the first potato leafhoppers arrive. Growers should also walk through their orchards, flipping over leaves and looking for adult potato leafhoppers. The most common classes of insecticides recommended for control of potato leafhoppers include the pyrethroids, carbamates, neonicotinoids and organophosphates (see "Potato leafhopper management in chestnuts for more information").
Feeding damage from overwintering obliquebanded leafroller larvae was observed on terminal foliage this week. Obliquebanded leafrollers are a common pest in apple and cherry orchards, but will feed on a wide range of plants. Some feeding damage to foliage can be tolerated in chestnuts, but larvae may also feed on bud tissue, so scouting for this pest is important.
Obliquebanded leafroller larvae roll leaves and create a tubular chamber where they remain except when feeding. Mature larvae are around 1 inch in length, have a flattened, black head capsule and yellowish-green bodies. Overwintering larvae, which we are observing now, often feed inside bud clusters; newly hatched larvae from the summer generation feed on leaves. The larvae currently present will pupate into the adult moths over the coming weeks. Adults emerge and mate, laying eggs for a second generation of larvae that typically peaks in July.
Pyrethroids- and spinosyn-based insecticides are the standard classes used to target the larval phase of this insect (refer to the chestnut pesticides table for more information on labeled products). Growers should not spray for obliquebanded leafrollers unless they have confirmed the presence of this pest at a damaging level.
To scout for obliquebanded leafrollers, walk through the orchard looking for distorted terminals with leaves that appear to not have expanded properly. Unroll the leaves to look for the larvae. Growers may also purchase pheromone lures for use in delta traps to capture adults. Trapping adults is a good indication of presence and potentially gives a sense of population levels, but because this insect overwinters as larvae, adults will be captured only after the initial damage from overwintering larvae is done, making the visual scouting important. Additionally, growers only trapping adults will miss the first larval treatment window which may be important if high populations occur.
Photo 5 (left) shows terminal leaves rolled and stuck together by obliquebanded leafroller larvae as
well as damage to leaf tissue from feeding. Photo 6 (right) shows overwintering larvae.
A number of beneficial insects including native pollinators and natural enemies were also observed this week. Hover flies were visible and can benefit growers in two ways. Larvae of many species eat aphids and other soft-bodied insects and the adult flies feed on nectar and pollen acting as native pollinators. Small, green assassin bugs that prey on aphids, leafhoppers, mites, caterpillars and other insects were also observed. Lastly, a number of parasitic wasp species were observed in plentiful numbers.


text: Rising through the ranks to become one of New York's most talented and recognized artists is no easy task, and Emilio Rojas has done just that. With witty flows, potent lyrics, and vicious rhyme schemes, Emilio has earned the respect of his peers, and a reputation as someone who shines in today's competitive Hip-Hop environment. Confident, cl… Read More


text: Cyber Elementary School Curriculum The elementary years are extremely important in a child's education and life. This is where children acquire basic knowledge to perform complex tasks later on. They develop their social, cognitive, cultural, and physical skills during this crucial time, and Reach Cyber's curriculum aims to help to develop these basic skills. Our elementary school curriculum includes English language arts, science, mathematics, and social studies. These core subjects are taught in an exciting and engaging way, directed to pique students' interest and build their study skills. The Gifted and Talented Program The gifted and talented program is available from third grade onward to all students who qualify. This program is designed to challenge and motivate students who are advanced in certain subjects. Students can enroll in more advanced subjects online or work at a higher grade level. "Best of Class" Materials Our materials are best of class and created by our professional and expert team of curriculum developers and multimedia specialists. We partner with top educational publishers and other service providers to deliver high-quality resources to our students no matter where they are. All of our instructional materials and resources may be accessed online, but they also may be supported by printed materials. Our elementary students rely more on printed content than students in higher grades. As students get older, materials shift gradually to become primarily online. Our students are provided with all of the materials necessary to reach mastery in core subjects required by the state. Feel free to view our list of academic partners. Elementary Curriculum Our curriculum is designed with the child in mind and with the following factors taken into consideration: Student's age Objectives Diversity See sample lessons for more information. Course Electives and Activities Reach Cyber's curriculum offers our younger students a wide selection of electives to pursue. Our students have access to electives that include world languages and art. We believe that diverse topics can help develop students' learning skills and prepare them for further studies. Reach Cyber also offers social activities and various online clubs that students are encouraged to join. We know that children need to socialize, and what better way to do so than with children who share the same interests?


