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Class Scheduling and Classroom Assignment Policy
Overview
Effective class scheduling is critical to the academic mission of the University. It enables students to take the classes they need and create viable schedules, assures faculty availability to teach, and contributes to efficient space utilization and good stewardship of our valuable institutional resources. This policy applies to all quarter-system courses that utilize University classrooms. Courses meeting on weekends or in specialized facilities such as labs, studios and performance spaces are excluded from standard class times/days and distribution.
Authority for Assignment of Space
Classrooms are scheduled by the Office of the Registrar, unless authority is delegated. Academic units with delegated scheduling authority for a classroom will have first priority for that space, providing that the requested classrooms are included in the Schedule of Courses submitted to the Registrar by the required due date. These units must assign seminars and classes with small enrollments to departmental spaces whenever possible.
The Office of the Registrar will publish a scheduling timeline with annual deadlines and dates. Departments that submit both scheduling and classroom information accurately, on-time and within the standard scheduling grid will receive a higher priority for scheduling times and classroom preferences. Schedules that are submitted past the deadline or meeting on non-standard meeting patterns will receive the lowest priority when classrooms are assigned.
Standard Class Times and Days
Standard meeting patterns are necessary in order optimize classroom utilization and for students and faculty to be able to create workable schedules. Classes that utilize standard patterns receive scheduling priority in centrally-controlled classrooms. The standard meeting patterns are:
Classes meeting for two hours, two days a week on MW, TR, TF or WF. Classes meeting in this pattern must begin on even number hours, i.e. 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 2:00 or 4:00.
Classes meeting for one hour, three or more days per week on MWF, MTRF, TWRF, MTWR, MWRF, MTWRF. These courses should be distributed evenly over the two-hour blocks. For every course meeting on an even hour, another should meet on the subsequent odd hour.
Classes meeting for three to four hours one day a week. Four-hour courses should begin at 8:00, 12:00 and 4:00. Three hour sections should begin at 9:00, 12:00, 3:00 and 6:00.
Classes meeting two days a week for three-hours on MW, TR, WF and TF. These sections should begin at 9:00, 1:00 and 5:00.
Standard Distribution of Classes Across Days and Times:
The most popular time for scheduling classes has traditionally been between 10:00-4:00, Monday through Thursday. Too many sections scheduled during these times creates scheduling conflicts for students and results in not having enough general purpose classrooms to meet the high demand during the peak time slots. As such, divisions are expected to follow the following distribution guidelines when assembling their schedules.
Divisions must schedule courses evenly throughout the day. At least 10% of a department’s sections must begin before 10:00 a.m., and at least 10% must begin at 4:00 p.m. or later. Approximately equal numbers of sections should be scheduled between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The number of sections meeting in two hour blocks on MW/WF should roughly equal the number offered on TR/TF. Divisions that offer one day a week courses are expected to distribute their classes throughout the week.
Undergraduate classes meeting for two hours, twice a week between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. must be scheduled to include Friday meetings in accordance with the following formula:
Monday/Wednesday
30% to 40% (of total scheduled 2x2 seats per time slot)
Tuesday/Thursday
30% to 40% (of total scheduled 2x2 seats per time slot)
Tuesday/Friday
10% to 30% (of total scheduled 2x2 seats per time slot)
Wednesday/Friday
10% to 30% (of total scheduled 2x2 seats per time slot)
The purpose of this distribution is to make sure that there are approximately the same number of undergraduates in class every day of the week before 2 p.m.
Divisions that do not adhere to these scheduling guidelines may be asked to revise their schedules before classrooms are assigned.
General Classroom Assignments:
General assignment classrooms are scheduled with utilization in mind, but divisions are able to request specific general assignment rooms when schedules are submitted. Schedules that meet the guidelines and are submitted on time will be given first consideration for these spaces. Room requests that meet that criteria are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Faculty with health issues or disabilities will be given top consideration for room requests, but divisions must be sure to identify these sections before room assignments begin to ensure that these sections are placed in an appropriate classroom.
Contact Us
Office of the RegistrarUniversity of Denver2197 S. University Blvd.Denver, CO 80208Phone: 303-871-4095Fax: [email protected] | {
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Ten Unsung Heroes of Final Fantasy
We all know the typical rundown of Final Fantasy heroes: Cloud, Squall, Tidus, Yuna — the list goes on. They’re enormously popular with fans and RPG enthusiasts everywhere, and we’re intimately familiar with their tales of brevity and courage. But what about those who aren’t so widely recognized? When do they receive the praise and admiration they deserve? Right here, right now! We’ve got a rundown of the unsung heroes of Final Fantasy, all of whom need your attention. Get ready to say hello to the heroes who deserve some praise and adoration!
Rydia
Final Fantasy IV
The Green Summoner herself was single-handedly responsible for the shift in popularity surrounding summoning in the core Final Fantasy games. After Rydia's appearance, the summoning class took on a personality of its own, rather than being relegated to an optional job or a gimmick. And let's not forget Rydia's worth as a heroine on her own merit. Acting as a rock for Cecil and a compassionate shoulder to cry on to the rest of the Final Fantasy IV cast, Rydia is a memorable and flawed character with savvy personality traits as well as some intriguing moments.
Eiko Carol
Final Fantasy IX
Square Enix
Little Eiko had so much on her plate for a young girl and still managed to act as a formidable and powerful summoner. Having grown up alone in Madain Sari with only moogles for friends, she doesn't want to grow up and face her painful past, but must do so in order to truly unlock her power as an eidolon summoner. When she finally becomes part of Cid and Hilda's family as a princess, it's every bit of an emotional moment for players as she has become a part of the "family," as much as the royal family of Lindblum.
Balthier
Final Fantasy XII
The land of Ivalice and its cast of characters was polarizing to players overall, and Vaan simply didn't resonate as the "main" protagonist. As the driving force behind Final Fantasy XII, Balthier is cooler than the other side of the pillow, not to mention the center of every relationship web in the game. He's also great in combat and absolutely essential to the central narrative. Plus, let's not forget about how handsome he is. That devilish rogue.
Lulu
Final Fantasy X
True, cosplayers love to bare their shoulders and don a belt skirt to mimic the black mage of Final Fantasy X, but she doesn't receive near enough credit. She uses a stuffed moogle in combat, for crying out loud. And let's not leave out her elegant, yet no-nonsense persona. She's tough without being a grouch, and she surprisingly enough ends up with Wakka. How crazy is that?
Irvine Kinneas
Final Fantasy VII
This Western charmer is memorable with his long brown ponytail and duster, and when it comes to Final Fantasy VIII male characters, he's got a rich back story and personally that shines through every time he's got a few minutes in the spotlight. When he gets it, anyway. He's also a crack shot. And in our book, that's grounds for a little recognition -- especially since he's curiously devoid of angst, which is fantastic.
Sazh Katzroy
Final Fantasy XIII
Lightning, Snow, Vanille, and the gang get their fair dues, that's for sure. But what about the lovable and capable Sazh? All he wants to do is keep his ailing son from harm. and his reasons for pressing on in the face of a dire situation are nothing short of admirable. By far the most down-to-earth and relatable character of Final Fantasy XIII, Sazh was the most powerful link between Final Fantasy XIII and its audience and is an overall nuanced character with plenty to offer.
Kimahri Ronso
Final Fantasy X
Kimahri plays the stoic match to a colorful and varied cast in Final Fantasy X, but he's actually an outcast from his own tribe because of his broken horn and height, which makes him undesirable back home. He proves himself time and time again as a loyal and capable soldier who's there for those in need, and while he may be viewed in a negative light where he's from, he certainly made quite the impression on those who completed Final Fantasy X.
Quina Quen
Final Fantasy IX
Rarely will you find another character as bizarre as Quina Quen, a genderless Qu and purveyor of blue magic. Quina loves to eat and speak in all caps, and despite having some of the stronger dialogue and a dearth of "real" character development, Quina has some of the most poignant and touching moments of Final Fantasy IX buried here and there.
Paine
Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy X-2 wasn't well-received by all fans, but we can all agree that the punk rock member of the Gullwings is one bad mama. She's cynical, quiet, and tough, but yet she's smart enough and caring enough to keep her friends from stumbling into a trap. Throughout her journey with Yuna and Rikku she finally learned to open up, while coming to terms with her mysterious past and those associated with it.
Freya Crescent
Final Fantasy IX
This Burmecian Dragon Knight is poignant, thoughtful, and simultaneously lovelorn, as she set out in search of her lost love, Sir Fratley. She's friendly, calm, and personable, but also a formidable knight who can handle her business with the best of them. She's a much better knight than Steiner, in our estimation.
Welcome back to 95.7 KEZJ - Southern Idaho's New Country
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Welcome back to 95.7 KEZJ - Southern Idaho's New Country
It appears that you already have an account on this site associated with . To connect your existing account just click on the account activation button below. You will maintain your existing VIP profile. After you do this, you will be able to always log in to http://kezj.com using your original account information. | {
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If you are living in Karama and experiencing some health related problems or issue then you should contact and consult a doctor for your health check up. You can find many types of doctors in this city such as Paediatrician, Physician, Gynaecologist, Dietician, Pathologist, Dentist, homeopath and many others. Finding a doctor can be a difficult task sometimes but you can find doctors on internet too according to your needs. There are many reasons of seeing a doctor regularly as it helps to keep your body healthy. Some of the important factors for seeing a doctor are mentioned below:
General health Checkups: You should get your own or your child’s health checkups from doctor on regular intervals. Your doctor may help in keeping you up to date by recommending you with some vaccination process. He will examine your whole body properly in order to find out any infection and if there is any he will suggest you the best medication as well as precaution. Vaccination provides you protection against many diseases such as Measles, Hepatitis B, Polio, Mumps and even cancer.
Primary Checkups: You must get your blood pressure, sugar level, and cholesterol level checked regularly to stay healthy and fit. Doctors will provide you with the complete analysis report of your body levels, and will give you advice related to health tips for making your body fit and healthy in future also.
Create your annual report: You can visit a doctor and ask him to create an annual report of you. This annual report helps you in emergency cases. This report reduces unnecessary tests which are required at the time of emergency and reduces the consumption of extra time so that you can receive immediate help and care. You should also go for annual blood check up to ensure the safety of blood running in your body in terms of Diabetes, Cholesterol, Blood sugar levels and hyper tension. | {
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Daniel Russel, the former US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, says Chinese officials could “outsmart themselves” trying to calculate how the 2020 US presidential election could benefit China. Photo: Nora Tam
Daniel Russel, the former US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, says Chinese officials could “outsmart themselves” trying to calculate how the 2020 US presidential election could benefit China. Photo: Nora Tam | {
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Academics
Academics
REGULAR PROGRAM
At Aurora, we have a 5 day cycle with 2 different time schedules to accommodate a variety of grade levels. The Curriculum Handbook for parents is available through administration at the school or by accessing Alberta Learning Website:
A student's eligibility for placement in the next grade level shall be the responsibility of the teachers in consultation with the principal, other involved professionals, and parents.
Where a student's achievement is such that normal promotion is in doubt, parents shall be advised of this as early in the school year as possible, but not later than the end of Term 2
In cases where special placement appears to be in the best interests of the student, the principal and/or Student Support Team Coordinator shall consult with all teachers concerned and the parents or legal guardians before a final decision is made.
COMPLEMENTARY CLASSES
All students in grade 6 will take band classes. All students will have the opportunity to select fine art classes that they would enjoy. The fine art classes will change halfway through the year. Grade 7/8 students will have two periods of Home Ec./I.A. | {
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What We Believe
We believe the Bible is God's inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God to all mankind. The ultimate authority for everything we believe and do at North Shore Church is God's word, the Bible.
We believe that God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. The ultimate motivation at North Shore Church is to know God and make Him known, and to glorify Him with our lives.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the sinless Son of God. He was fully God and fully man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross as a sacrifice for the sins of man, was buried, and rose from the dead. He is alive and is the head of His body, the Church. The ultimate message of North Shore Church is the person and work of Jesus Christ for us, in us and through us.
We believe the Holy Spirit is equal with God the Father and Jesus Christ. He has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ, apply the saving work of Christ to men, impart gifts to those who are born again, enable men to live a godly life, and seal the believer for the day of redemption. The ultimate power within North Shore Church is the energizing work of the Holy Spirit to bring about the Father's will.
We believe that man is made in the image of God and is the supreme object of God's creation. Man became separated from God in sin and is in need of redemption and reconciliation with God. The ultimate message of North Shore Church is forgiveness and life found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
We believe salvation is a free grace gift of God offered to all mankind. Only by believing and trusting in Jesus Christ can one be redeemed from the penalty of sin and be reconciled to God forever. The ultimate security of North Shore Church is found in God holding us to Himself and never letting go.
We believe that every Christian is in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. As we study God's Word in fellowship with other believers, we find strength and encouragement to draw closer to God and have His life reflected in ours. Discipleship is the process of coming to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds and bodies and to love our neighbors as ourselves. There is no arrival point, merely a process of being transformed by the renewing of our minds toward Him. The ultimate purpose of North Shore Church is to make disciples.
We believe that the universal Church is the body and bride of Christ and is made up of all believers in all the earth. The universal Church is made up of local congregations, such as North Shore Church, who assemble for worship, fellowship, evangelism, discipleship, and ministry. The ultimate role of North Shore Church is to represent God to our community and around the world as the answer to life. | {
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Sildenafil Soft Gel Capsule
$0.57Per Pill
Product Details
Generic Name :
Sildenafil Soft Gel Capsule
Average Delivery:
10 days
Strength(s):
100 mg
Expire Date:
01 Oct 2018
Brand Name:
Viagra
Shipping:
World Wide
Description
Sildenafil soft gel capsules are peculiarly designed capsule which are easy to imbibe and dissolves faster in the blood streams, to provide quick effect in approximately 20 to 30 minutes. It is a drug which is formulated to immediately cure impotency of male organ in significantly short span of time. This is possible due to the effective and active component Sildenafil which is present in the capsule in gel form encapsulated in gelatin capsule- cover. The effect of the drug lasts for about 4 to 6 hours.
These Sildenafil soft gel capsules have made it easier for elder individuals to gulp the medication and attain required rigidness in considerable short time.
After consuming the pill the effect of the dose can be seen within 20 to 30 minutes as it takes sometime to dissolve in the blood. The internal working of the pill is quite simple and efficient to cure impotency immediately. As the gelatin capsules which encapsulates the active components gets dissolve, Sildenafil the chief component enters the body and starts working. It undermined the functioning of PDE-5 of Phosphodiesterase Type5 which is responsible for influencing the blood flow resulting in partial or no erectile functioning. As the PDE- 5 is inhibited the blood flow to the male organ of reproduction enhances and stay in the organ which results in rigidity of the organ and sustentation or hard on. The effect of Sildenafil is known to last for at least four hours and maximum 6 hours.
DOSE :
It is recommended to take only one dose of Sildenafil Soft Gel capsule, a day. Taking Sildenafil Soft Gel 100 mg, once a day is sufficient. It is essential to take the medication at least 30 minutes before the course of coitus. It is better to consume the pill with water as it will help the gelatin to dissolve properly and the pill can show its effect sooner. Chewing or breaking this capsule should be avoided; one should take it as whole. It is better to speak to your doctor before you start taking Sildenafil. It is not at all sensible to increase the dose of the medication for enhanced effects; it may lead to side effects. Consult the doctor before starting the dose of this medication. Do not increase the dose of the medication if you don?t get the effect. We recommend you to consult the doctor before doing any changes in the medication dose.
SIDE EFFECTS :
There are various but temporary side effects of Sildenafil soft gel capsules. One of the most common side effects is blurred vision or impaired visual ability. It may also have its influence on stomach and may result in indigestion as a side effect. Congested nose and too much sweating are also other symptoms of Sildenafil soft gel capsules. You may also experience muscle pain which is amongst the above mentioned temporary symptoms of this medication. It is essential to remember that is any of these symptoms progresses or becomes intolerable then seeing a doctor is the best option. There may be other serious symptoms of the drug such as heart related issues, abnormal heart beat or even coma. If any of these serious symptoms are noticed then immediate visit to doctor is essential.
There can be side effects involved in taking the pill; hence, precaution is essential. It is strictly not recommended to take Sildenafil soft gel capsules if you are allergic to gelatin or its active component Sildenafil citrate.
Since, the aftermath of taking the pill can be drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, impaired vision etc; hence, it is suggested not o do any work which needs any level of concentration such as driving, working on machines etc.
If you have had heart related disease, kidney issues or any other serious issues, then it is suggested to ask you doctor before you go on Sildenafil soft gel capsules.
It is also important to reduce or cease intake of alcohol, cigarette or other toxic substances as it not only undermine the functioning of the pill but may also have side effects on the body.
WARNINGS :
While you decide to take Sildenafil for immediate cure of impotency, you should speak to your doctor if you are simultaneously undergoing treatment for other physical disorder.
You should make sure not to take any drug which contains nitrate, before, along or after consuming Sildenafil soft gel capsules. In such a case it is best to discuss this with your doctor.
Keep this medication away from children and women, especially pregnant ladies as it may have adverse effects on them.
Maintain appropriate time gap of at least 24 hours between two doses of Sildenafil soft tab capsules.
Do not take this pill consistently in such manner that it becomes habitual to you, as it may reduce further chances of natural erectile functioning.
Customer Reviews
Jason Nelson,
El Cajon California,US
If you are affected with throat issues like me and also face difficult bringing your junk up during intercourse, again like me, then use this medicine called Sildenafil soft gel capsules. I found it nice and easy to administer.
Justin Smith,
Ontario,Canada
This medicine is the best one as far as I have tried. My doc suggested some medicines which were not helpful and since I opted for naturopathy I knew it will take time or have no effects. So I had not options to go to my GP and enquire about these fast acting medicines. He suggested me using Sildenafil citrate and I went by this name and bought Sildenafil soft gel capsules and I rely on it now, though I also use natural treatment after approval from my general physician.
Peter Brown,
Albany,Western Australia
I used this medicine because my doctor says it is suitable according to my needs as I usually experience pain when I swallow something and since I was also suffering from impotency of my penis I had no options but to use this. But I feel that my decision to take this drug was right as I found it to be a comprehensive solution for both my problems. | {
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2014 Sponsorship Package
By sponsoring the Wine and Beer through Ancient History: A Scavenger Hunt you not only support an awesome event, you also get a chance to introduce your business to extraordinary audience of potential customers. | {
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On a recent Today Show, the host was interviewing a woman who lost her home in a California mudslide. It was an tearful exchange, but according to this entry in Dave Cullen’s blog, the interviewer missed an opportunity to show empathy, instead of going after more information. Cullen says a journalist needs to be ready to put aside the list of prepared questions and to “show some meaningful emotion.” What kind of emotion does Cullen suggest? He recommends something like: “I wish I knew what to say.” He says this is a more human (and humane) response. Clearly it is, but is it the right one? When exploring trauma, should a journalist really set aside information-gathering when the tears start to flow, and provide soothing reassurance instead? How would you have handled this interview?
There’s a compelling article in the Ryerson Review of Journalism that asks questions we should all be trying to answer about why we as an unchallenged rule immediately decide not to cover a suicide — unless, of course, it’s a “public figure.”
Author Liam Casey says: “reporters have a duty to cover all aspects of life, including death.
Suicide avoidance is a throwback to journalism’s dark days, a time when
editors and news producers could choose to ignore unpleasant matters.
But the industry can no longer justify failing to cover a tragedy that
will affect so many people, in one way or another, at some time in their
lives.”Continue Reading Should the media cover suicides?
J-Source and ProjetJ are publications of the Canadian Journalism Project, a venture among post-secondary journalism schools and programs across Canada, led by Ryerson University, Université Laval and Carleton University and supported by a group of donors. | {
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Saturday, 5 May 2012
The Kaseo Kid 1982-1984
When Anglesey new wave combo Straightjacket split in 1981, keyboard player Dewi Evans decided to go solo as The Casio Kid. He played regular gigs in the area, often at Plas Coch in Llanedwen or The Glanrafon Pub in Bangor, performing his infectious synth pop songs on his portable Casio keyboard. Although synth pop was catching on nationally at the time with the emergence of groups like Depeche Mode and Soft Cell, the north Wales scene was slow to embrace the new technology, generally clinging on to more traditional guitar based rock of one variety or another. Dewi however was ahead of the pack, and thanks to the pioneering work of the Casio company in introducing portable and affordable synthesisers to the market he was able to perform live without the encumberance of other musicians.
His first official release was an appearance on the Gwynedd Union of Musicians compilation 'The Adventure Continues', which rounded up much of the music that had been heard live in the Bangor and Anglesey area between March 1981 and March 1982. At the time, he was also a member of the legendary Alun Rhys Jones Task Force, an extended line-up of The Alun Rhys Jones Band, with who he performed a memorable gig in Bangor's Glanrafon Pub on the 13th August 1982.
Pleased with the response to his live shows and compilation track, Dewi decided to record an album of his songs. He got in touch with Alan Holmes, guitarist of the recently disbanded Pinecones and recorded six or seven songs at Alan's home studio between August and November 1982. In order to expand the tonal colour of the songs, Dewi invited a few friends to guest on the album, resulting notably in the extraordinary, if somewhat out of character, extended jazz composition 'Take It or Leave It' - clearly Dewi was no one trick pony! The studio recordings were augmented by a pair of songs recorded live at Plas Coch on May 18th that clearly required no further adornment. When the album was released in early 1983, it appeared under the slightly altered name The Kaseo Kid, due to Dewi's nervousness of possible copyright litigation from the electronics company!
The album was a resounding success, housed in a futuristic dayglo yellow cover that echoed Kraftwerk's contemporary 'Computer World'. The music inside perfectly melded classic pop teen angst with space age robotic rhythms in a manner that put to shame all the area's retro obsessed pub rockers.
A year later, Dewi released a second album, this time under his own name. Oddly though, 'Blank Expression' was not so much a follow up to 'Hey, It's the Kaseo Kid!' as more of a remake/update of it. The album's eight tracks included new versions of five of the previous album's songs, along with two new compositions and a cover of The Ominous Dr Clip Clop's 'Jingle Jangle Girl'. It seems that Dewi had been unhappy with the versions of the songs on the first release and decided he could now do them greater justice. In retrospect, he has intimated that perhaps this move was a mistake and that now he actually favoured the earlier versions, which for all their naiveté seemed to possess a youthful vibrancy absent from the more considered follow up. Here is your opportunity to compare the two versions and decide for yourself!
Dewi of course later went on to work in such noted acts as Go Johnny Go, Mass Reaction, Technomania, Silo 7, Paul Murray & Easy Street, Aquarelle, Rheinallt H Rowlands, Cut 23, The Daylight Alien and Parking Non-Stop as well as guesting with the likes of Fflaps, Ectogram, Wrightoid and John Harley. He also wrote the definitive tutor 'Play Rock Keyboards' and provided the music to countless stage and TV productions. You can find full details of his current and past projects at dewievansmusic.com
all lyrics, music and arrangements by The Kaseo Kid except 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine' by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio.
Produced by Alan Holmes and The Kaseo Kid August - November 1982 except 'Photo-Love' and 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine' recorded live at Plas Coch, Llanedwen by Bryan Griffiths on May 18th 1982.
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We hope to unearth lost, forgotten or obscure music from the north Wales music scene of the past few decades and make it available again, or in many cases, for the first time.
Much of the music here has never seen an official release, and the stuff that has is all currently out of print as far as we know. Wherever possible, at least one member of the respective band has given permission for their music to be uploaded, but if anyone else has a claim to the copyright of anything here that they object to being shared, please get in touch with us and we will remove it.
All downloads are encoded as 320 kbs mp3s, providing as reasonably good quality sound as can be expected in the circumstances. | {
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6 Ways To Annoy The Crap Out Of People Online
What you may not have realised however is how much I READ about social media. It’s a subject that really interests me, especially the notion of “best practices”. Why? Because I see so many people completely screwing up social media and annoying the crap out of people online.
C’mon. So much of this is common sense. But it would seem a lot of people don’t think before they put stuff online. They chuck up any old thing and either hope for the best or think it’s all accidental. It’s not. The best sites and personas online are CRAFTED. Just like your writing!
Yeah OK, none of us are the authority on this stuff. I know for a fact there are some people out there who reckon I tweet “too much”; am too preachy on this blog, or “obnoxiously ubiquitous” with FB tags or Pinterest. Whatevs, homies. I’m an acquired taste, like anchovies or taramasalata … If you don’t like me, just unfollow/unfriend me and remember to close the door on your way out. Bye bye then …
… Still here? Great!
Then feast your eyes on these 6 ways to screw up your image online and annoy the very people you want to get on board with you:
6. Spam them with your links/promos
Yay! You’ve got a new book or movie out – or maybe you’re crowdfunding, or want to collaborate with filmmakers? WE GET IT: it’s hard to stand out.
And often, time is of the essence: you need money/recognition/contacts AND YOU NEED THEM NOW otherwise your project or whole career will go TITS UP and everything you worked for will go down the TOILET and you might as well just jump off a BRIDGE because your spouse will DIVORCE you because of all the time you’ve spent on this shit!
Except copying and pasting the same tweets and statuses over and over just won’t cut it. You want people to know you’re there? It’s simple: ENGAGE WITH THEM. Offer them something – a reason to get on board with you. Pitching constantly at people will get you ignored, unfollowed, unfriended or even blocked. Harsh but true.
Oh and btw – when is spamming not spamming? When it’s cross posting. But like everything, cross post in moderation. And also, did you know? You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram as @LucyVHayAuthor, plus check out my crime fiction blog at www.lucyvhayauthor.com – PSYCHE! 😛
5. Flame them
C’mon: does it really need explaining why this is a bad idea? So let’s switch it around and look at it from the other side:
“Thanks for your feedback.”
Ever had this from me or seen me deliver this retort to someone else online? In case you were in any doubt, it means “fuck you”. As does “Thanks for letting me know your position” or the sarcastic, “thanks for showing me the light!”.
FYI – It is the only time you will read me using such vanilla phrasing, especially as conversely the more I like you, the more I am likely to SEEM to argue, bait you and/or take the Mick. (I’m British. It’s what we DO).
So, anyway these days I operate a strong “Life is Too Short” policy, which means I do not get into it with flamers or those whose POVs I find vile or tedious. Occasionally, I may get drawn into an exchange for more than 2 or 3 tweets (either because I’m seeking clarification as I don’t block willy-nilly, or because a Bang2writer is valiantly making an attempt to defend me, which is appreciated but not necessary).
Again: ‘cos life is too short.
It comes down to this: you cannot “save” idiots from themselves. 140 characters or whatever is simply not enough to make people realise their views are a load of codswollop. If I tried to explain to my personal flamers that NO, there are no “rules” in screenwriting; NO, I do not want to “encourage” teen pregnancy; plus NO, I do not want all young girls to use abortion “as contraceptives”? That is what I’d do ALL DAY. Seriously.
Remember, if they wanted to TALK to you, they would. If they come in guns blazing? They have already made up their minds about you or what you stand for. It is not personal. They’ve got issues, probably because they have the personality of a burrowing tick. Feel sorry for them: block, unfriend, unfollow and move on.
4. Whinge
“You know what I love? Hearing people complain how terrible their lives are.” Said by no one, ever. Another no-brainer.
Yes, yes, we all have shit days. 2012 had 187 of them, for me (I was counting).
But guess what. Complaining doesn’t do anyone any good, least of all you. So if things are getting on top you? Do yourself a favour: turn the internet OFF. Go for a walk. Meet a friend. Watch a film. Read. Eat chocolate. Pet a cute animal. Do whatever it takes to make yourself feel better, or at least take your mind off it. But for the love of all things holy leave the interwebs ALONE or you’ll end up on a one route highway to CrazyTown. And I ain’t talking about the one hit wonders.
3. Make mad proclamations
“Don’t you think the likes of [insert professional writer, filmmaker or movie/show etc] make the rest of us look bad?”
“You’re crazy to pursue traditional publishing/ have an agent: don’t you know you could make much more money self publishing?”
“[Whatever] limits the imaginative reach of writers.”
“You’re such a good writer normally and yet this is shit.”
“I can tell Hollywood where it’s going wrong and save them millions.”
“I can’t take you seriously when you like [whatever].”
Yeah, imagine being told any of the above. Oh no, wait: I’ve heard ALL of the above straight to my inbox, @box, phone and FACE. And I get it all the time.
And guess what happens: I remember. And not in a good way. In a, “Oh God here’s another muppet who’s greasing up his/her pole for the downward slope into a tar pit where they’ll be preserved for all eternity as an oddity of their time“-type way. I am by no means a special case, either. All my writer and filmmaker colleagues report a high incidence of people making mad proclamations to them, day in, day out.
So the solution is simple: don’t do this! Don’t be that oddity, ‘cos you’ll end up fixed with a perpetual howl on your face of “Why doesn’t anyone take me seriously??” Again: CrazyTown. And it’s hard to get out of! There are no street signs. Okay I’m done with this analogy. Moving on.
But OK, so you’d do it a different way, a supposedly “better” way? Fab. Do you know what went into the project, or why? 9/10: no.
There’s nothing more tedious than being told what you’re doing (the operative word) is actually bad by someone who has no clue what sacrifices and development decisions you had to make. You wouldn’t tell a doctor how to perform an appendectomy just from watching Holby City a handful of times, so again it’s simple: please don’t diss other writers’ and filmmakers’ work.
Look, hate stuff all you want if you must. Fill your boots. I’m not trying to exert MIND CONTROL here. But if you can’t be constructive or at least funny about it? Shut your yap online. Seriously. You never know who will see it. Even if you don’t care whether you hurt somebody’s feelings, do it for yourself. ‘Cos as mentioned in the last section: people remember.
So, let’s make a pact: for everything negative you say online about a piece, you have to say two POSITIVE things … Because it’s rare that something has NO merit whatsoever; there’s usually *something* to enjoy.
And if you can’t say those two good things? Then say nothing, or say it “wasn’t for you”. Sorted.
1. Make Demands
I get stacks of emails, tweets and messages every week from writers wanting my help. And that’s cool, because I am always happy to help. I LIKE helping. And most writers asking me for help are great and y’know, normal.
However, there is a small contingent who:
Send multiple queries, complaining I have not answered quickly enough.
Complain on social media that I have ignored them, when I have forgotten or not seen their queries because they have sent via a channel like Linkedin PMs, which I check very infrequently (there’s a reason I recommend tweeting me with questions).
Complain I have not helped them “enough” (this usually means they have asked me to refer them to an agent or producer and I have declined, either because I have not read their work, or because I have & feel it is not ready).
Complain I have not engaged with them “properly” (what they mean is I have refused to be flamed or rebuffed a mad proclamation and perhaps unfriended or unfollowed them).
Complain that I favour women, or gay people, or ethnic minorities and that I’m obsessed with “ticking diversity boxes”, especially on contests and initiatives.
Complain I am “against” a genre or way of writing (rather than simply looking for a “good story, well told”, which I am).
Look, if you want my help? I will give it or refer you to someone or somewhere else who can, if I can’t. You DON’T have to flatter me, sacrifice a goat to me or promise me your first born child, either. All you have to do is be pleasant, patient and say “thank you”.
Oh and if you want to send me chocolate? That works too.
CONCLUDING:
Don’t be mad.
Don’t be a div.
Don’t be rude.
Don’t whinge.
SAY THANK YOU!
And last, but by no means least:
ENGAGE! Or get sent to the internet version of Coventry, which probably looks like the cyberspace bit in The Lawnmower Man crossed with Tron, where you’ll get eaten by Pac Man or a giant killer Triangle. Or something. Don’t say I didn’t warn you …
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5 Responses to 6 Ways To Annoy The Crap Out Of People Online
Would you recommend having two accounts? One for the professional writing persona and another for putting my two cents into discussions about hot potato political topics and pressing social issues? Right now I only have one account that I use for *everything*. I don’t mean I post every fleeting thought that passes through my mind (I’m not from that generation and I do try to self-censor – a bit!), but as well as being a writer I am also a strategy consultant / investment advisor specialised in emerging economies (my day job; hence all the trips to Africa, India, etc.) and there’s a lot of stuff on the internet in my domain that I think is worth sharing / rebutting.
Hi Kim, I actually have 2 FB accounts for this very reason TBH with you, though I know a lot of people make the distinction of Twitter for work, FB for personal use or vice versa. Whatever works for you is fine and I think lots of people realise there are multiple facets to writers’ interests. No one has ever said to me, stop tweeting about parenting, education AND writing/movies etc for example. I do think it’s important however to have a remit in general though, to get the best out of your online persona. If that’s best achieved by having separate accounts, why not?
It’s always a source of hilarity to me when people accuse THE SYSTEM or industry of being all wrong toward new writers, but then I see exactly why the firewalls exist – keeping nutters out. Three clueless, ill-informed tirades later, they can’t process the concept that they just demonstrated the very reason they aren’t getting work.
[…] Cross posting is fine and even desirable in various groups, as long as you follow the rules (if applicable … Though do know sometimes admins will be jobsworths because they can). Don’t ever copy and paste @s on Twitter: people will BLOCK you. It’s also counterproductive to post to people’s individual Facebook walls on a regular basis without an agreement in place first. Also, try not to post the same pictures or text over and over again if you can; try and mix it up. MORE: 6 Ways Not To Annoy The Crap Out Of People Online. […] | {
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Liam Byrne’s membership of the reality based community upsets lefty types on the best of days, but today they are particularly vocal over his new line of attack. Here’s what Byrne said about the welfare cap to Progress in January 2012:
“…where they go wrong is their politics is divisive and it sets one person against another and you see that, my goodness, running right the way through the Welfare Reform Bill that we get in the House of Commons tomorrow… they are about setting against one neighbour against another, sowing the policies, sowing the politics of division, sowing the problem of ‘the other’ and actually we have to be the party that governs for everyone and that is particularly important at a time when the electorate and the electoral coalitions are in a state of flux”
Now Baldemort has attacked the government for not going far enough with that very same cap. The New Statesman are having such a hissy-fit about it that they label Byrne “morally dubious”. Dubious, perhaps, but only in terms of credibility. | {
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Type: Domain-specific
Hyperledger Grid intends to provide reference implementations of supply chain-centric data types, data models, and smart contract based business logic – all anchored on existing, open standards and industry best practices. It showcases in authentic and practical ways how to combine components from the Hyperledger stack into a single, effective business solution.
Supply chain professionals are all too familiar with the persistent challenges that plague the industry--a lack of inventory visibility, not having complete or trustworthy data to share with partners, or… | {
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What's next?
Our journey is over, we showed our tool on the demo day and talked to a lot of people about it.
However, our tool is still a proof-of-concept and not ready to be deployed anywhere.
That’s where the cities come in! We hope that the cities are now convinced by our tool and
start with publishing their own catalogue, Linked Open Data, … on their own website and let anyone benefit from their effort.
The future is almost here
With our tool we brought the future a bit closer to today but we aren’t there yet!
Our tool could still be extended to publish other things like trees, trash cans, …
and link this data to anything else in the city. Being open to your citizens is really important,
that’s something you can achieve with Linked Open Data! | {
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The Queen and Jester
Sunday 19 May 11.30am and 1.30pmThe Queen and the Jester£7.00 (£5.00 young people) Family ticket: £20.00 (2 adults & 2 young people)
Ursula Holden Gill storytellerKeith Donnelly musician/comedian
The Queen and the Jester
The Queen is troubled and searching for a solution in story, so she calls upon the Royal Court Jester to cheer her with some songs. However, the Royal Court Jester is a law unto himself and knows better than to pander to the Queen’s fickle fancies. Join him in his attempt to pacify her Highness, whilst amusing the Royal Subjects, pleasing himself and ultimately striving to keep his head intact! Expect rousing choruses, skew-whiff stories and a shedload of laughter.
“This Show will see you laugh so much, your stomach hurts.” Charles Tryer | {
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Looking for professionals (Houston)
HelloI am working on creating a group that meet twice a month to refer business to each other and right now we are looking for people in the following professions:Insurance AgentHome Contractor/builderLawyer (Business, immigration, and real estate)Real Estate AgentCar SalesmanFinancial PlannerBankerPlease send me your contact information, or the contact info of someone you know in these professions. Thank you for all your help. Rabih | {
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Red 4mm PANEL MOUNT Socket
We have 8 in our Sydney warehouse, which we can ship immediately.
We place multiple weekly orders with Jaycar.
If you order today, we can get in up to 7936 units from Jaycar which we can typically dispatch within within 2 - 7 days. | {
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The Missouri Tigers agreed to a two-year contract extension with head football coach Barry Odom, the school announced Saturday. The move added two years to Odom's previous deal, which now extends through the 2022 season...
Trimming NFL rosters from the inflated training-camp group to the 53-man Week 1 roster requires some tough decisions, and the Philadelphia Eagles appear to have plenty as they round out a talented roster for 2017...
Missouri Tigers defensive end Nate Howard was arrested on drug charges late Wednesday night by University of Missouri police. According to Joe McLean of ABC 17 KMIZ, Howard is facing a charge for possession of a controlled substance... | {
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Create applications in any programming language and take advantage of the OAuth 2.0 authentication protocol for increased security when accessing information across devices and websites.
Deployment
Deployment
Choose the method that works best for your organization:
Private Cloud is hosted in a Tier 1, SSAE 16, SOC 1 and SOC 2 compliant data center in the U.S. or Europe and deployed in a single-tenant environment. Socialcast manages all software, hardware, and updates for you.
Multi-Tenant SaaS is hosted in a U.S. or European data center certified as SOC 2, Type II compliant. It’s secure, flexible, and scalable.
On-Premise offers total control and can be installed and set up on-site within a matter of hours.
Reach Integration0:46
Reach
Add social capabilities to the applications people use every day. Embed real-time feeds into any business system that accepts an HTML or Javascript snippet using Reach extensions. Then everyone can see what’s happening in other systems and have conversations in real time without switching between applications.
REST API
REST API
Customize your community to make it more engaging and meaningful. REST APIs grant full programmatic access to the Socialcast platform, so developers can create even deeper social integration within existing systems.
Administrator Panel
Socialcast Administration Panel4:22
Administrator Panel
The Socialcast Administrator Panel provides login access and administrative functions making it easy for administrators to set up, run, and maintain their Socialcast community. Add or remove employee accounts, manage access to the community, and set limits on acceptable file attachments.
Content Controls
Content Controls
Determine which message types can be published in which streams, define message classification categories, and create profanity filters. View, modify, and delete private groups and the messages within groups.
Message Audit
Message Audit
Follow or audit a message posted in your community, even when not interacting with the conversation. Any time an interaction happens with that message, an email is sent in real-time showing the interaction that took place.
Broadcast Messages
Broadcast Messages
Make sure no one misses important company announcements. Community administrators can choose to make broadcast messages appear in every person’s home stream and email inbox, even if they’ve opted out of receiving email messages.
Analytics
Community Analytics1:28
Analytics
Get an in-depth look into trends and user adoption patterns to help you create plans to increase engagement and drive up membership in your Socialcast community. Track trending topics and conversations, monitor employee activity and identify key contributors to maximize the value of your community.
Multiple Languages
Multiple Languages
Socialcast is designed for the global enterprise, with tools that make it easy for administrators to set the default language for their Socialcast community. Socialcast currently supports English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese.
Customization
Customization
Create a consistent community experience. Change the visual look and feel, turn features on and off, modify user profile options, define privacy policies, and even change default language. Tailor your community to fit your company culture. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
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Discs
As with the Beatles and Beach Boys classic recordings, Love's answer to Sgt. Pepper and Pet Sounds, Forever Changes, gets the full micro-analytical reissue treatment. Extra demos and tracking-session recordings have been added, along with accompanying notes designed to broaden our understanding of Arthur Lee's creative process.
It's an informative study, but uncovering the secrets behind Forever Changes -- whose appeal has a lot to do with Lee's impenetrably oblique lyrics -- inevitably errodes some of the album's essential mystique. Take away the mystery and you're left with just another brooding baroque-pop period piece. | {
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Since you say the running animation doesn't seem natural, I looked at it and found 2 problems:1- The "front" leg doesn't extend all the way, when it touches the ground, the knee is still bent a lot at that moment.2- The motion of the leg going back and the motion of the leg going forward are essentially the same in reverse, but they shouldn't be. When you run, to bring leg forward (in the back to front motion), you keep you knee bent and your foot high. The foot only touches the ground when pushing (so in the front to back motion).
Since you say the running animation doesn't seem natural, I looked at it and found 2 problems:1- The "front" leg doesn't extend all the way, when it touches the ground, the knee is still bent a lot at that moment.2- The motion of the leg going back and the motion of the leg going forward are essentially the same in reverse, but they shouldn't be. When you run, to bring leg forward (in the back to front motion), you keep you knee bent and your foot high. The foot only touches the ground when pushing (so in the front to back motion).
Oh yes, well done, the run sequence looks much more natural like this!
It's hard to tell for a jumping animation. Usually, running sequence are quite similar because the point of running is usually to reach a high speed and there are not a lot of equivalent and really effective ways to achieve this for a human. But when you jump, there are many possible goals. Examples: Are you trying to vault over something while not losing speed? Are you trying to reach high? Are you trying to reach a maximum distance? Do you jump from a running or walking or standing start? All of these things will affect a jump animation.
For LoK:R I tried to make a jump sequence that would more or less fit with all of this but focus on what would happen most often: which is try to reach high from a running start. Which is, by pure coincidence, something I do in taekwondo (for jump kicks). So I had a good idea of the body mechanic behind this jump. In such a jump, to reach high, you must launch one of your knees very high while the other leg is extended to push from the ground as long a possible... Hum, it's unfortunate, I can't find a good picture of this. Anyway, when you go near the apex of the jump, the legs begin switching position: the high knee is lowered and the extended leg is retracted back near the body. When getting near the ground, the extended leg is not the first leg to make contact with the ground since it is now higher than the leg taht was initially launched in the air.
In your jumping animation, I see 2 images. One image when going up and one when going down. The first issue I think is that these images do not really suggest movement. The image of "going up" should show a position suggesting a push on the ground, the image of "coming down" should be an image of bracing for impact on the ground. If you could insert an image for the apex of the jump, wou could make a smooth transition between your two jumping images and make more "extreme" stances for pushing the ground and landing on the ground. In LoK:R, during a jump, I check the vertical velocity of the character. Whe it is near 0 and the "jump" flag is on, I switch to the jump apex image. When the "jump" flag is on and vertical velocity is going up but not near zero, I use the push the ground image, and of course, if the jump flag is on but all the rest is false, I use the landing image.
Hey! I found a video showing a jump side kick. Of course the landing and the apex of the jump aren't what you want since there is a side kick in it, but there is a slow mo in the video which will allow you to see the initial image (knee launched high and leg extended to push the ground). From a running start and trying to reach high, I think it's pretty good.
There is no rocket science behind the wavy water effect, it's an animation with a lot of frames. I ripped a lot of content from a SNES game called Demon's Crest to use it in LoK:R. You can see what I ripped on the spriters resource web site (see link below). You will certainly recognize some of the stuff in LoK:R. (Ripping all of this was a project in itself, it took a couple of months to complete.)http://spriters-resource.com/snes/demonscrest/index.html
You can see the water animation disassembled frame by frame in the "Forest Lake Background"This web site is very useful to get base material for 2D games, I used it extensively for LoK:R. But since most of the stuff is ripped from games, you have to be careful how you use it because of copyright issues.
There is no rocket science behind the wavy water effect, it's an animation with a lot of frames. I ripped a lot of content from a SNES game called Demon's Crest to use it in LoK:R. You can see what I ripped on the spriters resource web site (see link below). You will certainly recognize some of the stuff in LoK:R. (Ripping all of this was a project in itself, it took a couple of months to complete.)http://spriters-resource.com/snes/demonscrest/index.html
You can see the water animation disassembled frame by frame in the "Forest Lake Background"This web site is very useful to get base material for 2D games, I used it extensively for LoK:R. But since most of the stuff is ripped from games, you have to be careful how you use it because of copyright issues.
You're a spriter? That's awesome, I had no idea. (I saw your name on the sheet and stopped: (Wait is that the same Vincent??))
That's the exact effect that I'm referring to, do you mind if I use it for a bit? Until I can try and take a shot at it myself (It might be hard, it looks like 50 frames)
I never really understood if it was hardware that made the water do that cool effect in the older games
Do you mean that you saw the demon's crest rips and wondered if it was the same Vincent before today?
Well, I made the Demon's Crest stage rips, but that's all I did. I did it because I had to do it for LoK:R, so why not offer it to the spriters community at the same time? So yeah, same Vincent. But I don't think I will rip anything else just for the kick.
Of course you can use the water effect! It's there for that reason. I'm very happy to see that my work is useful to someone else! | {
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The 3-star Albion Hotel is conveniently located close to the central market square (Grote Markt) of Ypres (Ieper) and just a few minutes walk to the Menin Gate. The Albion hotel is also just a few yards from the famous ramparts that encircle the eastern side of the city .
