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A large team of advisers has left Lebenthal Wealth Advisors to start registered investment advisory firm YorkBridge Wealth Partners. Carrie Gallaway and Andrew Stern formed YorkBridge with offices in New York City and Bridgehampton, N.Y., taking a group of five former Lebenthal employees with them, according to a statement from Dynasty Financial Partners, which provides technology and other support services to wealth managers. YorkBridge, which oversees about $750 million in client assets, joined Dynasty’s platform last week, said Sally Cates, a spokeswoman for Dynasty. Ms. Gallaway and Mr. Stern worked together at Morgan Stanley before joining Lebenthal in 2014. The group that left Lebenthal to join them include Jeffrey Lane, William Joseph, Barbara Doran, Leigh Moglia and Virginia Urdaneta. “With YorkBridge Wealth Partners, we have created a distinctive business model that capitalizes on advances in technology within financial services to assure access to some of the industry’s leading products and resources,” Mr. Stern said in a statement. New York-based Lebenthal Wealth Advisors, which was created in 2013, disclosed about $941 million in total assets in its latest Form ADV filed June 2 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Just two years ago, the firm was expanding at a good clip and projected it would have assets of $5 billion by the end of 2014. But the firm has been plagued with a steady turnover, including Frank L. Campanale, chairman and chief executive of Lebenthal’s wealth unit. The parent company, Lebenthal Holdings, founded in 1925, is a boutique investment bank specializing in debt and equity capital markets.In 2001, it was sold for $25 million to The MONY Group Inc. and joined its Advest brokerage unit. In 2004, financial giant Axa SA acquired MONY, and in 2005 sold The Advest Group Inc., including Lebenthal, to Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. Merrill didn’t use the Lebenthal brand, which was sold back to the Lebenthal family in 2007 for $1,000.
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On 14-15 January 2016 the OECD hosted a Ministerial meeting on Labour and Employment, and a Policy Forum on the Future of Work. Ministers from more than 40 OECD and partner countries convened at the OECD headquarters in Paris for a rich exchange of ideas and experiences on how to build more resilient and inclusive labour markets in light of the lessons learned from the recent global economic crisis and in view of the ongoing changes in the world of work as a result of demographic shifts, technological change and globalisation. The meeting also identified priority topics for future OECD work in the employment and labour policy field. Back-to-back with the Ministerial meeting, a Policy Forum on the Future of work took place to discuss how digitisation is shaping the world of work and the implications for skills and labour market policy. The Forum brought together over 300 participants including key academics, Labour and Employment Ministers, entrepreneurs and leading representatives from the business sector and the trade unions. The discussions that took place during the Forum will shape the OECD and participating countries’ policy agenda to promote better jobs and well-being.
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Star Wars: The Old Republic Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Gifts for All Anyway, if you sign into the game and head to the Strongholds and Crew Skills area of your fleet before January 16, you can take home to your stronghold: A Celebration Jawa (pictured above, because the description isn’t helpful) A Senya-inspired Holotrainer, allowing you to train in class abilities A 7-piece poster art collection You can also pick up a brand new stronghold for yourself on Coruscant or Dromund Kaas, for five credits, instead of the usual 5,000. Players that have maintained a continuous subscription for the full five years of SWTOR (and spent a cool $ 779.40 or thereabouts) will also be able to claim a functionless galactic alliance statue to display in their stronghold.
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Denied Love By Law Appearance: Elizabeth is normally dressed in plain clothing half of the time. She had brunette hair that is curly and thick. Her world is seen through the color of dark blue eyes. She is about five foot eight and not at all drop dead gorgeous. She has faint freckles across her nose and tan-ish sick. She has a faint scar on her upper right arm from a fall out of a tree as a little kid. Bio: Elizabeth, or Lizzy, grew up as the youngest child of three. Her mother, Clara, and her Father, Luis, were never well off when it came to being in the money department. Her father owned a small bakery on the down part of town and most of Lizzy's childhood was spent talking to customers in the store while her two older brothers, David and Adam went to school. As Lizzy came to the age to go to school, she was by no means popular, but did have a fair good group of friends. This is were Lizzy found her passion for writing. Most of her notebooks were filled with small parts of stories and poems that were running through her head. After graduating Elizabeth looked for a job writing for a newspaper, but found nothing put road blocks. Now that Elizabeth is 18 and looking to start her life on her own, she is finding only more road blocks as the world around her is starting to change in a dramatic and quick way. -*-*-First Post-*-*- The last leaves slowly started to fall from the trees as the chilly wind cut through the air. The colors of fall were starting to fade as the winter wind blew its way through the air. Winter was not far at all. Soon the once colorful trees would be filled with snow and the children that were looking forward to school would be waiting anxiously for the winter holiday. The world was starting to change as it did every year. The sound of the busy morning echoed through the small town as the people slowly began to wake. This was time that Elizabeth enjoyed. The moment that everything just started in the morning. It was peaceful and almost amusing to her. The way the world slowly started to stretch and rub it's eyes to the morning had always held the young woman's attention. Her blue orbs stared through the world and her lips pulled themselves into a faint smile as she walked through the small park back towards her father's bakery. Her covered hands pulled her jacket closer to her throat. Her mother's voice barking into her head. "You know how your throat will catch anything. Keep it warm!" It was her mother's barking that had forced Elizabeth out of the house in the first place in the morning. If she did not want the girl to get sick, maybe she should not get on the girl's every move. Weather it was about marriage, her endless daydreaming, to grow up. Something was always wrong with Elizabeth in her mother's eyes and her only escape was getting out and walking. As the young woman rounded the corner the sight of her father's bakery came into view. The walls of the park fence lined with campaign posters. This talk of this new found savior was getting rather annoying and Elizabeth could not wait for it all to be over. She let out a small sigh and laughed at the sight of her breath as she came closer to the bakery. More options Appearance: Peter is a tall gangly boy at 6' and 130lbs. He has always been considered a bit thin. He tends to wear simple clothing, black or kahki pants and crisp white button down shirts. He has bright aqua colored eyes and blonde hair with a slight strawberry tint. His hair is slightly longer in the bangs, a boyish cut, that he uses to hide a small birthmark on his temple. Bio: Peter and his little sister Elanor were orphaned when they were 7 and 3. After that they were raised by their grandparents. Peter loves his Grandparents dearly, and they raised him well. There were occasionally lean times but generally they had enough, if not a bit extra. He was a rambunctious boy, despite his narrow stature, and liked to rough house the other boys. He went to school, but was usually bored. He had aspirations to be a soldier, but was considered too small to really attend battle. After graduating he tried again and was still denied. Now he works a simple job editing minor articles for the press and delivering papers on occasion, but the world is changing... --------------------------------------------- The leaves blew across the sidewalk as the chilly breeze rustled the final stragglers off of their branches. He hunched his shoulders against the wind, his long coat keeping him fairly warm. He smiled at the sun that shone so bright even as winter approached. It wasnt everyday they had such a bright sun. The clouds usually dominated the sky. He waved to several people he knew as he passed. Some were friends of his grandparents, others old childhood friends, but everyone seemed happy. Peter was on his way to work. He had to get the final article edited for the paper before it was printed today. Granted, it was a small article and the paper would run with or without it. Peter was more concerned with maintaining his job. His grandparents had fallen on harder times, his Pa'pa unable to work anymore. His back had given out and the doctor said he would have to retire. Elanor was still in school and his Ma'ma ran a small flower shop in town. It provided some income but not enough. His sister had offered to find a job but Peter had refused. She needed to focus on school. His job earned him plenty of money to support his family, but he had to hold onto it. So got up early and worked extra hours when needed. This morning he had left before breakfast. He rounded a corner and spotted the campain posters along the fence he was next to. The new 'saviour' was a hot topic in his house. His Pa'pa supported the campain. Peter had never had much of a head for politics himself, but he trusted his grandfathers opinion. Either way, the campain would be over soon. He caught the scent of the bakery on the wind and realized that his forgotten breakfast was going to catch up to him. Checking his watch, he had left early enough to stop and purchase something. Thats when the sound of laughter was carried on the wind to his ears and he looked up. There was a girl, she was rather plain, but he took notice of her smile. It gave a certain shine to her plain features. They both came to the bakery door, and being a gentleman he opened the door for her. "After you." he smiled at her politely. At this range he also took notice of the way her eyes shone, they were a deep blue.​ More options The sounds of the people within the bakery were leaking through the glass windows and walls. Elizabeth seen her father at the counter helping out the nearest customer. Her stomach growled softly as she came towards the door. Her hand, however, was blocked from the door as a young man stepped in front of her. His light features shone out in the bright winter sun. She gave him a faint smile as he pulled the door open and spoke to her. "Why thank you," She said smiling walking into the bakery. Her father gave her one of his famous beaming smiles as he handed a elderly woman her order. "Hello Father." "Hello Miss Lizzy. I will be with you as soon as I finish this young man's order," Her father spoke, looking at the young man whom Elizabeth had walked in with. She nodded her head and started to wonder around the shop. Her father motioned for the young man to come towards the front of the counter. Elizabeth walked through the shop that she had known so well as a child. Her eyes, however, couldn't help but keep going back to the young man. His light blue yes were soft and almost different in a way. For his plain clothing he was a rather good looking man. She did not ever remember seeing someone like him around before. She would have remembered. Ever since she was little she had known most of the people that came into her father's bakery. She couldn't place ever seeing him. Her eyes glanced up as her father started towards the back. Must have asked for something he did not normally have. Her hands locked together behind her back as she leaned against the counter. They were the only too in the room. "so, I take it you don't come around here often?" She asked trying to get to the point. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound so straight forward, but normally I know everyone that comes into the shop. Small Neighborhood." Her voice was slightly nervous. She never really spoke to people that did not speak to her first. More options So the owener of the bakery was her father. Interesting. He returned the older mans smile and approached the counter placing his order. He was told to wait for a moment as the man made a quick trip to the back. Peter waited patiently at the counter. He was looking through the glass displays at the various pastery treats. Perhaps he would stop by again after work to get his sister a treat. He usually didnt walk this way to work but his usual route had closed, something about an accident. Thats when the girl spoke up. Peter turned his attention to her as he waited. He smiled "Your a very good guesser. Im from a different neighborhood near by." he said "I was on my way to work when I realized I had forgotten breakfast. It is my first time in here, it is quite a nice little shop." After a moment he realized he had failed to introduce himself. "My name is Peter, its a pleasure to meet you." he said said extending his hand for a handshake. "Your father said you were Lizzy? Is that short for something?" Now that he was looking at her for a second time he realized she was far less plain than he had first noticed. Her clothes maybe, but she had a tan complexion and freckles. Very different from his own family. Her hair was very curly and framed her face in a way that made her eyes stand out even more than he had noticed before. She was quiet a pretty girl when you got down to it. More options Her head cocked to the side as she watched him explain where he was from and why he was in the neighborhood. She gave a slight nod when he complimented the shop. It was a rather nice place. The walls were a plain beige color with black accents on all of the glass coverings. The place, to her, seems to always need more life. She looked at him when he spoke about her name. "Elizabeth, it's short for Elizabeth," She said pushing herself off the counter and towards the young man. "The pleasure is all mine Peter." She gave a slight accent to the second statement. She let out a playful laugh before releasing his hand. "Where do you work?" His clothing was giving away no clues. Unless he was a political protestor. With the amount of them she had seen this campaign she wouldn't have been surprised if they were being paid. For the longest time she knew that the change of leadership would be happening, but was it really necessary to start blaming a group of people. Her people. Ever since this Hitler guy came into the picture the blame, to him and his brainwashed followers, had been the Jews. Completely insane in Elizabeth's brain. They had suffered just as much as everyone else. Her father and mother were hardly making ends meet as is, and when the Great War had struck Germany, it had an even greater effect on the family funds. Elizabeth's brother's had been on the search for jobs, but were finding it hard to keep anything stable. Elizabeth, well, she couldn't find anything outside housework. More options "Elizabeth, a lovely name." he said a broad smile coming to his face. "I work at the newspaper office. Im an editor. Only form minor articles, but it pays bills." he joked. Lizzy's father walked back out then with a brown paper bag in his hand. Peter took it and thanked him before pulling out his wallet and paying him. He checked his watch, cutting it close now but he had time. He smiled at Lizzy once more. "I have to go, but I was thinking I would stop by after work. I think my little sister would love some of these cookies. Will you be here?" he asked. "I would love to talk some more if you dont mind. It isnt often I meet ladies who are so... strait forward." he said with a grin playing off of her words. He was a very light hearted person and always had been. More options She blushed slightly as her heart gave a second leap when he said he worked down at the newspaper office. Maybe she could just. No Elizabeth! You just met this kid, do not get any stupid ideas! Her conscious came back snapping at her. Her mouth went to form words, but was stopped when her father came out with the paper bag. "Here you go son," he stated giving him the bag. As soon as the exchange was done her father, looked between the two and then headed back towards the storage room. Elizabeth watched him, and then looked back at Peter as he went to leave. "Um, yeah, I should be," She said with a slight smile. She laughed at his comment about her straightforwardness. "Yeah, um sorry about that." She gave another light laugh before looking at him again. She couldn't help herself and her eyes went up and down. He really was handsome. More so then most the boys that had asked to come back and talk to her. It wasn't just his looks. He seemed different and friendly. Those were always two good traits, but on top of that he had this smile that seemed slightly shy at most. She bit her lip softly and looked at him. "If not I'll be in the park. Down by the large maple by the school. One of my favorite places to sit and think." More options Peter laughed a little himself. She had a way about her that almost drew him. He was definently coming back after work. When she mentioned where she might be if she wasnt there he nodded "The maple tree. Well, if I dont see you here I will see you there. Have a good day Elizabeth." He gave her a final smile before slipping out of the shop and hurrying down the street. He made it to the office with exactly an hour to proof the final article. He went through it quickly and got it in with exactly 15 minutes to spare. He sighed with relief and looked at the piles of paperwork on his desk. He really needed some help in his office, but an assistant would cost money and the post wasnt going to get him one. He started going through them all, sorting out the articles based on the date they were sent to him and what the discussed. So many were political ads or war ads. It made him count his blessings...so many familys had been hit hard by the war. His had faired well enough. His Pa'pa was always singing Hitlers praises, bashing the jews...if he didnt know better he would think his Pa'pa was crazy. As it stood he didnt see anything wrong with the jews. They had all lived peacefully enough for some time now. He got tired of looking at the campain ads though, they were so common place, he read hundreds! He switched to others after a bit, but even then he couldnt get his head in the game. He was thinking about Elizabeth. It had been a long time since he had the oppertunity see anyone who wasnt his sister or her friends. All of his friends had either moved off, gotten jobs, or joined the war effort. He had tried to join himself and been denied. It didnt stop his Pa'pa from encouraging him. Work drug on and when it was finally time to clock out he couldnt leave fast enough. Sadly there were protestors in front of the post. There were so many protestors, for both sides of the campain. Today two sets were squaring off and it took extra time for Peter to leave the building and avoid the protests. He was frustrated and tired by the time he left but he quickly recoved as he walked. He had cookies to buy and a girl to see. He went by the bakey first, almost hesitating before walking and hoping she was there. Opening the door he walked in and inhaled to delicious scents. More options <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> Elizabeth watched him walk out and kept a bright smile on her face. She hardly noticed her father walking back into the main part of the bakery. Her face must have given something away for her father broke out into a cheery laugh. “Well, does someone have a date or something?” He teased taking off his apron. “Don’t be silly Father, he just wants to talk,” She said, eyeing him and slightly confused. He always had on his apron, well when he was working that was. “Where are you going?” Luis turned and looked at his daughter and smiled some. “I have an appointment I have to see to today. I was hoping you could look after the shop. Business shouldn’t be too bad and---“ He went to explain, but Lizzy cut him off. “I would love to Father,” She said going behind the counter and swapping places with the graying man. She watched her father leave, after giving her various instructions about the place. Not that Elizabeth really needed them. The day went by at a rather slow pace. Her father was right. There would not be much business at all. She had a few, and they were only small orders. She had spent the rest of her time cleaning and reorganizing the rest of the pastry sweets. The day was going by all of too slow. The afternoon was spent in the back office. Her eyes were glancing through the newspaper. Ads for the war, campaign, and protests. She couldn’t believe what the country was coming too. She shut the paper shut and put it into the garbage. There wasn’t anything interesting in it anyway.Elizabeth tried to manage what it would be like to write her articles into the paper. Send out a different view of the world, a non-Jew-Bashing one. However, whatever she thought about was interrupted. Her mind kept going back to the man from this morning. She was excited. He was someone different and friendly. She hardly seen anyone outside her parents anymore and someone who looked to be around her own age would be a nice change. More options (making a note that I will not be rping tonight or tomorrow...as it is christmas i will be partaking in the family egg nog...*ah-hem* it just wouldnt end well if I tried to rp. So...I shall edit this with a real post after christmas. Merry Christmas dear!) More options (so...I moved...my internet has been down since then. Its still down actually...im leeching my parents net currently. So my posting is likely to be a bit sporadic for a bit. Im sorry. XP) Peter just smiled "I wouldnt have missed it for anything...and I was thinking. You mentioned the park this morning, the maple tree...would you like to walk down there together? If your day has been like mine, you could probably stand to unwind." he said. He was almost embarassed by the word babble but he couldnt help it. "Im sorry," he said with a slight chuckle "I have to say I am a bit excited." Thats when he nearly jumped and dug in his pocket. He pulled out a bit of money "I nearly forgot the cookies I was going to buy!" he said blushing healivy. He was an odd mix of bold and shy. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didnt. He was hoping it was working now. (sorry its so short...im brain dead and my computer is dying...ugh! but happy new year!) More options (I'm sorry that I have taken sooooo long to reply. I have been busy with school and everything else.) She smiled at him and nodded her head a little bit. "Yes the maple tree sounds like fun," She said. Her eyes went back over him and she started to push the door open. "I'll show you the way." Her heart, for some unknown reason to her, started to beat faster. If this was going to keep up around him she was going to go either insane or start suffering from high blood pressure. "You aren't the only one that is excited." She laughed a little bit and looked at him as he pulled out the money. "Oh!" She responded with a light laugh again. Her feet carried her back to behind the counter. "What can I help you with kind sir?" She asked in a lighter voice and starting to tease a bit. "You said something about cookies?" She batted her eyelashes like a little school girl and started leaning against the counter. Her body shaking a little bit at the cold counter top. About Us Iwaku is a roleplay community. We don't just write stories - we live them! Roleplaying is stepping in to the life of a character and experiencing what they experience. Here on Iwaku, we're all about giving you the freedom to write anything you want while providing a safe and friendly community to do it in. Our site contains forum roleplay, chat roleplay, group roleplay, private roleplay, as well as other methods for living your stories. Quick Navigation Useful Links Support Iwaku We are a community ran by REAL PEOPLE! We are not a corporation or a company. Our server, domain, and software licenses are privately owned and paid for 100% out of our own pockets. To help pay for these monthly costs, we are more than happy to take donations from members in exchange for super spiffy extra tools and features on the boards. For more information you can view our Donating FAQs.
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Cute Translator makes translation fast. The actual translation sever is online, so you will need an active Internet connection, but you won't have long to wait, even lengthy translation results are returned in seconds.
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Monday, April 9, 2012 Working In Virtual Worlds Dear Edward Castronova, After reading your Synthetic Worlds article and Linden Lab's case study about IBM, I have to say I am much more likely to see things your way when it comes to business being conducted in virtual worlds like Second Life. The fact that Linden Lab owns Second Life already makes its argument seem a little biased. I see that Linden Lab wants to throw out impressive numbers like an ROI of $320,000 from the Virtual World Conference and how it was only 20% of the cost of a real-life event, but virtual world business dealing take away the most important skill set that any professional can have - interpersonal skills. It is generally accepted that while your education and work experience will get you hired, your advancement to management comes largely from how you are with people. Companies place way too much importance on people-to-people skills to leave things like negotiations and sales to the virtual worlds. I don't care how far technology takes us, a silver-tongued salesman sitting in front of the purchasing manager can never be replaced by an avatar on Second Life.
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Note: To test the griddle to see if it is hot, sprinkle it with a few drops of water. When the drops sizzle and dance, you are ready to cook! The easiest way to pour the batter onto the hot griddle is to use a ¼ cup measuring cup for each pancake. If the first pancake gets brown too quickly, lower the heat.​Source: Adapted from Kansas Family Nutrition Program, Kids a Cookin’ Services Support ​This information was funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP.SNAP helps low-income people buy nutritious food for a better diet. To get more information contact the CT Department of Social Services at 1 855 626-6632 or www.CT.gov/dss.
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The Vatican Information Service is a news service, founded in the Holy See Press Office, that provides information about the Magisterium and the pastoral activities of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia...[+] Last 5 news Wednesday, October 8, 2008 - Appointed Fr. Carlos Cabrero Romero of the clergy of the archdiocese of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, pastor of the parish of "Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe", as bishop of Zacatecas (area 59,000, population 1,364,000, Catholics 1,314,000, priests 195, religious 372), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in San Luis Potosi in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1972. He succeeds Bishop Fernando Mario Chavez Ruvalcaba, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit. VATICAN CITY, 8 OCT 2008 (VIS) - "St. Paul Migrant, Apostle of the Peoples" is the theme of the Message of Benedict XVI for the 95th World Day of Migrants and Refugees which is due to be celebrated on 18 January 2009. Excerpts from the text - which has been published in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German - are given below. "Guided by the Holy Spirit, [St. Paul] spared no effort to see that the Gospel ... was proclaimed to all, making no distinction of nationality or culture. ... His life and his preaching were wholly directed to making Jesus known and loved by all, for all persons are called to become a single people in Him. "This", the Message adds, "is the mission of the Church and of every baptised person in our time too, even in the era of globalisation; a mission that with attentive pastoral solicitude is also directed to the variegated universe of migrants - students far from home, immigrants, refugees, displaced people, evacuees - including for example, the victims of modern forms of slavery, and of human trafficking. Today too the message of salvation must be presented with the same approach as that of the Apostle to the Gentiles, taking into account the different social and cultural situations and special difficulties of each one as a consequence of his or her condition as a migrant or itinerant person. "I express the wish that every Christian community may feel the same apostolic zeal as St Paul. ... May his example also be an incentive for us to show solidarity to these brothers and sisters of ours and to promote, in every part of the world and by every means, peaceful coexistence among different races, cultures and religions". "In reading the Acts of the Apostles and the Letters that Paul addressed to various recipients, we perceive a model of a Church that was not exclusive but on the contrary open to all, formed by believers without distinction of culture or race: every baptised person is, in fact, a living member of the one Body of Christ. In this perspective, fraternal solidarity expressed in daily gestures of sharing, joint participation and joyful concern for others, acquires a unique prominence". "How can we fail to take charge of all those, particularly refugees and displaced people, who are in conditions of difficulty or hardship? How can we fail to meet the needs of those who are 'de facto' the weakest and most defenceless, marked by precariousness and insecurity, marginalized and often excluded by society? We should give our priority attention to them". "The World Day for Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated on 18 January 2009, must be for all an incentive to live brotherly love to the full without making any kind of distinction and without discrimination, in the conviction that any one who needs us and whom we can help is our neighbour. May the teaching and example of St Paul, a great and humble Apostle and a migrant, an evangeliser of peoples and cultures, spur us to understand that the exercise of charity is the culmination and synthesis of the whole of Christian life". "Dear brothers and sisters, let us not tire of proclaiming and witnessing to this 'Good News' with enthusiasm, without fear and sparing no energy! The entire Gospel message is condensed in love, and authentic disciples of Christ are recognised by the mutual love their bear one another and by their acceptance of all. May the Apostle Paul and especially Mary, the Mother of acceptance and love, obtain this gift for us".MESS/ST. PAUL MIGRANT/... VIS 20081008 (610) VATICAN CITY, 8 OCT 2008 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office this morning, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino and Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, presented the Holy Father's Message for the 95th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which has as its theme "St. Paul Migrant, Apostle of the Peoples". Cardinal Martino affirmed that "the phenomenon of migration in a globalised world is becoming effectively unstoppable. The problem will not be solved by closing frontiers, but by States welcoming - with just, well-balanced and solidary regulation - the migratory flows". For his part, Archbishop Marchetto pointed out that "hospitality is a fundamental characteristic of the pastoral care of refugees, asylum-seekers and displaced persons. Hospitality ensures that we welcome others as persons - and in some cases also as brothers or sisters in the faith - and that we do not consider them as a cases, numbers, or mere components of the workforce". "Closeness to others expressed in the form of hospitality effectively contradicts a large part of the messages, lifestyles and mentalities of the modern world", he said. The secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People indicated that "the impression one gets is that for many years refugees have been treated with no consideration for the reasons that forced them to flee. This has also been translated into attempts to prevent their entry into States and into the adoption of measures aimed at making such entry more difficult" such as "the obligation to possess entrance visas, and the publication of lists of so-called 'safe countries'". "May the dedication (proof of his courage and enthusiasm) with which St. Paul the migrant carried out his mission, inspire the Church and society to find united responses to the challenges present in modern society, so as to promote peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups, cultures and religions".OP/MESSAGE MIGRANTS/... VIS 20081008 (340) VATICAN CITY, 8 OCT 2008 (VIS) - Following this morning's general audience, the Holy Father received Michael Somare, prime minister of Papua New Guinea. A communique released by the Holy See Press Office states that "during the course of the cordial meeting, attention turned to the current political and social situation of the country, and to the significant contribution made by the Catholic Church, especially in the fields of education, human promotion, and healthcare. Opinions were subsequently exchanged on certain themes concerning regional matters, including relations with neighbouring countries and the effect of climate change".OP/AUDIENCE/SOMARE VIS 20081008 (110) VATICAN CITY, 8 OCT 2008 (VIS) - In this Wednesday's general audience Benedict XVI continued his catechesis on St. Paul. His teaching touched on the Apostle to the Gentiles' relationship with the historical figure of Jesus. The audience was given in St. Peter's Square with over 25,000 people in attendance. Benedict XVI affirmed that "it seems certain that Paul did not meet Jesus during His earthly life. Through the Apostles and the nascent Church he learned the details of Jesus' life and in his letters we find references to the pre-Easter Jesus". For example, "in an explicit and direct manner", the Apostle speaks of "Jesus' Davidic lineage", of the "existence of his 'brothers'", and knows what occurred at the Last Supper. The Pauline letters also make reference to the tradition recounted in the synoptic Gospels as "Jesus' teaching regarding the meek and poor. ... When Paul speaks of Jesus' obedience unto death(… he knows of the Passion … of the Cross and the tradition about this Cross is already at the centre of the Pauline 'kerygma'. Paul also knows another pillar of Jesus' teaching, the Sermon on the Mount", as is evident from the Letter to the Romans. We also note the traces of Jesus' words in the form in which Paul transposes "the pre-Easter tradition to the situation after Easter", as in the "theme of the Kingdom of God ... that announced the mystery of Jesus and was transformed in Christology. Jesus' own instructions for entering the Kingdom of God are valid for Paul in regard to the justification by faith. Both require an attitude of humility and an openness ... in order to receive God's grace". "Another form of transformation that is faithful to Jesus' core teaching is found in His titles. Before Easter, Jesus calls himself the 'Son of Man' ... and after Easter ... the 'Son of God'. This is why the title preferred by Paul for Jesus is 'Lord', which indicates His divinity". Paul also touches upon Christ's "salvific dimension" when he speaks of "the death of Jesus as ransom, as redemption, liberation, and reconciliation". "In conclusion, St. Paul does not think of Jesus as a historian would; he does not see Jesus as a figure of the past. He certainly knows the tradition ... regarding His life but does not treat Him as something in the past but as the reality of the living Jesus. ... Jesus lives and speaks with us today. This is the true form of knowing Jesus and the tradition about Him".AG/ST. PAUL/… VIS 20081008 (440) VATICAN CITY, 8 OCT 2008 (VIS) - This morning, while the Holy Father held his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Synod Fathers met in language group to elect moderators and relators and begin their deliberations on the "Relatio ante disceptationem," (report before the discussion). The Fifth General Congregation will be held in the Synod Hall this afternoon.SE/LANGUAGE GROUPS/... VIS 20081008 (70) VATICAN CITY, 7 OCT 2008 (VIS) - The Fourth General Congregation of the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops took place this afternoon in the presence of 240 Synod Fathers. The president delegate on duty was Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney, Australia. BISHOP MAURICE PIAT, C.S.SP. OF PORT-LOUIS, MAURITIUS. "The crisis of the transmission of the faith in the societies of Christendom can be largely explained by the fact that in these societies the Church enjoys relative security and tends to take the faith for granted, to privilege the teaching of doctrine and to neglect the Word of God in the process of transmission. If not built on the rock of the Word of God, the doctrinal and moral edifice remains founded upon sand and with difficulty resists the tsunami of modern digital culture. Hence the urgent need to find a place for the Word of God as the foundation for the life and mission of the Church. The Word becomes a foundation when it is welcomed as the event of God speaking to us about Himself, addressing us as friends and inviting us to share His life. This Word does not seek to convince the curious but to arouse faith in the hearts of the humble. Thus, in presenting the faith we are not simply transmitting a tremendous message, but an invitation united to the promise: 'come and you will see'". BISHOP GEORGE PUNNAKOTTIL OF KOTHAMANGALAM OF THE SYRO-MALABARS, INDIA. "The Church in the patristic tradition emphasises two aspects: the ecclesial and the spiritual. Bible is the Word of God in the Church. Individuals on their own cannot discover the inspiration or decide on the canon. These are guaranteed by the Church. The Word of God is enshrined in tradition. Yet Bible does not require the backing of tradition for its authority and truth. Tradition is rooted in the Sacred Scripture and supported by the Sacred Scripture. Tradition contrary to the Bible will not stand. Bible is the primary source of doctrine and faith. Secondly, the Bible has historical and spiritual meaning. The spiritual sense is not against the literary meaning. It is based on it. Spiritual meaning is known by the 'spiritual intellect'. It is seen by the 'inner eye of faith'. Reasoning is not enough. Spiritual contemplation of the Word is required". ARCHBISHOP ORLANDO B. QUEVEDO O.M.I. OF COTABATO, PHILIPPINES, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION OF ASIAN BISHOPS' CONFERENCES (FABC). "God spoke His Word, especially for the sake of the poor. He was their refuge and liberator. ... Incredibly, rich in a marvellous mosaic of ancient cultures and religions, we in Asia are nevertheless a continent of the poor, of economic and political imbalances, of ethnic division and conflict. Our profound sense of transcendence and harmony is being eroded by a globalising secular and materialist culture. But the Word of God in Asia is calling to the Father in the Holy Spirit thousands of small communities of the poor. And the poor in turn are heeding God's Word. In so doing they are building a 'new way of being Church' really an old way the way of the early Jerusalem community. ... For them the Word of God is faith empowering, urging them to participate actively within the Church and in social transformation. They are Basic Ecclesial Communities, renewing families, parishes and dioceses into vibrant communities, witnessing to the Word of God, quite often in a hostile multi religious environment. They are communities of solidarity and fellowship at the grassroots, effectively challenging in their own little way the modern culture of secularism and materialism". BISHOP DESIDERIUS RWOMA OF SINGIDA, TANZANIA. "The attitude of the Church Fathers towards the Word and preaching is a challenge to us. If we speak of people being lukewarm concerning matters of our faith and the phenomenon of religious sects which are spreading at an alarming speed in many parts of the World, the causes for this can possibly be traced back to lack of good and proper preaching from the part of ministers. ... We have to go back to the mystagogical preaching of the Church Fathers, which helps the Church to bear sons and daughters, nourishing them by leading them in the mysteries of our faith". ARCHBISHOP ANICETUS BONGSU ANTONIUS SINAGA O.F.M. CAP., COADJUTOR OF MEDAN, INDONESIA. "While we are willing that 'all ... hold fast to the Sacred Scriptures through diligent sacred reading and careful study', it is also true that while our era is privileged of Bible availability in national and vernacular languages, at the same time, especially people of our times are more lacking in reading and getting acquainted in matters of Sacred Scripture. It is desirable then that, this Bishops' Synod will committedly engage to look for ways and methods to overcome such believers' incapability and affliction". ARCHBISHOP SALVATORE FISICHELLA, PRESIDENT OF THE PONTIFICAL ACADEMY FOR LIFE. "Christianity is a religion of the 'word'. It is important we dedicate ourselves to creating a culture that sees Sacred Scripture as a living word, dynamically open to the truth of the revelation it contains. If we do not present this teaching in its entirety through the various instruments we possess for the formation of our people, we risk humiliating the Word of God, reducing it exclusively to a written text without that provocative power to bring meaning to life. As the Apostle says: 'the word of God is not chained'. ... In a time such as our own in which there are many persistent attempts to marginalise the sacred texts, ... identifying them as myths without any historical content and fit only for the ingenuous, it is important to rediscover ways to restore their historical value, and their provocative power concerning the meaning of life. We truly are facing an educational emergency that brings the theme of salvation to the forefront of our life of faith".SE/FOURTH CONGREGATION/... VIS 20081008 (990)