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Paradox unveiled screenshots from its upcoming sequel to its magical 4X strategy game, Warlock 2: The Exiled, during a live stream on the 26th November 26 at 8 p.m. CET.
The upcoming features for Warlock 2: The Exiled includes over 150 spells, hundreds of fantastic beasts, multiple single- and multiplayer modes such as PvP, Co-Op PVE, and "every combination in between", as well as "Exile" and "Sandbox" modes.
Warlock 2: The Exiled is due to be released in Spring 2014.
First screenshots of Warlock 2: The Exiled revealed
27 November 2013 | By Jonah A. Falcon
- Related Games:
- Warlock 2: The Exiled


text: During my time with RENAC as a working student I developed a profound understanding of working in the communications. Directly supervised by a Head of PR and Marketing I had a chance to get into one of the most promising industries that works towards sustainable development such as renewable energy. Continue reading "The Renewables Academy RENAC"


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Lynx Players Decide Not to Wear BLM Shirts After Cops Threaten Not To Protect Them
Lynx players wear warm-up shirts to honor victims of the shootings from this past week. (via @minnesotalynx) pic.twitter.com/cAzYfmjWFU
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2016
Those Shirts in the above photo as well as press conference was enough for 4 outraged off-duty Minneapolis cops to walk off the job at the Target Center just before tipoff of the game against Dallas on Saturday.
Lt. Bob Kroll, president of the Minneapolis Police Federation, had this to say:
"I commend them for it," he said.
"Others said they heard about it and they were not going to work Lynx games," he said.
Police sign up for off-duty jobs to work Lynx games, Kroll said. "They can start or stop a job whenever they want," he said. "They are working on an independent contract."
Asked about a report that seven or eight officers had walked off the job, Kroll said, "They only have four officers working the event because the Lynx have such a pathetic draw."
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Lynx decided not to wear those shirts again in respect for those police officers. Lynx spokeswoman Ashley Carlson confirmed that the players would not be wearing any 'Black Lives Matter' clothing in San Antonio.
"The Lynx organization was made aware about the concerns of the off duty Minneapolis police officers," the team said. "While our players message mourned the loss of life due to last week's shootings, we respect the right of those individual officers to express their own beliefs in their own way. … We continue to urge a constructive discussion about the issues raised by these tragedies."
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau said in a statement released on Tuesday:
She expects all officers "to adhere to our core values and to honor their oath of office" when wearing a Minneapolis police uniform.
"Walking off the job and defaulting on their contractual obligation to provide a service to the Lynx does not conform to the expectations held by the public for the uniform these officers wear," Harteau said.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges called Kroll's comments "jackass remarks."
"Let me be clear: labor leadership inherently does not speak on behalf of management. Bob Kroll sure as hell doesn't speak for me about the Lynx or about anything else," Hodges wrote.


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Sugarland Tours
Reservations are Required
Come aboard our 24-passenger Sugarland Express (or bring a larger group on your own bus) for an exciting and informative 3 1/2 hour heritage and agriculture tour*. Step back in time with an interesting historical orientation of Clewiston and Lake Okeechobee. You'll get an up-close look at a sugar cane farm where we'll chop and chew some sugar cane and view the latest in farming techniques as well as a journey to the Clewiston sugar mill, the sugar refinery, and citrus juice plant—both state-of-the-art facilities and our newest addition.
Get an up-close look at a sugar cane farm
Chop and chew some sugar cane
View the latest in farming techniques
Journey to the Clewiston sugar mill
See a local citrus juice plant
Tours run October-March
Tour Hours: Monday-Friday Once Daily from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Tour Pricing: $38 per person which also includes Clewiston
Museum admission *reduced pricing available for groups of 15+
Call the chamber today to reserve your seats as space is limited
*Please note that any portions of the tour that includes a visit to ongoing operations may not always be available due to schedule conflicts, maintenance downtime or poor weather. Following OHSA regulations visits to the sugar refinery and citrus processing plants are windshield tours only. Sugarland Tours is the exclusive company granted access to view these properties and their processes.