The Albion Hotel is not part of some larger chain, but owned and managed by Christine and Luc, supported by their daughter Ruth, who take a pride in ensuring that their guests are made to feel most welcome.
Whilst the hotel offers a lavish breakfast for guests (one of the best...) it does not have a restaurant for evening meals. This is not a problem as the Albion Hotel is located in the centre of Ypres and is surrounded by many excellent restaurants catering for all tastes. Chris, Luc and Ruth will be pleased to advise you on where best to dine (their helpful guidance will take you to excellent restaurants off the usual tourist route...). The entire hotel is strictly non-smoking.
Please note that triple rooms comprise a double bed and a good quality roll-out (temporary) bed which is more suited to children and young persons.
There is a private car park at the rear of the hotel for guests at an additional per-night cost payable to reception. There is also on-street parking around the hotel, both metered and no-charge.
The destruction of the Cloth Hall 1912 and 1919
As you will see when you visit Ypres, the Cloth Hall has been faithfully re-built as it was before the Great War (now houses the excellent ‘In Flanders Field’ museum).
The area around the Albion Hotel 1917!
The Headquarters of the 3rd Australian Division at the Ramparts, at Ypres, the day before the relief of the Division by the Canadians. It was from here that the operations of the Division at Broodseinde and Passchendaele Ridges were directed.
The Ypresbattlefield(click to enlarge)
The Western Front
RESOURCES
Battlefield locationsand driving times(click to enlarge)Click here for a PDF version
Town plan with hotel locations(click to enlarge then either click hotels or the three links below)
Aerial footage of Ypres just after the war (click above photo to start, then use your browser’s ‘back’ button to return)
Rare footage taken from an airship flown over Ypres by Frenchman Trolley de Prévaux in 1919 with his cameraman Lucien Lesaint. Prévaux had become an airship pilot during his service in the navy and went on to become an active resistance fighter in WWII. Prévaux and his Polish wife were arrested by the Gestapo at Marseilles on March 29 1944. He was tortured and both were executed by a firing squad at Bron in Lyon on August 19, one of the last German actions there. | {
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Image by lamazone
What to take?
——
On Saturday the 14th of March we (40 geek girls) will go on a one-day trip to London. In London we will meet 40 French and 40 British Girl Geeks. There will be shopping, presentations and networking. We will be liveblogging, twittering on this platform: www.girlygeekyshopping.eu | {
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RockPaperVideo Group Exhibition, Glasgow.
ROCKPAPERVIDEO is a group of artists working together. We are currently preparing for our first exhibition. By collaborating, we create a strong support structure which all of us benefit from. We’re all at various stages in our career but our common focus is to create worthwhile opportunities for each other. | {
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>>12734727No, they hate it because your fucking rabbit is just a lagomorph version of Orochi from King of Fighters you god damn spic. There's absolutely nothing special or original about it and it just shits up a perfectly good picture, otherwise.
>>12734852It's mostly because you started drawing obese and weirdly proportionated characters all the time. I mean, we can't tell you what to draw, but we don't have to like it either.That Blueblood looks neat though
>>12734854>Ponebox One: Says she'll do some of the most horrifying sexual acts. Things you'd never want. After seeing you stay int eh fetal position for three straight days she says she won't do it anymore. But you don't trust her.
>Ponestation 4: Pretty average, but rumors of Ponebox One's deviant activities make her seem like a goddess.
>>12734948I gave him my honest opinion on why a lot of people dislike his current art - but yeah, that was ignored in favor of simply negative feedback because thats either to whiteknight against I guess
>>12735193It's a small ship, but after the hatred surrounding Flashlight's forced cliche-ness, the Nightly Twilight Threads went back to it added a fanon personality that matched Twilight much more while still being a bit different and not as uptight, and take it slowly from there. They've overall taken a liking to it.
I forgot the exacts, but basically, he's into astronomy and constantly learning like Twilight, but also dreams of flying and/or becoming some professor or something. Simultaneously, he's a bit of a jokester and isn't as strict or OCD as Twily. Also frequents her library and is among the only ponies who checks out any books from her. And most importantly, any relationships between them are to be taken slowly.
He kind of got flanderized by some people into becoming even more of a Gary Sty than Flash, but has been toned back down each time.
>>12735692surely notI remember S1 hiatus. That shit lasted an ice age.>>12735709I got the wanking thing, but not the drinking thing. It was weird. Of course then everyone started furiously masturbating to pone and the spell was broken
>>12735781these are cool as fuck>>12735798>>12735788jesus, the right time to take a break then. Any particular interesting shit I should know before i catch up? Any drama with whatsisname the pedophile?banjopony or whatever the fuck he calls himself?
>>12735836There's always some drama but nothing amazingly interesting.If you're like me and just not that interested in fandom stuff any longer then no, there isn't much happening. Except this >>12735847http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnlquKcFM58
>>12735995Yeah like a month ago. She was just venting or something but it was kind fun. /mlp/ made an ass of themselves as usual by posting porn and shit but she stuck around for a while and actually had a few still relevant answers despite her being not involved with the show for some time.
>>12736105explain to me how there can be white suburbanite high school fucking cliche pricks, AND gaudy, coloured, horse inspired chimeras in the same universe? I'm not even gonna watch this video, because i'm scared that it's gonna be we will rock you, and if it is i'll just have to kill myself
>>12736146I hope not depressed. I was thinking more just upset that she couldn't fly but easily cheered up with some company. I'd just love to see her half helpless lying in bed with a giant blue belly.
>>12736161Apparently there's a magic mirror that leads to another universe where everyone's in high school. The movie begins when Celestia's previous student SUNSET SHIMMER comes through the portal and steals Twilight's element crown. | {
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Caption: Debris in space. Space debris is the name given to objects orbiting Earth that have been discarded by humans. Such waste can include anything from defunct satellites to small paint flakes. Some of the debris can be dangerous if it collides with spacecraft or with astronauts on space-walks. | {
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FRIDAY NEWS IN A RUSH: 10 things in 60 seconds and A-TownTV NewsMinute
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
In this Jan. 24, 2017, photo, face transplant recipient Andy Sandness looks in a mirror during an appointment with physical therapist Helga Smars, right, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He wasn't allowed to see himself immediately after the surgery. His room mirror and cell phone were removed. When he finally did see his face after three weeks, he was overwhelmed. "Once you lose something that you've had forever, you know what it's like not to have it. ... And once you get a second chance to have it back, you never forget it." Just having a nose and mouth are blessings, Sandness says. "The looks are a bonus." (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
President Donald Trump calls on a reporter during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A Pakistani police officer stands guard outside the Barri Imam shrine, as security is beefed up in the capital following a suicide attack at a Sufi shrine in interior Sindh, Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Pakistani forces killed and arrested dozens of suspects in sweeping raids overnight and into Friday, a day after a massive suicide bombing by the Islamic State group killed 85 worshippers at a famed Sufi shrine in the country's south. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)
1. PAKISTANIS QUESTION SECURITY AFTER SHRINE BLAST
A day after a suicide bombing by the Islamic State group killed 80 worshippers, the attack raised questions about Islamabad’s ability to rein in militant groups.
2. TRUMP NOT FIRST TO HAVE ACRIMONY WITH THE PRESS
Yet historians are hard-pressed to find anything that approaches what seems to be the president’s intention to escalate bad relations with the news media.
3. PENCE READY FOR CLOSE-UP
Making his debut on the world stage, the U.S. vice president seeks to reassure skeptical allies in Europe about U.S. foreign policy under Trump.
4. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT KIM SLAY SUSPECT
Those who know the Indonesian woman suspected of involvement in the bold killing of the North Korean leader’s half brother in Malaysia say the young mother was a polite and quiet “nice girl.”
5. A NEW FACE, AND A NEW LIFE
The first face transplant performed at Mayo Clinic is providing a young man from Wyoming a second chance at a normal life after he was disfigured by a gunshot in a suicide attempt.
6. HOW SUPREME COURT NOMINEE RULED ON EDUCATION ISSUES
An AP review of Gorsuch’s legal record shows he has embraced a bare-bones standard of education for disabled children while often upholding other civil rights complaints against schools.
7. SENATE POISED TO CONFIRM PRUITT AS EPA CHIEF
Democrats have sought a delay, citing his refusal to release emails he exchanged with oil and gas executives as Oklahoma’s attorney general.
8. SAMSUNG BILLIONAIRE HEIR ARRESTED
Prosecutors believe Lee Jae-yong, vice chair at the electronics giant, gave bribes worth $36 million to President Park Geun-hye and her close friend to help win government support.
9. MORE BUSINESS, AT THE STROKE OF A PEN
Trump is running out of the custom-made Cross pens he uses to sign his executive orders, and that means the 170-year-old Rhode Island company has to step up.
10. JETS’ REVIS CHARGED AFTER FIGHT IN PITTSBURGH
The NFL player is charged with four first-degree felonies and one misdemeanor after allegedly being involved in a brawl with two men last weekend. | {
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June 07, 2017
Aadhaar Card Status Check Archives
If you are searching for status of recently updated Aadhar card, here is the complete guide to get Aadhar card update status. There is over 900 million Aadhaar card registered users in India and over 170 million PAN card holders. With Aadhaar eKYC process it has become much easier to tap the masses who hold both the Aadhaar card and the PAN card. Due to a digital process, the management of the documents is eliminated. It speeds up the transactions and cuts off the time required for detailed paperwork. Also, customer convenience and services are enhanced which can attract more people to invest in Mutual Funds Because of a centralised process and digitally stored information, it is economical for both customer and the asset management companies(AMCs). Also, due to digitisation, there is a transparency in the process and less chance of some forgery or misconduct.
In effect, the role of Parliament as the body to debate and dissect the pros and cons of every draft legislation has been diminished, and how. Not just Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who treats his parliamentary speeches as one more excuse to continue his permanent electoral engineering, even his Union cabinet ministers, particularly finance minister Arun Jaitley, have been pulling a fast one on Parliament by disrespecting its very core and disregarding the fundamental values that guide the legislature of India's parliamentary democracy.
But, if you had misplaced or lost the enrollment receipt of your Aadhaar card application, it is not possible for you to track thestatus of your Aadhaar card by enrollment id number. Well, there is still another chance to track thestatus of your Aadhaar card using your name. Yes, you heard it right! You can track thestatus of your Aadhaar card using your name from the official web portal of UIDAI.
Email ID. Candiate will get OTP message on this email ID to enable him / her for final submission of Online Application and also will get future communication from the Board. Please mention your own /Parent's Email ID as you will recieve One Time Password (OTP) for final submission of NEET 2017 Online Application Form and future communication on the same.
Whom will this affect the most? Let's see: anyone who's not in government good books. Because essentially, that is the current definition of corruption. Which includes Opposition MPs, leaders of rival political parties, whistleblowers, journalists critical of the establishment, academics, public intellectuals, civil rights activists, freedom of speech agitators, students who utter words like azaadi” (unless they are booked under a soon-to-come crazily reconfigured sedition law) and generally everyone who speaks truth to power. | {
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} |
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31832-31833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12994]
[[Page 31832]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Procedures for
Considering Requests and Comments From the Public for Textile and
Apparel Safeguard Actions on Imports From Colombia
AGENCY: International Trade Administration (ITA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at [email protected]).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Robert Carrigg, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S.
Department of Commerce, Telephone: 202-482-2573, Fax: 202-482-0858,
Email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Title III, Subtitle B, Section 321 through Section 328 of the
United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
(the ``Act'') [Public Law 112-42] implements the textile and apparel
safeguard provisions, provided for in Article 3.1 of the United States-
Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the ``Agreement''). This safeguard
mechanism applies when, as a result of the elimination of a customs
duty under the Agreement, a Colombian textile or apparel article is
being imported into the United States in such increased quantities, in
absolute terms or relative to the domestic market for that article, and
under such conditions as to cause serious damage or actual threat
thereof to a U.S. industry producing a like or directly competitive
article. In these circumstances, Article 3.1 permits the United States
to increase duties on the imported article from Colombia to a level
that does not exceed the lesser of the prevailing U.S. normal trade
relations (NTR)/most-favored-nation (MFN) duty rate for the article or
the U.S. NTR/MFN duty rate in effect on the day before the Agreement
entered into force.
The Statement of Administrative Action accompanying the Act
provides that the Committee for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements (CITA) will issue procedures for requesting such safeguard
measures, for making its determinations under Section 322(a) of the
Act, and for providing relief under section 322(b) of the Act.
In Proclamation No. 8818 (77 FR 29519, May 18, 2012), the President
delegated to CITA his authority under Subtitle B of Title III of the
Act with respect to textile and apparel safeguard measures.
CITA must collect information in order to determine whether a
domestic textile or apparel industry is being adversely impacted by
imports of these products from Colombia, thereby allowing CITA to take
corrective action to protect the viability of the domestic textile
industry, subject to section 322(b) of the Act.
Pursuant to Section 321(a) of the Act and Section (9) of
Presidential Proclamation 8818, an interested party in the U.S.
domestic textile and apparel industry may file a request for a textile
and apparel safeguard action with CITA. Consistent with longstanding
CITA practice in considering textile safeguard actions, CITA will
consider an interested party to be an entity (which may be a trade
association, firm, certified or recognized union, or group of workers)
that is representative of either: (A) A domestic producer or producers
of an article that is like or directly competitive with the subject
Colombian textile or apparel article; or (B) A domestic producer or
producers of a component used in the production of an article that is
like or directly competitive with the subject Colombian textile or
apparel article.
In order for a request to be considered, the requester must provide
the following information in support of a claim that a textile or
apparel article from Colombia is being imported into the United States
in such increased quantities, in absolute terms or relative to the
domestic market for that article, and under such conditions as to cause
serious damage or actual threat thereof, to a U.S. industry producing
an article that is like, or directly competitive with, the imported
article: (1) Name and description of the imported article concerned;
(2) import data demonstrating that imports of an Colombian origin
textile or apparel article that are like or directly competitive with
the articles produced by the domestic industry concerned are increasing
in absolute terms or relative to the domestic market for that article;
(3) U.S. domestic production of the like or directly competitive
articles of U.S. origin indicating the nature and extent of the serious
damage or actual threat thereof, along with an affirmation that to the
best of the requester's knowledge, the data represent substantially all
of the domestic production of the like or directly competitive
article(s) of U.S. origin; (4) imports from Colombia as a percentage of
the domestic market of the like or directly competitive article; and
(5) all data available to the requester showing changes in
productivity, utilization of capacity, inventories, exports, wages,
employment, domestic prices, profits, and investments, and any other
information, relating to the existence of serious damage or actual
threat thereof caused by imports from Colombia to the industry
producing the like or directly competitive article that is the subject
of the request. To the extent that such information is not available,
the requester should provide best estimates and the basis therefore.
If CITA determines that the request provides the information
necessary for it to be considered, CITA will publish a notice in the
Federal Register seeking public comments regarding the request. The
comment period shall be 30 calendar days. The notice will include a
summary of the request. Any interested party may submit information to
rebut, clarify, or correct public comments submitted by any interested
party.
CITA will make a determination on any request it considers within
60 calendar days of the close of the comment period. If CITA is unable
to make a determination within 60 calendar days, it will publish a
notice in the Federal Register, including the date it will make a
determination.
If a determination under Section 322(b) of the Act is affirmative,
CITA may provide tariff relief to a U.S. industry to the extent
necessary to remedy or prevent serious damage or actual threat thereof
and to facilitate adjustment by the domestic industry to import
competition. The import tariff relief is effective beginning on the
date that CITA's affirmative determination is published in the Federal
Register.
Entities submitting requests, responses or rebuttals to CITA may
submit both a public and confidential version of their submissions. If
the request is accepted, the public version
[[Page 31833]]
will be posted on the dedicated Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement
textile safeguards section of the Office of Textile and Apparel (OTEXA)
Web site. The confidential version of the requests, responses or
rebuttals will not be shared with the public as it may contain business
confidential information. Entities submitting responses or rebuttals
may use the public version of the request as a basis for responses.
II. Method of Collection
When an interested party files a request for a textile and apparel
safeguard action with CITA, ten copies of any such request must be
provided in a paper format. If business confidential information is
provided, two copies of a non-confidential version must also be
provided.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: None.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission (new information collection).
Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 6 (1 for Request; 5 for Comments).
Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours for a Request; and 4 hours for
each Comment.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 24.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $960.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: May 23, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-12994 Filed 5-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P | {
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Payments for new parents forecast to rise in Scotland
The Scottish Fiscal Commission estimate £5.6m will be paid out in Best Start Grants in the first year of the new system.
11 September 2018 1:28 PM
2New Best Start Grants are being brought in before the end of the year in Scotland, to help families with young children (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
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Spending on benefits for those with young families is forecast to more than double in the first year of the Scottish Government’s new Best Start Grant.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission has forecast that some 13,000 payments will be made in 2019-20, with £5.6 million expected to be handed out.
The payments will come into place before the end of 2018, six months ahead of the schedule, the Scottish Government announced.
And they will replace the UK Government’s Sure Start Maternity Grant – which pays out about £2.5 million in Scotland a year, with 5,000 families across the country benefiting.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the more generous payments being brought in by SNP ministers would mean “lower-income families who are feeling the effects of welfare cuts are given the extra help they need”.
Commission chair Dame Susan Rice said: “Best Start Grant is one of the first benefits to be administered by Social Security Scotland.
“We estimate that the Baby and Pregnancy Best Start Grant will more than double the number of payments made, compared to the current UK Government policy.”
Meanwhile Ms Somerville said: “I am delighted that Social Security Scotland will start making payments of the Best Start Grant earlier than initially anticipated – before the end of this year.
“The Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment pays more money to more children than the Sure Start Maternity Grant – £600 on the birth of a first child and £300 on the birth of any further children meaning lower-income families who are feeling the effects of welfare cuts are given the extra help they need.
“As part of our focus on child poverty, further payments when a child might be starting nursery or school mean that we are providing families with extra financial support at crucial points in a child’s early years.
“A two child family can receive a total of £1900 over the three payments, an increase of up to £1400 on the current UK provision.
“The regulations laid today allow us to proceed towards payment later this year and we will continue to work with those with experience of the current system to make sure that it’s easy for families to access their Best Start Pregnancy and Baby Grant.” | {
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Ayala donates $10 million to science
Francisco Ayala is donating $10 million to the School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine - money earned from his vineyard. The Templeton Prize money he earned last year was donated to UCI as well ($1.5M).
Read the accompanying interview about his work and about accommodating religion and evolution:
Q. Is there a tendency in our society to mix up religion and evolution?
A. I am afraid largely so. I think it is wonderful to teach the Bible, but not to pretend the Bible is an introductory textbook for biology or astronomy.
We succeed in keeping these kinds of things out of the schools, but then the impact on the public at large is not as good as you would expect to have. In the last few weeks, two or three of the Republican presidential candidates have expressed skepticism about evolution. And yet, evolution is confirmed as much as any scientific theory, and better than most. Evolution is confirmed as well as (the idea that) the Earth goes around the sun, or that matter consists of atoms.
It's a matter of scientific ignorance. It's a matter of religious ignorance; as you surely know, most religious authorities, most churches, are in favor of evolution. As, famously, an Anglican minister -- a theologian -- said, (evolution) appeared first as an enemy, and has turned out to be our best friend, because evolution can now explain all of these sorts of cruelties or mistakes that exist in the world of life.
Let's start with a simple example. The human jaw is not large enough for all the teeth. So we have to pull wisdom teeth -- sometimes one, sometimes two, sometimes three, sometimes all four. An engineer who designed the human jaw would be fired. And yet here we are, saying that would have been designed by God.
Much more extreme and much more serious is the human reproductive system. The human reproductive system is a mess. Twenty percent of pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion, or miscarriages, in the first two months, because the human reproductive system is so badly designed. They blame God for 20 million abortions per year; there are about 100 million births in the world a year. [Emphasis added.]
If evolution was first an enemy and then a best friend, then how does the negation of a literal reading of the parts of the Bible that speak on biology (and other sciences) not call all of it into question?
Pleiotropy comes from the Greek πλείων pleion, meaning "more", and τρέπειν trepein, meaning "to turn, to convert". It designates the occurrence of a single gene affecting multiple traits, and is a hugely important concept in evolutionary biology.
I'm a postdoc at UC Santa Barbara.
All Many aspects of evolution interest me, but my research focus is currently on microbial evolution, adaptive radiation, speciation, fitness landscapes, epistasis, and the influence of genetic architecture on adaptation and speciation. | {
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BACK ON LINE WITH ALL MY CATFISHING BROTHERS/SISTERS!!
VACATION HAS COME TO AN END SO I WILL BE BACK ON THE BOC......using all of your fishing experiences to get me thru these last few months!
Had a great time at home and spent all of my time doing family activities, Yes fishing is a family activity!!:big_smile: I got to take the new boat out 4 times (excellent boat by the way) and caught fish on 3 out 4 of those trips. The Skunking come during the Cabelas Point Pleasant event, so that didn't work out so well, but it was a nice day on the water with my wife. The tournament went great and I met alot of real nice people. I did manage to win a couple of good door prizes so I can not complain.
Other fishing trips were to small local lakes (Paint Creek/ Deer Creek) and yeilded some nice eating size channel cats. We caught 18 fish all together. I wish it could have turned out better, but it was enough to scratch the itch until I can devote some more time to it.
Had a great time with the family. We went to the Columbus zoo and my daughter (2 years old) had the time of her life and tried to take multiple goat rides at the petting zoo...............not scared or shy that is for sure.
All in all it was an excellent 2 weeks and I am looking forward to getting back to be with them for good.
Glad to be back on here also, I know I have missed a great deal and need to catch up on even more!! Can't wait, take care and good luck fishing.
I'm gald you had some good family time, I always enjoy doing things with my wife and kids, too bad we can't make it a full time job. Also glad to hear bout your boat sorta makes fishing a whole new level eh? now the real fun comes in, you get to rigg it the way you want.
Glad to see you made the trip fine, I know it's not time to be home for good yet but it's my prayer for you that it comes quickly. We have missed you, but I know you so enjoyed your time home. God Bless and Keep you as you finish the job over there and come home to us once again. This time for good..... | {
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Welcome to Peoples Gas' website. Making it easier than ever to navigate and find what you're here for is our top priority. Non-English speakers can use our translation feature to get information in your preferred language.
We've been serving the community since 1895. Learn more about our company and our commitment to sustaining the environment and community. We're a leader in Natural Gas Vehicles and want you to learn more.
Find us on social networks
The Natural Gas Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
The information below answers some of the most common questions about natural gas vehicles for both residential and commercial use.
Residential NGV Applications
Q. How do I refuel my personal NGV?
A. You can refuel your natural gas vehicle with compressed natural gas at a public fueling station. If natural gas is available to your home, you can install a natural gas home refueling appliance in your garage or on the outside of your home.
Q. How long does it take to refuel a personal NGV?
A. Refueling at a public natural gas station takes about the same time as filling a regular vehicle at a gasoline station.
Home fueling appliances have a compressor and fueling equipment that usually involve a time-fill over an extended period of six to eight hours.
Q. Does Peoples Gas offer a special vehicle rate?
A. The Florida Public Service Commission has approved a special rate for vehicle only use intended for commercial and fleet use.
Q. What is the natural gas rate for a personal vehicle?
A. The rate for a personal vehicle is dependent upon the total residential therm usage of all the natural gas appliances in your home.
Q. Will I see a separate line item on my bill for vehicle fueling?
A. No, Peoples Gas does not install a separate meter to collect this data.
Q. What is the cost to install a natural gas fueling appliance at my home?
A. There are two components to the costs of a home natural gas filling station appliance:
the retail price of the appliance.
installation costs that include natural gas availability, where the unit is placed and several other factors that vary from one home to the next. Contact a qualified natural gas installer for an estimate.
Q. Do I need to notify Peoples Gas if I purchase a natural gas vehicle or install a home refueling appliance?
A. No. However, if you do not currently have natural gas in your home, you should call Peoples Gas to determine if natural gas is available to your residence before purchasing an NGV or installing a home refueling appliance.
Q. Is there any special paperwork I need to complete if I purchase a natural gas vehicle?
A. A person operating a natural gas vehicle must purchase an annual decal from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles to be exempt from the State road tax on gasoline. Fueling stations may not fuel a vehicle with compressed natural gas that does not display the proper decal.
Commercial NGV Applications
Q. Can I buy commercial NGVs today?A. Yes. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) offer a variety of passenger cars, light duty trucks, transit buses and other vehicles that come with full manufacturer's warranty.
Q. If I choose natural gas, what are my fueling options?A. When deciding which fueling option is best, several factors need to be considered:
Do you currently buy fuel from retail outlets or do you have onsite fueling?
Would it be more economical to buy natural gas from a retail outlet or to install an onsite fueling station?
Is public fueling available in your area?
Q. Are NGV economics favorable?
A. Currently, natural gas is about one third of the cost of petroleum products. The following are additional issues to consider when deciding whether NGVs are right for your business:
Total costs to convert existing vehicles to operate on natural gas
Incremental cost of OEM NGVs
Available federal, state and local incentives
Fuel cost savings
Maintenance cost savings
Queue priority for NGV taxi or limo fleets
Priority access to congested areas for NGVs
Exemption from local TCMs
Meeting related sustainability goals
Q. Who can I talk to at Peoples Gas about commercial natural gas vehicles?
A. For more information on natural gas vehicles, contact us at [email protected].
Q. Is there any special paperwork to complete for a natural gas fleet vehicle?
A. A company operating a natural gas vehicle must purchase an annual decal from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles to be exempt from the State road tax on gasoline. State and local government AFV fleets are exempt from paying the decal fee. Fueling stations may not fuel a vehicle with compressed natural gas that does not display the proper decal.
Have an NGV question?
Send an email to Peoples Gas at [email protected], or call
Kenneth Hernandez at (813) 228-1392.
Join us on the Blog!
Want more information about natural gas vehicles? Keep tabs on our blog, where you'll find posts on the latest news, events we'll sponsor, places we'll be in the community and more. Share your thoughts and experiences about natural gas vehicles with others interested in sustainable transportation. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
A Friday appeals court ruling made it clear that
Apple does not use patented technology owned by Google unit Motorola Mobility in making its iPhones.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a decision by the International Trade Commission (ITC) in April that Apple did not violate a Google patent to make the iPhone.
"We're disappointed in this decision and are evaluating our options," Google unit Motorola said in a statement.
Motorola Mobility accused Apple in 2010 of infringing on six of its patents covering technology such as reducing signal noise and programming the device's touch screen so a user's head does not accidentally activate it while talking on the phone. The ITC ruled in April 2013 that Apple did not violate any of the six. The appeals court addressed one of the six patents. | {
"pile_set_name": "Pile-CC"
} |
Living
Travel postcards from readers
Hoi An, Vietnam The photographer: Sue Fossum of Sacramento Behind the lens: In January I was part of a team of 14 in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, for a two-week surgical mission trip providing free reconstructive surgery on children – cleft lip/palate repairs as well as burn reconstruction. Another nurse and I decided to stay on a few extra days to sightsee in Hoi An, a UNESCO Heritage site found on the central coast in Vietnam. Also known as the Lantern Town, Hoi An has a fascinating mixed history of French, Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese cultures. I had the opportunity to walk down small alleyways and find some amazing glimpses of color and architecture. I saw these puppets down a small back alleyway behind a French colonial home. The wooden puppets were all gathered outside in a courtyard. I loved the addition of the umbrella that was placed there – it was raining that day! Sue Fossum
Tasiilaq a colorful hamlet in Greenland: The photographer: Lou Padgug of Sacramento
Behind the lens: We recently completed a cruise of the North Atlantic from Edinburgh, Scotland to Norway, Iceland and Greenland. Our port in Greenland was the town of Tasiilaq. With just over 2,000 inhabitants, it is the most populous community on the eastern coast, and the seventh-largest town in Greenland. The fog and low clouds obscured the surrounding mountains but accentuated the remoteness of this town. Lou Padgug of Sacramento
Performing for the tourists in Estonia: While on a short visit to Tallinn, Estonia (via the Baltic Queen ferry from Stockholm, Sweden) in June, I came across a couple of street musicians on the stone path between the upper city of Tallinn (Toompea) and the Old Town below. This musician is playing some kind of Baltic autoharp, and he’s thoroughly basking in the late morning sunshine while enthusiastically busking for the tourists’ euros. Send us your best shots
The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee. Karl Okamoto of Elk Grove.
Peaceful lake found in Desolation Wilderness
Behind the lens: Early morning in Desolation Wilderness. Pyramid Peak and Mount Agassiz are reflected in the glassy calm of Lake Aloha.
Photographer: Stan Jones of Sacramento
Send us your best shots
The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
A church where the doors are always open
Behind the lens: This is a photo taken on a recent trip to the island of St. Barts in the French West Indies. It depicts St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, circa 1855, at Regent Park, Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy. The anchor is from a British warship circa the 18th century.
The photographer: Mike Brandt of El Dorado Hills
Send us your best shots
The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Basking in the peaceful glow
Behind the lens: Late at night at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco – very peaceful.
The photographer: Nicholas Rotas of Sacramento
Send us your best shots
The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Standing on the edge of history
Behind the lens: After dreaming of visiting Stonehenge for years, standing in front of the stones was very emotional for my husband and I. Incredibly majestic and beautiful.
The photographer: Donna Ruiz of Cameron Park
Send us your best shots
The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Clouds float above village in Austria
Behind the lens: This is a photo of the village of Hallstatt, Austria, from October 2015.
Photographer: Kathy Lynn of El Dorado Hills
Send us your best shots
“Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Blue Angels soar over Maryland
Behind the lens: In late May of this year my husband and I had the privilege of going to the graduation of a friend from the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Just as the Blue Angels were about to fly over the stadium the announcer said, “And here they come!” I lifted my cellphone and captured this photograph. It was one lucky shot with all six planes in the frame.
Photographer: Joan Stafford of Foresthill
Send us your best shots
“Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
A river runs through Rome
Behind the lens: After my recent trip to Rome, I thought other readers might be interested in this photo at a Roman riverfront, considering everyone’s interest in Sacramento’s riverfronts: St. Peter’s Basilica on the Tiber River in Rome. The massive structure, here in the background, is cavernously opulent inside, grandly inspiring outside, and beautiful at night. The vendor and entertainment tents dotted all up and down the river like those pictured in the foreground here come alive long after dark. They have many different types of music at different locations, and the ones here had a terrific Dixieland band.
The photographer: Rick Maness of Rancho Cordova
Send us your best shots
“Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Catch a frozen wave
Behind the lens: An iceberg imitates the shape of a wave in Antarctica.
The photographer: Tina Thomas of Sacramento
Send us your best shots
“Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Cozy up to a pride of lions in Botswana
Behind the lens: This May 2016 photo was taken at Chobe National Park in Botswana while on a safari game drive.
The photographer: Karen Jakobovits of Sacramento
Send us your best shots
The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Postcards from Readers
Fancy meeting you in Akumal, Mexico
The photographer: David Schmitz of North Natomas
Behind the lens: This photo is from a recent trip we made to Akumal, Mexico. While snorkeling in Yal-Ku Lagoon, I raised up to find this bird. We stayed in a condo on the beach at Half Moon Bay and also made a short trip to Tuluum to visit the Mayan ruins.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
These goats climb trees
The photographer: Mary Beth Montgomery of Gold River
Behind the lens: There really are nine goats in this argan tree in southwestern Morocco. The argan tree produces a fruit that attracts the goats up onto its branches. The fruit has a thick peel and pulp surrounding an almond-shaped nut. The goats love the fruit and are happily willing to climb out on the shaky branches to feast. Argan nuts pass through the digestive system of a tree goat whole. Once they are excreted, people gather them from the goat’s droppings. Argan oil is extracted from the nuts by several women’s co-operatives in the area and is sold as a luxury item.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Painterly landscape in the Yukon
The photographer: Stacy Sheehan of Davis
Behind the lens: This is one of the many lakes you will see along the road while driving through the Yukon Territory. This was taken while I was on a cruise to Alaska.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
12th-century temple in Angkor, Cambodia
The photographer: John Fleischman of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: Ta Som is a small temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built near the end of the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. I took this photo during the early morning hours before the arrival of most tourists. I was particularly fascinated by how the large ficus tree has grown over the temple ruins.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco
The photographer: Ted Holm of Lincoln
Behind the lens: The Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco has captivated guests for more than a century. This gem of Victorian architecture is the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America. The building has a wing for butterflies. It was very cool to see them happy and flying all around us.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
The photographer: Chris Allan of Sacramento
Behind the lens: I was fortunate enough to get up to Victoria, British Columbia for a few days over break. Besides visiting a cousin I had not seen for a very long time, the other highlight was a walking photography tour of Ross Bay Cemetery. It is the oldest cemetery in Western Canada, a Victorian-era burial ground, with many famous Canadians buried in it. My favorite monument was the “Pooley Angel,” erected in memory of lawyer and politician Charles Edward Pooley in 1912. Over the years she has been vandalized many times, and she is rumored to cry during a full moon. I thought the cracks in her face looked like tears, and yet she seemed to exude a gentle, soft compassion.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Another perspective on New York City
The photographer: Carol Dahmen of Carmichael
Behind the lens: This was taken at the Westin Hotel in Times Square in New York City. This view is looking 27 stories down to 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue. You also have a beautiful view of four rooftop terraces atop the building across the street.
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It’s peacock-strutting time in Nebraska
The photographer: Val Balagot of Antelope
Behind the lens: While visiting my daughter Genny in Omaha, Neb., we spent a day at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. It is the home of more than 17,000 animals and its Desert Dome is the world’s largest indoor desert, located under the world’s largest glazed geodesic dome. We encountered this proud peacock struttin’ his stuff on the zoo grounds. His iridescent plumage made him a sight you didn’t want to miss.
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Starting their journey
The photographer: John Fleischman of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: During a recent trip to Southeast Asia, we visited Hoi An, a well-preserved historic town located on the central coast of Vietnam. The city is a fascinating mix of architectural styles including colorful temples, French colonial buildings, and ornate Vietnamese tube houses. Hoi An is a popular city for destination weddings from couples throughout the world. I shot this photograph of a wedding couple celebrating their marriage and wishing for a good life by launching floating candles down the Thu Bon River.
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After a spring rain
The photographer: Robyn Franks of Auburn
Behind the lens: For the first time in over 20 years, the spillway at Lake Davis was allowed to overflow. I captured this shot just after a spring rain at dawn when I walked to the base of the dam.
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A hike to Panamint City
The photographer: Amanda Hofflander of Cameron Park
Behind the lens: I took a backpacking trip my father and brother in early April to the ghost town Panamint City, deep in the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley. The city can only be reached by a tough backpacking trip, and only a handful of people reach the city each year. It’s hard to imagine backpacking through the desert would be lush, but some of the way we were surprised by green canyons with waterfalls and pools. It was super challenging but worth it all!
Panamint City was washed away by a massive flash flood in 1876, killing over 500 people. The town was vacant for 100 years until miners in the late 1970s came back and restored some of the town. In 1983, a similar massive flash flood wiped the town out again. Luckily, everybody survived. The town has been vacant ever since, which has made it a popular destination for hikers – some cabins remain standing and if you’re lucky, you can find open mines in the hills.
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A view of Los Torres
The photographer: Joe Marcotte of Folsom
Behind the lens: These photos are of Los Torres (The Towers), the unique geologic formations for which Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile, are named.
The photos were taken this January from Base del Las Torres. Getting there required a two-hour horseback ride up the Ascencio Valley to Refugio Chileno, where we parted company with our steeds. From there, it was a two-hour hike with an altitude gain of roughly 1,500 feet. The trek upward to Las Torres started in a lovely beech forest, crossing ice-cold mountain streams, and then transitioning to a steep and extremely rocky path threading along glacial moraines. We experienced rain, snow showers and winds up to 50 mph on our way up the mountain, all normal conditions for a Patagonian summer, and all worth it for the view.
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Surfer and turtles on the beach in Maui
The photographer: Harley Hansen of Sacramento
Behind the lens: I was talking to some fellow vacationers in Maui at the customary sunset gathering time. A neighbor there told me about Ho’okipa beach where the turtles haul out to rest on the sand. Although they do not lay eggs there, they have been resting there for the last five years or so, according to the people gathered to see them. The surfer gives some perspective to see how big they are.
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August morning in Avignon
The photographer: Alan Lampe of Folsom
Behind the lens: This photo was taken last summer as we enjoyed a tour of Avignon, France, while on a river cruise down the Rhone River. It was a quiet morning and couldn’t have been more photogenic.
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A cold pause in the action on Interstate 80
The photographer: Jay Hansell of Auburn
Behind the lens: This photo was taken on a cold, 9-degree morning in December. 60 miles east of Wendover, Utah, the Lincoln Highway, Interstate 80, slowly descends down onto the Great Salt Desert. In the 1840s, westward emigrants traveled this route across the desert on 130-mile Hastings Cutoff. In all my years of traveling Interstate 80 I’ve never seen it devoid of cars and trucks.
A Paris bridge: Pont Alexandre III
Photographer: John C. Rogers of Elk Grove
Behind the lens: My mom had a lifelong wish to visit Paris. My sister, my wife and I saved up and took her to Paris in 2012. While in Paris, I fell in love with the Pont Alexandre III. The Pont Alexandre is a deck arch bridge that spans the Seine in Paris. I’ve labeled the bridge “The Most Artistic Bridge in the World.” I’m a civil engineer by trade and was really moved by this beautiful bridge during our Paris trip. I wish we could build more artistic structures today.
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Fishing boat – Vernazza, Cinque Terra, Italy
The photographer: Steven B. Raffin of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: This is a photo of a classic fishing boat stored along the main street in Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy, situated along the shore of the Ligurian Sea. Vernazza is the fourth (south to north) of five small coastal fishing towns that were accessible only by sea in the past. There is now a walking path and a train connecting the villages to the town of La Spezia. We arrived by boat and returned by train.
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Otter moms and pups at Morro Bay
The photographer: Terry Pappas of Sacramento
Behind the lens: We came upon this magical nursery in a sheltered spot along the Morro Bay harbor. About two dozen otter moms were lazing in the sun while caressing and preening their offspring of various ages.
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Hope Valley homestead
The photographer: Phil Reedy of Davis
Behind the lens: The recent snows have produced some beautiful scenes in the Sierra like these rustic cabins along Highway 88 near Carson Pass.
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Burano, a small island off Venice
The photographer: Maribel Arizmendiz from Rancho Cordova
Behind the lens: Burano is an island off Venice, Italy, famous for lace-making and pastel-colored homes. Legend was that fishermen painted their houses to see them from long distances when they were far away for fishing.
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Postcards from Readers
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing
The photographer: Nikki Carr
Behind the lens: Taken during a fall trip to China, this photograph in Beijing is of the Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for a good harvest since the early Qing Dynasty.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Wildebeest in Tanzania
The photographer: Carey Krantz of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This photograph was taken while on safari in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. During the continuous migration, thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River to seek out fresh grazing land. As the animals descend the banks to enter the river they stir up dust creating what appears to be fog.
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Beauty on view in Iceland
The photographer: Jim West of El Dorado Hills
Behind the lens: My wife and I traveled to Iceland recently. We loved the area so much that we plan to return. It is a quick flight from the West Coast and then entry to Europe. I teach photography at Cosumnes River College, and I love to share my adventures while teaching photography.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Street artist captures his own Mona Lisa
The photographer: Louie Campos of West Sacramento
Behind the lens: Last summer while waiting to enter the Uffizi gallery in Florence, Italy, a street artist was drawing his own Mona Lisa. I could not resist taking her photo. Her dream-like look captured the artistic and cultural elegance of the moment and place.
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The non-ringing Tsar Bell at the Kremlin
The photographer: Joe Cheung of Sacramento
Behind the lens: The Tsar Bell, or Royal Bell, is on display on the grounds of the Moscow Kremlin. The bell was broken during metal casting and has never been rung. The bell is the largest bell in the world, weighing 445,166 pounds, with a height of 20.1 feet and a diameter of 22 feet, and thickness of up to 24 inches. The broken slab alone weighs 25,400 pounds. This picture shows the Tsar Bell with humans for perspective.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park
The photographer: David M. Brown of Sacramento
Behind the lens: I took this photo while my wife and I were sitting on a dock, admiring the view, and waiting for the sunset. The only activity on the lake was a boy paddle-boarding with his dog. It was one of those relaxing, peaceful moments that you never want to end.
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Making friends over tea
The photographer: Mike Pierce of Citrus Heights
Behind the lens: We took a guided camel ride earlier this year in Morocco, on the outskirts of Marrakech, which included tea service by some local Berbers. In the Moroccan tea ceremony, boiling water is poured over fresh spearmint, dried tea leaves and sugar in a silver pot and then poured slowly into ornate and fragile glasses. As is tradition, the pouring was done from a height of 12 or so inches, high enough to create foam at the top of the glass. If there’s no foam, than the tea is bad and you should start over. The sweet fragrance is immediately detectable as the scent of fresh mint fills the air. In the Moroccan culture an invitation to drink tea is a meaningful thing. When you travel to Morocco, you can bond with new friends and meet wonderful people over a simple pot of tea.
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The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Scenic
in Seattle
The photographer: Mark Halverson of Fair Oaks
Behind the lens: Not all the scenic views at the Seattle Center are from atop the Space Needle. This shot was taken underneath two of the five Sonic Bloom sculptures that mark the entrance to the Pacific Science Center. The flowers not only change colors but also are equipped with hidden sensors that trigger a series of harmonic notes whenever movement in the immediate area is detected.
Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Crocodile farm in southern Ethiopia
The photographer: Christian Reinheimer
Behind the lens: In the last half of October, my father and I returned to Ethiopia to visit the southern region of the country. Once there we experienced a vast landscape of lush farmland, expansive lakes, and a rich diversity of wildlife, including this crocodile at Arba Minch Crocodile Farm at Lake Abaya. We also had the privilege of witnessing the tribal peoples of the south, where the modern world has barely made an impact on their way of life. It was a life-changing journey and one that my father and I will never forget.
Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
On the banks of Lake Bohinj in Slovenia
The photographer: Mark Stewart of Roseville
Behind the lens: This is the Church of St. John the Baptist on the banks of Lake Bohinj in Slovenia, taken in July of 2014.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
An ancient Italian hilltop town
The photographer: Steven Rikala of Sacramento
Behind the lens: Overwhelmed with awe was my first emotion I felt seeing Civita, Italy, for the first time from a bluff in Bagnoregio. The only link to the world is a long pedestrian-only bridge. The town of was an important part of the Etruscan civilization going back more than 2,500 years. It grew because of its location on an important trading route and proximity to Orvieto. Civita and its neighboring city of Bagnoregio were once connected by a more direct path. However, slow erosion of the canyon walls and a 1695 earthquake contributed to the demise of the town. Today the soft tufa rock continues to slowly erode into the canyon. Several concepts are being explored to stabilize the rock including the introduction of large steel stabilizing rods. Time will tell.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
View from Angel Island
The photographer: Tom Gomes of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: I am a photographer and a sea kayaker. I led a small group of Sacramento Sea Kayakers on a paddle, with the intention of viewing and photographing Fleet Week from two unique locations. The best vantage point to view the Parade of Ships was from the water about 100 yards south of Alcatraz. Shooting from a kayak on the San Francisco Bay can be very challenging because the water is active and can easily move you away from your target. Because the water was so active, we kept drifting toward the secured zone around the ships and were directed by the Coast Guard to move back toward Alcatraz Island. We then paddled over to Angel Island (about 1.5 miles) and hiked to a very remote location to photograph the air show from noon to 4 p.m. This location has panoramic views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge and provided an incredible background to view and photograph the air show.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
A vendor in Trinidad, Cuba
The photographer: Tom Mingee of Sacramento
Behind the lens: Taken in Trinidad, Cuba, this photo shows a young man – not posed – tending his vegetable stand and looking very cool. All Cubans need some enterprise to supplement their very basic government support.