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Maybe nanny got it right – plain packaging is already working In this guest posting, Tony Prysten reckons that plain cigarette packaging is already having an effect on smokers. A long term campaign can have short term benefits – even if today’s media can’t quite see past the now. Working with Quit Victoria over the past few years has given me a rare insight into some of the significant moments and campaigns that will positively change lives for many in the years ahead. The world-first introduction of plain packaging over two weeks ago passed with relatively little fanfare. Interestingly much of the debate centred around smokers and whether this would affect their smoking. Social channels and comments on articles were rife with smokers proudly claiming this would have no effect on them, was a waste of money and is further evidence we are living in a Nanny state. ADVERTISEMENT It’s a simple proposition – put cigarettes in packaging that is not only magnificently ugly but also gives a true picture of the devastating harms of smoking in the hope that our kids don’t even think about taking up the habit. It’s a long term play and Quit have maintained that the true results of this will not be seen for some time, supporting many smokers’ claims that this was a waste of effort. Smokers can have a tendency to feel that the world is against them however this time, strategically, plain packaging legislation was focussed squarely on future generations, a message often lost in the media. Maybe that’s not so surprising. With today’s 24 hour news cycle, instant reporting on social media and desire to engage audiences (code for write stuff that makes them respond), the media chose not to focus on the campaign’s objective – let’s face it, six year olds aren’t going to comment on the herald sun website – instead targeting current smokers’ attitudes towards the campaign. Surprisingly, early indications of a ‘side effect’ of this strategy show that plain packaging might be having an effect on current smokers. Since the introduction of the new packaging, calls to the Quitline have increased at a time of year when calls generally decline (December). Despite smokers saying plain packaging would have no effect on their smoking, many are commenting on their cigarettes tasting worse as well as going to considerable effort to hide their cigarettes (do you mean hide the warnings?) and feeling awkward in social situations. Basically smokers are finding it hard to have a single cigarette without being confronted with the lethal consequences. Anecdotal research on social channels is also showing a similar trend; from denial “Got a flip top tin to keep them in. Not that the warnings bothered me anyway”, to the sickening “I want mouth cancer because I was Bryan last time #plainpackaging” (For non-smokers out there, this refers to smokers choosing the least offensive packs when buying cigarettes). While many smokers (or cigarette companies commenting as smokers) are fiercely defending their habit, many others are being motivated to try quitting. Like the introduction of compulsory seat belts I am sure we will look back on this legislation as a significant moment that changed the lives of the next generation. Already, on a global stage, Australia is being recognised as being truly progressive. I only need to look at my two young kids and think this time, nanny got it right. It is going to be great for the economy as well – by creating new industry. I already heard that cigarette cases are making a huge comeback and one guy in Qld is going to manufacture sticky labels that you can get personalised to put onto your pack! In NSW now almost 90% of people don’t smoke. Of the 10% who do 90% want to give up. So putting the boot into smokers is an easy one, as you’ve got the overwhelming majority on your side. That’s why politicians love to sidle up to the anti-smoking lobby because it’s the ONE thing that gets bipartisan support no matter your political leaning. Over the past two decades we’ve turned smokers into such pariahs, such outcasts, that it’s now so socially unacceptable, you’d have to think the business (thankfully may I add) has an extremely precarious future in this country. And that’s something the media industry should be proud to have played a part in. I quit before the new packaging came in. I was completely desensitised to the old packs. I think the new laws are a great idea but they really should change the designs every six months or so. People will get used to them. I used to change the channel when some of the tv ads came on. As a smoker you get in a routine of addiction, advertising and packaging are often the only things that reminds you of the harm you are doing to yourself. I’m incredibly grateful for the work people have put in that helped me quit. So when are they going to look at the enormous problem on a broader demographic scale that alcohol is causing for a vast and denied number of Australians? Or is it a taxation income negative to discourage this poison as well? Is it a case that health care budget expenditure in the case studies of harmful substance consumption is pitched against the income to big business and government that is gathered? Not an activist comment but a rational look at the thinking behind these issues? It is definitely working. Try and buy a packet of cigarettes and the guy behind the counter has no idea which packet to give you, and if you don’t have the right descriptor – like “mild advanced smooth” you have no chance. Pure genius! Well it should get bipartisan support its a product known to cause serious harm, specifically designed and modified to be addictive. If you put a few hundred carcinogens and pesticides in a milk carton, threw in some addictive additives and went to FSANZ they would probably not look very positively on your submission. Plus as far as I am aware the numbers are still up at around 20 per cent. That is one-in-five people. That is not an insignificant “pariah” group that’s well over 4 million people. Perhaps just as important as nanny getting it right was the tobacco companies getting it wrong in their predictions it wouldn’t work. Given the momentum the elimination of smoking has gathered we may live to see it die out alltogether. Along with the remaining smokers. I suppose that the bong and spliff smokers of NSW were not included in the statistics. What about pipe and cigar smokers? I think the entire anti smoking lobby is an appalling blot on our society, and the way people have been bullied into submission is nothing short of horror. I am not a smoker, but I support the right of others to smoke if that is what they want. We may well pat ourselves on the back and smirk at the people huddled on the footpath outside of office buildings, pathetically dragging on a gasper, before running back inside and into the lifts that will return them to the floor where they work. Spare a thought for the teens who are on the bongs and the joints, the crack and the party drugs and the booze. I have definitely noticed a recent attitude shift in some of my friends, the joy and bravado has gone out of their smoking. It hasn’t made them quit, but they’re more aware that they have an addiction (a few try to give up every NYE) and are some now just wish we’d stop selling them all together so they’d be forced to give it up. Definitely something they wouldn’t have said a year ago. It may just be my social circle and not reflective of broader groups of people, but it’s a definite shift in their attitude I’ve picked up on over the last year. It would be far more effective if the Australian Government would embrace tobacco harm reduction. Electronic cigarettes have gotten me off my 20 yr tobacco smoke addiction since the first day I took a drag on an ecig. I’ve been tobacco smoke for over a year now. Instead of gruesome labelling, the Australian government should be advertising safer alternatives such as electronic cigarettes and snus. The gruesome pictures on the cigarette packs will do nothing to stop smokers lighting up. It is a waste of space. Ross, the guy in Qld is unlikely to have hit on a successful long-term enterprise. When graphic health warnings were introduced in 2006, a similar phenomenon occurred – i.e. entrepreneurs hoping to capitalise on (and thereby subvert) good public health policy marketed cases for concealing the warnings. Turned out that the people who bought the cases were most likely to quit, because they were most affected by the warnings. Could well be that those who go to the trouble of buying stickers to glam up their plain packs will also quit in higher numbers, because they are most affected by the change in packaging. Tk, I couldn’t agree with you more. Alcohol is a far bigger problem for society and families than smoking (even at the height of its powers) ever was or will be. Don’t you love the passion people put into the smoking debate, but ask those same people to discuss Alcohol and their tune changes. Their “Denial” all of a sudden kicks in. It is so uncool to query the impact of alcohol culture. So many people simply cannot have a good time without getting wasted on booze. I had a total of three drinks at my Christmas Party and had a great time. @TK it is a simple and indisputable fact that EVERY cigarette does you harm. Every drink does not do you harm. Why do people persist in thinking they are equal and using that fallacy to mount an argument against tobacco restrictions? A false premise can only produce an invalid argument. Hi Groucho. Thanks for your reply. Points of clarification regarding what I wrote: I do not suggest that they are harmful on an equal basis albeit it would be naive to consider that there are not many many deaths related to alcohol – whether by destroyed organs and associated disease or death by suicide or misadventure. Not to even mention violence including at a suppressed domestic level or the fact that alcohol related incidence affects many innocent individuals that were totally sober at the time some drunk caused harm; There is no suggestion in what I wrote that mounts an argument against tobacco restrictions if that is the motivation for that comment from you – it is merely suggesting that ALL addictive substances that are harmful or misused need to be considered in a balanced way on a cultural level; And I agree that a false premise will not form a solid basis or proposition as a basis for a theory – however I make no establishment of any premise in what I wrote – I merely suggest that the energy given to the premise of anti-tobacco could be applied to the substances being abused in society at, as I say, a broad demographic level. Yes every smoke does do harm so you make a true statement there, but as I point out, just because a lot of people consume booze responsibly, this does not make it any more acceptable to turn a blind eye to the mammoth problems that the ‘must include booze” culture creates! And finally as a non-confrontational statement – I have yet to meet the super-person that can drink alcohol and consider that there is absolutely no effect on their bodily systems or persona. Cheers. @TK I take all your points and don’t really disagree. I do get irritated when the anti tobacco argument gets muddied or diluted by other subjects such as alcohol. In my view tobacco is the biggest of the problems. Big tobacco has spent millions muddying the waters right down to paying PR companies to post counter arguments on blogs such as this. In many cases the majority of such posts are paid by the appearance ones ( I am not suggesting by the way that you are one of these, your case is too well argued) The same thing happens with alcohol of course but to a lesser extent. Every smoker is harming themselves and people around them. The right to harm themselves is theirs, the right to harm others is not. Most of the people who have a few drinks this holiday season will harm no one.Add a cigarette and harm always results. So, take care, drink responsibly, but don’t smoke or get close to people who are. But, Groucho is saying that you CAN drink alcohol responsibly and without harm to you or others. Just one puff of a cigarette is harmful = a big difference. I certainly agree that we have serious issues in Australia concerning alcohol. In Australia we have inherited the north European (drink as much as you can in an evening) habit. It is far different in Southern Europe. The problem is institutional and we do need to try to address it and fix it. The current antismoking crusade is much like previous crusades. It is a social-engineering, eradication crusade decided upon in the 1970s by a small, self-installed clique of fanatics operating under the auspices of the World Health Organization (the Godber Blueprint http://www.rampant-antismoking.com ). This little, unelected group decided for everyone that tobacco-use should be eradicated from the world. These fanatics were speaking of secondhand smoke “danger” years before the first study on SHS, together with advocating indoor and OUTDOOR smoking bans. Secondhand smoke “danger” is a concoction, a masquerade for what has been a moralizing, social-engineering crusade from the outset. The plan this time has been to essentially ban smoking in all the places that people typically smoke, i.e., de facto prohibition. The current antismoking social-engineering assault is physician-led, just like the eugenics insanity/catastrophe in America and Germany early last century. 1 The damage that has been done over the last 3 decades, a “salami slice” at a time. Here’s a brief history of the antismoking madness (Godber Blueprint) over the last few decades: The first demand for a smoking ban was in the late-1980s concerning short-haul flights in the USA of less than 2 hours. At the time, the antismokers were asked if this was a “slippery slope” – where would it end? They ridiculed anyone suggesting such because this ban was ALL that they were after. Then they ONLY wanted smoking bans on all flights. Then the antismokers ONLY wanted nonsmoking sections in restaurants, bars, etc., and ensuring that this was ALL they wanted. Then the antismokers ONLY wanted complete bans indoors. That was all they wanted. At the time, no-one was complaining about having to “endure” wisps of smoke outdoors. While they pursued indoor bans, the antismokers were happy for smokers to be exiled to the outdoors. Having bulldozed their way into indoor bans, the antismokers then went to work on the outdoors, now declaring that momentary exposure to remnants of smoke in doorways or a whiff outdoors was a “hazard”, more than poor, innocent nonsmokers should have to “endure”. Then they ONLY wanted bans within 10 feet of entrance ways. Then they ONLY wanted bans within 20 feet of entrance ways. Then they ONLY wanted bans in entire outdoor dining areas. Then they ONLY wanted bans for entire university and hospital campuses and parks and beaches. Then they ONLY wanted bans for apartment balconies. Then they ONLY wanted bans for entire apartment (including individual apartments) complexes. 2 On top of all of this, there are now instances, particularly in the USA, where smokers are denied employment, denied housing (even the elderly), and denied medical treatment. Smokers in the UK are denied fostering/adoption. Involuntary mental patients are restrained physically or chemically (sedation) rather than allow them to have a cigarette – even outside. At each point there was a crazed insistence that there was no more to come while they were actually planning the next ban and the brainwashing required to push it. There has been incessant (pathological) lying and deception. Many medically-aligned groups have been committed to antismoking – their smokefree “utopia” – since the 1960s. They have prostituted their medical authority and integrity to chase ideology. All of it is working to a tobacco-extermination plan run by the WHO and that most nations are now signed-up to (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control). We can see the pattern here. The concocted SHS “danger” concerned a minute statistical risk of entirely questionable causal basis for LIFELONG (30, 40, 50, 60 years) exposure to SHS from spousal smoking. Around 99.9+% of those exposed to SHS over a lifetime have NO elevated statistical risk of disease. Yet with the propaganda promoting the idea that SHS is bio-weapon-like, unlike anything else on earth, we now have many delicate and dainty nonsmokers “running the gauntlet” of smokers at building entranceways, hand cupped over mouth, terrified that they might inhale a whiff. This is the promotion of mental dysfunction (e.g., anxiety reactions, hypochondria, somatization). And the irrationally terrified then demand “protection”. It is fully to be expected as a result of incessant inflammatory propaganda. And this is typically what happens when the medically-aligned Public Health goes on its social-engineering, deranged ideological crusades. Fanatics/zealots/extremists are toxic minds that produce a bigotry/supremacist bandwagon that will keep pushing as far as society allows them. This has all happened in just 20 years. If it was mentioned 20 years ago, or even 10 or 5 years ago, that smokers would be denied employment and housing and smoking bans in parks and beaches, it would have been laughed at as “crazed thinking”. Yet here we are. It’s all happened before and it has all been intentional, planned decades ago. We just don’t learn or we’re going to have to learn the very hard way because it has to do with far, far more than just smoking. This is an example of the Big Tobacco sponsored idiotic argument. Their denial ,if they bother, can only be credible if they argue against this post. If nothing else we need to keep the lid on to stop too much of this getting out! You must have both racked your minds to slap together a few inane sentences. Zealots over the millennia are the same and their useful idiots – the easily brainwashed – are too. You’re cowards. You’ll ride whatever bandwagon that gives you a sense of [fake] superiority. Here’s a news flash, guys. You’re not superior. Quite the opposite; you’re just run-of-the-mill, ignorant, easily manipulated bigots. BTW, Gav, do you even comprehend what Godwin’s Law refers to? Those with even a little sensibility, something you obviously haven’t yet attained, don’t attempt to use concepts they don’t understand. The ‘oh but look at alcohol” argument is always bogus. At it’s heart is the idea that you can’t act on smoking until every other problem in the world has been solved. If it wasn’t alcohol it would be “the money should be put into stopping pedophiles”. Warning labels on alcohol are inevitable. In 10 years pictures of inappropriate roots will be on wine bottles. You monkey, your repeating like an ape what you’ve been told without observing or thinking. That is plain packaging in name only. It is black packaging with a bloody great supergraphic of someone dying. Has no one ever heard of the placebo effect or Eriksonnian suggestion? Believe me they operate very well. You now have a very subliminally effective disease generator for suggestable personalities, those who cannot give up, or those that don’t want to. You might want to think about why the psychopaths that rule us gave out digital T.V. to anyone that couldn’t afford the digital transfer. Wonderful shows like Anatomy for beginners, where human beings are carved up for entertainment, and Police shows where everyone is a scumbag but the Mason coppers, a bunch of PTSD psychopaths that enjoy bullying and beating people, who now shoot unarmed tourists and 14 year olds with impunity. If a copper is killed it’s mandatory life for the perpetrator, but if your kid gets killed he can get off in 5 years, with a 2 on the bottom for good behaviour; if hes got $250,000au he can get off entirely. I’ve witnessed it. Equality or political bias. Your second rate and just a taxable commodity to them, and it make no difference who you vote for, while the Government borrows it capital from the foriegn owned reserve bank. Who has the money makes the rules. Your all asleep, and a great deception is at hand. The medical system is butchered but you can watch T.V. shows that subjugate and put you down psychologically, or are basically tangible distractions to keep you on the treadmill. They care about us, yeh right. If you don’t wake up you’ll deserve what they are planning. Secondary issues that are basically no bodies business but the person involved in the habit are being used to divide you, and deprive you of the only valid attribute that gives you any power over the political 100 or so psychopaths ruling you. UNITY. Global warming,pleeeaase. Been to Exmouth lately and seen the massive amounts of electrical energy bounced off the ionosphere in the name “Auroral research”. Probably not. The vapour trails that just never leave, that have now replaced with nocturnal high altitude bombs full of Christ knows what. The weather and atmospheric conditions “are” strange but it’s no accident. Catalytic convertors make car exhaust largely invisible, but go breath whats coming out for a few seconds. There a ten billion of them pumping crap, but not a word from the smoking lobby. Mass shootings, that just “pop” up after 200 years of largely responsible gun ownership with no regulation. Now the only people with guns are crooks and coppers, executives for the political apperatus set to walk all over the lot of us. Carbon tax, no shortage of carbon it’s the most common element on earth, they can tax you till your skin and bones from labour. GST, Income tax , If I came and asked for or stole 20 bucks, most likely, you’d all scream to high heaven, but becuase its the mass media hypnotist Government (govern=control mentis=mind) you gladly forfeit, in somes case almost half your earnings. I’d love to call you all genious’ but tell me, would it be pandering to your egos or have some basis in reality? Income tax was a temporary measure implemented during WWI and promised to be given back after the war, they just didn’t thats all. But lets all whine about smoking shall we. Funny the way the the FED was implemented in 1913 or 14 here, 1911 in the states I think, then we have WWI; very convienient timing, then Spanish flu, a direct relative of the bird flu virus, and thats already been “suggested” by the media. Ever wonder why Sinatra called the media “whores and prostitutes” back in the 70’s. I advise you to look into it. I’d be surprised if you get to read any of my posts, and even more surprised if a lynch mob isn’t formed to contradict them. We are all being had, and you are all making it very easy for them. Mean while, I’m going to have a cup of tea and a rolled cigarette, and you half aware control freak anti-smoking lobby members that just never shut up and are abusing individual rights like true typifications of psychopaths, its none of your miserable whining business. The smoking lobby that care so much for my health, when baraging me on a break with quit mimes when I replied “I don’t want to quit and its none of your stinking business”, as they preached, then bid me the joyous parting comment, “I hope you get cancer”. Me too.The sooner I’m off this planet of busy body but malevolent self confessed genious’ and Dudly Doright that can’t see the forrest for the trees the better. 1 Black coloured packaging increases smoking in young males via their death/rebellion drives. Fact. It is completely and utterly the wrong colour and it makes me shudder that something so obvious could be unknown, or that the appropriate academics not be consulted prior to production so it could be picked up on. 2 The health warning currently on cigarette packs about Bryan who died age 34 complete with his healthy mugshot as an inset captioned “Ten Weeks Earlier” is one of, if not the, most effective pieces of advertising in history. I paid $17 just to keep a copy of the box. Absolutely brilliant. 3 Anyone arguing that every smoke does you harm must also (to be rational and in any way consistent) agree wholeheartedly that allowing any animal or sentient being to consume any alcohol whatsoever then be allowed to drive a car is nothing short of idiotic. 4 Australia’s attitude towards alcohol is Australia’s biggest problem. If Australian’s attitude towards alcohol does not change radically very soon, it will bring about the undoing of us colonial Australians in favour of more sober and mature immigrant Australians who will be granted responsibility of the country. The choice will control the choosers on that one. 5 The key to getting young people to quit or not take up smoking is so easy and glaringly obvious, 10 points and a golden star to the first person who writes what specific part of health awareness we need to scare/discourage/educate them about……. @History and anyone else who wants to defend smoking on psychological, historical or any other grounds – I don’t want to breathe your dirty, stinking, second-hand toxic smoke. If you want to smoke, whether or not you believe it’ll kill you, do it where I don’t have to go home at night with the filthy stench clinging to my hair, my clothes, the inside of my lungs… It’s disgusting. Keep it to yourself. I can’t stand the smell of filthy diesel powered ridiculously oversized 4WD’s (or SUV’s for the AmericaniZed) uselessly being driven by their socially irresponsible pilots all over the city whilst chugging out clouds of putrid black smoke. I shouldn’t have to sit behind you choking when you take off at the lights… regular petrol fumes are far less offensive. How many of the people here complaining of having to deal with SHS drive one I ponder curiously? C’mon… hands up. Probably a high percentage because the “I’m the only person in the world attitude” carries over. I’m now using a cigarette case that was my grandfathers, I now feel classy, the ladies love it…. I have also cut down on the number i smoke per-day as the case only holds 9 . And it fits better in my jacket pocket too! Smoking vs Alcohol – this is not the argument. All the points are valid. But tell me do any of you live with an Alcoholic?? I don’t remember seeing anywhere where people were killed in a car accident for being of .05 smoking, or beating their wife because they had too much to smoke. Or not being able to go to work because they had too many cigarettes. Smoke yourself to death if you want to I don’t care. Be self serving and defend grog. You have no clue. SInce plain packaging, My smoking habits have actually increased. The main reason for this is that the brand of cigarettes I smoke have not been available since plain packaging laws were introduced. The available brands just do not do the trick and I tend to oscillate between brands, trying to find a suitable replacement. As a result, I actually have increased my consumption from 25 – 28 per day to 35- 40 per day. Personally, I would like to put on a spike the persons head for introducing this legislation. On another issue, the hype surrounding smoking is very similar to the which hunts of England and Salem in the United States. Smoking is not allowed in al fresco dining, yet a few feet away, vehicles can emit toxic fumes on a scale that makes cigarette smoking insignificent to say the least. People will happily crucify a smoker walking by, yet go happily eating as petro chemical fumes silently saturate them with toxins. In addition, the toxic fumes from cars have a far great impact on the health of the population than any other toxic consummable.
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Direct Traffic: Segmenting and Filtering I would like to deep dive into Direct Traffic. While we can always minimize that through correct tagging and other methods, what are some of the most powerful ways to segment direct traffic to get some idea about its source/behavior etc.The idea is to analyze better to get digital insights
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Mass. House backs $50M in added snow removal funds The Associated Press •March 30, 2011 9:39 pm BOSTON — The Massachusetts House voted Wednesday to spend nearly $50 million to replenish the state’s depleted snow and ice removal budget, even as a late-season storm was bearing down on the region with the potential for up to a foot of snow in some areas. The money was approved as part of a $325 million supplemental spending plan that now moves to the Senate. The state’s snow and ice removal account was battered by a series of storms during a harsh winter. Dozens of roofs collapsed across the state and highway crews were hard-pressed to keep roadways passable. And it may not be over. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for central and western Massachusetts in advance of a nor’easter that could bring significant snowfall late Thursday night and Friday. Republicans in the House unsuccessfully sought an additional $25 million in state funds that would go directly to cities and towns to help offset their local snow removal costs. The GOP lawmakers argued that local communities that have incurred huge expenses over the winter deserve help from the state, especially with another storm looming. “The winter isn’t over even though spring has started,” said Paul Frost, R-Auburn. Republicans argued that the help for local communities could come from state tax revenues that were running ahead of projections for the current fiscal year. The House blocked the Republican effort by voting 118-34 for a Democratic-sponsored amendment calling for further study of the question. “We don’t have an endless pot of money,” said Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, who noted that state funds for snow removal did not appear to be a major priority for cities and towns in his district. Also included in the spending plan passed by the House was $30 million to cover the cost of salary adjustments and other economic benefits authorized by a collective bargaining agreement by state court workers. The bill also contained several nonbudgetary items, including one aimed at protecting children from obscene electronic messages sent to them by suspected sexual predators. The measure would update state law by barring anyone from using electronic means, such as emails or text messages, to purposefully disseminate harmful material to a person they know or believe to be a minor.
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QSpace Community: Queen's UniversityInformationhttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/6 Queen's UniversityInformationSun, 02 Aug 2015 19:19:39 GMT2015-08-02T19:19:39ZThe Channel Imagehttps://qspace.library.queensu.ca:443/retrieve/122/Jeffery_hall.jpghttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/6 Optimality of Walrand-Varaiya Type Policies and Approximation Results for Zero-Delay Coding of Markov Sourceshttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/13457 Title: Optimality of Walrand-Varaiya Type Policies and Approximation Results for Zero-Delay Coding of Markov Sources Authors: Wood, RICHARD Abstract: Optimal zero-delay coding of a finite state Markov source through quantization is considered. Building on previous literature, the existence and structure of optimal policies are studied using a stochastic control problem formulation. In the literature, the optimality of deterministic Markov coding policies (or Walrand-Varaiya type policies) for infinite horizon problems has been established. This work expands on this result for systems with finite source alphabets, proving the optimality of de- terministic and stationary Markov coding policies for the infinite horizon setup. In addition, the ε-optimality of finite memory quantizers is established and the depen- dence between the memory length and ε is quantified. An algorithm to find the optimal policy for the finite time horizon problem is presented. Numerical results produced using this algorithm are shown. Description: Thesis (Master, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2015-07-27 15:57:18.667Tue, 28 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/134572015-07-28T04:00:00ZLinearization and Stability of Nonholonomic Mechanical Systemshttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/13149 Title: Linearization and Stability of Nonholonomic Mechanical Systems Authors: Yang, Steven Abstract: The stability of an equilibrium point of a nonlinear system is typically analyzed in two ways: (1) stability of its linearization, and (2) Lyapunov stability. An unconstrained simple mechanical system is a type of nonlinear system with a special structure, and so the methods for stability analysis can be specialized for this particular class of nonlinear systems. For a simple mechanical system subject to velocity constraints, the situation becomes more complicated. If the constraints are holonomic, then the problem can simply be reduced to that of an unconstrained simple mechanical system by restricting analysis to a certain submanifold of the configuration space. If the constraints are nonholonomic, this approach cannot be taken. In this report we study the differences and additional complexities that arise in these nonholonomic mechanical systems, and derive results with regards to linearization and stability of its equilibria.Tue, 23 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/131492015-06-23T04:00:00ZOptimal Quantization and Approximation in Source Coding and Stochastic Controlhttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/13147 Title: Optimal Quantization and Approximation in Source Coding and Stochastic Control Authors: Saldi, NACI Abstract: This thesis deals with non-standard optimal quantization and approximation problems in source coding and stochastic control. The first part of the thesis considers randomized quantization. Adapted from stochastic control, a general representation of randomized quantizers that is probabilistically equivalent to common models in the literature is proposed via mixtures of joint probability measures induced by deterministic quantizers. Using this general model, we prove the existence of an optimal randomized quantizer for the generalized distribution preserving quantization problem. A Shannon theoretic version of this source coding problem is also considered, in which an optimal (minimum distortion) coding of stationary and memoryless source is studied under the requirement that the quantizer's output distribution also be stationary and memoryless possibly different than source distribution. We provide a characterization of the achievable rate region where the rate region includes both the coding rate and the rate of common randomness shared between the encoder and the decoder. In the second part of the thesis, we consider the quantization problems in stochastic control from viewpoints of information transmission and computation. The first problem studies the finite-action approximation (via quantization of the action space) of deterministic stationary policies of a discrete time Markov decision process (MDP), while the second problem considers finite-state approximations (via quantization of the state space) of discrete time Markov decision process. Under certain continuity conditions on the components of the MDP, we establish that optimal policies for the finite models can approximate with arbitrary precision optimal deterministic stationary policies for the original MDP. Combining these results leads to a constructive scheme for obtaining near optimal solutions via well known algorithms developed for finite state/action MDPs. For both problems, we also obtain explicit bounds on the approximation error in terms of the number of representation points in the quantizer, under further conditions. Description: Thesis (Ph.D, Mathematics & Statistics) -- Queen's University, 2015-06-19 12:20:57.086Tue, 23 Jun 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/131472015-06-23T04:00:00ZExamining the Probability that the Number of Points on an Elliptic Curve over a Finite Field is Primehttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/13089 Title: Examining the Probability that the Number of Points on an Elliptic Curve over a Finite Field is Prime Authors: Wheeler, Emilie Abstract: This project examines the work in the article "The Probability that the Number of Points on an Elliptic Curve over a Finite Field is Prime", in which authors Galbraith and McKee ask the question `What is the probability that a randomly chosen elliptic curve over Fp has kq points, where k is small and q is prime?' I performed my own computations and will compare them to their results.Wed, 27 May 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://hdl.handle.net/1974/130892015-05-27T04:00:00Z
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The stations of the cross are only in the old city of Jeruslem. They are very clearly marked so tourists can walk the same path that Christ did prior to the crucifiction. However today, various rug and teeshirt shop vendors prohibit this walk by jumping in your path and physically dragging you into their lairs. @peggylou Disambiguation: The Stations of the Cross as a religious meditation ritual The Stations of the Cross, aka The Way of the Cross, or Via Crucis (aka Via Dolorosa) The Stations of the Cross, as a religious ritual, are practiced in the Catholic church, usually during Lent or Holy Week, leading up to Good Friday (the day that commemorates the Crucifixion) and ultimately Easter (or Resurrection) Sunday. The ritual is generally one of meditation, without any song. The leader, usually a priest, walks from one sculpture or picture to another, leading the congregation in prayer and meditation. The stations are as follows: 1. Jesus is condemned to death 2. Jesus is given his cross 3. Jesus falls the first time 4. Jesus meets His Mother 5. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus 7. Jesus falls the second time 8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem 9. Jesus falls the third time 10. Jesus is stripped of His garments 11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross 12. Jesus dies on the cross 13. Jesus’ body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation) 14. Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense. The Via Dolorosa, or Via Crucis in Jerusalem is supposedly the path Jesus took from the place he where Pontius Pilate sentenced him, to the hill called “Golgotha”, or “The Place of the Skull”. Some modern scholars dispute the authenticity of the route, but the commemorations have been held along the path since before the Middle Ages.
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Poetry&Music with Cal Doyle 14th Nov 2014 Despite falling on a Friday night in the middle of November with a host of competing events, (from Buddhist relics to international soccer!) an appreciative audience gathered to listen to one of our truly gifted young poets. Cal Doyle’s work belies his comparative youth, delving into the deep psyche, filled with compassion, empathy and wit. They are honest, personal, fearless and beautifully written and conceived. We eagerly await the coming collections of his work. Paul Ó Colmáin & Tim Abbott, of the House band, Na Sean Gnóstics provided the incidental original music and, as usual, there was a lively open (no-)mic session, with beautiful original contributions from Kenny Dread, Francesco Biondini, Simon & Alex Lockwood, Richard Blackburn, and Marianne Adams.
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Loyola Law School, Los Angeles opened its doors in 1920. Located in downtown Los Angeles -- a legal, financial and media capital -- Loyola Law School is home to prominent faculty, dedicated students and cutting-edge programs. The first ABA-approved law school in California with a pro bono requirement for graduation, Loyola Law School is committed to legal ethics and the public interest, and has produced top attorneys for nearly a century. Directions From the North: Take the Golden State Freeway (5) or the Hollywood Freeway (101) south to the Harbor Freeway (110) south to downtown Los Angeles. Take the 8th Street exit from the Harbor Freeway. Follow 8th Street past one traffic light to Witmer Street. Turn left onto Witmer Street and proceed one block. Turn right onto James M. Wood Boulevard, followed by an immediate left turn onto Albany Street. The entrance to the Law School parking facility is on the right hand side of the street. From the South: Take the Harbor Freeway (110) north toward downtown Los Angeles. Take the 9th Street exit from the Harbor Freeway. Turn left immediately at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Francisco Street. Proceed to the first traffic light and turn left onto 8th Street. Follow 8th Street past two traffic lights to Witmer Street. Turn left onto Witmer Street and proceed one block. Turn right onto James M. Wood Boulevard, followed by an immediate left turn onto Albany Street. The entrance to the Law School parking facility is on the right hand side of the street. From the West: Take the Santa Monica Freeway (10) east toward downtown Los Angeles. Take the Harbor Freeway (110) north. Take the 9th Street exit from the Harbor Freeway. Turn left immediately at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Francisco Street. Proceed to the first traffic light and turn left onto 8th Street. Follow 8th Street past two traffic lights to Witmer Street. Turn left onto Witmer Street and proceed one block. Turn right onto James M. Wood Boulevard, followed by an immediate left turn onto Albany Street. The entrance to the Law School parking facility is on the right hand side of the street. From the East: Take the San Bernardino Freeway (10) west to the Santa Monica Freeway (10) west. Take the Harbor Freeway (110) north. Take the 9th Street exit from the Harbor Freeway. Turn left immediately at the bottom of the exit ramp onto Francisco Street. Proceed to the first traffic light and turn left onto 8th Street. Follow 8th Street past two traffic lights to Witmer Street. Turn left onto Witmer Street and proceed one block. Turn right onto James M. Wood Boulevard, followed by an immediate left turn onto Albany Street. The entrance to the Law School parking facility is on the right hand side of the street.
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Five Ways to Empower Your Staff While Keeping Your Network Secure News of the Google Docs phishing scam is not the first time that shared cloud-based resources have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Many popular collaboration and IT management tools, such as Teamviewer and Slack, have had their time in the spotlight for compromises and breaches. The truth is these systems unwittingly provide an easy backdoor for cybercriminals and add yet another dimension to the expanding surface of attack that modern companies find themselves faced with, which is already escalating thanks to the growing number of mobile devices and the increasing presence of the Internet of Things (IoT). The way we work is changing. Today’s connected world is customer-driven, and business happens everywhere. More and more organizations are realizing that their applications must move with the business. From laptops and computers to tablets and smartphones, enterprises are becoming more flexible and customer experience is becoming seamless. However, mobile work spaces must satisfy not just employees but also IT teams. Employees expect to be productive and be able to collaborate with their colleagues; IT teams expect to deliver applications and tools seamlessly across any device while having enterprise-level control to ensure data security. So, how can companies continue being flexible while at the same time reducing security threats? The answer is to remove as much of the attack surface as possible. Here are five tips to help IT departments secure their borders as effectively as possible: 1. Remove the parts you cannot control If you cannot control a part of your process, you cannot secure it and must rely on the controlling agent to warrant its integrity. While you may not be able to remove every potential weak link in the chain, you can minimize your risk exposure by reducing your reliance on third-party cloud-based systems. On-premises alternatives remove the single external point of failure that can put your networks at risk of compromise. 2. Ensure you have secure privileged access There are three key points that need to be made here: Don’t allow for weak privilege access such as single password authentication that provides backdoors to gain system access. Instead, strong native authentication mechanisms should be enforced. Do not authorize system access account credentials to be registered and stored outside of your controllable realm. Allowing a third-party vendor to store credentials for your endpoints opens a prime attack vector. Don’t allow system access accounts to be easily shared or distributed as the sharing and distributing itself will require protection. 3. Don’t expose your data and system information Any type of system information, as harmless as it may seem, represents intelligence data that can be used to exploit known vulnerabilities. As with privilege access accounts, do not let system information leave your premises. Allowing this information to be managed and stored by third-party vendors means you are relying on their security risk compliance policies to protect your data. 4. Stay connected to your users By making greater use of background endpoint management tools, you can perform scans and pre-empt any issues without involving or interrupting the user. Crucially, this also means you need to ensure that your users’ remote laptops are patched and up-to-date, which is one of the quickest ways to stop the vast majority of malware threats gaining access to your systems. 5. Audit, Audit, Audit! When it comes to your IT systems management, you must ensure that you audit every system access and operator action. Even though auditing is an after-the-fact reactive measure, it can also be pre-emptive as it enables you to prevent an error from being repeated. Additionally, it can act as an additional layer of internal security; if users/admins know they are being audited, they are less inclined to do harm. Conclusion Remote working and the need for collaboration is not going to go away. In fact, it’s likely to increase in the coming years. The tightrope that IT departments need to walk is one of allowing users as much freedom as possible while at the same time keeping a tight rein on security. Do this and they can rest assured that even though the user is remote, no data is leaving the company premises, and they have complete management capability. About the Author:Pascal Bergeot has 20 years of experience in software technology development, software consulting and general management including design, implementation and commercialization. Since founding Goverlan, Pascal has developed innovative and secure remote administration solutions while providing organizational leadership. Prior to founding Goverlan in 1998, Pascal worked as an IT software development consultant and systems administrator at Goldman Sachs in New York City. Editor’s Note:The opinions expressed in this guest author article are solely those of the contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Tripwire, Inc.
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Body Sculpture has been working hard to make you fitter since 1965, and today they offer the latest in home fitness technology to ensure your journey to a better you is as simple and pain free as possible. From state of the art Body Sculpture exercise bikes to a range of simple sports accessories youll have everything you need to take steps to a fitter future, well almost everything, unfortunately Body Sculpture dont yet sell will power. Our huge Body Sculpture store has all the latest home fitness equipment, theres the Body Sculpture rowing machines that come with on board computers so you know how many calories youve worked off or if rowing isnt your thing theres our selection of elliptical trainers which are great for low impact workouts while you catch up on the soaps and again they are all fitted with Body Sculptures on bard computers so you can track your progress.
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Facebook in their quest to take over the world, are giving away Timeline personal cards for a limited time and while supplies last in an effort to help users promote their profiles and a new partnership with moo.com. 200,000 sets of 50 cards each (5,000 per day) are being given away for free, on a first come, first serve basis. In order to get your Timeline business cards, follow these steps: 1. Visit your Facebook Timeline profile. 2. Click the About link under the basic personal information section. 3. Navigate to the Contact Info section and mouse over the small business card icon. 4. You should see a message from Facebook that says, "We've partnered with moo.com to make it easy to print your very own set of custom business cards. The first box of cards is on us." 5. Click Print Cards to proceed. Before typing this news, I tried it myself and they're sold out today. At only 5,000 per day, it's going to be next to impossible to order them. It may seem like a gimmick, but customizable Timeline cards could be a great way to network with new contacts.
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Elderly missing Florida man found on road with throat slashed An 86-year-old Florida man who went missing from Neptune Beach on Saturday, April 8, 2017, was found laying on the road with his throat slashed. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office told News4Jax, that Melvin Clark managed to pull himself out of a wet and muddy ditch and onto the road where he was found. His clothes were soaked and his neck had been cut from “ear to ear” said his wife, Gayle Clark. Gayle reported him missing on Saturday when he didn’t return from running errands. The last time he was seen, he drove off in black 2005 Honda CRV to go to Academy Sports on Atlantic Road and then to the Navy Exchange. He did not return so Gayle called the police and reported him missing. After, Melvin was taken to the hospital, authorities could not locate his car, so they entered it in the database and it was found abandoned on Sunday. Further investigation found that Melvin’s credit card was also used. It is apparent that someone took advantage of Melvin’s age and attacked him. It was a miracle that Melvin survi ved after losing eight pints of blood, reports News4Jax. Police right now are trying to figure out who is responsible for this horrendous crime, and are also asking for help from the public if they have any information. Currently, Melvin is the hospital and cannot talk due to his injuries. Police are asking anyone who knows anything that could help in the investigation to call 904-630-0500 or email [email protected]. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000 contact CrimeStoppers at 866-845-TIPS.