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Written by Matthew Vossler, the author of several titles including The Jedi Manual and Astrology In Depth.
Duncan Wright, an eleventh grader in Silver Spring High School, had a compelling reason to learn the craft of Magic. He read all the books in the local library on the subject, but when he began practicing astral travel at night, he got more than he bargained for.
In an attempt on night to exact revenge on Craig Smethurst, the school bully, he not only crossed into Craig's dream, but landed himself in another world altogether; a world with deep troubles. And Duncan found himself in the thick of it!
Magic and intrigue, war and love, all entwined. Duncan had to grow up fast or his new world would not survive... and he would never make it home again!


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Terri Irwin is being sued for breach of contract after she allegedly backed out of an agreement with the company that manages the Crocodile Hunter and Irwin family brands.
The widow of Steve Irwin allegedly told Zoo Sky Media Pty Ltd she and her children Bindi and Bob had been reassessing their lives and wanted to take a step back from the activity associated with filming, according to a writ.
Irwin said she and her family were at a crossroads and wanted to make a change, the writ filed in the Victorian Supreme Court alleges.
The company also claims the Irwin family bypassed them to appear on reality TV show I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!, and provided the show with clips, denying Zoo revenue it was entitled to.
Irwin and Zoo directors Adam Schoff and Michael John Whitfort had entered into an agreement in 2010 whereby Zoo would develop, market and manage the Irwin Family Brand Assets, the writ says.
"Terri Irwin said to Schoff that she and her children had been reassessing their lives and wanted to take a step back from all the activity associated with filming, they needed to take a break, and they needed to step out of the agreement," the writ says.
The company is seeking damages, costs and interest, claiming a list of breaches Irwin later provided as a basis for breaking the agreement have no basis in fact or in law.
Irwin has been contacted for a response.


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12049 - Class 11 Shunter
Status Operational
The Class 11 shunter as it became classified by British Railways, was the forerunner of the standard BR shunting engine (the Class 08). 106 class 11's were built between 1945 and 1952, by the LMS and latterly British Railways, and they differ slightly from the Class 08 in that they have smaller wheels 48 1/2" in diameter (08 = 54"), and also other minor differences.
Built to replace ageing tank engines on yard shunting duties or local loose coupled goods trains the class 11's were never equipped with vacuum train brakes. Their inability to operate fully fitted trains and their non standard nature eventually saw BR decide to withdraw the whole class around 1970, with many locomotives passing into industries such as the National Coal Board etc.
The original 12049 was purchased by DAY Aggregates at Brentford, South West London, and used to shunt their internal sidings. Sadly 12049 was damaged beyond repair by a fire at Ropley in 2010, and has subsequently been replaced by sister 12082 from Barrow Hill and numbered as 12049.
Service History:
12082 was built at Derby Works in November 1950 and initially allocated to Carlisle Kingmoor shed (68A). She moved around between Kingmoor, Carlisle Upperby, Speke Junction and Toton sheds before moving to Crewe Diesel Depot (5A) on 10/12/66. Her final allocation for British Rail was to Llandudno Junction (6G) on 15/08/70, staying there until being withdrawn from service on 03/10/71.
From this point onwards 12082 worked in industrial service for the NCB and latterly the Harry Needle Railway Company, before moving to the Mid Hants Railway in 2010.