Iguazu Falls, South America
The photographer: Debbie Desselle of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This photo was taken during our September visit to Iguazu Falls at Iguazu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Argentina. I took this photo on the Upper Circuit trail in late afternoon.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Iguazu Falls, South America
The photographer: Debbie Desselle of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This photo was taken during our September visit to Iguazu Falls at Iguazu National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site in Argentina. I took this photo on the Upper Circuit trail in late afternoon.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Monet’s garden bursts with color
The photographer: Cindy Philpott of Sacramento
Behind the lens: On a trip through Europe with my mom, we managed to visit quite a few amazing gardens. Claude Monet’s garden in Giverney, France, was simply stunning. Wandering through the lush pathways with each turn, my impression was that I had stepped into one of the pages of the artist’s many books. Amazingly wild, yet beautifully manicured, the garden was bursting with bright, vibrant colors. Monet’s house stands in the distance, lovingly painted in dusty pink with its distinctive green shutters, and seemed to rise above the lush blanket of beautiful blooms.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Pig-n-Ford races in Oregon
The photographer: Keegan Morris of Sacramento
Behind the lens: In mid-August, the Tillamook County Fair featured the 92nd annual Pig-n-Ford races in Tillamook, Ore. A local tradition, contestants line up on the outside edge of the track. At the starting pistol, they run to grab their pig from their box, spin around to run to their car to crank-start the engine, then slip into the car with the pig held tight, and start driving. Drivers must complete three laps and pigs are exchanged after each lap. Racers must hold onto their pigs or they are disqualified. Two heats are raced each night with the final race being held on the last night of the Fair for the coveted title Pig-n-Ford World Champion.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Boating in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay
The photographer: Eldon Tucker
Behind the lens: Ha Long Bay is located in Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin. Thousands of limestone karsts and islets rise randomly from the ocean floor. This expanse of nearly 1,600 square kilometers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and at any one time, the area is dotted with fishing boats and excursion junks. The picture was taken from an excursion junk as it leisurely passed several fishing villages and breathtaking caves.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Shooting stars – with creativity
The photographer: Keaten Tuttle of Newcastle
Behind the lens: My 17-year-old son, Keaten, took this self-portrait recently on the beach in Watsonville near Moss Landing. There was very little “light pollution” at midnight, and he explained his method as “a 25 second exposure, an aperture of 3.5, an 18-millimeter lens and 3200 ISO.” Over my head for sure. I am just his mom! – Fiona Tuttle
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Majestic Mississippi morning
The photographer: Dan Wettstein of Davis
Behind the lens: An early morning on the Mississippi River, taken near Baton Rouge, La., in March.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
A setting suitable for a queen
The photographer: Donna Ruiz of Cameron Park
Behind the lens: The beautiful Windsor Castle, weekend and summer home of the Queen. It is easy to imagine the queen sitting on the bench, enjoying afternoon tea with her corgis at her feet. Such a magical place.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Cliffs of Moher: Out on a ledge
The photographer: Averi Gerberding of Rocklin
Behind the lens: The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland were a sight to see, no doubt about it. There are many dangerous ledges, making it a perfect spot for thrill-seekers like my boyfriend.
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Jizo statues serve as protectors
The photographer: Chris Kemp of Roseville
Behind the lens: This is a wall of Jizo statues (protector of women, children, and travelers) on the grounds of the Hase-Dera temple in Kamakura, Japan.
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Great Wall of China
The photographer: Alan Stolmack of Sacramento
Behind the lens: In April of this year my wife and I visited China. We traveled to the Great Wall at Mutianyu with its Ming-era towers on a gray and misty day – finding no crowds, but spring blooms everywhere.
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Discovering sacred sites in Africa
The photographer: Teresa Licholai of Sacramento
Behind the lens: During my trip to Ethiopia, we visited many of the country’s rock-hewn churches. This picture is of the famous Bete Giyorgis (St. George) church in the city of Lalibela, which was sculptured from monolithic rock during the late 12th or early 13th century. It is always open to the faithful of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and inside there is a copy of Ark of Covenant.
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Hotel Albani staircase in Rome
The photographer: Val Balagot of Antelope
Behind the lens: From the top floor of Hotel Albani in Rome, I shot this architectural wonder. The spiral staircase winds down six stories to the dining hall.
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A beacon at Beagle Channel
The photographer: Steven B. Raffin of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: A striking lighthouse emerges from a lichen-encrusted shore along the Beagle Channel near Ushuaia, Argentina.
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Southern Spain
The photographer: Bob Wilthew of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: On a recent two-week motorcycle tour with IMTBike through southern Spain and Portugal, we had a one-night stay at the Parador Arcos de la Frontera. We were relaxing in the bar sipping our drinks and enjoying the view out a huge window that overlooked the valley below. Ken Lee, a moto-journalist who was on our tour as a writer for Rider Magazine, came in from the patio and mentioned that with the sun about to go down, we should be able to get some great photos, so my husband went outside and was able to capture the beauty of one of the white towns on the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos. – Lois Wilthew
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Picking up pieces in South Africa
The photographer: Steven B. Raffin of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: This photograph was taken in South Africa at Royal Malewane Lodge near Kruger Park. Three white-backed vultures were cleaning up a lion-killed wildebeest carcass.
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‘Laundromat’ in Mumbai, India
The photographer: Laurie Heller of Sacramento
Behind the lens: The 140-year-old dhobi ghat in the Mahalaxmi area of Mumbai is a huge outdoor “laundromat.” It’s estimated that a half-million pieces of clothing are picked up from homes, hospitals and hotels each day, washed, beaten clean, hung to dry, and within a day returned, crisply pressed, to their owner.
These photos were taken from the flyover bridge by the railway station on a recent trip to India. You can see the rows of open-air concrete wash tubs used by the dhobi wallahs (laundry workers), who code each item with a mark identifying its owner. Several hundred dhobis and their families live and work at the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. It is an occupation that is passed down from generation to generation.
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Bisons head out in Yellowstone
The photographer: Ted Holm of Lincoln
Behind the lens: We traveled to America’s first national park, Yellowstone. Our first day, we were able to see a few bison. They are quite a sight, as they are huge and unpredictable.
Many of the female bison’s had recently given birth and had their calves close to their sides. One day, the bison were on the move, all of them. It was best to stay back and out of their the way.
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The photographer: Michael Brandt of El Dorado Hills
Behind the lens: The Halászbástya or Fisherman’s Bastion is a terrace fortress wall in neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style situated on the Buda bank of the Danube River, Budapest, Hungary.
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Malawi bike taxis: ‘Sacramentos’
The photographer: William J. Sweeney of Sacramento
Behind the lens: As my wife and I were driving along a narrow two-lane road in southeast Malawi, we passed thousands of bicycles, many of which are frequently used as taxis by locals. This one caught my eye because of the plate on the back when we were so far from home. I discovered later that in northern Malawi, bicycle taxis are commonly called “Sacramentos.”
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Emerald Lake, British Columbia
The photographer: Joe Cheung of Sacramento
Behind the lens: A canoe cuts through the pristine glacier water in a beautiful afternoon at Emerald Lake, Canada, in Yoho National Park, British Columbia. The vivid turquoise color of the water and the surrounding mountain range is spectacular to see.
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Above San Blas Islands, Panama
The photographer: Clay Taft of Fair Oaks
Behind the lens: My son and I sailed through the San Blas Islands of Panama on a kiteboarding adventure in January. This is an early morning kiteboard session, launching from one of the unnamed islands.
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Postcards From Readers
A bunch o’ pups
The photographer: Tim Viall of Stockton
Behind the lens: Sled dogs vie for attention after a day of giving dogsled rides to visitors at the Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort in Whitefish, Mont., in early February. The dogs were a very energetic and friendly bunch.
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McArthur-Burney Falls state park
The photographer: Ted Holm of Lincoln
Behind the lens: I was traveling to Redding and took a few minutes out of my trip to see the falls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. No matter what time of the year you visit the falls, they are always running at full blast. The water comes from an underground river that runs all year.
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Patagonia region of Chile
The photographer: June Bate of Roseville
Behind the lens: While hiking in the Torres del Paine National Park in the Patagonia region of Chile, we came across this little gray fox taking a nap. He scolded us for waking him.
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U Bein footbridge in Myanmar
The photographer: Marjorie Gelus, Carmichael
Behind the lens: Visitors cross or sit on the 200-year-old teak U Bein footbridge over Taungthaman Lake at sunset in the ancient royal capital of Amapura, Myanmar, on Jan. 27.
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Postcards From Readers
The tree tunnel beckons
Photographer: Allison McAuliffe,
Sacramento
Location: Cypress tree tunnel,
Point Reyes State Park
There’s a hidden treasure to be found when traveling to the Point Reyes lighthouse. Along this road you will find this beautiful tunnel of cypress trees. This photo was taken around 2 p.m., when the sun was strong enough to let light shine through the tall cypress trees.
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Salmon running in Trinity County
The photographer: John Bernard
Behind the lens: This photo was taken below Lewiston Lake dam at sunrise on opening day for the steelhead salmon run.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Rain arrives at Lake Tahoe
The photographer: Gregory P. Wayland of Gold River
Behind the lens: This photo was taken at South Lake Tahoe. I escaped up there for a little while on Sunday. I took this photo around 4 p.m. That’s when the rain came after first blowing in from the valley. It is a shot of the western shore in South Lake Tahoe, with Mount Tallac on the far left. The birds are all facing into the wind.
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Heart Lake looking north
The photographer: Mark Rasmussen of Dunsmuir/Sacramento
Behind the lens: A long-awaited trip to Northern California for Thanksgiving to show our daughter’s out-of-state boyfriend there is way more than San Francisco and Tahoe looked to be doomed by an ill-timed storm. The next day showed a light powdery snow as far as the eye could see, and our planned hike to Heart Lake above Castle Lake seemed possible. Once we got to the ridge above Heart Lake, the view to the north was spectacular – Castle Lake, Mount Eddy, Black Butte and, of course, Mount Shasta seemed close enough to touch.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Bald eagle in Klamath Basin
The photographer: Ted Holm of Lincoln
Behind the lens: While I was visiting friends in Klamath Falls, I decided to go out and see if I could find any bald eagles. Yes, they had come down from the north, looking to get out of the cold. I spent hours out in Klamath Basin, watching the bald eagles.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Myanmar fisherman at sunset
The photographer: Julie Fisher of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This fisherman was at Inle Lake, Myanmar, where the tradition is to row the boat with one leg, leaving the arms free to work the fishing nets.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Surma tribe member, Ethiopia
The photographer: Anna Skacel of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This photograph was taken in the Omo Valley in Ethiopia in November 2015, where the Surma tribe members decorate themselves in the most creative ways. It took three days of solid driving by Land Cruiser to get there. There were no hotels or stores to be seen, which meant we had to camp. Unfortunately, our time was cut short because of tribal tensions after two people were killed on our third night there by a neighboring tribe.
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Are you a traveler who never leaves home without a camera? The Bee wants you to share your best travel photographs with other readers. “Postcards From Readers” is a weekly feature that spotlights your shots from around the nation and world. Please submit your photograph, with a brief description of what is taking place and the photographer’s name and hometown, to [email protected]. All submissions become property of The Bee.
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
The photographer: Ted Holm of Lincoln
Behind the lens: A visit to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park took my breath away. The trees – yes, the trees – so tall, so old. I walked the park path, passing tree after tree, looking for the best pace to take a photo that showed the true size of these trees. I looked up, snapped this photo of the trees reaching far into the sky! They seem to go on forever.
Koalas in southeast Australia
The photographer: Cindy Philpott of Sacramento
Behind the lens: I was lucky enough to come across these cute little koalas at a wildlife park in the state of Victoria, Australia. They were totally unaware of my presence and probably full of eucalyptus leaves, perhaps quite happily dreaming their day away.
Street musicians playing in Havana
The photographer: Joe Phelan of Lincoln
Behind the lens: These Cuban street musicians had picked a good place in a restored part of Havana to play hoping for tips from tourists. It was just outside the old cathedral in a tourist area of town that had been restored – unlike so much of Havana. Framed by the bright blue door, they made for a nice photo.
Holy man in Varanasi, India
The photographer: Gary Stock of Sacramento
Behind the lens: I was walking the ghats (steps for bathers leading to a riverbank) along the Ganges River in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, India. I had just been to see the nightly ceremony for the sacred river when I passed this Brahmin who was meditating on a ledge on the ghats.
Hanging with hippos in South Africa
The photographer: Walt Hess of Elk Grove
Behind the lens: While on a trip to South Africa in May, we visited the Sabi Sands, an area of the Greater Kruger Park, specifically Arathua Game Lodge. The game was plentiful, and we had a great time. I took this photo with my Canon T2i and a Sigma 150-500mm lens.
Bee-eaters in Zimbabwe
The photographer: Chris Smith of Sacramento
Behind the lens: We were visiting Victoria Falls Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe last spring. I woke up with the sun and walked down to the patio that overlooks the watering hole, hoping to photograph some wildlife. Not much was moving yet, but I saw these little bee-eaters darting around. It was a cool morning, and they were huddled up for warmth. As one zipped in, another would squeeze over or fly off. It only lasted for a few minutes before they all darted away in various directions. A lovely sight to start the day.
Tribute to a city’s miners
Photographer: Dylan Sarron of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This statue in Karaganda, Kazakhstan is a monument to the miners who helped build the city with the rich coal deposits found below the original city site.
Postcards From Readers
Los Uros toddler
The photographer: Steven Steinbrecher of Pollock Pines
Behind the lens: On a trip to the Islands of Los Uros, a native people who live on floating reeds on Lake Titicaca in Peru at over 13,000 feet, I had the opportunity to meet this very interested and friendly young boy I met while bargaining with his mother in order to purchase some wall tapestries. Los Uros are remarkable in that although they live less than two miles from the city of Puno, they rarely leave their islands of reeds, unless they are leaving the tribe for good.
Postcards From Readers: Waterfalls in western Iceland
The photographer: Tom Wardell of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This photo was taken during a week’s visit in Iceland. This country so exceeded expectations. “No trees,” we heard, but there are incredibly beautiful waterfalls everywhere, amazing glacial flows, wonderful, soothing hot springs and spectacular geysers – just for starters! This particular falls complex is named “Glymur” and is located about 2 hours northwest of Reykjavik. Very little is written about it in the tour guides but many locals know of it.
Waterfalls in western Iceland
The photographer: Tom Wardell of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This photo was taken during a week’s visit in Iceland. This country so exceeded expectations. “No trees,” we heard, but there are incredibly beautiful waterfalls everywhere, amazing glacial flows, wonderful, soothing hot springs and spectacular geysers – just for starters! This particular falls complex is named “Glymur” and is located about 2 hours northwest of Reykjavik. Very little is written about it in the tour guides but many locals know of it.
Clouds dance around ‘El Cap’
The photographer: Ted Holm, Lincoln
Behind the lens: Every time I go to Yosemite National Park, I see different things. This time, as I viewed the valley from the famous “Tunnel View,” I saw the clouds swirling around El Capitan. I can’t wait to make another trip.
Silhouette serenity in Bali
The photographer: Kim Goosmann of Sacramento
Behind the lens: We had the opportunity to travel to Bali and to experience the beautiful culture. We were staying near the Tanan Lot Temple. One day as we were walking along, I noticed someone meditating up on the stones and was captured by the beauty of the ocean and the connection between human and environment. The moment was simple but yet so powerful. I was very captivated by the beauty of Bali and the happiness and joy expressed by the people.
Dancing little monk in Myanmar
The photographer: Cindy Besemer of Sacramento
Behind the lens: While visiting Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, last March, I saw this very young Buddhist monk with other monks. He was skipping and laughing like any young child.
Golden glow of Paris in August
The photographer: Jaime Garza of Sacramento
Behind the lens: After enjoying a fantastic dinner with friends at their Paris home in August, we walked around the corner to enjoy this spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the wonderful people of France (family and friends) during this difficult time.
Surprise visitor
in France
The photographer: Christine Weinstein of midtown Sacramento
Behind the lens: When my husband, Dave Jones, and I were visiting France in May and June, we spent a relaxing week in the gîte (rental house) of the Mangane family. We were the first Americans to ever stay at their gîte near the medieval town of Désaignes in the Rhône-Alps. One day their son stopped by with a juvenile bird that had fallen out of a tree. The boy fed and looked after the young bird, protecting it from roaming cats. The bird stayed perched on the boy for two days. The day after this photo was taken, the bird flew off.
Dresden
on a dreamy
evening
The photographer: Alan Lampe, Folsom
Behind the lens: This evening scene was taken in Dresden, Germany, in September. My wife, Marci, and I were on a tour with friends of Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. The day had been filled with museums, art and history. The beautiful evening was a fine finish to the day.
A friendly face at Machu Picchu
The photographer: Steven B. Raffin of Granite Bay
Behind the lens: On a trip to Machu Picchu outside of Cusco, Peru, we were greeted by one of the very few residents. The encounter was brief but pleasant.
The photographer: John Modin of El Dorado Hills
Behind the lens: In the 160,000-acre Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve near the southwestern section of Kruger National Park in South Africa, an adult male leopard from an 8-foot termite mound surveys his territory for unwelcome male trespassers. We followed him for nearly an hour, watching him survey and mark the limits of his territorial boundary before he entered steep terrain where we were unable to follow. We were also fortunate to capture incredible close-up photos of elephants and rhinoceros on this safari adventure.
Postcards From Readers: Falling in love with Point Lobos
The photographer: Mel Kinoshita of Roseville
Behind the lens: On a spring day, my future wife-to-be, lovely Melissa, and I walked the scenic oceanfront trails and had a picnic lunch at Point Lobos. Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, and a beautiful lady!
Cruise
ship
stop in
Vietnam
The photographer: Henry Saunders of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This shot was taken in a small village in Vietnam. This was the first time a cruise line had taken a small number of tourists to this town, and the villagers were very curious and kind to us. After taking this photo, the woman gave my husband one of her flowers. He tried to give her money in exchange but she would not accept it. I love the expression on her face.
Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada
The photographer: Joe Cheung of Sacramento
Behind the lens: Peyto Lake in Banff National Park is a striking sight. Its blue color comes from glacier rock flour that flows into the lake during the summer. Notice the right side of the lake is shaped like a wolf’s head. This is nature at its best.
Lobster fishing in Nicaragua
The photographer: David Schmitz of Natomas Park
Behind the lens: While visiting Nicaragua, we took a side trip to the Big Corn Island (Las Islas del Maiz), located around 50 miles off the Caribbean coast of the country. We flew to the island from Managua on a single engine 12-seat plane and stayed in a beach bungalow only about 15 steps from the water. Lobster fishing, the main industry of the island, includes many family operations, like these local lobster fishermen who are preparing lobster traps.
Temple in Kyoto, Japan
The photographer: Lorena Esparza of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This is Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto, Japan. I recently visited Japan with my classmates, and it was an experience I will never forget. When I visited the temple, the humidity was unbearable, Chinese tourists scrambled to take pictures, but in the end the shot was worth it. This temple was purely built to show the wealth of the shogun and that he was just as fit as the emperor. Kyoto is an amazing city to visit if you are interested in seeing traditional Japan.
Rail station near Giverny, France
The photographer: Shirley Hall of Citrus Heights
Behind the lens: This shot of an old Frenchman was taken by my wife, Shirley Hall, in May this year after our visit to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France. She took it while we were waiting for a train to return us to Paris. The man appears to be proofreading or editing some sort of document.
Exploring an exotic garden
The photographer: Cindy Philpott of Sacramento
Behind the lens: On a recent trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, my mom and I did a two-hour tour of the botanical gardens located in town. The beautiful garden created by an artist is full of native plants including exotic cacti, agaves and succulents all laid out and connected by a series pathways, borders and bridges.
Fort in India
The photographer: Georgene Redmann of Davis
Behind the lens: As we entered the Ranthambore Fort in India, pilgrims were coming down the steps after visiting the Ganesh temple.
Zion National Park, Utah
The photographer: Rick Melnicoe of Davis
Behind the lens: The Narrows of Zion National Park, Utah, was carved over the millenniums by the Virgin River. The top to bottom hike is 16 miles long and can be done as a long day hike or overnight camping. A permit is required. Much of the hike is in shallow water with a few places requiring a short swim. The beauty of the canyon is spectacular with walls reaching over 1,000 feet above you and only 20 to 30 feet wide in a few places. Most visitors hike up from the main park, but miss the true beauty of the farthest reaches of the canyon.
Piedras Blancas elephant seals
The photographer: Bill Chiechi of Sacramento
Behind the lens: This past June my wife and I happened upon the Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery along the Central California coast. There were many hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of these seals present along this protected beach. At this time of the year the seals are molting and mainly there are females and juveniles present. We watched many of the juvenile males practicing sparring with one another, a skill they will use to attract females during mating season, once they are mature.
Paramount Theatre, Seattle
The photographer: Lou Padgug of Sacramento
Behind the lens: On a recent trip to Washington state, we saw the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Unfortunately, we were not there on the day free tours of the interior of this incredibly ornate performing arts venue are offered. While walking along the side of the building, I looked up and this fire escape caught my attention.
Namche Bazaar before the quake
The photographer: Rick Lynch of El Dorado Hills
Behind the lens: When my friend, Kurt Stegen, and I were 18 and had just climbed Mount Whitney, we made a commitment to do something special when we turned 60. In November, we both turned 60 and booked a trekking adventure through REI to Nepal. This is a picture of Namche Bazaar at 3440 m (11,300 ft). We were in Namche eating lunch on April 25 when the earthquake hit. I love to remember Namche in its beauty prior to the quake rather than the destruction on the day of the earthquake.
Yosemite Valley in spring
The photographer: Brian Phillips of Folsom
This was taken on a recent trip that my wife, Shelley, and I made to Yosemite. It was cloudy with occasional rain while we were there, but on the afternoon of May 19, the sun broke out, lighting up a section of Cathedral Rocks. We were driving back to our hotel at the time, and running late for dinner, but when I saw this beautiful light, I immediately pulled over and grabbed a few shots. There are also deer in the meadow in the foreground.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
The photographer: John Spurr of Davis
Behind the lens: This photo is from a hike in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The trail leads hikers out to a wonderful area called Chesler Park, which has all kinds of colorful rock formations. Lightning was flashing in a thunderstorm behind the butte on the right.
Cappadocia, Turkey
The photographer: Estrella Parker of Piedmont
Behind the lens: This was taken in Cappadocia, Turkey. Whirling dervishes are followers of Sufism, a religious sect whose mystics believe that ritual spinning will bring them closer to God.
Vancouver, British Columbia
The photographer: Oscar Vallejo of Carmichael
Behind the lens: At Granville Island Market Place in Vancouver, BC we were ready to board our water taxi for a quick ride over to Yaletown for more sightseeing. Vancouver has an enormous amount of condo towers overlooking the city and harbor.
An elephant parade in Tanzania
The photographer: Tom Taylor of Fair Oaks
Behind the lens: We are in Tanzania on the second day of a 15-day photo safari. Our first encounter with wild elephants came in late afternoon in Tarangire National Park when we spotted a herd of about 35 elephants walking single file along the edge of a vast marsh. We pulled to the side of the dirt track in our vehicles and turned off the engines, then watched this line of elephants move quickly along the marsh edge. This shot became one of my favorite photographs from the trip.
Children make river a water park
The photographer: Vic Carbonell of Sacramento
Behind the lens: While cruising with friends along the Dapitan River in Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, we came upon this group of kids enjoying their improvised playground. Some were in a bamboo raft, others on the branch of a tree. They were shrieking with laughter and apparently egging one another to jump. They were so engrossed in their pleasure that they did not even look our way as we passed by. The scene brought back memories of my own river adventures when I was young.
Machu Picchu, Peru
The photographer: Marsha A. Robinson of Citrus Heights
Behind the lens: My sister Karen and I journeyed on the Perurail Vistadome to the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. From there we took a shuttle bus that crisscrossed its way up the mountainside and dropped us at the entrance to the park in the late afternoon. Most visitors had left the park by then. We had only to show our tickets at the ticket booth and walk about a hundred yards into the Lost City of Inca and were greeted by this magnificent view. It just took our breath away.
Pak Beng, Mekong River, Laos
The photographer: Debbie Cole of Curtis Park
Behind the lens: In February 2014, we took a two-day slow boat down the Mekong River in Laos from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang. We stopped overnight in the small, rustic village of Pak Beng. This photo was taken at sunrise the morning we left the village and captures the serene and mysterious nature of the river, as well as the mountains and jungle that frame it. Our trip gave us an appreciation of the natural beauty of Laos and the relationship its people have with the mighty Mekong.
The photographer: Joe Cheung of Sacramento
Behind the lens: On one beautiful but windy afternoon, we visited the Horseshoe Bay in Arizona. It was so windy that my wife (shown at left) didn’t dare stand close to the edge of the cliff when this photo was taken. This picture was taken with a fish-eye lens in order to capture the captivating view of the bay.
The photographer: Susan Boring of Sacramento Behind the lens: I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal from 1993-1995. In 2012, I was able to travel back with my husband to share a country that I grew to love so much with him. This picture was taken just outside of Kathmandu during the rice harvest in October. The people are so happy, hard-working, and kind – this picture epitomizes that. As we hear of the tremendous loss due to the recent earthquake, I remember this day fondly and hope that my friends are safe.
The photographer: David Schmitz of North Natomas While in Barcelona we took the train for a one-day visit to Monestir de Monserrat (the Monastery at Monserrat). This picture was taken from the top on the Monserrat (translation: serrated mountains) looking down on the monastery. There is a short and very steep train ride to the top. We arrived at the monastery via a 1.5-mile cable gondola that traveled from the valley below through the clouds to the monastery. The cathedral at Monserrat contains the famous “Black Virgin” statue that has been darkened over the centuries from the burning candles.
The photographer: Tom Wardell of Sacramento Behind the lens: This is one of many captivating photos taken on a recent, fascinating 10-day Mekong Delta Cruise aboard the boutique 28-passenger Toum Toui ll. Shown here is a young woman in a pottery farm in the Cambodian village of Kampong Chhnang. I have traveled frequently and often throughout the world and have never felt more welcome or comfortable then I did in Vietnam and Cambodia.
The photographer: David A. Sauvé of Placerville Behind the lens: This picture was taken on the main north/south road through Yellowstone National Park one August. This big fellow was leading a parade of RVs and campers just a little bigger than him. I thought about reaching out the window when he passed us and grabbing a horn, but discretion trumped valor and I rolled the window up. Taken with an old Pentax Spotmatic 35mm SLR, Ektachrome 400 film.
The photographer: Gary Orr of Sacramento Behind the lens: My wife and I completed a bike and barge vacation from Amsterdam to Cologne. When we arrived in Cologne, we rented a car and wandered the hills from Cologne and followed the Mosel River "Fairly Tale Route" all the way to Luxembourg. We took this photo of the village of Cochem from the courtyard of the 12th century Reichburg castle.
The photographer: David Schmitz of Natomas Park Behind the lens: Parking is at a premium in Rome near the Vatican. This driver was fortunate to find a parking space that fit his/her car across the street from the Castle of the Angels
The photographer: Richard Chamberlain of Oroville Behind the lens: Native people get from island to island in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in dugout canoes called mokoro. These people had just gone to visit a church member who had been ill and were returning to their place of work where my son and I were staying.
The photographer: Michele Dodge of Plymouth Behind the lens: This was a lovely little quay in the northern France town of Honfleur. Several of the Impressionist painters enjoyed this very same view (with different boats, of course). Honfleur is a gorgeous town about an hour’s drive from Omaha Beach. I walked into town in the rain the morning we arrived, saw this lovely view and decided I had to see it after the rain stopped. Luckily, the afternoon cleared up!
The photographer: Anne Eychaner of Carmichael Last September two friends and I spent 13 incredible days rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This amazing view is from Anasazi granaries built into the canyon wall above Nankoweap.
The photographer: Nancy Arkelian of Sacramento Behind the lens: In Vietnam, there are 90 million people and seemingly as many motor scooters, carrying almost everything imaginable. In the countryside we saw this man, who must be one of the most enterprising recycling entrepreneurs in the world.
The photographer: Rick Melnicoe of Davis Behind the lens: Jaguars are the third-largest of the cats and found only in the Americas. While on a trip to the Pantanal of south-central Brazil we were taken by boat to an area on the Cuiabá River where these magnificent jaguars hunt caiman and capybara. This photo was taken of a female who was not too happy that our boat was the only obstacle between it and a family of capybara on the opposite shore.
The photographer: Gus Betancourt of Sacramento Behind the lens: I visited Glass Beach in MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg a few months ago and discovered the sea glass created from years of dumping garbage onto an area of coastline near the northern part of the town. Sadly, most of the glass has disappeared, but the nice, quiet and mysterious atmosphere of the town is still intact.
The photographer: Carol Brock of Penryn Behind the lens: At Rum Point on Grand Cayman, we came across this sign on a recent family visit to the island. The sign shows some history of hurricane activity for the islanders. Hurricane Ivan did some major damage to the island when it hit in 2004.
The photographer: Julie Duehring of Folsom Behind the lens: We were on a girls’ trip to Italy in September and decided to take a one-day tour of Tuscany. The highlight was our stop at the beautiful town of Montepulciano, a small, hilly medieval town with many wine cellars, restaurants, and quaint shops. The oldest shop in town, Maltedetti (pictured here), sells leather goods and shoes, but I don’t think the shoes in this photo were for sale!
The photographer: Mary Duplat of Sacramento Behind the lens: My husband, Claude, and I were in Paris this past fall on our honeymoon when we spotted this young woman “doing it all.” It seems women around the world keep the daily business of life moving forward.
The photographer: David Kalb of Davis Behind the lens: The Chateau d’Amboise is situated along the River Loire in France. It is one of more than a dozen large chateaus in the Loire Valley, a region of France that is both historic and beautiful, from one end to the other. Walk along the river late in the day and if the sun and clouds are right you may capture this picturesque reflection. I took more than 250 photos of the four chateaus I visited during my June vacation.
The photographer: Jeff Hendy of El Dorado Hills
Behind the lens: During our recent first trip to Alaska, my wife and I were prepared for glaciers, cool weather, wild animals and quaint small towns. We were not all prepared for the fantastic natural beauty of the state. This photo of Tern Lake, between Anchorage and Homer, is an example of that beauty. The combination of the birch tree, green and snowy mountains, the lake and the light made this a great photo op, and was taken on my Sony NEX5, a small, lightweight interchangeable-lens camera that has totally replaced the bulky DSLRs I used to lug around.
The photographer: Cindy Philpott of Sacramento Behind the lens: While spending the day exploring the many sites of Bangkok, I came across a group of local schoolchildren enjoying a day trip to one of the many temples in and around this amazing city. I quickly snapped this photo as they wandered past only to notice afterward the boy and girl happily holding hands.
The photographer: Chris Allan of Sacramento Behind the lens: The morning after a snowstorm, I headed out before dawn, and the vistas around Caples Lake were stunning!
The photographer: Debby Sprigg of Sacramento Behind the lens: Disneyland brings out the inner child in everyone. Seeing it decorated for Christmas is absolutely breathtaking! My Mom and I went earlier this month, and it was incredible, especially Sleeping Beauty's Castle with its sparkling decorations. I was lucky and got a wonderful, unobstructed spot to watch and photograph the fireworks blossom in the sky behind the Castle.
The photographer: Gary Mills of Sacramento Behind the lens: This photo was taken while my wife and I were on a small boat on the Dalyan River near Myra, Turkey. There are hundreds of these amazing 4th century B.C. Lycian rock tombs carved high into the cliffs.The photographer: Gary Mills of Sacramento Behind the lens: This photo was taken while my wife and I were on a small boat on the Dalyan River near Myra, Turkey. There are hundreds of these amazing 4th century B.C. Lycian rock tombs carved high into the cliffs.
The photographer: Marjorie Lehr of Carmicheal Behind the lens: We have been to Niagara Falls before, but had never experienced the thrilling helicopter ride over the top of both the American and Canadian Falls as we did this vacation. The Horseshoe Falls is the Canadian and the straighter falls is the American Falls. The sight of them is magnificent and the sound intimidating, demonstrating, both visibly and audibly, the incredible power of water.
The photographer: Jim Sargent, Carmichael
Behind the lens: We visited Zion National Park in May and spent one day at the less-visited Kolob Canyons area north of the main park. We hiked 2 1/2 miles up Taylor Creek and at the end we were rewarded with this fantastic cave and 1,000-foot-high red rock walls. Water seeping through
The photographer: Larry Anderson of Granite Bay Behind the lens: I took this photo on a recent trip to Turkey. I was in a hot air balloon just after dawn, above the strange, otherworldly land formations of the Cappadocia region. About 60 balloons were aloft that day, and the scene provides both color and contrast to the fascinating landscape below.
The photographer: James Muir of Sacramento. Behind the lens: English Harbour is a natural harbor and settlement on the Caribbean island of Antigua. The Royal Navy established its base of operations for the area during the eighteenth century. English Harbour is best known for Nelson's Dockyard, which occupies the site of the British Navy base. Named for Horatio Nelson who commanded it during the colonial period 1784 through 1787. The photo was taken after a morning rain in January.
The photographer: Peter Silva of Sacramento. Behind the lens: This photo was taken last May during a beautiful evening in the City of Light. Walking away from our visit at the Eiffel Tower and onto the Jardins du Trocadéro, I couldn’t help noticing the pattern of bridge lights on the Pont d’léna as a perfect complement to the soaring monument behind. Everything in Paris is beautiful and especially at night, when the city glows with vitality and romance unlike any other in the world. A few evenings earlier I proposed to my fiancée, Maria, at Notre Dame Cathedral (she said yes).
The photographer: Dee Stayner of Rancho Cordova. Behind the lens: After shopping at the Mercado Central de San Pedro in Cusco, Peru, I noticed this intriguing man on the steps. He seemed lost in thought, and I was tempted to ask what was on his mind. Or perhaps he was merely another man waiting patiently for his wife to finish shopping. To me, this photo embodies the native culture of the city high in the Andes.
The photographer: Elenamarie O’Malley of Sacramento. Behind the lens: A rock monitor lizard plays hide and seek in Zambia’s Kafue National Park. High up in a tree, this camouflaged creature has the perfect vantage point to find a tasty snack near the Lufupa River.
The photographer: Marion Montgomery of Citrus Heights Behind the lens: Near Mandalay in the province of Amarapura, we visited the famous 200-year-old U Bein Bridge at sunset. Sitting over Taungthamaman Lake, at 1.2 kilometers long it is the longest teak bridge in the world.
The photographer: Brad Brown of Citrus Heights. Behind the lens: Brad Brown writes that Noah Alexander Brown, 2 1/2 years old, and Max Alexander, 79 years young, hiked to Pyramid Peak in the Lake Tahoe area in September. Noah hiked 3 miles, and Max hiked 13 miles. And it looks like God was smiling down on both of them. | {
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Assistant Buyer
Description
We have a fantastic opportunity to join a leading fashion trend setter in the e-tail market.
If you are currently working in a buying role looking to take the next step into an Assistant Buyer role or if you are currently working as an assistant buyer and looking for a new challenge - this is a great role for you!
The role will involve:
*
Developing new product alone & with the design team managing their workload & ensuring all projects are completed in line with all critical path key dates.
Using appropriate suppliers in line with the brand and department strategy
Finalises key product to be booked for sign off by the senior merch and head of department
Follow up on all development with suppliers & make any required amends
Manage the Buying Assistant & Designers to fit all products on time to sign off with factories
Constant analysis of anything missing from developed ranges
Delegates responsibility to Buying Assistant and develops their skills.
Keep team informed and up to date on key issues/ projects
Ensure all development & Range plans are up to date.
Builds effective working relationships both internally and externally
Constant development research & fabric sourcing with suppliers
Negotiate all pricing with suppliers for both Retail & Wholesale departments
Provide the senior Merchandiser & Wholesale team all relevant pricing information in a timely manner
Action any development requests from clients with factories & chase all samples in on time
FE travel
Key Experience, Skills & Abilities
An understanding of key footwear trends and knowledge of the High Street, bringing new, well thought out ideas to contribute to the Buying process
Having a strong fashion eye is essential
Good problem-solving skills and can take initiative to resolve issues
The ability to perform under pressure and work in a fast-paced environment
The capability to take responsibility and make decisions
The ability to communicate effectively at all levels
Manage time effectively by setting and achieving priorities and timescales
Find your dream job now!
Fashion jobs at your finger tips
Martine is a highly talented Account Director at In Focus Recruitment, she has a huge network of clients both corporate and individual and take a great deal of care in match making to the opportunity presented.
JOHN ROSEDIRECTOR MANAGEMENT & RESOURCES AT THE JUICE CORPORATION
Martine found me a position in the industry and was very happy with the company she connected me with and she gave me great advice and information and she is always helpful. I cannot recommend Martine highly enough. Many thanks!
AINSLEY HYATTMENSWEAR GRAPHIC DESIGNER & MULTI PRODUCTS
Martine is approachable & knows the industry inside out. She was available to contact whenever I needed her during the process of moving forward with my latest career choices. Highly recommended. | {
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In his run for president this year, Joko Widodo pledged greater openness and accountability in Indonesia. As his administration faces its first international crisis, the mysterious crash of an AirAsia jet, he’s proving to be a man of his word.
You can tell a lot about a nation from its response to great tragedy, whether it’s Japan’s 2011 Fukushima crisis, Malaysia’s lost Boeing 777 in March or South Korea’s deadly ferry accident in April. Mr. Widodo has performed admirably.
Since news broke Sunday that an Airbus A320 flying from Indonesia to Singapore had vanished with 162 people on board, Mr. Widodo has coordinated rescue efforts, demanded a review of air-safety regulations and called for timelier weather information. His government is giving steady updates, and Mr. Widodo has sought help from neighboring countries as well as China and the United States.
In contrast, last spring, Malaysia was widely criticized for the secrecy and paranoia that surrounded its search for a Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared with 239 people aboard. Welcoming U.S. and Chinese military ships into Indonesia’s orbit speaks to Mr. Widodo’s confidence.
Mr. Widodo is the fifth president since dictator Suharto was ousted in 1998 but the first political outsider to run Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. Because he’s not a member of a dynastic family or the military, he isn’t beholden to vested interests looking to siphon the benefits of Indonesia’s 5 percent growth. That gives him latitude to dismantle the kleptocracy that Suharto built.
As governor of Jakarta, Mr. Widodo brought a surprising level of transparency. He moved budget-procurement and tax-collection processes online. He’s now working to make national government services electronic to reduce opportunities for graft and improve efficiency. Opening the process of granting licenses for infrastructure, mines and plantations alone would do much to clean up the political and business climate.
Indonesia’s aviation industry also has long cried out for greater oversight. It’s notorious for its regulatory laxity, a product of cronyism and institutional neglect.
The daylight Mr. Widodo wants to shine on the government is needed to ensure that scarce revenues are spent on education, health care and poverty programs.
The way Mr. Widodo has responded to Flight QZ8501 gives reason to hope that Indonesia will be prepared for whatever comes its way. | {
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Close competition between Japan’s major retail FX firms has not curtailed their performance over recent months
After a year in which two notably large firms which gain their client base from the domestic market only, namely GMO Click Securities and DMM Securities experienced monthly volumes of over $ 1 trillion for a sustained period during the summer before tailing off to a still more-than-respectable figure during the last quarter of the year.
GMO Click Securities has today released its metrics for March 2014, a month in which the company’s entire trading volume as 69.46 billion Yen ($668 million).
2014 began with a huge upsurge once again, the company’s performance in January representing a 40% increase to $820 billion) over December’s volumes, indicating the possibility of a return to last summer’s glory days. February’s figures depicted a 13% decline in to $714 billion however this is still far higher than the same period one year previous, and the last quarter of 2013.
The company experienced a buoyant start to 2014 indeed, however with today’s release of March’s figures, the decrement appears to be continuing across GMO Click Securities’ OTC FX business, however as the first quarter of 2014 draws to a close, it can still be considered a successful period for the firm with results which make the first quarter of the previous year pale into insignificance, and are notably higher than those of the last three months of 2013.
With regard to the exchange-based margin trading division, Click 365, things are somewhat different, with 370,774 contracts traded, up considerably from February’s 356,942, with an increase in number of active accounts by a further 3,098 which once again sheds light on the notion that there is an increasing interest in exchange based FX trading worldwide, including within the region renowned for the highest retail FX volumes worldwide.
For more on the global Forex industry see the LeapRate-Dow Jones Forex Industry Report.
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LeapRate is an independent research and advisory firm, specialized in covering the world of Forex trading. We are followed by hundreds of thousands of traders, investors and other FX industry participants via our website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, RSS and Email Newsletter.Email: [email protected] | {
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Impax Labs challenges patent on bladder-control drug
HAYWARD, Calif. — Drug maker Impax Labs is hoping to become the first to market a generic version of a drug used to treat incontinence and overactive bladder, the company said Wednesday.
Impax announced that it had filed a regulatory application with the Food and Drug Administration for fesoterodine fumarate extended-release tablets in the 4-mg and 8-mg strengths, a generic version of Pfizer's Toviaz. Impax said its application contained a Paragraph IV certification, a legal assertion that the patents covering the drug are invalid, unenforceable or not at risk of being infringed upon.
In response, Pfizer and UCB Pharma filed a patent-infringement suit against Impax in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The lawsuit places a stay of final FDA approval on the generic for 30 months or until the companies settle the case. According to FDA records, the agency approved the drug in October 2008, and the patents covering it are scheduled to expire in 2019, 2022 and 2027.
Toviaz in the 4-mg and 8-mg strengths had sales of about $159 million during the 12-month period that ended in May, according to IMS Health. | {
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Robert Johnson
Haunted by the abuse of her former cellmate, a prison inmate seeks companionship with an inflatable Cell Buddy.
"Keeping one eye on the cell door, Amanda opened the box and pulled out the folded plastic figure, gently removing the sealed packaging, complete with a two-part pump system she assembled after a few minutes of difficulty. (Amanda was pretty handy but sometimes struggled with instructions.) Now with her back to the tier, hiding the plastic figure from view, Amanda slowly pumped up her Cell Buddy until it was fully inflated. She then stood back, admiring her new friend." | {
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Tag Archives: indian
Squeaky toys, puzzles, tugs, flyers, balls, plush, interactive and more, the sorts of toys are countless. This paradigm altering, force multiplying effect of technology has been liable for main historical modifications and relations among societies prior to now. Poverty doesn’t afflict so many people as a result of technology has developed so shortly. He couldn’t duplicate the weapon—the technology required lies to date past this age. Engineering is obviously not the one profession field utilizing technology – medication, manufacturing, even retail, all use technology in ever growing methods. Maximum COMPUTER guarantees minimum BS and they ship, for those who’re searching for articles on enterprise IT subjects look elsewhere.
That is, using Augmented Actuality – this article i’m making an attempt to present you with a normal overview and ideas, ideas on find out how to do objective of this text is to point out you the potential of AR in training. Though technology is more superior then the power to use it, corporations are investing in innovation of technology, and are concerned with protecting a aggressive edge. MIT Technology Assessment : Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s web site for explaining new technologies.
As technology progresses hopefully we will start to see the nice and the unhealthy and fill a needn’t only a need. This time we share our back to school episode and speak a little instructor store with combing technology and pedagogy and new prospects for customized studying with OneNote. I do not have children but that was am excellent article and I believe that I’m very dependent on technology. I train with technology at lot, and I at all times want my students to suppose critically about uses, but do not all the time have these nice questions to engage them with.
Significantly within the sciences, it isn’t always feasible (or safe) to breed laboratory conditions within the classroom. The data availability is essentially because of the advancement of technology know as computers. Modern technology saves us plenty of time, whether or not it’s our pc regulated automobiles driving us to work, washing-machines to do our laundry, or automated banking to allow us to pay by credit card, use internet banking, or get money out from the ATM. Women and men that publish articles on the internet are being paid by advertisers and affiliate entrepreneurs. Otherwise, using technology could be seen as a incapacity as a substitute of a advancement in schooling.
I’m someone who cannot go a day without utilizing my cellular phone to textual content my closest mates which are at universities very far away from where I’m. I’m grateful for technology and social media to be able to work together with them and preserve my friendships with folks I’ve recognized my complete life. There at the moment are loads of adults who have been brought up on technological advances and it is also true that society, justice and authorities have come to depend on technology. Information technology coursework teach students who to question large databases and … Read the rest
Observe: That is the talk I gave at Startup Faculty Europe, which was held last Saturday in London. Take into account the recent information that the UK is liable to EMP assaults from space and that the MoD (Ministry of Protection) plan to do nothing about it. Then there’s the truth that UK have just signed a deal with France to have nuclear power vegetation build all through the UK It is not just kids who’re reliant on technology. Recently, consultants on the Indian Institute of Technology have solved the thriller behind the iron pillar in Delhi, which has never corroded regardless of the capital city’s copious amounts of Monsoon derived rain. For these reasons, the world of arms control was the first the place technology impacted international relations in a giant means.
Technology has provided folks correct entertainment throughout their leisure time, even when they’re at house because of some products like web, video gamers, televisions, computer video games, e.t.c (Ugochukwu 2012). Technology could be outlined as the gathering of methods, programs, processes, devices and skills often from engineering utilized by man to control his surroundings with a purpose to fulfill his wants and clear up his issues (Ugochukwu 2012). I hate to break the information to you, but farmers and other ‘backbone’ members of society use applied sciences of their lives. The advanced agricultural machines including tractors and ploughs are all products of science and technology.
Health inequality – the difference in mortality charges between the rich and the poor – is already a stark actuality Persevering with developments in medical technology are permitting these with money to take higher care of their well being by means of life-style and diet, take preventative measures based mostly on testing resembling genetic screening, and access superior medical interventions to cure illnesses after they do happen.