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Please leave your musical prejudices at the City Gates Tag Archives: Adam Green 21 Jan Not gonna let George Ezra’s inclusion on the BBC’s “You WILL Listen To This Music, Peasants!” list for 2014 put me off him. George Ezra is the real deal. For the voice alone. And then there’s the songs. This gig is sold out but I bet you can get in the fire exit if you’re really determined. Come on, we’ve all done it. Wednesday 22nd January – Trams – Sebright Arms The Sebright is a brilliant venue once you find it – maybe it’s just me being thick as pigshit. This one ain’t sold out at the time of typing, and if the Marc Riley seal of approval isn’t enough for you, check out these two live songs: Thursday 23rd January – Chrome Hoof – Oslo, Hackney Brand new venue, christened on Tuesday by Dry The River, so I can’t give you any information whatsoever about the acoustics, drinks, whatever. What I DO know is that Chromehoof (i) made Simian Mobile Disco work really hard to follow them at a blistering gig at Koko a coupla years back and (ii) the band’s Chrome Black Gold is one of the most criminally overlooked albums of last year. I’m sorry, but if you don’t like a band describing themselves as “prog disco” then we can’t be friends. See you dahn the front for some proggy danceable action ! Friday 24th January – Adam Green – Dingwalls I’m not as familiar with Adam Green’s solo stuff as with the other 50% of Moldy Peaches, Kimya Dawson (or Kimya Awesome as I like to call her #alanpartridgelives). This clip is from last November and he looks in pretty good nick. The first song here with its jolly almost Jewish-folky”I Like Drugs” refrain is particularly fine. Saturday 25th January – Punkfest – New Cross Inn, New Cross Supoib venue, the New Cross Inn. Last time I was here, I was watching the Lurkers while supping my pint from a safe distance back, carefully avoiding the mosh pit, when without any warning a bloke in his late thirties stood next to me started bouncing up and down and spinning his arms round and round, knocking my beer flying. I stared at him for a good minute – and not being funny but even though I’m as soft as shite, I do quite a good impression of a total hard bastard in these circumstances. He just looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said “I can’t help it mate. I’m a total arsehole”. Totally disarmed me. Anyway, he’ll probably be at this gig so mind your drinks. This kind of gig is what the New Cross Inn excel at. Fifteen punk bands for a tenner, starting at 1.30 and going on till late, headlined by the legendary 999 Sunday 26th January – The Sorrows – Underworld The Sorrows are one of the great unsung bands of the Sixties. Why not make a retrotastic Camden-centric day of it? Visit the Beatles shop by Baker Street. Get the tube to Warwick Avenue. Take a walk along the canal to Camden Lock, passing all them expensive houses and going through the zoo at one point. Do a bit of shopping in the markets, eating at one of the street food stalls. Walk it off in Regent’s Park then head back up Parkway, stop for a bottle of Gladness (Madness’s very own beer) at the Dublin Castle, then ensconse yourself in World’s End until gig time at Underworld below. Monday 27th January – Peggy Sue – St Pancreas Old Church Formerly Peggy Sue And The Pirates, this could be the perfect venue for their brand of quietly left-field indie folk. Tuesday 28th January – Soweto Kinch – Jazz Cafe A unique performer, taking jazz improvisation to another level by incorporating hip-hop. Not everybody’s cup of tea but intriguing nonetheless.
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ice skate ornament No reviews $15.00 USD Notify me when this product is available: Send a one-time email when it's back in stock: Quantity Smiling Tree's line of personalized wooden Christmas ornaments make thoughtful heirloom gifts for any age. Customize our ice skate ornament for the figure skater or ice dancer in your life. Team discounts available. With so many designs to choose from, our personalized ornaments make great gift ideas for teachers, hostesses, families, co-workers, clients, and sports teams. Hand sanded and finished with our organic oil blend, every ornament has that special handmade touch! This personalized ice skate ornament measures 4.5" x 3". Back side is blank (with the option to engrave a personalized message for an additional $4) and features a small logo. Comes in a clear bag with red ribbon for hanging. All names/phrases will be capitalized and punctuated EXACTLY as you type them. Text will be sized and arranged to fit best in the given space.
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We have with us a Mercedes GLC brand new from the dealership. The owner of the car brought the car back from the dealership and parked it till we got here a few days later. That’s how much car lovers love their cars! No further delays, check out what we did. Upon arrival, we did the routine walk around to check for obvious damages. It was really sandy! As we moved to the paint surface, severely watermarks can be seen. Some leftover glue marks from the protective wrappers. More hardened glue marks. Some lighter glue stains that we almost missed. The edges of the side sill were covered in stains as well. The sun was shining onto the hood, so we check on the surface condition. Well,there was no swirls or scratches on the paint Fuel cap areas for a brand new car? Still pretty dirty! First we clean up the hidden areas. Then we worked on these areas to bring them to a clean state. Then we removed the glue stains and harden glue marks. We then gave the paint a light polish to remove watermark build up. Checking under the sun again to double confirm. The surface was cleared of all watermark build up. Restoring the surface to a clean condition, the car is now ready to be coated. The wheels were not exactly dull, just dirty. A closer look of the brake dust build up from merely 1 drive. Lug nuts areas were not neglected in the process. Spokes are cleaned thoroughly and Finally, the wheels were coated for maximum protection and shine. It was not a major or serious condition to work on, so we spent about 6hours restoring this huge SUV and finally topping it all up with our Opti-Coat™Pro. Check out the gloss and shine.
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It is likely that you connected a different creator account to your site. You can solve this by following below steps: 1 - Use ‘Disconnect site’ button in Patreon Settings to unlink your site from the creator account you linked to it 2 - Make sure you are logged into the creator account you want to link to this site at Patreon 3 - Visit the http:/yourdomain.com/wp-admin/?page=patreon_wordpress_setup_wizard&setup_stage=0 page to restart the setup wizard, and connect your site to Patreon 4 - When you visit a post editor page, the tiers should have refreshed. If you encounter any error during connecting the site to Patreon, you may likely have created a client for your site at that Patreon account before. Delete it from your clients page at Patreon and retry setup.
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Mojang has announced that Mineraft Pocket edition passed the 10 million sales mark yesterday. The Android and iOS affair, which launched as a timed Xperia Play exclusive, is not as feature-rich as other versions, but Mojang said its been working hard on the back-end to make it easier to update quickly. The developer is testing a couple of cool new features – the ability to opt-in to gameplay systems only available on high-end devices, and something called Minecraft Realms, which should make it easier for players to build worlds together. An update is due to roll out by the end of May, if all goes well, and will bring buckets, among other goodies. A new trailer is below.
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API Configuration Reference documentation API configuration Example API definition The following is an example API definition at /etc/sensu/conf.d/api.json. {"api":{"host":"57.43.53.22","bind":"0.0.0.0","port":4567}} API definition specification The API definition uses the "api": {} definition scope. api attributes host description The hostname or IP address that is used when querying the API.NOTE: this attribute does not configure the address that the API binds to (that’s bind). This attribute is used by the Sensu server when querying the Sensu API. required false type String default 127.0.0.1 example "host": "8.8.8.8" bind description The address that the API will bind to (listen on). required false type String default 0.0.0.0 example "bind": "127.0.0.1" port description The port that the API will listen on for HTTP requests. required false type Integer default 4567 example "port": 4242 user description The username required to connect to the API. required false depends password type String default none example "user": "sensu" password description The password required to connect to the API. required false depends user type String default none example "password": "secret" About Sensu The Sensu monitoring event pipeline empowers businesses to automate their monitoring workflows and gain deep visibility into their multi-cloud infrastructure, from Kubernetes to bare metal. Companies like Sony, Box.com, and Activision rely on Sensu to help deliver value faster, at scale.
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Home includes some custom features- kitchen island, custom molding, separate single garage could easily be converted into a office or guest quarters includes 1/2 bath. Main house includes solid surface counters & ceramic tile floors. Split floor plan and a fireplace in living room. Large back yard w/ block wall. Room for boat or RV. Buyer to verify utilities, flood plain, and sq. ft. Located on a cul-de-sac on a .35 Acre lot. Completely fenced around back. Large open living area w/ fireplace. Den/rec room, indoor utility room, large wooden spa type area w/ built in Jacuzzi. Wood seating and bar area. All this and more make this an entertainers delight & a must see. Buyer to verify utilities, sq.ft., and flood zone. Located on the 1st Fairway near the green at Huukan Golf Course.Homes only subdivision with no assessments. Approx. 10 miles to the Colorado River and Avi Casino with boat launch, about 20 miles to Laughlin, NV and Lake Mohave. Buyer to verify sq.ft., utilities and flood plain.
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Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, and that of Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as the content of his fiction. Athat of Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as 分析该选项 Bthat of Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, and it informed both his literary style as well as 分析该选项 CJapan was instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style and 分析该选项 DJapan was instrumental in his development as a writer, as it informed his literary style as much as 分析该选项 EJapan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style in addition to 分析该选项
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Bulk SEO Metrics SEMRush Metrics SEMRush is one of those companies that even experienced SEOs like ourselves stand in awe of. The amount of data they are able to collect, analyze, interpret, and then collate into a single platform is mind boggling. It took a few years for them to find their proper niche in the world of SEO tools, but these days they are a force to be reckoned with. If you are not using their services (free or paid) then you are probably leaving money on the table. We're going to look at a few of the most important (and most valuable) features of SEMRush and answer some common questions below. Let's get started! What Is SEMRush Rank? SEMRush rank is an unusual metric compared to some of the more famous site metrics like DA/PA/TF/CF. SEMRush rank doesn't care about your SEO, your links, your domain authority, its age, or anything like that at all. What SEMRush rank cares about is the amount of organic traffic a domain receives from Google's search results. The more keywords you have, the lower your rank will be (lower is better, the #1 site at the moment is Wikipedia). SEMRush goes further than that by analyzing the position a website is in for each keyword and comparing it to the keywords monthly search volume. The more traffic you get from a keyword, the better your rank will be. The more inquisitive readers among you will already be wondering something along the lines of: "How on earth does SEMRush know what keywords every single website in the world is ranking for..." And that's a good question. You can dive right in now and use our tool to check your URLs through SEMRush's data, or scroll down and find out more. Check SEMRush rank, ranked keywords, traffic amount and traffic costs for up to 30 urls now Metric Results Results Key Url:The url in questionRank:SEMRush Rank - the rank of this domain by traffic. Lower is better.Keywords:The number of keywords tracked by SEMRush that this domain ranks for.Traffic:SEMRush's estimation of the amount of traffic this domain getsCosts:Estimation of how much money the traffic would cost in paid placements.PPV:Price Per Visitor - Our own metric, Costs divided by Traffic, giving an indication of the cost of each visitor. Download Data You can choose to download the data in the table above as either a CSV file or an XLSX file by clicking on the icons below. How Does SEMRush Discover What Keywords A Website Ranks For? This bit is going to be a little hard to believe, but you are going to have to take our word for it - because it's true. SEMrush has a superpower sized army of scrapers at their disposal. They scrape Google's search results. All of them (almost). That's a lot of data, that requires a lot of scraping, processing and analyzing to be transformed into something useful for the average professional SEO. It's super impressive that they manage to do this. Sometimes SEMrush will not have data on a keyword. If a user searches for a keyword that has no data associated with it, SEMRush adds it to their list and within a few weeks - it's in their database. What Other Information Does SEMRush Provide? Determining a websites SEMRush rank is in our opinion nothing more than an added bonus of the massive amount of scraping they do. It's a nice vanity tool, and a great progress indicator - but you can easily live without it if you need to. The most impressive thing about SEMrush is the other ways they use their scraped data. There is so much to talk about here we are going to bullet point list some of the key features to give you an idea of what to look out for: &bullet;Related keywords - When looking for LSI and related long tail keywords you are able to see what other keywords the websites in the top spots are ranking for. This can vastly increase your traffic potential. &bullet;Traffic Cost - SEMRush has scraped most of Google's AdWords data (their paid advertising platform). They know how much advertisers are paying per click for almost every keyword. From this, they can tell you how much the organic traffic of any keyword, page, or website is worth. &bullet;Traffic Estimates - Again SEMRush have used the search volume data from AdWords to provide information on how much traffic they estimate a keyword receives each month. (Note: there are disagreements within the SEO community about how accurate these stats are, do your own research) &bullet;Competitor Analysis - This is one of the best ways to use SEMrush in our opinion. It makes keyword research into an entirely different process. Type in a competitor's domain and get an instant look at every single keyword they are ranking for. If you're not targeting them yet, you know what to do. This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to SEMRush. It's a super powerful tool that can be used in all manner of creative ways to help your SEO game improve. It's not a cheap service (you need the paid version to get the full benefits), but if you are serious about your SEO - it's worth every cent.
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The State brings this timely interlocutory appeal[1] to seek a reversal of the trial court's order granting Angie Lynn Parkman's ("Defendant") motion to suppress the seizure and search of her "person, home, purse, and cell phones" ("the suppression motion") after an evidentiary hearing.[2] The police searched Defendant's residence based on information suggesting that she was involved in illegal drug activity. Because the trial court did not decide whether Defendant had consented to the search, we reverse its ruling and remand the matter for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Applicable Principles of Review and Governing Law The State must present evidence that convinces the trial court, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a motion to suppress should be denied. State v. Grayson, 336 S.W.3d 138, 142 (Mo. banc 2011). "The circuit court's duty is 'to resolve any issues of credibility before ruling on the motion to suppress and to base its ruling on the facts as it perceived them to be true.'" State v. Nebbitt, 455 S.W.3d 79, 86 (Mo. App. E.D. 2014) (quoting Statev. Sanders, 16 S.W.3d 349, 351 (Mo. App.W.D.2000)). A trial court's ruling on a motion to suppress will be reversed only if it is clearly erroneous. State v. Sund, 215 S.W.3d 719, 723 (Mo. banc 2007). This Court defers to the trial court's factual findings and credibility determinations and considers all evidence and reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the trial court's ruling. Id. Whether conduct violates the Fourth Amendment is a question of law, which is reviewed de novo. The suppression motion asserted that the search of Defendant's home and subsequent seizure of evidence "was without probable cause, without a warrant, and without consent." At the beginning of the evidentiary hearing, defense counsel agreed with the prosecutor's statement that Defendant was subject to a special condition of probation at the time of the search that she "shall consent to a search of [her] person, any car [s]he's driving or a passenger in, or [her] place of residence at any time [s]he's requested to do so by any law enforcement officer or probation officer" ("the special condition").[3] Defense counsel maintained that despite the special condition, the search "was an improper search resulting in an improper seizure, because [Defendant] did not adequately give consent." In support of that position, defense counsel argued both that there had been "a show of force from law enforcement, and [Defendant] has an option of violating her probation or she has an option of taking on a new case, perhaps." Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group Task Force Officer B.A. Pratt testified that he went to Defendant's home on June 22, 2015 because he "had received information that [Defendant] was involved in the distribution and use of opiates and other controlled substances." Officer Pratt could not "really give . . . specific sources" for the information, and he could not remember whether the sources were "law enforcement officers, concerned citizens, " or something else. At the time he went to Defendant's house, Officer Pratt knew that Defendant was on probation as a result of a previous "undercover narcotics investigation[.]" Another officer, Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Wertz, [4] testified on behalf of the State, and Defendant also testified. The accounts provided by the officers conflicted with Defendant's testimony regarding whether she consented to a search. Defendant's testimony contradicted the officers' testimony about whether Officer Pratt used profanity or yelled when speaking with Defendant, and she also testified that she was unaware of the special condition until the officers told her about it on the day of the search. Officer Pratt's testimony was that Defendant "answered the door and stepped outside on the front porch." Officer Pratt identified himself, and Defendant confirmed that she was on probation. Officer Pratt asked for consent to search, and Defendant "said, I'll let you search. Can I put my kids down in their bedroom downstairs?" Officer Pratt ... Our website includes the first part of the main text of the court's opinion. To read the entire case, you must purchase the decision for download. With purchase, you also receive any available docket numbers, case citations or footnotes, dissents and concurrences that accompany the decision. Docket numbers and/or citations allow you to research a case further or to use a case in a legal proceeding. Footnotes (if any) include details of the court's decision. If the document contains a simple affirmation or denial without discussion, there may not be additional text. Buy This Entire Record For $7.95 Download the entire decision to receive the complete text, official citation, docket number, dissents and concurrences, and footnotes for this case.
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I've been searching for a push-up balconette ever since the one I loved was discontinued by Cacique a few years ago. After 2 kids in my mid-30s, I started to notice that the girls were looking a bit, shall we say, deflated, particularly in the top half. This bra fixes that. Lifts everything up where it should be and gives me nice cleavage without cutting into my rib cage the way that plunge bras tend to do. The balconette straps are set wide enough that they don't show with most necklines. This one will be my new go to! Our apologies...We are experiencing a technical issue with this page. Please call us at 1.877.728.9272, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we'll gladly help you complete your order. If you prefer, you may also email us at [email protected]. Please include: Your name, where on our site you received the error, any questions you may have, and how and when you'd like us to contact you. Our business hours are Monday-Saturday 8:30am-6pm EST. Our apologies...We are experiencing a technical issue with this page. Please call us at 1.877.728.9272, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we'll gladly help you complete your order. If you prefer, you may also email us at [email protected]. Please include: Your name, where on our site you received the error, any questions you may have, and how and when you'd like us to contact you. Our business hours are Monday-Saturday 8:30am-6pm EST. International Shipping Options Select the country you will be shipping to and your preferred billing currency.
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The compass of Pécs: the TV Tower The TV Tower has been one of the main attractions in the city of Pécs, Baranya County, ever since it was built. The tower that we see today was finished in 1972, and it was considered to be the highest building in Hungary at that time. The tower is situated on one of the highest peaks of the Mecsek mountain range, the Misina. Throughout the years, the TV Tower slowly became a compass to the city of Pécs. History Before the radio tower was built, the Kiss József viewpoint stood in its place. People often refer to this as the little brother of the TV Tower. The viewpont was named after environmentalist József Kiss who was the secretary general of the Mecsek Association. The viewpoint was built in 1908, it was 24.6 metres tall, and it offered a spectacular view. The little brother of today’s TV Tower was protected by a full-time guard who even had his own guard house nearby. Since there was no radio tower, a 70 metres high steel structure stood beside the viewpoint serving as a transmitter. This transmitter was demolished in 1968. Construction The blueprints of the TV Tower were created by István Vízvárdy, Gusztáv Söpkéz and József Thoma. Today’s tower was finished in December, 1972, and it was 191 metres tall. 18,500 tonnes of reinforced concrete were used for its construction. The construction of the whole tower cost 321,000 EUR (100 million HUF). The TV Tower is being built (right) next to Kiss József viewpoint (left)Photo: www.commons.wikimedia.org by FORTEPAN The finished tower was presented to the public on 4 April, 1973. The tower was the highest building in the country at that time. The tower transmitted the broadcast of many Hungarian TV channels and radio stations to Pécs’s residents. The tower significantly improved the quality of the broadcasts in the whole region. In the following years, the tower received 200,000 visitors a year. Due to a changed aerial in 1995, the tower grew 6 metres taller. Today, the TV Tower of Pécs is 197 metres tall, and approximately 80,000 people visit the tower each year. Sights Visitors can use the express elevator to go up to the tower’s restaurant. The restaurant’s glass windows allow customers to enjoy their meal and the view of the city at the same time. Above the restaurant, there is the open observation terrace where one can look around 610 metres above sea level. If the weather is nice, besides the mountain range of Mecsek, one can see the Baranya Hills, the Villány Mountains and even the Croatian Papuk Mountain. LED-Lights Since the end of August, the tower has been equipped with smart LED lightning. The city is especially proud of the lights of the tower, because those were made by the hands of people from Pécs, in the Harman factory that is also in Pécs. Another interesting fact is that Pécs’s residents could vote on what colours the tower’s lights should be. Photo: www.pecsma.hu On special occasions, such as national holidays, the tower can be seen in unique lightning. For example, when the tower was lit up for the very first time this August, it was “dressed up” in the (red-white-green) Hungarian national flag.
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From their roots in the nightclubs of Rhode Island, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band have attracted an audience nationwide. Cafferty's songs range from soul to rock and role--he blends the elements of a sixties sound with those of eighties rock 'n' roll and brings them on stage with aplomb. Although Cafferty had been playing the guitar since he was thirteen, he did not plan to become a professional musician. He wanted to be a lifeguard, and as he became more practical he decided to study art. When he started college, he and other musicians he had known since high school formed Beaver Brown, as the band was then known: saxophonist Michael Antunes, keyboardist Robert Cotoia, guitarist Gary Gramolini, bassist Pat Lupo, and drummer Kenny Jo Silva. They made a reputation for themselves locally as a good roadhouse band. Hoping to get local airplay, the band cut a single on Coastline Records called "Wild Summer Nights," with "Tender Nights" on the flip side. The record did get played by major stations in the East and helped to make the band popular on the circuit from Virginia in the south, north to Boston. But a major record deal did not follow, which Cafferty attributes to the non-commerciality of the band's sound and the slump in the record business in the late 1970s. The Beaver Brown Band has often billed itself as a working-class band--every week the band would try to earn a week's wages for playing music. And they did not lack interested listeners. One listener in particular changed the course of the band's career. Kenny Vance heard the band perform at a bar in Greenwich Village and remembered it four years later when he was hired as the music producer for the film Eddie and the Cruisers, a low-budget film about a fictional rock band. The band members found it exciting to work in a movie studio, though it was difficult to watch their music being lip-synched by actors. When Eddie and the Cruisers was released in September of 1983 it flopped, but when it was later shown on HBO (Home Box Office cable television), it was a hit and the Beaver Brown Band bounded into prominence. The soundtrack sold almost two million copies in only six months. It was a top ten album on record charts and the single "On the Dark Side" reached the number one spot on Billboard' s "Top Rock Charts." And as often happens, the top single engendered a video that was number one on MTV for a number of weeks. The exposure allowed the band to cut an album of its own material with Scotti Brothers-- Tough All Over. Cafferty often focuses on the vicissitudes of blue-collar Americans, and this album is no exception. It includes the vignettes "Dixieland," a gospel-sounding song about Frost Belt refugees in the South, "Small Town Girl," a love song, and "Crystal Blue," a heartbreak ballad witha Tex-Mex influence, as well as the rock and roll tune "Voice of America." Two of the songs became Top 20 hits: "Tough All Over" and "C.I.T.Y." Cafferty likes songs that tell stories, and in writing the twelve that make up Roadhouse, he tried to capture the emotions of everyday life. "I guess I was thinking a lot about our story and how we started out. I was thinking a lot about winning and losing and putting yourself on the line and taking risks." Penned over three years, the songs on Roadhouse seem to symbolize the struggles the band has had to succeed. "Bound For Glory" is about a man full of optimism, "Victory Dance" about being on the sidelines waiting for that golden opportunity, "Song and Dance" about repeatedly hitting dead ends but always trying again. On the album's second side "Penetration," "Wishing Well," and "Customary Thing" trace a path toward emotional committment. The final cut, "Road I'm Running," seems to sum up all that precede it. The character confronts all that has happened in his life and decides that life if worth living, "Wherever it leads, I'll follow this road I'm running." Some critics of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown have called the act a clone of Bruce Springsteen, though the band had a sound similar to that of "The Boss" before Springsteen was nationally known. Cafferty attributes these similarities largely to similar musical experiences. "I think that with a lot of the bands in the Northeast, there seems to be an influence of the early rhythm and blues from the fifties and sixties, probably because a lot of that music came out of the New York area and we were close enough to pick up the New York stations," he told Gavin Report writer Ron Fell. But Cafferty also admits that in the songwriter arena he was definitely influenced by Springsteen, who he says "has given us a lot of advice and encouragement over the years, especially with me as a songwriter. When I first started writing songs," Cafferty told Fell, "I had a lot of questions about how to become a better writer, and he was always a great writer and he took the time to help. We'd just talk about our favorite records and what was a good song and why." Like many popular singers of the eighties, Cafferty put his talent to work to aid charitable causes. He and the band put on a special benefit concert for high school students to put across an anti-drug message and performed at the United Nations for the CARE/Sport Aid global run to raise money for the world's sick, hungry, and homeless children. In an era of motion picture sequels, it is no surprise that Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives was released, in the summer of 1989. The movie was panned by critics and the soundtrack did not repeat the success of Eddie and the Cruisers. Feel free to share Beaver Brown Band lyrics. Just click on "Add a comment…" below and paste the song name and the lyrics. However, please do not postBeaver Brown Band lyricsunless you have received permission from the copyright owner. Make sure to include the name of the Beaver Brown Band album along with the lyrics.
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Is there anything else for creative composing along the lines of Ableton Live? The session views make a lot of sense. It's a nice program. And ultimately I believe professional music can be make on any software, especially Live/Logic/Reason/etc. I ask because I'm locked into Logic due to my hardware constraints and my actual physical studio–I record a lot of serious audio (32 audio tracks at a time sometimes) and need Logic's very mature audio editing engine. However, on a personal level, I'm composing a lot of electronic music, DnB (old Aphex Twin stuff :), so let's just say "EDM". And Live makes that a lot easier. The thing is, Ableton's pricing structure is totally out of whack. The entire Logic Pro X package–the FULL package–sells for $200. That's with far more instruments and effects, a huge sample library, and a much mature editing system, so on and so forth. Ableton just has this jazzy tab button thing going for it. I guess I could get over it, but still. Ableton sells a dumbed down version with barely anything for $99, and then their "standard" version is $450, and the real standard version (which they call "suite") is $750! Suite mainly just comes with Max for Live, which is a free license (for personal use) piece of software anyway, so Ableton seems to be taking advantage of something... probably EDM's peak in commercialization right now. Oh well, karma... It won't last long. Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions on sequencers or other apps with interfaces that are great for putting together beats/sections/grooves and even arrangements in a more intuitive way than the standard sequencer arrange view (kinda like Live's Session view, but not so expensive), please let me know... Even something with a more modern interface like Live would help (Logic is a bit long in the tooth, not that I'd go with anything else for recording a serious session besides Pro Tools, and its plugin architecture is outdated among other things). I haven't tested it yet, but Bitwig Studio was inspired in Live, and has a similar session/arrange view dynamic (in general it is very similar to Live). It is around $300 USD. bitwig.com/en/bitwig-studio/overview.html – JammFeb 1 '15 at 17:25 1 +1 For Bitwig. I am still an Ableton guy but I tried Bitwig out for a while and it does everything Ableton can do and more. Worth checking out. – CharlesFeb 1 '15 at 19:22 4 Answers 4 You can use ReWire to essentially turn the basic version of Ableton Live into a plug-in that runs inside Logic. This is a very common way to use Live inside Logic or Pro Tools. Typically it is done for exactly the reason you describe: to add the Session View to an existing studio. If you have Logic, you don’t need Live Suite, because you already have “Logic Suite.” You can use the instruments and effects and sounds that you already have in Logic with the basic version of Live and you won’t miss the additional instruments and effects and sounds from Live Suite. I would never recommend Live Suite to a new Ableton user anyway, because there is great upgrade pricing. So it is best to start with the smallest version and only move up if and when you find that you have a real need for the larger version. If you are not doing live DJ shows or generating videos, there is no need to pay for the features that are applicable to those use cases. Ableton offers a trial version for around $49, It has some limitations but you can do a good bit of composing in it before running out of trackspace. This entry level edition comes free with a lot of inexpensive controllers as well, such as launchpad mini. Akai has a similar product that comes bundled with some of their controllers, its called ignite. It has a similar composition style as ableton and the learning curve is fairly quick. Logic sucks. Avoid it like the plague. Unless they jave fixed the multitimbral bug, you will run an instance of ko takt for every midi track you use. Almost 500mb per instance!!! Tracks will not route to channels independently and every sample loaded will receive the other tracks automation. MADDENING! If you are serious spend the 750 and keep using a DAW that you are comfortable with. Also, producing the genre you want to produce...Live is the way to go. Plugs are WAY superior, sidechains and ducking etc way more user friendly. Rewire is great until you decide to change meter or tempo. Then you are effed.
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The One Stop Office Blog 5 STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE EACH MORNING TO KICKSTART YOUR DAY 1. Wake Up Early. Research shows that most of the people who wake up early meet with a lot of success in their days. The science behind this is simple- on waking up early, you get more time to go through your job list. This in turn helps you prioritize your tasks in an effective manner. By prioritizing, you are getting in control of your day early. 2. Make A To Do List. Plan out the direction of your day. Visualize your goals, see what matters to you and organize your tasks accordingly. Do not procrastinate when it comes to prioritizing. It’ll help make your life a lot less stressful. 3. Work Out. Make time for exercise. You can find articles talking about the benefit of exercising, all over the internet. If you don’t have time to go to the gym, opt for a home workout. Or simply do yoga! Exercising not only helps you stay healthy, but is also a major factor in combating stress. 4. Eat Well. Most importantly, start your day with a heavy breakfast. It will keep you going, and you will be surprised to find yourself full of ideas throughout the day. Skipping breakfast because you are running late to work is no excuse to miss out on the most important meal of the day. 5. Tackle Difficult Tasks. Tackle the difficult task first. That way the thought won’t nag you throughout the day, and you will find everything comparatively easier. It’s always better to get the difficult things out of the way before you have people interrupting you as work starts. Sounds like a great stress reliever, doesn’t it? Try it out, and see it for yourself. About Modern Office Supplies We’re passionate about office life. We want to give you best advice and tips to help you buy better from a trusted, local brand. Click our SHOP link to explore all the great savings you can get with us.
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Tuesday, July 11, 2017 New evidence that ‘gamification’ does NOT work Gamification is touted as new and a game changer. Full of hyperbolic claims about its efficacy, it's not short of hyperbolic claims about increasing learning. Well it's not so new, games have been used in learning forever, from the very earleist days of computer based learning, but that’s often the way with fads, people think they’re doing ground-breaking work, when it’s been around for eons. At last we have a study that actually tests ‘gamification’ and its effect on mental performance, using cognitive tests and brain scans. The Journal of Neuroscience has just published an excellent study, in a respected, peer reviewed Journal, with the unambiguous title, ‘No Effect of Commercial Cognitive Training on Neural Activity During Decision-Making’ by Kable et al. Gamfication has no effect on learning The researchers looked for change behaviour in 128 young adults, using pre- and post testing, before and after 10 weeks of training on gamified brain training products (Lumosity), commercial computer games and normal practice. Specifically they looked for improvements in in memory, decision-making, sustained attention or ability to switch between mental tasks. They found no improvements. “We found no evidence for relative benefits of cognitive training with respect to changes in decision-making behaviour or brain response, or for cognitive task performance.” What is clever about the study is that three groups were tested: 1. Gamified quizzes (Lumosity) 2. Simple computer games 3. Simple practice All three groups, were found to have the ‘same’ level of improvement in tasks, so learning did take place but the significant word here is ‘same’, showing that brain games and gamification had no special effect. Note that the Lumosity product is gamification (not a learning game), as it has gamification elements, such as Lumosity scores, speed scores and so on, and is compared with the other two groups, one which is 'game-based' learning, controlled against a third non-gamified, non-game practice only group. One of the problems here is the overlap between gamification and game-based learning. They are not entirely mutually exclusive, as most gamification techniques have pedagogic implications and are not just motivational elements. The important point here, is the point made by the 69 scientists who orginally criticised the Luminosity product and claims, that any activity by the brain can improve performance but that does not give gamification an advantage. In fact, the cognitive effort needed to master and play the 'game' components may take more overall effort that other, simpler methods of learning. Lumosity have form Lumosity are no strangers to false claims, based on dodgy neuroscience, and were fined $2m in 2015 for claiming that evidence of neuroplasticity, supported their claims on brain training. There is perhaps no other term in neuroscience that is more overused or misunderstood than 'neuroplasticity' as it is usually quoted as an excuse for going back to the old behaviourist 'blank slate' model of cogntion and learning. Luminosity, and many others, were making outrageous claims about halting dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Sixty seven senior psychologists and neuroscientists blasted their claim and the Federal Trade Commission swung into action. The myth was literally busted. Pavlovian gamification I have argued for some time that the claims of gamification are exaggerated and this study is the first I’ve seen that really put this to the test, with a strong methodology in a respected peer reviewed journal. This is not to say that some of aspects of gaming are not useful, for example its motivational effect, just that much of what passes for gamification is Pavlovian nonsense, backed up with spurious claims. I do think that gamification can be useful, as there are DOs and DON'Ts, but that it is often counterproductive. Conclusion The problem here is that, in the case of Lumosity, tens of millions are being 'duped' into buying a subscription product that has no real extra effiacy over other methods. Similarly, in the e-learning market, people may be being duped into thinking that gamified product is intrinsically superior to other forms of online learning - when it is not. You may be paying premium price for a non-premium product that has no extra performance efficacy. That is not the way the word is used by suppliers. It is not simply the addition of league tables or badges. The word is used in a much wider sense and meaning is use. In any case, your definition of 'gamification' is exactly what Lumosity do with Lunosity 'point scores', 'unlock features', 'scores for speed' and so on - these are simply gamification add-ons to their content. This is not necessarily a negative. Given that the improvement outcome was the same then other questions need to be asked to see if gamified learning was more enjoyable, more engaging, quicker and so on. As you say, games are not new in education or training and existed before computers entered the picture. There are still some non-computer games in existence I believe. My experience suggests that "gamified" stuff can be useful and effective as part of a varied learning programme. Touting them as a superior alternative to other techniques for teaching and learning is just silly.
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A 1923 piece by Wilhelm Lachnit titled 'Man and Woman in the Window." / Public Prosecutor Office Augsburg via epa by John Bacon, USA TODAY by John Bacon, USA TODAY The German government has set up a website to provide detailed descriptions for hundreds of art treasures stolen by the Nazis during Hitler's reign and seized from a Munich apartment 21 months ago. Almost 600 of 1,400 pieces, confiscated from German collector Cornelius Gurlitt, were stolen or bought for small sums from Jewish collectors who were forced to sell, German authorities said. Among the pieces are works by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Heirs of the Jewish collectors have been pressing the German government for information since the German magazine Focus last week published news of the stash, valued at more than $1 billion. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said this week that the government understood the demands of Jewish groups and art experts that descriptions of the pieces be quickly made public. Works that appear to have been seized from Jews or others persecuted by the Nazis are being posted on the site lostart.de, although the website was struggling to function Tuesday. "There are simply too many people who want to look at the pictures and that's why we're facing technical problems," said Sabine Kramer from the Lost Art Internet Database. Among the paintings listed now are Otto Dix's The Woman in the Theater Box, Otto Griebel's Child at the Table, and Max Liebermann's Riders on the Beach. Two attorneys in Berlin had been searching for five years for the Liebermann, on behalf of the work's heirs. Attorney Jörg Rosbach told the German magazine Der Spiegel that he became enraged when he learned the painting had been seized -- and no one had been notified. Rosbach called one of the heirs in New York. The next day, David Toren called back. "Our Liebermann was even shown in The New York Times," Toren said, "It used to hang in Uncle David's house, in the room in front of the winter garden." The Wall Street Journal reported that German Foreign Ministry officials discussed the treasures with U.S. Embassy officials last week. The Journal, citing a person familiar with the talks, said the State Department urged Germany to publish the list of works, eliminate the country's 30-year statute of limitations on stolen art and establish a formal claims process for victims to recover their works. The discovery of the art stash resulted from an ongoing tax probe of Gurlitt. Not all the pieces have been missing for decades - some were exhibited in New York and San Francisco in 1956, Frankfurt art expert Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung told The Guardian. "We can well understand that especially Jewish organizations are asking many questions. They represent older people who were treated very badly," Seibert said. A task force of six experts is being formed to expedite identification of the art and the rightful owners, Seibert said. Gurlitt had reportedly been holed up in his apartment since news of the find broke last week, but The New York Times reported that Gurlitt was seen leaving his apartment Tuesday in a taxi bound for the airport -- no word on where he was headed.
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Illuminating The Darkness 2015 is being called the International year of Light (LUCIFER MEANS LIGHT BEARER) 2015 also sees thousands of scientists reactivate CERN, the Large Hadron Collider in an attempt to explore the origins of the Universe, Dark matter, Anti-matter, Extra Dimensions, Black holes etc. Revelation 9 - And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit...... This video examines the possibility that CERN could lead to the fulfilment of prophetic events spoken of in Revelation chapter 9, the unlocking and opening of the abyss where demons are loosed on the earth.