Image courtesy Richard Bentley
- Built at
- LMS/BR Derby Works
- Build year
- 1945 - 52
- Owner
- Privately Owned
- Region
- Midland
- Route availability
- Total built of class
- 106
- Configuration
- 0-6-0
- Fuel capacity
- 659 gallons
- Power output
- 350 hp
- Prime mover
- English Electric 6K
- Top speed
- 15 mph
- Total length
- 29' 1.5"
- Total weight
- 47 tons 5 cwt
- Tractive effort
- 35,000 ibs
- Wheelbase
- 11' 6"


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Adopted (29 October 16)
Cody is a mixed breed neutered approx 3 years old he was found in the Cucador area, he is a very happy placid dog that enjoys attention. gets on well with the other dogs. D.O.B 16.1.13
ADOPTED (3rd October 16)
Jacob is a medium mixed breed he is approx 2 years old, neutered, inoculated and chipped, he is a very placid dog that will give you plenty of cuddles kisses and love, walks on a lead gets on well with other dogs.
Reserved for Holland 4 November 16
Martaza is a German Shepherd cross is approx 3 years old Mataza has boarder line Leishamania , at present she needs testing once a year and can live a normal and long life. Mataza came in from another rescue we do not have details of her background but she is very loving affectionate and playful girl, gets on well with other dogs, walks well on a lead, would make an ideal family pet.
Reserved for Holland 9 November 16
Tara was dumped on the land of the Doghouse with another puppy she is approx 7 months old spayed, chipped and has her own passport. Tara is shy at first until she gets to know you then she is a happy playful puppy enjoys a cuddle, walks on a lead but needs further training. approx D.O.B 21.5.15)
Reserved for Holland 4 November 16
Sobra is of mixed breed spayed, chipped and has her own passpot.she was found wondering around the outside perimeter of the foundation, Sobra is a gentle and very loving dog, she gets on well with the other dogs, walks very well on a lead ,would be a very loyal dog. D.O.B 04.05.14
All Dates of Birth (D.O.B) are approximate, unless provided with Vet Books.
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A high school student named Aubrey Fleming disappears after a local football game. She is bound and tortured by an unknown madman, who viciously severs her right arm and leg. Days later, Aubrey is found on the side of the road and taken to a hospital, where she is reunited with her parents and fitted with prosthetics for her missing limbs. But Aubrey seems to have lost all memory of her life before she was tortured, and believes that she is someone named Dakota Moss. Investigators begin working with Aubrey to track down her attacker, but Dakota Moss claims to have no knowledge of what happened to her, or what's become of Aubrey Fleming.
Gender Roles – Women
Room for Improvement:
Gender Roles – Men
Self-Esteem and Body Image
Character Development
Language and Sexual Content
Violence Against Women
Gender Roles - Women: 4 Stars (Spoilers)
Aubrey Fleming is a gifted young woman with a taste for dramatic writing. She's willing to set aside her work as an accomplished pianist and even her high school romance to put all of her energy into her passion for writing. Unfortunately, this clever character disappears early on and is replaced by Dakota Moss.
Dakota Moss also exhibits some measure of strength. She claims to be an exotic dancer and the daughter of an overdosed drug addict, but she's managed to keep herself alive and safe up until the day she wakes up in the hospital with two of her limbs missing. She is forced to come to terms with her new reality, including the fact that everyone around her believes that she is an abducted girl named Aubrey. Despite these bizarre and terrifying circumstances, Dakota has the stamina and insight to keep her wits about her, and find out what truly happened to her – and Aubrey Fleming.
Plot: 3.5 Stars (Spoilers)
Dakota is the hero that ultimately rescues Aubrey from the hands of a brutal killer, though it's a bit disappointing that it doesn't take much effort or cleverness to unravel the mystery. She does sneak out of the house to do some minimal investigative work, but for the most part, she's able to find Aubrey by relying on some unexplained psychic connection. She doesn't need to piece together random clues or dig deep into Aubrey's life to find some hidden connection, but everything is simply revealed to her in visions. Still, Dakota isn't afraid to put her own life on the line to save the twin sister she's never met, and takes on Aubrey's killer despite her own amputated limbs.
Gender Roles - Men: 2 Stars
The men in this film are fairly unimpressive. Aubrey's boyfriend, Jared, appears to be more interested in sex than the fact that his girlfriend is now a double amputee with significant psychological trauma. He doesn't hesitate to follow "Dakota" up to Aubrey's room, despite the fact that Aubrey had clearly indicated she wasn't ready for sex. If he's disturbed about Aubrey's loss of memory or bizarre new persona, he gets over it fairly quickly.