The Technology Affiliation of Georgia’s Product Administration Awards 2017 will rejoice one of the best and the brightest within the industry throughout the 2017 calendar 12 months! I sincerely think that, for a time, technology has been advancing beyond human reasoning, however we at the moment are shifting back within the path of designing hardware and software that’s MEANT to jive nicely with the way our brains work.
We are going to see main changes in many companies as this technology embraces fields such as printing food, physique elements to exchange injured limbs, and even easy tasks corresponding to printing physical issues like toys. Be part of us January 27th at Augusta College to hear from an exciting keynote speaker and panelists discuss how you can create a startup firm, present challenges that a startup face, and tips on how to leverage other organizations to run a profitable health technology startup. People are now not limited to the gap they will travel by means of because science and technology has made that attainable. There are positively positives and negatives to technology and modifications in communication.… Read the rest | {
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Jay Steger, left, and Marcie Steger, the parents of Kira Trevino, speak during a news conference last week at St. Paul police headquarters in St. Paul, Minn.
Written by
Logan T. Carlson
News-Herald Media
In the eight years that Kira Trevino had lived with her husband, Jeffery, her father said he had never met, or talked to him once.
Jay Steger painted a portrait of man that was extremely anti-social, avoiding any family functions and interactions with Kira's friends.
"He never connected with the family whatsoever. He never allowed any of the family to get to know him, and that's what we thought was strange," said Steger, who has lived in Marshfield his whole life, and has two sisters who still live in the city. "When we would go there, he would never be around." ... | {
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Appliance Installation
We'll install your new appliance safely and professionally
Our team of plumbers don’t just cover fixing leaks and clearing blocked toilets, we can also professionally install your white goods and even fit your new gas appliances.
In order to install your new appliance as quickly as possible we will need clear access to the area you in which it will be installed. Please make sure that it fits into the space and that the necessary electrical, plumbing and waste connections are suitably close (usually within 5ft).
Washing machine installation
New washing machine installation is a regular job that we carry out. Our expert team of qualified plumbers is experienced in fitting all makes and models of washing machines.
If you are wondering how to plumb in a washing machine it’s probably best to leave it to an expert who can fit it safely and securely so that you don’t have any floods or leaks.
If you’re in need of a local plumber to connect a washing machine then give us a call and we can schedule your visit at a convenient time to suit you. We also have a few early bird appointments where our guys can be at your home by 7 am.
Our fixed price for washing machine installation starts from £80 +VAT. It usually takes around an hour to install a new washing machine, but can sometimes take little longer. Providing there are no alterations to existing plumbing pipework we expect out visit to last no longer than an hour.
If you need your old washing machine removed we can oblige, although this costs extra. Please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll ensure we that one of our apprentices attends, along with our plumber.
We can help you with:
washing machine
dishwasher
waste disposal
gas fire
gas hob
gas oven
gas cooker
Our installation service includes
Ensure that the existing electrical and plumbing connections are safe to use, and are suitable with the new appliance.
Disconnect the existing appliance, un-box and check the new product.
Remove the transit bolts, connect your appliance to a suitable mains water supply within 1.5 metres of your product and then connect to an existing electrical socket.
Test to make sure there are no leaks. Connect the waste hose to suitable spigot, down pipe and existing extended waste connections.
Level the appliance and check that it’s fully working and operational.
Take the packaging from your new appliance away. If you purchase our removal and recycling service we’ll also take your old appliance away.
Professional installation by one of our expert installers
We’ll disconnect your old appliance for free*
We’ll ensure your appliance is fully working and ready to use
We can also dispose of your old appliance and provide rubbish clearance of any packaging and parts. | {
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On Friday three members of the UMSL basketball team came to talk to the students about staying drug free. Afterwards, they put on a slam-dunk demonstration! It was amazing! Before the basketball players left, the Student Council president gave them small gifts and thank you cards made by each classroom.
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About
St. Ann Catholic School is a diverse Christian community devoted to providing a comprehensive curriculum and a learning environment that encourages students to reach their full potential. St. Ann School promotes the mission of the Catholic Church in a loving family atmosphere. | {
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Summerscale, Kate
The queen of Whale Cay
click to zoom
Viking, New York. 1998, 241p. + 24p. photos, endpaper map of the Caribbean, very good first US edition in boards and unclipped dj. Biography of Marion Carstairs, the world's fastest female speedboat racer in the 1920s, who was a lesbian crossdresser who settled in the Bahamas with her lovers | {
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Few of this fall’s new shows are as anticipated as ABC’s Once Upon a Time, in which a curse cast by the Evil Queen sends Snow White and other amnesiac fairy tales characters into the real (if quietly charming) world of Storybrook, Maine, where they await the arrival of a possible savior (played by House‘s Jennifer Morrison). But with good buzz can also come scrutinizing questions, as the show’s cast and producers fielded at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Sunday. READ MORE | {
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May 19, 2012
The New iPad3 in Saudi Arabia - Tablet Prices
Apple's iPad3 is one of the best tablet computer and it is widely liked among arab people. Its features like Retina display that makes text more than clear and 5MP iSight camera is an awesome addition to iPad series tablets. iSight camera is Designed with advanced optics, it lets you shoot gorgeous photos and 1080p HD video.
This camera also features a backside illumination sensor that makes best captures during sunlight or low-light.
It enables you tap to focus, and tap to set exposure functions. It has built-in face detection feature too.
Furthermore you can shot 1080p HD video with it.
New iPad3 has Built with the latest wireless technology called 4G LTE. Which makes downloads faster, video calls smooth and outstanding.
iPad3 has a strong and reliable A5X quad-core graphics drives and it has 10 hours of battery life.
Below is the Price List of iPad3 in various Saudi Arabian shopping malls and smart devices retailers. eXtra stores has all the variety of iPad3 available with them. While Jarir Bookstore and Hyper Panda has a few models available. I am publishing the prices from all the retailers so that you can decide which retailers is offering good prices and where to buy iPad3 in Saudi Arabia. These retailers are located in most of the major Saudi Arabian cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, Khobar, Makkah, Madina, Dammam etc. For further guidance about How to Buy and Where to Buy feel free to ask me in the comments below or via Saudi Telecom News Facebook page. If you are looking for other Tablet PC Prices browse through the category at my blog. If you want to compare previous iPad Prices then visit April 2012 prices I published earlier. | {
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Windows Phone is making a dent in China after only two months.
Josh Miller/CNET
Is Windows Phone starting to give the iPhone a run for its money in China? Microsoft thinks so.
Making its debut among Chinese consumers just two months ago, Windows Phone has already picked up a market share of 7 percent, according to Microsoft. That's a tad higher than the 6 percent share owned by Apple's iPhone.
"We've only just begun," Bel said, noting that the combination of smartphones and Windows PC tablets will help Microsoft gain further traction among both Chinese individuals and businesses. Such a strategy will come in handy due to the increasing consumerization of IT, he added.
But the company faces a uphill battle, Bel admitted. Android currently dominates China with a market share of around 69 percent. And Windows Phone is still far behind in the app arena compared with Google's mobile OS.
Microsoft currently employs around 2,500 people in its R&D department in China, but Bel says the company needs to and will invest more heavily in the country.
About the author
Journalist, software trainer, and Web developer Lance Whitney writes columns and reviews for CNET, Computer Shopper, Microsoft TechNet, and other technology sites. His first book, "Windows 8 Five Minutes at a Time," was published by Wiley & Sons in November 2012.
See full bio | {
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Sunsuria City anchored by first Chinese university in Southeast Asia
Sunsuria Bhd is optimistic that its upcoming Sunsuria City, previously known as Suria Serenia, township will become a liveable smart township.
Sunsuria City is a 331.27-acre new township that will be developed by Sunsuria Bhd. It is carved out from the existing 2,235 acres of plantation land that is being masterplanned by Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby as Serenia City (formerly Bandar Ampar Tenang).
The freehold township is located in the vicinity of Bandar Kota Warisan in Sepang, just 10 minutes drive south of Putrajaya, the administrative centre of Malaysia. The township's estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) is RM6.4 billion or more.
The location of the township benefits from its adjacency to the ERL Salak Tinggi Station and local connections connecting the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Putrajaya/Cyberjaya via the North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE Highway) and the Putrajaya-Cyberjaya Expressway (Dengkil Bypass/Federal Route 29).
It has been confirmed that Sime Darby will build a full interchange from ELITE Highway and a 4-lane access to the township.
Sunsuria City will host residences, serviced residences, retail shops, business parks and a commercial hub with dynamic and beautiful landscape. The commercial hub features the integration of park and ride facility, business and boutique hotels, workplaces, retail, food and beverage outlets and cultural institutions.
Sunsuria executive chairman Datuk Ter Leong Yap said that the GDV for the first phase of the development is roughly RM900 million. It will feature 663 units of low-rise apartments, priced below RM400,000 per unit.
Emphasis is placed upon the establishment of appropriately scaled development lots with an integrated network of shared connector paths while the integration of the landscape with sustainable water management system will promote enhanced liveability.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on 20 April 2015, Sunsuria Bhd said it has signed a conditional agreement to buy the said township land from Sime Darby Property (Sungai Kapar) Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sime Darby Property, for RM173.4 million. The transaction values the land at RM41 per sq ft.
The development company, Sime Darby Sunsuria Development Sdn Bhd (SDSDSB), was incorporated as a 50:50 joint venture between Sime Darby Property and Sunsuria Gateway Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sunsuria Bhd.
When the conditions of the purchase agreement are fulfilled, Sunsuria Bhd will then have full control of SDSDSB. This will keep the property developer active for 12 years after the project approval. The company is expected to submit the township planning for approval by June this year.
Co-existing within the Suria Serenia township is China's first overseas university branch campus, the Xiamen University Malaysia Campus (XMUMC), and the Kuala Lumpur International Outlets (KLIO).
The prestigious university was originally founded by Southeast Asia's renowned educator Tan Kah Kee, who helped to establish schools for the overseas Chinese community in the region during the early 20th century.
On 3 July 2014, the ground-breaking ceremony for the Xiamen University Malaysia Campus was held.
The university campus will built on an area of 150 acres (area excluded Sunsuria City) with a planned total floor space of 470,000 sq m to be built over two phases and an expected total investment of RM1.3 billion.
The first enrolment of 500 students is expected to begin in September 2015. This will grow to 5,000 in 2020, and eventually reaching its maximum capacity of 10,000 students. Most of the students will come from Malaysia, China, and other neighbouring and regional countries.
XMUMC will offer various bachelor and master degree programs. It will have 5 schools in its first phase: School of Information Science and Technology, School of Ocean and Environment, School of Economics and Management, School of Chinese Language and Culture, and the School of Medicine.
The ratio of students to teachers is set to be 15:1 and all courses will be delivered in English, with the exception of Chinese Studies and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur International Outlets (KLIO) will be the third outlet shopping centre in the Greater Kuala Lumpur region. It is being developed as a joint venture between Chicago-based Horizon Group Properties and local firm Mainstay Properties Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Mainstay Holdings Sdn Bhd.
The joint venture had earlier purchased 40 acres of land near the proposed interchange, north of XMUMC from Sime Darby to build KLIO.
Scheduled to open on 1 July 2016, KLIO will have a total floor area of 400,000 sq ft. It will be developed over two phases with the first phase taking up 26 acres and the second phase 4 acres. The second phase will be an extension of the first phase.
KLIO will have an outdoor environment with 100% covered walkways, upscale architectural design and materials consistent with the image of the respective luxury retail tenants.
The first phase of the outlet mall is expected to house 150 retailers including a foodcourt and full-service restaurant outlets. Several premium fashion brands is expected to be occupying duplex retail units. There will be 2,000 car parking bays that will be built beneath the outlet mall.
Both Sunsuria City and Serenia City are expected to preview their respective first phase residential late 2015 or 2016. | {
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Wednesday, 24 December 2014
As 2014 is coming to an end and 2015 dawns upon us, it isn't unusual to make those predictable New Year's resolutions.
In the spirit of my campaign 'Take Back What's Yours' which you can find more information onhere; I want to change the way we see New Year resolutions so that we can use them to benefit our whole life, not just for a couple of months, for example when we say "I will join a gym!"
As you probably know, in recent months...weeks even, bloggers and YouTubers have come under fire by the media for different reasons... I feel like the heart of blogging is taking a downward turn. We have such a huge opportunity to shape a world we want to live in, yet the blogging world isn't being used to its full potential.I felt like it would be a wonderful time to pull together and boost the message of this campaign in time for the New Year - as I said, many make New Year resolutions, so why not influence people to make their resolution to take back what once belonged to them...maybe their confidence, maybe their control or even their happiness due to whatever situation has made them lack that ability.This is a lifelong commitment, if you want to change the way you feel about yourself, or you want to act upon the message of this campaign and 'Take Back What's Yours', when better to do that than the start of a new year... This is notone of those "New Year, New Me" unrealistic resolutions. When I say "New Year, New You", I genuinely mean it.You probably know by now that I have so much belief and motivation in how we can change the world as cheesy as it sounds but we can! We can change how people are impacted by bullying, lack of self-esteem, confidence, anxiety, diabetes and much, much more. I want this campaign's challenge to be spread across the internet as much as possible. How amazing would it be for everyone to be taking part in this challenge, changing the world whilst they're at it!?I really do urge you to get involved with this campaign and this challenge. If we all get involved and UNITE, we can make a huge difference. If you can do this, please use the hashtag #TakeBackWhatsYours and feel free to tag me in it: @ChloesConcept :)If you would be so kind as to get involved, all I ask you to do is this:
Write a blog post talking about this campaign, the message it contains and why you are taking part
What Take Back What's Yours - New Year Resolution you are going to set yourself
Tag 10 bloggers to take part
Let me know if you're taking part by using the hashtag on Twitter #TakeBackWhatsYours - Also tag either @ChloesConcept or @TBWYCampaign so I can retweet!!
If you can - include a photo of yourself with a handmade poster (doesn't have to be artistic!) with the words:
"TAKE BACK WHAT'S YOURS -MAKE YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO TAKE BACK WHAT BELONGS TO YOU. #TakeBackWhatsYoursIn 2015, I'm taking back: *i.e., "my confidence"
With that photo, you can upload it with a message on my Tumblr site. I want to get as many photos of people as possible so that we can put faces to names and bring a sense of reality to this campaign! This is the link OR you can upload it to your Instagram site (if that's more convenient to you!) but make sure you use the #TakeBackWhatsYours so I can see it and save it so I can upload it to a big post with everyone's picture!
There is no set deadline - just as soon as you can write the post, the better, to get the message spread!
Let's get #TakeBackWhatsYours trending and let the world know we're here to make a difference.
One more thing:PLEASE share this with anyone and everyone you know; friends, family, acquaintances, work friends, school friends... anyone and everyone! The more people who know about it, the better. Please share it, tweet it, Facebook it, YouTube it, Instagram it, pin it, blog it... you name it, please do it!I'll be print screening everyone's posts, tweets, photos...everything! I'll be constantly putting them into posts and including everyone's links and social media sites so be sure to leave your links and names so I can do that for you!I thank you all SO much for taking the time to read this post and if you do decide to take part (which I really hope you do!) thank you! I really do appreciate all of the support I have had in 2014 regarding this campaign. It means so much to me when I get emails from people saying how they want to be involved or just generally emailing me to make friends and tell me how it has helped them! I love getting to know you all so please don't hesitate to write to me or get in touch - I'll leave all of my links below!Finally, I hope you all have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and New Year with your families and friends! Thank you for a great and supportive year and I look forward to continuing on with my campaign in 2015! See you all then!
Monday, 22 December 2014
I thought I'd post this little outfit guide today as we are approaching Christmas and New Year which obviously means more socialising and socialising after work so if you have a 9-5 job and you struggle to get home in time to get your glad rags on, fear not because I have devised 3 outfits you can easily wear to work that will allow you to transition into the evening, effortlessly and glamorously!
Okay, so I want to express that different work places obviously require different outfits/uniforms. So for example, you may not necessarily wear these outfits if the standard is "casual"; you may be more inclined to wear these outfits if the requirement is "smart".
I will be doing a "casual" work outfit transitioning into an evening event during the week so please stay tuned for that!
Outfit #1
I love the ivory/linen colour theme with this outfit. It's definitely an outfit that would fit any season. In the Spring/Autumn, a light leather jacket on top would bring an edgy look to this elegant outfit and in the Winter, a beautiful black funnel neck coat will bring a heavy contrast with the colours; quite monochrome-like and balance the outfit out weight wise!
Outfit #2
I think the colour theme for this outfit; blush will suit any skin tone. Whether you're fair, medium or dark skinned, I think this ensemble will compliment your colour and on the topic of colour, I think this blush colour will also go great with whatever colour hair you have. With some colours, only certain hair colours can work because they can give you a washed out effect but I think blush is a great go-to colour if you're struggling to find the perfect colour that compliments you!
Outfit #3
This monochrome themed outfit has an automatic smart association to it. I'm not sure if you agree, but whenever I see a monochrome themed outfit, I immediately think it looks effortlessly smart. The two block colours compliment each other due to its heavy contrast the pattern through the blouse provides a simple, clean cut finish and again, these two colours will easily go with any skin colour or hair colour so it's a definite staple outfit!
Finally, all three skirts have a 50s feel to them, which I absolutely love. I think that in 2015 these types of skirts are definitely going to be seen across runways and in the high street and that's great news as that means anyone can wear them and not look out of place!
I love supporting campaigns on my blog as I think blogging is such a great medium to get messages across! I run my own campaign called 'Take Back What's Yours' which you might have heard of and even taken part in!
Today's post is all about the amazing campaign where Rachel Stevens, mum of two is calling out to all mums, dads and parents to donate blankets to the Dettol Baby Blanket Donation charity campaign to help babies in need!
I think and I'm sure you'll all agree that this campaign is for such a worthy cause so please donate your blanket and if you know any mums and dads, urge them to do the same and spread the message of this campaign.
What is the campaign all about?
The Dettol Baby Blanket Donation aims to raise awareness of the dangers of bacteria on baby blankets whilst highlighting the shortage of baby blankets available to infants born to families in need.
Laboratory tests commissioned by Dettol - on washed blankets donated by volunteer mums show that baby ‘blankies’ carry a variety of bacteria even after a 40°C wash with a third of the washed blankets harbouring coliforms – a group of bacteria linked to faeces.
Once collected, the baby blankets will be hygienically washed with Dettol Anti-bacterial Laundry Cleanser an additive that kills 99.9% of bacteria even in temperatures as low as 15°C, before being re-distributed by Dettol to families in need.
Dettol has also pledged to donate £1 for every blanket collected to children’s medical research charity, Sparks to raise much needed funds for UK families with children who are affected by serious illness or disability.
Rachel Stevens, the face of this campaign expresses her passion for taking part in this campaign:
“"I've got all my mummy friends donating their blankets and I’m trying to get as many people involved as possible. It's a brilliant campaign in itself but now I'm a mum I am even more aware of how much more washing there is to do. With Dettol Anti-Bacterial Laundry Cleanser I get to do loads of quick washes at low temperatures and I know that things will be hygienically clean and germ free.”
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Today's post is focusing on the 'bold look' as you probably guessed from the title! I established the outfit first and gelled every aspect of accessories, makeup and hair around that. I love to start with an outfit because for me, it's kind of like joining the dots... you get the rough outline with the outfit and pull everything together so it creates an overall theme. At the bottom I'll link to where you can get everything mentioned in these looks...some items are quite pricey (too pricey for me!) but the point of the post is to inspire new ideas and maybe show how you can use some items you already have in a different way!
Let me know if you like this sort of post because I really enjoyed creating it!
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Christmas is rapidly approaching and I don't like how quick it's coming! Christmas is my favourite time of year so I really like to enjoy it and make the most of it, but it's just flying by!
As the days are whittling by so quickly, I thought it would be helpful if I put together a bit of a gift guide/idea post to help you out if you're struggling to find time to actually look for presents for friends and family!
First of all we'll get stuck into some beauty products!
Foundations:
Obviously this is quite a difficult one because you really need to know the shade of the person you are buying for as this is so difficult to get right if they're not with you to choose. If you're lucky and you know the colour (although the shade and colours do change depending on the brand!) then here's a couple of my favourite drugstore foundations:
Eyes
I was lucky enough to trial this product and I absolutely love it! The mascara wand is something which allows me to get right into the lash bed and really grip each individual lash without it appearing clumpy or getting mascara all over your eyelids (which I can't stand!). After one coat, it gives you a lovely natural look but when you apply a couple of layers, you'll really get that doll effect finish which the product claims to give you!I definitely recommend this product! It makes for a wonderful Christmas Gift Set or even if you're looking for a new mascara and eyeliner!
I hope you found this post helpful if you're looking for gifts to buy or even if you fancy a new product to add on your Christmas wishlist! In the next couple of days I'll be posting a Fashion Christmas Gift Guide and also a Random Christmas Gift Guide which will include...you guessed it... random things but still awesome nonetheless!Stay tuned and hope to see you back here soon!
Monday, 15 December 2014
I'm sure I don't have to remind you that Christmas is TEN days away... you could even class it as NINE days (as today is nearly over!) until that massive Christmas dinner is sat down in front of you on your lovely decorated dinner table with that mouth watering desert which makes you put on 10lbs before you even eat it!!
If you're anything like me and find it hard to keep up with keeping fit over the festive period, fear not because Reebok has your back.
I thought this guide was extremely important not just to lose weight over Christmas but to keep yourself fit and healthy. Being diabetic, I want to promote a healthy lifestyle as much as possible (you'll see at the bottom of this post I run a campaign called 'Take Back What's Yours' which I'd love for you to all get involved with - details at the bottom OR you can read about it here)!
Here's a great little fitness guide you can adopt into your daily routine, not JUST over the festive period but every day in general!
As Christmas is fast approaching and the abundance of food near, Reebok’s Master Trainers have created a Christmas Survival Guide to help you stay on track of your fitness goals whilst still enjoying the fruits of the festive period.
Incorporate little exercises on a daily basis – they will add up!
Start the day balanced. When brushing your teeth stand on one leg to activate the core and work on your balance and stabilisation. You can try this with your eyes closed if you are brave… as this will affect the effort required to stand still and tall
Get up 10 minutes earlier in the morning and warm up for the day by incorporating some exercises. An interval training with 40 seconds work and 20 seconds rest will get you started – just repeat 10 times. Exercises: burpees, plank, lunges, glute bridge, press ups, jumping jacks, squats, side plank (20 seconds each side), glute raise, single leg squat
Climb the stairs – lose the lift or escalator when out and about, or at home, just climb the stairs a couple of times for no reason other than to start to shift the lbs. Climbing three flights will burn approximately 15 calories. Not much but over a day/week it all adds up.
Be food wise – keep it simple, count chemicals not calories
Counting calories can often be overbearing. Of course you should watch the amounts and types of food you eat but everyone’s got a different physique and activity level. It’s impossible to put everyone in the same boat.
Start by reducing the chemicals, try to keep it natural. Cook rather than have a ready meal. Avoid processed foods and stock up on natural foods. This will provide great fuel for your body. By omitting toxins such as sugars we keep our blood levels balanced, which not only keeps energy levels even but also reduces risks of health issues based on that.
A swap a day
Why not swap something every day?
Swap a coke for water
Swap a sandwich for a salad wrap
Swap a beer for a wine spritzer
Weight loss
If your main goal is weight loss, look at yourself in the mirror. Weight loss on a scale doesn’t always reflect the loss of fat. Always remember: you didn’t go to bed one weight or dress size and wake up the next day with a transformed body, so don’t try and lose extra overnight. Work out a schedule that works in the long term and take little steps every day.
Rewarding yourself
It’s important to reward yourself if you’re doing a good job and staying on track. Instead of getting out the chocolate pralines, reward yourself with things that don’t go in your mouth. Book yourself a massage, book that boat trip or go for a walk in a beautiful forest and just enjoy the view.
Team up
Surround yourself with people on the same mission and you’ll empower each other to keep going, keeping levels of motivation up.
Why wait?
There is no better time to start than RIGHT NOW. Give yourself the best Christmas gift – a fitter, healthier you. Look and feel great at the Christmas party or for New Year. Exercise can help improve both your physical and mental health as soon as you start and you will feel energised. Exercise is also a great stress reliever. Exercise regularly and you’ll be all set for that Christmas shop everyone else is getting stressed out from.
Plan
We are all different – what works for you might not work for anyone else. If you’re not sure what the best approach is for you, you can always get external help and contact a personal trainer for assistance.
Reebok has kindly provided the opportunity to join FREE fitness classes that might be going on where you live, so do check out the link below because it's well worth it!
❅Reebok provides ongoing and free fitness classes for local communities as part of the brand’s vision to make fitness, health and wellbeing truly accessible to all. To check out and book onto any free fitness classes that may be happening in your area, visit: http://fitness.reebok.co.uk/FitnessEvents/Events-landing/
Before I go!
If you'd like to join me on my 'Take Back What's Yours' campaign which is all about empowerment in diabetes, bullying, self-esteem, anxiety & any other medical or mental health issue, please check out this link to more information on what we do! We'd love to have you on board so do get in touch by email or tweet me! If you just want a chat about diabetes or if you don't necessarily know many people with the condition, feel free to email me! My links are below!
Friday, 12 December 2014
So as Christmas is rapidly approaching, (where did November go!?) it's not to be forgotten that it's also the party season with work do's and nights out with friends and family! During these dressy occasions, it's important to treat your hair with respect whilst your teasing, curling, straightening and goodness knows doing what else to your hair!
Firstly, a great product to use during the washing and drying process is 'Umberto Giannini: Mend My Hair Rehab Salon Smooth Damage Repair Keratin Spray'. This is a fantastic product to use to repair and mend broken and strained hair which is already damaged to prevent further damage. It possesses Keratin and grapeseed oil; both of which targeting damaged hair in order to repair it. In case you didn't know, Keratin is a protein which we have in our hair so providing extra Keratin within this product gives you an extra boost of protein which is great for repairing and growing your hair as well as strengthening it and restoring it's condition. This product is only £6.99 and is one I really love and feel it's doing it's job of strengthening and repairing my hair!
The next product I have for you is the Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray. This is obviously for use during the blow-drying process or when you're hair is dry and you're about to use heat on it. With the party season upon us, we all love a curling tong and straightening iron to give more of a polished look so it's crucial to use a heat protection spray! Again, with this product being from the Keratin range of Tresemme, it provides your hair with the protein it's stripped of when heat is applied to it. Due to the Keratin in it, it also reduces frizz and is gentle enough to use on colour treated hair which is great because with events coming up; if you're touching up the colour of your hair, you don't want to colour to be damaged by the products you use! I really love this heat protection spray because it does what it says - protects your hair against heat whilst leaving a lovely sheen in the process!
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Hi everyone!So today's post, as you can probably guess is a review on Estée Lauder's Double Wear foundation. You might already know that this product is one of the most talked about products within the beauty blogosphere world because it has so many great elements to it, how is it possible not to love it?So yes, I do love this product but I'll give you a quick story behind it first.I decided that because this is quite an expensive foundation, I'd get matched in Boots because I wanted something that would actually reflect my real skin tone. I usually go for a darker colour than what I am naturally, especially in the winter, however I fancied going for the more natural look and getting one that matched precisely. So yes, I got matched and the first colour the lady tried was a perfect match! Success!
I have quite prominent facial redness; not rosacea as such but very pigmented. I've gone to multiple doctors appointments, dermatology appointments, lazer treatments, you name it, I've done it and yet I'm still left with pigmented skin. It's not the worst thing to have but it certainly brings a degree of self-consciousness with it which I'm not comfortable with and that is why I wear foundation. If I could not wear it, I probably wouldn't... or at least not wear as much!Anyways, a little side-tracked there but still relevant I guess! This product promises to have a great amount of coverage and last a long, long time and that is why I bought it. I think this 30ml bottle of greatness is fantastic. My mum even said that she noticed the redness disappearing as soon as the lady in Boots put a tiny amount on my skin. You can of course, build this product up to give a fuller coverage look, but I've been enjoying wearing a limited amount lately.The foundation bottle doesn't actually come with a pump. This is a huge flaw for some and yes, I can kind of agree, but you can physically see how much you are using when pouring it out manually so you can be a little more affordable with how much you use or you can use a little less when you think you're coming near the end.The general packaging of the product is so elegant and regal in my opinion. The deep purple/blue box it is presented in is so compact, understated, simple and unique. I think that along with the bottle, which is glass (so be careful!) with gold and purple writing matching the gold and purple writing scripted on the box carries a consistent theme of elegance and class. I think the bottle and packaging of items say a lot about the quality of the products so I always take this into consideration when purchasing a product!
I do recommend though, if you have dry skin like I do, prep your skin. I know you probably do anyways but I neglect the prepping of my skin sometimes and rush in with a primer. I've recently purchased several radiance boosting moisturisers (reviews coming this week!) which I prep my skin with and then go ahead with my primer. If you have super duper dry skin and you like that dewy/satin finish, pop a little bit of Bourjois Healthy Mix or MAC Pro Longwear underneath and this will act as a fantastic base, providing that extra bit of dewiness to give you a healthy winter glow!The cost of this Double Wear foundation is usually approximately £29.50 from Boots but is currently on offer for £23.60!
Have you tried this foundation? What do you think?
Let me know in the comments below!
I hope you liked this post and a quick little side note before I go: I haven't posted AS MUCH as I usually do these past couple of weeks and I miss it so much however, I'm in my last year of university so the deadlines are coming fast and are all at the same time but I have a little break between next week and Christmas! I have so, so many posts planned, new products to review, 'Take Back What's Yours' news and updates and so much more so please come back next week and have a little gander! | {
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Club Scene with Sam Cherry
Published:06:19Friday 14 April 2017
Tonight, Ice Bar in Southsea will be hosting their Easter Weekend Fundraiser for The Elizabeth Foundation with After Hours resident DJs Drift and Flatline.
The two will go back-to -back from 7pm until 1am playing everything from house to drum and bass. 10 per cent of all the evening’s bar takings will be going towards the foundation so expect plenty of feel good vibes! More details at facebook.com
On the house and techno front tonight, record label Punchfunk will be presenting their final encore event at The Old Barn, Milton, due to the unfortunate closure of the venue. PunchFunk’s Chris Vaux was one of the main people behind the 2015 revamp of The Old Barn so I wanted to say how much of a good job he, and others, did at the venue and it’s only right to see PunchFunk host their swansong event for the venue. Expect resident DJs Simon Blann, The 24hr DJ and of course Chris himself joined by House Knights to play plenty of bumping tunes. Doors open from 9pm until 4am and tickets will cost £5 with more details at facebook.com
Tomorrow night, Zeal Movement will also be hosting their last event at The Old Barn as they present their second Danse Club takeover with DJs Lauhaus, Austen/Scott and Junior Gee joined by Zeal residents RaRa, As-One, Harley and Stanley Hood. Zeal will definitely bring the vibes if their recent success at The Old Barn has proved anything. Doors open 3pm until 3am, advance tickets cost £5 or £10 on the door. More details at facebook.com
If you still have energy for Sunday, The Astoria, Guildhall, are hosting Jampacked with Mistajam, GotSome and Patrick Nazemi from 1am until 4am! Tickets are only £5 with at facebook.com | {
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In the next week or two we will release Alpha 12 of Universe Sandbox ².
Here are some of the features you can look forward to:
A whole lot more choreography
We now have around 200 presets for you to experiment with, including a bunch of 3D patterns.
Improved supernovas
The supernova blast itself won’t look too different, but we’ve improved their interactions so they more accurately destroy the nearby planets and moons.
Better visuals for bodies and particles
We’ve improved the consistency between materials and visual representations – for example, you’ll no longer see fragments of hydrogen that look like chunks of rock.
Random solar system tool
You can now generate an entire solar system based on a set of customizable parameters, such as the number of gas giants and moons, and the distances between the bodies. See the screenshot below for a peek at this new tool.
Shockwaves
You’ll notice this addition as soon as you throw an asteroid at Earth. The video below was made by Thomas, our physics programmer (note: the video says it’s from alpha 10.2, which became alpha 11).
Thomas and Georg, our visual artist, continue to improve shockwaves and collisions with each alpha release. Still on the to-do list is fully integrating shockwaves, so that the traveling wave heats up the surface of the impacted body and pushes water, for example.
Choreography
Alpha 11 gives you the ability to create orbital “choreography.” You can choose between a list of presets or set your own parameters to create seemingly impossible multiple-body orbital patterns.
Of course, while these orbits work on paper, they are not always stable when actually simulated. After slight changes in their courses with each orbit, eventually the system falls apart and the bodies either collide or speed off into the emptiness of space.
With these two additions and the introduction of 64 bit versions for Windows and Linux, alpha 11 of Universe Sandbox ² is the biggest update we’ve released recently. But that doesn’t mean we have small plans for the next version… stay tuned for alpha 12.
We’ve added a simple climate simulation to the Earth in Universe Sandbox ². In doing so we wanted something that would give us different temperatures at different latitudes, so we could show the seasons come and go. Where it’s cold enough for snow and sea ice, we paint the Earth white.
We also needed something simple enough that we could do the calculations in real time. And we wanted something in the spirit of the sandbox, so that you can change other things about the simulation and see the interactions play out. So we needed to respond to changes in the orbit, to incoming star-light, and even let you play around with some of the model parameters themselves.
Finally we wanted to representatively illustrate the effect of Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, including the changes in temperature that happen when we add more Greenhouse gases to the atmosphere due to human activities. What follows is the working documentation for this feature, and should help answer some of the questions you may have. See also the evolving FAQ.
– Naomi, and the rest of the Universe Sandbox team
Balancing Energy to Calculate Temperature
The energy balance of a planet determines the temperature at the surface. What is a planetary energy balance? The amount of energy coming in from the local sun is balanced by the outgoing energy emitted in the infrared. The hotter an object the more it emits in the infrared. One can set up an energy balance equation and solve it for the surface temperature.
In the simplest version it also depends on the albedo (or reflectivity): the amount of incoming energy from the star that is reflected back instead of absorbed. You can also specify the fraction of outgoing infrared energy that gets absorbed and re-emitted towards the surface by the atmosphere on the way out.
Planets in Universe Sandbox ² have this simple global average energy balance to determine their temperature. You can change the albedo, or see what happens when you move the planet closer to or farther from the nearby star(s). For Earth (and soon Mars) we do something a bit more complicated.
Earth is Frozen at the Poles
Knowing global average temperature is not enough information to determine where it’s cold enough for snow and sea ice to form and where it’s not, and when. If we did the energy balance of each latitude independently, we wouldn’t get it right. The equator would be too warm. The poles would be too cold and have much larger temperature swings with the seasons than actually occur. The reason that the equator and poles aren’t more different in temperature is because the atmosphere and the ocean redistribute energy between the equator and the poles (or meridionally, for along-meridians of North-South lines of longitude).
To do a detailed simulation of equator-pole heat redistribution you’d need a General Circulation Model (or Global Climate Model, GCM), because heat is actually transferred via large-scale circulation of air and ocean water in three dimensions. This would be way too much number-crunching to do on your computer in real-time [1].
Luckily we can use a simpler model that was popular in the 1970s before computers were quite so powerful, and which is still used to explore basic concepts about the climate. This meridional energy balance model gives us not just a global average surface temperature, but different temperatures at each of a fixed number of latitudes[2]. This model still balances the incoming and outgoing energy globally, but also transfers energy between equator and pole, represented mathematically as a one-dimensional diffusion.
We use a version that gives us two related equations to solve: one for temperature over land, and one for the ocean. Then we do some fancy number-crunching to determine all the temperatures at all the latitudes simultaneously.
Why is this all necessary?
Without doing a simulation as complicated as this one we could never capture the seasons! Sure we could just make a game that shows you the seasons coming and going without actually calculating all these temperatures, but then it wouldn’t react correctly if you changed the tilt or the orbit of the Earth, and this is a sandbox afterall. We’re always finding the current amount of incoming starlight at each latitude depending on the luminosity of the star, its distance to the Earth, and which latitudes are getting hit with more solar energy on a given day because of Earth’s tilt.
You can also understand one of the self-reinforcing cycles that amplifies changes in the climate. When it gets colder more snow and ice forms, and when there’s more snow and ice the Earth as a whole is more reflective of incoming light. More reflection means less energy coming into the Earth system, which means it gets even colder and more snow and ice forms, and so on. The opposite can happen as well. Thus you’ll see if you move the Earth away from the Sun and freeze it over that you can’t just move it back to where it was before to unfreeze it. You have to move it even closer to the Sun to get enough energy to melt the ice and start the warming version of the albedo feedback going.
There are other self-reinforcing cycles in the climate, which we call feedbacks (think of the piercing noise of a microphone too close to an amplifier – that kind of feedback), as well as other feedbacks that tend to diminish the effects of an initial change and put things back to equilibrium. These processes play a big role in the overall sensitivity of the climate to a disturbance. More on that below.
What’s in the Sandbox?
There are three ways to affect the climate of the Earth in the simulation in Universe Sandbox. First you can change the solar input. Change the luminosity of the Sun (but be careful because you might also end up changing its mass, which will affect the orbits of the planets). Or add an additional star if you really want to heat things up. Or delete the Sun and watch the planet freeze.
Second you can change the orbit of the Earth or its tilt. Changing the tilt will affect how extreme the seasons are. If you give the Earth a less-circular orbit or move it closer to or farther from the Sun, you can see how sensitive we are to being in just the right spot in the solar system.
Third you can change the parameters of the model itself. What if the heat capacity of the ocean were larger or smaller? What if the heat were transferred less efficiently between land and ocean, or more efficiently between equator and pole? We’ve chosen values that give us realistic behavior for the Earth we live on, but you can see what would happen if it were different. What values are within a realistic range? It’s a sandbox, so you won’t be constrained by that. How sensitive is the simulation to the choice of parameters? Experiment and see.
Oh, and there’s a fourth way of interacting: some of the parameters are indirectly adjusted for you when you change something else about the atmosphere. When you change the concentration of CO2 we’ll change the amount of outgoing infrared energy. When you change the mass of the atmosphere, that new mass will affect the heat capacities. Keep in mind though that this model is designed to capture the behavior of Earth’s climate in realistic scenarios, and the more impossible or extreme you make the inputs the less exact you should expect the outputs to be.
Simulating Complex Systems
As you’ll see from your experiments, you can gain a lot of intuition about complicated subjects by playing around with a simple model. It turns out, this is not so different from what scientists do sometimes to understand the climate system in more detail. It’s much more costly to run a professional climate model with lots of slight tweaks to parameters, just to see what happens. Such sensitivity studies are done nonetheless to verify models. Does it capture some detail of the climate reasonably? How sensitive is the model is to changes in one input or another?
Using computer models to do numerical experiments is not limited to climate science. The climate is but one case where scientists or social scientists study complex systems by prescribing a set of rules for the behavior of the parts and allowing the numerical simulation to reveal what emerges from how they interrelate[3].
The equations that govern our climate models, be they simplified versions or ones with all the complexity our super-computers can handle, come from basic physics. How they interrelate, the sensitivity of the climate to changes – well, you have to run the model to see.
Modeling Climate Change
The direct radiative effect of the additional greenhouse gases humans have been adding to the atmosphere since the start of the industrial age, is only part of the change in energy balance that warms the planet. The feedbacks in the climate system, including albedo feedback, water vapor feedback, and various interactions within clouds (among others) can amplify or dampen the magnitude of the changes in temperature. This is the more difficult part to understand and simulate, and is responsible for much of the range of predictions of different models.
These essential elements of physical climate predictions are inherently the result of interactions between simulated parts, and can best be understood through model experiments. The basic physics of the greenhouse effect is relatively simple, and it doesn’t require a fancy model to conclude that some global warming is to be expected. The interactions between all the parts of the climate system and the feedbacks – that’s more complicated, and requires a model complicated enough to capture them.
In our case, in Universe Sandbox ² we prescribe a relationship between CO2 amount and the outgoing infrared part of the energy balance so that you can experiment with changes in the quantity of greenhouse gases. What feedbacks affect what happens next? Can you determine the climate sensitivity of this model? Are the changes to sea ice cover realistic? This model is pretty simple, but even so it can give you insight into a lot of questions, and hopefully generate even more.
[1] This is why climate scientists run their state-of-the-art models on supercomputers and it still can take weeks to do a single simulation.
[2] This means we’ve divided up the planet into a fixed number of latitudes – however many we want. We pick a number to balance getting enough resolution to show the differences between latitudes, and trying not to make the software so slow as to overwhelm your computer.
[3] A comprehensive and broad introduction to this kind of modeling that includes socio-economic systems can be found in this classic article. Consider also that the greater portion of uncertainty in the climate predictions comes from the scenarios, which are based on socio-economic assumptions about what people will do in the future. Regardless of the scenario, the amount of warming that a given model predicts in response to a fixed increase in CO2 is known as its sensitivity. We are highly confident that the sensitivity of the real climate is somewhere in the range of what the various models predict.
FAQ
How accurate is your climate model?
As you may see by now, models of complicated systems can become as complicated as you like. Making it more complicated doesn’t necessarily give you more accurate results about the simple parts, it just lets you study more aspects of the problem. This model does some simple things quite well, and is also not the right tool to study most of the details of the climate system. You wouldn’t expect great complexity from the “toy model” that runs in real time on your laptop. But you are running a real simulation on your personal computer which can allow you to explore some simple climate features!
Where can I read more about the nitty gritty (equations please!) of the climate calculations you’re using?
Why can’t I change the albedo when Climate is enabled?
The climate calculations are determining the overall planetary albedo based on how much of the surface is covered by snow and ice. This is what allows for the albedo feedback to be captured by the calculations. If you turn off albedo feedback, the albedo stays the same no matter what you do.
In the simpler case when the Climate component is not enabled you can change the albedo to see how it influences the temperature. The albedo is a number between zero and one (the higher the number the more reflective the planet.) The answer then is as would be expected from this equation:
where T is the temperature, is the albedo, S is the incoming solar energy, is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, and is the representative overall infrared emissivity, which reflects how much outgoing infrared energy is absorbed and re-emitted by the atmosphere (some of it back towards the surface) on the way.[*]
In a more complicated model, other things would be effecting the albedo as well. Clouds, for example, are even more important than snow and sea ice for the overall global albedo under modern-day Earth conditions.
What’s going on with the clouds?
So far we’re not calculating anything interactively that has to do with the clouds. Most of what you see is visually representative but not simulated. Clouds in the mid-latitudes rotate from West to East, as they do in real life on large-scale. Clouds also fade out when it gets super-hot, super-cold, or super-dry. If you don’t have a giant reservoir of water (the ocean) or it’s totally frozen over and inaccessible to the atmosphere, you won’t have clouds – at least not like the puffy white water clouds we’re used to. And if you make the atmosphere too hot, it will hold more moisture as water vapor and also have fewer clouds (places in the atmosphere where water condenses out into liquid drops).
Later we may make clouds more interactive or let you set some of the parameters.
If you calculate heat diffusion in one equator-pole dimension, how do you decide how to show sea ice and snow at different longitudes?
These are average winter maximum and summer minimum sea ice extents for 1981-2010. See the National Snow and Ice Data Center for more on year-to-year variation, and recent trends.
We make the sea ice edge randomly irregular. Otherwise, based on what we calculate, you’d see smooth concentric circles of ice jumping to higher and lower latitudes. The randomization of the edge makes the sea ice look more “real”, but anyone who has studied Earth’s sea ice will realize that it doesn’t capture the real-life spatial patterns, which do vary geographically depending on basin depth, ocean currents and winds.
What about the snow that forms at higher elevation?
We only calculate one average temperature for each latitude. Then based on the lapse rate, we figure out how high you’d need to be at that latitude in order for it to be cold enough for snow instead of rain. Since we have an elevation map that’s higher resolution than our climate calculations, when we superimpose that snow line onto the elevation map, you can see that higher places are more snow-covered.
Glaciers?
No glaciers yet. We don’t really do anything on such a small scale as a typical glacier. The ice sheets on Greenland and Antarctica are also not modeled at this time in Universe Sandbox. Their greater elevation (from all the ice piled up in real life) usually helps keep them snow covered per our model, as discussed in the last question. But this is why sometimes the edges of those land-masses appear to unfreeze, which is unrealistic. As they lose ice volume in real life, the glacier ice flows out to the ocean, keeping those edges covered.
Because we don’t actually simulate glaciers, there is no change in sea level when Greenland and Antarctica melt. (The sea ice, on the other hand, is a thin skin of ice over the ocean – just a couple of meters thick typically. Because it’s floating on the ocean, melting it doesn’t change sea level anyway.)
Additionally, our elevation model doesn’t have quite the vertical resolution to handle the expected sea level rise of just one or two meters, even though such a change would put a number of important coasts underwater.
When will you simulate life?