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Selectmen divided on large assembly law NORTH HAMPTON — Selectman Larry Miller has accused his fellow Select Board members of "making a mockery" of the town's recently adopted large assembly ordinance. Shir Haberman NORTH HAMPTON — Selectman Larry Miller has accused his fellow Select Board members of "making a mockery" of the town's recently adopted large assembly ordinance. Selectman Phil Wilson and board Chairman Jim Maggiore voted three events did not need large assembly permits, prompting criticism from Miller over their application of the controversial town law, which was approved by voters in May. One of the events allowed to go on without a permit was Fuller Gardens' annual Garden Party, which had previously canceled due to concerns over the same law. "You're acting as if the (ordinance) doesn't mean anything," Miller said. "This ordinance is useless unless you intend to run the town by exception and when you do that, there will be no end to it." The ordinance was developed last year after the group that operates the Runnymede Farm attempted to schedule large concerts on that property. The Select Board voted not to allow those events, but decided that a formal process was necessary to protect public health and safety during any event in town that would bring in 150 or more people. The ordinance required event organizers to supply information on how parking and traffic would be handled, how sanitation would be handled and how basic needs, such as water, would be met. It required an application for the event to be submitted 60 days in advance in order to allow the Select Board, in consultation with the police and fire chiefs, to make a decision on granting a permit. On Monday, the board took up four requests for large gatherings, all of which failed to meet the 60-day requirement. Maggiore and Wilson voted that permits are not needed for the Fuller Gardens event on Aug. 29, a birthday party on Aug. 11 at the residence of Jeanne Falzone on Willow Avenue and a competitive community barbecue on Aug. 19 at the United Church of Christ. The Fuller Gardens event, which was originally scheduled for July 11, had been canceled after selectmen said the nonprofit had failed to meet the 60-day requirement. Thee board reversed course on Monday in a 2-1 vote with Miller voting in opposition. Miller accused his colleagues of trying to circumvent the ordinance in order to allow the event to happen. Wilson and Maggiore, however, found that the Garden Party did not need a permit under the ordinance, which applies to events held "for the purpose of entertainment, games, shows or exhibitions at which 150 people or more may reasonably be expected to be present." "I would say that this board could find that Fuller Gardens does not need a permit," Wilson said. The event normal draws between 225 and 325 people to the garden's Willow Avenue location. It is billed as a "thank you" party for supporters of the organization at which food and music are featured. Jamie Colen, the garden director, who was present at Monday's board meeting, confirmed that the party had featured music in the past. He did not answer when asked whether that would change this year in view of the Select Board's decision. However, a new posting on the Fuller Gardens' Web site indicates there will be live music, wine and cheese tasting and food. In regards to the birthday party for about 200 people, Wilson said, "it would be a stretch" to require a permit for this type of event. He said the ordinance has been "disrupting the normal activities of this community that we never intended to do. I don't want to preclude citizens from having birthday parties." Under the town's public facilities use policy, the United Church of Christ was required to obtain a permit to use the bandstand facilities for its barbecue. However, when it was noted that the organization's application indicated that as many as 150 people could attend, the large assembly law came up. The ordinance does not require religious or political organizations to obtain a permit unless the event's purpose is to raise funds. The UCC event aims to raise money to replace the church's stained glass windows. Again, Wilson and Maggiore said the permit was not required. "If the organizers say the top limit is 150 people, it is reasonable to assume there won't be 150 people there," Wilson said. Maggiore agreed. Sarah's Ride rejected The only event that ran into trouble with the Select Board on Monday was the third annual Sarah's Ride/firefighters' appreciation fund-raiser, planned for Sept. 1. Seacoast Motorcycles requested to host the event to benefit firefighter charities, the American Cancer Society and the Sarah Fox Memorial Fund set up in honor of a Portsmouth firefighter who lost her life to cancer last December. Selectmen unanimously rejected the permit because the Harley-Davidson dealership did not file its request the required 60 days in advance. The organizers indicated there would have been a display of fire trucks, vendors, live music and food at the event. "I've been looking for ways to make this (event) happen, (but) this one is a little too thin for me," Maggiore said. However, both Wilson and Maggiore voted that a permit would not be needed if the event did not have vendors or music. Never miss a story Choose the plan that's right for you. Digital access or digital and print delivery. Newsletters Advertise Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. seacoastonline.com ~ 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, NH 03801 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service
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The Biggest Fashion Mysteries of the Grammys Music’s most important night left us with questions. Important ones They came, they sang, they took home trophies (some of them did, anyway). But when the music industry’s biggest players poured out of the Staples Center and into the Grammy after parties after last night’s telecast, we were left with more than a few questions. Fashion questions. Fashion questions left unanswered by even the Fashion Police. Here are the unsolved mysteries of music’s most popular night: What was Pharrell hiding under that hat? A singer-songwriter-producer-designer-musician, you could say Pharrell Williams wears many hats. Last night, he wore just one: A supersized wide-brimmed topper that not only stole the show but was embraced by both Arby’s and Smokey the Bear, and yes, now has its own Twitter feed. Our question: what was under that thing?! Williams’ famously long list of music industry contacts? More Grammys? It wasn’t a flattering look, but if you consider the 15-gallon topper a hands-free way to schlep around four heavy awards, we can live with that. Is it OK to wear white to a wedding if you’re Madonna?It’s considered poor taste to wear white to a wedding. Why? Because it’s the bride’s moment to stand out. She didn’t don a gown, but Madonna did wear an all white tuxedo when she, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, and Mary Lambert became the coolest wedding band of all time. (In case you missed it, Queen Latifah officiated a group wedding for 33 couples during their joint musical performance.) We’ll never know what etiquette guru Emily Post would have had to say, but our take: Madonna could steal a bride’s (or groom’s) thunder in any color of the rainbow, so she may as well do it in white. Besides, the 33 couples made quite the statement, regardless of Madge’s presence and wardrobe choice. She gets a pass. Beyonce’s wet hair look for “Drunk in Love:” Rush job or intentional?We know—Beyonce doesn’t do unintentional, but given that her performance alongside hubby Jay-Z opened the show, we couldn’t help but consider, for a split second, the idea that her wet hair look—which did show up on some recent runways—was the result of a broken fuse back stage and the crushing demands of live TV. But, we lost the thought the second she starting signing. And moving. And looking like that while doing both. #wethairdontcare.
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Soccer: Crew wants to be assertive on road Saturday Mar 31, 2012 at 12:01 AMMar 31, 2012 at 9:06 AM With the Crew renewing its rivalry today at Toronto, coach Robert Warzycha has aggression on his mind. After his team's 2-0 victory March 24 over Montreal, Warzycha praised his team's aggressive style of play that resulted in a number of scoring opportunities. Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch With the Crew renewing its rivalry today at Toronto, coach Robert Warzycha has aggression on his mind. After his team's 2-0 victory March 24 over Montreal, Warzycha praised his team's aggressive style of play that resulted in a number of scoring opportunities. But after the season-opening 2-0 loss at Colorado on March 10, Warzycha indicated that playing assertive soccer would be difficult away from the friendly confines of Crew Stadium. After the team's final practice before departing for Toronto, he said that a more conservative approach on the road is hardly unique to his team or to soccer. "We want to play aggressive at home and play aggressive away from home, but if you look around the world, the home team is usually the more aggressive team," he said. "That's in their heads. That's not the coaches. "We want them to play exactly the same way. I want to play away from home just as aggressively as here. That's more psychological than physical." The Crew's offensive fortunes improved against the expansion Impact in part because of a switch in formation. In the loss to the Rapids, Emilio Renteria was the lone forward as Warzycha went with five midfielders to set the attack. Poor passing resulted in few scoring chances. Since that game, offseason international signee Olman Vargas has worked his way into the starting lineup. Paired with Renteria, he scored his first goal against Montreal and has generated excitement among his teammates. "We've talked about Vargas getting used to the speed of play and his teammates, but I could see that this week was another step forward (for him)," Warzycha said. The ability to play two forwards with confidence has made midfielder Eddie Gaven believe the Crew can build off the positive momentum established against Montreal. It just has to figure out how to do it on the road. "We scored two goals and probably could have had four or five (against the Impact), but their goalie made some really good saves," Gaven said. "Sometimes it is slightly different playing on the road because you want to keep things tight and not get too spread out. At the same time, you can't just sit back and play defense because that doesn't work. We probably won't change too much." Rookie midfielder Kirk Urso said the team's passing will be more important today because Toronto's back line pushes higher up the field than most teams. Connecting several passes in a row should help the Crew control the tempo. "In any game, you want to be the aggressor," he said. "Playing at home makes it easier because you've got the crowd and everything on your side. Going into Toronto, we want to try to dictate the game and dictate the rhythm. We want to score first, so that's going to be an objective." The Crew could get another boost if midfielder Dilly Duka is able to play after missing the home opener because of a hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable on the injury report. "He's almost back fit," Gaven said. "When he gets back, he's going to be a huge asset for us."
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Free for Circle Members, Friends of American Art members, and Friends of Latin American Art members. Reservations requested by April 10. RSVP online or call 210.978.8133. Not a Circle Member or Friend of American/Latin American Art? Join here. Matisse Art Activities: Celebrate Line, Shape, and Color Special Events Engaging art activities led by artist educators are available for visitors of all ages every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. in the Stables Art Studio. Explore the vivid colors and bold shapes of Matisse’s cut-out series, and practice “drawing with scissors” as you create your own vibrant collage. See like Matisse and use simple lines to draw a still-life inspired by Matisse’s studio environment.
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eReadingPro is a system for teaching reading to individuals of all ages who are visual learners. eReadingPro was started by one of the original founders of Out of the Box Reading, and offers a broad range of products at affordable prices. [visual learners, reading programs, Denise MacDonald]
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Ear Infections What is an ear infection? Ear infections are common. Fortunately, most infections settle without ill effects whether the problem is in the outer, middle or inner ear, although sometimes longer term problems can arise. The ear is divided into three parts: outer, middle and inner. An infection in each part will give rise to certain patterns of symptoms. These include: Pain or earache A discharge which may be blood-stained or smelly Deafness Dizziness Noises in the ear (tinnitus) The only sign of an ear infection in young children may simply be a fever and some tugging of the ear by the child. Although earache is a common symptom of ear infection, not all earaches are caused by an ear infection. If a child has earache but is otherwise well, an ear infection is unlikely. A common cause of mild earache is a build-up of mucus in the middle ear after a cold. This usually clears within a few days. Sometimes pain that you can feel in the ear is due to referred pain from other causes such as teeth problems. Outer ear infections (otitis externa) This is an infection of the skin of the ear canal and very common. It can be extremely painful so that sleep may be impossible. Generally, outer ear infections are caused by a bacterial infection of the skin of the ear canal, although occasionally it may be due to a fungus or yeast. The skin can become so swollen that the ear canal closes, causing temporary deafness, and there can be a little bit of discharge from the ear. It occurs commonly in people who suffer from skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis but also in people with narrow ear canals or who swim a great deal. It can affect both ears and often recurs, especially if you are rundown or stressed. With these types of symptoms a doctor or pharmacist will need to be consulted in order to receive effective treatment. The treatment for outer ear infections is generally in the form of antibiotic ear drops which are instilled into the ear canal for at least a week. Sometimes antibiotics by mouth will also be necessary. In severe cases referral to an ear nose and throat specialist is both necessary and appropriate for cleaning of the ear canal and more intensive treatment. Middle ear infections (otitis media) Middle ear infections are very common, particularly in children. The most common is acute otitis media which is characterised by a severe earache and high temperature, generally in a child, with associated deafness. Like an abscess, once the eardrum bursts and the pus comes out of the ear, the pain eases. Fortunately, the eardrum almost always heals once the infection settles and the hearing also returns to normal. Longer term problems can occur when such infections are frequent, because there can be damage to the eardrum, or perhaps persistent deafness due to fluid remaining behind the eardrum (termed ‘glue ear’). In such cases referral to a specialist is appropriate. A second but more serious form of middle ear infection is when it becomes chronic or long-lasting. Generally, chronic middle ear disease is associated with a smelly ear discharge and deafness, but rarely with pain. Other significant symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), weakness of the face or dizziness can occasionally occur. In these cases referral to an ear nose and throat surgeon is very important as the treatment usually involves surgery to remove the infection from the middle ear and mastoid bone. To ignore such disease can be dangerous. Inner ear infections Infections of the inner ear are much less common and are generally caused by viruses, although occasionally by secondary bacterial infection. They tend to cause problems with sudden hearing loss or dizziness. The common cold virus is perhaps the most common cause of inner ear infections but many other viruses have also been associated with sudden deafness such as mumps, measles and herpes. Treatments for ear infections Infections of the ears that do not settle within a couple of days should be assessed by a doctor and if necessary, referral for specialist help may be considered. Ear infections may be treated with either antibiotic ear drops or antibiotics taken by mouth but in most cases these are not advised initially as most infections usually clear within 2 to 3 days by themselves. Antibiotics are more likely to be prescribed if: The child is under 2 years old (as the risk of complications is greater in babies) The infection is severe The infection does not begin settling within 2 to3 days Complications develop. When the infection is severe, admission to hospital may be necessary for antibiotics via a drip. In some complicated cases surgery may be the best form of treatment
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Critical Realism New Titles and Key Backlist 2012 Part of Routledge Sociology, the Critical Realism list is dedicated to publishing classic and cutting-edge titles that explore the implications of the critical realist philosophy across a wide range of fields and disciplines. Contacts Other Inquiries Critical Realism & Spirituality This new series follows up on debates generated by the so-called ‘spiritual turn’ in critical realism, initiated by Bhaskar’s From East to West. It explores the interface of critical realism and spirituality, whether in explicitly religious or secular form (as in metaReality). The first book published in this series is Critical Realism and Spirituality, edited by Mervyn Hartwig and Jamie Morgan. Ambiguity, Truth and Theological Literacy One of the key achievements of critical realism has been to expose the modernist myth of universal reason, which holds that authentic knowledge claims must be objectively ‘pure’, uncontaminated by the subjectivity of local place, specific time and particular culture. Wright aims to address... Critical Realism and Spirituality contextualizes, delineates, explores and critiques the turn to spirituality and religion in critical realism, which has been under way since the mid-1990s, as well as telling its story. It provides incisive discussion and anaysis of the following broad questions:...
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Search Site Tuesday, July 09, 2013 The Poor are Still Losing: Gideon's Empty Promise This past weekend I spent some time thinking about the future of indigent public defense and what role, if any, defense lawyers can play in a system beset by racism and classism. First, I read a provocative essay by Paul Butler, "Poor People Lose: Gideon and the Critique of Rights," in the Yale Law Journal's most recent issue, which contains over twenty articles (all available for free download) by law professors and lawyers reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright. Professor Butler makes a strong case for the idea that the focus on rights discourse -- the right to counsel at trial, the right to counsel during plea negotiations, the right to Miranda, the right to a jury trial -- ultimately has little impact on a criminal justice [or juvenile justice] system in which poor people nearly always lose. Why do they lose? Because, as Butler explains, protecting defendants' rights is much different than protecting defendants: "What poor people, and black people, need from criminal justice is to be stopped less, arrested less, prosecuted less, incarcerated less." Providing a lawyer -- especially one who is underpaid, overworked, and under-resourced -- does little to change this calculus. As Butler reminds us, the reason that being poor and African American substantially increases the risk of incarceration has more to do with class and race than with the quality -- or lack thereof -- of the indigent defense system. So, what do we do about it? That, Butler acknowledges, is the hard part. We certainly don't discourage law students from becoming public defenders, because on an individual level, they do help clients [more on this below]. But what is the alternative? Michelle Alexander has urged defendants to take their cases to trial, putting a stop to the vicious plea mill that has subsumed the adversarial process, and to "crash the justice system." Butler has called for "racially based" jury nullification for nonviolent, victimless crimes as well as decriminalizing or legalizing drugs. I'm not convinced that these specific strategies in and of themselves will catalyze a social reform movement large enough to alter the system, but it's clear that nothing should be discounted, for the situation is dire. With all of this percolating in my mind, I happened to watch the new HBO documentary, "Gideon's Army," which follows three public defenders working in under-resourced counties in Georgia and Mississippi. The film was engrossing and offered (what seemed to me, at least) a realistic portrayal of the challenging and gruelling nature of indigent defense. The three young PDs -- two women and one man, all African-American -- were dedicated and driven, although one understandably walks away from the job when she can't pay her bills to support herself and her son. The film concludes (perhaps for marketing purposes) with a happy ending -- an acquittal after a jury trial, which made me -- a total sap -- cry as the PD was hugged by her (young black male) client and his (low-income) single mother. But as the credits rolled, I didn't feel much like recruiting baby PDs for this "army" or donating to the organization that inspired the documentary -- the Southern Public Defender Training Center (SPDTC) (now called "Gideon's Promise"), led by the dynamic (white male) Jon Rapping. Instead, I wanted to crash the system. The film's explicit message is that there's a "battle" going on in which dedicated and hard-working PDs can win if only enough of them sign up, endure slave wages, and get down with representing one poor person of color (and the occasional white poor person) after another, as our prisons only continue to expand. The director, Dawn Porter, draws clumsy parallels to the civil rights movement (and even offers a cameo by John Lewis who appears at a fund-raising event for SPDTC), but there's no acknowledgement that the lawyers who represented civil rights workers in the south had clear goals and objectives, while these PDs are fighting for...what exactly? By acting as cogs in a broken machine, one that even Rapping admits is "hell," they are not bringing about systemic change. Yes, they may make a difference to an individual defendant, but there is no talk of broader-based action -- such as a demand for a living wage, reasonable caseloads, or enough funding to perform basic investigative tasks and forensic testing. Let's be real -- how could there be this sort of activism? These lawyers are barely hanging on, working 15-16 hours/day and scrambling for change to buy enough gas to get them to the courthouse. Don't get me wrong -- I was a proud public defender for ten years, and as a clinical professor, I still represent the same client population; I am heartened whenever one of my students enters this field. But I would never suggest that the work of the average PD, like the ones featured in the film and in most offices across the country, actually transforms the populations they serve or that the appointment of a lawyer -- the RIGHT to a lawyer -- helps dismantle the incarceral state. I would also be reluctant to recruit young lawyers for this work using the pitch championed in the film, because as romantic as it sounds, it will inevitably attract people for all the wrong reasons, such as one of the women who balks when a client feels no remorse for his heinous crime. She thought she was on the "right" side of the war, only to find that the lines are not so easily drawn. As Travis Williams, my favorite PD in the film said, "I don't see how you can do this job for any period of time and not love it. Either this is your cause or this ain't." He's the guy who has tattooed the names of his clients who have been convicted after trial on HIS OWN back. He will be a career PD, and his clients will be truly blessed to have him on their side. He also recognizes, however, that the work is thankless, that the conditions are unlikely ever to change, and that it's more of a marathon than a war. A marathon with no end in sight. Comments I haven't given this as much thought as it deserves, so please forgive me if my comments are half-baked. I don't think you are arguing that poor and/or minority defendants aren't guilty of the crimes they are charged with; only that they are charged and punished differently (more severely) than others in our society. Assuming that both of these things are true (those charged are frequently/often guilty, and enforcement/punishment is biased), isn't another solution more/better enforcement of criminal law against others in the system? Under this view, there could be more value in sending young, talented, idealistic lawyers to the prosecutor's office, not the PD. Your argument is the idea that the law is unfair (as applied). You note Butler's call for jury nullification as a way to level the playing field. But wouldn't charging and sentencing the affluent in a manner similar to the poor lead to the same result of equality? Moreover, it seems to me that the most likely long-term result of increased prosecution and punishment of more mainstream defendants would be to force the public to take a hard look at the criminal law, and perhaps modify the laws that impose draconian punishments for non-violent and drug crimes. I imagine a response analogous to the Congressional response to the TSA delays following the sequester: once the problems had an impact on the Congress and its most visible constituents, it was quickly addressed. Similarly, if wealthy defendants -- charged with insider trading, for example -- were sentenced or offered plea agreements analogous to the punishments meted out for drug offenses, for example, the problems with the sentencing and plea systems would become much more visible, and therefore more likely to be addressed. Anyway, this is just an initial reaction to your comments, and is not meant to diminish or even contradict your excellent post. I'm interested in hearing what you think. Posted by: strunkl | Jul 9, 2013 8:44:20 AM First, while "rights discourse" may not have the effects we would hope to see or meet the expectations some place on it, I surely hope that doesn't mean we think it's useless, that it serves no purpose. In any case, I'm curious as to what you think of Monroe Freedman's proposal (the article is not available for download at SSRN but I'm sure Monroe would send it to anybody who asks): In 'An Ethical Manifesto for Public Defenders,' Freedman calls upon public defenders to 'cease to be an essential part of a fraudulent cover-up of the denial of fundamental rights to countless poor people who are caught up in a criminal justice system that is unethical, unconstitutional, and intolerably cruel.' Citing universally accepted ethical rules and professional standards for criminal defense lawyers, Freedman argues that every time a public defender accepts an assignment of one too many clients, 'she is involved in a conflict of interest, because total loyalty cannot be given to each client in each case.' In addition, he charges that a public defender who is overloaded with clients because of under-funding and under-staffing of her office is violating ethical rules relating to competent representation as well as the constitutional guarantee of effective assistance of counsel. Freedman calls upon public defenders to decline overloads; to report to the appropriate disciplinary body any supervisor who orders a defender to undertake an overload; to seek permission of the court to decline an overload; to report to the appropriate judicial disciplinary authority any judge who orders a defender to assume an overload; to put on the record that the defender is not able to give competent, conflict-free representation to the new client; to advise the client that the defender does not know enough about the case to advise the client regarding a plea; and, if the client elects to plead guilty, to put on the record that the defender has not been able to competently represent the client regarding the plea. While noting pragmatic justifications for taking these actions, Freedman argues that public defenders who did so would be doing nothing more or less than complying with their ethical obligations to their clients and to the administration of justice." Of course this is not a "solution" to all that ails our criminal justice system, but it is certainly one strategy that PDs could adopt. Strunkl: Thanks for the comment. No, I am not suggesting that criminal defendants aren't guilty of something -- maybe not the precise crime charged, but in most cases a related or lesser offense. Given that, I'm intrigued by your suggestion that there be more across-the-board prosecution of lawbreakers, and that this resulting impact (perhaps) on white folks and people of means would catalyze a revolt of sorts against the current biased regime. In other words, if the people with cultural capital are impacted in the same way as those on the margins, there is a better chance that things will change. An interesting proposal, but given the current degree of over-criminalization, is that really what we want? You may be right that lawmakers will only have the will to repeal current legislation if their constituents (i.e., those who vote and donate to their campaigns) are impacted directly, but need the solution be one that is so counterproductive? Do we really want more young people, for instance, prosecuted for terrorist threats as a result of a sarcastic Facebook threat (see http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/02/tech/social-media/facebook-threat-carter). As for directing energetic new lawyers to the prosecutor's office, I'm all for that -- and in fact, as many of my students who have practiced in the UNC Juvenile Justice Clinic go on to become prosecutors as they do public defenders. My concern is that entry-level ADAs typically have little discretion and soon learn that moving up the ladder requires them to follow the directives of their higher-ups, very few of whom would support such an approach. Besides, wouldn't this move to widening the net also require police officers to change their attitudes, policies and procedures as well as take conscious steps to overcome implicit bias? This is perhaps yet another insurmountable hurdle. It's certainly a thought-provoking suggestion, though not easily effectuated. Patrick: Thanks for your comment. No, rights discourse is certainly not pointless. On an individual, case-by-case level, having a lawyer is preferable to not having one, as is having the full panoply of other procedural and Constitutional rights owed to criminal defendants. I just worry when the conversation stops there, because even if every indigent client had the "best" defense available or if Miranda rights were regularly given regardless of custodial status, it still wouldn't change the fact that we are warehousing poor people of color in our jails and prisons at an alarming rate that increases exponentially with each passing year. As for Monroe Freedman's work, I support it wholeheartedly, as couching our refusal to serve as willing cogs in the broken indigent defense machine in the ethical rules and professional standards is very appealing. So is reminding the court that being forced to go forward when unprepared will result in a violation of the client's Sixth Amendment right to effective assistance. Having had the experience of making some of these arguments in actual courtrooms, however, I know that there is no magic bullet. Judges take note of your objection, overrule it, threaten to hold you in contempt, and before you know it, you've succumbed to the pressure and returned to old habits of capitulation and compromise. This is not an excuse but a reality that is important for scholars to recognize. Also, taking action of this sort will only succeed if it is part of a broad-based strategy involving entire PD offices. With PD administrators under the gun (so to speak) from state legislatures that are squeezing them dry of resources, they are loathe to make waves. Sad but true. Thanks again for your comment, and I'll try to get a copy of Professor Freedman's article. What it seems here is that you are saying is that the poor need to be saved from their behavior. Crashing the system and jury nullification are methods to protect the guilty, not the innocent. You say the poor are hurt, but you don't say the poor are virtuous, but you do claim that the poor are disproportionately hit by the criminal justice system. Not much of an arguement. OJ should go free because white people are racists. That is the essence of your arguement. And it is abundently clear by poor you mean non-white. Do you really want to live in that world where violent thugs run free in hopes that you or your own won't be a victim? You sound like that San Francisco liberal who assured her child that Muslim terrorists would never kill her because they were not the people Muslim terrorists were targeting. Gideon’s Promise is to public defender offices today what Charles Hamilton Houston and the NAACP was to the civil rights pioneers in the 1950’s when they said THINGS CAN BE DIFFERENT. It is worth all of our support. It would be wonderful if our society arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated less poor people than we do. That is a worthy goal and an ambition that we should never lose sight of. In the meantime, poor people charged with crimes need lawyers who fight, every day on their behalf, in a meaningful way that our society, justice and the Constitution demands. The three lawyers portrayed in “Gideon’s Army,” Dawn Porter’s film about public defenders facing enormous challenges in the South, are part of a larger movement that is working to change the way that poor people are processed through a criminal justice system that treats them as little more than numbers on a page. The film is called “Gideon’s Army” because those three lawyers are not alone; they are part of an organization that is 200+ strong, made up of fellow public defenders, former public defenders, faculty and mentors who both support each other on a daily basis as these lawyers do their jobs, and work together to bring about a sea change in the way that poor people will be represented in criminal court. Gideon’s Promise is an organization that was begun by Jon Rapping, a former public defender in Washington, D.C., who knows first-hand about the day-to-day struggles facing lawyers who defend the poor, and about the bigger societal issues surrounding the mass incarceration of people of color in this country. Jon and his wife, Ilham Askia, went to the South and witnessed first-hand how poor people are afforded little justice in courtrooms where the judges, the police and prosecutors are indifferent to the lives they disrupt and the communities they shatter by targeting and incarcerating ever-increasing numbers of the poor. So Jon and Illy did something about it. They started small, with a tiny faculty and sixteen new lawyers who had taken jobs working in two public defender offices in the South that could not afford to train them. Today, they are welcoming dozens of new lawyers every summer in Birmingham, Alabama, to begin a three-year program with intensive training sessions every six months and mentorship in between. This is accomplished with a committed core faculty who return several times a year for follow-up trainings. Lawyers who graduate from the initial training program have the option to sign up for a graduate program, where they learn to provide support for newer lawyers as they develop into leaders. The bigger picture is always in mind, as Jon and Illy developed a leadership component in which they meet with the chief public defenders from offices across the South twice a year, to talk about how we can work to collectively drive transformation in the field of indigent defense. They have included training directors from public defender offices across the country, as well as law professors teaching criminal defense clinics, to discuss strategies for steering students towards rewarding opportunities in lesser-resourced offices that desperately need smart, driven lawyers to join their ranks. I am one of those criminal defense clinicians that has joined Jon, Illy, the faculty and the lawyers of Gideon’s Promise to bring about real change for those who are arrested, persecuted and herded through the system in the South. We mentor and support the lawyers who are crashing the system every day by demanding due process, filing creative motions, and stating, “my client is PRESUMED INNOCENT of these charges, and I’m asking that he be given a reasonable bond and a fair trial.” I have joined them because I am a public defender to my core, and I know that they ARE making a difference, every day, for their clients, and those that come next. Jon Rapping, the lawyers and the faculty at Gideon’s Promise are pushing and changing the face of indigent defense. I believe that these efforts to change the way that the accused are treated by our “justice” system is the new civil rights movement, and I think Paul Butler and Michelle Alexander would agree. The lawyers who are part of Gideon’s Promise and come back every year to learn about how to be better lawyers, are the personification of Charles Hamilton Houston’s statement, that a lawyer is an agent for social change. A lawyer, according to Houston, is “either a social engineer, or a parasite on society.” Posted by: Violeta Chapin | Jul 15, 2013 9:25:30 PM A few remarks in response to Professor Birckhead’s musings on indigent defense: It seems to me that creating a strong system of public defenders is, in itself, a form of systemic change. It also seems like systemic in the legal system, especially in the part that has such a large impact on the poor, has at least some potential to foment even larger systemic change. More on this below. Birckhead’s essay is in part a mini-review of the film Gideon’s Army, and she takes it to task for promoting the non-profit organization, Gideon’s Promise, which was formerly called the Southern Public Defender Training Center, though it appears that Birckhead is not otherwise familiar with the organization. I’ve been volunteering as a trainer of new pd’s with Gideon’s Promise for the last several years, so I’d like to make a few comments in support of its work and at the same time respond to the idea that systemic change cannot be achieved through strengthening the public defender system. The film does an excellent job of telling the public about public defenders through the eyes of three new public defenders, and helps educate the audience about public defenders, their clients, and the criminal law system. While the Gideon’s Promise organization is featured to some extent, it’s not the main attraction of the film, so it is not surprising that people would need more information. I appreciate Professor Birckhead’s mention of Paul Butler’s point about formal rights being meaningless without substantive improvements in living conditions – you can’t eat rights. But the fact that you can’t eat rights needn’t lead to the conclusion that rights should be tossed out or ignored, or that rights are great for rich people but that poor people shouldn’t bother with them. Unfortunately, that is exactly the message that the criminal law system delivers to poor criminal defendants every day – at least in most jurisdictions. It’s not the message of our abstract principles, but it is the message of the legal machinery that implements those principles. And while it may be that the legal system’s disdain for poor people, and for lawyers for poor people, is merely reflective of society, it is also plausible that the legal system helps construct that disdain. That is to say, the legal system is not just a messenger of society’s disdain for the poor, it helps author that disrespect by modeling it. In the few minutes that Congressman John Lewis’ appeared in the film, he spoke from experience about the role of criminal defense lawyers. In the 1960’s John Lewis was arrested 41 times protesting segregation. In Gideon’s Army he recalled that experience and in particular he recalled the lawyers who came and helped him and his colleagues get out of jail. If you know the story, you know that it was not always the same lawyers. Because in Southwest Georgia there was one lawyer, and in Southern Alabama there was one lawyer, and in Atlanta there were more, but only a few. Those few lawyers who came to the rescue of civil rights protestors were courageous souls, who knew very well what it meant to work against a legal culture that tells you not to stand up, not to argue, not to file that motion, not to take that case. And the legal culture that told them not to practice law was simply the legal representative for the same culture that told those lawyers where to sit on the bus. Though Lewis’ appearance in the film is a cameo, his image and the history it represents provide more than cameo support for the systemic change argument. The legal system, by failing to establish a robust system of public defenders, is a major participant in the messaging that the poor don’t count. A strong public defender system is not just a group of lawyers zealously representing individual clients, it is an organization with a presence both in court and out. It provides organizational support for advocacy in the statehouse as well as the courthouse. It gives individual public defenders and PD offices support in standing up for funding, for ethical standards, for reasonable caseloads, for investigative resources, and for all of the other parts that constitute a robust public defender system. People who think otherwise do not understand what a strong administrative system of indigent defense representation can be. The Gideon’s Promise approach is grassroots. Jon Rapping, the director of Gideon’s Promise, is a skilled public defender trainer. When he moved to Georgia (after years as the trainer for PDS in DC), he ran smack into a culture of resistance from some sectors of the existing system of indigent defense representation. Rather than wanting to further zealous advocacy for indigent defendants through Georgia’s new public defender system, these lawyers saw nothing wrong with meet ‘em and plead ‘em representation. This was the culture of representation not just in isolated pockets, but in many places around the South. It still is, though the South holds no monopoly in this regard. When recent law grads land in public defender offices that practice in this way, they either quit after a year or they acquiesce to the local traditions, perpetuating a culture of representation that is a mockery of the adversarial process. Rapping has taken on the project of interrupting that perpetuation. Necessarily, this goes well beyond the trial practice training he was accustomed to delivering. Gideon’s Promise is trying to instill an alternative set of lawyering values – values that are not so different from those values that Monroe Freedman, and for that matter any legal professions class, espouse, but seasoned with the understanding that reality will push back hard against advocating those values and that lawyers need to develop methods for holding onto those values while practicing under far from ideal circumstances. In terms of method, Gideon’s Promise intentionally designs “value centered training” (my term, not theirs). It integrates lawyering values throughout the training program, including exercises designed to develop a client centered approach, rather than one that is efficiency-of-the-process centered, or judge centered, member-of-the-local-bar centered, self-centered, etc. A second cornerstone of their approach is to provide an alternative support community for assistant public defenders who are isolated in offices, both rural and urban, and who are at risk of losing the vision for zealous advocacy that fueled their desire to be public defenders in the first place. In short, Gideon’s Promise defines public defender training as a contest of values, among other things. That strikes me as an effort at systemic change, within the legal system. I agree that larger systemic change is the ultimate project, and any movement in that direction is incremental at best, but I would not be so quick to discard the possibility that structural change of the public defender system has a role to play in substantive improvement in the structure of poor communities. A good public defender office can – and should – be a good community advocate. This vision is not unique, nor is it new. See, e.g., Justice Douglas dissent from the denial of cert. in Hackin v. Arizona, 389 U.S. 143 (1967). But even without that larger, “ultimate,” goal, Gideon’s Promise is worth supporting. I worked in PD offices, state and federal, in various capacities for 17 years. Now I’m a clinical law professor. When I started as an assistant PD we had no training at all – of any kind. We learned, haphazardly, by going to court and trying to learn as best we could, though the public defender would be the only lawyer in the room other than the prosecutor and the judge, so we were not even learning by observing more experienced criminal defense lawyers. Now I volunteer with Gideon’s Promise because it is the best training I’ve seen, and its model is strategic with respect to building a robust public defender system. Its mission is not merely to train lawyers, though it seeks to accomplish its mission through the lawyers it trains. It understands the value of community, and public defenders from across the county volunteer to train and mentor new defenders, and themselves become part of the supportive community that, as I mentioned, is one cornerstone of the project. These volunteers include several chief public defenders from the South who believe it is possible to change the culture of public defense. Particularly relevant to this listserv, several criminal defense clinicians are among the volunteers, and Gideon’s Promise has much to offer us with respect to clinic goals, design and instruction. In sum I would say that regardless of one’s posture with respect to long term structural change, supporting Gideon’s Promise is a way to support a vision of robust public defender organizations that push back against the excessiveness, the thoughtlessness and the inhumanity of our criminal law system. Posted by: Russell Gabriel | Jul 15, 2013 10:33:06 PM Violeta and Russell: Thanks for commenting. It truly sounds as though Gideon's Promise is doing valiant work. I've been a public defender myself for over 20 years, I know some of the trainers with the organization, and I've met Jon Rapping and respect him and what he's trying to accomplish. My blog post was not meant as a "mini-review" of the film, "Gideon's Army," which I'd encourage people to see, or as a vehicle by which to "take to task" the organization, and I apologize if it came across that way -- particularly to those of you who are personally invested in and committed to the work of the organization. Instead, I used the film as merely a springboard for my musings on the work that I've given my life to, and a way to generate discussion about the broader forces at work in the criminal justice system. Also, I respect Russell's view that organizations like Gideon's Promise can -- and do -- help change cultural attitudes, rates of retention and level of commitment by PDs themselves. There never can be too many organizations with that mission. I, myself, was quite lucky that I received comprehensive training as a new PD in Massachusetts twenty years ago, and today I am involved in the top-notch training that PDs receive in North Carolina through the UNC School of Government and other entities. But, of course, I am certainly aware that this is not the norm in many other places in the country, particularly in the South. In any event, thanks again for taking the time to comment -- both here and on the Juvenile Justice Blog. This is the 50th Annivesary of the Gideon decision, so I re-read Gideon’s Trumpet, Anthony Lewis’s Pulitzer-prize winning narrative of the unbelievable story of how a poor man’s handwritten letter to the Supreme Court became one of the transcendent decisions of our time. Or, as a friend of mine put it, “the book that has tricked generations of people into going to law school.” By now we all know about the Warren Court’s courageous decisions that dismantled the scaffolding of Jim Crow, one indignity at a time. Gideon and so many other rights-based cases were born of that same concern about racial injustice. Burt Neuborne has a fantastic piece in the Supreme Court Review called “The Gravitational Pull of Race on the Warren Court” on this topic. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary, a lot of commentaries have decried the many profound and troubling deficiencies of our nation’s criminal justice system: for the clients, persistent racial disparities at every discretion point; for public defenders, staggering caseloads, low wages, low resources, and little respect. I’ve lived (when I was a public defender in Washington, DC and now as a clinical professor teaching criminal defense), heard and read about the gaps between what the criminally accused need and what their public defenders can actually provide. The gap is almost overwhelming, and lends real credibility to the narrative that public defenders can do only so much. That narrative is so seductive, in fact, that I have always been suspicious of it. I have seen instances of lawyering that, for a moment, do seem to change the system – even if it’s just for a moment, for a single client, in a single courtroom. In one courtroom, at the juvenile defense attorney’s urging, a judge orders a probation officer to buy a juvenile respondent a prom dress to reward her for finishing her junior year. In another courtroom, a judge at sentencing hears the prosecutor say that the defendant is facing years of back up time, then turns to the defense attorney, and asks her, “In light of the prosecutor’s representations, is anything you have to say at all of moment?” The defense attorney, seemingly unphased by the gasp in the courtroom at the judge’s dismissiveness, answers, “It is to Mr. [Client], whose compliance while on release has been, literally, perfect,” and continues her argument. In still another courtroom, a defense attorney wins a motion on Brady grounds, litigated over several years, on behalf of a man who has been in prison for 34 years. How are all these things connected to Gideon’s Promise? The way those victories, large and small, come about stems, in part, from being part of a collective consciousness. Like the zeitgeist that fueled the Civil Rights Movement, Gideon’s Promise is at the eye of an empowerment narrative for public defenders. Each summer I am part of the faculty for the program, which convenes in Birmingham, Alabama in August, and I see that that’s what it provides. In short, being part of the faculty at Gideon’s Promise confirms for me that that narrative about public defender powerlessness is false. Gideon’s Promise: creates a supportive community of lawyers who will reject a culture that disrespects poor people; who will become leaders in criminal and juvenile indigent defense; who will hold, in their hearts, a different vision for how the system processes people. In short, Gideon’s Promise is the kind of long-view medium for social change that can start to meet the issues in our current criminal justice system. If we are lucky, it will trick a new generation into going to law school. The zeitgeist has got to start somewhere. Posted by: Robin Walker Sterling | Jul 16, 2013 12:00:28 AM I write to explain why I contribute my time to Gideon’s Promise. Like others who have commented, I am a trainer in the program. I do it precisely because it is a community of defenders who are dedicated to systemic change. Russell Gabriel hit the nail on the head in describing the transformative power of Gideon’s Promise as flowing from its “value centered training.” I’ll try to describe three ways in which I believe this to be true. First, the emphasis on client-centered defending is, I find it sad to say, a radical one. A commonly held view of defense lawyering holds that there are only three choices that “belong” to the client – whether to plead guilty, whether to request a jury trial, and whether to testify. Everything else is up to the lawyer. Gideon’s Promise flips that calculus on its head, rejecting lawyer-centered lawyering at every turn. This is a redistribution of resources that is transformative not only because it empowers individual clients to determine the trajectory of their cases (and like Robin Walker Sterling, with whom it is my privilege to teach, I believe individual acts can transform not only clients’ lives but lawyers’, jurors’, and judges’ as well), but because on a large scale this is a redistribution of legal resources from the elite lawyer class to their clients. Second, because Gideon’s Promise trains lawyers to attend to the values that are expressed through our criminal justice system, these lawyers are not “cogs” in the system. A “value neutral” training system would produce such cogs. But lawyers who are trained to see what is actually going on beneath the superficial mechanics of the humdrum defendant processing system will, as Tamar Birckhead hopes, “crash the system.” They will file motions challenging the way things are routinely done. They will take more time, when it is needed, to make sure their client retains control, instead of acquiescing to the system’s demand that the lawyer take control. Third, Gideon’s Promise trains lawyers to reflect on, question, and transform their own values. Birckhead is worried that the film, “Gideon’s Army,” will induce lawyers to become public defenders for the wrong reasons. The opposite is true of Gideon’s Promise, which requires lawyers to reflect on their own motivations for doing this important work, as part of the program’s mission to produce resilient lawyers who will persist in the face of the adversity so well documented by the film. Travis, the young lawyer in the film who is in his first year of defense work, already recognizes that singlemindedness can’t get you through the day. The goal of helping individuals won’t always get you through, and neither will a view of yourself as a warrior in the new civil rights movement. But a lawyer like Travis, who can recognize that there are many reasons to do this work, and can draw on multiple values and move flexibly between them, will survive. Teaching lawyers to be self-conscious about why we do this work is a valuable component of the support system Gideon’s Promise delivers. The hope is that these non-cogs in the broken system won’t need to be replaced any time soon. Posted by: Christopher N. Lasch | Jul 18, 2013 9:21:16 AM What does it take to be a public defender? Barbara Babcock said it best in her seminal piece, Defending the Guilty, “… it’s not for everybody. Criminal defense work takes a peculiar mind-set, heart-set, soul-set.” Babcock, Barbara. Defending the Guilty, 32 Cleveland St L Rev 175, 175 (1983-4). Gideon’s Promise (formerly the Southern Public Defender Training Center) is focused on training and supporting those unique and motivated souls who want to devote themselves to defending the poor and ostracized … the lowest of the low … criminal defendants. Gideon’s Promise is an organization that provides public defenders in over-burdened and under-funded offices with training and community. Specifically, Gideon’s Promise offers their young attorney fellows (1) the technical lawyer tool set from client counseling to specific courtroom trial skills and (2) the support of community of like-minded and dedicated professional colleagues and mentors. Those who graduate law school will the mind-set, heart-set, and soul-set to become public defenders need practical training and coping skills to sustain themselves and serve their clients as public defenders. Gideon’s Promise is filling this niche. Beyond training the line public defenders, Gideon’s Promise trains leaders from public defender offices and criminal defense clinicians at law schools around the country. Public defenders are witnesses to tragedy – tragedy in the court system, tragedy in the lives of the clients they represent, and tragedy in their clients’ community. Public defenders toil in a system which swiftly and efficiently convicts and locks up the indigent. There are problems at each of the three stages of our criminal justice system: (1) policing, (2) the court process, and (3) punishment / incarceration. As a whole, the system functions to disproportionately stop, search, arrest, charge, convict, and punish / incarcerate minority citizens. It is true that quality representation of indigent defendants will not alone solve the pervasive problems in the U.S. criminal justice system. However, focusing on the crisis in indigent defense is an important and necessary part of a improving a flawed system. When our system provides truly zealous and effective representation of the poor, the impact spreads beyond the court process to expose problems in policing and to reduce overly harsh sentences of incarceration. We are currently experiencing the dismantling of the federal defender program due to unequal and severe sequester budget cuts. Federal defender offices across the country are averaging 30 % reductions. The prosecutors at the United States Attorney’s Office are not subject to the same sequester budget cuts … those cuts were forestalled by a concern for the importance of prosecution in protecting law and order. As a result of cuts, federal defenders are going to experience higher caseloads, fewer resources, and lessened opportunities for community and training. There is no way around it: cuts impact the lawyers and the cuts will soon impact the ability of the lawyers to zealously represent their clients. Nationally, on a state level, state prosecution spending exceeds state spending on defense by nearly $3.5 billion annually. In California, where I practice, the budget for prosecution exceeds that of defense by roughly $300 million. We need films like Gideon’s Army to tell us what it is like in these broken systems to fight against the popular perception that resources for prosecution are more important than resources for defense. Gideon’s Promise, motivated young attorneys, and experienced public defenders devoted to supporting fledgling attorneys … these are the antidote to the crisis in indigent defense. I was a the public defender in Washington D.C. for five years, and, for the last five years, I have had the privilege of practicing while training budding lawyers in a juvenile justice clinic at the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Law school clinics provide excellent training for law students aspiring to become public defenders and ensure excellent representation of clients. Clinics, like those offered at Loyola in LA, like those offered by Professor Birkhead at UNC, by Professors Lasch and Sterling-Walker at Denver, and Professor Chapin at Boulder, are also an antidote to the crisis in indigent defense. These defender training programs can work together and in conjunction with Gideon’s Promise in the movement to make Gideon’s Promise a reality rather than merely an aspiration. I am a proud volunteer faculty member and mentor for Gideon’s Promise. I also encourage my students to become public defenders, while being realistic about the lifestyle sacrifices the work entails. Like Travis, the warrior public defender who was featured in the film Gideon’s Army, I think there is no better work on earth. I recently organized a screening of Gideon’s Army with a small group of former clinic students who are now public defenders in Los Angeles and current law students in a seminar class I taught this summer. The film was an important demonstration of many major issues in our criminal justice system – collateral consequences of convictions, pressures to plea bargain, mandatory minimum sentences and lack of discretion, the use of cooperators / snitches, the personal and financial sacrifice required of public defenders, the overwhelming caseloads and inadequate resources public defenders face, the state of indigent defense in the South today, the de-humanization of criminal defendants, the lack of agency and empowerment facing indigent defendants and their families, the impact of astronomical bail price points on the poor, and the far-reaching impact of injustices to families and communities … to name a few. My students are always focused on what we need to do to change the system. Exposure of the problems, concrete and replicable solutions, and creation of public will in favor of reform … these are the answers to which we return. As legal educators, we can afford our students knowledge about the problems in our system so that, as the next generation of attorneys, they can fight for change to create fairness and justice – as defenders, as judges, as prosecutors, as legislators, as journalists, and as activists. As a part of that legal education, we can equip the students who possess the mind-set, heart-set, and soul-set to do the work with the practical training they need to hit the ground running as public defenders. Those superiorly trained attorneys will then become resources and leaders within their offices. This same model of change employed by clinical legal education is what Gideon’s Promise is doing nationally and on a large scale. The crisis in indigent defense, and more broadly, the many failings of our American criminal justice system, can only be combated with a multi-frontal attack on the myriad problems. Gideon’s Promise is combating the specific problem of the crisis in indigent defense with a concrete and successful model. Gideon’s Promise embodies the words of Margaret Mead …. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
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Psychotherapist Jane N. Geiger, M.A., D.Min. Counselor, Coach, & Mediator Psychotherapy means many different things to many people in 2011. I will reserve this weighty discussion for conversation so that all clients will understand the process involved. Some counselors are "Orthodox Psychotherapists" and some pull from a storehouse of helpful tools. I often apply the principles of Adlerian Family Parenting; Cloud and Townsend's Boundaries; the Bible's encouraging Gospel of Truth, healing prayer when a client desires prayer; Passionate Marriage by Schnarch; Love Languages by Chapman, Gottman, Goleman, Sue Johnson, Coaching and Career Strategies by John Maxwell; Coaching for 2012 by Seth Godin and John Maxwell;Leadership training for entrepreneurs, and much more. Psychotherapist Jutta von Buchholtz, Ph.D. L.P.C. I practice psychotherapy as well as Jungian analysis. In the latter we go deeper into what is at the bottom of our often unwanted emotions. Fixing what's on top, what's "visible" so to speak, is like a welcome band-aid for the psyche and often just what's called for. At times, though, we want to know about "what's going on below" to quote Leonard Cohen and then we start to look at life symbolically: what does this really mean? Where's the growth surge in this pain? Psychotherapist David Myers, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist/Psychotherapist For me, this ultimately is a process to return to your birth rite of aliveness. After being born, we encounter myriads of experiences that push us to conform to some external standard. Some of these are beneficial, and some are destructive to our individuality. In psychotherapy, we are aiming for your healthy individuation; so that you have a balance of attention to both your needs and the needs of others. The balance allows you to have wonderfully reciprocal relations with others; so that you are enriched by those relations. I call this balanced aliveness. Therapy In Cities Near To Vance, AL Zip Codes Near Vance, AL Vance is a city that is located in multiple counties- Tuscaloosa County and Bibb County in Alabama. It has a land area of 10.17 square miles and a water area of 0.02 square miles. &nbspThe population of Vance is 1,513 people with 465 households and a median annual income of $64,432. . Therapy Affordability Meter for Vance, AL Generally Affordable Therapists in Vance are often within budget with some potential challenges for longer term commitments. Your mental health and well being are a top priority. If accessibility is a concern, ask your counselor about sliding scale fees or inquire about accepted insurance plans. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local Vance public health department. Our purpose is to help people everywhere find great counselors and psychologists. Everyone can have a new start in life.
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Send me email updates about messages I've received on the site and the latest news from The CafeMom Team. By signing up, you certify that you are female and accept the Terms of Service and have read the Privacy Policy. why i think pot should be illegal this was taken from webmd.com. i personally am against smoking weed. its not safer than cigarettes like most think (i dont smoke cigarettes either by the way) and the mental effects are not something i want to deal with when taking care of children. How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain? Scientists have learned a great deal about how THC acts in the brain to produce its many effects. When someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the "high" that users experience when they smoke marijuana. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none. The highest density of cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.1 Not surprisingly, marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that, in chronic users, marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off.2 As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time. Research into the effects of long-term cannabis use on the structure of the brain has yielded inconsistent results. It may be that the effects are too subtle for reliable detection by current techniques. A similar challenge arises in studies of the effects of chronic marijuana use on brain function. Brain imaging studies in chronic users tend to show some consistent alterations, but their connection to impaired cognitive functioning is far from clear. This uncertainty may stem from confounding factors such as other drug use, residual drug effects, or withdrawal symptoms in long-term chronic users. Addictive Potential Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite the known harmful effects upon functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities. Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent) and among daily users (25-50 percent). Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms including: irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to remain abstinent. These symptoms begin within about 1 day following abstinence, peak at 2-3 days, and subside within 1 or 2 weeks following drug cessation.3 Marijuana and Mental Health A number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. Some of these studies have shown age at first use to be an important risk factor, where early use is a marker of increased vulnerability to later problems. However, at this time, it is not clear whether marijuana use causes mental problems, exacerbates them, or reflects an attempt to self-medicate symptoms already in existence. Chronic marijuana use, especially in a very young person, may also be a marker of risk for mental illnesses - including addiction - stemming from genetic or environmental vulnerabilities, such as early exposure to stress or violence. Currently, the strongest evidence links marijuana use and schizophrenia and/or related disorders.4 High doses of marijuana can produce an acute psychotic reaction; in addition, use of the drug may trigger the onset or relapse of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals. What Other Adverse Effect Does Marijuana Have on Health? Effects on the Heart Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug.5 This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias. This risk may be greater in aging populations or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities. Effects on the Lungs Numerous studies have shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which further increase the lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke. Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer;6 however, a recent case-controlled study found no positive associations between marijuana use and lung, upper respiratory, or upper digestive tract cancers.7 Thus, the link between marijuana smoking and these cancers remains unsubstantiated at this time. Nonetheless, marijuana smokers can have many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections. A study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems and miss more days of work than nonsmokers.8 Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses. Effects on Daily Life Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to cause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems worse. In one study, heavy marijuana abusers reported that the drug impaired several important measures of life achievement, including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status.9 Several studies associate workers' marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers' compensation claims, and job turnover. Nah, ill leave it up to the poty, seems to be a skill their proficient at. Quoting Anonymous: Try doing that stoned, lets see how good you can do. Quoting Anonymous: Look everyone, if you don't smoke pot, you can copy and paste. by Anonymous 34 on Dec. 12, 2012 at 2:20 PM 1 mom liked this Addiction is a problem, if you do it everyday you have a problem. Quoting Anonymous: I disagree. When people aren't daily smokers, that's when being high can cause a problem, imo. Their body isn't used to it and they aren't able to function normally. Everyone I know who smokes does it daily. From the Medical Doctors to the designers to the teachers. It's like drinking a glass of wine a day. If you drink a glass of wine daily, then you're probably just fine to go on with your day. If you're like me and don't drink at all, then a glass can finish you for the day. Smoking can be a way to start the day, get your mind and body prepared, and calm your nerves. In my experience, I find that it helps manage A.D.D. and stress related illness. Quoting Anonymous: When you do it everyday, just like drinking then it's a problem and a habit. I bet you most of these moms have that problem, I used to, thank God I don't anymore. Quoting Anonymous: It surprises me how many people can only associate smoking with hard partying. Everyone I know who smokes does it daily, in their own homes or outside, as a way to relax. Like a glass of wine. That's like saying anyone who drinks a beer is a child and needs to grow out of her sorority girl lifestyle. Quoting Anonymous: It's true! I used to ,part everyday, smoking my joints, blunts and bowls and was very lazy. One job I had I was fired because I came in so stoned I couldn't do my job, but that didn't stop me from smoking everyday. I even got to the point of doing harder drugs, didn't work cause I was stoned everyday. What did stop me is when I found out I was pregnant, I completely stopped. I realized it wasn't just unhealthy for my baby, but that I was going to be a mother and needed to act the part living by example for her. I didn't want my child doing the dumb stupid things I did. I haven't touched it since, that was 15 years ago and don't miss it one bit, I grew up and became responsible for the first time in my life. Drugs are stupid, bad for your health, destroy many lives besides the users, make you lazy and stupid and a complete waste of money. I wonder how many moms in this post alone that smoke their weed complain about their financial situations, many I'm sure. Quoting mary841108: lol i love this! Quoting Anonymous: It amazes me to see how many mothers smoke weed, It seems many have a lot of growing up to do. smh oh but if its ok, then why dont you kids know you do it? if it isnt bad for you, why not let the kids see you lighting up a joint/bowl/ blunt or however you do it? Quoting Mommyof2n0308: Just because its illegal does not make it won't.my kids have no idea I smoke.I'm prescribed anti depressants anti Anxiety pills out the wazoo, I'd much rather get the kids to sleep and smoke a few hits to calm my mind then be doped up barely able to function on xanax and that other crap that's legal but more harmful. Quoting mary841108: ummm yeah. way to set a good example for your kids. "ill smoke whether or not the gov't approved" so you would do something illegal because it makes you a better person. i see that logic. Quoting Mommyof2n0308: Okay miss.Mary Poppins! I'll smoke whether it not you approve.I'll smoke whether or not the government approved. It makes me a better person My advice to Mary is NOT TO SMOKE. If you really believe this BS then just stay away from it. I could pull up differnt studies that would put her post to shame but what's the point? One fact that I will point out or two, is that Marijuana hasn't cost nearly as many lives as tobacco and alcohol, and isn't anywhere close to being as dangerous as the many other drugs available illegal or legally. That was my soapbox as I get ready to inhale.. Do you make sure your kids see you taking medication? If they did what do you say, "oh this is mommy's medicine and only for mommy because my doctor prescribed it". It is that simple really. I personally am not going to hide it, if my daughter ask it is my medicine and should only be used with a prescription. I don't smoke it though. Why don't kids watch adults have sex? Why aren't kids allowed in bars? Why? Because my chill out time is mychill out time. Its my time to meditate and think with no distractions.its time for me to clear my head...that's why.. Quoting mary841108: oh but if its ok, then why dont you kids know you do it? if it isnt bad for you, why not let the kids see you lighting up a joint/bowl/ blunt or however you do it? Quoting Mommyof2n0308: Just because its illegal does not make it won't.my kids have no idea I smoke.I'm prescribed anti depressants anti Anxiety pills out the wazoo, I'd much rather get the kids to sleep and smoke a few hits to calm my mind then be doped up barely able to function on xanax and that other crap that's legal but more harmful. Quoting mary841108: ummm yeah. way to set a good example for your kids. "ill smoke whether or not the gov't approved" so you would do something illegal because it makes you a better person. i see that logic. Quoting Mommyof2n0308: Okay miss.Mary Poppins! I'll smoke whether it not you approve.I'll smoke whether or not the government approved. It makes me a better person Send me email updates about messages I've received on the site and the latest news from The CafeMom Team. By signing up, you certify that you are female and accept the Terms of Service and have read the Privacy Policy.
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Follow KPCC Honeybee shortage could harm world supply of almonds (Photos) by Wendy Lee | Take Two Dr. Gordon Wardell, beekeeper for Paramount Farms' almond farms in Lost Hills, Calif., pulls out a frame of rented honeybees. Paramount is the largest almond grower in the nation with 46,000 acres of almond trees across the San Joaquin Valley.Maya Sugarman/KPCC Share A nationwide shortage of honeybees could begin harming the global supply of almonds, which are largely grown in California, bee experts say. A dieoff of the buzzing pollinators from coast to coast, if it continues, could put a strain on almond orchards across the Golden State, which produces 80 percent of the world’s almond crop. Beekeepers who have suffered plunging bee populations are reporting huge financial losses. Those that had colonies die, are dealing with remaining bees that are very weak. “Every beekeeper in the United States is trying to increase their colonies to meet that demand and get that big payday, but most of them are barely able to keep their current numbers,” said Joe Traynor, a Bakersfield bee broker who organizes deals between beekeepers and almond farmers. “They are just treading water.” Traynor said beekeepers are lucky to survive with 30 to 50 percent losses. He said this year was the worst he’s seen in the decades to bring bees to good colony strength for almond pollination. Gordon Wardell, a bee biologist for California’s largest almond grower, Paramount Farming Co., said some of the beekeepers it works with this year suffered losses. “Some of the beekeepers that have worked for us had pretty dramatic crashes as well, some have lost 30, 50 percent, some as much as 60 percent of their bees,” Wardell said. Wardell said the plunge in honeybee production is being caused by a variety of factors, from the drought in the Midwest, parasitic mites that feed on bee blood, and an unusually cold snap earlier this winter in California. Every year, 75 percent of the national supply of honeybees is trucked in from places like New York, the Dakotas and Florida to pollinate the 780,000 acres of almond groves in California—an area roughly the size of the state of Rhode Island. Bee experts say about 1.6 million hives are needed to pollinate the crop, but this year, they estimate the bees fell short. Without bees, there would be no almonds. And the bees are falling behind, even as almond demand is soaring worldwide, from China to India. The desire for the tree nut has boomed as California farmers marketed almonds as a healthy snack. Almonds are now California’s largest agricultural export, valued at nearly $4 billion in 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “It looks like we’ve promoted almonds to the point where we need to start promoting bees,” said Mike Mason, a member of the board of directors for the Almond Board of California, a trade group. Other farming trends are making the future tough for bees. Many farmers have been preferring to grow corn in recent years, inspired by the demand for corn-based ethanol for fuel. But corn doesn’t provide flowers for bees to feed on, cutting out an important food source for bees between seasons. The dilemma of the beekeepers caused dozens of them to meet on a recent Friday night at a beekeeper’s home in Shafter in the San Joaquin Valley. The home was surrounded by a grove of flowering almond trees. As the beekeepers met for a dinner of pasta and chicken, there were no easy answers. David Bradshaw, a second-generation beekeeper from Visalia, drove more than an hour to this meeting to commiserate. He says he lost half a million dollars recently when he saw his bee population plunge by 40 percent. “Everyone is just full of questions,” Bradshaw said. Not all almond farms are in trouble. As California’s largest almond grower, Paramount Farming Company’s Lost Hills orchard in Kern County was able to find enough bees. During a tour of its farm, as many as 20,000 to 30,000 bees live in each of the white hive boxes, each containing frames that hold bees and their eggs, pupa and larva. They buzz toward the bright white blossoms that dot rows upon rows of almond trees. Some farmers hold out hope that this year’s crop will manage to eke out a decent almond supply. But all bets are off for future seasons if the bee shortage worsens. Wardell, the bee biologist, said if the almond industry is to thrive, it needs to find ways to keep the bee population alive. “It’s our responsibility as stewards of the bees to figure out about what’s going on and bring them back into balance,” Wardell said. Recently on Take Two About Take Two Take Two, exclusively on 89.3 KPCC, 89.1 KUOR and 90.3 KVLA in southern California, and on 88.9 KNPR in Las Vegas, captures the spirit of the West in a conversational, informal, witty style and examines the cultural issues people are buzzing about.
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Makcim & Managemend tour #minimal, tech house, minimal techno Oh no! There aren’t any events Get updates for upcoming Makcim & Managemend events About Makcim & Managemend Makcim was born in Moscow in the year 1979. During his childhood he listened to Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Joy Division, Pink Floyd, Russian Classic and many more.. At the age of 12 he moved to the Netherlands. Since 1996 Makcim started buying records frequently after he got inspired by the music in the house scene. In 1999 he got his first residency in a bar in Eindhoven called ‘De Hoogste Tijd’. During the time he played there, and also organised some illegal parties, he got to know some new people which he founded a new platform with, called ‘Minimal Eindhoven’. (Last.fm)
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This e-mail was sent to you by First-Year Experience of St. Bonaventure University. To ensure receipt of our e-mails, please add us ([email protected]) to your e-mail address book. View this e-mail online_______________________________________________________________________________________ In late August, Hurricane Irene pounded the Northeast. Almost immediately, BonaResponds volunteers were making plans to help affected communities with their recoveries. BonaResponds is a volunteer organization whose primary mission is to help people after a disaster. Professor James Mahar founded the volunteer program in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. The program has grown tremendously in the past couple of years. BonaResponds helps with everything from disasters caused by ice storms to fires, both locally and nationally. When Mahar heard there was a need for help with Hurricane Irene in Margaretville, N.Y., he started planning. “It is what we do,” commented Mahar. Alexandra Perl, a freshman international studies and political science major from Penn Yan, N.Y., was involved with the Hurricane Irene cleanup. She said she joined BonaResponds because, “when I was looking for clubs to join I had two basic criteria: the club must offer volunteerism and have a sense of community. BonaResponds fit those criteria and felt like home.” During the cleanup, the St. Bonaventure University volunteers cleaned homes, helped prevent further flooding and removed destroyed personal possessions and appliances. As part of another project, they also packed five pallets of pharmaceuticals for Ethiopia. Some 30 jobs have been completed by the program. Even though much work remains, Mahar says they got off to a good start. James Vanderhoof, a freshman undeclared science major from Erie, Pa., was more than happy to be a part of the cleanup. “During the cleanup my main thought was, ‘How is cleaning up mud out of basements this much fun?,’” he said. While in Margaretville, group members were stopped by many people on the street, applauding the volunteers for their help and good nature. “I feel as though we really made a difference in our little bit of time in Margaretville,” said Andrew Dugan, a freshman undeclared business major from Erie, Pa. “The volunteering was awesome and I plan on staying involved with BonaResponds.” BonaResponds is open to all, from students to staff to alumni and community members. All anybody has to do is come to any work day, sign up online for a trip or contact James Mahar. “BonaResponds aims to help make things better. We may not make it perfect but we can make it better! Whether the help is ‘just’ being there immediately after a disaster to listen to survivors, or if it means hauling trees, gutting houses, and picking up debris. Or maybe helping means painting, landscaping, or even roofing. The goal is to make the world a little better,” said Mahar It is hard for anyone not to feel slightly intimidated whenever he/she is in the presence of Sr. Margaret Carney, St. Bonaventure University’s twentieth president. But as she addressed us, the Class of 2015, it was as if some of that intimidation melted away. After an introduction from Dr. Nancy Casey (and the “turn off your cell phone” spiel), Sr. Margaret spoke to us, not at us. She broke the ice right off the bat by sharing her love for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I understand that makes me a rather dangerous and difficult person to like for some of you,” she said. She went on to delve into the history of the Steelers and their time spent on St. Bonaventure’s campus for their training from 1950-1954. Our attention was captured. If it was not clear to us before why our first assignment as a class was to read “Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal” by Conor Grennan, Sr. Margaret certainly cleared it up. There, accompanied by the president of the university herself, we as a class were given the chance to discuss the book we had all read. In “Little Princes,” Conor Grennan travels to Nepal to volunteer in an orphanage called Little Princes. He has mixed feelings about his decision to do so. He never expected to develop a deep love for the children of Nepal, but he did. After learning that many of the “orphans” are actually children who were placed in the orphanage by a child trafficker, Grennan made it his mission to find the families of each of the children. Grennan will speak to the Bonaventure community about his experiences on Monday, Sept. 26. “Now, there are an awful lot of you and there’s just one of him,” Sr. Margaret said. “So when he does come to visit, the question for me is ‘How do we maximize his interaction with this class?’” With that, Sr. Margaret traveled around the Dresser Auditorium, listening to suggestions and building a Letterman-esque Top Ten List of reasons why the Class of 2015 wants to meet Conor Grennan. Some of the nominations were humorous (“I just felt he’d be honored to meet me,” said one member of the Class of 2015, much to his classmates’ approval) while others really hit home for St. Bonaventure students. “We thought he represented a modern example of the Franciscan values on which this university was built,” came a suggestion from Jessica Ceglia, a psychology major from Scio, N.Y. While the other suggestions were just as important, Sr. Margaret ran with the one about Franciscan values. “Somebody said he seems to have some of the same Franciscan values that you’ve been hearing about since you were welcomed to Bona’s at Orientation and even in these first weeks of your freshman year,” said Sr. Margaret. “I would say, ‘Amen to that idea.’” She discussed Grennan and his use of the word “resilient.” They had been through so much, and yet were so resilient that they could bounce right back and still act like little children. “My question to you, the Class of 2015, is: ‘How are you going to show us your resilience in your years here at St. Bonaventure?’” Sr. Margaret wants the Class of 2015 to make a mark at St. Bonaventure and for us to do something that the classes before us have not done before. We may be a diverse class full of different majors and interests, but we can work together to make a difference here at St. Bonaventure. “If you walk around this campus, you’re going to see little brass plaques with names. You’re going to see buildings -- Plassmann, Reilly, Walsh, De La Roche – who were those people? Why is their mark so important? What is your mark going to be?” St. Bonaventure University has high expectations for us as a class, and we have very big shoes to fill. Maybe someday one of our names will adorn the front of a building here on campus. If Sr. Margaret’s hopes come true, our names will be famous at St. Bonaventure University. Sr. Margaret ended with one simple sentence: “I hope you have a great adventure.” We had the first of many great adventures together as a class just moments later. We were unaware that a storm had broken out during Sr. Margaret’s address. We screamed and ran together from the Murphy Professional Building back to our respective residences in the pouring rain. -Emily Steves Class of 2015 ________________________________________ Family Weekend A few short weeks ago, you dropped your student off at school. Now, it’s time to come back for a visit. Family Weekend, Sept. 23 to 25, offers the chance to catch up with your student and enjoy a variety of entertainment and activities. The weekend will begin on Friday, Sept. 23, when the women’s soccer team takes on Colgate University. The weekend will finish on Sunday, Sept. 25, with a Mass in the University Chapel. Christel Mendez, a junior, said, “My parents have been coming to Family Weekend since my freshman year. It’s a long drive up from New York City, but they don’t mind.” Entertainment will include the New York Voices, a jazz ensemble, and the popular Casino Night. If you’re feeling athletic, you can take part in a golf tourney and the Bonafit 5K walk and run. Family members will also be offered the chance to have coffee with Sr. Margaret Carney, University president. One of the most buzzed-about events is the show with hypnotist Keith Karkut. Cristal Mota, a senior, said, “the hypnotist has been my favorite family weekend event since my freshman year. Murphy Auditorium is always packed and you are guaranteed to laugh the entire night.” Another much-anticipated event during Family Weekend is Bonagany, which involves university students plus Allegany residents and officials. Bonagany brings food, shopping, music, activities and clubs together on Main Street on Saturday. Senior Paul Leonardo , member of the Latino American Student Organization, said, “every year at Bonagany many of the clubs have a table set up with either games, or in our case, we prepare authentic Spanish dishes for anyone in the festival to try. People get a little taste of our culture.” Other activities will include inflatable amusements, wagon rides, classic cars and local music acts. Stephen Kuchera, assistant director of Activities, Recreation and Leadership, at Bonaventure said, “the time on each activity has been extended to give everyone a chance to participate, and some new events have been added to the schedule so that everyone has more time to do their favorite activity.” Family is an important part of the Bona lifestyle, Kuchera said. “It’s important for parents to attend activities so they can see what type of school their child is attending.” The full schedule of events can be found on www.sbu.edu/familyweekend. -Cristabell Ramdial Class of 2013 Still looking for a place to stay for Family Weekend? Try searching hotels in nearby Cuba or Ellicottville, N.Y. or Bradford, Pa. There are also a few places on www.vrbo.com. Families looking for a little more adventure should also check out Allegany State Park, which has cabins for rent. All Bonaventure Reads Over the summer, while your son or daughter prepared to go off to college, your child also began to prepare for the schoolwork that was bound to come once she became a student at St. Bonaventure University. Her first assignment? To read “Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal” by Conor Grennan and write a reflection essay. The book and the assignment were among the first things your student received at summer orientation. “Little Princes,” which was picked unanimously by the All Bonaventure Reads (ABR) Committee last spring, takes students on a journey to war-torn Nepal, giving them a glimpse of humanity that seems to be a world away in another life and time from the sheltered world many students have grown to know. “The book is really about how making the smallest of decisions can put us on the right path,” said Jean Ehman, chair of the ABR Committee. “This book really showed me that one person can make a difference in the world, and I would love to do something as inspiring as Conor Grennan,” she said. “I want to make a difference and I feel like now I can.” “I believe the freshman class has gained a new perspective on life in general, and I believe they aspire to do something great like Conor Grennan did,” Scott said. “I think it made our class more personable with each other because we have this common experience.” For the past five years, the authors of the selected books have come to St. Bonaventure University to talk with the freshmen classes about his or her book and to hear how the book impacted the students. This year will be no different. On Sept. 26, the Monday after Family Weekend, Grennan will come to St. Bonaventure University. He will speak to students, faculty, staff and community members at the Reilly Center. Before his talk, he will dine with 39 freshmen and various members of the St. Bonaventure community. Thirteen of these 39 freshmen are the essay contest winners. They were selected by a committee of faculty and staff members from the university who evaluated their essay reflections from the summer assignment. One student from each of the 26 sections of University 101 will also be chosen to go to the dinner. The selection process for these 26 students is left up to each University 101 class. Since Grennan’s speech is the day after Family Weekend, Ehman said parents and family members are welcome to stay an extra day to attend the event. “We hope students will talk to their parents about the book,” said Ehman, also the director of the Teaching and Learning Center. However, before Grennan comes to St. Bonaventure University, your student will have several opportunities to view movies related to the themes of the book. Students had the chance to view “Returned: Child Soldiers of Napal’s Maoist Army” and “Everest – Beyond the Limit." One additional video, “Call + Response,” is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21. These activities are considered “passport” events and can be used to fulfill part of the activities required of freshmen. On Nov. 15, the entire freshmen class will attend the First-Year Experience Conference where each University 101 class will present a poster, a presentation or even a video relating to one or more of the themes presented in “Little Princes.” A First-Year Experience committee member will soon be talking with the class officers, once elections are complete, to discuss holding a fundraiser for the Next Generation Nepal charity, which was inspired by the book and is now in partnership with “Little Princes.” As University 101 wraps up, your student will finish analyzing the book and talking about it in class. But Ehman hopes the book will continue to impact each student’s life and that the discussion will move from the classroom to the outside world. “It’s a thinking matter,” she said. “We want the students to think about the book and talk about it. Start a conversation about it.” “After reading 'Little Princes,' I realized that the world is a very imperfect place and that there are a lot of good people in the world,” Scott said.
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Austrian backlash for Arnie's 'lack of mercy' Page Tools Related California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger should be stripped of citizenship in his native Austria for approving the execution of a convicted killer, a leading Austrian politician said. Peter Pilz, a top official with the environmentalist Green Party, said the Austria-born Schwarzenegger no longer is worthy of citizenship in his homeland because he broke the law by clearing Donald Beardslee's execution on Wednesday. Capital punishment is illegal in Austria, and Schwarzenegger - who holds dual US-Austrian nationality - should be stripped of his Austrian passport for "heavily damaging the reputation of the republic," Pilz said. He told Austrian media he sent the Interior Ministry a letter formally requesting the government begin the process of terminating Schwarzenegger's citizenship. "Schwarzenegger is possibly the most prominent Austrian abroad, and he shapes the picture of Austria," Pilz said. "I don't want that picture shaped by someone who commits state murder. That does not correspond to the political culture of this country." Calls to the Interior Ministry went unanswered yesterday. It appeared unlikely the Greens, a leftist opposition party which holds just a handful of seats in parliament, would persuade Austria's conservative government to revoke Schwarzenegger's citizenship. Rarely, if ever, has Austria taken the extraordinary step of stripping someone of citizenship. Beardslee, 61, convicted of killing two women over a drug deal almost a quarter-century ago, became the first inmate put to death by California in three years when he was given a lethal injection at San Quentin State Prison. The execution came hours after Schwarzenegger rejected a clemency petition seeking to commute the death sentence to life without parole, and the California Supreme Court rejected two last-minute appeals. In Vienna, it triggered a small but spirited protest outside the US Embassy. The backlash against Schwarzenegger underscores how he has lost popularity in his homeland over his support for the death penalty. Most Austrians - and many other Europeans - abhor capital punishment as cruel and inhumane. In a straw vote held earlier in the week in the western province of Upper Austria, fewer than 25 per cent said they considered Schwarzenegger fit to run the province. It was a stark difference from six months ago, when Austria's post office giddily issued a new "Arnie" stamp and Austrian newspaper commentators urged Americans to amend the constitution to let foreign-born citizens like Schwarzenegger run for president. Pilz's Green Party has been especially riled by the governor's pro-death penalty stance. In the southern city of Graz, near Schwarzenegger's birthplace, the Greens have led a drive to rename Schwarzenegger Stadium, a 15,350-seat soccer venue, because he supports capital punishment. Schwarzenegger was born in 1947 in the village of Thal just outside Graz. He emigrated to the United States in 1968 and became a naturalised US citizen in 1984, but has retained his Austrian citizenship. Pilz insists there are sufficient legal grounds to strip Schwarzenegger of that citizenship. A clause in Austria's nationality law stipulates that citizenship can be revoked if an Austrian "in the service of another country substantially damages the interests or reputation of the republic by his or her behaviour".