Aubrey's father, Daniel, obviously cares for his daughter and family, but he also has secrets that he'd rather keep hidden. Even when "Dakota" confronts him with the truth, he clings to his story, preferring to save his own reputation rather than his daughter's life. While Daniel does come around by the end of the film, it's too late and too little to undo the damage that's been done.
Self-Esteem and Body Image: 2 Stars
Aubrey Fleming has a healthy sense of self-esteem and has no problem maintaining the boundaries she's established with Jared (despite his claims that he loves her). Her alter-ego Dakota, on the other hand, is clearly aware of her low station in life. She doesn't have much to offer the Flemings, or to offer Jared, but the one thing she does have is her body - and she doesn't hesitate to use it the first chance she gets. To some degree it's impressive that she maintains her brash, possibly even false sense of confidence despite the loss of her arm and leg. The amputations don't prevent her from feeling sexy or taking the initiative to find out the truth about what happened to her. But some of these more powerful qualities, her determination and grit, are easily eclipsed by the intense focus on her sexuality.
Character Development: 3 Stars
I Know Who Killed Me doesn't spend much time developing Dakota's character. We're given a rough description of what her life used to look like. She was a stripper who more or less existed on the outskirts of society. But this sketchy backstory is more of a weak justification to include some unnecessary nudity and to glamorize the life of exotic dancers. I Know Who Killed Me doesn't bother to give Dakota any additional development once she moves in with the Flemings and her life gets interesting. We don't see her struggling with the shock of suddenly having only one arm and one leg. Or adjusting to the foreign atmosphere of a loving family and being mistaken for their perfect daughter. We never see her wrestling with the idea of pretending to be Aubrey. Of embracing this new life and forgetting everything that she once was. If anything, Dakota is simply a distraction to confuse the audience. A stark contrast to the more clean-cut Aubrey, but hardly her own, fully-dimensional character.
Love: 2 Stars
There isn't much of a love story between Aubrey and Jared. One of Aubrey's proudest accomplishments was clearly her writing - and in particular, a story she'd written featuring a character named Dakota Moss. If Jared had a closer relationship with Aubrey, he would have recognized right away that she was playing a character she'd created. He might have spoken to Aubrey's parents, doctors or investigators about such a crucial piece of the puzzle. But he's clearly just as clueless about his girlfriend's transformation as everyone else. He even takes advantage of her bizarre psychosis to have sex with her new persona. Obviously, this kind of disrespect tell us that, despite his claims that he loved Aubrey, his infatuation was more rooted in hormones than sincere emotion.
Language and Sexual Content: 3 Stars
Although I Know Who Killed Me stays away from offensive judgments on prostitution or promiscuous women, it also includes far too many scenes that grossly objectify women. Not only during the prolonged dance scenes in the strip club, but even during more benign scenes, such as when Aubrey is being ogled by a construction worker.
In some small sense, Dakota does find herself in a position of power over Jared due to his lack of sexual experience. But as a whole, the constant focus on women's bodies, rather than their personhood, greatly diminishes the strength of both the female leads in this film.
Violence Against Women: 2 Stars
I Know Who Killed Me seems to revel in its senseless torture of women. The perpetrator is a faceless, haunting presence with invisible motives, rather than a real human being for us to judge and vilify. The film gives us the impression that there is something intoxicating and exciting about holding this sort of power over another person. It plays to an audience that feeds off of disturbing portrayals of torture, and pretends to give us a clear sense of what evil looks like. But I Know Who Killed Me never fully exposes the complexities or the depravity behind the kind of men that hurt women. It lets them remain a mysterious and powerful force over our lives.
Similar titles with comparable ratings
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)


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Never ceasing to amaze and fascinate, Kutiman (whose groundbreaking Thru-You video album was chosen by Time Magazine as One of the 50 Best Inventions of 2009) has returned with another video in the vein of the Thru-You series. Digging on an even deeper level, he returns to form with this new song entitled "My Favorite Color". This bit of smoothed-out jazz is in a class of its own, furthering the mystique that Kutiman has helped to generate in a class of his own.