Not for a while. For now though you’ll see Earth’s vegetation turn from green to brown when it gets too hot, in case you weren’t keeping an eye on the temperature value or its graph. | {
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Archive for the 'Joe Lieberman' Category
Both of California’s U.S. Senators are among the 14 original co-sponsors of a bill to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy barring military service by gays and lesbians who don’t agree to hide their sexual orientation.
“The time has come to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ It is the right thing to do. Every American should have the opportunity to serve their country, regardless of race, sex, creed, or sexual orientation,” Feinstein said in a news release. “The criteria for serving one’s country should be competence, courage and willingness to serve. When we deny people the chance to serve because of their sexual orientation, we deprive them of their rights of citizenship, and we deprive our armed forces the service of willing and capable Americans.”
Boxer, in Lieberman’s news release, said she looks forward “to ending the discriminatory Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy as soon as possible. We cannot afford to lose the service of dedicated and honorable military personnel, which is happening right now.”
The bill would prohibit the U.S. armed forces from discriminating based on sexual orientation; repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, enacted in 1993; create a federal law preventing discrimination against current and prospective members of the armed forces based on sexual orientation; direct the Pentagon Working Group, established by the Secretary of Defense and led by military leaders, to conduct a thorough study and recommend regulations to implement repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell;” and require the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress within 180 days of the bill’s enactment on what actions have been taken to deny federal funds to any university that prevents establishment of an ROTC unit on campus.
Feinstein’s office says that about 13,000 U.S. service members have been discharged from the military under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy since 1993; the Government Accountability Office estimates it has cost taxpayers more than $200 million to recruit and train replacements. Among those now supporting the policy’s repeal are Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Navy Secretary Ray Mabus; and retired Secretary of State and former Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell.
U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is moving ahead with her cap-and-trade climate change bill despite Republican threats to boycott next Tuesday’s mark-up session.
“That won’t stop us. We’re going to use every tool at our disposal to get that done,” she said this afternoon during a visit to Blue Bottle Coffee Co. on Webster Street near Oakland’s Jack London Square, at which she was touting her efforts to support small businesses through the economic downturn. Asked to elucidate on “every tool at our disposal,” she replied, “We’ll use the rules of the committee.”
“We are going to sit down on Tuesday, we’re ready to go, we’re not canceling it,” she said “I’m still hoping the Republicans will come to the committee room and do their work.”
Boxer said she can’t imagine why anyone with a chance to end America’s dependence on foreign oil, combat climate change and create jobs all at the same time would boycott such an opportunity, going “absent without leave, AWOL” at a moment so vital to the nation’s interests. She urged the committee’s Republican members to “try to work with us, let’s try to get something done.”
Part of the small-business support scheme of which Boxer spoke today was affordable health care, which she said absolutely must contain a public option. U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., this week said he’ll refuse to caucus with Senate Democrats to break a filibuster on any health care reform legislation containing a public option.
Boxer in 2006 was among Senate Democrats who went to Connecticut to stump for Lieberman in the Democratic primary – angering many of her more liberal constituents, given his support of the Iraq war and other stances – though she later supported Democratic nominee Ned Lamont in that year’s general election. And Senate Democrats have been kind to Lieberman since, including letting him keep his chairmanship of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, in hopes he would caucus with them on vital votes such as this.
Asked today what she thought of Lieberman’s health care stance, Boxer replied she “can’t answer for him, I just want to say that we have to get this (health care reform) done.”
“All of our colleagues will be making important decisions, but at the end of the day, we can do this with a majority, not a super-majority,” she said, making it clear she was speaking for herself and not for Senate Democratic leaders.
Democrats would need 60 votes for cloture to overcome a Republican filibuster and bring a health-care bill to the floor for a final vote, but there’s been talk that they might use a procedure called “budget reconciliation” to move the bill through with just 50 votes.
The liberal blogosphere is beside itself with rage — see here, here, here and here — generally calling Senate Democrats a bunch of wusses for failing to hold Lieberman to account for kicking sand in their collective face for the past few years. My favorite bit of bone-dry derision comes from Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo, offering this breaking news: “Lieberman expelled from Pilates class in Senate gym.”
But even though Obama himself reportedly supported Lieberman, it seems U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., was among those voting against him today. “The resolution did not reflect Senator Boxer’s belief that Senator Lieberman should remain in the caucus but not retain his full Committee Chairmanship, and she voted accordingly,” Natalie Ravitz, Boxer’s communications director, told me today.
Boxer was among several Senators who had stumped for Lieberman in the 2006 primary – incurring some of her constituents’ wrath, since she’s been so staunchly against the war and Lieberman thought it was a good idea – but then supported Democrat Ned Lamont in the 2006 general election as Lieberman successful ran as an independent. I guess BaBo’s truly done with ol’ Joe now.
As for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., communications director Gil Duran noted “the vote was by secret ballot,” but pointed me to what DiFi told reporters after the vote.
“What we’re trying to do today is bring about reconciliation, not only within our caucus, but between Democrats and Republicans. We are trying to develop a more civil dialogue and hopefully get more done on behalf of the American people,” she said. “The jury’s out whether that’ll happen or not, but the resolution that was presented in the caucus did pass. Senator Lieberman will remain a member of the caucus and will retain his chairmanship. My hope is that he becomes a Democrat again.”
With Democrats having widened their U.S. Senate majority this week, the political fate of U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., is up in the air.
Lieberman, you’ll recall, lost his state’s 2006 Democratic primary to a more progressive challenger, Ned Lamont, whose victory was attributed in large part to Lieberman’s support of the Iraq war. But Lieberman ran in the 2006 general election as an independent, and kept his seat.
But since then, Lieberman endorsed John McCain in this presidential election; spoke at the Republican National Convention; and trash-talked Barack Obama on several occasions. Now that Democrats don’t need his help to keep control of the Senate anymore, the calls for his political head are mounting – see here, here and here.
Rumor has it Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told Lieberman yesterday the price of his remaining in the caucus would be relinquishing his committee chair. Lieberman reportedly balked, perhaps hoping to convince the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee – which helps guide the caucus’ decision-making on committee chairmanships – that he should keep his post.
And that brings us right here to California, for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is a Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee member.
Boxer was among several Senators who stumped for Lieberman in the 2006 primary – incurring some of her constituents’ wrath, since she’s been so staunchly against the war and Lieberman thought it was a good idea – but then supported Lamont in the 2006 general election. Now, it seems, Boxer may once again have a role to play in Lieberman’s fate.
I asked Boxer’s spokespeople today what she believes should be done about Lieberman, and whether her office has been receiving phone calls on this issue. “Senator Boxer feels that what Sen. Lieberman did was extremely hurtful, but beyond that, we aren’t going to comment at this time,” communications director Natalie Ravitz replied.
We saw Tom Lantos endorse Jackie Speier to succeed him, and we saw Leland Yee promptly declare he’s not running — but wait, here comes Yul Kwon, a San Mateo management consultant who won the $1 million prize on “Survivor: Cook Islands” in 2006, reportedly considering a run. He’s a former aide to U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn. — which quite frankly might be more hinderance than help in Lantos’ district.
We saw Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorse Proposition 93, which would lower the total number of years a state legislator could serve from 14 to 12, but would let him or her divide those years between the houses as they choose — and would grandfather current officeholders so people like Don Perata and Fabian Nunez could serve another term. The governor’s own party this week called Proposition “a self-serving measure, authored by a small group of state legislators seeking to extend their terms in office beyond the limits set by voters in Proposition 140.”
Silicon Valley mogul E. Floyd Kvamme told reporters on a conference call just now that Rudy Giuliani — who’ll be in the Bay Area early next week — would be the business-friendly president the valley desires.
“The valley is a very globally thinking kind of economy,” he said. “The mayor talks a lot about that… competitiveness in improving our picture.”
Kvamme — a partner emeritus at high-tech venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers — said Giuliani wants to roll back government regulation that forces business overseas, but also is “very committed to the whole issue of workforce generation and education… Most of us here in the valley believe that more choice in the (school) system would be good for the system.”
On immigration, “the mayor is the one person who can sort out this issue, because its a big one and he lived in it for a number of years” but also because he understands total, comprehenisve reform may not be the appropriate, immediate goal if Silicon Valley wants to continue attracting the best and brightest from around the world. And on energy, Kvamme said, Giuliani “has recognized that on the electricity front, the cleanest electricity going is nuclear power” and opposes raising taxes on U.S. oil production.
Giuliani is “taking California very seriously — he has been here a ton of times,” Kvamme said. “People are excited about his candidacy and I think he’s going to do extremely well in California.”
Incidentally, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers partner John Doerr and his wife, environmental advocate Ann Doerr, today announced their support of Hillary Clinton, citing her “forward-looking agenda in energy, innovation, healthcare and the economy” and her “experience, judgment and leadership to strengthen America’s standing in the world.”
Just as Kvamme is a longtime GOP figure — high-tech advisory positions in the administrations of President George W. Bush and former Gov. Pete Wilson; a stint as chairman of a Bill Bennett-founded conservative think tank; giving, with his wife, at least $122,000 to Republican causes in the 2004 cycle, $252,000 in 2000 — the Doerrs were big-time Al Gore supporters in ’00 and gave $428,000 to Democratic causes in ’04. John Doerr had endorsed Joe Lieberman in 2003 but quickly fell in line behind John Kerry post-nomination in 2004.
U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., led seven other Senators in sending a letter today to Ryozo Kato, Japan’s ambassador to the U.S., urging Japan to reconsider a hunt in which Japanese whalers are expected to hunt about 1,000 whales, including some vulnerable and endangered species.
“(W)e join the growing chorus of world leaders and environmental experts in asking Japan to reconsider its decision to conduct this hunt, or, at a minimum, significantly scale back its scope. We also ask that Japan immediately cease the killing of both humpback and fin whales, and only employ non-lethal techniques for studying these populations. By pursuing these actions, Japan can continue to make significant scientific contributions, while conserving and protecting these important species.”
Hunger-striking North Bay activist Leslie Angeline was arrested yesterday morning for refusing to leave the Capitol Hill office of U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., whom she says is advocating a military strike on Iran. Here’s a video shot by a member of the phalanx of CodePink protesters who accompanied Angeline:
Lieberman this morning joined with three Republican Senators to introduce an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act “confronting the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran over its proxy attacks on American soldiers in Iraq,” according to Lieberman’s news release:
The amendment details the publicly available evidence put forward over the past year by General David Petraeus, commanding general of Multi-National Force Iraq, and others about Iran’s violent and destabilizing activities in Iraq.
The amendment states that “the murder of members of the United States Armed Forces by a foreign government or its agents is an intolerable act of hostility against the United States,” and demands the government of Iran “take immediate action” to end all forms of support it is providing to Iraqi militias and insurgents. The amendment also mandates a regular report on Iran’s anti-coalition activity in Iraq.
“For many months, our military commanders and diplomats have warned us that the Iranian government has been training, equipping, arming, and funding proxies in Iraq who are murdering our troops,” said Senator Lieberman. “This amendment is a common sense, common ground statement of the Senate to Tehran: we know what you are doing, and you must stop.”
Watch Lieberman talking about the amendment today on the Senate floor here.
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., will watch tomorrow’s Live Earth concerts — a 24-hour series of concerts in nine cities on seven continents, expected to be viewed by 2 billion people, calling attention to the issue of global warming — from her Oakland home, she told reporters this morning.
“Yes, I’m going to watch everything that I can,’’ she said. “For me the most important thing is action, I’ve got to get the votes out of my committee — I’m going to watch the party, but boy I have a lot of work ahead of me.”
Boxer said she approaches the issue “with hope, not fear.”
“Just six months ago few would’ve predicted that meaningful action on global warming was possible in this Congress,” she said, yet an unrelenting stream of scientific evidence and expert testimony has “begun to build the consensus that I was so hopeful for when I took the gavel.”
U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Va., and U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., last week announced they’ll collaborate to draft an economy-wide global warming bill that includes a cap-and-trade program, she noted — a bipartisan effort that could finally kick the federal government into gear on an issue for which hundreds of cities and dozens of states already have committed to action. “People all over the world realize action on global warming is needed now … and Americans are far ahead of our government.”
On the same conference call, MoveOn.org Political Action Executive Director Eli Pariser said the hubbub around Live Earth is adding up to his group’s biggest series of events since the 2004 presidential election. Tens of thousands of Americans will attend MoveOn-organized house parties tomorrow, and with help from partner organization Avaaz.org, almost 10,000 such parties are expected to be held worldwide. | {
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Our primary goal is to help you to understand FinTech and to become more confident and persuasive in your ability to analyze and make recommendations to executives within the finance industry regarding how to react to these changes.
This FIRST MOOC ON FINTECH IN ASIA-PACIFIC offered by HKUST presents the views of several professors from the top business school in Asia as well as perspectives from industry professionals. HKUST has been ranked for many years as the number one EMBA program in the world, as the number one Finance program in Asia, and as the top MBA program in Asia by multiple independent rating and review journals and surveys. This course offers the combined strengths of HKUST in Business, Finance, and Technology as one the world's leading academic institutions on an important area of technology and business innovations. For students from outside Asia, this also gives an insight into changes happening in the most advanced FinTech markets of the world, since Asia leads worldwide in FinTech adoption and creative innovations.
This course (FinTech Foundations and Overview) is part 1 of the HKUST FinTech specialization, there will be 3 other courses in the specialization including FinTech Security & Regulation (RegTech), FinTech Compliance & Assurance, FinTech Innovative Disruption: Implications for Society. The FinTech specialization will be launched in Fall 2018, stay tuned!
From the lesson
The Tech of FinTech
The Technology enabling and supporting FinTech is important to understand, and this module provides a brief introduction to each of the areas of technology that enable FinTech business changes, including identity and privacy technologies, blockchain and encryption, big data analytics, AI and automation, and consumer tech innovations. This introduction is designed to be at a level appropriate for business managers or students of business, and is not intended to excite or engage tech geeks. | {
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Runner3 Sprints to the PlayStation 4 This November
November 6, 2018Written by Janet Garcia
Developed by Choice Provisions, Runner3 is finally making its way to the PlayStation 4 on November 13, 2018. While the game will retail for $19.99, you can save 50% if you buy it within the first two weeks of release, as part of a celebration of the studio’s 10 year anniversary.
Check out this rhythm-music, auto-running platformer in the official announcement trailer below.
Runner3 initially launched earlier in 2018, but the team has made adjustments based on community feedback. Now, you’ll find a wide array of difficulty options included in the franchise again. Players can change enemy density, add additional checkpoints to levels, and more to help them get through this fun but challenging experience. As an added bonus, it will now be easier to score a perfect run, because players can now “self-bonk” as a way to start things over on their own terms.
Below is a working list of what players can expect from Runner3.
All character moves are available from the start of the game – You can double-jump to your heart’s content!
Made the jump and avoid enemies/obstacles more forgiving – We love tinkering with hitboxes over here. We’re cuckoo bananas for it.
Added more on-screen communication regarding the Impossible Levels, the Retro Levels, and the overall difficulty of the game – Don’t say we didn’t warn you when you fire up one of the game’s nine “Impossible Levels.”
Added a “break” sound effect to kickwalls in addition to their musical tone – We received more requests for this than just about anything else. We were happy to oblige.
Runner3 releases on November 13, 2018 for the PlayStation 4. It is only digital for now, but the Nicalis did tease a physical copy on Twitter back in October 2018. For more from Choice Provisions stay tuned for their upcoming release, Bubsy: Paws on Fire, set for quarter one in 2019. | {
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ZIP Codes As Health Indicators
New data confirm that where you were born can be an indicator of how long you’ll live. Let’s start with a pretty well-known zip code. People born in the Beverly Hills, 90210 zip code have a life expectancy of 83 years. People born in Compton, 90220, just 22 miles south, are expected to live 76 years.
Daniel Zingale is with The California Endowment. He says your zip code can have a greater effect on your life expectancy than your genetic code.
"Whether we have access to the basics, like good, safe water and air. Safe places to exercise, parks," he says. "What our children get in their schools in terms of nutrition and exercise and their social and emotional health."
Zingale says the good news is the factors that shorten lives can be changed if there's the political will to do it. | {
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This event occurs every 1 week(s) on Wednesday
01-08-2015 to 09-27-2015
06:00 PM to 07:15 PM
This class is designed for women or couples who are trying to conceive. Yoga for Fertility uses specific yoga postures to help stimulate and tone the reproductive system and has been shown to improve chances of conception. Please note that our Yoga for Fertility class is now FREE of charge due to Dr. Kiltz's strong belief in the power of yoga to improve the body's ability to conceive (for men and women).
This event occurs every 1 week(s) on Wednesday
01-21-2015 to 03-10-2015
07:15 PM to 08:00 PM
This is a non-facilitated peer group for individuals on their path toward fertility. Please feel free to stop in and enjoy a cup of tea and make new friends.
This is the time to be open and share stories with one another, lean on one another for support and to know you are not alone in this journey. No fee and no RSVP required. Please check in at the Healing Arts desk prior to gathering. | {
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Sylvia Shemwell Passed Away
It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Sweet Inspiration member Sylvia Shemwell. As most Elvis fans know, original member Sylvia Shemwell suffered a stroke several years ago (2001) and her recovery has been slow, with her ability to speak and sing greatly compromised. Sylvia will be remembered fondly by millions of Elvis fans all over the world.
Rest In Peace Sylvia. I go put a cd In my cd player and listen to when Elvis Is introducing The Sweet Inspirations and then I listen to the 'Sweet Inspiration Song". I was In Ahoy Rotterdam on 24 febr and It was great, I saw you on the screen, having fun with Elvis! Best regards Manon.
Rest in peace Sylvia. You are so missed, and it´s so sad. When I think about Elvis in the seventies, I think about the Sweet Inspirations. Elvis did such a good choice when he wanted them to be his backup singers. Sylvia and the whole group has been so loyal to Elvis and his fans, before and after Elvis passed away. Elvis sure got a lot of his inspiration from Sylvia, Myrna and all the others.
Wow, this is really sad. I often watch the film "Thats the way it is".. and I love the fun moments, when Elvis teases Sylvia, on stage. He makes faces at her, she makes faces back, at him, and then he does something to startle her, and make her "jump", just to get a laugh. The Sweet Inspirations Loved Elvis and Elvis Loved them. You could see it everytime they performed together on stage.
OH MY GOD... I AM SO SAD.. I had met her in 2000 during the concert tour. She will be missed badly. Hope she had found Elvis in heaven and her late family. Also for Myrna... Hope she gets better. I am so spechless that although she had many problems with her health, she kept going on for Elvis fans. Her devotion to Elvis is again speechless.. R.I.P. SYLVIA ... You were our inspiration and Elvis'... | {
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} |
01/29/2013
Bar Admissions: Ohio Says Pencils Down Means Pencils Down
At the conclusion of the July 2011 bar exam, one of the applicants approached Lee Ann Ward, director of bar admissions, to report that on several occasions he had observed another applicant, later identified as Parker, continue to write after the instruction to stop writing had been given. The reporting applicant stated that he had observed this behavior on the first day of the exam when time was called for essay Question Nos. 1 and No. 2, and on the final day of the exam for Question Nos. 7 and 8, as well as Question Nos. 11 and 12. He estimated that on the first set of exam questions Parker continued to write for less than 30 seconds, but that on the final day of the exam, she “wrote for enough time to write complete full sentences on both occasions. I would say close to 45–60 secs each time.”Based on this report and at the request of the chair of the Board of Bar Examiners, Ward sent Parker’s tablemate an e-mail asking him generally if he had observed any breach of the exam rules during the examination. Parker’s tablemate reported that he had seen Parker writing on two separate occasions, Tuesday and Thursday, after time was called. He described the first occasions as a “very brief time, maybe a second or two,” but he stated that the second time was longer and described it as “long enough to get at least two lines of writing on paper.”A panel of the Board of Bar Examiners conducted an evidentiary hearing regarding Parker’s conduct, where it heard testimony from the reporting applicant, Parker’s tablemate for the exam, and Parker. Based on this testimony, the panel concluded that Parker violated bar-examination rules by writing after time was called on at least two occasions and that she did not intend to violate the rule against writing after time was called.The Board of Bar Examiners adopted the panel report and decided that it would review the four essay questions at issue and award Parker zero points for the essay with the highest score. Despite having received a zero on one of the essay questions, Parker obtained a passing score on the July 2011 bar exam. Before permitting Parker to take the oath of office, however, the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness sua sponte reviewed Parker’s violation of the bar-exam rules. See Gov.Bar R. I(10)(B)(2)(e).Also relevant to the board’s inquiry is Parker’s response to the allegations against her, which had been detailed in a July 29, 2011 letter from Ward. Parker adamantly denied that she had continued to write after time had been called. The board found it even more significant that Parker attacked the persons who had reported the alleged violations, saying that the accusations were false and that her accusers were lying. Parker’s response to the notice that the Board of Bar Examiners intended to conduct a hearing was also hostile. She characterized the accusations as “malicious,” “unfounded,” “vague,” and “empty and false” and attacked the integrity and motives of the applicants who had reported her conduct. She also claimed that her attendance at the hearing would cause her “extreme hardship” and “financial hardship” and that it will pose a risk to her “financial security.”
Parker did, however, attend the Board of Bar Examiner’s hearing and, on direct examination, maintained that she had not written after time was called. But on cross-examination, she began to waiver, stating, “I don’t remember writing past the time, but I would say that I guess it is possible. I was in my own world. I do not remember, looking back, and I racked my brain on that so many times, and I do not remember doing it.”At her hearing before a panel of the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness, Parker no longer adamantly denied that she had continued to write after time was called. Instead, she testified that she had no recollection of doing so. She further testified that she had written her initial response to the Board of Bar Examiners in the heat of the moment and without mature reflection. While the board expressed some concern about Parker’s “intemperate and irresponsible” response to the initial investigation of her conduct, the board members found her remorse and her testimony about her maturation throughout this process to be credible.The Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness agreed with the Board of Bar Examiners that Parker had violated bar-exam rules by continuing to write after time was called on three sets of questions, on two separate days. While recognizing that the first instance was so brief that it could be assumed to be of little consequence, the board found that her second and third violations were more egregious because they allowed her to write a sentence or two lines of writing, making her professed lack of memory less believable. The board did not doubt Parker’s sincerity in claiming that she has always followed the rules and is not the type of person to cheat; it concluded, however, that her previous good behavior “may be more of an explanation for why she cannot allow herself to remember.” Her inability to remember violating the rules did not convince the board that she acted without knowledge, and it actually heightened the board’s concern about her forthrightness.Noting that the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio require a lawyer to exhibit the highest level of honesty, and recognizing that “there is little difference between a lawyer denying that she did something and her saying she cannot remember doing it when it comes to the ability of courts and other lawyers to rely upon her,” the board found that Parker had failed to carry her burden of proving her character and fitness by clear and convincing evidence. Therefore, the board recommends that Parker’s pending application for admission to the bar of Ohio be disapproved, but that she be permitted to reapply for admission on or after February 1, 2013.
Comments
At the conclusion of the July 2011 bar exam, one of the applicants approached Lee Ann Ward, director of bar admissions, to report that on several occasions he had observed another applicant, later identified as Parker, continue to write after the instruction to stop writing had been given. The reporting applicant stated that he had observed this behavior on the first day of the exam when time was called for essay Question Nos. 1 and No. 2, and on the final day of the exam for Question Nos. 7 and 8, as well as Question Nos. 11 and 12. He estimated that on the first set of exam questions Parker continued to write for less than 30 seconds, but that on the final day of the exam, she “wrote for enough time to write complete full sentences on both occasions. I would say close to 45–60 secs each time.”Based on this report and at the request of the chair of the Board of Bar Examiners, Ward sent Parker’s tablemate an e-mail asking him generally if he had observed any breach of the exam rules during the examination. Parker’s tablemate reported that he had seen Parker writing on two separate occasions, Tuesday and Thursday, after time was called. He described the first occasions as a “very brief time, maybe a second or two,” but he stated that the second time was longer and described it as “long enough to get at least two lines of writing on paper.”A panel of the Board of Bar Examiners conducted an evidentiary hearing regarding Parker’s conduct, where it heard testimony from the reporting applicant, Parker’s tablemate for the exam, and Parker. Based on this testimony, the panel concluded that Parker violated bar-examination rules by writing after time was called on at least two occasions and that she did not intend to violate the rule against writing after time was called.The Board of Bar Examiners adopted the panel report and decided that it would review the four essay questions at issue and award Parker zero points for the essay with the highest score. Despite having received a zero on one of the essay questions, Parker obtained a passing score on the July 2011 bar exam. Before permitting Parker to take the oath of office, however, the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness sua sponte reviewed Parker’s violation of the bar-exam rules. See Gov.Bar R. I(10)(B)(2)(e).Also relevant to the board’s inquiry is Parker’s response to the allegations against her, which had been detailed in a July 29, 2011 letter from Ward. Parker adamantly denied that she had continued to write after time had been called. The board found it even more significant that Parker attacked the persons who had reported the alleged violations, saying that the accusations were false and that her accusers were lying. Parker’s response to the notice that the Board of Bar Examiners intended to conduct a hearing was also hostile. She characterized the accusations as “malicious,” “unfounded,” “vague,” and “empty and false” and attacked the integrity and motives of the applicants who had reported her conduct. She also claimed that her attendance at the hearing would cause her “extreme hardship” and “financial hardship” and that it will pose a risk to her “financial security.” | {
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Strong Enough
Chapter One
DEREK
Her name was Carolyn, and she was damn near perfect.
“Thank you very much for dinner,” she said as I pulled up in front of her house. “I had a great time tonight, as usual,”
Beautiful. Sweet. Intelligent. Twenty-nine years old. Divorced from her high school sweetheart, no children, but wanted them in the future. Taught college algebra. Loved to travel. Volunteered for Unicef. Ran marathons.
“Me too.” I put the Range Rover in park. “Let me walk you to the door. Stay right there.”
We’d been on six dates—one coffee, two lunches, and three dinners—and I’d enjoyed every one of them. She was exactly the kind of woman I’d envisioned for myself. Nothing about her turned me off.
The problem? Nothing about her turned me on, either.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and waited for me to walk around and open the passenger door before getting out. I offered her a hand and she took it. “Thank you.”
You’re not trying hard enough.
Keeping her slender hand in mine, I shut the car door and escorted her up the front walk. The June night air was warm and balmy and smelled like orange blossoms. Everything about the evening whispered romance.
“Such a gentleman,” Carolyn teased. “It’s good to know that chivalry isn’t dead.”
“Not at all.” I liked the idea of chivalry, that a man could be governed by a code of conduct based on tradition, honor, and nobility despite being a warrior at heart. That he buried his propensity for violence or his darker urges in order to preserve social morality, or at least the appearance of it. I understood that.
We stepped onto her front porch and she turned to face me. “Would you like to come in for a drink?” Her eyes glittered in the dark as her body swayed closer to mine. “And maybe stop being such a gentleman?” She ran her hands up my chest.
I slid my arms around her waist and pulled her against me, lowering my mouth to hers, praying to feel something. Anything.
But I felt nothing. No quickening pulse, no rush of heat, no stirring in my blood. (Or my pants.)
Shyly, she slipped her tongue between my lips, and I met it with mine, opening wider to deepen the kiss.
Nothing.
Frustrated, I clutched the material of her shirt in one fist and grabbed a handful of her hair with the other, hoping some aggression and resistance was what I needed to get turned on. For me, sex was best when it was a little antagonistic. A little combative. A power play. And it had been so long…
“Ouch!” Carolyn cried.
Immediately I let go of her and stepped back. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine.” She rubbed the back of her head and laughed nervously. “Don’t be sorry. I’m the one who said the thing about not being a gentleman. It just surprised me.” She softened her voice. “Could we maybe try again? Go a little easier this time?”
What’s the fucking point?
“I’m sorry, Carolyn. I’m a little out of it tonight. Another time?”
“Oh, okay. Sure.” She sounded let down, her eyes dropping to our feet. Then she looked up again. “Are we still on for tomorrow night?”
“Night.” Shoving my hands in my pockets, I watched her go in and shut the front door.
Fuck.
What the hell was my problem?
* * *
Twenty minutes later, I let myself into the beautiful three-bedroom brick house I’d purchased a few years ago when I’d been about to propose to my then-girlfriend. I thought we’d be married by now. I thought we’d have a family by now. I thought I’d feel complete by now.
None of it had happened.
I turned off all the lights and trudged upstairs, feeling every one of my thirty-six years. In my bathroom, I frowned at my reflection in the mirror, running a hand over my slightly scruffy jaw. Jesus, look at all the gray coming in. For a while, it had only been a couple of spots, but now I was solidly salt-and-pepper. At the temples, too. Was it normal to go gray at this age? And what the hell was with those lines between my eyebrows? Was that from frowning? I quickly relaxed my face, and they mostly disappeared. But not entirely.
Goddamn, I was getting old.
At least I was still in good shape. I slipped my coat off and hung it and my shirt in my closet, tossed my T-shirt into the laundry basket, then stood in front of the full-length mirror on the bathroom door, eyeing myself critically.
No paunch yet. No flab. No “handles” anywhere. My stomach was still hard and flat, my six-pack still lingered, my chest and arms were still muscular. I might not have all the sculpted lines and bulges I’d had ten years ago, but I worked hard to maintain my physique. I liked working out. It made me feel strong and powerful and in control of my body. I commanded it to do something, and it obeyed. Run those miles. Lift that weight. Punch that bag.
Easy.
Same reason I kept my house so immaculate. My family and friends teased me endlessly about what they called my “obsession” with neatness. I didn’t get it—who wouldn’t want to come home to a house where everything was clean and organized? It wasn’t a germ thing; it was just an aversion to chaos and mess. No clutter on the counters, no dirty laundry piled up anywhere, no dishes left in the sink.And I always knew exactly where a thing was because after I used it, I fucking put it away. What was so weird about that?
I got ready for bed and turned out the light, feeling a little pathetic since it wasn’t even ten o’clock on a Friday night, but telling myself I’d get a good night’s sleep and hit the gym early. I hadn’t even closed my eyes when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Picking it up, I squinted at the screen in the dark. My sister, Ellen.
“Hello?”
“Hey, it’s me.”
In the background, I could hear muffled bar noise—music, voices, the clanking of plates and glasses. “What’s up?”
“I need a favor.”
Chapter Two
MAXIM
For the first time since jumping on a plane in Moscow, I started to wonder if I’d made a mistake.
It wasn’t like me at all. I tended to make decisions quickly, but afterward I wasn’t the type to agonize over whether I’d made the right one or not. I trusted my gut.
So last week, when my gut told me to stop dreaming about moving to the U.S. and make it happen already, I went with it. Booked a ticket, quit my job, packed a bag.
In hindsight, I probably should have planned it out a little better.
A friend of a friend—some guy named Jake—was supposed to be here at the airport to pick me up, but I’d been standing outside the international terminal at LAX for two hours already, and he still hadn’t shown. I hoped nothing was wrong, but I was starting to think I might have to go to Plan B.
Not that I had a Plan B.
Pretty much everything hinged on Jake. He’d found me an apartment, and I’d already wired him the money for one month’s rent. I hadn’t liked the idea of paying for something without seeing it, but Jake said if I didn’t grab it, somebody else would, and he didn’t know of any other place I could rent that cheap, especially on such short notice. I told him I’d take it and sent the money. I hadn’t asked for the address, though.
That was a mistake.
I checked my phone again, like somehow it might have magically charged itself in my pocket. Still dead. Unfortunately, in my excitement to leave, I’d forgotten to throw my charger into my bag.
Another mistake.
Unable to stand still any longer, I crossed the street and jumped in a taxi.
“Where to?” the driver asked.
Well, fuck.
“Downtown,” I decided, figuring I’d grab some food somewhere, maybe see if I could charge my phone. Hopefully Jake would get in touch in the next couple hours. If he didn’t, I’d have to get a hotel tonight. It would be ridiculously expensive and I didn’t want to waste that kind of money on one night, but I didn’t see any way around it.
It took a long time to get downtown—traffic was terrible. I was nodding off for the third time when the driver spoke.
“What’s the address?” He glanced back at me, and I blinked a few times.
“Uh, no particular address. Any suggestions for a bar or restaurant around here?”
He scratched the top of his head with his thumb. “The Blind Pig is pretty popular.”
“Blind Pig?” I repeated, a little confused. Maybe the words had different meanings than what I thought. My English was pretty good, but far from perfect.
“It’s another name they used for illegal speakeasies during Prohibition.”
“Ah.” Quickly I pulled my notebook from my bag and scribbled that down. I wanted to be a screenwriter, so not only did I have to improve my English, but I needed to learn all those little cultural details that would make a script authentic.
My friends made fun of me for it, but I always carried a notebook with me so I’d have somewhere to take notes and write down all the ideas that came to me at random times during the day or night. I’d learned the hard way that I wouldn’t necessarily remember them later. And since I’d sold my laptop last week to pad my savings a little, a notebook was all I had. As soon as I could afford it, I’d have to get a new computer.
But that would take a while.
A few minutes later, the driver pulled over and switched off the meter. “It’s just up ahead there on the right.”
I thanked him, paid him with some of the cash I’d gotten from the airport ATM, and jumped out. Even though I wasn’t sure where I’d sleep tonight, it was hard not to feel excited as I walked up the street. Before today, I’d only seen places like this on a screen, but this was real. I was actually here. It made me feel invincible, like anything was possible.
A moment later, I pulled open The Blind Pig’s heavy wooden door and stepped inside. The light was low, the atmosphere warm, and the music upbeat. It was crowded, but I managed to find an empty seat at the long wooden bar.
“Hi there.” The bartender smiled at me as I set my bag on the floor. She had dark hair pulled into a ponytail and big brown eyes. “I’m Ellen. What can I get for you?”
“Could I look at a menu, please?”
“Of course.” She brought me a menu and I looked it over, deciding to order the most American thing I could think of.
“I’ll have a burger. And a beer.”
“Great. Can I see your ID?”
“Sure.” I pulled out the travel wallet where I kept all my important documents, handed her my passport, and dropped the wallet back into my bag.
“Russia, huh?” Ellen smiled at me again. “Are you here for work or just visiting?”
“Just visiting.” I didn’t want to jinx myself by announcing my intention to try to stay here for good. Technically, I could only stay for six months on my tourist visa, but I had no intention of using my return flight.
“Having a good time so far?”
“Well, I’ve only been here for about three hours, and I spent two of them waiting for my friend to pick me up from the airport, but he never showed.”
The bartender gave me a sympathetic look. “L.A. traffic can be awful. Have you called him?” She handed my passport back to me, and I tucked it inside my coat pocket.
“I can’t. My phone is dead. And I forgot to pack my charger.” I gave her a smile intended to charm. I wasn’t into women and never intentionally led them on, but I won’t lie, sometimes being attractive to them was helpful. “Do you think anyone has one here I could use?”
It worked—or she was just nice, because she smiled back warmly. “I can check. Let me get you that beer—sounds like you need it. What kind would you like?”
“Corona, please.”
She nodded, and a moment later, she set it in front of me. “This one’s on me. I’ll put your food order in. You’re probably super hungry after that long trip.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
After a long drink from the bottle, I pulled my notebook from my bag again, and a school photo of my eight-year-old sister Liliya fell out from the front pages. She’d given it to me right before I left, and on the back she’d written, To Maxim. Don’t forget about me. Love, Liliya. I set it on the bar as a woman slid onto the empty seat next to me. “Hi there.”
She was about my age and dressed professionally, like maybe she worked in an office, but she was the kind of American blonde I pictured more like a lifeguard on TV or a dancer in a beach movie. Her grin was confident and flirty. American women were so different from Russian.
“Hello,” I said.
She glanced at the photo of Liliya and gasped. “Oh my God, she’s so beautiful! And she looks just like you. Is that your…daughter?” she asked tentatively, wrinkling her nose like she hoped that was not the case.
“No, that’s my little sister. But we do look alike.” Although we had different fathers, Liliya and I both had our mother’s wide blue eyes, dark blond hair, and dimpled chin.
She smiled and held out her hand. “I’m Amy.”
I shook it. “Maxim.”
“Maxim.” She repeated my name as I’d said it, complete with the accent. After giving my palm a suggestive squeeze and holding onto it way too long, she swiveled to face me, crossing her legs in a way that put them on display. “I’ve never seen you here before.”
“I’ve never been here before.”
“I like your accent. Where are you from?” She leaned a little closer to me, so close I could smell her flowery perfume.
“Russia.”
“I was going to guess that!” She looked pleased with herself and slapped me lightly on the leg. “What brings you to L.A.?”
“Just visiting.”
“Traveling alone?” She widened her eyes and batted her lashes.
“Uh, yeah.”
“So you’re single?”
It was strange to me the way Americans asked such personal questions. I’d have to get used to it. “Yes, but…”
“Yes, but what? You don’t like American girls?” she teased.
Evasive words were on the tip of my tongue when a voice spoke up in my head. There’s no reason to hide here.
“Yes, but I’m gay,” I told her, meeting her eyes directly. It was the first time I’d said the words out loud to anyone. I wasn’t ashamed or anything, but growing up where I had, sexuality simply wasn’t talked about, whether you were gay or straight. Clearly, the boundaries here were different.
Amy sighed, centering herself on her chair, her body slouched. “Figures. I knew you were too good looking to be straight.” She picked up her wine glass and took a long, long drink. “Sorry if I bothered you.”
I smiled. “You didn’t. It’s okay.”
“Somehow I always pick out the gay ones. It’s like a curse.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. “Um. I’m sorry?”
She sighed and shook her head. “Anyway, welcome to America. Cheers.” She held up her wine glass. “Hey, how do you say cheers in Russian?”
“Na zdorovie.”
She blinked. “Yeah, I’m not gonna attempt it.” But she clinked her glass against my bottle, and we both drank as Ellen appeared with a plate heaped with food—a thick, juicy hamburger and French fries.
My mouth watered. “That looks delicious.”
“It is,” she said confidently. “And I wasn’t able to find a charger yet, but I’m still looking.”
I picked up the notebook, sticking the photo of Liliya back inside the pages, so she could set the plate down in front of me. “Thank you so much. I can’t believe I—”
I stopped speaking and looked down by my feet, where I was reaching around for my bag but felt nothing.
It was gone.
* * *
“Again, I’m so sorry. Nothing like this has ever happened here before.” Ellen leaned over the bar and touched my arm. She was the bar owner and felt personally responsible for the theft—she’d apologized a thousand times, even breaking down in tears. “I feel sick about it.”
“It’s not your fault,” I told her. “It was very crowded. Even I didn’t see it happen, and it was right at my feet.”
The police officer who’d responded to her frantic call had asked everyone in the bar if they’d seen anyone leave with the bag, or anything suspicious at all, but no one had. He’d been nice, but hadn’t seemed too hopeful that my bag would be found.
At least I still had my passport. Thankfully, I’d stuck it in my coat pocket rather than back in my bag after showing it to Ellen. Replacing it in the U.S. would have been a nightmare. My biggest problem was that my wallet had been in my bag, so my cash and my bank card were gone. Now buying a hotel room for tonight wasn’t even an option. Neither was paying for my food and drink, not that I’d gotten to eat anything. And I was starving. But what could I do?
“God, you’re so nice. I feel like any other guy would be freaking out.”
“Wouldn’t do me much good.”
“But what will you do tonight?” Her brown eyes were wide and sad. “Where will you go?”
I shrugged. “I’ll find somewhere.”
Ellen threw her hands in the air, her voice rising in anguish. “How? You don’t even know anyone here! And someone took your wallet, so you have no money!”
“I’ll be okay. Really. I just have to charge my phone so I can find my friend.” I tried to sound more confident than I felt.
A determined look replaced Ellen’s tortured expression. “You know what? I’m going to help you. I believe in fate, and there must be a reason why you came in here tonight and all this happened.”
I shook my head. “I believe in fate too, but this was probably just random bad luck.”
She flattened both palms on the bar. “Nope. Nothing is random. Now it’s getting late, and I can see how exhausted you are, so I’m going to find you a place to stay and charge your phone tonight. And then tomorrow, I’ll help you find your friend.”
“That’s not necessary,” I protested, stifling a yawn.
“Maxim. Look at you. You’re about to fall over, you’re so tired. And my mind is made up.” Ellen nodded once, and her tone told me she wouldn’t be argued with. “I’ll be right back, I just have to make a phone call. You wait here.” She brought me another Corona before disappearing through the kitchen door, leaving me to wonder who on earth she was going to call.
Chapter Three
DEREK
Of course my sister needed a favor. Did she ever call me when she didn’t?
“I’m not fostering another rescue puppy, Ellen. I’m still trying to get the stains out from the last one I took in.”
“It’s not a puppy this time.” She lowered her voice. “It’s a person.”
“A person?” I propped myself up on one elbow. “What kind of person?”
“A Russian person.”
I frowned. “Ellen, what the hell? Is this another one of your friends from circus school?”
“I told you, it’s not circus school. It’s aerial arts class. And anyway, no, he’s not from there. He was a customer whose bag was stolen while he was sitting at the bar tonight.”
“His bag?”
“Like his carry-on bag. He’d literally just gotten off the plane from Moscow a few hours earlier. And the friend who was supposed to pick him up at the airport didn’t show.”
“How’d he end up at the bar?”
“He got in a cab and told the driver to take him someplace downtown. The driver brought him here. It was fate!”
I ignored that. Ellen was always droning on about fate and stars and mystical crap. “And then his bag was stolen?”
“Yes. Right under everyone’s noses while he was sitting at the bar. And no one saw a thing.”
“Yeah, those guys are good. Probably saw him get out of a cab with a bag and pegged him as a tourist. Easy mark. You call the police?”
“Yes. They came and made a report, but they don’t think they’ll find it. And the poor guy was so nice about it. But now he’s stranded here with nothing because someone at my bar stole everything he had. I feel responsible! I have to help him!”
I rolled my eyes. Ellen never saw a stray puppy or wounded bird or kitten up a tree she didn’t want to rescue. She’d been like that all her life. I didn’t fault her for having a big heart, but she had so much going on and so many roommates, somehow I always ended up with random animals at my house until she figured out where to take them.
“First of all, El, it’s not your fault. It could have happened anywhere.”
“But it didn’t. It happened right here.”
I ignored her stubborn tone. “Second, why is he your responsibility? Where’s his friend?”
“He doesn’t know.”
“Can’t he call him?”
“His phone is dead.”
“So charge it.” For fuck’s sake. My sister was thirty. Why did it feel like I was talking to a first grader?
“Please, Derek. It’s only for one night. And you have an extra bedroom and bathroom at your house.”
“What about your house?”
“Come on, I’ve got three roommates. And one of them has her brother visiting, so he’s taking up the couch. You live all alone in that nice big house.”
It probably wasn’t a dig at me, but it sort of felt like one.
“I bet that extra bedroom is all made up already, isn’t it?” Ellen went on. “Clean sheets on the bed, no dust on the furniture, no throw pillows out of place. I bet even the bathroom is sparkling clean and has big, fluffy towels all folded up and ready to go.”
“You know, making fun of me isn’t the best way to get what you want.”
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. But it’s true, right?”
“It’s true,” I admitted through clenched teeth.
“Then can you please come get him and take him home for the night? Just one night, I promise.”
“Wait a minute, I have to come and get him, too? Are you serious?”
“Well, yes. I can’t just put him in a cab. He doesn’t have any money. And you’re not that far. Please, big brother. Pleeeease? For me?”
I groaned in agony, because I knew the exact face she was making right now. It never failed to pierce my armor.
She laughed. “Thank you. You’re the best.”
“I didn’t say yes.” But I sat up and tossed the covers off.
“I know you. You can’t say no to me.”
“Fine. I’ll come get him, and he can stay here tonight. But he better not stain anything.”
“He’s very clean, I promise. But you might have to lend him some pajamas or something.”
I got out of bed and headed for my closet. “Christ, Ellen. Do you want me to tuck him in, too? Sing him a lullaby?”
Switching on the closet light, I grabbed the jeans and shirt I’d had on earlier. “Remind me how mean you are next time I’m trying to say no to you.”
“No way. But I love you. See you in a few.”
I ended the call, set my phone aside and got dressed. From my dresser drawer I grabbed a clean pair of socks, and sat on the bed to tug them on. Then I turned off the light and went downstairs, where I stepped into one of several pairs of sneakers lined up in the hall near the back door and grabbed my keys from off hook on the wall. For a second, I paused and imagined other shoes lined up there too. A little girl’s sandals. A little boy’s cleats. Or maybe two little pairs of Adidas like their dad’s.
Which was so stupid. Even if I hadn’t fucked it up with my ex and we’d gotten married, we’d probably only have one kid by now, and it wouldn’t even be out of diapers yet.
But still. I’d be a husband. A father. I’d have a family to raise. People who needed me and depended on me and loved me unconditionally, the way I loved them. Was there anything less complicated than the love between parent and child?
Stop it. You’re being ridiculous, and the longer you stand here feeling sorry for yourself, the longer it will be before you’re back in bed.