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The following article was originally published by Wenger Corporation on its performing arts blog. Over the next three weeks, we’ll examine security in performing arts centers from three different angles: operations, planning and training. This week we’ll focus on safety procedures and
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Pages StumbleUpon BlogLovin' What to do in Belgrade, Serbia 10:50:00 AM I have a lotof visitors from all over the world. In my travelling tips i mentioned how great it is to meet a local that will show you around, and then i realized that i am the local in my hometown and i can show you what things you shouldn’t miss here, in Belgrade. It’s the city in south-east Europe, capital of ex-Yugoslavia. According to western media, we’re the most horrible people ever. But that’s not true at all! Belgrade is a safe and interesting city and it’s a great travel destination. Our people and generous, warm and friendly. If you’re looking for place to visit that’s raw and has a soul, that’s not occupied by tourists and has a lot of cool things to do and visit - it’s a place for you. Here are some must-do things if you come to Belgrade: 1. Party. Lonely planet named us #1 party city in the world. And that’s not an accident - nightlife here is amazing. If you come here in summer, make sure to visit splavs, as we call it, or basically floating clubs. But if you come in winter, don’t worry, all splavs have their winter version, but they are situated mostly in city center and not on riverside. Also make sure to visit Skadarlija, old part of the city, where you can go to kafanas (Irish people have pubs and we have kafanas - something like tavernas). Live music, lots of drinks and old, emotional songs - not an everyday experience. 2. Eat. Who doesn’t like good food? But one warning: leave your diet at home. Serbian cuisine has been influenced by Balkan, Turkish, Mediterranean and Hungarian and Austrian cuisine (part of the aftermath of our everything-but-boring history). If i started writing about it i would need a separate blog just for it, so i’ll stop right here and let you discover it in all of its glory. Warning: if you’re vegetarian/vegan Serbian dishes may not be your cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean you have to be hungry - you can visit one of the restaurants with great and artistic interior and atmosphere and international food, for example the ones in Beton hala (river view included). 3. Take a walk. After lunch you gotta take a walk to digest all that - right? Good thing is that city center of Belgrade is great for exploring without using any public transportation. You could start at Knez Mihailova street, main street with loads of shops, galleries and street artists. Then, after crossing the street, you are on Belgrade fortress (which consists of Kalemegdan park and old citadel). This is the oldest part of Belgrade, built in 6th century, it’s basically living history. Here you can see, among a lot of other things, monument called Pobednik (The Winner), confluence of two rivers (Danube and Sava), open-air photography exhibitions etc. Also visit Savamala, urban neighborhood near Belgrade port with funky, cool clubs and restaurants and great, artistic graffitis where cool kids go and Dorćol, neighborhood with the oldest buildings and according to many people prettiest part of the city. 4. Learn. Belgrade has a long, rich history. I already mentioned some galleries, but there are also great museums. National museum of Serbia, Ethnographic museum, Museum of Nikola Tesla, Museum of Applied Arts, Tito’s museum - House of flowers and many, many more. There is also Belgrade underground tour (where you can learn a lot) and you can make trip to Vinča - neolithic archaeological locality, one of the first urban settlements in Europe. 5. Cruises. Unlike many cities, Belgrade has 2 rivers - Danube and Sava, which makes going on a river cruise an unforgettable experience and a chance to meet a city from a brand new perspective. It can be really romantic, with dinner, or chill and enjoyable with a lot of sightseeing. They usually go around Kalemegdan, Great War Island and along New Belgrade and Zemun promenades. 6. Go to the beach. If you saw a map of Serbia, this may leave you confused - sea is nowhere to be found. But there is the Belgrade’s sea, as it’s popularly called, or Ada Ciganlija. It has a blue flag. If swimming, tanning and drinking cocktails is boring to you, don’t worry, here you can also bungee jump, water ski, rock climb, roller skate, even play golf! And - this is not exactly a beach - but if you have some spare time don’t miss walking down the promenades by river banks. It’s beautiful, calm and relaxing. 7. Go to Avala. Avala is the small mountain on the periphery of Belgrade. Go on Avala tower, destroyed in 1990s by NATO bombs, built again and reopened as the eastern Europe’s tallest tower, the view is breathtaking. There is also a huge monument of An Unknown Soldier and a mausoleum. It’s great for picnics and chilling. Tip: Go there on weekdays because there’s zillion people on the weekends, especially if weather is nice. Hi! I loved your post! I think Belgrade is really beautiful and should be more visited by the tourists and your post is a great way to help. I would also like to write about my hometown, Sombor, so I think we'll keep in touch. Ne znam zašto sam pisala na engleskom, haha, ispisala sam puno komentara u grupi pa valjda mahinalno. P.S.You forgot to mention St. Sava's church, it's magnificent! If you visit Belgrade (or any place in Serbia), just ask if something is POSNO - that means it's plant based (except it may contain fish, believe it or not, so just make sure there's no fish in that meal and you're good) :) I've never been to Belgrade before and it would be nice to experience all of the things that you have on this list! I think it's great to learn more about a place especially when it comes to their history! I hope to visit someday! I just have recently been to Slovenia. It was my first time there. I really would like to visit Belgrad now. Seems like a great city and I really like the fact it has two rivers. Hope to get to explore it one day and if, your guide really helps. Thank you! The place looks romantically chilly. that's the place I would like to take a walk to and experience cruising with someone I love. Though it may not look like a party place for me, I still think that the place is worth exploring. Belgrade sound absolutely adventurous.Generally when I travel, I leave all my guilt and other dietary concepts behind!The biggest turn on is food for me; and your post is really helpful if ever I would plan to visit Belgrade in the near future :) I've never been to Serbia. My uncle though goes every other year and he loves it! Belgrade definitely sounds lovely. I would love to go to Avala! I really want to see that view. And point 4 sounds really good. Always enjoy going to a museum. Never been to Belgrade, but I will be sure to keep in mind your suggestions should I ever have the opportunity to visit. Definitely Serbia looks like a nice place to visit, and full of things to do and know We have very interesting history and a lot of great destinations beside Belgrade, but we're still relatively undiscovered by tourists (which may be good as you can actually enjoy everything without zillion other people pushing you around and blocking your view) :) To be honest, Serbia wasn't even in my places-to-go-to list but after reading this, I feel like I wanna go there like now! :) I love arts so museums will probably the first place I will visit in Belgrade! :) I never thought about visiting Belgrade but you definitely piqued my curiosity. I definitely want to visit the old part of the city, that's definitely my type of parties than "regular" clubs. There is a lot of interesting museums that I'd visit, specially the Tesla one I'm very cirous about. And I would definitely visit the Avala Tower, I love historical spots. Never thought about adding Belgrade on my travel bucket-list, thanks to you it is now ! I believe I am one of those people that would always just pass by and never explore this place. I guess those reasons are valid enough, you described everything like it was too difficult to pass up as either local or tourist. I would definitely take on a cruise there but Avala really sounds interesting for a priority target. I would most likely follow your suggestions to enjoy the food and take a walk afterwards to help digest the food. :) I would also head to the beach. I think that experiencing the food and walking around leisurely are fun ways to really get the feel of a new place you're visiting. Sitting by the seashore is also a wonderful way to relax while on vacation. Welcome! About me I‘m Dunja (that is pronounced like Do-nia). I wander around Belgrade (occasionally around the world), take too many photos, laugh too loud and scribble all the time.• Welcome to BeingHalcyon, little happy place on Internet where I post my writing and photography. #GoodVibesOnly• Halcyon: (adj.) happy, carefree, idyllic. (n.) Greek goddess that became bird and calmed waves in the winter.
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Here is a series of shots from chinasmack, the guy photo is a village official in China. He got pissed at the reporter and slugged her… life in China. The dude slugged her as he was pissed with her questions… So this case is not finished. I will go back to that village and help the villagers win their rights back! So let us take a look at the village director who hit me — Tan Zhuanhe. Here is the story: “It was like this: I walked out of the village government office and he was there waiting for me. I told him that I was going to the village with him. He said fiercely: “Go, let’s go to the village!” I asked, “What kind of attitude is that?” Suddenly he swung his fist and hit me in the temple. I was stunned. I reacted and yelled: “What are you doing!” He raised his hand and slapped me. Here is the moment captured by the camera [note: which is about 3 minutes into the YouKu video]. Then he let a man wearing a t-shirt grab the camera in order to shut it off. My cameraman Wang Xiaolong hung on to the equipment, but that man snatched off the battery. During this period, the village director grabbed my throat and punched me twice again. He was later stopped by another village cadre. During this episode, the town government party secretary named Ying stood on the side and watched with arms akimbo. He did not intercede. When I asked secretary Ying for help, he turned around and walked away. I thought that this affair was over. But when I learned that they cut off the Qilu TV signal and neither apologized to nor compensated the villagers, I decided to struggle all the way with this Linyi village director!” This matchmaking event was held in a northeast province in China and over 10,000 people showed up. The Chinese have pretty poor social skills in general and the cultural revolution did not help so they look for other means to find dates. I have heard that oftentimes they will chose the manner favored by our canine friends and merely attempt to sniff he hindquarters of a potential mate, but have never seen this corroborated. Anyway,,,, the following are photos of what such an event looks like in the great country of China. These beauties took the low tech approach and hand wrote their specifics, height, weight age, species or sub-species.. The guy in the yellow is probably married and is their either for a- a free meal (see hand) or to cop a feel off someone 20 years younger than he. China has come a long way since they had such poor treatment for the disabled, they used to chastise, punish or even harm them. But welcome to the more civilized China, they now take care of everyone. In the photos below (from chinasmack) you can see both the bad and good of China. Pay attention to the yellow or tannish tiles. These are tiles lain in the sidewalk to guide the blind. The blind need only stay on track, and follow these tiles and they will arrive at their destination. Ah but this is China and China and her attention to detail and/or safety are vividly displayed here. If you look at the tile below, it leads directly over the embankment and into the water, thus any blind person following this path will be surprised/injured…this is China…. these yellow tiles are to help the blind, they show them where the road or path leads to so… presumably if a blind person were to follow this path they would end up getting wet…. China is about to celebrate one of her nearest and dearest holidays, its called the mid-autmn festival and in China, its one of my favorites. Let me take some time and explain its significance to you. After all, I have been here for three years and usually ask quite a few questions about the place and its culture, so here goes… Well to be honest, I am not quite sure what the damned festival is about, and quite honestly it has nothing to do with ignorance or lack of trying, its just hte darned Chinese dont seem to know. Of course I could Google it or do a wiki search (here is answer to what it really is about), but to me, wiki is to be saved for special things or things I could not conceivably figure out using my own devices-(you know , questions like when will China democratize)…… But after living here, one would assume that finding a simple answer to such a question would be quite easy, but alas it is not. Ok, so in modern times what this day means is a lot of happy Chinese who run around and give each other gifts of these delicious things called moon cakes that are round and have eggs and such inside. The streets are packed, and cars fill the roads and everyone seems to have forgotten about the misery in their lives and are at peace. The history of the festival is a little more sketchy, but based on what I have been told by real Chinese, here goes… It is a festival for a day when some guy or a deity or a lady fell in love with a mortal. The two couldnt get togthet to ‘knock boots’ because he was on the moon and she was here. Or maybe he came to visit and her parents were pissed cuz he lived on the moon or that he didnt own a home (to the Chinese this is a sin), or something like that. So the guy had to go back to the moon, but I guess he loved her so much he either killed himself or froze his face on the moon and that is why the moon cakes look the way they do. Confused? So am I, I have even been told that Chinese movies regarding the day all have different endings, so there seems to be quite a bit of ambiguity about the day. I guess we can summarize it by saying that the day is a day to give and receive gifts and eat a lot,,, which makes it pretty similar to most other festivals in China.
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Presentation: “Money Saving Strategies during a Career Transition: Health Insurance, Taxes, College Costs, and Investment Fees” Bill and Jim explain This presentation will cover a number of strategies to consider to help with cash flow during a career transition. The focus will be on those strategies that may not be well known or understood. Topics will include: Medical Insurance through the Affordable Care Act, tax implications of 401k/403b rollovers and withdrawals, tax deductibility of job hunting expenses and strategies to take advantage of shifting marginal tax rates during a transition. About the speakers: Bill LaChance Bill LaChance Bill LaChance is an independent financial advisor. Bill’s firm offers a unique flat fee program that combines financial planning, investment management, tax planning and tax preparation. Prior to launching his financial planning practice, Bill spent twenty two years in corporate finance in the retail industry and before that was a CPA with a large accounting firm. Bill has a B.S. in Accounting from Bryant University and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University. Bill is a Certified Financial Planner as well as an Enrolled Agent authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Jim Moore Jim Moore joined Bill’s firm as an independent financial advisor a little over a year ago. Prior to joining WJL, Jim also had a long career in corporate finance including as a VP Finance with Coca Cola Enterprises and as CFO for a subsidiary of an international public company. Jim also started his career with a large accounting firm. Jim has a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and completed the Financial Planning Certificate program at Fairfield University. Jim is a licensed CPA. About the Meeting: Networking begins at 7:30 am, meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am. There is a $10 fee at the door to cover the cost of the room. Be sure to tell your friends and bring them along. Be a part of our growing network of Job Seekers, Hiring Managers, Recruiters, Career Coaches, and people who want to be able to help themselves and each other. Event Location: Days Hotel Conference Center 195 Rt. 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-828-6900 Meeting Format: 9:15 to 10:15 – Elevator Pitch – 30 Seconds about yourself, who you are, what you are looking for, target companies (3-4), how we can help you, how you can help others. Follow the rule of the Three B’s of Public Speaking: Be informative; Be brief; Be seated. 10:15 until you choose to leave – Open Networking, follow up with people you are interested in meeting following their elevator pitch, exchange business cards, peruse the library, arrange follow up meetings, etc. The Breakfast Club NJ – 10 Points for Good Member Citizenship 1) Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 2) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly 3) Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible 4) Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) 7) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 8) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) 9) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected]) 10) Help fellow members whenever possible Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) Join groups Facebook group and connect to other members directly (questions see Adrienne Roman – [email protected]) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected]) Help fellow members whenever possible RSVP By RSVPing – you help us to arrange for the appropriate sized room. We look forward to seeing everyone let’s make this a great meeting for our members that are in transition and welcome those that have landed We may not always judge a book by its cover, but we almost always judge a business by its website. There are a lot of opinions about what goes into the worst website… Poor color selection, not mobile friendly, hard to read font and terrible images or content. While I agree those are big factors, for me the worst website is the one that is NOT found. Just because you have created and published your website, it does not mean that people will be able to easily find it. If your website is not found, then your business is functionally irrelevant online. So, you need to help the search engines know about your website and help them understand how the website relates to user search entries. In addition, you need to help your audience – the people you want to reach – learn about the existence of your website and business. Search Engine Optimization Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of getting traffic to your website organically and for free in the search results on search engines (e.g. Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.). SEO encompasses both the technical and creative elements required to improve rankings, drive traffic, and increase awareness in search engines. While this is a topic that is too large for a small section in a blog post, here is a summary of the 2 areas you need to focus on for SEO: On-Page SEO is the act of you optimizing different parts of your web site that affect your search engine rankings. It’s stuff that you have control over and can change on your own website, such as page text, various HTML tags, and internal links. Off-Page SEO increases the relevancy of your website by getting links on other websites to your website. Essentially, it increases relevancy because if demonstrates how the “world” views your website. While on-page and off-page SEO work together to improve your search engine rankings, On-page SEO is the one that you should initially spend time on. It’s the one where you have the full control to make updates and improvements. Get SocialIt’s not enough to produce great content on your website and hope that people find it. You must be proactive. One of the best ways to increase traffic to your website is to use social media channels to promote your content and drive traffic to your website. Twitter is ideal for short, snappy attention getters called “tweets”. LinkedIn is the number 1 social media platform for B2B* (business-to-business). Also, YouTube is tops for promoting video content. If you are a B2C (business-to-consumer) organization, you will get the most traction with Facebook*. Also use YouTube and Instagram if your content is largely images. Don’t forget to include your website link in your social media channels and activity. Pay-Per-Click Marketing Pay-Per-Click (PPC) marketing is a way of using search engine advertising to generate clicks to your website instead of “earning” those clicks organically via SEO. Every time your ad is clicked, sending a visitor to your website, you pay the search engine a small fee. You do not pay a fee when the search engine displays your ad, but the searcher does not click your ad. Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords) (https://ads.google.com/home/) is the most popular PPC platform. Although, other search engines and social media channels offer this service. Your entire PPC campaign is built around keywords. These are the words/phrases that people use to search in the search engines. When someone searches using the keywords that are in your campaign, your website ad will display in the search results. The most successful AdWords advertisers continuously refine their PPC keyword list. Add a Blog PageSearch engines love fresh content. There’s no better way to provide fresh and frequent content than with blog posts. You will build trust and clout within your professional community by providing valuable, expert information via your blog posts. Over time, you will become a trusted resource for helpful, informative content, which can ultimately lead to a higher customer conversion rate. If you are already blogging, then post more frequently. This is a form of on-page SEO. Email MarketingIn today’s dynamic digital marketing world, email marketing tends to take a backseat to most online promotion activities. If you haven’t considered email marketing for your business, now may be the time to do so. Email marketing is a targeted, shareable, credible, measurable, and cost-effective marketing tool. Using email marketing, you can create deeper and more personal relationships with a wider audience, and at a very low cost. With a targeted approach and a strong message, your business is sure to benefit from email marketing. While wanting more customers is the primary desire for business owners, then next desired item is increased website traffic. Implementing any of the above strategies can help increase traffic to your website. While some of these strategies won’t be a quick fix, you may be surprised how quickly some of them start to generate results for you. Click here to contact me regarding this or any other blog post. Also, I welcome comments, which you can post below. Your website is a virtual billboard. It often gives potential clients their first impression of what your company has to offer. With a great website, you’ll be able to attract, educate, and convince visitors to buy your products or services. Let’s discuss a few mistakes to avoid so your website will work as well as intended. Not Mobile Friendly A mobile friendly website is essentially when your regular website adjusts its display optimally based on the size of the display on a mobile device. It does not necessarily look like a tiny version of your website. Instead, it positions and resizes content for the best display experience. The most common way to do this is via a responsive design. A responsive design website is built using flexibly sized elements which are controlled by the website code. No matter what size screen the user is using to view your website, the text, images, navigation and graphics will resize fluidly. It’s not device-specific or browser-specific. It’s designed to look good and function well at any size. No Contact InformationIf you’re selling a product or service, you need to offer visitors several ways to contact you. The best option is to have a link to a “Contact Us” page that provides an email form as well as complete contact information: mailing address, phone number and email address. That link should be on every page of your website, or within the common header or footer of your website. The very presence of this information adds legitimacy to your site and terrific geographical information for search engines. Stranding Users on Other WebsitesWhen you have a link on your website that will direct your visitor to another website, make sure you open a new window or tab on your browser to display the other website. Not doing so, and using the same window for the new website, will take your website visitors away from your website in their browser. In that case for the visitor to return to your website, they either need to press the browser’s “back” button many times, or they will need to reenter your website address in the browser address bar. Instead, have your website open another window for any link that will direct a visitor to another website. Your visitor will then be able to easily go back to the point where they left you website simply by closing the new window or tab. Choosing the Wrong KeywordsWhen you type a keyword or phrase into the search box, the search engine returns a list of websites that it tries to match the entered search phrase. Search engines have algorithms that they use to determine the relevancy of the returned matches websites to the search terms. There are several free tools to help you determine the right search terms. Among those are Google Ads. In your website content and code, you need to place those keywords or phrases. That helps the search engine understand the meaning of your website when the search terms are used. However, be sure to identify and use for your website the words and phrases that your visitors will use to search for a website like yours. If your intended audience will be from within your industry, industry terms may be used. However, if your intended audience will be lay people from outside your industry, then use terms that lay people will use. It’s not likely that the search engine algorithms will be able to effectively match lay person terms to websites with mostly industry terms. Broken LinksBroken links are links that don’t work. Some of the reasons why links don’t work include, the website is no longer available, the web page was moved without a redirect being added (server 404 error) or the website URL was changed. Displaying a default server 404 error page, or another default error page, is the same as asking the visitor to leave your website. Instead, redirect users having links to old page to the new related page. Or, default all 404 errors to your website’s Home page. Cleaning up broken links can improve user experience and make content within your website easier for visitors and search engines to discover. However, websites with too many broken links signal a low-quality website to search engines, and especially to your visitors. Bad Font SelectionScript or Serif (having small features on the ends of strokes) fonts may be harder for your visitors to read clearly, especially when rendering your website on a small tablet display or smartphone. Popular serif fonts are Times and Georgia. Popular sans serif (without serif) fonts are Arial and Verdana. Stick with sans serif fonts for greater text clarity.Unrelated ContentYour website is an ambassador of your brand online. Consistency across pages in your website plays an important role in establishing a solid and effective understanding or your brand to both your website visitors (and for SEO). To give your website visitors a clear understanding of your brand, you must deliver a consistent message across all pages on your website. If you have both professional and personal interests, but they are not related (e.g. you offer business marketing consulting services and you enjoy breeding beagles), don’t put the content of both unrelated interests on one website. Half of your audience will be turned off by the content not of interest to them. In addition, the mixing of unrelated content makes it difficult for the search engines to determine website relevancy to search engine queries, resulting in a lower positioning in the results. If you do want to promote unrelated content online, do so with separate websites. Remember that you need to target your website to your audience. It’s necessary that you understand the attributes and characteristics that can make or break the effectiveness of your website to your brand. A poorly built or operating website will do more to hurt your brand than to help it. Click here to contact me regarding this or any other blog topic. Also, I welcome comments, which you can post below… Presentation: a Discussion Panel: “Recruiters Panel Discussion” Presentation:”Recruiters Panel Discussion” Did you ever wonder what recruiters look for in a candidate? Do you want to know the biggest mistakes that job seekers make before and during an interview? You bring the questions, and our panel of recruiters will furnish the answers in this “town hall style” recruiter’s panel. All attending the meeting will have the opportunity to question these 4 recruitment professionals on our panel: About the panelists: Irene Cappuccino Irene Cuppucino Irene Cappuccino has been recruiting for the Information Technology environment since 1993 for positions that include CIO, CTO, VP, Director, Engineers, Developers, Programmers, Infrastructure, Security, PMO, Project Managers, BA and QA. Not a big believer in board recruiting, she wants to know what’s important to each candidate on personal level. Focused, extremely detailed, down to earth, high energy and ready to help anyway she can. Ed Han Ed Han Ed is talent acquisition geek and job seeker ally based in Mercer County, and has 5 years of experience recruiting, on both the staffing and corporate sides. He’s been actively involved in job search-related groups for the past decade and is ready to continue his 3 week LinkedIn training at the Princeton Adult School the second half of October. Scott L Stein brings distinctive experience as a successful salesperson & sales recruiter with an entrepreneurial background. He is active in the several NY metro area business communities including chambers of commerce, trade associations and recently, career groups. His exposition company McCarthy Publishing & Expositions of Union, NJ produced regional trade shows in the construction, meeting planning and food service industries. He currently is an in-house sales recruiter for a small advertising network based in Westchester county NY. Our Moderator: David Schuchman David Schuchman David Schuchman is an Information Technology services, training, and management consultant with his own company, Princeton Technology Advisors, LLC. David is an active leader in the job seeker support community. He is the current Executive Chair of the Professional Service Group of Mercer County in Princeton, NJ. In addition, David is a co-facilitator for New Jersey Job Seekers in Princeton, NJ. And he is on the boards of The Career Support Group at St. Gregory the Great in Hamilton, NJ and The Breakfast Club of New Jersey in East Brunswick, NJ. About the Meeting: Networking begins at 7:30 am, meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am. There is a $10 fee at the door to cover the cost of the room. Be sure to tell your friends and bring them along. Be a part of our growing network of Job Seekers, Hiring Managers, Recruiters, Career Coaches, and people who want to be able to help themselves and each other. Event Location: Days Hotel Conference Center 195 Rt. 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-828-6900 Meeting Format: 9:15 to 10:15 – Elevator Pitch – 30 Seconds about yourself, who you are, what you are looking for, target companies (3-4), how we can help you, how you can help others. Follow the rule of the Three B’s of Public Speaking: Be informative; Be brief; Be seated. 10:15 until you choose to leave – Open Networking, follow up with people you are interested in meeting following their elevator pitch, exchange business cards, peruse the library, arrange follow up meetings, etc. The Breakfast Club NJ – 10 Points for Good Member Citizenship 1) Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 2) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly 3) Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible 4) Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) 7) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 8) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) 9) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected]) 10) Help fellow members whenever possible Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) Join groups Facebook group and connect to other members directly (questions see Adrienne Roman – [email protected]) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected]) Help fellow members whenever possible RSVP By RSVPing – you help us to arrange for the appropriate sized room. We look forward to seeing everyone let’s make this a great meeting for our members that are in transition and welcome those that have landed Welcome to America, the land where marketing was invented and perfected. I applaud those who successfully deploy marketing methods and have flourishing businesses. But many buyers fall for certain ads without doing their due diligence. Following is the typical format of an online marketing campaign. If executed well, it could be very rewarding and very […] By definition, every job seeker is a seller of self. The recruiter and the hiring manager, on the other hand, are the buyers. Buyers are obligated to perform due diligence before making commitment to sellers. Now, I’m sure that you the reader do not stretch the truth, exaggerate the facts, or even occasionally lie on […] This is my 100th blog post! I’m not telling you this to show off. (Well, maybe I’m doing that just a little.) Instead, I really want to use this post to discuss some of the benefits of blogging, at least what I have gotten from doing that. I’ve seen firsthand the difference blogging can make in terms of search visibility, generating leads, promoting my business and validating my experience and professionalism. Increases Website VisitsAs you add more content to your website, more pages from your website domain become indexed in search engines. Search engines want to deliver results that are helpful to their users. When you write a series of in-depth, valuable articles around a topic, the search engines take notice. This improves organic search visibility and increases website traffic. Every new page & post you publish improves the opportunities you have to increase the ranking for various keywords on your website. As search engines better understand the relevancy of your website to search terms, you will begin to have more people view your website. Promote Your Expertise and BrandSince a blog gives you a platform for sharing important industry-related information and insights, it is one of the best ways to establish yourself or your brand as an expert in your field. As you write more posts and share more of your expertise, your website will become a powerful demonstration of your knowledge in your profession. When somebody visits your website and sees the insights you’ve shared on a subject, it will be clear that you are an expert in your field. Become a Better WriterGood writing means more search-engine traffic, more social shares, and ultimately more customers. Bad writing means being ignored. The more you blog, the more you write. And the more you write, the better writer you become. As for the type of content to write, use your blog to share your views on what others write, comment on industry trends, or simply use your blog posts like a periodic newsletter. Differentiate Yourself From Your CompetitionBlogging on your website is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself from your competition. By providing your own unique thoughts and insights, you grow your search traffic, customer trust and conversions. Blogging may also level the playing field between a small business and the big competitors. It can give you an opportunity to compete with bigger businesses with bigger budgets. Take Control of Your Online IdentityWhether you’re a person or business, there’s probably lots of information about you online. When somebody searches for you online, you want to make sure that you make a good first impression, and that they get an accurate and complete picture of what you’re all about. Trust is a valuable commodity online. You can’t buy trust. It must be earned by consistently demonstrating your commitment to your website visitors. A blog is a great way to build trust and take control your online identity. If you were car shopping today, would you consider models from Honda or Toyota? There was a lot of negative press about these 2 brands in the recent past. However, most car shoppers will still consider Honda or Toyota products in their automobile search. The reason why is that through the content these companies posted via their website as well as other channels, they demonstrated that they seriously investigated the issues identified in the press, they were being addressed attentively, and they continue their dedication to delivering a quality product. Grow Your Professional NetworkBlogging is a community-based activity, and networking is one reason people engage in it. Whether you are a solo practitioner, job seeker or blogging to promote your business, blogging can help to build relationships that will facilitate your growth. My Final ThoughtsAs you can see, I am a big advocate for blogging, as well as engaging with your audience online. Blogging requires only a little investment of your time. However, it has the potential for a big ROI from your time investment. The platform you chose (WordPress, Blogger, etc.) is irrelevant. Your content is what is most relevant. From a practical standpoint, blogging just makes good sense. Click here to contact me regarding this or any other blog topic. Also, I welcome comments, which you can post below… Presentation: “Body Language for Interview Success” Are your interviews falling flat? Do you feel no one is listening? Are you unknowingly sending mixed messages? Your body language may qualify (or disqualify) you for a position. If you are like most people, you probably spend hours preparing for interview questions and answers and no time on how to communicate most effectively. Yet body language is the most significant factor in influencing the interviewer. It is how the interviewer is making judgments and decisions about you. Some say body language is a reflection of your personality, others a measure of your qualifications. However interpreted, science has shown that it is not what you say, but how you say it. More than 55% of communication is non-verbal suggesting it is imperative that it should be a part of your interview preparation. Alex Freund, “The Landing Expert,” will show you smart body language techniques and how to align your verbal and body language cues for powerful, clear, concise communication — for interviews and networking. During this engaging workshop, you too will agree that it’s not what you say, but how you say it as you: • Understand the science behind body language • Compare good and bad examples • Explore unconscious communication miscues that could be sabotaging your interview • Learn how men and women communicate differently • Identify techniques that communicate confidence, trust, and that you are the right candidate for the position I am a Career Coach and my specialty is Interview Preparation. I’m known as “The Landing Expert.” My clients are 90% job seekers in transition and 10% those who contemplate a career change. About the speaker: Known as “The Landing Expert,” Alex Freund helps his clients land new positions and promotions through effective interviewing. As a former director at Honeywell, Sanofi and Tyco International, Alex has hired hundreds. Currently, Alex is career coach with expertise in improving interviewing and making them confident and comfortable in the interviewing process. Alex has helped more than 700 clients ranging from managers to senior executives and CEOs in a multitude of industries. Alex is well-known via his volunteering in several job-search networking groups where he is a frequent presenter, conducts workshops on interviewing, effective resumes, and LinkedIn in addition to publishing a blog written specifically for job seekers. Alex also teaches a course for people in transition via the Princeton Adult School and publishes The Landing Expert List, a free directory of job-search networking groups via his website at landingexpert.com. Alex is a graduate of Cornell University and speaks five languages. About the Meeting: Networking begins at 7:30 am, meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am. There is a $10 fee at the door to cover the cost of the room. Be sure to tell your friends and bring them along. Be a part of our growing network of Job Seekers, Hiring Managers, Recruiters, Career Coaches, and people who want to be able to help themselves and each other. Event Location: Days Hotel Conference Center 195 Rt. 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-828-6900 Meeting Format: 9:15 to 10:15 – Elevator Pitch – 30 Seconds about yourself, who you are, what you are looking for, target companies (3-4), how we can help you, how you can help others. Follow the rule of the Three B’s of Public Speaking: Be informative; Be brief; Be seated. 10:15 until you choose to leave – Open Networking, follow up with people you are interested in meeting following their elevator pitch, exchange business cards, peruse the library, arrange follow up meetings, etc. The Breakfast Club NJ – 10 Points for Good Member Citizenship 1) Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 2) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly 3) Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible 4) Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) 7) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 8) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) 9) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected]) 10) Help fellow members whenever possible Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) Join groups Facebook group and connect to other members directly (questions see Adrienne Roman – [email protected]) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected]) Help fellow members whenever possible RSVP By RSVPing – you help us to arrange for the appropriate sized room. We look forward to seeing everyone let’s make this a great meeting for our members that are in transition and welcome those that have landed As per Google’s Quality Rating Guideline, there are four key points of SEO content: Expertise, Authority, Trust and Maintenance. To demonstrate Expertise, publish comprehensive content. To demonstrate Authority, people will share your content through links and mentions. To demonstrate Trust, publish testimonials and examples of your successful projects. To demonstrate Maintenance, keep your content up to date and relevant. That’s what’s we’ll discuss in this post… Think Mobile When redesigning your website, make sure that you use a theme, fonts and layout that’s easy for mobile users to read. A responsive designed theme will automatically adjust to the screen shape and size of different devices. Sans-Serif fonts like Arial or Veranda are easier to read on smaller screens than the traditional Serif fonts like Times New Roman or Cambria. Once you update you website, test your results on multiple devices to make sure your website is conducive for each device format. Add More Web Pages & Content Consider adding new web pages to your website. Add blog posts to give your opinions. provide current news and information on products in your industry. Content is a great way to make your website more authoritative, and more relevant to the search engines. The search engines are always looking for fresh content on websites. So making changes to existing web pages makes it easier for your website to improve its ranking. Even a few changes to make your information more current is helpful. Add Search Engine Optimization The goal of search engine optimization (SEO) is to have the search engine spiders (their information search programs) not only find your website and web pages, but also rank the website relevance so that it appears near the top of the search engine results. The process of optimization is not a one-time process, but requires maintenance, tuning, and continuous testing and monitoring. Therefore, it will be a good time to apply some best SEO updates when you plan to update your website. Do a keyword analysis and add those keywords to your content. Update meta tags, alt tags and page titles, as well as update web page URLs (web page address) and your website’s site map. Also, submit all web pages to the search engine directories (specifically Google and Bing). Good SEO is more than just these few points, but these are the initial key points to address. Redirect Deleted Web Pages Every web page on a website has its own URL. As you reorganize the available web pages in your website, it is possible that you will choose to eliminate web pages and their associated URLs. It may be that a web page is no longer relevant, thus no longer needed. Or, you may combine the content of one or more web pages into another (or a new) web page. A user may try to access a deleted web page because they have it bookmarked. Or, it comes up in a Google search because it is still in the Google index, which is not yet updated. When a user tries to access a delete web page, they will get a “Error 404 – Page not found” message, which is a very unprofessional reception by your website. In your website code or development platform, you can redirect the URL of a deleted web page to another web page. If you have no new web page to replace the use of the deleted web page, then redirect the URL to the Home page of your website. That is a much friendlier result than “Error 404 – Page not found”. Click here to contact me regarding this or any other blog topic. Also, I welcome comments, which you can post below… Saturday August 11th, at 8:00am ET Synopsis: Presentation: “In-Transition – Now What do I do?” Being in-transition for a short or long period of time can be a very stressful. You can get depressed, angry and confused. You can lose your self-confidence. What can you do to change this situation? How do you get back into the “game”? How do you change this negative situation into a positive experience? Please join Marty Latman on August 11, 2018, as he discusses a topic all people in-transition struggle with as he presents “In-Transition – Now What do I do?” Attendees at all levels will learn about the obstacles they need to overcome during this period to succeed, the methods they need to use to change their situation and ways to make being in-transition a productive, meaningful and positive time in their lives. Called by some people as the Best Networker they know, Marty is the Chairman of the Bergen Chapter of Financial Executive Network Group (FENG), which he created in March 2002 with 29 members. Membership within this chapter has now grown to over 5,100 members. Since its inception, FENG-Bergen Chapter has successfully helped more than 1,650 of its members find gainful employment. He is also the chairman of NJ Strategic Executive Networking Group (NJSENG), a FEI Board member, and a member of over 20 other career networking groups. He is also a facilitator at Careers-in-Transition (“CIT”); one of New Jersey’s most successful networking groups. Marty has been a guest speaker to many networking groups where he has discussed various career development topics including networking, interviewing techniques and advance career planning strategies. He has made presentations to the Financial Executive International (FEI), Financial Planning Association of NJ (FPANJ), Media Communication Association – International (MCA-I), Career Networking Group (CNG), Careers In Transition (CIT), Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors, Phi Beta Kappa and many NJ Professional Services Groups (PSG). Possessing a skill set that combines finance, business development, operations and administration management, information technology, logistics and manufacturing, Marty has been successful in organizing start-up companies, turning around organizations, and setting strategic company direction. He has worked in both public and private industry. He is President of Latman Advisory LLC, an organization that helps organizations reach a higher level, provides individuals with career advancement advice and helps companies find individuals who help them enhance performance. About the speaker: Called by some people as the Best Networker they know, Marty is the Chairman of the Bergen Chapter of Financial Executive Network Group (FENG), which he created in March 2002 with 29 members. Membership within this chapter has now grown to over 5,100 members. Since its inception, FENG-Bergen Chapter has successfully helped more than 1,650 of its members find gainful employment. He is also the chairman of NJ Strategic Executive Networking Group (NJSENG), a FEI Board member, and a member of over 20 other career networking groups. He is also a facilitator at Careers-in-Transition (“CIT”); one of New Jersey’s most successful networking groups. Marty has been a guest speaker to many networking groups where he has discussed various career development topics including networking, interviewing techniques and advance career planning strategies. He has made presentations to the Financial Executive International (FEI), Financial Planning Association of NJ (FPANJ), Media Communication Association – International (MCA-I), Career Networking Group (CNG), Careers In Transition (CIT), Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors, Phi Beta Kappa and many NJ Professional Services Groups (PSG). About the Meeting: Networking begins at 7:30 am, meeting starts promptly at 8:00 am. There is a $10 fee at the door to cover the cost of the room. Be sure to tell your friends and bring them along. Be a part of our growing network of Job Seekers, Hiring Managers, Recruiters, Career Coaches, and people who want to be able to help themselves and each other. Event Location: Days Hotel Conference Center 195 Rt. 18 South, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-828-6900 Meeting Format: 9:15 to 10:15 – Elevator Pitch – 30 Seconds about yourself, who you are, what you are looking for, target companies (3-4), how we can help you, how you can help others. Follow the rule of the Three B’s of Public Speaking: Be informative; Be brief; Be seated. 10:15 until you choose to leave – Open Networking, follow up with people you are interested in meeting following their elevator pitch, exchange business cards, peruse the library, arrange follow up meetings, etc. The Breakfast Club NJ – 10 Points for Good Member Citizenship 1) Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 2) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly 3) Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible 4) Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) 7) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) 8) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) 9) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected]) 10) Help fellow members whenever possible Attend meetings regularly to keep group strong and help pay back to others (meeting logistics on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Keep anti-virus on your machine up to date and run scan regularly Review messages and if request for assistance please help whenever possible Once you have received your invitation and joined our linked in group, connect to other members directly(questions see Gerry Peyton [email protected]) Join groups Facebook group and connect to other members directly (questions see Adrienne Roman – [email protected]) If you run across someone in transition invite them to join our group and sponsor them through process (details on our website www.thebreakfastclubnj.com) Sunday mornings listen to our radio show, “Your Career Is Calling”, at 8am ET either on radio at 107.7 or via internet 24/7 live or on demand at www.1077thebronc.com (as this is a call in show your calls help make it successful) If you are in transition put your elevator pitch in writing to group, ask for help with job search issues or connecting to people at target companies, regularly post job opportunities (from email you joined the group – send email to [email protected])
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Here’s a story for you………………..as witnessed by my dad and mom. At the state line between TX and LA, there is a HUGE, brand new rest area. It’s NICE. Okay, here’s the story. Last Friday, my dad, who works for TxDOT, answered a call for TxDOT employees to go help with the refugees at this rest stop. So, after working ALL DAY Friday, he and three guys from his office left for the state line at I-20 and Waskom, TX. Working that evening was a state trooper, several sheriff’s office deputies, Red Cross workers,TxDOT employees, and other local volunteers. These buses from New Orleans start pulling in. They let the people off to potty, eat, and rest. As they get off the bus, they are greeted and shown to the restrooms — where they pee all over the walls, floors, mirrors, etc. They did not even flush the toilets. Left the restrooms in a HORRIBLE mess. The local Burger King resturant donated burgers and hotdogs and had people there cooking. Two black dudes walk over to see what’s being cooked and one says to the other, “Man, I don’t want none of that shit.” Other volunteers are handing out bottles of water. The people take them, drink two or three drinks from the bottles, and throw them on the ground. My dad and his coworkers spend their time picking up trash and taking it to the very large and OBVIOUSLY placed trash cans. (They ended up hauling off two HUGE truck loads of trash from these people). He said WASTEFUL wasn’t the word. Other volunteers had brought in snack items, such as chips, crackers, gum, small candy, etc. There were ladies there making snack bags for the people and handing them out. These nasty, nasty people would take the bags, dig out what they wanted and throw the remainder on the ground. BRAND NEW FOOD ITEMS! Daddy said one deputy got so mad he yelled at them to “STOP WASTING THESE GOOD FOLKS MONEY BY THROWING THE FOOD AWAY. IF YOU DON’T WANT IT, THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS RETURN IT TO THESE NICE LADIES!” He was hot! Daddy worked pretty much all night. He and my mom said the people were HORRIBLE. Nasty, filthy mouthed, ungrateful. TxDOT had to pretty much scour the Rest Area and restrooms after they left. My dad went home and slept most of the day Saturday, got up sick and had to go back to bed. Remember, he’d been in the hospital not two weeks ago with chest pains (he’s okay now, but still!). The man went to help these NASTY people after working ALL WEEK!!! So, after hearing this, I could really care less about a lot of them. Idiots and human debris. I am more resolved now to send MY donations to the officers and firefighters. Forget these IDIOTS! They are fools and it’s mean, but Texas does not need any more of those! GRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to add one more thing….. Why are all these fat blacks laying around on cots sleeping while white people are lining up by the thousands to SERVE THEM MEALS??? I am sorry but it’s starting to piss me off that we’re expected to serve these lazy assed “evacuees” indefinately. Why the hell can’t they line up themselves and help unload all these trucks and cars full of FREE stuff? Okay, let them have a day or two of rest but then put those folks to work taking care of themselves. Why the hell should any of them want to get a job when they can lay around all day in free air conditioned stadiums where they don’t have to spend a dime and they have TV, entertainment and education and great food? Houstonians are going nuts being nice to these people, free hamburgers, free admission to the Childrens’ Museum and Museum of Natural Science, etc. Show your LA license and everything is free. Like I said, a short time is definately warranted after all they have been through but it’s my opinion that the worst thing we can do for them is to allow them to do nothing. Origins: This is yet another of the many accounts circulated in cyberspace that proclaim themselves to be actual first-hand reports penned by folks who’ve had direct experience with the people and situations being written about. This tale of a trashed rest stop, which circulates under a variety of titles, including “Real life story from Texas state Line” and “The other side of the story,” first arrived in our inbox on 9 September 2005. It is another of the ‘denigrate the victim’ tales about the Katrina evacuees, echoing the underlying message of the personal accounts of a volunteer at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston and of the mother of an American Airlines flight attendant. Some versions contain additional comment tacked on by those whose hands it has passed through: “All I can say is wow! To think we are spending so much of our resources for these no-good ingrates.” Which is indeed its message. Purported personal accounts like the one describing a trashed rest stop tend to confirm a widely-held suspicion those evacuated from the wreckage of New Orleans are the dregs of society, content to live on handouts even as they verbally abuse those doing the handing out. Such characterization tends to fit more neatly into what people need to believe if they are to feel good about scaling back on the relief efforts underway — by convincing themselves recipients of their largesse are both unworthy and ungrateful, they will find it less painful to disassociate themselves than if the victims of Katrina remained in their minds sweet-faced little children, befuddled but lovable grandfathers, and struggling families who lost it all and now have nothing. In response to our inquiry, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said they were unable to confirm the e-mailed account chronicling a trashed rest stop in Waskom: The Texas Department of Transportation appreciates you bringing this issue to our attention. We are aware this e-mail has been circulating through the Internet. We have been unable to verify the assertions made by the author of the e-mail; however, we believe this viewpoint does not represent the experiences of the many TxDOT employees who have assisted Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Moreover, the opinions expressed in the e-mail in no way reflect the views of the Texas Department of Transportation. Thank you again for your concern. Also, one of our readers supplied an account of dealings with the Katrina bus riders at that rest stop that contradicts the claim that evacuees were impolite, demanding, arrogant, abusive, and left the facilities in awful state: Regarding the Waskom Texas Tourist Rest Area, I can assure you this is NOT a true story. I live in the area & have a friend that works at this facility. Altho my friend is not working today, I called and spoke with another employee who states this story is totally not true. It is true that many buses stopped here during the aftermath of Katrina, relocating evacuees to Dallas & other points. My husband took ice & other necessities to the rest stop on Friday 9/2/05 & it was wall to wall people there at the time. On this same Friday, I did call my friend at the facility to ask what was needed. Her 1st request was ice. She also indicated they were packaging snacks in brown paper bags as well. She said they were not asking for clothing (new or used), but then called me back about 30 minutes later to change that request. It seems there were some used clothing there & after the 1st few buses, all the clothes were gone as evacuees were coming in with only the clothes on their backs. There was a pregnant woman who had no shoes at all. Most all of these people were very grateful to the employess, volunteers and others that were there to assist them. They did not trash the place, they were not rude, they were grateful & patient for what they did receive. Thank You for letting me express this. But the final nail in this rumor’s coffin comes from the person in charge that day of the Texas Travel Information Center, the rest stop in question: I am the supervisor of the Texas Travel Information Center in Waskom, Texas, and was on duty most of the time that the evacuee buses were coming through. My experience with the evacuees was nothing like the account that is given below. All of the evacuees that my staff and I came in contact with were very grateful for what we were doing and thanked us immensely. The situation in the rest rooms never occurred or my janitorial staff would have told me about it. The only problem that occurred during the entire evacuation period was when two evacuees started arguing over some of the donated clothing items. At that point, we decided to remove the remainder of the clothing and shoes in order to avoid any future incidents. As in any given situation, there will be some people that you will not be able to please. All I have to say is that this was not our experience. In case anyone missed the 5 o’clock news, the reason the people were “nasty” was because they had been living in the Superdome, the New Orleans Convention Center or on top of their houses for at least five days without the benefit of food, water or shower facilities. Everyone I have talked to came away from this experience with a whole new appreciation for what they have compared to the evacuees. I know it made me feel good to see so many people and organizations willingly volunteer their time to help out others that were in such desparate need. It saddens me to think that someone is trying to turn such a positive situation into something negative.