Kutiman – My Favorite Color


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Stock speculation is nothing like gambling.
It's not a roll of the dice. Hope is never a factor. No Hail Mary's are involved.
Granted, these stocks tend to be volatile, small-cap companies that trade under $10 and whose success hinges on some catalyst like a court decision, clinical trial data or FDA approval, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be thoroughly researched like any other equity in your portfolio.
Think of speculation as a calculated risk. It's not like planning a family vacation by throwing a dart at a map. (Saskatchewan again, Dad? Next year Mom's throwing the dart.) There has to be a reason you think the stock is a winner, and that's where the catalysts come in. A company with no earnings can sometimes be pushed into the black by a key event.
Now, you're not likely to find Cramer recommending buying a company with no sales or revenue, but a stock with accelerated revenue growth that hasn't yet become profitable might work, he said – as long as you believe in the stock.
It's probably best to buy the sector rather than a single stock, Cramer said. You don't want to get stuck with the one name that got left behind while the rest of the sector rallied. Buying a basket of companies also spreads out the risk. Of, say, five companies in a basket, two could flop, two might never move, and the last could pop. But that last company might do well enough to make you a nice net profit.
Remember that speculation is always a trade – it's never a long-term investment. And you always want to have an exit strategy. There's no point in hanging on too long and losing your gains. In the event you're not sure about when to pull out of a stock, Cramer recommends erring on the side of taking profits.
Bottom Line: You can't be a good investor if you're not an excited, interested investor, and one of the best ways to get excited is to speculate. But do it right, do it carefully. Be a prudent, conservative speculator and follow Cramer's speculative rules.
Questions for Cramer?
Questions, comments, suggestions for the Mad Money website? email@example.com


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In many cases joystick manipulator is best choice for user input. Whether it is a game, robot or flying machine – joystick is most intuitive way of controlling them. You can actually find them in gaming controllers like PlayStation or XBOX. The one we are going to interface is Thumb Joystick I purchased some time ago from SparkFun. They are really cheap and as users report it is practically same as in XBOX 360 which can be replaces if one is broken.
I didn't bother making a PCB for it – just used a breakout board for it which also can be found on SparkFun. Simply speaking this joystick is nothing more than two potentiometers and one pushbutton. It is designed so that potentiometers are oriented perpendicular and thus moving stick you can have X and Y axis control. Push button is simply action button which can be activated by pressing joystick down. So controlling joystick is a matter of analog read of both potentiometers with microcontroller ADC inputs.
The joystick has springs to return thumbstick in to center position. So potentiometers are also centered. If there are 10k potentiometers used, then each value is centered at about 5k. so if we use 10-bit ADC, we get center point at analog value 512.
Connecting joystick to Atmega1280
To since I have a couple of Arduino boards, I am going to use Arduino Mega128 board, but as regular AVR development board which I will program using AVRStudio6.1 and C language. The board has everything needed including Serial to USB interface based on FT232RL, power supply and all pins available for interfacing. In our demonstration we are going to connect the joystick to the microcontroller as follow:
Both potentiometers side pins to VCC and GND;
the center pin of vertical axis potentiometer to ADC0;
the center pin of horizontal axis potentiometer to ADC1;
push button to PortE pin 4.
Now we can proceed to writing a simple program that would read joystick values and send them to serial interface.
Coding AVR to read joystick
In order to read joystick analog values and send data through serial interface we are going to need ADC and USART routines. For ADC we will need only two functions – one to initialize ADC and second to read ADC. They are implemented as follows:
void InitADC(void) { // Select Vref=AVcc ADMUX |= (1<<REFS0); //set prescaller to 128 and enable ADC ADCSRA |= (1<<ADPS2)|(1<<ADPS1)|(1<<ADPS0)|(1<<ADEN); } uint16_t ReadADC(uint8_t ADCchannel) { //select ADC channel with safety mask ADMUX = (ADMUX & 0xF0) | (ADCchannel & 0x0F); //single conversion mode ADCSRA |= (1<<ADSC); // wait until ADC conversion is complete while( ADCSRA & (1<<ADSC) ); return ADC; }
Simply speaking we set up ADC with 128 prescaller and select reference voltage as VCC. Reading is also simple – we select channel and make single conversion which returns 10 bit ADC value.