After checking to make sure I had my phone on me and my wallet in my pocket, I went out the back door and pulled it shut behind me.
On the drive to the bar, I realized I hadn’t double-checked the spare room to make sure it was properly made up, but I wasn’t really worried. I always kept it guest-ready just in case, and the hallway bathroom had been cleaned two days ago. My friends laughed at me for having a cleaning lady come every week, especially the friends who were married with kids, because how could there possibly be any dirt in the house when there was only one person living there, and that person was the most fastidious man on earth? Their houses were always a mess—stuff everywhere, as if someone had turned them upside down and shaken them like snow globes. Actually, Ellen’s house was like that too, and her car—oh my God, the amount of shit in her car was enough to spike my blood pressure every time I rode in it. Sometimes I wondered how we were related. Her entire life was like a bunch of loose ends scattered every which way, and mine was like a nice, neat line.
At a stoplight, I glanced into the back seat of my car, pleased to see absolutely nothing there. Nothing in the passenger seat either, and no old coffee cups or water bottles in the cup holders. No crumbs or napkins or stray French fries. It even smelled good. People who rode in my car said that all the time.
Wasn’t that a good thing? Weren’t you supposed to take good care of your house and your car and other things you’d paid a lot of money for? Ellen had dipped into her trust fund a million times, but I hadn’t touched mine after paying for school. I’d worked hard for everything I owned, and I wanted them to last. Besides that, appearances mattered. People judged you by them.
And what else did I have?
I parked in a downtown structure and made my way to The Blind Pig. A few people were coming out as I was coming in, and I held the door open for them before moving through it.
Ellen spotted me right away. “Hey!” She came around the bar, rushing up to kiss my cheek before grabbing me in a bear hug. “Thanks so much for this. You smell good, by the way.”
“Trying to flatter me?”
“Yes. But it’s also true.” Laughing, she let me go and glanced over her shoulder. “He’s sitting over there at the bar. I feel so bad for him.”
“And what’s your Russian orphan’s name?”
“Maxim Matveev,” she said with a thick accent.
“Wait, does he speak English?” For a moment, I panicked that I was stuck with someone who wouldn’t understand anything I said. My Russian vocabulary was sparse, to say the least. Da. Nyet. Vodka. I also knew perestroika thanks to a college history class, but I thought that might be a little difficult to work into a conversation.
“Yes. Don’t worry, you can tell him to wipe his feet and close the lid and hang up his towel in English, and he’ll totally understand.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Be nice. I think he feels weird about accepting the offer. He keeps trying to tell me this is ridiculous.”
“It is.”
She gave me The Face, and I sighed.
“Come on. Introduce me.”
She took me by the hand and pulled me through the crowd toward the bar.
I saw him first from behind. At least, I thought it was him—he was the only person sitting alone. Light short hair. Slender, muscular build. He sat up tall, his back straight.
Ellen touched his shoulder. “Maxim, this is my brother, Derek.”
He turned to face us, and even in the bar’s dim light, his eyes were a startling shade of blue. He looked younger than I’d expected, and somehow less Russian. I don’t know what I was expecting—Boris Yeltsin, maybe?—but not the tall, trim blond guy who stood up and offered his hand. Not the cobalt eyes. Not the sharp-angled jawline. | {
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Walmart executives, along with area lawmakers, will mark the official opening of the retailer’s $145 million grocery distribution center in Cocoa at 3 p.m. Wednesday off State Road 524in Cocoa.
The 550,000-square-foot facility, located just off I-95 in Cocoa, will distribute perishable food to Walmart stores throughout Florida. The Cocoa Distribution Center employs more than 400 recently hired associates and complements Walmart’s Florida presence of more than 380 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, employing more than 107,000 associates across the state.
On hand for Walmart will be Mike Gray, senior vice president, Walmart U.S. Supply Chain - East; and Joe Angelastro, general manager of the new Walmart facility.
Job fair for new retailer
Ollie's Bargain Outlet is holding a job fair for its new location at Merritt Square Mall.(Photo: Provided)
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will hold a job fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug 29 at the Merritt Square Mall on Merritt Island. The outlet will be in the space formerly occupied by a Sports Authority.
Ollie's Bargain Outlet sells surplus merchandise obtained from various retailers, suppliers or manufacturers throughout the country, whether in the form of closeouts, bankruptcy sales or other similar means of buying the stock at below wholesale costs.
Ollie’s stores feature its namesake co-founder Oliver E. Rosenberg, in the form of caricatures throughout its stores' interiors, merchandising displays and on its logo and exterior signage. Rosenberg died in 1996 at age 75.
As of May the chain now had 277 locations in 21 states. The president and CEO is Mark Butler.
Dog Days event rescheduled
Dogs Days of Summer will be held Oct. 5.(Photo: Provided)
The Eau Gallie Arts District has rescheduled its Dog Days of Summer event and it now will be held 6-10 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Eau Gallie Square and on Highland Avenue.
The event originally had been planned fro earlier this month but organizers were forced to reschedule because of weather conditions.
Dogs Days will feature dog contests with prizes and ribbons, music, food, beer, vendors and Camp Bow Wow activities for the dog and kids.
To submit a Business Brief contact Wayne T. Price at 321-242-3658 or [email protected]. | {
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MMU WEBSITE USE & ACCESS AGREEMENT
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MMU reserves the right to amend any of the provisions of this T&C from time to time. Amendments will be effective immediately upon notification on MMU website. Your continued use of MMU Website and participation of, MMU Service will represent an agreement by you to be bound by this T&C as amended.
You may not assert any claim against MMU in connection with MMU Website unless you have given MMU written notice of the claim within fourteen (14) days after you knew or should have known of the facts giving rise to such claim. You agree that any cause of action arising out of or related to MMU Website must commence within one (1) year after the cause of action arose; otherwise, such cause of action is permanently barred.
MMU may assign its rights and duties under this T&C to any party at any time without notice to you and this T&C shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each party's respective permitted successors and assignees.Should you have any questions concerning this T&C, or if you desire to contact MMU for any reason, please email to [email protected]. | {
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Examine the mobile ecosystem with unparalleled precision Today, we’re excited to release the next edition of our Explore dashboard! It’s packed with new functionality to help you better search through the mobile market to generate leads, uncover new trends, and more. Thanks to all our patient users who helped us ...
Many successful companies have used Account Based Marketing (ABM) to flip their funnels and generate more revenue. However, for B2B mobile companies ¹ , implementing ABM has been little more than a pipe dream—until now. If you’re in a leadership position at a B2B mobile company, MightySignal is excited to ...
As 2017 quickly winds down, we’re excited to release a new report that documents the fastest-growing SDKs of this year to help app developers understand what technologies are taking off. Last year’s report broke down SDKs based on selected categories (e.g. analytics, monetization), but this year we’re looking at growth ...
The Most Accurate and Real-Time Mobile App Data
Related Reads
April has come to an end, and with it, we’ve completed some of the most anticipated updates to the MightySignal platform. Take a look at the new features and upgrades, now live on the Mighty Signal platform.
Today's tech sales jobs come with some of the most coveted benefits and compensation packages. We take a deep dive into what these perks and salaries look like as well as what tech companies are looking for in an employee.
Is the headline enticing enough? Contact us here . Sifting through millions of mobile apps to figure out which ones matter can feel overwhelming. Not only are apps constantly being updated and released, but they are also shifting in their audiences on a daily basis. It’s quite a daunting task ... | {
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Caps trondheim
and the Speechcraft Program. Copyright Skills. Offer valid July 131, 2018. Hats off to savings, head over to the Toastmasters shop and save 10 on all caps when you use promo code CAP10. You may also like.
Sndagspent trondheim sentrum, Tobb forvaltning trondheim,
Member Achievement Record, download this form to track your progress toward Toastmasters educational awards. 1 star is the worst and 5 stars is the best. Learn at your own pace in a proven curriculum that was built on four guiding principles that have been in place since Toastmasters was founded in 1924: Experiential learning, by giving speeches and fulfilling leadership roles, you practice and improve. Develop and practice communication and leadership skills in the safe, supportive environment of your club, working through projects and assignments that enable you to build realworld skills in a variety of disciplines. Logg inn, opprett konto, kontakt oss, description novoceram esprit oslo Esprit Dame Gensere cardigans, Dame Gensere cardigans Esprit Collection Jumper - gunmental, esprit butikker trondheim, fornuftig pris esprit norge butikker, spar OFF. Be sure to focus your comments on the product. Hals/utringning:bthals, mnster:melert, totallengde:60 cm i strrelse S, ermelengde:64 cm i strrelse. | {
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15+ Incredible Motion Graphic Reels
The Motion Graphics are mainly used in the field of advertising, title sequences, many forms of animations, commercials and many more. These incredible reel motion graphics even create a piece of art to look real and thus is the most preferred tool of static graphic designers. Any business or company using a website for its identification definitely involves motion graphics and animations to effectively communicate with the customers. With the collision of web based broadcasting there are powerful animations created by graphic designers.
There are many online services that offer high quality multimedia content and high-end motion graphic reel designing for an entertaining, interactive and unique experience. The services rendered by them are main title design, 3D Animation, network identity, compositing, visual effects, opening title sequences and show packaging; these not only help to create cost effective but quality graphic designing. According to your requirements, you can choose the service renders who create excellent motion graphic reels. With the help of language, color and sound, these techniques can advertise, showcase, express and even educate people.
Some of the major guidelines to be followed while creating a motion graphic reel design are the Title & Introduction, which should be crisp and clear since it gives a brief idea about the entire project. The descriptive language or the writing style should be very elegant and visualizing to attract the viewers. Creating alternatives to avoid repeating the same words is another ploy that needs to be used. The Branding, which is the company’s or the studio’s logo should be clearly visible. It is also important to ensure that the content you design is not edited by others for their purpose.
The main content or the concept of the graphic design is the main element which should be quite easy to read and understand. Leave enough spaces between words and make sure the sentences are crisp and clear. The Imagery should help your main concept and you may add character illustrations, backgrounds, reference images, or environment images to enhance the document. The Reference materials could be your sounds, images, embedded links, illustrations, videos or music tracks that aid in advertising your ideas. The music and video can add a touch of reality to animations with their excellent visual experience. These are the key elements to be followed while designing a reel motion graphics. | {
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Our website will undergo scheduled maintenance on Sunday, December 17. During this time, connection to our website and some of its features may be unavailable. Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.
Committee on the History of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.). Business-Cycle History and Experience : Crises and Cycles in the 19th Century: U. S. Experience, Entry 176, Box 24, Folder 6, Item 2,
Committee on the History of the Federal Reserve System.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/scribd/?item_id=459197&filepath=/files/docs/historical/brookings/17624_06_0002.pdf, accessed on December 13, 2017. | {
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PC Will Riches, Vice Chair of the Constables Committee of the PFEW speaks with Ian Collins on LBC about Jenny Jones' comments on an apparent 6,500 back office police count #cuts#JennyJones#iancollinsuk | {
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Hi and welcome to NF Macro #16. New Year and edition #16. The last one for 2010. You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo, a new year bulb.
It is soon christmas. Do you still have time for a macro? Then, you only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo, christmas cactus.
Lucia is over and we are at NFM 14.You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo, a Nov cactus.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #13. Time again for NF Macro.You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo, Amaryllis Appleblossom.- - -.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #12. Time goes fast as it seems. We are already at no 12 and it is christmas month.You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo, a few chilly crystals from outdoors.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #11. Time goes fast as it seems. We are already at no 11.You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo, starflower.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #10. Time goes fast as it seems. We are already at no 10.You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo, an orchid.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #9. You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link bacj to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo is a wheeltrack.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #8. You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo shows a butterfly from my Camargue trip. In my own entry I show a small flower from the same trip. Welcome to visit.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #7. You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link back to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends.
I was supposed to do a photo for NF Macro thats on scedule for tonight. And one for NF Photo. Today I loved them both. Now, the original for this photo, a boring and bad one, are on Bildverkstan if you like to see it. On NF Photo I have both this one and the one I originally made for the first entry here. You are welcome to look.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #6.You only have to post a macro or any closeup at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Don´t forget to link bacj to this site. Have fun and check out the entries of your friends. Todays photo shows a tiny member of my Birdblog.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #5You only have to post a macro at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Have fun and check out your friends entries. This weeks photo comes from my entry to Watery Wednesday.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #4.You only have to post a macro at your blog and then enter your link in the list. Have fun and check out your friends entries. I thougt it looked a bit boring without a photo so sometimes I will ad one.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro #3.Time again. You only have to post a macro at your blog and then enter your link and a thumbnail in the list. Have fun and check out your friends entries. And, please visit my entry.
Hi and welcome to NF Macro no 1. I start this meme as Macro Lovers shut down. As I have had memes before I know how much time it can take. Because of that I can´t promise to visit everyone, but I do visit all that visits my own entry. I will only provide a place for Macro lovers to meet and have fun. I started today as I will work together with Bildverkstan that reopens tonight. BV has Macro as theme today. They have a week to work on it and then submit to both BV and NF Macro. So, please come back during the week and see what they have done.
You know the drill. Post your macro at your blog and then submit the link to your entry here. Have fun and check out your friends entries.Next week NF Macro starts on Wednesday evening. | {
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Great point... When Tim Stowers got the job at Ga Southern, Erk Russell helped him out with intangible things... How do I know this? Because Russell sat in my family’s living room with Stowers when they were recruiting my brother.
So how many open positions are there now ? Rumors are that Riase is gone but he is still on the roster as DL coach. We need a DC it seems. Maybe Riase will accept it and stay. We now have a new OL coach and an new ILB coach so do we need just one more ? Or two if Riase really is gone ? It appears that the roster has not been updated because Nash is still shown as OL coach. So Riase could actually be gone and the roster not been updated yet. Oh well just have to be patient. Although Gasparato and Wood are not on it. I like the sound of Trey Johnson as OL coach but like ld said what is his coaching background ? I hope it is announced on the website along with the new ILB coach.
Allen SmithPosition: Defensive Line CoachAlma Mater: WoffordGraduating Year: 2012Phone: 540-464-7850Email: [email protected] his first year on Post...comes to VMI from Duke University where he spent the 2016 season serving as a Football Operations Assistant working primarily with the Blue Devil defense...spent the 2015 season as a graduate assistant coach at Appalachian State, helping the Mountaineers to an 11-2 record and Raycom Media Camellia Bowl championship with a 31-28 victory over Ohio...Appalachian State became the first team to win a bowl game in its first season as a full-fledged member of Division I-A/FBS. ..Smith arrived at Appalachian State after serving the 2014 season as an assistant coach at Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, S.C...in his lone campaign at Calhoun County, he served as special teams coordinator and coached the Saints’ outside linebackers, halfbacks and tight ends and helped lead the squad to a 7-3 record...before joining the coaching ranks, Smith served as a counselor and site coordinator for A&A Youth Community Learning Center in Columbia, S.C., and completed an internship with the Carolina Panthers, focusing on sponsor sales and services, community relations and ticket sales...Smith was a four-year letterwinner as a defensive end at Wofford from 2009-12, playing for current Appalachian State defensive coordinator Nate Woody...he helped the Terriers to a share of two Southern Conference championships and three NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearances...he served as a team captain as a senior in 2012...Smith, a Columbia, S.C., native, graduated from Wofford in 2012 with a degree in business economics.
Both Trey and Allen are SHD's with years in the trenches as players for us and coaching experience elsewhere. Appears that Trey's coaching experience is less extensive, but we should have high expectations for both. Both are young and likely very energetic.
Bringing Smith and Johnson back home echos Conklin’s effort to retain some of “Wofford’s Way.” I love the additions as both have experienced great success at Wofford in their playing days and know the expectation moving forward. This will lend itself even greater when it comes to recruiting as well as they aren’t far removed from playing so they will be able to relate with current and future SHD’s. | {
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Alleged N168 billion loss: story fictitious—NAMB
The National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB) has described as fictitious reports that its members had collective loss of N168 billion in 2016 due to their exposure to non performing loans.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Second Vice President, NAMB, Kola Adams said the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) has confirmed it that the story did not come from them
In his words, “We have been able to get through to some of the CBN officials. Nobody is saying that there was ever a time any paper confirmed such from them. Anybody that wants to quote CBN should be able to quote a particular department that gave such information.
We have gotten in touch with them. They said they are not aware of such information. They don’t know how the paper got its information and I think that should be the position of NAMB for now that such info did not come out from CBN.
“We do have Committee of Microfinance Banks (COMB) meeting holding across the nation and there is no particular information that concerns this issue. The meeting of the Southwest will be coming up soon.
“Tuesday, next week will be one for the South-south and that meeting we always have what is called agenda which is known to all members before the meeting and there is none of such issue coming up as an agenda which means that story carried by the paper is fictitious.
“They just want to sell their paper. That is the position for now. We are also working on CBN to put up a rejoinder and educate the public about the position of MFBs in Nigeria,” he added.
On his part, when contacted Head, communication & public affairs, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Malam Hadi Birchi said the corporation has created a window to render assistance to Microfinance Banks (MFBs)s if faced with liquidity crisis.
He said, “There is a window that NDIC has opened to render assistance to those that can be helped especially if they have what is called liquidity crisis. About N100 million was set aside on how they can be assisted in case they have liquidity crisis,
“The Corporation has been liaising with NAMB on how they can be restructured whereby we can talk about consolidation where the big microfinance banks can acquire the small ones especially ones that are viable and merge.” he said.
According to him, about 39 per cent of Nigerians are not in the banking system and therefore NDIC is working with CBN to ensure that they can also be brought in.
He said, “The NDIC in collaboration with CBN has been mounting aggressive campaign on financial literacy and of course financial inclusion so those that have been excluded from the banking system can be brought into the fold.
“As at 2014, 39.5 per cent of Nigerians were not in the banking system. This has reduced to 39 per cent. Although it is marginal, but at least efforts are being made on how this can actually be turned around because so many funds are outside the banking system,” he added. | {
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Prepare for a gold ‘moonshot’: Peter Schiff
Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital thinks gold will be the only place left to hide, with CNBC's Jackie DeAngelis and the "Futures Now" traders.
Peter Schiff has a prediction, and it has to do with the Federal Reserve, inflation and gold.
The CEO of Euro Pacific Capital and a famous fan of gold, Schiff predicts that it will skyrocket once the Fed reverses the process of tapering quantitative easing and instead chooses to stimulate further so as to improve the economy.
"At some point, gold's going to go straight up like a moonshot," Schiff said on Tuesday's edition of "Futures Now." "Maybe it's going to take Janet Yellen to come out and call off the taper. Or maybe she's going to have to say, 'We're doing more of it, we're going to start increasing it.' I don't know what that magic moment is going to be."
His call on gold was a good one for several years, before it staged a reversal while Schiff kept his opinion on the metal static. But he blames 2013's 30 percent decline on investors' inability to see the truth he perceives clearly. Because as the Fed buys assets more quickly (the opposite of what the central bank said it plans to do), the inflation Schiff has long called for will finally be created, leading gold to soar.
"For some people, they need a proverbial safe to fall on their head," he said. "But at some point, people are going to figure out what's going on. By the time the crowd figures it out, it's going to be very expensive to buy gold."
Getty Images
Yet when asked how gold would act over the course of 2014, Schiff demurred.
"I don't know where it's going to be at the end of the year," he admitted. "My guess is that it's going to be higher. I think it could be much higher."
After all, Schiff said, once the new Fed chair turns out to be "an even bigger money printer than Ben Bernanke, who was an even bigger money printer than Alan Greenspan," the consequent inflation will spike gold prices, as the reduced value of each dollar makes each troy ounce of gold much more expensive in dollar terms.
"This is what's coming," he predicted. "And when everybody figures it out, there's only one place to hide—and that's gold."
Take your trading to the next level with a platform that lets you trade stocks, options, futures and forex all in one place with no platform or data with no trade minimums. Open an account with TD Ameritrade and get up to $600 cash. | {
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Judi Cooks Here!
honey mango sorbet recipe
Sorbet is a great dessert for warm weather. When I saw Champagne mangoes on sale the other day, I knew I wanted to turn them into sorbet. I also picked up a fresh piece of ginger root, and decided to add some to the sorbet, along with some honey for extra sweetness. The flavors worked great together.
The secret to a creamy sorbet is pureeing the mixture twice. Once with the fresh fruit, then again once the mixture has frozen. Once pureed the second time, you can put your sorbet back in the freezer until ready to serve. It is a nice dessert to have on hand.
Sorbet can be served on its own, with cookies, cake or fresh fruit. You can also add a scoop of sorbet to your favorite Summer cocktail.
I like to keep several different sorbets on hand, so my guests can mix and match. Making a fresh fruit sorbet is also a way of saving seasonal fruits for use throughout the year.
Here is the recipe for the mango sorbet. You might want to add a little more, or less, honey to suit your own taste. Once frozen, the sorbet will not taste as sweet. The sweetness of the mangoes will also determine how much honey you add to your sorbet.
Honey Ginger Mango Sorbet
6 ripe mangoes
½ c. honey
1 T. fresh grated ginger
Remove peel and pits from mangoes. Puree the mangoes and add the honey and ginger. Freeze. After the mixture is frozen, place mango puree in a food processor and mix again until creamy. Serve, or place back in freezer until ready to serve. Makes about 1 quart. | {
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One hundred years ago, WWI was raging in Europe. The flu pandemic, which would eventually kill more people than the war, was starting. In the U.S., several states had granted women the right to vote, but female suffrage was not yet universal. The Great Migration of African Americans from the Jim Crow south to the industrialized north had begun. The fight against child labor was being fought in Congress and state houses, and the automobile was beginning to change the country. In Auburn, factories were growing, new residential neighborhoods were being developed and immigrants were still arriving in large numbers.
This original exhibit unpacks the world of the year 1918 through objects and stories throughout three galleries of the Museum. | {
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interesting work KOS. Make you rethink a few things, especially regarding Brees? I ask in light of a rather heated conversation we had earlier.
ok, I ask in light of "one of the many" rather heated conversations we've had earlier.
Sorry you gotta refresh my memory on what the argument or conversation was that we had about Brees.
I tend to forget with all the heated conversations I have on here.
NAW!!!! I don't believe it for a second!
we were discussing the last few seasons and I think it was "who was better over the last (3?) seasons" and I said Brees and Rodgers definitely deserve mention up there and I think we got into a specific discussion about Brees' 2009 season as well
to be quite honest, I don't remember the exact nature, but you were rather dismissive of how well Brees played that season
interesting work KOS. Make you rethink a few things, especially regarding Brees? I ask in light of a rather heated conversation we had earlier.
ok, I ask in light of "one of the many" rather heated conversations we've had earlier.
Sorry you gotta refresh my memory on what the argument or conversation was that we had about Brees.
I tend to forget with all the heated conversations I have on here.
NAW!!!! I don't believe it for a second!
we were discussing the last few seasons and I think it was "who was better over the last (3?) seasons" and I said Brees and Rodgers definitely deserve mention up there and I think we got into a specific discussion about Brees' 2009 season as well
to be quite honest, I don't remember the exact nature, but you were rather dismissive of how well Brees played that season
I honestly don't remember that argument. I know I have argued that the past 3 years Rivers has out played every QB and I firmly still believe that.
I think I do remember you saying something about Brees 09 season and doing maybe a break down of season vs season for Rivers/Rodgers and Brees.
Rather than what I was doing and taking their 3 seasons combining the numbers and seeing who has had the best 3 year stretch. Because consistency to me is significant over having a overwhelming season.
Anyways some things that surprise me about this is how bad Peyton has been at going vertical.
I thought Rodgers would be much better.
Surprised at how much Schuab doesn't go deep. More than Brady, which I was convinced went deep less than anyone, but apparently not.
Not Surprised Ben and Rivers go deep more than anyone.
Surprised at how dominantly efficient Brees is at going deep, especially 21+.
I was curious what was Rodgers PDE score for this year for 21 plus yd passes. Passes that actually travel 21 plus yds.
The previous highest PDE of the years and QB's charted was Brees at I believe like 3673.77.
Rodgers for this year so far. 14,951.99 Four times higher than the previously highest PDE. I had to double check it just to make sure the numbers were right. They are! If anyone cares.
The one negative is it is the 5th lowest percentage of passes that travel 21 yds or further. Only Brady's 2010, Romo's 09 and Schaub's 2010 and 2009 had low percentage of passes that went that far. Rodgers is at 8.60%
While Rodgers hasn't thrown as deep as others have in previous years, in fact the 5th least of 27 seasons tracked, he has been by far the most efficient at stretching the field. BY ALOT!_________________
While Rodgers hasn't thrown as deep as others have in previous years, in fact the 5th least of 27 seasons tracked, he has been by far the most efficient at stretching the field. BY ALOT!
He has been crazy effective. 11 QB's have thrown long ball(20 or more yards down the field) more than Rodgers. 8/11 of those also have more attempts than Rodgers.
Brady has not been good pushing the ball down the field this year...He has around the same attempts as Rodgers but hasn't completed them. Matt Ryan surprisingly has a few more attempts down the field but again.......has completed far less than half of Rodgers' completions down the field._________________
It makes sense. Rodgers is only 3rd in yards this year but has almost 100 less attempts than Brees. The theme of the Packers' offense this year has been to get the ball and score with it. They convert their opportunities and so they end up with less total opportunities.
Specifically with the 21+ yard passes, Rodgers probably doesn't have very many attempts because he completes so many of them. A long completion will often result in your team being in a position where you can no longer attempt a long completion (as in, a long completion will result in a TD or getting in the red zone) | {
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Beal Named Rookie of the Year as Women's Lacrosse Puts Five on All-NJAC Team
Montclair, NJ (5/11/10) – Freshman attack Kailee Beal (Succasunna, NJ / Roxbury) was
named the Rookie of the Year leading five players on the All-Conference
Team as Montclair State placed a total of five on the 2010 New Jersey
Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse All-Conference Team released on
Tuesday.
Beal was also named to the First Team along with sophomore Cora Delfini (New Egypt, NJ / New Egypt) and defender Ashley Krzysik (Landing, NJ / Roxbury). Senior Morgan MacPhee (Toms River, NJ / Toms River East) and freshman goalkeeper Tiffani Henderson (Landing, NJ / Roxbury) were selected to the Second Team.
Beal,
who also collected Rookie of the Year honors last week from the Skyline
Conference, was the lone freshman named to the First Team. A two-time
NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, Beal currently ranks 13th in the
NJAC in draw controls per game (1.94) and 18th in the league in points
per game (2.35).
Delfini earns her second straight
All-NJAC selection as she is currently ranked in the Top 10 in five
different categories. She is fifth in goals per game (49) and points
per contest (66) and ranks ninth in assists with 17. In addition she
has collected 35 ground balls, 34 draws and forced 22 turnovers.
Delfini was a two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Week selection
during the season.
Krzysik leads as Montclair State
defense that leads the NJAC in goals allowed at 7.35 per contest. Named
the Defensive Player of the Week twice, Krzysik ranks fifth in the
conference in ground balls with 37 and has forced 23 turnovers which is
fourth in the NJAC.
MacPhee is tied for third in the
conference in goals per game (49 in 17 contests) and is seventh in
points with 55 while leading the league in game-winning tallies with
four. She has also collected 33 draws, which is 11th-best in the NJAC.
Henderson
currently leads the NJAC in save percentage (.505) and is second in
goals against average at 8.05 per outing. She is third with 108 saves. | {
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Why cant they have nukes?
Because some dudes with Suburbans and AKs just occupied their neighbor.
Anyone who feels this part of the world is stable for nuclear armament is smoking better shite than me.
Having a nuclear Iran and Saudi Arabia is insane.
...
[quote]Just leave the damn Tiger alone. Be glad we have one in the first place.[/quote]
Agreed, who cares if he does not want to ride in that cage and get yelled at by drunkards, its bad enough he is stuck in BR to begin with. ...
...and the correct answer is:
"Cam is teaching him to work his hips into it (to remove the extra step) so that the release is much faster and the defense won't be able to react. It all comes down to fundamentals. "...
He has so much up side imo but I am not sure how his deep ball is as I have not seen it. I would suspect a coach like Cam is chomping at the bit to get him on campus and I fel the school is blessed to have him.... | {
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I bought a 2004 6.0 back in 2007, drove it until 2012 with various problems along the way mostly due to cold starts in the north and what seemed to be injector stiction. Truck would run fine hot, soon as it was cold though it was hard starting and stumbled real hard on like 3-4 cylinders until warm. I took it to a diesel mechanic and replaced an injector in March 2012, drove to Texas 1600 miles away and it was fine. The mechanic didn't find anything wrong with the motor other than the #4 injector which was replaced with a new motorcraft.
When I got to Texas, I drove it for a few weeks and went under its own power into a Sears parking lot. When I came out of Sears, it refused to start and I never got it to. I did as much troubleshooting as I could and figured it was either the IPR or LP oil pump since the LP oil gauge would not move when cranking. I took it to another diesel mechanic who hooked it up to a computer and said 3 cylinders were low on compression and that was the problem. I asked if he pulled glow plugs to test compression, he said no. I questioned this... I figured he was full of **** but the motor probably was fubar anyways.
So, I sold this truck to someone as a loss, with them knowing there was an engine problem. They tried to fix it, refused to pay me for it when they couldn't and I had to repo it. Once I got it back, I found someone who offered to put a new engine in the truck for 5k so I agreed.
The guy put a brand new engine in the truck and it refused to run. They did some troubleshooting and part swapping only to find that the FICM was OK but the PCM was NOT. They replaced the PCM with an equivalent model, I think it was xxx-AGP, one for a manual trans 2004 from a scrap yard. I also had him install an EGR delete kit on the motor, so there is a blockoff plate however the EGR valve is still plugged in so there is no CEL.
The problem now is that the truck runs great when its cold, but when it warms up it starts to stumble and runs like crap. Once it cools off again, it runs fine. Any ideas? I'm thinking it has to be a sensor of some sort... I'm kind of pissed I dumped a new motor into this truck and it turned out to be an electronic problem the previous mechanic i paid failed to diagnose. I hate to keep sinking money into this thing, but now I'm obligated to at least get it running.
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The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community. | {
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A CCU DPS officer responded to the Coastal Science Center in reference to a complaint of vandalism. The officer located and interviewed two subjects. The subjects admitted to the damage. Evidence was collected and this incident continues to be investigated. | {
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July 14, 2017
Spiral Galaxy NGC 2500
Discovered by British astronomer William Herschel over 200 years ago, NGC 2500 lies about 30 million light-years away in the northern constellation of Lynx. As this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows, NGC 2500 is a particular kind of spiral galaxy known as a barred spiral, its wispy arms swirling out from a bright, elongated core.
Barred spirals are actually more common than was once thought. Around two-thirds of all spiral galaxies — including the Milky Way — exhibit these straight bars cutting through their centres. These cosmic structures act as glowing nurseries for newborn stars, and funnel material towards the active core of a galaxy. NGC 2500 is still actively forming new stars, although this process appears to be occurring very unevenly. The upper half of the galaxy — where the spiral arms are slightly better defined — hosts many more star-forming regions than the lower half, as indicated by the bright, dotted islands of light.
There is another similarity between NGC 2500 and our home galaxy. Together with Andromeda, Triangulum, and many smaller natural satellites, the Milky Way is part of the Local Group of galaxies, a gathering of over 50 galaxies all loosely held together by gravity. NGC 2500 forms a similar group with some of its nearby neighbours, including NGC 2541, NGC 2552, NGC 2537, and the bright, Andromeda-like spiral NGC 2481 (known collectively as the NGC 2841 group). | {
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Exercise is one more risk-free as well as affordable method making the bust larger. Workout does not make the breasts expand in the actual feeling however it makes them show up large by lifting and also firming pectoral muscle mass - the upper breast muscles. Push-ups function the upper breast muscles. Weightlifting workouts likewise fall in this group.
Raising fat consumption might not sound like a great concept to you if you're aiming to go down weight. Additionally, it may be challenging if you're one that finds it tough to stick to an exercise routine. The best ways to raise the dimension of the bust then? | {
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Find your voice, stomp that yard, all that crap
(no subject)
One of the many reasons I try to avoid spoilers - when you inadvertantly learn something interesting, that you can't wait to see, and your anticipation builds throught the week, you might be let down when it doesn't turn out as you thought.
Or you might be distracted from an otherwise good episode because you're waiting for something to happen WHICH NEVER DOES. And you realise it must be a spoiler from a future episode and you have to wait longer!!! >:(
Though it could be worse...the Glee alternative is to be let down when even after something gets used in promos, it gets left on the cutting room floor and isn't in the episode, and you only ever find out the context because fans raise thousands of dollars and buy the script at a charity auction. Glee >:(
No, new eps of Glee aren't until September. I was talking about a missing scene from the Christmas episode last season, there were promo pics of Blaine giving Kurt a present, but the scene was cut from the show (and lo, Klaine fans were vocally upset). Within a day of the ep airing, it was revealed that the present was a homemade promise ring (and the same person claimed the scene would be on the dvds, but very few believed that, cause they haven't included cut scenes on the dvds for seasons 1 or 2, and yup, no sign of it).
But recently, fandom bought the shooting script at a charity auction, and got the incredibly over-the-top speech from Blaine to go along with the ring (and a bunch of other interesting little details that didn't make it to the screen, especially for Kurt/Blaine and Brittany/Santana). Now the same group have also organised fundraising to buy two more scripts at charity auctions, so it'll be interesting to see what else is found.
The show that actually started my spoiler musings in this post was Teen Wolf, and I was just consoling myself that at least I should get to see the spoilery storyline that I'm looking forward to, unlike with Glee, where you can be spoiled for stuff that then never happens (there's actually been multiple things in teasers/promo pics/official episode summaries that have been cut at the last minute, the show is so disorganised).
The final straw for me in terms of really watching Glee was the finale - so many problems, but when it was made abundantly clear that Kurt wasn't actually the hero of his own story, and that the whole fucking season-long NYADA mess was just as a supporting prop in Rachel's storyline (and that the character was going to get no reaction scene to missing out), that was the show telling me to run while I could.
Also, they made Rachel getting to NY to follow her dreams, something I've looked forward to for 3 seasons, fall flat. That takes a special kind of incompetence.
Also, can't phone Victoria - I have to sit in on a Ph.d presentation, then prepare and run a student disciplinary session (horrifying, I couldn't sleep last night dreading this) so no phone calls today. Give her a wet willy from me. | {
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Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society
Susan O’Keeffe
Prof. Daniel Carey, Ronnie O’Gorman and Sen. Fidelma Healy Eames of the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society, Sen. Susan O’Keeffe, and Dr. Adrian Paterson, at the launch of the ‘Yeats & the West: an exhibition of western worlds’ at Hardiman Research Building, NUI Galway, 13 July 2015.
Monday 13th June saw the official opening of Yeats and the West: an exhibition of western worlds. Coinciding with the launch of the Galway International Arts festival, the exhibition was opened in style with the help of some very special guests, including the poet Moya Cannon. The exhibition featuring a number of talks and events runs through December 2015 and is free to the public. Members of the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society joined the celebrations, which included speeches from NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne, Professor Daniel Carey, the curators Barry Houlihan and Adrian Paterson, Senator Susan O’Keeffe, Librarian John Cox, and the special guest Moya Cannon.
This year sees a worldwide series of creative and cultural events celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats. Launched by Senator Susan O’Keeffe and Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys as part of Ireland’s decade of commemorations, Yeats2015 gives the anniversary decade a new focus.
But why remember, of all things, a dead poet? What good can calling Yeats from the dead do us?
Yeats himself thought a lot about life after death, and his poems ask nagging questions of those beyond the grave. Fittingly, Yeats2015 might just prove the most lively of all the commemorations.
It is the only one that celebrates a birth, rather than remembering an event of sober historical record. It is the only one exclusively devoted to artistic achievement, so central to this island’s story.
It is locally driven but international in scope, with events centred on places important to Yeats, such as Galway, Sligo, Dublin, London, and further afield, Paris, Utrecht, Madrid, Atlanta, Melbourne, Tokyo, Beijing.
Yeats today is respected rather than loved. His unassailable position on the Leaving Cert syllabus has not resulted in the universal affection of schoolchildren, among whom this self-confessed “smiling public man” walked and dreamed of loves and loss.
An association with Ascendancy Protestantism (which doesn’t cloud opinion of Samuel Beckett or his own brother, the artist Jack Yeats) underplays his own radically unorthodox beliefs, and the down-at-heel origins of a young man who used to ink his feet to hide the holes in his socks.
Yeats is seen as lofty, aloof, abstract, when in fact he was engaged, committed, sensual. But we don’t have to like Yeats to listen. We don’t have to agree with him to learn something. Yeats would have loathed a hagiography and Yeats2015 will not be one. His is a bountiful, contradictory shade that deserves to be called up and questioned again.
Dates mattered to Yeats. For him, the whirlings of moons and midnights set in train the larger forces of history and creativity this commemorative decade is designed to mark.
Revolutionary decade
It is hard to imagine that revolutionary decade without him. Those repeating the lines “Romantic Ireland’s dead and gone,/ It’s with O’Leary in the grave” sometimes forget that September 1913, first published in this newspaper, is an impassioned defence of modern art, a frontal attack on those who thought progress was a new road bridge over the Liffey and breaking the unions rather than workers’ rights and a free public gallery.
Easter 1916 commemorates the rebels’ sacrifice but questions it too, painfully acknowledging the ambiguity of founding a state on violent insurrection. The War of Independence sparked the savage Nineteen Hundred and Nineteen, which condemns violence against the person and against art, yet acknowledges our thirst and culpability for both.
These poems may name dates but have not become dated. Like them, The Second Coming knows intimately the horrors of the 20th century, perhaps explaining the poem’s prescience even today. Slavoj Zizek is among countless public figures to cite it, arguing in response to the recent Parisian murders that it “seems perfectly to render our present predicament: ‘The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity’.”
Meditations in Time of Civil War, meanwhile, wrests from the Troubles a lyric Seamus Heaney felt still mattered: its refrain “O honey-bees – Come build in the empty house of the stare” pleads for peace to a deafened world.
That bloody decade made Ireland, but it also made Yeats as a poet. Facing a new reality he turned a personal midlife crisis into spare, unflinching public poems whose powerful lines and pressing concerns still sound like tolling bells.
However we think of Yeats, poetic achievement must be at the heart of any commemoration. But Yeats was more than a poet. He was a cultural revolutionary who became a cultural entrepreneur. He began things, co-founding the Abbey Theatre, the Irish Literary Society and, with his talented family, the Cuala Press, producing designs and books from a single hand-press in Dublin.
He was anything but a solitary dreamer: his collaborations with musicians, actors, dramatists, stage designers, folklorists, journalists, artists, dancers, printers, occultists, broadcasters and lovers are reflected in the vibrant range of celebratory events on offer.
A disturbing late flirtation with authoritarian politics remains rightly controversial and must cause us to reflect on the role of the arts in a democratic society. As a working politician, however, Yeats was a liberal and his conception of the nation strikingly diverse. As a senator he promoted Irish-language research, while questioning compulsory Irish. Citing cross-Border unity and minority rights he argued for long-established rights to divorce, only recently restored.
Defender of free speech
He defended free speech against religious interests, denouncing censorship and mocking the new State’s “committee for evil literature”. He was in principle a European, trading in a global artistic currency; but in practice a localist, insistent on self-determination. The coinage commission he chaired produced animal designs that lasted until the coming of the euro.
His poems honour the Irish landscape. You might even say his shade balefully haunts our ghost estates: an alternative to profligate new-builds and property booms is shown by the careful restoration of a Hiberno-Norman tower in Galway with local labour and materials, wood, thatch, ironwork, and slates. This year of all years it must be hoped the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society receives support for its reopening.
WB Yeats was a vortex of energy, a protean, recalcitrant, joyous figure who believed in the value of art to shape a nation and to change the world. Perhaps, for a year, we should join this dead poet’s society and see what happens.
Promise of a licence for Thoor Ballylee granted in Seanad
Fáilte Ireland is to grant a licence to the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society to enable it to fundraise to re-open the tourist attraction.
Thoor Ballylee, once the home of W.B.Yeats and his family and an inspiration to his poetry, closed in 2010 after extensive flooding. Fáilte Ireland spent EU 200,000 euro in 2012 to secure the building.
The tourism authority says it’s not viable to provide funds for the re-opening of the 15th-century Norman tower.
William Butler Yeats and his wife George, 1920s
Chair of the Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society, Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames raised the matter in the Seanad, in a joint venture with Senator Susan O’Keeffe, chair of the Yeats2015 committee for celebrating Yeats’s 150th birthday.
Senator Healy-Eames called on the Tourism Minister to ensure Fáilte Ireland provides a licence to the local society to fundraise to re-open the building themselves.
Senator Healy-Eames with Senator O’Keefe argued that Thoor Ballylee needs to re-open for the national celebration of the 150th anniversary of Yeats’ birth next year.
Responding, Junior Minister at the Department of Tourism, Michael Ring says he’s glad to announce that a licence will be granted to raise funds for Thoor Ballylee.
Once an Irish senator himself, W.B.Yeats made notable speeches in the chamber arguing passionately for the right to divorce and against strict censorship laws. The poet was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1923.
Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society
Welcome to Thoor Ballylee.
This fourteenth-century Hiberno-Norman tower was described by Seamus Heaney as the most important building in Ireland, due to its close association with his fellow Nobel Laureate for literature, W.B.Yeats. The Yeats Thoor Ballylee Society are actively seeking funds to ensure the tower and associated cottage are permanently restored and reopened to visitors as a cultural and educational centre. | {
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Rep. Hanabusa To File Lawsuit To Delay Friday Senate Special Election
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) plans to file a lawsuit Wednesday to delay a special election on Friday in the two precincts of Hawaii’s Puna District that have been hit hard by Hurricane Iselle.
As a result of the hurricane, some voters in those two precincts were unable to vote in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate between Hanabusa and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI). Schatz has been leading by a slim 1,635 vote lead in the too-close-to-call primary contest but there are enough votes in the remaining two districts to, conceivably, flip the race in Hanabusa’s favor (even if the odds are slim).
“Fundamentally, what we are trying to preserve here is the people’s right to vote and making sure that people know that their vote counts,” Hanabusa said in an interview with Hawaii News Now.
Hanabusa’s lawsuit will ask the Hawaii Supreme Court for a restraining order that would delay the vote. The argument in the lawsuit is that the people in the district need more time to recover from the hurricane.
“People are definitely without water, definitely without electricity, and it’s going to be a while,” Hanabusa said. | {
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Out of the Shadows - Limited Edition Book and PrintMackenzie ThorpeLimited Edition Book and Print100 Edition
$550.00 Unframed
Limited Edition Book comes with ONE of the following prints: My Little Pal, Purple Rain, First Dawn, or Over The Rainbow.
Also available in Deluxe and Imperial Editions. For more information please contact the gallery at 303-333-1566. | {
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Part Time Data Entry Jobs - How To Benefits
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Part time data entry jobs are the most reputed and universally accepted way of making a profound amount of cash. This is indeed the best way to make some online earning. You can work each day and every minute to make yourself successful and known. There are plenty of people trying to collect information of how to make some money online and a data entry job would be a perfect option for them in India.
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Next Step: Download a FREE E-Book on Part Time Data Entry Jobs.Click here to download FREE E-Book ----->> Data Entry Jobs.Click here to subscribe for Alerts on ----------------->> Part Time Jobs. | {
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TALE OF THE TAPE
Week 3: St. Louis Rams At Chicago Bears
Rams
Bears
Quarterback
The Rams are hoping that Sam Bradford can make a few throws early to establish himself and show that he can move the ball consistently. Bradford lacks a big-time arm and physical strength, but he can read defenses and is an accurate thrower when he has time.
Winner
Jay Cutler is coming off an embarrassing effort against Green Bay in which his leadership ability was questioned. He should have a much easier time at home against the Rams with his quick release and arm strength.
Offense
The Rams need to get something out of running back Steven Jackson in this game because they don’t want to put it all on Bradford’s shoulders. Danny Amendola is a hard-working receiver who will catch the ball when he gets his hands on it. The offensive line is not very dependable.
Winner
The Bears suffered a major blow when running back Matt Forte suffered an ankle sprain and is unlikely to play this game. Power back Michael Bush is a decent runner. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall will try to exploit the Rams vulnerable secondary.
Defense
The Rams are trying to establish a smart, aggressive defense under head coach Jeff Fisher. He has an excellent pass rusher in Chris Long, but the Rams don’t have a lot of complementary players. The secondary appears to be fertile ground for opposing wide receivers.
Winner
The Bears realize that middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is struggling because of an injured left knee and he lacks his usual mobility. Defensive end Julius Peppers is still one of the best pass rushers in the league. Charles Tillman excels at forcing fumbles.
Special Teams
The Rams got no help from their special teams a year ago and Fisher decided to rebuild by drafting placekicker Greg Zuerlein and using unproven punter Johnny Hekker, who has a big leg. The coverage teams are ordinary.