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Comments Our expert, professional staff wants you to feel comfortable and confident about your dental health, and we strive to provide the quality service our patients desire in both routine and cosmetic procedures.
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“EKCEP has a demonstrated track record of collaborating to address the complex challenges facing our workers across the region,” said Jared Arnett, executive director of SOAR. “This funding will continue the efforts to retrain those displaced from the coal industry for new opportunities.”
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One dead after vehicle crashes into Ft. Worth convenience store A mother was killed and others hospitalized after a vehicle crashed into a Fort Worth storefront on Tuesday afternoon. A grey Chevrolet Avalanche with a driver and passenger inside tried to flee the scene of a minor accident that occurred a few blocks away from the convenience store, according to police. The vehicle hit speeds of 80 to 100 miles per hour while traveling on Riverside. When the truck tried to turn onto Lancaster, the driver, whom officials say is 19-year-old Isaac Adams, lost control of the vehicle and it wrecked into the storefront. Sylvia Maria Zazueta, a Fort Worth mother of three, had gone inside the convenience store to pay for gas, leaving two of her children in the car, just as the driver of the Avalanche plowed into the building, pinning Zazueta under the pickup. Zazueta sustained massive injuries to her head and chest. She was taken to a nearby hospital, but later died. A MedStar spokesman said a total of seven patients, including Zazueta, were transported to local hospitals. Adams will face an intoxication manslaughter charge, according to police. Police believe he was high on some kind of narcotics.
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The term Management Dashboard defines a wide range of data reporting and visualization tools or dashboards that allow using various performance & efficiency measures to report on an enterprise’s ability to organize and coordinate its activities in accordance with certain policies and in achievement of pre-determined objectives. Various project management software solutions are necessary to take projects form comprehensive planning and scheduling through successful implementation and completion. Such solutions can be compatible with PC (project management software PC based solutions) or Mac (project management software on Mac). You can also find solutions that can be used on mobile phones, smartphones and pocket PCs. Among a variety of solutions for project management, there should be the one that completely fits your requirements and helps you plan, do and track project tasks, develop project schedules and lead project teams. It should be compatible with your current operating system and hardware requirements. This article will give you an example of powerful PC based software for project management and team building. Probably, this example will fit your needs and requirements. If you read many PC and Mac project management software reviews, you will see that in most cases software for PC offers rather the same functionality and tools than analogous software for Mac. This situation means that you do not need to compare PC software and Mac software, but pay your attention to the computers that you and your colleagues use from day to day. If you and the rest people in your office prefer using Apple Mac computers, then it is better to install and use project management software Mac solutions. If your office is equipped with Windows computers, obviously you will benefit from purchasing and installing project management software for PC. While making your choice, you should note that Windows PC is more popular than Mac, so you can find more examples of project management software for PC and get more offers and ideas. As most project management software Mac and PC reviews prove, Apple Mac computers are widely used in the USA while people in Europe and Asia prefer using MS Windows computers. You should also consider this fact and take it into your consideration. For example, if you are going to hire employees from Europe or Asia, you should remember that they are likely to be skilled in MS Windows PC rather than in Apple Mac. Therefore, by acquiring and installing project management software for PC, you can save money and time that might be spent on additional training. Mac based project management software will be better for offices that already use Mac. VIP Task Manager is a good example of project management software for PC. It features several powerful tools that allow you to plan, manage, track and report tasks of your projects. It also helps you schedule project activities and events. Most likely, VIP Task Manager has functionality and tools similar to any advanced Mac project management software or shareware. However, it is PC-based and compatible with Windows, so theoretically more people can use it to organize their activities and tasks efficiently. You can try the software for free. VIP Task Manager has a 30-day trial period – you can install an evaluation copy of the software on your Windows PC and use it for free within one month.
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Red devilry … Many Manchester United fans are sad to see the popular fanzine Red Issue come to an end Less than two years on from the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, another famous Manchester United institution is set to bow out after more than a quarter of a century. Red Issue, the fanzine that has spanned the club’s most successful years and so often sparked ire among opposing fans, will publish its final edition on Sunday when United host Southampton. The demise of the magazine, which has been issued monthly since it first appeared in February 1989, has been greeted with sadness by United fans, for whom cries of “Red Issue” have become synonymous with the matchday experience over the years. Red Issue number 295 will be the final edition of the fanzine Rarely shy of courting controversy, Red Issue will be remembered, beyond Old Trafford at least, for a distinctive brand of caustic satire that occasionally overstepped the mark. In February 2012, when Liverpool’s Luis Suárez returned to action at Manchester United following an eight-match ban for racially abusing the defender Patrice Evra, police confiscated copies of the fanzine, which featured a cut-out Ku Klux Klan-style mask with the words “LFC Suarez is innocent”. Another controversial front cover showed Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton midfielder, lying prone on the pitch at White Hart Lane after suffering a cardiac arrest, under the headline “Grief Junkies run riot”. Such episodes aside, though, the magazine also came to be regarded as a touchstone of the mood among United fans. Notable campaigns included an effort to mobilise supporters against the club’s takeover by the Glazer family. And when the tenure of Ferguson’s successor David Moyes came under scrutiny early last year, a poll by the magazine showed strong support for the Scot. One United fan, writing on the Manchester Evening News website, summed up the wider mood among many Old Trafford regulars: “Terrible news. I always arrive early for the home games and an important part of the match preparation for me is to sit in the stands and read Red Issue and the other United fanzines while waiting for the match to kick off. It will be missed.”
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What is Overwatch? Overwatch is a cooperative multiplayer FPS/RTS hybrid powered by the Source engine and based on the Half-Life 2 universe. It pits a team of rebels playing cooperatively in first-person (the Resistance) against one player who assumes the role of commander to the Combine forces (the Overwatch), controlling units and the environment around them from a bird's-eye view. What's New in 1.3.0? 1.3.0 is the second major update since our initial public release. It features a complete overhaul of Citadel's visuals (see video below) and introduces some great new features, such as player "Roles" and NPC "Abilities". Take a look at some of the other features in 1.3.0 by visiting the Spotlight segment of our Blog. Contest & Podcast Podcast17.com has invited us back to their live show! Be sure to tune in on Saturday, October 23rd at 17:00 UTC/GMT. On another note, we will be announcing a level design contest this coming Monday the 25th. We have over 600$ worth of cash and prizes to give away, so be sure to stop by our website on Monday for all the details! OverwatchMod.com Update Using the Updater Utility Already have Overwatch installed? You can use the included Updater Utility to update to the latest version with only the click of a button! Click here for more information and for instructions. Note: The Updater doesn't currently display a progress bar when downloading files. If you don't see anything happening, don't worry! It's downloading the package, which could take a bit of time depending on the speed of your Internet connection. Just let it go, grab a cookie, and it'll be done before you know it! Game Servers Note: Can't see any servers in the in-game server browser? Make sure the Show Map List option is not selected (you can find it at the bottom-left corner of the server window). What's Next? 1.3.0 is still to be considered a very early release. Work on Overwatch only began a bit over a year ago, and we still have a ton more to add to it! If you would like to keep track of our progress, head over to our blog and read our Progress Reports. Want to contribute? Post your feedback on our forums! Time for Fun! Overwatch developers will be scheduling events on our Steam group every now and then, so if you would like to play against them, be sure to keep an eye on that calendar! BTW, can you guys nerf the shield a little? I think you want us to flank them with troops, but they can back up in a corner or sprint out when they're sandwiched in, so could you make them only block some damage or reduce the speed of shield carriers?
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Include and Exclude Rules You can use include and excludeprocessing rules to specify what kind of data is sent to Sumo Logic. If you specifically exclude a message, it functions as a blacklist filter, and the data will never be sent to Sumo Logic. Include filters are whitelist filters, which can be useful when the list of log data you want to send to Sumo Logic is easy to filter. You can set up a whitelist filter instead of setting up exclude filters for all of the types of messages you'd like to exclude. For example, to include only messages coming from a Cisco ASA firewall, you could use the following: Rules and Limitations Your rule must match the entire message, from the start to the end of any log message rather than addressing only a section. For single line messages, you must prefix and suffix the regex expression with .* if the matching string pattern is not at the beginning or end of the line. For example, if you want to exclude any message containing the words "secure" or "security", write the rule: .*secur.* For multiline messages, add single line modifiers (?s) to the beginning and end of the expression to simplify matching your string, regardless of where it occurs in the message. For example, if you want to exclude any Windows Event message containing the Event Code 5156, write the rule like this: A rule will process single line log messages until 1MB of data is processed and multiline log messages until 2,000 lines or 512KB of data is processed, whichever comes first. Once these limits are reached the processing rule will ignore the rest of the log message and move on to the next log. Recommended articles Sumo Logic is the industry’s leading secure, cloud-native, machine data analytics service, delivering real-time, continuous intelligence across the entire application lifecycle and stack. More than 1,000 customers around the globe rely on Sumo Logic for the analytics and insights to build, run and secure their modern applications and cloud infrastructures.
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Filters What's in Your Fridge? Browse By: Easy Beef and Noodle Casserole Total Time 50mins Prep 20 mins Cook 30 mins This is something I came up with when I needed something fast to feed my kids and I didn't have many resources in the kitchen. I got 4 stars from 2 kids and 5 stars from another, so that constitutes a "keeper" for me. Hope it makes your life a little easier too...It's a "homemade" taste from convenience items.
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Why You’ll Be Subscribing to Disney+ Disney+ launches in November. Here are four reasons why you’ll be a subscriber. A New Platform to Expand Upon Iconic Stories. Disney+ shows will dive deeper into the characters and moments in between blockbuster events, filling in the gaps that movies can’t. Fans will almost have no choice but to stay up to date with the new content, as it will likely impact their favorite film franchises and spawn brand new ones. The Power of Nostalgia and Unparalleled IP. Disney has a flywheel of compelling content leveraging its deep library (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, new Fox assets, etc.) and theatrical distribution. Pricing. $7 per month for Disney+ is a great value, especially when compared to Netflix’s most popular $13 plan. Disney doesn’t need to bid for IP like Netflix does since it owns all the IP already. In-house productions will help keep costs down and pricing lower than competitors for now. Sports and Live TV. Eventually adding a discounted sports and live TV bundle will ensure remaining cord-cutters transition to Disney’s ecosystem. A New Platform to Expand Upon Iconic Stories The most compelling reason to subscribe will be the quality and existing demand of the content. The whole world is waiting in anticipation of Avengers: Endgame, the finale of more than a decade of blockbuster superhero films. Films are limiting in the nature of their form factor given filmmakers only have 90-120 minutes to tell a story that warrants a $12 trip to the theater. Fans always want more time to connect with their favorite characters and immerse themselves in extraordinary worlds. Disney now has a platform to give fans more. The flywheel is simple: Disney will develop side characters through TV shows and will turn them into new fan favorites, some of which will eventually warrant new films. Beyond films, which Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars are best known for, writers and directors will have a new medium to tell their stories in episodic form. We are already seeing Pixar dip its toe into episodic content with a new show in the Monsters Inc. universe called Monsters At Work which is a workplace comedy that has similarities to hit shows like The Office. This is just one example of new shows that fans of the biggest franchises in the world will be dying to watch. The power of Disney+ will take franchises like Marvel beyond the silver screen, lifting the business to the next level. Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, can now continuously release content and not risk film fatigue while having films drive people to the TV service and TV shows driving people back to the theaters. The Power of Nostalgia and Familiar IP Another advantage Disney+ will have over competitors like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV+ is the power of nostalgia and familiar IP. It can be hard for people to take the plunge into a new show if they don’t know much about it already. After a few minutes of indecision, many of us retreat to repeat viewings of our favorite shows. Sequels and spin-offs are much easier sells. It’s no coincidence 9 of the 10 highest grossing films of 2018 were based on existing IP or a sequel. With pre-existing demand for new content related to familiar IP, the streaming service will be able to hit the ground running. Disney’s announced slate of projects coming to the streaming service in November already has clear future hits. Some analysts seem to think the appeal of Disney+ is on-demand access to the vault of Disney animated classics. While this could be the case right out of the gate, we don’t believe this will be the driver of most subscribers in the long term. The pipeline of new content will keep us paying $7 per month after we’ve watched Lion King for the third time. In other words, It’s not about watching Ironman 2 again, it’s about new stories to related to Ironman and his villains. Pricing At $7 per month or $69.99 per year ($5.83 a month), Disney+ could quickly become the best value streaming service on the market, especially when compared to Netflix’s most popular $13 plan. We don’t expect the price to stay this low forever, as we’ve seen Netflix successfully raise its own prices without material backlash. One big advantage Disney has over its streaming competitors is they don’t need to compete for IP. Netflix hasn’t yet been able to acquire the likes of Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and 21st Century Fox, so they have to bid on rights to new shows against big pocketed competitors (Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, HBO, Showtime, Hulu, etc). Since Disney practically has a monopoly on culturally relevant IP, they don’t have to enter bidding wars for content that has driven Netflix’s content budget up to $15B+. For example, Netflix had to spend almost $100M to keep Friends on the platform in 2019. Disney’s in-house productions will help keep costs down and pricing lower than competitors for now. Sports and Live TV One of the key reasons consumers cite for not cutting the cord is live sports and TV programming. Disney’s media networks, most notably ESPN and ABC, represent >40% of the company’s revenue and with cord cutting taking a major toll on Disney’s stock over the last few years, there is little doubt Disney will be doing all that they can to defend their most lucrative business segment against this trend. The beauty of cord cutting is consumers don’t have to pay a premium for hundreds of channels they will never watch. In the next generation content consumption market, consumers will be able to pay for only the “channels” they want. This is bad news for many cable TV channels that survive on the back of ESPN and other popular channels keeping cable alive, but not Disney. Disney is in a great position to create its own TV bundle with the few channels people actually want: sports, live events, news, etc. Best of all, Disney will likely sell this bundle of sports content, live TV, and Disney+/Hulu for a nice discount that will be hard to compete with. This is a unique offering because Netflix has said they will likely not get into sports or serious live TV anytime soon. Others have tried but don’t appear to have had major successes with it, given the fragmented nature of the offerings. After the Fox acquisition, Disney also now owns a majority stake in Hulu which has recently been focusing on the launch of its Live TV offering for $45 per month. While there is plenty of room for multiple winners in the streaming game, Disney will soon have what could be the best all-around entertainment offering on the market. Disclaimer: We actively write about the themes in which we invest or may invest: virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and robotics. From time to time, we may write about companies that are in our portfolio. As managers of the portfolio, we may earn carried interest, management fees or other compensation from such portfolio. Content on this site including opinions on specific themes in technology, market estimates, and estimates and commentary regarding publicly traded or private companies is not intended for use in making any investment decisions and provided solely for informational purposes. We hold no obligation to update any of our projections and the content on this site should not be relied upon. We express no warranties about any estimates or opinions we make.
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User Centric Design with Big Data The compiler is smarter than the preprocessor (Item 2) The title of this entry in the book is “Prefer consts, enums and inlines to #defines”. As Dr. Meyers mentions this is just a more explicit way to say that you should use the power of the compiler whenever possible. So the practice of using #defines to create mathematical constants is just not a good idea. The preprocessor does not have to keep the name of the preprocessor definition; it can simply replace all occurrences with the defined value. This can make debugging harder. Also the preprocessor can make multiple copies of the constant that can add bloat to the compiled code. Therefore one should prefer the following:const double NatLogBase = 2.71828;to #define NAT_LOG_BASE 2.71828 This is pretty obvious stuff to many experienced C++ programmers. As mentioned in this item, class-scoped static constant integral-type declarations can also assign the variable in the header file. While it pains me to use this feature I do. I use this method rather than the “enum hack” mentioned below. This is needed for the declaration of arrays that have a symbolic constant as the size. Since enums can be used in place of ints it is common to define an enum in the header file of a class for the same reason. A simple example of this can be found here. Static const members were added to the language to replace the enum hack, but Dr. Meyers points out in Effective C++ that it is illegal to take the address of an enum, so this can allow more access control over how constants are used.I will not go into detail about preprocessor macros. They are crazy and should never be used. Use an inline function (possibly templated) instead since it is just as efficient and prevents bizarre side effects and does not require special spacing.
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Gigi Lace Dress by Kiyonna Get ready to turn heads in our Gigi Lace Cinch Dress. This sultry and ultra-flattering faux wrap cinch dress will have your admirers saying WOW . Light stretch lace with feminine scalloped trim lays over a deep blush nude lining. The deep color lining will allow this dress to compliment all skin tones with ease. The wrap neckline and cross-over skirt will give a wonderful slimming effect, while the double scooped hem will add length to your leg line. With an easy fitting silhouette and sheer 3/4 length sleeves, you'll look amazing while never having to give up comfort and coverage. Great for all body shapes. Item #155763 Self: 90% Nylon, 10% Spandex; Lining: 100% Polyester This dress should not be machine washed. Gently hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry or send out for dry cleaning. We recommend no bleach, iron, or steam. Made in USA 2x length measures at approximately 44" from high point of shoulders to hem. Items must be returned within 30 days in original condition with tags The right size matters?click on the size chart above for the perfect Kiyonna fit!
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Sunday, September 28, 2014 Notes from my August 2014 Zhan Zhuang Training Journal. I train with The School of Cultivation and Practice which practices Wujifa. * * * * If you've been following this blog for the five years I've been writing, you'll know that I've never directly referenced genitalia or sex. The astute reader likely thinks this is odd since the pelvis contains, among other things, genitals, and genitals were designed for sex. You should know that in the non-public, that is "indoor" classes which I blog here, genitalia and sex are in fact mentioned routinely. It has been my own sense of what is proper to write about which has prevented these class notes from going public as it were. Something has shifted in my practice recently and I don't feel compelled by the same inhibition. And so beginning with this Journal Notes entry, I will begin providing notes that discuss the role of sexual expression in developing connection. * * * * * I've been practicing the laying down exercise; lay on back, feet flat on floor (knees bent up) with feet a little closer than hip distance apart, coordinate breathing with knee movement; breathe in and knees splay out to about a 45 degree angle to floor and breathe out and knees return to upright position. The key is to breathe into the lower abdomen so the area immediately above the pubic bone on inhale feels like a pressure pushing the knees apart and on exhale the knees return to upright. * Through the month of August, I was waking up just before 6:00 am and practicing zhan zhuang for 30-40 minutes before going to work. Some of these morning sessions were more like "sleepy stance". In the evening I would practice other exercises like the mini-breathing squats for 30 minutes. * I go for a walk each day during break at work. On these walks I focus on letting the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone relax and move as it will. One day while walking I noticed this area moving more than it had been. By the end of my 20 minute walk, that area was getting sore and I got a little scared of what might happen. (Nothing happened.) Whenever I walk, I focus on letting go of holding in the pelvic area as much as possible. I interpret this feeling like my hips are swaying with a feminine quality. * Question: Now that I've noticed this holding and release just above the pubic bone, what is the next step? How do I work on this? Answer: Don't "work" on it. Continue to set the intention to allow movement to show up and remain in the moment with it. * Let's say that you have a knotted ball of string. Loosen one knot and focus on how that change impacts the whole. Don't continue focusing on that knotted area. Don't compartmentalize. Focus locally, notice the result, then focus globally and notice the larger result of that "isolated" result. This is the process. * Me: I've been practicing the baby rollover that I learned in July and I think I've made some good progress. Me: I do it but with some shaking and jerking. I feel like crying. I want to call the change subtle and distinct but it is a huge change! I feel more of my entire body elongating. * Question: Is shaking during zhan zhuang practice the door to fa-jing? I ask because when I was standing the other day, I was shaking and there were some very sudden drops which left the hands behind giving the impression of projecting the hands forward. Answer: No. Shaking appears at the cusp of letting go. Shaking is oscillating between relaxing and holding. It is your brain saying, "Relax! No! Hold on! No! Relax! No! Hold on! No! Relax!..." much more quickly than you can form the concepts and words. When you get shaking, take a deep breath and relax. Let go. Calm down. You may get a few violent shakes afterward and that's OK. The goal is to relax, not to shake. Shaking is a byproduct of relaxing. * The external way is to use muscles to force the desired structure to appear. The internal way is to relax and discover how the desired structure shows up. * Those who are dedicated to a system tend to see through the lens/filter of that system. It is difficult for them to compare the internals of a different system to the internals of their own. * People can't do whole-body (some say six harmony) movement because their pelvis is locked. You've got to get the pelvis freed first! Some women have a very free pelvis but it is disconnected from the heart and mind. Unlock the pelvis and connect it to the heart and mind. * Data is a tool. It is useful but it is not the truth. Data is one step removed from feeling which is true. Concepts and words remove us from the present. Change perspective. * When most people say, "That's interesting", what they find interesting is usually a trigger that inspires them to create action, to pursue what they find interesting. I used to be like that, following my curiosity. Part of my shutting down has been to diminish what I find interesting by putting it in a box labelled, "That's interesting" and then ignore it instead of explore it to see where it might lead. * How does this show up in your practice? * Question: What is a good student? Answer: One who asks, "What is x?" and then says, "Show me." and then goes home and practices x, returns in a week and asks for verification. A good student is one who is curious and open about feedback. * A word can evoke an image. An image can evoke a kinesthetic expression/emotional feeling. A kinesthetic feeling can evoke an emotion and vice versa, an emotion can evoke a kinesthetic response. Opening a long locked-down ano-genital area can evoke feelings which may be conceptually interpreted as threatening one's sexual identity. The response to this can be a renewed closing or shutting down to those feelings to keep the rigidity of the identity intact. Only when you notice this cycle, are you then able to change it. * The "Gold Standard" of internal connection is, "When one part moves, then all parts move." Few if any are capable of going from 0 to 100 in three seconds. How do you get there? Deconstruct it. Dumb it down. Simplify it into a wide variety of simple exercises to develop feeling, to help the person get past their armors, to build a repertoire of kinesthetic feelings. THEN and only then can you begin to connect these experiences to develop a generalized feeling of connection. This is the Wujifa path to begin developing "When one part moves, all parts move." * I realize now that for many years I completely did not understand the vision of the various exercises I was doing. I saw them as isolated, unrelated instances. Now I see more clearly how the various exercises are extracted methods of the "When one part moves, all parts move" kinesthetic quality. It's all to easy to get caught up in individual methods and lose sight of the purpose... even when repeatedly reminded! * The phrase, "Where the mind goes, the chi follows." also means that language, words, semantics are a reflection of how the mind is operating. The words I use are a linguistic expression of my body disposition at that moment. The flip side of these phrase is "Where the mind is stuck, the chi is stuck." And by extension, where the body is stuck, so too the chi is stuck and so too the mind is stuck. * If a practitioner for whatever reason is holding back from pursuing or engaging in sexual activity, it seems that the unconscious fascial response through the genital/kua region, that is, which connects from hip to hip through the genitals, assumes a "holding" pattern which is not relaxed and so inhibits the ability to feel in general and feel into the pelvis specifically. (Those who regularly engage in sexual activity but are holding somewhere else will also find it difficult to feel into their body.) If sex is where you are holding back, know that holding is holding and letting go and relaxing the holding, will open a door to discovering more feeling and internal connection. * Question: Why do you sexualize everything? Answer: Back to you, Why do you interpret what I say as being sexualized? The truth is that 99% of people's problems are in their pelvis, including you. Getting the pelvis unstuck is the key to developing connection. Because the pelvis contains the ano-genital structures and this is where people are stuck, how else am I to talk? So if your structure is revealing that you are holding in your penis, the easiest way to talk is to say to drive your penis forward. And you have seen for yourself how you have difficulty with this simple exercise. By nature we are sexual beings. We are only here today due to thousands of years of sexual activity of our ancestors. Ironically, we live in a society of sexual creatures that dampers their natural action/expression. You have to find a balance of expressing feeling without engaging in socially inappropriate action. Most people drive their pelvis forward by moving the spine because the muscles in the back are locked. When the back muscles relax and let go, then the pelvis can rotate on the femur heads. You can't feel connection through slackness or tightness. * Everything is Wujifa follows the principle of connection. Beginners look at parts. Working on parts is a useful method for beginners. But the principle of connection is to look at the whole. So if you see only a part, then this violates the principle of connection. As you gain skill, then look more globally. For example, if you only look at the front channel or the kua, or whatever, then you violate the principle. It is useful to understand how the parts work but getting stuck at the part level violates the principle. As a caveat, beginners should not try to do full body viewing because they overlook their own habitual disconnection. Hence, the reason for the methods that work on parts is to help the beginner notice and feel deeply into that part (even if "deeply" for that person at that time is in fact very superficial). * You can notice what you notice. You cannot notice what you do not notice. This seems to be an obvious truth but it is often overlooked. * If you look at one part, the tendency is to ignore other parts that you're not paying attention to. So if the exercise is to only practice moving one part, you may inadvertently move five other parts. Hence, it is critical to have someone notice for you; to bring your attention to what you are not noticing. (The "noticer" will only be able to notice in you what s/he has already resolved in him/herself.) * Me: Recently in zhan zhuang practice I noticed my entire torso from top to bottom inflate with each inhalation. (I demonstrate.) Instructor: Good but don't go down that path. The problem is that you're hinging/bending the back to get that feeling. Me: I didn't notice this. Instr: I know. Can you get the same feeling AND keep the back straight? Me: (Trying) Instr: Now you're slightly rocking your pelvis. Me: Now that you mention it, that is barely perceptible. Instr: Barely perceptible to you. Obvious to me. The way you are rocking your pelvis is causing you to lose connection. You're losing upward force. Keep the pelvis rigid (as a temporary medicine) and feel the upward force. * Question: I'm continuing practicing laying down breathing. Is there more to this exercise? I feel like I'm doing this exercise better now. I'm really focusing on relieving the stuck point between my femurs and pelvis that caused the pelvis to move. I'm feeling the breath pushing the legs apart and I feel a pulling of the legs together. Answer: You're not breathing entirely into the lower abdomen (into the pubic area). You're breathing partly into the chest. This is a leakage. You need to have all the breath go into the pubic/kua area. Try this. Put your hands on your chest. Breathe in and raise the chest. Now breathe out and lower the chest. Notice the location of the chest on complete exhalation. Now, without moving the chest, breathe into your pubic/kua. Me: I get more breathe into the kua. Wow! That's interesting. (I'm trembling after a few breaths.) I get this at home but after 15-20 minutes of practice. Instr: You start trembling when the charge gets into the pelvis. You just plugged a leak and so now more charge is going there more quickly. What is the trembling saying? Me: Nothing. No words. Just an "ahhhh" sound. Instr: If you gave it a voice, what would it say? Me: "You go girl!" Me: (surprised at the words that just came out of my mouth) "Whoa! That's weird! Why would it say that?" * Trevor Skyped in from California. He's making great progress! When you train like Trevor is training then you make progress. When you don't put in the time, then you don't make progress. * After work one day as I was walking to the car, I was thinking, "Lead with penis" and I felt a little forward opening and then just as suddenly a thought spontaneously appeared, "Don't stick that thing out there! It will get cut off!" My conscious reaction to that was, "Oh, so that's how deep traumatic muscular memory goes!" (I was circumcised when an infant and like most guys never thought anything of this. About ten years ago I started reading about genital mutilation and its deep psychosomatic effects on individuals and society at large.)