As for USART communications, we simply implement stdio.h library based formatted strings. Here also we need several helper functions including
void USART0Init(void); int USART0SendByte(char u8Data, FILE *stream);
The implementations will be obvious in example code below.
In our code we are going to loop through ADC reads, interpret them as speed values and then output them to terminal screen. The speed value will vary depending on how much joystick is pushed. The more it is pushed to the limit the bigger speed value should be in particular direction. First of all here is a demo code:
#include <stdio.h> #include <avr/io.h> #include <avr/eeprom.h> #include <avr/pgmspace.h> #include <util/delay.h> #define USART_BAUDRATE 9600 #define UBRR_VALUE (((F_CPU / (USART_BAUDRATE * 16UL))) - 1) #define BTDDR DDRE #define BTPORT PORTE #define BTPIN PINE #define BT PE4 #define MAXSPEED 10 //define eeprom addresses #define EEVMAX 0 #define EEVMIN 2 #define EEVCENTER 4 #define EEHMAX 6 #define EEHMIN 8 #define EEHCENTER 10 #define EEJINIT E2END //variables uint16_t vmax, vmin, vcenter, hmax, hmin, hcenter; //function prototypes void USART0Init(void); int USART0SendByte(char u8Data, FILE *stream); void InitADC(void); uint16_t ReadADC(uint8_t ADCchannel); void ButtonInit(void); uint8_t ButtonRead(void); void JoystickCalibrate(void); void JoysticReadParameters(void); //set stream pointer FILE usart0_str = FDEV_SETUP_STREAM(USART0SendByte, NULL, _FDEV_SETUP_WRITE); int main() { uint16_t vpotval, hpotval; int8_t vspeed, hspeed; //initialize ADC InitADC(); //Initialize USART0 USART0Init(); //assign our stream to standard I/O streams stdout=&usart0_str; //initialize button ButtonInit(); //read joystick parameters from EEPROM //or calibrate joystick for the first time JoysticReadParameters(); while(1) { vpotval = ReadADC(0); hpotval = ReadADC(1); //calculate speed values if (vpotval > vcenter) { vspeed = (int8_t)((int16_t)((vpotval-vcenter)*MAXSPEED)/((int16_t)((vmax-vcenter)))); } else { vspeed = (int8_t)((int16_t)((vpotval-vcenter)*MAXSPEED)/((int16_t)((vcenter-vmin)))); } if (hpotval > hcenter) { hspeed = (int8_t)((int16_t)((hpotval-hcenter)*MAXSPEED)/((int16_t)((hmax-hcenter)))); } else { hspeed = (int8_t)((int16_t)((hpotval-hcenter)*MAXSPEED)/((int16_t)((hcenter-hmin)))); } //print data printf("V Potentiometer value = %u \n", (uint16_t)vpotval); printf("V speed = %i \n", (int8_t)vspeed); printf("H Potentiometer value = %u \n", (uint16_t)hpotval); printf("H speed = %i \n", (int8_t)hspeed); _delay_ms(1000); } } //Routines void USART0Init(void) { // Set baud rate UBRR0H = (uint8_t)(UBRR_VALUE>>8); UBRR0L = (uint8_t)UBRR_VALUE; // Set frame format to 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit UCSR0C |= (1<<UCSZ01)|(1<<UCSZ00); //enable transmission and reception UCSR0B |= (1<<RXEN0)|(1<<TXEN0); } int USART0SendByte(char u8Data, FILE *stream) { if(u8Data == '\n') { USART0SendByte('\r', stream); } //wait while previous byte is completed while(!