Winner
This has always been a strength for the Bears but they gave up a touchdown to the Packers on a fake field goal. Look for Devin Hester to assert himself with a special-teams big play. Placekicker Robbie Gould is quite dependable.
The Winner Is
WinnerBears
4 out of 4
The Bears had a horrible offensive showing in Week Two against the Packers, but Lovie Smith’s team is not going to live in the past. The Bears know they will have another shot at Green Bay later in the season. Chicago has too much talent for the ordinary teams in the league and the Rams certainly qualify for that designation. | {
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The Down Light Showcase Pedestal: A Museum Quality Showcase
“It belongs in a museum!” These famous words of Indiana Jones always pop into my head whenever I see something precious, rare or valuable in the world today. Indeed, so many objects are museum worthy or display worthy, from fine art, to historical objects, to memorabilia, whether found in an actual museum or in a personal collection. But after discovering the precious piece you want to display, the next realization is this: It needs a museum quality display case to showcase it. A display showcase that will enhance the beauty, not distract from it.
Pedestal Source is proud to announce our latest product: The Down Light Showcase Pedestal. Made in the same tradition as our other high quality display pedestals, the Down Light Showcase Pedestal is handmade in the U.S.A. right here at our facility in Fort Collins, CO. This lighted display case combines a simple, aesthetic beauty with innovative engineering to put all the focus on your precious piece. Whether you’re a museum curator, a gallery owner, a jewelry shop owner or a private collector, the Down Light Showcase Pedestal gives you a quality, museum display case that you can be as proud of as you are the piece you’re displaying.
Let’s look at some of the features of the Down Light Showcase Pedestal:
Overhead and/or ambient under lighting.
How often do beautiful pieces of art fail to stand out simply because of poor lighting? At Pedestal Source, we have years of experience in displaying art and other valuable objects. We know that certain pieces need lighting from above, and some are better illuminated from the bottom. That’s why we give you the option of either low voltage LED top lighting, or ambient under lighting, or both. There are an amazing variety of looks that can be obtained when using the changeable color LED under light system.
Laminate or wood veneer finishes available.
There’s no need to settle for one finish, one color. Choose from many real wood veneers and laminates so that you get a great display showcase that not only highlights your object to perfection, but suits the room around it.
No visible door hardware or wiring.
Nothing distracts from your fine art like clumsy door locks and intrusive wiring tubes down the side or corner of the viewing area. Our engineering team has developed an innovative system that keeps the sight lines clutter free. All you see is what is meant to be seen: your piece being displayed. Check out the video below for more details on how to access the display area.
Completely customizable – imagine the possibilities!
So you’re looking at the picture of the case and thinking, “It’s nice, but I really need something like (fill in the blank)”. At Pedestal Source, we have always prided ourselves in making our products customizable. The Down Light Showcase Pedestal is no different. Whether it’s the overall size, the acrylic viewing area, the finish or even adding storage, you can be sure you will be getting a great custom made showcase that meets your needs. You can even interchange the display platform. Imagine a mirrored platform underneath a sparkling piece of jewelry!
At a time when there is much discussion of U.S. Manufacturing jobs going overseas, we pride ourselves on the fact that all of our display pedestal and showcase products are made right here at our facility in Colorado. You can also rest assured you are not only getting a quality American made product, you will be getting first class customer service to go with it.
Whether you’re looking for a museum style case to display your fine art or collectables, or you are a jewelry shop owner that wants an eye-popping jewelry display case, The Down Light Showcase Pedestal will put the focus clearly on the item inside of it. Couple that with the confidence of knowing you have a superior, made in the U.S.A. product, we’re sure you’ll treasure this case almost as much as your piece! Well, maybe not, but either way, we think Indiana Jones would approve. | {
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Hi, Thanks for visiting my website. My name is Will and if you have questions
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How to sculpt fantasy miniatures Part 8: Adding leather and chainmail to the miniature
In this installment of the sculpting tutorials we add some significant stuff to the miniature. We sculpt the undergarments and add the chainmail to the 3" figure. I show you some neat tricks about making clothing and adding the clothing and armor to the miniature. An important thing I point out in this tutorial is that you don't need to create the full set of undergarments on the mini. You just have to create the parts that will show around his armor. A good example of this is his leather undershirt. You only see this around the neck of the figure so you only have to make this portion around the neck. I show you how I do this in the video.
Neat tip in the video tutorial: Chainmail is always a challenge and I show you a neat trick for easily getting that great chainmail texture on the armor. | {
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Whitepapers
Key Functions and Features for advanced video surveillance system
This document describes the histories, core technologies, and customers' benefits of our security business activities relating to the "visual security products" offered by Panasonic, based on the technical and product aspects. Together with supporting the security and safety of customers' properties, the aim of the document is: to provide products that care about operators and installers involved with security that incorporate the technologies to save costs not only for introduction but also operation and that are eco-friendly as well as to explain their characteristics.
Nature has given severe challenges to video surveillance. While indoor lighting may have a not-so-wide dynamic range, natural light such as direct sunlight causes difficult lighting conditions. Adverse weather conditions such as snow and rain may also cause poor visibility. In low visibility, it is difficult for security personnel to identify suspicious objects and movements, or to monitor road traffic conditions and rail infrastructure. But the great need exists for reliable surveillance and remote monitoring in these challenging conditions.
With the increasing concern over better protection of people and assets, security departments are required a higher level of security than before: proactive prevention, earlier detection, a better situational awareness, a quicker identification, a prompter action and more. It is essential to conduct surveillance in a well-planned manner, give security staff good training, and ensure good communication between all related parties. Video surveillance has also become essential. Now many organizations are continually reevaluating and enhancing their video surveillance system to provide optimal daily security and operational efficiency.
With the growing concern over physical security, surveillance cameras have been installed outdoors more and more in every industry sector and public space from towns, airports and railroad stations to offices, retailers, healthcare providers and more. Installing cameras under the open sky with expensive outdoor housings became required. Today outdoor-ready cameras offer high-waterproof performance. External housings are no longer required but other points need to be considered when installing cameras outdoors. Panasonic has shipped the largest number of outdoor vandal resistant cameras in the security camera industry. This paper describes the considerations and latest technologies for outdoor surveillance cameras.
Surveillance cameras are seeing almost daily advancements in the areas of lenses, imagingsensors, and image signal processing. This is done to allow subjects monitored, such as peopleand cars, to be more clearly recorded. Resolution in particular has gone from analog resolution(720 x 480) of a decade ago to HD (1280 x 720), FHD (1920 x 1080), and 4K (3840 x 2160) in thepast few years, and even higher definition will likely be achieved in the future.With the advance to high definition, data volumes for video are increasing to levelsincomparable with those of the analog age. Due to that, costs for networks to deliver that videodata and recording media to store it are becoming major issues.Meanwhile, not all of the video recorded is of use by customers, and in most cases it isdisposed of without being checked even once. For that reason, technology to allow delivery andsaving/storing of just the video really needed (video that includes the subject monitored) andthereby reduce costs is demanded.
Cyber attacks on IoT devices are on the rise in recent years, with video surveillance systems connected to the Internet also being the target of cyber attack. Resistance to cyber attack is thus becoming an important factor to look at when selecting the appropriate video surveillance system. Some models of Panasonic’s i-PRO series cameras ship with digital certificates preinstalled, and they can they can encrypt communications, detect alteration, and prevent spoofing right after being set up. By equipping with data encryption functions, countermeasures against data leakage can be performed end-to-end. This white paper explains i-PRO series security functions of communications encryption and falsification detection using digital certificates as well as data ciphers.
We use cookies on this site to give you the best possible browsing experience. Cookie settings are automatically set to 'Allow all', so by continuing without changing, you are consenting to this. If you do want to change these settings, then just click the box below. | {
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The problem
“Drug overdose was the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S., with 64,070 lethal drug overdoses in 2016. An estimated 53,332 have been linked to opioids of some type, which is an increase of 61% from 2015,” according to Nick Szubiak, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, National Council for Behavioral Health. He observes that the epidemic is partially being fueled by the early myth started by a letter published in New England Journal of Medicine in 1980 that opioids were non-addictive. In addition to that, there has been unrestricted prescribing of medications, and increase of availability and potency of less expensive heroin.
Dr. Lantie Jorandby, is board certified in addiction psychiatry. She is currently with the Amen Clinics in the Washington. DC area. Having been involved in Medical Assistance Treatment clinics providing suboxone and methadone within the VA system, Dr. Jorandby has observed, “egregious over-prescribing in the primary care setting in the VA system.” This over prescribing, she says, is usually done by “well-meaning” doctors, getting stuck in a cycle of prescribing dangerously high levels of opiates. She added “the system perpetuates when patients complain that their doctors want to stop their opiates, putting doctors in a bind with their jobs.” She has heard “reports of patients threatening doctors if they try to take them off of opiates, creating a perfect storm,” she says. Many people are prescribed a full 60 pill prescription, when a few pills would do the trick.
Perpetuating the problem
Explaining that the medical community has been trained to prescribe for longer periods of time like ten to thirty days, Carolyn Castro-Donlan, Ph.D. suggested that there might need to be a different type of training for prescribing medications. She has been working with addictions since the 80’s when she was a nurse. She is now a consultant, currently collaborating on Medical Assisted Treatment using suboxone for maintenance, detox or helping patients taper off opioids slowly.
She observes that one of the biggest problems is that prescription monitoring across states lines is inadequate and needs to be universal. Often, she says, this is how addictions can be perpetuated.
What we can agree on
They agree that there is way too much over prescribing of opioids, so perhaps we should find a way to train differently in this area and/or regulate how much can be prescribed and in what way. On this same issue, we should probably monitor prescriptions of opioids across state lines, as suggested by Castro-Donlan. It’s way too easy for people to drive from one doctor to the other to load up on pain meds with no way of tracking whether or not there’s an obvious problem.
Another thing most of the professionals agreed on was Medically Assisted Treatment using suboxone or methadone for people struggling with addiction. If we could develop treatment that involves time-limited withdrawal support, coupled with therapeutic support to address underlying issues, that there should be a way to do that. Carolyn Castro-Donlan, PhD emphasizes that the withdrawal symptoms won’t kill you, but she said it sure feels like they will when you are going through it, and it might just be the humane way to allow someone to quit.
We are bombarded with societal messages that we are not enough.
We need more money, a faster car, a slimmer figure, and stronger deodorant if we are to be acceptable and loved. We are sent messages that we should never be in pain or suffer in any way. Jorandby and Castro-Donlan also agreed that connecting to a spiritual source through meditation, prayer, and gratitude is an important place to begin to find our true worth as human beings. Mindfulness principles like meditation and gratitude have been shown through multiple studies to actually change the brain. So, while the addiction changes the brain and alters perception in one way, meditation and gratitude are scientifically proven strategies for emotional strength and growth. So instead of looking outside of ourselves for ways to escape from our problems and stressors, we build resilience from inside.
And more than anything else, they agreed that education for prevention should start early, and awareness for reducing stigma is vital. People do not seek treatment often due to fear and shame. We are not talking about the “dregs of society” if there is such a thing; we are talking about housewives who take their kids to soccer each week, high school students who get injured in sports, businessmen and women who work hard every day, who started out with pain meds and find themselves on that slippery slope, leading to hopelessness and destruction. “Addicts are not stupid. Neither are they weak, but rather highly intelligent,” says Rev. Dr. Wesley Shortridge of Bealeton, VA.
Where to start
I don’t necessarily think the conversation should focus on whether or not it’s a choice, or whether or not society is co-dependent, but rather what we can agree on.
We may not be able to save every person who struggles with substance abuse, but we can at least do what we can to lessen availability and move in a healthier direction. Reverend Shortridge says, “We need to build a society that doesn’t need it.” And beginning with the suggestions above, that most seem to agree on, might be a good place to start.
Prevention by training in mindfulness principles, beginning with even very young students. | {
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BAMMA 6: Out Of Retirement, Ivan Salaverry Had To Scratch The Itch
When Ivan Salaverry retired from fighting in 2008, he was content with his decision to walk away from combat sports. As he trained and coached others to achieve their fighting aspirations, the desire to get back in there at least one more time grew until he could no longer ignore it.
“You get the itch, and you’ve just got to scratch it sometimes,” he said. “I just missed it. I missed the cage, the crowd. I missed the practices.
“I think that all fighters have that,” he added. “You still have that fire, that yearning, that want to fight in front of the crowd, have those epic moments.”
The stars aligned for the 40-year-old former UFC middleweight to come out of retirement when the BAMMA organization came calling seeking a replacement for the injured Phil Baroni. Salaverry jumped on the opportunity to put retirement on the shelf and compete in Europe for the first time in his career.
“It was very alluring to fight in front of the European crowd. I’ve fought in the U.S., I’ve fought in Japan, and I think Europe would be fascinating to go there and fight and fight in front of the English crowd. I thought about that and was like, wow, that’s kind of cool, “ he said. “It felt right. It felt good. Let’s do it.
“I’ve just been rolling around with the guys and boxing and kickboxing and I just missed it, you know. I enjoyed fighting and I had the opportunity. The BAMMA organization offered it to me and I took it.”
It will be almost three years to the day since Salaverry last competed when he steps in to the cage to face Matt Ewin at BAMMA 6 in London on May 21.
Salaverry accepted the fight on short notice, just over three weeks out, but was in training and felt that the timing was right.
“I was training beforehand. They were tossing it around to me a little bit earlier than three weeks, so I was already in that mindset. I was already training and there was a training camp for other fighters of mine in my gym. So I was already in that mode. It was good timing,” Salaverry told MMAWeekly Radio. “I think it was good timing on BAMMA and on my part and luckily I have good guys that are around me training. All paths crossed to this, so it was good.”
Whether or not Salaverry will continue to fight after his May 21 match-up with Ewin remains up in the air.
“One fight at a time. Let me feel this out. Let me put my toes in the water and feel it out, enjoy it… and go from there,” he said. “If the water is warm, and I like it, and it’s sunny out, I may stay in there.” | {
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Certain Veterans Law Judges implicated in the racist Forum Of Hate had their removals upheld for "good cause" by the Merit Systems Protection Board recently. The shocking and offensive forum was in place for seven years while these judges made decisions on claims of veterans who are part of the groups the judges disparaged while at work using government computers. Should we start looking to see if the racism or homophobia leaked into their decisionmaking?
Seven years of racist and homophobic rants by Veterans Law Judges on their secret Forum Of Hate at the Board of Veterans Appeals resulted in a recent decision to uphold termination by the Merit Systems Protection Board.
This one falls into the “Truth is Stranger than Fiction” category, so I plan to merely cut and paste excerpts from the decision. While we know some racist and sexist employees still operate within VA, I often hope it is not so blatant as it was in this instance.
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) recently found “proved” the bad conduct that justified the removal of one Veterans Law Judge and another Chief Veterans Law Judge. As for James Markey and Dennis Chiappetta, respectively, MSPB found “good cause” to remove the duo from federal employment for their roles in the Forum Of Hate (FOH).
While the allegations against Chiappetta barely raised an eyebrow other than his failure to shut down FOH and its highly offensive commentary, Markey’s involvement was worth noting. Three other Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) attorneys were Bernard DoMinh, Charles Hancock, and John Prichard.
Now, I like a good joke, but the comments from members of the Forum were highly offensive, especially for a group of attorneys and judges who have worked at VA for twenty years adjudicating veterans claims.
Let’s not forget, many of the veterans whose cases were adjudicated belong to the groups disparaged by these judges and attorneys. Those individuals whose cases were decided by any of the judges should evaluate the position taken by the agency very closely.
Respondent’s reply referring to a “taco lunch” attempted to trump “the outrageousness of his [Bernard DoMinh] email” by further stereotyping and mocking the Deputy Vice Chairman’s nationality. (Tr. Vol. II at 39-40).
Respondent participated in an email chain on or about January 14, 2008, which used homosexual slurs to discuss several BVA employees. (Tr. Vol. II at 40-41; Agency Ex. 3-D).
Respondent identified numerous BVA employees as homosexuals in response to the email using homosexual slurs. (Id.).
On or about March 21, 2013, Respondent participated in an email chain containing a picture of an all white little league team. In response to the picture, Respondent stated “[n]ice, but where are the white sheets? Gotta start them when they are young” and “of course my bad. ‘Bon Fire’ after every victory.” (Tr. Vol. II at 41-44; Agency Ex. 3-C, 3-D).
On or about August 28, 2013, Respondent participated in an email chain containing altered pictures of an FOH [*6] member receiving an award; the pictures were altered to contain derogatory terms for Vietnamese people and also called an African American BVA Chief VLJ a “G-Pot.” (Tr. Vol. II at 44-46; Agency Ex. 3-D).
Respondent’s statement that the racist alterations to the pictures and other racial statements were “hilarious” encouraged and condoned the use of racist terms, regardless of whether one of the individuals in the photograph was an FOH member. (Id.).
Respondent replied to an email chain containing a picture of four female BVA employees; the email contained derogatory terms to describe having sexual intercourse with one of the females in the picture. (Tr. Vol. II at 47-48; Agency Ex. 3-D).
Respondent participated in an email chain on September 11, 2013, where another FOH member described a BVA Chief VLJ using inappropriate terms and describing her treatment of another BVA employee. (Tr. Vol. II at 48-49; Agency Ex. 3-D).
Respondent replied to the email describing the BVA Chief VLJ as being a “total bitch” to the BVA employee; the reply did not use any sexist or racist terminology. (Id.).
Respondent participated in an email chain on or about May 20, 2014, which included racial and homosexual slurs. (Tr. Vol. II at 59-60; Agency Ex. 3-D).
In the email chain, Respondent refers to two male BVA attorneys as “butt-buddies,” and a Chief VLJ as “charo.” (Agency Ex. 3-D).
The FOH used “Charo” to mean someone of Spanish decent. (Agency Ex. 3-C).
Respondent used “butt-buddies” to imply two BVA employees were homosexual. (Tr. Vol. II at 59-61).
Respondent only stopped sending FOH emails because he was “caught” by the VA OIG. (Tr. Vol. II at 88).
VA v. Markey, 2017 MSPB LEXIS 4774, *4-8 (M.S.P.B. Nov. 9, 2017)
Specific Breakdown Of Homophobic Emails
The following is a short excerpt from the MSPB decision focusing solely on the issue of homophobia:
On January 14, 2008, Mr. Charles Hancock sent the FOH an email asking whether two male BVA members “BOTH gobble jizz.” Respondent replied to the email “[y]es, Regan’s.” Mr. Hancock followed up his statement with another email declaring “[t]here may be a spot open in AA’s Forum of Gayness,” to which both Respondent and Mr. DoMinh sent emails listing numerous other male BVA employees as potential candidates for the “Forum of Gayness.”
Specific Breakdown Of Racist Emails
The following is a short excerpt from the MSPB decision focusing solely on the issue of racism:
The VA asserts in Charge 1, Specifications 3, 7, and 9, Respondent participated in a series of racist email exchanges. (Complaint). In the March 21, 2013 exchange, Respondent received an email containing a picture of an all white children’s [*20] baseball team and responded stating “[n]ice, but where are the white sheets? Gotta start them when they are young.” In response to Respondent’s statement, another FOH member, BVA Chief Judge Dennis Chiappetta states, “[c]ome on James, that is the name of the kid’s team: ‘The Maryland White Sheets.'” Respondent replied to Mr. Chiappetta’s comment “of course my bad. ‘Bon Fire’ after every victory.”
Respondent’s emails concerning the baseball team refers to the Ku Klux Klan’s (KKK) infamous hooded white outfits, KKK members burning of crosses during celebrations and rallies. These comments are intrinsically racist and offensive and do not promote confidence in the judiciary. The ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 1.2: Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary directs a judge to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity, [*21] and impartiality of the judiciary. Respondent’s callous reference to such infamously racist acts, especially when referring to children’s baseball team, diminishes the public’s confidence in the judiciary and undermines his status as an impartial jurist. These emails alone equate to conduct unbecoming a VLJ.
But Respondent’s behavior did not stop there. On September 19, 2013, Respondent emailed a news article to fellow FOH members concerning a Frederick County Sheriff who posted pro-gun videos. (Agency Ex. 3-D). The article explained the sheriff was shooting automatic weapons while shouting obscenities about liberals, minorities, and the Second Amendment. (Id.). Respondent modified the news article by adding “Some of his [the Sheriff] supporters . . . got into a heated debate with an opponent. The opponent, [*22] a fast food working, basketball type playing man, indicated that such talk just wasn’t cool. He left timidly, when 11 people causally tossed ropes at him.” (Id.).
Respondent admits the use of “fast food working” and “basketball type playing” refers to African Americans. (Agency Ex. 3-C). These terms are used by Respondent as racial stereotypes and meant to be derogatory. Respondent further admits his statement concerning tossing ropes refers to the KKK’s use of ropes to lynch African Americans. (Id.). This statement, concerning lynching African Americans, is offensive and racist in nature and beneath the dignity of Respondent’s position. Accordingly, I find Respondent’s emailing the modified news article containing racial stereotypes and offensive racial acts violates the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 1.2. His actions fail to promote confidence in the judiciary and this constitutes conduct unbecoming a VLJ.
In yet another instance, Respondent received an email chain on May 20, 2014, containing various comments by FOH members the VA deemed unbecoming a VLJ. In this email chain, another FOH member states: “[d]e rules be diffrint up in de Big House where de plantation [*23] massah lives. Out in de fields, we field slaves hafta pick de cottin at three bales a week an’de obserseer hagta make sho he delibber 20 bales a week.” This FOH member is clearly referencing African American slavery by stereotyping the way African American slaves in the south spoke.
Speaking as if one is an African American slave is inherently racist and deplorable.
Veterans Law Judge Racism, Homophobia Summed Up
This is about as bad as it gets for VA employees who are entrusted to fairly decide claims regardless of race or sexual preference. Can you imagine how these jokers decided claims of male veterans who were victims of sexual assault or black veterans who were victimized by race?
This needs to be evaluated more deeply.
Based on the follow-up analysis of MSPB concerning ethics rules, it seems likely these judges will have their licenses challenged by their respective bars for inappropriate behavior unbecoming judge.
Those affected by decisions from any of these judges should contact your lawmakers in Washington DC to demand an inquiry. It is possible many denials could be overturned based on the findings through an equitable relief package from Secretary David Shulkin.
ABOUT FOUNDER
Benjamin Krause is a lawyer, investigative reporter and award-winning veterans advocate. He is author of the guide Voc Rehab Survival Guide for Veterans and chief editor of DisabledVeterans.org.
He received his Bachelors from Northwestern University and Law Degree from the University of Minnesota, both using VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.
He is also featured regularly in national publications as an authority on Department of Veterans Affairs policy such as Bloomberg News, Foreign Policy Magazine, Washington Times, Fox News, CBS, NBC, Star Tribune and more.
_____________________________________________________________
120 COMMENTS
That is only because they got caught. A veteran can complain to the bar and they do nothing.
I complained to the Pennsylvania bar about Marcus Graham and Carl Sinwell out of the OGC and they did nothing of course.
Meghan Flanz, who use to be OGC got my complaint apparently and did nothing to investigate.
Pennsylvania licenses a bunch of fucked up attorneys and will do nothing.
DOJ even lies when defending them.
Look up Jennifer Welsh and Whitney Cloud another Pennsylvania attorney.
I filed a complaint against Welsh with OPR and the OIG of DOJ and they stated it is their policy not to interfere if there is litigation .
Straight fraud, but I make it known publicly.
I have always been funneled to file complaints to the Indiana Supreme Court of Disciplinary Action. Zip from any so-called BAR or ABA, or the like. Of course anything ranging from catching your attorney at your X-wife’s to be apartment, to attorneys here telling veterans their VA disability is not exempt from bankruptcy cases, and much more, is ethical, no mis-conduct there in their eyes. It’s okay for judges here to call you into their chambers before open court with strange Freemason types present to be told ‘you can leave now, good witnesses and case put together, case dismissed.” I stay and go forward when the case number is called. Judge says.. “I told you case dismissed, have a good day.” In chambers I was told there are certain people locally not to mess with or bother with such things. Then all hell breaks loose with the retribution from bruised narcissistic corrupt egos. The generations of attorney generals to those in politics or media are of no use either but protect their own cliques. And of course, nepotism, with the same families of judges and town’s attorneys staying, appointed, to the same offices or voted in. That is living in a one party lefty town.
I would like to know how these emails got leaked. All my emails and communications that could prove some VA games, intentional neglect and “racism” against this white boy, to other stuff, I had saved on the Healthy E Vet Secure Messaging site were deleted by VA, contractor, IT staff. All those communications over the years… gone. To cover some asses then the real VA attacks and local game playing top to bottom began.
But I digress. Only white people can be racist or hate. Hell, that has been spread far and wide for all to know anyway. And taught in schools. IF I try to find help or other pale skinned victims of hate in or out of the VA, I am labeled the racist and hater for daring to speak up about the flip flop of discrimination that can’t be denied in today’s cultural climate. No human rights, civil liberties, no spokes-people, no groups, no ACLU or ADL of BB aid, or SPJL for me, no activist in their right minds… for me, or those others in my position. Especially in a state and town like mine. In fact, I would put the hate, violence, racist crap, neglect, discrimination, I have had to endure up against those Lebron James, Oprah, or kneeling Kapperneck types any day. Ahem, from the sixties to this date. I won’t bother with the many examples.
That said, like I’ve said before, the VA, civilian hospitals, other institutions or judiciary should be totally free from politics, all forms of activism, retaliation, etc. Not going to happen since activism of all sorts plus corrupt politics, social justice warriors, twisted agendas, corrupt unions, and more, is found everywhere. Nobody should get a free pass or protected for doing wrong, total or intentional incompetence/malevolence, or harming people because of skin color or beliefs, especially in places like the VA. But we won’t hear much about the reverse of this issue. While I have seen plenty in the reverse but taken in, ignored, like a common breath of air and dismissed.
I concur that the **only reason** this is being upheld is because…they got caught and each and every decision they ruled on should be reevaluated and considering in this same time frame the Head of VAOIG was caught incessantly masturbating in an **all glass** conference room and was allowed to **retire** with **full benefits**, not much confidence in the VA at this point.
Let me just say tongue-in-cheek: The fact that one of the homophobic racist asshole judge’s name was…HANCOCK!! Really? CALLING…Mr. Sigmund Freud! We have ISSUES…you fucking rat bastards who cannot even properly cook chicken let alone choke it.
If I was a veteran that had to deal with any one of these fucks in an appeals case and I found out after 9 years that he had a hardon for me because of my skin color. He’d go in the fucking ground. So would his wife, and the rest of his family. If you want to be a bigot, do it on your own fucking dime and time.
Surely these wastes of air and skin can be sued into poverty for what they’ve done. We all know their personal bias entered into what is supposed to be a facts based, dispassionate process.
At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what color you are, you swore to be a proud member of the green tribe. What these fucks have done to one of us they’ve done to all of us. That is unacceptable and it must be answered back.
Amen! I personally think each of those judges should be locked in cells with their personal bias/bigoted nightmare as in a very large statured African-American Homosexual named ‘Bubba’ just for starters. Set…and forget…
Amen, green brother: That is why I didn’t want to take my case into the appellate system, cuz I knew how corrupt it is and instead asked for a hearing on the record to present my case. They just granted my compensation cuz they were so out to lunch in their defense.
Dear Senator Sherrod Brown Ohio, Senator Rob Portman Ohio, Congressman Tim Ryan Ohio, and the Whitel House,
1. No veteran or formal soldier should be disciminated against at the VA. Or anywhere in our nation for that matter! A man/woman is a MVP Citizen, who has an honorable discharge from the military. And should be treated as such by our country!
2. It makes me sick, that somebody or anybody would withhold something (such as earned benefits and claims) from a veteran or former soldier, because of the color of their skin, political affliliation, federal disability status, their veteran status, ethnicity, religion, age, or sexual orientation and, or gender.
3. However, for me. It is important to identify those VA employees, who are NOT like me. So to rule out bias, and discrimination…
For example:
1. Eric Canna VA Employee Akron Ohio Outpatient Clinic Waterloo Road Non veteran Catholic, who stated, and said,
“ALL VETERANS LIE (Are Liars)! ALL VETERANS WANT (Care About) IS MONEY! ALL VETERAN CARE ABOUT IS HOUSES AND CARS. ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO DO THAT? WELL THIS WILL EFFECT YOUR BENEFITS! A VETERAN CAN ONLY BE INJURED (Hurt) BY BOMBS AND BULLETS.”
Eric Canna said and quoted these statement to me.
2. Pamela Sue Sherer VA Employee Akron OHio Outpatient Clinic Waterloo Road Non Veteran Catholic. Across the hall from Eric Canna.
The only disorder, or diagnoses Pamela Sue Sherer took, was the one from 6 to 7 months in Lancaster Pennsylvania. A private provider who was a Non Veteran, Draft Dodger 1964-1973, Catholic (possible anti military) democrat (liberal) private provider in Lancaster Pennsylvania. In the face of being handed many medical notes, and a DBQ form completed by two private providers in Ohio, who knew me for 5 to 6 years. Interesting Pamela Sue Sherer, cherry picking disorders from another catholic, and non veterans. Just interesting. While disregarding injury disorders from the military…
3. Peter M. Barach VA Employee Wade Park Cleveland Ohio Non Veteran Draft Dodger 1970-1973 (Posssible deferment for mental illness from military) Jewish, Democrat, Liberal, Leftist (possibly, quietly anti-military).
4. PETER M BARACH OHIO NPI #1396773610 Ohio Medical License No.3280 paid over and over and over again by VA CASH HOG in Ohio to engage in 20 page C and P exam, Hatchet Jobs, and Psych E-vals by design to sabotage injured vets and disabled former soldiers benefits, and claims. Peter M. Barach: The VAs paid “Forensic Whore”. Engaging in “Forensic Fraud”. Lying on C and P exams, lying alot and lying often on C and P Exams. Thus attempting to throw these bull shit C and P exams, in front of DRO Judge Decision Review Officers without any due process in Cleveland Ohio.
5. PETER M. BARACH: Creating false narrative on C and P exams by “Cherry Picking” and “Checkering” C and P exams through the assistance of other Non Veteran, Draft Dodgers, (Anti Military) catholic private providers from Lancaster Pennsylvania. It is well Known in psychology. The longer an institution or court pays the same quack to complete C and P exams or Psych E-vals, the more, and more a guy will likely (50% or greater) favor his Payee. Thus he is known as “A Forensic Prostitute”, “A Forensic Whore”. Once this become public, that Peter M. Barach is a paid “A Forensic Whore”. All VA C and P exams are suspect to fraud in the past, and future…
6. Peter M. Barach stated and said, “I HAVE NO TIES TO THE VA. I AM OBJECTIVE!” Of course Peter M. Barach only used .05% of the private medical notes, and thus only “Cherry Picked” from those few private medical notes. These notes being from a fellow, non veteran, Draft Dodger 1964-1973 (Possibly anti military) Catholic from Lancaster Pennsylvania, who was only seen for a very, very brief period. Peter M. Barach has two supervisors at the VA. So lets not kid ourselves about his ties to the VA. This VA “Gatekeeper” grew up across the street from the VA Wade Park Cleveland Ohio. His family members work there, and family members work in the same dept at the VA Wade Park Cleveland Ohio. Lets NOT kid ourselves about Peter M. Barach’s ties to the VA Wade Park Cleveland Ohio. Then strangely, Our VA Hitman moves backward in time from the present on the C and P exam, rather than starting from the point of injury in service, and thus moving from the point of impact displaying losses due to injury on his 20 page C and P exam, hatchet job…
*MYVA, huh??? “Benefit of the Doubt”, huh. Really? A little bit of “delay to deny” here (Which is illegal), or “develope to deny” (which is illegal) in the face of overwhelming evidence to grant benefits, and claims…
*Oh. Then Peter M. Barach magically. Out of NO where. “WATCH ME PULL A RABBIT OUT OF MY HAT!” Peter M. Barach comes up with a magical disorder. “A Magical Diagnoses!” In the face of three private medical providers in Ohio (2 fully developed claims), concretely prescribing me a in service injury disorder based on evidence, legal testimony from officers, medical lit, medical research, and a DSM V…
Wow Mr.Chris Attig, and Mr. Ben Krause. Just amazing…
7. VA Employees and providers encircling me, sabotaging my benefits and claims without any due process. It is important to name what they are. And what I am NOT!
I am an Injured veteran
I am a disabled former soldier
I am NOT of the same religion.
I am not a draft dodger. I am NOT a non veteran.
We differ politcally.
I am a third generation U.S. army vet, artillery (88-90, 90-96 and after 9/11 03-05) from a family where all the males served, earned honorable discharges, and entered the service as A1s.
I think it is important to estabish, what these VA Employees in Ohio are, and what I am NOT…
They should be disbarred and if someone will go through the State Bar Rules and the American Bar Rules, and present these to the respective BAR, they will be disbarred. Board of Veterans Appeals and Court of Veterans Appeals are a farce and a fraud, seven government lawyers against one vet’s lawyer and the “judges” are bent too…………………….
It makes me wonder if it were not for the Harvey Weinstein assholes in the news of late losing everything for their deeds, if these charges would have even stuck?
Each of their abilities to practice law should be forever stripped…not even allowed to do paralegal work…banished…and how about letting Black Lives Matter know Veterans are being discriminated and pissed upon or has the movement fizzled-out?
That’s a brilliant idea Nam. I wish I had contact info for them I’d drop a link. I’m pretty sure we can get at least three of these douchebags since their still attorneys and not judges. I don’t know what the rules are for Judges and Bars.
In the past year, “We the People” have;
Found out members of Congress are “paying out hush monies, using taxpayers monies to accusers” to quiet them over sexual misconduct by said congressmen! And more!
Found out foreign nationals were spying on the U.S. [Awan brothers] and sending classified information to unknown persons! And, they were stealing government property right under the nose of the person who hired them. And MORE!
Found out, “irreprehensible terminology” being used by the members of the DOJ and FBI against our duly elected President! All while sitting in on an investigation which has NOT proved anything against said President. And MORE!
Found out the previous administration, which WAS directly linked to the CIA and Obama, was involved in the “transportation, distribution and marketing of illicit drugs” WITHIN OUR REPUBLIC, by enemies of America [Hezbollah]: ie; “Operation Cassandra”! And MORE!
Found out, NOW, those who are supposed to be objective when adjudicating veterans claims, are far from being objective in their own lifestyles! And MORE!
I hope y’all have noticed one damn thing here! That is, “We the People” would NOT have KNOWN about ALL of this, and much much MORE, IF the other person, [and I refuse to name HER], had been “Crowned President”!
As far as I’m concerned, even though the “SWAMP
RUNS DEEP WITHIN AMERICA’S BOUNDRIES”, it IS being slowly drained!
@Crazy elf- I’m worried they’re multiplying quicker than the rate of swamp draining. Remember, nepotism is the glue that keeps the fatties in-place for generations…making it one BIG gravy boat called the V.A. Titanic.
My sister’s a VA nurse. She’s not fat, flagrant and I’m pretty sure she doesn’t fart around patients. She LOVES veterans, she loves being a nurse at the VA and helping veterans as much as possible. Everyday you say some disrespectful shit about nurses. You are as bad as the ones in this article. Fuck you.
James,
The VA employees I like are the ones coming onto “vetcentric websites”, like this one, claiming they’ve “Witnessed First Hand” the “waste, fraud and ABUSE” against veterans, only NEVER report[ed] it!
They’re “one main excuse” IS, “I didn’t want to lose my job!” Quote, Unquote!
Can y’all imagine, someone in the VA witnessing ABUSE by VA medical providers, then looking the other way!
On the one hand, I do believe, IF these individuals were to have reported it, their lives, and livelihood, would end!
On the other hand, IF enough of these witnesses were to band together, like we did in the military, NOT one person in upper management could stop the train from derailing!
Oh, and James,
I just got off the phone with Howard Altman. I gave him Ben’s website information and asked him to call Ben!
I explained it was Ben who helped break the story on the “TBI SCANDAL”! He thanked me for the info!
I hope this helped!!!!!
Plus, once Mr. Altman reads what Ben’s been doing for a long time, they just might get together on something! Wouldn’t hurt, right?!?!
@CrazyElf, apparently she has been scoping out the website looking at comments. There is fact behind me saying that there are fat ass nurses there. Many reports of nursing patient ratios do not compare to civilian hospitals. I have worked on a busy ICU and step down unit in private hospitals.
Proof compared to VA nurses would show that they are fat as hell. This blog is not formatted for picture uploads, but I can show you a herd of them on the VA websites in the photo section.
To be clear, the nurses are male and female………Fat as HELL!
CorpsmanUp,
I haven’t met one VA nurse who didn’t have a large body! And, then there’s those who have 12 inch fingernails who apply, and are hired as schedulers! You know the ones who “type 12 words per every five minutes!”
Of course, that’s probably because VA hires only relatives! You know, from their favorite website, “Overweightnursesforhire.com/sister/brother/cousin/aunt/uncle/mom/dad/etc…”!
(Did I leave anyone out?)
As long as they can generate their own gravitational field in order to just have their lunch orbit around them, they’re hired with the caveat they never go near the MRI machines. (an engorged purple team member easily become ingrown within any MRI machine, even the newer open ones)-extraction is very costly.
Ignorant clerks at the desk , talking about ” Guuurrrl, I gotta go git my brefast before I do anything”
That shit adds up and gets old.
Veterans hear everything in the lobby.
Now imagine if you work there and hear that type of talk and disparaging of veterans everday?
That is why I say something when I hear someone try to defend the indefensible.
“Oh my sister works there”
Me: Fuck you and your sister.Your sister’s 1000 patients died while you were in the cafeteria.
Imagine if you had a medic in combat operations that didn’t do their job?
These TunaJobs need to be shipped on the front line.
There comes a clinical pivotal point in which the gender is androgynously polyunsaturated cellulite amoebas and that’s why VA Nurse Uniforms only come in spandex. However, should a bee sting one and you are in proximity of 50 yds, that’s an IED PTSD attack accident just waiting to happen. (think crescent roll can of biscuits popping open)
I will. I don’t take it personally –believe me. I am a Veteran too, and I have experienced my share of assholes and limp-dick big mouth idiots as well. There are a couple of assholes on here that seem to really really enjoy (just like the assholes in the article) putting women and especially nurses down. Gets old.
Not all nurses are caveats of professional to generalize protecting “nurses” they have been caught stealing, abusing patients and so on.
Not all veterans are worthy of their DD214 either.
The VA does not respresent any shape or form of military service period to be patronizing the title veteran.
I could go apply for benefits, but I choose not . I have earned my expeditionary medals and sea service as a Corpsman with the Marines. Put a few in bodybags in my tour of duty, but sadly 10 fold i placed in body bags at this shitty healthcare racket. I have worked with lazy ass nurses who sat at the desk for hours, listening to disparaging remarks about WWII,KoreanWar, and Vietnam Vets.
I was trained by a Vietnam Veteran Corpsman who knew his shit and saved many lives. There is a creed follow it, unless if you are not a combat designated veteran, you may not know.
Keyboard designated combat has not been approved by Congress yet.
185lbs able to defend myself without a weapon. Geneva Convention 1907
I am 13 actually, you prepubescent tunabeast! Go take your titanium tip tampon and go fuck yourself troll!
Read your very own words as it relates to the subject matter . “faggot” “whooping ass” So much for disparaging people when it doesn’t align with your troll agenda.
You are a terrible woman! LOL!
You might want to check with your psychiatrist to see if 5mg of Visken might the edge off those psychotropic meds you are popping!
What a douche canoe (british accent)
😉
namnibor,
One has to know WHO the “Swamp Creatures” are before one can drain them!
From what’s being said on many of the MSM’s, it looks like they are panicking. Anyone who can’t see what’s really going on, is lost!
Like that Joe Scarborough, [a democrat MSM stooge]! Did you know there’s a push, down here in Florida, to “…reopen the DEATH of his young female aide!” Who was found DEAD in his office with “blunt force trauma to the back of her head”! All while he was an elected official!
There’s LOTS of screaming and crying going on within the democrats and RINO’s as of late! All because of crap having “light shown on them” they thought would never be seen!
Elf since you live in Florida would you be willing to contact Howard Altman Tampa bay and ask his to do a story on how the VA is letting VA employees falsely accuse veterans of disruptive behavior and being punished and veterans have no way to defend themselves. How due process is eliminated and all of our civil, human and constitutional rights have been taken away. 813-225-3112
James,
Some vets, from my understanding, have already contacted multiple news outlets. For some reason beyond my comprehension, they’re stonewalling!
In my opinion, the uncovering of such a story would not only benefit vets, it would shine a light on vets NOT being treated under the same laws, Constitution and Bill of Rights, as others!
It could also help a reporter on possibly an Award or something they could treasure.
hey Elf I’m really starting to be concerned about your HRC obsession. I mean it’s been almost exactly a year since 45 took office. As far as the swamp being drained. That’s a joke, always has been always will be. It’s not really a swamp drain when all you do is replace the alligators. If we truly want the swamp drained then it will have to happen via another American revolution.
Now I know I’m not privileged to anything in the Mueller/russian collusion investigation beyond whats been released in the press. I suspect your not privileged to any sensitive information either. Why don’t we just simply let this play out. If Trump is clean, and that’s a big IF then he’s got nothing to worry about. I do firmly believe that Trump will do or say ANYTHING to obtain and retain power. It’s his nature. Lets not even begin to discuss his position on women, minorities and transgenders You know those same groups who serve in our ARMED FORCES with distinction on a daily basis.
I find your defense of this man reprehensible and disgusting. He is a coward and mentally unhinged at best and a dangerous blowhard who will get us all killed at worst.
Also, while we’re on the subject of investigations. I find it ironic that the republicans wasted plenty of tax dollars trying to railroad HRC who, for the record I am also not a fan of. How many Benghazi investigations played out with no findings? Do we not owe Donald Trump the same duty of investigation in the interests of fairness?
Let me take this opportunity while we’re pointing fingers at Presidents running drugs. You are aware that the whole Ollie North Iran/Contra deal happened under Reagan right? But since he was a Republican I guess he’d be more believable if he where alive to deny it right?
Oh also as to your double negative.
Definition of irreprehensible. : not reprehensible : free from blame or reproach. conduct in all respects irreprehensible. Fix your shit.
As far as I’m aware Mueller removed the author of said “reprehensible” post when it came to light. Last time I checked that was the move of a fair and impartial person.
Lets also not forget that Mueller was appointed by republicans who, at the time of his appointment was praised as keen, impartial as well as also being a decorated combat vet. The fact that your willing to support a known coward over a vet is troublesome to me. The fact that the republicans are now turning on him tells me he’s getting close to something. I, for one, am willing to wait and see what happens. It should be highly entertaining watching this disgusting pig being dragged from office. It will also be highly entertaining to watch the “party over country” crowd squirm when they are forced to recognize their own failures.
Neither party has your best interests at heart maybe it’s time you recognized that instead of being a republican fanboi.
“WyldeCylde”,
All I did was give you “facts” as what has came out from the darkness!
As far as your “biased ‘slant’ against me” is concerned, there’s little that I can do to change your mind! You must be following most of the “left leaning news outlets”, instead of researching other avenues of information!
I like to view ALL avenues of news! Then I research, and research some MORE!
As far as President Trump is concerned, there’s MANY in our past history who’ve never served, in the military, in an elected or appointed position! Even those who have didn’t “cut the mustard” to help our veterans!
As a “Combat Vietnam U.S. Army Veteran” and a “Combat U.S. Navy [Beirut, Lebanon] Veteran”, I can assure you – I’m completely disgusted with the way our elected and appointed officials and VSO’s have turned a blind eye to our plight AGAINST the VA!
That being said, I’m sure you’ll agree these “illegal activities” by many in our government, would NOT have found their way into the sunlight IF anyone else had been elected POTUS! That in itself is refreshing!
IF “We the People” don’t know what’s transpiring within our government, how are we to combat it!
Ben, puts lots of negative information about the VA on five (5) days a week. What, or HOW, could we know about ALL the illegal activities by VA if he, and other patriotic men and women, wasn’t around!
How would you be informed if not for “commenters” like myself, Seymore Klearly, 91Veteran, and MANY MORE were NOT around to give out any information about what’s transpiring within our government?
Here’s two more things!
1.) When HRC stops her bullshit, then I’ll stop my opinion of her!
2.) Like I commented on, These illegal activities by many in our government needs to be brought out into the open light!
My wife sends “Ben’s blogs” to our representative, Rep. DeSantis, every day! In the hopes that he will one day contact Ben, and setup a meeting!
What have you done?
As to what I’m doing. Well to be honest since I’m such a recluse with a deep seated hatred for most things that walk on 2 legs. I haven’t done much.
Currently I’m involved in discussions with my state rep to get legislation passed to amend our state cannabis program to allow vets to cultivate and care for vets who are financially disadvantaged yet have a qualifying condition for the medical program. So far that’s still in it’s early stages as the legislative body in CT seats in January.
I’m in the process of exploring ways to start and fund a Vet organization that actually cares about vets. However such things require careful planning and structure then you have to build out a member base and get funding so you hopefully see results that will justify your existence.
Once my Va case is resolved favorably. I intend to get into real estate and be a Landlord. I intend to give vets preferential treatment for housing. That however is more in the long term. Ideally I’d like to find somebody to donate about 20 acres and build out a state of the art treatment facility designed to house and sort vet problems in one place while the vet goes through the VA comp and pen process. That’s not going to happen unless I win the lottery.
I don’t know if any of these are on the level of sending an email every day but I gotta start somewhere right?
As you are working on your legislation WC, be aware of a politicians greed for more tax money.
With CT being in the state it is in financially, your legislation might go through if other greedy politicians are convinced they can get piles of cash from taxing it.
That is happening here in CO, and it is making the black market flourish even more because they can undercut the price of “legal” weed.
I do actually get my news from multiple sources and from both sides of the aisle but thank you for being concerned about my access.
I tend to find a significant slant on both sides and I’m not really shocked by this as the media has been weaponized for quite some time. I tend to take whatever the given propaganda agent of the day spits at me with more than a few grains of salt. I then apply this to my own internal process. What is really being said. What isn’t being said and what I believe to be true according to my own worldview and discerning nature. In short I like to keep my bullshit meter in tiptop shape. Don’t worry, you don’t need to change my mind. You just simply have to open yours.
I suppose you have indeed given me facts. Yes the Democratic party definitely has their own fires to put out. Is it anywhere near the mess that the Republican party is? In my not so humble opinion Nope. If you read bias in my statements it is there to counter your own obvious slant.
As to your comments about Trump not being in the military. I completely agree with you we have had non military presidents and that’s completely fine. What I cannot abide is a President who, when his country needed him to step up via the draft, obtained multiple deferments to get out of getting his ass shipped to Vietnam. Those are the actions of a coward and that’s a fact. The fact that a coward is now the President and Commander in Chief of our armed forces both sickens and disgusts me. We may as well have elected Jane fucking Fonda to shit all over the Oval Office. In this regard it’s the same thing. Incidentally I wonder what happened to the guys who had to go in this cowards place. We blame Bergdahl for the injuries sustained in his search and rescue attempts. Why do we hold Trump to a different standard?
I will agree that there are a shit ton of motherfuckers in government that need to be frog marched up to a wall and shot. But you will have to concede the point that those motherfuckers are from both parties. Both equally guilty both equally punishable by said frog march, wall and bullet. As for your “sunlight” theory under a “different” President. No I don’t agree at all. Conspiracy has a way of unraveling no matter your party affiliation. See Nixon. I am firmly of the opinion that Trump had to fire Flynn because information had been made public. If the public never knew about Flynn then he would still be employed by Trump and would still be a “wonderful” man. I find this to be unacceptable. Information has a way of leaking and that’s a good thing.
I have no issues with Ben and the fine people who take time to put out vital information. My only issues are the lack of a proper forums to develop meaningful discussions. My problem is with the obvious Republican bias. The simple facts are Hillary Clinton is not president and will probably never be president. Is that a good thing? In my opinion yes it is. Now with all that being said. I think it’s time we let go of the “but what about Hillary!!!” excuse and start holding the current administration accountable for it’s failings and glaringly obvious faults.
Let’s begin shall we?
Inability to fill cabinet level positions with QUALIFIED personnel.
Doesn’t understand why we can’t use Nukes.
Not able to be trusted with classified information.
thinks grabbing women by the pussy is ok . Pro tip: it’s not
Stands accused by multiple women of sexual assault
Still in violation of the Emoluments Clause of the constitution. THIS ALONE should be grounds to impeach.
Refuses to release taxes as is customary for sitting presidents.
Inability to nominate qualified judges to, you know, apply the LAW.
Consistently undermines the credibility of the State Dept. and the DOJ. Hell his own AG had to recuse himself in the fucking Russia probe.
Supports alleged pedophiles for higher office because “We gotta keep those seats red” Incidentally has now backed 2 loosing candidates in the Alabama Race for Sessions vacated seat. He is toxic to any republican candidate he stumps for.
This guy is such a Man Baby that he requires a USMC GENERAL to babysit him. whiskey tango foxtrot over.
Busted the budget of the Secret Service with all the travel by his family.
Inability to fill key positions at the various agencies with qualified and competent people. Rick Perry Dept of Energy???? Ben Carson Dept of Urban Planning and Development???? Tom “what do you mean I can’t jaunt around the world on the taxpayers dime” Price????
We’ll build a wall and Mexico will pay for it. Mexico “Nope”
Stevey “the loose cannon” Bannon. This guy warrants his own line.
Mikey “yes man” Pence. he gets one to.
Kellyanne Conway. wannabe spinmeister fails miserably because her boss is garbage and toxic.
Notable accomplishments to date.
Pushed Congress to overhaul the tax code to make himself and his cronies/henchmen/other cocksuckers even richer while brushing a few crumbs to the middle class and poor for a few years. After all, those suckers can’t understand anything this complicated. Pro Tip: We can.
Hasn’t gotten us into WW3…yet. I’m not holding my breath on this one.
Hasn’t managed to kill the old and sick…yet. That’s Phase 2. How do we pay for these tax cuts anyways? Oh yeah SS and Medicare.
Plays A LOT of golf. Didn’t he bash Obama for this VERY SAME THING???? The country is burning and Nero plays the fiddle.
We can also get into the Republican majority in both The House and Senate. Those august and noble bodies that can’t manage to get rid of a health care system that is apparently more popular than they figured. Haven’t managed to get anything notable done without sweetening the honeypot errr I mean deal for all it’s holdouts/sellouts. See Tax Reform above. I suppose the Democrats will get the blame for this when it goes tits up despite it having received no democratic party votes in addition to 12 republican house members siding with the dems?
Trump likes to point his finger and misdirect and make inflammatory and wildly inaccurate statements (see twitter) all in the hopes that you won’t notice what he doesn’t want you to see. I’m sorry Sir I’m not buying it. I suspect Russian collusion and I suspect that Mueller’s investigation will bear that suspicion out. Any protestations of innocence are at this point moot for me. The sooner this guy is out of office the better off as a nation we will be.
Now now boys. We’re all on the same leaky life boat here. Let’s first search for some inner peace. Ooooohhhhmmmm.
As for heroes, stop looking for them in Washington. Ain’t gonna happen. Let’s just look at facts OK. The NWO brethren having been ramping up their game since the 70s – or maybe November 63. The constant nipping away of social fabric, erosion of income in the middle class, total degradation of public education, sale of the medical system to the highest bidders, deregulation of everything that can (and has) fucked all of us, turning the US military into the finest mercenary army on the planet, bombing the shit out of brown people, infesting our streets with drugs, (Golden Triangle smack in the 70s (CIA’s Drug interdiction program (the bought it), coke in the 80s (same Scare America flying boxcars in Centro Americano (Hassenfus), did I mention bombing the shit out of brown people?, erosion of infrastructure etc.
All this shit happened regardless of parties in charge. The Clintons and Obamas and Bushes, and Bushes, and Clintons may well have been cuddlier with the real power than Trump is. That doesn’t mean the real power can’t negotiate their way around a bone-spurred silver-spooned perv who makes the rest of us suffer from his Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
Bottom line? We’re at or near the bottom of anyone’s to-do list. The only progress we’ve made is graduating from cannon fodder to election year flag wavers. “By, Of, and For” the people has been tossed under an ox-cart, a Conestoga wagon, a stage coach, and a bus since the day it was written. Just follow the money.
Try not to expend one milligram of your ire on a comrade. Save your flags and tears for the brother who stood beside you. It will never get any more meaningful than that. Ever.
Oooohmmmmmm
Ohhhhhmmmm
Ohhhh ohhhh by gosh by golly
It’s time for mistletoe and holly
…
Great comment, Flotmorton!
I’ve always tried to give only the “Facts” when it comes to what’s confirmed by reputable news outlets. I’ve even put articles on here from left leaning news outlets, WHEN, (and only when), the information can be “fact-checked”!
For example, did you know that when anyone in Congress says they don’t have the authority to have anyone arrested, I fact-checked that through a “.gov” website and found out they can!
It’s an old law, set down by the Supreme Court in 1821, and again in 1835 or 1836 (?), plus it’s still applicable today!
Once someone is found GUILTY in Congress, say for “perjury” or “Contempt of Congress”, the Sgt. at Arms has the “duty” to arrest and confine them until they comply with whatever they’re charged with!
That’s not the only duty they have. They can also [physically] remove any member of Congress not complying with the Speakers orders! They also “introduce” any dignitary entering the chambers!
Someone might ask, How or Where did these rules come from? They were/are written down in “Robert’s Rules of Order”, then applied to everyone in our government – elected and or appointed!
BELIEVE it or NOT, These “RULES” even apply to every nonprofit [VSO] organization[s] as well!
Come listen to some of my stories and complaints, proof, about living in a one party ruled town, Demoncrats, with three major lefty colleges, all Demoncrat filled positions in government, far left media only, etc. Only Democrats can run and win here, all others, no hope. Unless they change labels and agendas to fit the establishment and corrupt. That is why the majority here will not vote and not get involved in local politics, only Dems and far left allowed, or will run for office. Or get hired by local government to fill positions. What do they say about absolute power? So staying stuck in the right-left paradigm of politics or one being better than the other is like living the “Matrix.” Make an enemy of any of those “Democrats” here and pay for it for life. You won’t have any Constitutional rights here, no free speech, no representation, period. Total corruption, bullying, PC-ness, even attacks from a major hospital and other lefty establishments and professionals can and will attack and neglect at will and to their enjoyment. Regardless if it’s a life and death matter or dealing with some old non-party toe the line veteran or white boy.
Surely (not Shirley), we can agree that any form of evil is a bad thing for humanity and Veterans and just agree to disagree? In the end, each and everyone of us is getting screwed to some degree by the VA and Gov’t., regardless of potty or party, right?
Myself, I do not subscribe to any organized political party because both sides are dain bramaged beyond reconciliation. I think all Vets could agree to our allegiance to The Constitution and perhaps the name Constitution Party would be great until such time it becomes the Constipation Party?
I feel insofar as I self identify politically it has to be democrat. After all their not talking about cutting SS and medicare, two programs I rely heavily on while the VA takes it’s sweet ass time. If there is a lesser of two evils here I feel it’s definitely that way.
WC. I can sit down with any veteran, and after sweeping away the detritus of Fox or MSNBC, I can find vestiges of conservative and liberal in every man who has lived in a shittier part of this planet. Party messaging and extremism has needed to morph in order further divide people from each other under the guise of party. Heaven forbid we all get our heads out of our asses and take our country back. Sheeple love to graze on grasses clover. It is only fences that give credence to fear and hate.
Ooooohhhmmmm
Ooooohhhmmmm
Oooohhh, the mood out there is frightful
The Dems and Pubs are spiteful
And if your spirit is getting low
Let it go, let it go, let it go.
And when I grow up, I want to be a bud tender by day and PTSD counselor by night.
at this point I don’t feel it’s about republican or democrat. It’s about the consent of the governed and that got dragged behind the woodshed and shot. Now we just blindly march along wearing a D or an R and shouting the approved party line from the latest liar in power. I think from now on when I take a shit I’ll announce “THE HOUSE IS NOW IN SESSION” before commencing the business at hand. Honestly better political leadership falls out of my asshole than what we currently have stinking up the joint.
You lost your support here. Mueller was told “anything arising out of facts” which includes the Ur anus 20% deal and the pay of $10 Million dollars by Hillary to change the outcome of the election, and the loss of classified documents for which many others have been convicted on a lesser standard. Your rage against Trump, you stick up your ignorant behind.
I’m not sure I’d call it rage. More like…disillusionment. My whatever it is at trump is on display because the rage at Hillary is already there. She is every bit as unfit to wield power as Don the Con. Is she crooked. You bet. She sabotaged the primary after all in a failed bid to add President of the United States to her resume. She has a long and storied career as a climber of the rungs of political power. Her history is fraught with suspicious and possibly illegal activities. Anything she touches turns to shit and she constantly needs to backtrack and be bailed out of situations she helped create. Why isn’t she in jail? Probably because a whole lot of other people would end up there as well. Is it right? Nope not in the least. If somebody can find something to pin on her in such a way that she can’t slip and slide her way out of it then I hope they fucking CRUCIFY her. I hope they put her in a hole and throw the hole away.
All of this, however is highly irrelevant. Hillary Clinton isn’t President and Donald Trump is. If Donald Trump knowingly gained the Presidency via external sources I as a proud, card carrying member of the American citizenry would damned well like to know. Personally I, as a citizen, find it hard to believe that members of his campaign team reached out to Russia for dirt on Clinton without Trumps knowledge or permission. I also find it hard to believe that the only thing discussed with Russians where “incidentals” of half remembered conversations and “adoptions”
Mueller is a Republican.
Mueller was appointed by Republicans to investigate Trump/Russia Collusion.
Republicans are now trying to discredit Mueller.
Why?
Since I wasn’t aware of your “support” or the absence thereof have I really lost anything?
As for shoving it up my ass? Well I would, but, I’m too busy shitting political leadership. I hope they get the votes. I’d hate to think I dropped everybody off at the pool for nothing…
Not to get all conspiracy theory-ish, but Mueller was also in charge of investigating the Miracle of Physics, aka 9/11. Pancake theory my ass. Mueller’s outcome will be what someone else wants it to be. Follow the money.
Wibdguy,
Let’s not forget Mueller also carried, in the dark of night, “Highly Enriched Uranium” to Russia to insure a contract with a “Russian Backed Canadian Firm!” All while the Clinton’s received large sums of money to their foundation.
And, then Bill Clinton gave a 20 minute speech in Russia at the personal request by Putin! Then received $500,000 for the speech!
As far as Mueller and his team goes. Yes, they are registered republicans. Problem is – 95% of his team gave donations to Hillary Clinton for her POTUS bid! Only 3 or 4 did not donate to anyone! And no one donated to Trump!
What’s a person called who “plays at being a republican”, yet helps the other team? Oh, yea. A “RINO!”
There’s a whole lot more I could put on here, only it’s a waste of time trying to get people to understand anything IF their minds are already filled with hate!
Not one person, except for a few, has mentioned anything good President Trump has accomplished in this past year! Like the jobs he’s helped create, by bringing corporations back to America. Or, the rise of the stock market to unprecedented heights. Are just two examples!
Other countries laughed at Obama. All while he kow-towed to other leaders. And has allowed our Republic to be overrun with illegal immigrants and refugees from countries which are not friends to America!
Before anyone claims different. We have immigration laws that are supposed to be followed! Why aren’t they?
Other countries feared both Bushs’, because they didn’t realize how much of a “war hawk” they really were! These two reprobates started two different wars!
Other countries laughed at Carter! And yet, during his administration he had the privilege to NOT get America involved in another war! Oh, there was some difficulties, only he handled them diplomatically!
Other countries fought America, militarily, when LBJ was POTUS! IF it hadn’t been for Cronkite, we would have been in Vietnam a lot longer! Those words ARE in his memoirs!
Other countries wanted to get along with President Reagan! Remember this famous line – “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!”?
His economic plan DID work! It just needed more time!
Other countries were really going bonkers with Kennedy. He got us closer to WWIII than any President, past or present! Remember in schools doing “duck and cover” I do! Many of you don’t, only you’ve probably seen videos of it!
The one President I truly admired was “President Truman!” Remember the “plaque” on his desk in the Oval Office? It read, “The buck stops here!”
He meant it too! He took a lot of heat for dropping those two Atomic Bombs!
IF you noticed, I left out “I’m not a Crook” Nixon. That was on purpose! He was a freaking crook!
I gotta disagree with you about Carter there Elf. He may not have gotten us into some war, but he presided over other special ops such as Eagle Claw, and presided over the decimation of our military which took years to recover from.
We are still dealing with the consequences of his appeasement to Iran, and many have suffered and died in attacks by them.
Meuller only removed Strzok AFTER the IG found the texts. Meuller recognized the evidence would come out and he had no choice.
As for his “investigation” into Russian collusion, many are POd at the incredible double standard we have regarding the law rather than equal protection under it.
Mueller, rather than following the law, went directly to GSA to get the transition emails, many of which may be attorney client privilege, then never told the attorneys of those he was targeting. Targeting with zero evidence of any crime being committed. In regards to Granny Grifter, she had HER attorneys review roughly 60,000 emails she claims were on her shithouse server and she and her attorneys chose which ones were work related, and all these stellar FBI agents hyperventilating over non existent Trump Russia collusion allowed it.
Iran/Contra was a policy dispute in Congress that the left blew up because they didn’t want their commie friend, Ortega, removed from power. If you are concerned over money spent investigating why Granny and that cowardly bastard Obama let 4 Americans die, then you should be concerned over the money wasted on Iran/Contra and this Russian collusion nonsense while Granny offered the US to the highest bidder like a garage sale, and Obama allowed a designated terrorist organization to funnel coke into the US and launder money back for more terrorist acts, all so he could preserve some crazy fucking deal with mad, middle Eastern Mullahs.
By the way, if Mueller is the upstanding law and order Republican you believe him to be, why are all of his top investigators or lawyers such rabid Hillary supporters?
I don’t give a damn what party someone belongs to when they use third world banana republic tactics and ignore the Constitution. They need to be called out for it.
Are we to assume that Mueller should read every single tweet/text/email yadda yadda yadda of every single employee who works for him? That would be one way to shut him down I suppose. I guess the salient point I disagree with is your characterization of the events. If I’m an independent prosecutor and somebody says to me “hey your guy Strokz is a bit lippy and heres the proof” If after reviewing that proof I then remove this person how exactly does that make me the bad guy? Of course the info is going to be leaked it usually is.
Now if Mueller is such a corrupt and unethical individual why was he appointed by republicans who should be well aware of his past credentials. Who should be well aware of any and all “issues” he may or may not have.
As for the GSA emails I can’t really speak to that as I don’t believe all the facts are out yet. But I will say this. if those emails where obtained illegally then the defendant(s) in any trial that may or may not result will have the opportunity to have that evidence suppressed as tainted fruit. It sounds like Clinton knew how to apply the law in her case in a more favorable light and had people willing to go along. Again is it right. Nope. Is it a complete double standard. Yup.
Why is anybody a rabid hillary supporter? for that matter why is anybody a rabid Trump supporter. People are passionate about their beliefs. I assume that investigators are people and thus just as equally passionate in their beliefs. Hell some people believe the earth is flat and that we never went to the moon. My point is you can’t argue with a zealot.
I guess the biggest question I’d like answered is if the republicans in Congress investigated Benghazi in all it’s various forms at least 7 times by 2015 and came up with nothing. Surely that pack of ravenous wolves would have been licking their chops and pissing all over each other if they had something they could use to topple her. They came away with nothing because it’s all bullshit.
I have a theory Mueller was hired to verify no trump/russia collusion since Sessions recused himself Maybe Mueller isn’t playing ball for whatever reason. This has the republicans in an uproar. Of course how a republican independent council gets away with that level of deception is beyond me.
The irony of me, somebody who leans (D), having to defend an (R) to a bunch of (R)’s is completely and utterly laughable. Anyways I have to go help with the groceries and what not.
My only point in pointing out it was the IG who informed Mueller of the texts is that people are giving Mueller credit for firing the guy, when in fact he had little choice.
In regards to who appointed him and whether he is a Republican is irrelevant to me since he is a swamp rat appointed by swamp rats. He may have been an honorable man at one point, but he has been corrupted long ago, and the proof is in the double standard he applied to enforcing the law.
In my opinion, that is no different than a veteran having his rights removed by an illegal Disruptive Behavior Committee.
That double standard is shown when Hillary or her aides or lawyers were able to respond to serious investigations involving national security at their convenience rather than pre-dawn raids, while Manafort and his wife were subjected to such a raid. Same with the emails and with ignoring attorney client privilege.
Rightly or wrongly, whether guilty or innocent, an honest investigation should uphold the Constitution or we are no better than the North Koreans.
As for Benghazi, I still believe there was some honesty involved in investigating and trying to get the facts, but I also believe as those facts were uncovered, other swamp rats like McCain or Graham were uncovered, so the investigation resulted in nothing happening.
I can’t believe certain members of Congress were not aware of the CIA having a base there and were buying weapons, or whatever the hell they were doing. Regardless, it was despicable by everyone on whatever side of the aisle they were on to let all of them fight for their lives with nothing done by the administration to help them.
Finally, Mueller was appointed by another swamp rat, Rosenstein. I can’t believe he bounces around DC for as long as he did without becoming a swamp creature. Yes, he was appointed by Trump, but Trump has no time to vet all of these rats personally, so he ends up with whoever is recommended to him by other swamp rats. None of that would have happened if Trump would have appointed someone with guts as AG other than Sessions. Sessions recused himself because he got weak-kneed as soon as the left accused him of colluding with Russia, which was a farce. Rather than push back immediately and show the proof that the FBI told Sessions he did not have to discuss any meetings he had with Russians as a sitting Senator, he immediately bailed out and recused.
As it is, Rosenstein is only in office because Sally Yates was fired for refusing to carry out directions from the Executive Branch. Another swamp rat gone.
A good beer with your groceries would be nice WyldeChylde. Wish we could share one.
A double tap would be too lenient for that motherfucker. I’d be happy to wield the scalpel myself. That NWO jewluminaziberg sold out two million Cambodians knowing full well the doctrine China foist upon the Khmer Rouge.
Crazy Elf, in my opinion, it no longer matters whether he gives them back. The investigation is compromised, and done so foolishly. I also think it was done with intent. I believe Mueller agreed to grab them this way to try get Trump to fire him to turn this into a worse shitstorm. The proof is in all the media and politicians, including Eric Holder saying all week that if Trump fired Mueller, there would be protests in the streets.
I think this was done because Mueller has found nothing to pin on Trump himself.
The best thing Trump could do is let Meuller twist in the wind, get a new AG and go after the rest of the corrupt DOJ and FBI.
By doing so, he continues making this look like the biased sham that it is.
As for giving it back, it doesn’t matter. Privileged information was released, and that genie won’t go back in the bottle.
Mueller has already used some of the information in questioning Trumps team. That’s how they found out Mueller had it. Now, all Mueller has to do is claim he came by the same information in another way.
It would be interesting to see if anyone sues Mueller over privilege or Constitutional rights violations.
As it is, I see a story in Politico about a group in congress investigating corruption in the DOJ and FBI over handling of the Trump dossier….which was paid for by Hillary.
I think at this juncture it’s a matter of semantics. Was his hand forced? sure. When your in that situation there’s no real choice at all anyways.
As to the way these cases where handled I can’t pretend to understand the nuances. It’s been my point of view that Clinton was sheltered and groomed to succeed Obama. The whole Slick Willy Loretta Lynch Tarmac meeting was highly suspicious as well. No way in hell was that a “random” thing. He either propositioned her so he could get off preferably with a blowjob because we all know that’s how he rolls. Or he propositioned her so he could get his wife off, preferably of all criminal charges. Hell maybe he was trying for a twofer the point is we won’t ever know because nobody involved will ever say anything. I believe at some point she was “Abandoned” by Obama. I recall reading accounts of her being told she made her bed etc etc. How true are these accounts. I don’t know.
I honestly got very numb to the whole Benghazi thing and kinda tuned it out. I was aware of Sean Smith as an entity named Vile Rat in a game called Eve Online that I played for well over a decade. He was an extremely well respected or loathed player, depending on which side of the space ship you found yourself on 😉
I think the Manafort raid went down the way it did is because, let’s face it, the guy can disappear if he needs to. I believe he has or had multiple passports. Disclosed and more than likely still as yet undisclosed assets totaling in the millions if not 10’s of millions. He also knows things which would make him valuable. What happens if he goes to Russia or China and either gets accepted in or winds up dead. Suddenly Manafort turns into a dead end. On a side note I’m not sure what he was thinking to make Mueller withdraw his plea deal. Also on a further side note have you read any of Manafort’s daughters texts to “friends”? She’s turning into quite the little influence peddler.
As for the GSA emails I would assume the reason it went down the way it did is maybe there was suspicion of destruction of evidence and the move was needed to secure it. Not unlike a cop knocking on your front door then kicking it in because he hears the toilet flushing and thinks your dropping two bricks of coke down the john. Again I don’t know.
I will say this. In this new era of Total Government Polarization. I find it hard to believe that a (R) would go soft on a (D) willingly, especially if that (D) is Hillary Clinton.
As for the CIA having a base in/near benghazi? Who knows who knew what. It is the CIA afterall. Not every Congress Critter is privy to every CIA op/site. Should Clinton, as Sec State, have known about the CIA use of diplomatic facilities. I think so.
Finally onto Rosenstein. I’m not really a fan but then I haven’t been too aware of him as of late. I absolutely despise Sessions because he is willfully ignorant to the benefits of cannabis. Good people don’t smoke weed. This person stood a post with a rifle in hand. This person signed up to put his life on the line for the Constitution and the ideals it represents. This person smokes weed. This person is a Good Person.
From what I remember about Yates she was sacked for standing on principle.
I guess the bigger question I’m asking is this. If we remove all traces of mueller/russia collusion etc from the equation. And we rely soley on Trumps record thus far. When do we get off the let’s blame Clinton bus and start realizing that this particular emperor wears no clothes?
I don’t drink beer all that often. But you can absolutely come sit on the back deck and pass the bowl around with me.
WyldeChylde, I just can’t understand why the same reasoning over destruction of evidence was not used for the seizure of Hillary’s IT devices, her server, or sending federal Marshals to David Kendall’s office and seizing the thumb drives that held her emails.
As for Manafort, I hope he gets everything coming to him. I believe he is shady, although I cannot point to hard evidence of it, but the raid on his house should have been equally applied to many others.
As for Benghazi, regardless of the issues, I just think it was damn disgusting to see the President at that time and his Secretary of State blatantly lie not only to the families over the caskets of the dead, but then to go to the UN and lie to the world, when many in that body likely cheered the attack and knew full well what happened.
Yates was fired because she refused to uphold Trump’s order on enforcing immigration law. If she wanted to stand on principle, she should have just resigned. She decided she wanted to ignore the authority vested in the President’s office by our Constitution.
As for the beers, I would have to stick with that since I am allergic to weed.
Here’s some additional information on Hildabeasts attorneys who were allowed to view those 60,000+ emails! They were breaking the law! How, you may ask? Not one had any form of “security clearance”!
Not only did they break the law, Hillary Clinton broke the law by giving those emails to them!
That was discovered during the Bengahzi investigation by both Rep Jim Jordan and Rep Trey Gowdy and Rep Grassley!
Then, later it was reported some of those emails had an “SAP” classification. That’s the highest classification of documents! It stands for: “Special Access Program!”
I had “Top Secret Crypto”, the classification right below it!
91Veteran,
As far as her getting away with this crap for so long is simply this: Since her time with the “Rose Law Firm” in Arkansas, up until her time as “FLOTUS, she has amassed a large amount of information on everyone of importance. Some believe it’s for “Protection” on never being prosecuted! That’s called “Blackmail”!
As in what our duly elected officials are paying to those women who claim, without evidence, sexual misconduct against them!
I am pretty sure the complaints went to their respective bars, but the question is, What are they going to do about it?
The judicial canon of ethics comes to play, but challenging ” absolute immunity ” is the key.
You literally have to should a lack of jurisdiction to defeat absolute immunity.
That is why Trump said he could stand in crowd in the middle of 5th avenue and get away with it.
Abuse of power and abuse of process.
Reversal of all adjudicated claims during their tenure is a very lengthy process, by the Secretary is getting advice from the same corrupt General Counsel that is calling for equitable relieve.
No David two toned titty Shulkin, there is no equitable relief in criminal activity under US 241.
This is where Special Counsel is need to remedy this situation. Far more important that that Mueller inquiry that is costing a lot of money.
The Tuna beast Vanguard award goes to all the bullshit attorneys at the VA, fucking over veterans.
A bunch of jackasses that never served adjudicating veterans claims , is despicable to the umpteenth degree!
Stow your titties away and get the fuck out of town already!
Oh won’t you fetch for me some Stoli and Drum
stoli and drum, stoli and drum, drum drum drum drum
Three fingers neat, and let me twist up some Drum
twist up some drum, twist up some drum, drum drum drum drum
I want to wrack my health
with Stoli and Drum
sit on my bumm
More Stoli and Drum
I would be interested in seeing the ratio of minority cases approved and denied. and for what conditions. Then compared to similar cases from “majority” appellants. That should reveal some interesting numbers and would probably serve as proof of animosity and violation of law when deciding cases.
Other than demographic info that’s pertinent to say a service connected condition that happens to affect minorities or women profoundly different than your standard issue human, there’s absolutely no reason race, sex, or even sexual orientation to be utilized when examining any given Veteran’s health records…we all bleed red, wore variety of blues & greens, and we all love our USA and at one time would have died for it…all that matters unless you are part of some ‘good ‘ol boys club like the recent Moore debacle.
The VA probably utilizes demographic info to deny Vets svc. connection.
For ex: The VA could easily try to deny burn pit or Agent Orange to an African-American making claim of Sickle-Cell or Leukemia by trying to say that’s a “thang” with certain demographics, not the burn pit or AO at all, et al…
Lets say Pvt Joe Snuffy gets shot in the head and suffers TBI and resulting PTSD. Now private Snuffy is white. He submits a claim and is approved 100% all fine and well.
Now lets say Pvt Shawn Johnson also gets shot in the head and suffers tbi and resulting PTSD and presents symptomology nearly identical to Pvt Snuffy lets say near enough as to make no difference with all things being considered equal. He submits a claim and is rated 30%. This should absolutely raise some red flags when examined statistically.
While I agree, as long as that door is open to the polar-opposite taking place when say it’s a minority examiner whom is rating a non-minority Veteran. See how bigotry works? It’s hate and prejudice either way. This type of crap took place in USAF under the term “Social Actions”, and it was even used as a ‘tool’ by a couple Airmen I was supervising in order to try to get out of doing required continuing coursework in military career field by simply making a false claim that I was somehow discriminating by requiring the exact same work as anyone else. They did not succeed but just because of that “false claim”, it cost me a promotion due to the reprimand I received for the “false claim” that was utilized as a weapon.
I absolutely agree when it comes to bigotry being a two way street. If a minority judge is caught half stepping like that he or she also should feel the full effect and weight of a veterans righteous fury.
Fuck a slap on the wrist. Fuck a sternly shaken finger. Fuck a letter of censure.
Some times I think Kim Jong-Un has the right idea. Strap these fucks to some AA guns and squeeze the trigger.
could fire them at incoming ICBM’s. Might not stop the nuke but the *SPLAT* would be more satisfying and in the end really with the track record of the interceptor system would we have really lost anything?
Here is a thought, not just race, but think about how conservatives were targeted by the IRS, whose to say they would not target Patriots/Christians/Conservatives/Gun owners 2nd amendment supporters/ after all, why help anyone who might be on a targeted list?
I don’t care what words, language or stereotypes are used by individuals privately because our First Amendment allows people to say whatever they want with certain exceptions, the workplace being one of them. If you can’t leave that crap out of the workplace, then they deserve everything coming to them.
Just when I thought VA employees could not become more shocking and vile, I am again surprised at what they get away with for years.
This is exactly why I no longer put race or other demographic information anywhere if at all possible, specifically because of this kind of behavior.
More detail on this would be helpful. Exactly what was this Forum of Hate? Was it simply emails sent to specific people? Or was it a complete system with a discussion forum set up? Emails are one thing, but a specific system running forum software suggests there should have been many people involved.
What does he mean by the “AA Forum of Gayness”? Does this mean another forum has not been uncovered yet? Does “AA” stand for Administrative Assistant? Acting Administrator?
Anyone involved in any of these email chains should be investigated, even if they did not contribute if they did not report it, because this lunacy affected many veterans for years, and will likely cost VA huge…as it should.
One has to wonder how much of this grab-ass activity goes on daily, and if that is the reason for such a massive backlog.
Any good lawyer that has a case before this bunch, or ever had a case before this bunch would FOIA any emails related to these forums, or the emails of everyone listed on these email chains.
Given the years this went on, and how many years these guys may have been working for the VA, this may turn out to be bigger than the TBI scandal of the VA using unqualified hacks for TBI exams.
Shulkin should get on the stick quick with equitable relief. Even that might not be enough to avoid the shitstorm heading his way if the media picks up on this.
Thanks so much for this post. You truly are doing a service for veterans.
To me it is unbelievable that the MSPB, which itself is deeply racist, would uphold the removal of racist VA judges.
In decision DE-3330-14-0364-I-1, still readily available on their website, the former, and now disgraced Chair, Susan Tsui Grundmann, along with the current Vice Chair, Mark Robbins, UPHELD VA attorney Jeffrey James Hatch calling me a “goat herder” and a “garbage collector.
The Administrative judge who originally saw no problems with racist slurs in OFFCIAL COURT PROCEEDINGS is David Brooks. The Chief MSPB Judge in Denver, Stephen C. Mish has also upheld the use of racist slurs in court proceedings in Denver. | {
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Veiga, Gonzalo D., John A.Howell, and AnnaStrömbäck."Anatomy of a mixed marine-non-marine lowstand wedge in a ramp setting. The Record of a Barremian-Aptian complex relative sea-level fall in the central Neuquén Basin, Argentina."Geological Society, London, Special Publications252.1(2005):139-162.
Web. 19 Mar. 2018.
Spalletti, Luis A.
Strömbäck, Anna
Veiga, Gonzalo D., John A.Howell, and AnnaStrömbäck."Anatomy of a mixed marine-non-marine lowstand wedge in a ramp setting. The Record of a Barremian-Aptian complex relative sea-level fall in the central Neuquén Basin, Argentina."Geological Society, London, Special Publications252.1(2005):139-162.
Web. 19 Mar. 2018.
V
Veiga, Gonzalo D.
Veiga, Gonzalo D., John A.Howell, and AnnaStrömbäck."Anatomy of a mixed marine-non-marine lowstand wedge in a ramp setting. The Record of a Barremian-Aptian complex relative sea-level fall in the central Neuquén Basin, Argentina."Geological Society, London, Special Publications252.1(2005):139-162.
Web. 19 Mar. 2018. | {
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Bati Bleki May 27th, 2013
MOVERS AND SHAKERS. I recently met Matt Knights General Manager of the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino, a truly down-to-earth executive with a rather practical career path, having started his rise in hospitality as a bell man with a great attitude. His father originally wanted him to join the family business, a busy bakery, but Matt admits that after trying it out for a while, the endless, intense, hard work required motivated him to look for other employment avenues. Personally, he was content as a bell man, but his supervisors recognized his gifts and thus he moved from the bell desk to the front office, becoming its manager shortly thereafter. He continued climbing the ladder of success stopping in the pastry shop as chef, making good use of his education in baking and pastry arts. Then another degree in Hospitality Administration Management, cleared his ascend to the summit, and he’s been a hotel and resort manager for the Marriott International for over 10 years. I liked Matt’s story, since it confirmed to me that the journey from beer to champagne is an option we can all exercise. Another long time executive of the Marriott, Cory Guest, General Manager of the Ocean Club has just packed the pictures on his desk, as his is moving next door to the Ritz Carlton, to serve as the head of the HR department. There is probably no better candidate under the sun for that particular job than Cory who served as the Human Resources specialist at the Hyatt Regency and at the Aruba Marriott before assuming the reins as General Manager. From what I understand, while in principle challenging, on an island with little unemployment, Cory won’t have a very difficult job filling all the 700 positions open at the new resort. He will have his pick from the best and the brightest, wanting to join the new, glitzy enterprise. Consequently those who should worry are the General Managers of the neighboring resorts who will be losing many of their key people to the newcomer. The Ritz Carlton will be recruiting on the island, and there are no additional spare associates to fill all the just-emptied spots. I suggest another plane from the Philippines! If you recall in the summer of 1990, a Hyatt Regency in the Philippines sustained major damage by a killer quake, and a plane load of its professionally trained employees landed in Aruba in time for the opening of the Hyatt Regency here, and a year later La Cabana All Suites Beach Resort. That worked out well. How will they do it in November 2013, which happens to be an election year?!
NOT EVERY DAY IS CATCHING DAY. We visited Zeerover last week, and picked a conversation with perhaps the most-successful, self-styled businessman and entrepreneur of our island, Eric Bisslik, and learned from him that while every day is fishing day, not every day is catching day, summing up his personal philosophy, one that worked so well for him. While Iki established the pescaderia a long time ago, it became a regular business in 1997, then about two and a half years ago, the occasional fish-fry with reservation morphed into a full time eatery, open from 11am to 9pm, serving baskets of fish, shrimp, fries and pan bati, with or without pickled onions. And while the place was destroyed a few times — Hurricane Omar in 2008 was especially cruel — Zeerover rebuilt, so that the pier and terrace in Savaneta became even more popular. Iki reports he often gets up before the crack of dawn, reviews his paperwork, his mail, then takes a nap mid-afternoon if tired — he is not the man tied down by the sleeping from sunset-to-sunrise convention. He lives around the clock, and rests when his body tells him to do so. For the balance of his time, Iki enjoys friends and family members and the legendary cooking ability of sisters Lola & Rose. We also met the diligent and dedicated Cynthia Solognier who helps with the accounting and administration. Cynthia, who quietly mourns the accidental passing of her son, does not let tragedy break her spirit, and admirably she finds solace in work. Don’t miss the 2014 Annual All Tackle Fishing Tournament, she said as we were leaving, the 2013 edition was a lot of fun!
CYBERSPACE ROMANCE SCAM. What do Steve Mark, Willy Herman, Elvis Mark and Austin Joe have in common?? They all befriended me on Facebook, complimented me on my beauty and my talents and asked if I was friendly. Of course I am not. But I did visit their profiles. They mostly come from the UK; they are average-looking Joes, and they are so-called professionals working in the Far & Middle East for construction or oil companies. I have over 80 of those messages in my mail box, and I recently learned from a friend that they hail from a Romance Scam network, trying to rip off both men and women around the globe, with the promise of romance. So if the person you are talking to via FB chat or a dating site is too good to be true, if some things he says make no sense, if he professes his love to you almost immediately, and if he is currently working in a far-away country such as Nigeria, and having problems cashing checks, or raising cash for his son’s bone-marrow transplant, then you need to know you are dealing with an international swindler. Scammers are setting up fake profiles and presenting themselves as looking for soul mates! In any way, I did not fall for that sweet talk, and the fake Romeos are not getting rich off me!
SO TASTY AND FULFILLING. Monday’s Noche Bello Italiano tasting with the Funchi Gals was divine, and I finally met Amy Richards the third leg of this trio, as documented on their blog and FB page. Nathasha Richardson also successfully catered this week’s Salamander Group, Tikkun Olam event, where as part of that company’s Repair of the World philosophy, generous donation checks were handed over to eleven local foundations. The intimate gathering held on Thursday at the new Caribbean Clothing and Co. on the Main Street, was small yet big on gratitude and love! The hors d’oeuvres, all organic, all homemade, were fresh and tasty. So, for unique catering of an office or home event go to Melisa, Natasha and Amy’s web address!
SWEETHEARTS WED. As Jan Scherrenburg and Marlene Nichols enjoyed their commitment ceremony on board the Jolly Pirates this weekend, with over 50 family members and friends in attendance, I looked around Boca Catalina’s beach at what seemed like a Chinese supermarket being built right on the waterfront. We enjoyed a love-filled beautiful afternoon, and the structure, I was later reminded was mega mansion under construction. [email protected] | {
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A thirteen year-old girl from a scenic village in Argentina strikes up a tender friendship with a cynical architect hired to design a house for his Buenos Aires client in director Alberto Lecci's heartfelt drama. Carlos (Gaston Pauls) arrives in the picturesque pueblo of Purmamarca to design a house for one of his wealthy clients. Recently separated from his wife, the lifelong urbanite has little patience for the placid, small-town logic displayed by the local populace. Carlos soon finds his scorn for the country-dwellers disarmed, however, by the unguarded honesty of his adolescent, self-appointed guide Estela (Marina Vilte). Though the pair enters into a platonic relationship that helps each to form a better understanding of the world that exists outside of their respective comfort zones, Carlos and Estela soon find the delicate balance of their friendship disrupted when Carlos' estranged wife Ana (Ariadna Gil) makes an unexpected appearance in the town.~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Rated No Rating . | {
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Best Practices to Incorporate Renewables in Grid
A new report “US-German Clean Energy Leadership Series” highlights best practices for integrating renewable energy into the grid in both Germany and the United States. Compiled by Ecofys and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, the study says energy storage is an ideal technology for intermittent renewables since it can simply store electricity during peak generation and release it during peak demand. However, new electricity storage projects are often prohibitively expensive, though costs are trending downward.
In terms of highlighted best practices in the US, a proposed Bethel Energy Center in Texas will use a combined compressor/generator to pump air into a salt dome cavern when there is a surplus of wind energy available on the grid. The built-up air pressure can then be used to bring the generator to its maximum output of 317 MW to meet demand. The combined wind and storage project should be able to deliver electricity at costs that are competitive with other forms of generation.
A best practice energy storage example in Germany it a virtual power plant in the Harz region. A central control room at the renewable energy combined-cycle power plant receives real-time information on the energy situation in the region. This control room combines and coordinates renewable energy producers, controllable appliances and energy storage (pumped storage and batteries in electric vehicles) and integrates them into one system. This creates a “virtual power plant” that integrates the different power sources and matches supply and demand. | {
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IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE MUSIC. IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE LIGHTS IT’S TIME TO MEET THE MUPPET SHOW TONIGHT
IT’S TIME TO PLAY THE MUSIC. IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE LIGHTS IT’S TIME TO MEET THE MUPPET SHOW TONIGHT
Straightnin’ the curves. Flatnin’ the hills Someday the mountain might get ‘em but the law never will. Come and dance on our floor. Take a step that is new. We’ve a loveable space that needs your face threes company too. | {
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Most pet owners find it easy to understand what is so appealing about having a pet door in their home. Both you and your pets are sure to appreciate the level of convenience that a pet door allows. You don’t have to worry about your dog having to relieve himself when you are at work, or whenever he needs to for that matter.
However, you should know that not all pet doors are created equal. What sets the Power Pet® PX-1 and PX-2 ahead of the competition? They offer effortless operation and a level of security that is unmatched by other pet doors. In addition to this, their slim and discreet design is aesthetically pleasing. Let’s take a look at how they work.
As the name suggests, the Power Pet® PX-1 and PX-2 Fully Automatic Pet Doors have a life of their own. When your pet approaches it, not only does the pet door unlock, it quickly and automatically raises up its sturdy Lexan plastic door panel, inviting your pet to come in or go out of your home.
This automatic mechanism is triggered by an ultrasonic sensor, located on the special collar that your pet wears. No unwanted animals will be able to get into your home, because they won’t be wearing the collar. The only other way the pet door will open is if you press the manual button on the top of the door, which is located on the inside of your home.
No worries about your energy bill rising from air entering or escaping the door opening. Completely airtight, the PX-1 and PX-2 Pet Doors seal your home from wind, rain and snow. Even the coldest of weather will not interrupt the doors from functioning optimally.
Many people are concerned about how safe and secure their home will be if they install a pet door. With the Power Pet® PX-1 or PX-2, you will never have to worry. The sliding door locks automatically, as soon as it closes. To make sure that no one will be able to breech the lock, the Power Pet® features a deadbolt lock to secure the door. Worried about someone possibly cutting the plastic panel to get in? This cannot happen with the Power Pet® PX-1 and PX-2. Its Lexan plastic door panel is so strong that it is actually bulletproof.
Another mentionable quality about the Power Pet® PX-1 and PX-2 is how sleek they look. Easy to install, the PX-1 and PX-2 are very slim as they are less than 2 inches deep. This means they can be mounted flush to your wall or door. The ultimate in luxury for your pet, the Power Pet® PX-1 and PX-2 will not disappoint. | {
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I've lived in this neighborhood for my whole life and this area has been the hub for art in Staten Island for as long as I can remember. I know it's in the paper/online but, it's existed well before my time. Why? Because of location. The proximity to the ferry lends to a more diverse and artistic community and the further away you get the less "hipsters" there are. Oh, and the East Village reference...... The East Village has been turned into some sort of tourist trap. It's like a Bohemian Disney World. How could you make such a comparison? Very out of date. I guess you aren't "hip". As well, if you'd like to refer to it as the new Williamsburgh, you would also be wrong because that neighborhood is comprised mostly of transplants from other states. Whereas this community has been here and most of the people that live in this neighborhood are natives of Staten Island. Have fun at this event if you can. I do appreciate safe neighborhoods, patriotism, suburban landscapes and open spaces just like you but If you could, please, just explain to me what your etc. entails.
Sincerely,
The guy who isn't afraid to use his real name in his screen name | {
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