(UCSR0A&(1<<UDRE0))){}; // Transmit data UDR0 = u8Data; return 0; } void InitADC(void) { // Select Vref=AVcc ADMUX |= (1<<REFS0); //set prescaller to 128 and enable ADC ADCSRA |= (1<<ADPS2)|(1<<ADPS1)|(1<<ADPS0)|(1<<ADEN); } uint16_t ReadADC(uint8_t ADCchannel) { //select ADC channel with safety mask ADMUX = (ADMUX & 0xF0) | (ADCchannel & 0x0F); //single conversion mode ADCSRA |= (1<<ADSC); // wait until ADC conversion is complete while( ADCSRA & (1<<ADSC) ); return ADC; } void ButtonInit(void) { //as input BTDDR &= ~(1<<BT); //enable internal pullup BTPORT |= (1<<BT); } uint8_t ButtonRead(void) { return (1<<BT)&BTPIN; } void JoystickCalibrate(void) { printf_P(PSTR("\nInput Vertical max")); while (ButtonRead()) {} eeprom_write_word((uint16_t*)EEVMAX,ReadADC(0));// printf_P(PSTR("\nVertical MAX stored to EEPROM")); while (!ButtonRead()) {} printf_P(PSTR("\nInput Vertical min")); while (ButtonRead()) {} eeprom_write_word((uint16_t*)EEVMIN,ReadADC(0));// printf_P(PSTR("\nVertical MIN stored to EEPROM")); while (!ButtonRead()) {} printf_P(PSTR("\nInput center")); while (ButtonRead()) {} eeprom_write_word((uint16_t*)EEVCENTER,ReadADC(0));// eeprom_write_word((uint16_t*)EEHCENTER,ReadADC(1));// printf_P(PSTR("\nV and H center stored to EEPROM")); while (!ButtonRead()) {} printf_P(PSTR("\nInput Horizontal max")); while (ButtonRead()) {} eeprom_write_word((uint16_t*)EEHMAX,ReadADC(1));// printf_P(PSTR("\nHorizontal MAX stored to EEPROM")); while (!ButtonRead()) {} printf_P(PSTR("\nInput Horizontal min")); while (ButtonRead()) {} eeprom_write_word((uint16_t*)EEHMIN,ReadADC(1));// printf_P(PSTR("\nHorizontal MIN stored to EEPROM")); while (!ButtonRead()) {} eeprom_write_byte((uint8_t*)EEJINIT,'T');//marks once that eeprom init is done //once this procedure is held, no more initialization is performed } void JoysticReadParameters(void) { if (eeprom_read_byte((uint8_t*)EEJINIT)!='T') { JoystickCalibrate(); } else { printf_P(PSTR("\nReading Joystick parameters...\n")); vmax = eeprom_read_word((uint16_t*)EEVMAX); vmin = eeprom_read_word((uint16_t*)EEVMIN); vcenter = eeprom_read_word((uint16_t*)EEVCENTER); hmax = eeprom_read_word((uint16_t*)EEHMAX); hmin = eeprom_read_word((uint16_t*)EEHMIN); hcenter = eeprom_read_word((uint16_t*)EEHCENTER); printf("V max = %u \n", (uint16_t)vmax); printf("V min = %u \n", (uint16_t)vmin); printf("V center = %u \n", (uint16_t)vcenter); printf("H max = %u \n", (uint16_t)hmax); printf("H min = %u \n", (uint16_t)hmin); printf("H center = %u \n", (uint16_t)hcenter); printf_P(PSTR("\nDone!\n")); } }
As you can see I have also implemented a calibration function in to algorithm.
void JoystickCalibrate(void)
Normally you would expect potentiometer to at the center that would result in ADC value equal to 512. Also min and max values should be 0 and 1024. But in reality these values may be off at some value. For instance I get vertical center value 498 while horizontal 506. this may lead to some errors in precise control algorithms. During calibration routine I simply measured min and max values including center potentiometer value and stored to EEPROM memory. It has to be done once on first program run. Later program checks if calibration were performed and reads those values to RAM to be used in calculations.
void JoysticReadParameters(void)
The code is only to demonstrate the use of Joystick in your projects. So calculation of speed and terminal messages are only to illustrate how things work.
You are free to reuse code or some parts in your projects. If you find errors or have interesting ideas, please comment or share them in forum.