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During the spring of 2017, the well known swedish flute player Göran Månsson was, in collaboration with a group of musicians out of all kind of genres, recording a new album with music inspired by Olof Jönsson. Flute player Olof Jönsson (1867–1953) also called Ol’Jansa, lived in the Härjedalen province in the middle of Sweden, and was, as it was common among folk pipers, a musician mostly in private. His instrument was the Härjedalspipan – the Härjedalen flute, and his music must have been seen as quite intriguing, even exotic, as Swedish radio recorded his tunes on no less than three separate occasions between 1935 and 1951. Ol’Jansa’s music was brought to the present, and developed to a border-crossing cooperation, with influences from different styles building a new music out of the traditional, giving a new identity to the instrument and its clime. In commission of Svenskt Visarkiv (the Centre for Swedish Folk Music and Jazz Research) and the public record company Caprice Records the album Ol’Jansa – Göran Månsson & Friends was released in autumn 2017 and is nominated for the best Folk album of the Year 2018 in Sweden by MANIFEST GALAN. LYÖSTRAINI In the fascinating Swedish / Japanese Recording project LYÖSTRAINI – TREES OF LIGHT, Lena, Karin and Anders carefully let the japanese classical tradition, Lena’s strong poems in her native Älvdals-toungue and the open fields of improvisation meet and react into a unique musical world for new paths to be created. The music of this ensemble carries an impression of history, of today and tomorrow- in the same, resonant spur of the moment. The first CD of the Trio was published by ECM Records in the year 2015 and won the SwedishGrammy Award 2016 as well as the “Bestenliste 3-2015” awarded by: die deutscheSchallplattenkritik. UNIO MYSTICA II “Unio Mystica” is a long-term, multicultural project created by South Tyrolean musician and composer Dietrich Oberdörfer. The aim is merging different archaic sound languages that evoke the fundamental human need for internalisation and transcendence through their mystic character. In “unio mystica II”, occidental sacral music meets psychedelic guitar sounds and Far Eastern Shinto and Zen mysticism. In a shared journey through both time and diverse musical styles, the three musicians have created a distinct sound.
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Outside companies pay to advertise via these links when specific phrases and words are searched. Clicking on these links will open a new tab displaying that respective company's own website. The website you link to is not affiliated with or sponsored by Kohls.com Eastland Adrian Men's Leather Boots Regular $140.00 Give your wardrobe a handsome finish with these men's Adrian boots from Eastland. The full-grain leather upper conforms to your foot for a custom fit while memory foam insoles provide comfort and support. Outside companies pay to advertise via these links when specific phrases and words are searched. Clicking on these links will open a new tab displaying that respective company's own website. The website you link to is not affiliated with or sponsored by Kohls.com
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LinkedIn Corp has been forced to pay $6 million in back overtime and damages to 359 current and former employees after a US Department of Labor investigation found the company violated wage laws. The career networking company will pay more than $3.3 million in retroactive overtime wages and more than $2.5 million in damages to workers in California, Illinois, Nebraska and New York. A Labor Department representative said LinkedIn has mailed the payments to the workers covered by the settlement. Scroll down for video Payout: LinkedIn will pay more than $3.3 million in retroactive overtime wages and more than $2.5 million in damages to workers in California (pictured), Illinois, Nebraska and New York LinkedIn has 'shown a great deal of integrity by fully cooperating with investigators and stepping up to the plate without hesitation to help make workers whole,' said David Weil, the administrator of the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division, in a statement. A spokeswoman said that talent is LinkedIn's No. 1 priority, adding that the company was eager to work closely with the Labor Department to reach the settlement. 'This was a function of not having the right tools in place for a small subset of our sales force to track hours properly,' said Shannon Stubo, vice president of corporate communications. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share The Labor Department's investigation revealed that LinkedIn, based in Mountain View, California, failed to record and compensate workers for all hours worked, violating provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In addition to the settlement payment, LinkedIn will train all employees that 'off-the-clock work' is prohibited for all non-exempt workers, the Labor Department said. Taking action: The Department of Labor announced Monday that LinkedIn has agreed to issue $3.3 million in overtime back pay as well as $2.5 million in damages to 359 current and former employees The FLSA requires that non-exempt workers, who are not salaried managers, be paid the federal minimum hourly wage of $7.25 plus overtime pay at the minimum rate of 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for hours worked past 40 in a given work week. LinkedIn's shares closed at $202.50 on Monday, up 0.4 percent on a day when the major U.S. stock indexes bounced back after Friday's sharp selloff.
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Thursday, January 26, 2006 Theodore Letis Jim Leonard has drawn my attention to the page Theodore P. Letis in Memorium [sic], a tribute to an ecclesiastical historian who wrote controversially on matters relating to textual criticism. He died last year in a car accident returning from a gig. There seem to be varied interpretations of what his position was. He could be seen as KJVO, Majority Text, anti-inerrancy, Childsean—categories that do not usually appear alongside each other. He was highly idiosyncratic and it seems that during the last decade of his life he espoused views that he would not have held earlier. I met him in Tyndale House, Cambridge, a few years ago, and had been previously convinced that he was basically an up-market KJVO advocate. However, if I understood our conversation correctly—and he seemed to enjoy mystifying—he basically accepted a fairly standard history of the text during the first four centuries, but believed that what the text that the church had come to receive was the locus of authority. For instance, he thought that Mark 16:9-20 was secondary and inspired. He was aware that some of his conservative constituency did not realize that his position involved this. The tribute is followed by comments from someone who knew him exclusively as a blues musician. It seems that he kept is identities somewhat separate. ("... we knew him as a swaggering front man who liked Muddy Waters and The Stones above all else in life.") 12 comments: One of Dr. Letis's benefactors was Pensacola Christian College. They once bankrolled an "outreach" effort on behalf of King James Onlyism that involved sending out videotapes to hundreds of fundamentalist churches. The tape was called "The Leaven in Fundamentalism," that leaven being textual criticism. Dr. Letis was a featured speaker in this video. In it he seems careful to avoid explicitly denying the doctrine of inerrancy. However, that position is abundantly clear in his writings. It was in this video that I (along with many others) first became acquainted with Letis. You hit the nail on the head, Pete, with your description of his position in your example about the long ending of Mark. His view of the historical transmission of the text is basically Hortian. However, the text was improved over time via "orthodox corruption," which was a work of God, in part to remove the errors that Letis frankly confessed were in the autographa. Letis heavily applauded Ehrman's book, Orthodox Corruption. He viewed the received text as the canonical form of God's Word, hence his association with the views of Childs. To Letis, no book exemplifies the pinnacle of this canonical development better than the majestic King James Bible, coincidentally written in Letis's own native language. Of what I have read by Letis, the one essay I would most recommend is chapter of his book, The Ecclesiastical Text. In this chapter he argues that the reading monogenhs theou in John 1:18 is of gnostic origin. It is the only true text critical study of his I have seen, and one that showed a good handle on that field, in my opinion. I might add that I don't see his approach to the text of the NT as that unique. It is basically the same as what many (perhaps most?) evangelicals are doing now with the Masoretic Text of the OT. It is one way a person with a high view of Scripture's authority can deal with some of the theological questions that have arisen elsewhere on this blog. I don't follow Dr. Letis in claiming canonical status to the KJV, or to any other text or text-type. Since "canon" is a term that applies only to the delimitation of the books, not to any particular variation of the wording therein. However, I am open to the idea of a secondary addition, such as the long ending of Mark (if it truly is secondary), or the received ending of Deuteronomy (which along with other portions of the Torah I do take to be secondary), being inspired. I'm not sure how we are supposed to identify such inspired secondary additions. But, supposing it can be done (which might be a good discussion for later on), the idea is at least compatible with an inerrantist understanding of inspiration. I just listened to one of his radio gigs on the ESV where he talks about the long ending of Mark. First he bashes the ESV for being a spinoff of the RSV and then he gets all worked up over the note in body text after Mark 16:8 which tells the reader that some early witnesses omit the following verses. His main objection seems to be the placement of the note in the body text rather than in a footnote. He cites B. Metzger and K. Aland in support for the canonicity of the long ending and then concludes that ESV is a more "sinister" version than the TNIV. The radio production sounds vaguely late 30s, pictures of FDR and Joseph Goebbles were flashing through my mind. Hard to take this guy seriously. I am appreciative of the work of the late Dr. Letis. He was a good friend. For 25 years, I was a member of the most extremist sect of the KJV only movement. I attended Peter Ruckman's school and he ordained me into the ministry. Five years ago I read Dr. Letis' essay _The Revival of the Ecclesiastical Text and the Claims of the Anabaptist_. It shattered my extremists' views and caused me to rethink my theology (four point Arminianism). For this, I will ever be thankful for Ted Letis. Well I have to say textual criticism is a very interesting subject. I have not done a lot but some study on this issue. I used to read alot of the NASB and turned back to the Authorized Version and found it difficult to read any other translation. Honestly I felt it much easier to read the Authorized version than any other. As I understand Letis' case. King James Onlyist have gone way out of line and calling practically everyone heritics and especially many Reformed men of God. On the other end the what I would call the neo-textist scholars who claim the Authorized version is out of date archaic and based on a very few reliable manuscripts that have many copying mistakes. Theodore Letis I think bridges the gap between these two extremes. I would love to get more audio from him and more info on this issue. God Bless. Rev. Joe Dear Joe,Thanks for your comment. You set up a classic spectrum whereby KJVOs are at one end, 'neotextist scholars' are on the other, and Letis is in the middle. I think it would be possible to construct quite another spectrum whereby at one extreme we have people who follow what is found in Greek manuscripts (many reasoned eclectics, Hortians, Byzantine priority theorists) and at the other end we have people who are content following readings that are not in the manuscripts (TR people, sceptics, etc.). This seems to me a more significant spectrum. You are misrepresenting what Dr. Theodore (and since you also mention it, PCC) believe. They are not KJV-onlyism at all. You should al least watch the video(s) before making any accusation(s). To make such a comment which contradicts what is emphasized in the videos (The second of them, specially deals with that misconception ) makes you and those that leave comments irrelevant. Please do not respond to my comment before watching the videos. In that way you would be at least making an intelligent(contra-ignorant) post. I've seen the entire video series. Numerous times. I have it on tape. PCC, of course, explictly denies they are KJV Only. But are they? Can you name even on passage in the KJV they would excise? No. They do not like that term because Ruckman is in their same town, and he is associated with it. But do not be deceived - they are every bit the KJV Onlyists that Ruckman is only less consistent. Letis, however, was not. His base was the TR and his basis was a different ecclesiology than that found at PCC. I knew Ted Letis personally as a fellow student at Evangel College and he was a friend of mine for three years there while we both finished our degrees before earning doctorates in different disciplines. I am not a trained theologian, but I can tell you that Ted Letis was not only an intellectual of the highest order, he was as honest and the noblest character and as much in Love with Christ as the greatest disciple! His integrity is beyond reproach, and some of the comments which insinuate any qualities less than I have stated above as a personal witness of his life and doctrine, are to the degree that they seek to malign his highest character, sincerest devotion to Christ and superior scholarship and intellect - are in serious error! I am presently rereading as much of his work as I can find, and, encouage others to do the same ... then, do whatever further reseach is needed, to form your own independent opinions regarding the sum and substance of his deeply researched and seriously analysed positions. Thanks! God Bless. Jerome Hagen I had the privilege of listening to Dr. Letis. He presented much hard, well researched evidences. He was definitely not in the same league with many of the run-of-the mill, aspiring theologians in this era. I would encourage people to read his work. Anyone who claims Letis denied "inerrancy" is either blindly accepting this accusation from others, has never read Letis himself, or is purposely misportraying him. Letis believed and defended the infallibility of Scripture in every single word. He was a conservative Lutheran (Missouri Synod). Doctrinally he was far more conservative than the majority of conservative textual critical scholars today. What he rejected was B B Warfield's redefinition of infallibility to apply only to the autographs, which Warfield calls "inerrancy". Letis instead defended the Reformation doctrine that the infallibility of Scripture is not limited to the (lost) autographs. Anyone interested in reading about this ought to peruse Letis' books The Ecclesiastical Text and The Majority Text.
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The MAX146/MAX147 12-bit data-acquisition systems combine an 8-channel multiplexer, high-bandwidth track/hold, and serial interface with high conversion speed and low power consumption. The MAX146 operates from a single to +3.6V supply; the MAX147 operates from a single to +5.25V supply. Both devices' analog inputs are software configurable for unipolar/bipolar and single-ended/differential operation. The 4-wire serial interface connects directly to SPITM/ QSPITM and MICROWIRETM devices without external logic. A serial strobe output allows direct connection to TMS320-family digital signal processors. The MAX146/MAX147 use either the internal clock or an external serial-interface clock to perform successive-approximation analog-to-digital conversions. The MAX146 has an internal 2.5V reference, while the MAX147 requires an external reference. Both parts have a reference-buffer amplifier with a ±1.5% voltageadjustment range. These devices provide a hard-wired SHDN pin and a software-selectable power-down, and can be programmed to automatically shut down at the end of a conversion. Accessing the serial interface automatically powers up the MAX146/MAX147, and the quick turn-on time allows them to be shut down between all conversions. This technique can cut supply current to under 60µA at reduced sampling rates. The MAX146/MAX147 are available in 20-pin DIP and SSOP packages. For 4-channel versions of these devices, see the MAX1246/MAX1247 data sheet. Stresses beyond those listed under "Absolute Maximum Ratings" may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability. MAX6899 : Ultra-Small, Adjustable Sequencing/Supervisory Circuits The MAX6895–MAX6899 is a family of small, low-power, voltage-monitoring circuits with sequencing capability. These miniature devices offer tremendous flexibility with an adjustable threshold capable of monitoring down to 0.5V and an external c MAX6352MTUK-T : Dual/triple-voltage ¥ìP Supervisory Circuits MAX6317HUK42BX-T : 5-Pin µP Supervisory Circuits With Watchdog And Manual Reset The MAX6316–MAX6322 family of microprocessor (µP) supervisory circuits monitors power supplies and microprocessor activity in digital systems. It offers several combinations of push/pull, open-drain, and bidirectional (such as Motorola 68 MAX2090ETP+T : 50MHz To 1000MHz Analog VGA And Power Detector With Optional AGC Loop The MAX2090 high-linearity analog variable-gain amplifier (VGA) is a monolithic SiGe BiCMOS attenuator, amplifier, and RMS detector designed to interface with 50? systems operating in the 50MHz to 1000MHz frequency range. Either
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that i recently hit the "next blog" buttonand what came upbut a siteall on mortgages...could it be a sign thattoday is my daytoday i could get good newsis it prophetic?did i mention my horoscope for the month saidi would be getting approval on something important to meand it actually statedmortgagein brackets.....
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Follow Us Hasselhoff is downright happy to be mocked Comedy Central has some pretty enjoyable promos running for the network’s “Roast of David Hasselhoff,” which was recorded last night and airs Aug. 15. (The photo above is of a truly disturbing tribute statue seen outside the roast yesterday.) He’s obviously going to take the whole thing in good humor, as you can tell in the spot below and three more after the jump. But isn’t the idea of a roast usually to turn the tables on a comedian who’s known for making others the butt of jokes? Seems a bit strange to take a B-list celebrity who’s already the subject of ridicule and then grill him relentlessly in person. Plus, if we know he’ll just roll with it, where’s the excitement in that? Comedy Central needs to man up and put Mel Gibson on the stage with 10 snarky comedians, a bottle of rye and a broken axe handle. Now that I would watch.
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Central Funeral Home is 100% LOCAL FAMILY OWNED and operated by Randy and Terri Buckner of Manchester, TN. Central is the ONLY Funeral Home owned and operated by the Buckners and therefore, they can focus their entire attention to serve your... John Winston High founded High Funeral Home in its present location at 101 College St. in 1925. Mr. High moved to the area from Wilson County, Tennessee in the early 1920's. He started his career in funeral service in McMinnville at the Lively... Woodbury Funeral Home originally began as McMillen Funeral Home and operated on McMillen St., now know as College St. The funeral home was owned by T.H. McMillen. In 1936 Mr. McMillen moved the business to it's present location on W. Main St. Mr.... Facts about Manchester, Tennessee Some of the notable people born here have been: (gordon byrom rogers). Manchester is a city in Coffee County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 10,102 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Coffee County. The city is located halfway between Nashville and Chattanooga on Interstate 24.Manchester is part of the Tullahoma, Tennessee Micropolitan Statistical Area.Since 2002, Manchester has been the host city for the annual Bonnaroo Music Festival. The city's population swells to nearly 100,000 people for the four-day event, for which people travel across the country to camp and enjoy continuous and diverse music. Manchester Obituaries It was disclosed by Kalamazoo Gazette on April 16th, 2018 that Emmitt L Martin perished in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Martin was 83 years old and was born in Manchester, TN. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor Emmitt L's life. It was reported by Peoria Journal Star on February 7th, 2018 that Frances "Erlene" Stewart (Good) perished in Hanna City, Illinois. Ms. Stewart was 82 years old and was born in Manchester, TN. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor Frances "Erlene"'s life. It was written by Kalamazoo Gazette on February 4th, 2018 that Emmitt L "Marty" Martin perished in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Martin was 83 years old and was born in Manchester, TN. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor Emmitt L "Marty"'s life. It was written on July 27th, 2017 that Richard Reese perished in Manchester, Tennessee. Reese was 61 years old. Send flowers to express your sympathy and honor Richard's life. It was disclosed on April 5th, 2017 that Elizabeth Eydt (Dobson) passed on in Manchester, Tennessee. Ms. Eydt was 95 years old and was born in Niagara Falls, NY. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor Elizabeth's life. It was revealed on February 22nd, 2016 that Frank E Reese passed away in Manchester, Tennessee. Reese was 85 years old. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor Frank E's life. It was reported by Visalia Times-Delta on November 6th, 2014 that Frances Elizabeth Creelman passed away in Kings Co, California. Creelman was 94 years old and was born in Manchester, TN. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor Frances Elizabeth's life. It was noted by Sierra Star on August 21st, 2014 that James Robert Stubblefield passed away in North Fork, California. Stubblefield was 85 years old and was born in Manchester, TN. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor James Robert's life. It was reported on July 12th, 2014 that Ruthanne "Ruthie" McCullough (Burnett) died in Manchester, Tennessee. Ms. McCullough was 67 years old and was born in Greenville, PA. Send flowers to express your sorrow and honor Ruthanne "Ruthie"'s life. It was noted by Columbus Dispatch on March 15th, 2014 that Mary Frances White (Price) died in Ohio. Ms. White was 81 years old and was born in Manchester, TN. Send flowers to share your condolences and honor Mary Frances's life. History It is the county seat of Coffee County, Tennessee County . The city is located halfway between Nashville, Tennessee and Chattanooga, Tennessee on Interstate 24. Manchester is a city in Coffee County, Tennessee County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 8,294 at the 2000 census. . Manchester Funeral Home News Obituaries published Oct. 30 Born in Manchester, England on April 13 ... from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home, 19 Clapp St. (off Route 140, Taunton Avenue), Norton. Services will be held on Monday evening at the conclusion of visitation at 7 p.m. in the funeral home ...http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2010/11/02/obituaries/8172629.txt Funeral - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a deceased person. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and ...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral Funeral (album) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFuneral is the debut full-length album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, released on September 14, 2004 in North America by Merge Records and on ...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funeral_(album) ManchesterFuneral Home and Crematory - Manchester, TN -Home PageManchesterFuneral Home and Crematory is ManchesterTennessee's only on-site crematory.http://www.manchesterfuneralhome.com/ ManchesterFuneral Homes and funeral services in Tennessee Listing all funeral homes in Manchester, Tennessee so you can easily send flowers to any location (same day delivery) or find any funeral service.http://www.imortuary.com/funeral-homes/tennessee/manchester.php funerals in Manchester, TN 37355 on Yahoo! Localfunerals in Manchester, TN 37355 on Yahoo! Local Get Ratings & Reviews on funerals with Photos, Maps, Driving Directions and more.http://local.yahoo.com/results?stx=funerals&csz=37355 By definition, pre-arrangements are any funeral and burial arrangements made before the time of death, much like creating a will. They can range from a few simple requests (preferred music at the ceremony or the burial method) to more elaborate plans (including all... more »
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Join SPHERE for the last Jersey City Tech Meetup of the year! Hosted at the NJCU, we will hear from UN Special Advisor, Radia Funna, and UN Creative and TEDx vet Lisa Russel. More information on the event can be found here: ow.ly/LdZ330gXhQF - hope to see you there! ... See MoreSee Less
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March share it Our favorite screen sirens are currently in an A-list style spin of fittings, hair appointments and make-betters galore as they prep for their big date with a certain golden statue! And while we can't wait to see how they shine on Sunday's red carpet, we didn't want you, dear readers, to feel left out of the fashionable fray! That's why we've let the festive fever seep into our virtual closet with glitzy picks like metallic dresses, confetti nail polish, and gilded platform shoes. Take your outfit from fine to shine with Alexis Bittar's Knot Necklace ($395) or TBA's Gold Silk Lame Dress ($174). Steal that sartorial spotlight with Alexander Wang's Darla Pyramid Clutch ($490)Â--a perfect candidate for best accessory! Or swap out your daily denim for rolled khakis like Unique's Cropped Chino ($135), as they get along famously with the cast and crew of the rest of your spring staples. Your skin can sparkle with Chanel Ombre D'eau ($32), your talons can twinkle with Lippmann Collection's Nail Color ($18) in Happy Birthday, and with all our closet has to offer (and so much more in our freshly stocked Shop the Closet section!) you can step out in style a hundred times overÂ...without ever having to repeat a look. Because, after all, when it comes to this year's awards season, there's no one we'd like to thank more than you!
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96 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): The 2002 Dom Perignon is at first intensely floral, with perfumed jasmine that dominates the bouquet. With time in the glass the wine gains richness ... Read More 96 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): The 2002 Dom Perignon is at first intensely floral, with perfumed jasmine that dominates the bouquet. With time in the glass the wine gains richness ... Read More Our commitment to vintages is absolute. Dom Pérignon is reinvented with every vintage, daring to take risks. Using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, we play with contrasts and complementary el... Read More Moët et Chandon was established in 1743 by Claude Moët, and today owns more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of vineyards. Moët began business in 1750 with Madame de Pompadour, who supplied t... Read More Our commitment to vintages is absolute. Dom Pérignon is reinvented with every vintage, daring to take risks. Using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, we play with contrasts and complementary el... Read More "Unfortunately there is only one new release from Dom Perignon on the market, but what a wine it is! The 2002 Brut Rose explodes from the glass with endless layers of huge, voluptuous fruit, A... Read More "The 2002 Brut Rose Grand Vintage is a richer, bolder wine than the Grand Vintage, just as it was in 2000. It possesses fabulous depth and richness, with layers of expressive fruit and terrifi... Read More Where the Brut Imperial is all about consistency of style there is a little bit more room for variation based on the seasonal difference. As a result you will find much more Chardonnay in this... Read More
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Specialists and referrals Highcroft Vet Group has a specialist and referrals division called Highcroft Veterinary Referrals. Here, we have some of the top veterinary surgeons in the UK with American, European and RCVS Specialists, Diplomates and Certificate holders, all providing expert services for your pets. These specialists and consultants see pets referred to them by other veterinary surgeons in the South West for unusual, complex or difficult-to-diagnose conditions. They also see pets referred for advanced diagnostics such as CT scans, advanced surgical procedures such as pacemaker implantation, serious medical conditions or critically ill pets that require ICU care. All Highcroft clients have full access to our referral services as part of their veterinary care. If you are a client of another practice and you would like your pet to see our referral team, you will need to be referred by your own veterinary surgeon. Please follow the link to read more about Highcroft Veterinary Referrals. You can visit us at our Whitchurch Vet Hospital and Surgery 7 days a week for routine consultations, at no extra cost and regardless of which branch you are registered with. See our surgery opening times.
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This website uses cookies We use cookies on this website to provide services, features and to analyze our traffic. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Accept CookiesFind out more Taking control of account If the Executor of a Will is required to take control of the account, they must send a request in writing stating what actions are required along with proof of their Executors status to the address below. $site_publisher_address$ Access to account data Unless otherwise specified in a will, access to all the data contained within a personal account will not be disclosed upon death. This does not mean that data will be automatically deleted nor irretrievable. Upon request, we will make available copies of all publicly accessible data for an account (i.e. offline copy of a website) for upto six months after we have received the notification of death. Alternatively, you may be able to access archived copies of websites using the Internet Archive's WayBackMachine. Company Account If the account holder representing a company or any other non-personal organisation should pass away, we can transfer the account to a new person within the same organisation. To transfer responsibility, the person wishing to take control of the account will have to provide: Proof of their role within the organisation. Any new contact information such as email address and phone number. Once we have received and verified this information, we will change the account details to that of the new account holder.
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Wednesday, September 07, 2016 Marconia Radio International slated for September 8 broadcast Waiting on my QSL for this station - maybe in a few days it will come in, as promised :)Gayle VH Here is the schedule for the next Thursday transmissions of MRI on 8 September 2016:1700-2000 UTC on 7700 kHz (USB mode) and 2015-2130 UTC on 9300 kHz (USB Mode). As you may be already aware we recently moved our weekly broadcasts from Wednesday to Thursday. Our broadcasts include some kind of programmes now sadly missing from most shortwave radio stations: an old style DX show in English “Italian Short Wave Panorama” (there is also the Italian version called “Panorama Onde Corte”) with lot of recent logs as well as a mailbag show (“La Posta degli ascoltatori”) in Italian. As from 8 September a music show in Italian will also be aired. Our station identification announcements are not only in English and Italian but also in French, German, Romanian, Spanish and Catalan. For the first time in our history a Facebook page about our station has been introduced. It is called "MRI World" and can be found at this web address: https://www.facebook.com/mriworld - Although it is still far from being completed you can leave your comments and suggestions as well as like it! Last but not least, we need your help! If you use social networks, please post an announcement on Facebook or send out a tweet the day before the broadcast. You can also forward this message to a friend. This should help increase our potential audience. We hope to hear from a lot of shortwave listeners about our transmissions.
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You are here Home » Career for Pharmacists under National AYUSH Mission at Health Department Diu Career for Pharmacists under National AYUSH Mission at Health Department Diu The Health Department Diu is going to conduct a Walk in interview on 23/11/2018 at 09:15 AM for the various below mentioned posts under the National AYUSH Mission on contract basis or till regular are filled up to render the support for strengthening the health services. Post: Pharmacist (Ayurvedic) No. of Post: 1 Salary: Rs. 21,300/- pm Qualification: (i) H.S.C. or equivalent in Science Stream (Physics or Chemistry or Biology), (ii) Degree in Ayurvedic Pharmacy or Diploma in Ayurvedic Pharmacy course duration of which should not be less than two years from any Govt. Organization or recognized private institute or by any Regulatory Boards or Councils. Experience: 2 years experience in the field of Ayurvedic Pharmacist from any recognized Ayurvedic Dispensary or Hospital or Pharmacy or Wellness Centre Age limit: 30 years Contractual Term: 1. Eligible and desirous candidate may come for walk in interview on 23/11/2018 sharp at 09:15 AM in the Office of the Collector, Collectorate, Diu (UT). with a copy of bio-data and original certificates of their Educational Qualification and experience along with Xerox copy of the certificate duly attested. 2. All above posts are purely contract basis period; which is only up to 31st March 2019.ln case of the continuation of scheme contract will be extended on the basis of performance. 3. Registration and Document verification will be carried out at the venue from 9:15 am to 09:45 am only. 4. Candidate having domicile certificate of Daman & Diu will be given preference. 5. Age relaxation may be considered for Specialist/Doctors by the Executive Body and the Chairman, DHS, Diu. 6. No T.A / D.A shall be paid for attending the interview.
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What if I said, "Beep, Beep." Aha, it's got to be a roadrunner. There are two species - the greater and lesser. The greater is the one we see, and it's the largest North American cuckoo. It's ground-dwelling with vocalizations more like a descending dove coo or a rattling sound. During the last century, the greater roadrunner has expanded its range from Mexico and our desert Southwest to parts of Missouri and Louisiana. It's common year-round throughout Texas, except in deep East Texas. On chilly nights, the roadrunner may lower its body temperature slightly to conserve energy. During the day, sunning helps raise body temperature as the bird spreads the feathers on its back exposing black heat-absorbing skin to the warm sun. About half of the two-foot-long bird is tail, which helps with balance. Legs are long and thin, but strong. There are four toes on each foot - two pointing forward and two backward. The speedy roadrunner can zip along at nearly 20 mph. Scorpions, snakes (including rattlesnakes) lizards, frogs, rodents and other small animals are standards on the roadrunner menu and two birds may work together to kill a particularly big snake. The roadrunner may walk or run toward its prey and can jump into the air to catch insects or, occasionally, a bird. It is said to be the fastest running bird capable of flight, although its wings only sustain short bursts - enough to get it to perches or over obstacles. Dinner preparations are not elaborate - a strike from the beak to the neck of small mammals, or whacking something on a rock. The roadrunner will readily drink water when it's available, but most liquids come from the water content in foods. Salt glands in front of the eyes remove excess salt from the blood. Roadrunners will claim a territory and mate for life, but commonly remain solitary for a time after raising their young. In the spring, when a young bird's thoughts turn to love, he may bow, dance and spread his tail. He struts with head held high and presents his intended with delicacies like a pulverized lizard. What a guy. Both birds gather materials, but the female builds the platform-style nest low in a bush, cactus or small tree. It's basically twigs but may contain leaves and even snakeskins. Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young. Males take the night shift on the nest, which is never unattended. The young leave the nest at 2 or 3 weeks and forage with the parents for a short time. They don't return to the nest. There are various myths and legends involving roadrunners. Some Indian tribes believed the bird guarded against evil spirits. Frontier people said the birds led lost people to safe trails. In Mexico, some said roadrunners brought babies, much like the proverbial stork. Whatever the truth, they're delightful to watch. Sources: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Greater _Roadrunner/lifehistory Judie Farnsworth is a longtime volunteer at the Texas Zoo specializing in educational programs.
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Language Standard Universal Standard Universal retired product PN:P000650200 Product Details model Standard Universal Fits Weinmann style Bed in your new pads to achieve optimum performance. On a gradual downhill slope, drag each brake lightly for 20-30 seconds, alternating between front and rear. Repeat 2-3 times.Use caution and only very light force when using front brake only. Keep your weight over the rear wheel. For best results, bed in new pads in dry conditions.
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Gathering steam Developers never lack ideas for reviving Toledo by adapting downtown buildings. Too often, these plans fade in the harsh light of economic reality. But there are reasons for cautious optimism about the latest proposal to transform the former Toledo Edison steam plant. Toledoans are understandably skeptical. There is a long list of downtown projects that were abandoned, didn't get off the ground, still await completion, or left the city on the hook to repay loans. That list includes the Berdan Building, the former Fiberglas Tower, the St. James Hotel, the Marina District, and the Commodore Perry and Hillcrest hotels. And developer David Ball has announced other plans to redevelop the steam plant he bought seven years ago, none of which has made it beyond the drawing board. In 2007, then-Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's administration sued Mr. Ball and his partner at the time, former basketball star Jim Jackson, for not following through on promises to renovate the site. They responded by withholding property taxes. Mayor Mike Bell dropped the suit shortly after he took office in 2010. Why is there more reason for hope this time? Two credible partners have signed on: the University of Toledo and the YMCA of Greater Toledo. In Mr. Ball's latest proposal, the YMCA would rent some 13,000 square feet of the renovated steam plant for two meeting rooms, two studios, locker rooms, and a fitness area. If money becomes available, there is room to add a pool. That would be welcome for people who live or work downtown: There hasn't been a downtown YMCA with a pool since 1980. The University of Toledo Medical Center plans to open a 5,000-square-foot primary-care clinic in the refurbished building. The clinic would house a full laboratory and offer clinical care, wellness classes, and other medical services.The Y and UT would be strong anchors and excellent tenants. The rest of the renovated building would include 67 one- and two-bedroom apartments. The three largest downtown apartment buildings -- Commodore Perry, LaSalle, and Riverfront -- are at or near capacity. The time seems right to expand downtown living space. The project would be financed by private capital, federal and state tax credits, and loans. But Toledo and Lucas County would not have financial responsibility for the project -- a big selling point. The proposed Water Street Station would be between Imagination Station and Promenade Park, which is about to enter the first phase of a planned $6 million expansion and redesign. The steam-plant renovation could help rationalize that expenditure and encourage more downtown development. Like many other cities, Toledo is experiencing renewed interest in urban living. Entertainment venues, restaurants, apartments, and nightspots are expanding to meet demand. Amenities such as fitness centers and medical clinics seem sure to follow. That suggests Water Street Station can gather enough steam to move forward.
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Sony XBR55X700D 55-Inch HDR 4K Ultra HD TV (2016 Model) Upgrade to the stunning clarity and detail of 4K with this Sony XBR55X700D 55-Inch HDR 4K Ultra HD TV. Android TV opens a world of entertainment and connectivity. Find all the entertainment you can dream of, faster than ever. From movies and TV shows to thousands of apps, Sony’s Android TV brings you everything in an instant. Enjoy every scene comes to life with the power of 4K X-Reality Pro. Every single pixel is enhanced beautifully by our most powerful 4K picture processing technology ever. Individual parts of each scene are analyzed and matched with a special image database that independently addresses texture, contrast, color, and edges. The difference is clear with supremely lifelike detail, no matter what you’re watching. See everything upscaled to impressive 4K Ultra HD with enhanced color, deeper blacks and dramatic brightness. It’s a whole new way to watch. Precision Color Mapping independently analyzes every scene and pixel so the perfect shade and tone are applied dynamically for rich, natural colors. Thanks to Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, experience more life, more texture and more energy in every scene with brighter highlights, deeper blacks, and more natural tonal gradation.
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Joining the Guard... December 2nd, 2012, 02:09 PM I just turned 27 in October. I've always wanted to serve in the NG, but college and relationships kept me occupied. I've never stopped wanting to serve, and now I have made some changes in my life, the first thought was to join. I have a business degree and have been working in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry since I graduated. I'm currently in the process of moving to Vancouver, WA. I'm still in the process of moving, so I haven't had a change to speak to a recruiter--can this be accomplished via Phone/Email. I noticed you can enlist online, just curious how the process works. Now for the questions. I've done my research and I have some great friends who are currently in the NG and have been a wealth of knowledge. I keep telling myself 27 is not too old, but I find myself worrying when I see 17/18 YO talking about their enlistment. How will the experience differ--Am I going to feel 'old' at 27? I'm in shape, I don't have any problems meeting the requirements, although the course at BT looks pretty intimidating. How does basic training work with male/female? I'm assuming females bunk,etc today, but we all work as a group/team when it comes to the daily activities? Comment I too am the same age. I was 26 when I first joined and now I'm 27. I kind of was in the same boat. My suggestion: You've got your degree in-hand, so enlist as an 09S Officer Candidate, go to BCT them come back to one of the many fun iterations of Officer Candidate School (OCS). You "might" just even get a chance to branch Aviation. Search through the forums on that one. You may feel old at Basic at first when you see all the panic stricken straight out of highschoolers with the deer in the headlights looks (you might have the same look depending on your preparedness), and some of the menial childish things that can go on in the barracks and when DS aren't watching (I practically acted like our bay-father when I was at BCT), but it too shall pass. As far as your fitness goes, if you go in good shape you'll come out in even better shape so don't worry about that. Males bunk with males, end of story. There's no such thing as a shared bay, and +1 to NYGuardRecruiter...any kind of fraternization is forbidden. Depending on your training location you could either be in an all-male or co-ed unit. Unless you end up at a place like Ft. Jackson where it's all co-ed, you really won't know until that moment at Reception BN where you find out what company you are going to. OCS is a different story. You have fresh out of basic soldiers and those that have been in-service for a long time, male and female, and the age is all over the place. I think the oldest in my class currently is 39. You'll all mesh and the age won't matter at the end of the day except for maybe physical limitations. Good luck to you with whatever path you choose! Comment I am currently 31 and ship to BCT & AIT in February. I’m not too worried about the age thing, I was literally running circle around most of the younger soldiers at my first RSP drill. I look at entering at my age as a great leadership opportunity and a chance to mentor some of the younger folks…and learn a thing or two myself. Comment I just turned 27 in October. I've always wanted to serve in the NG, but college and relationships kept me occupied. I've never stopped wanting to serve, and now I have made some changes in my life, the first thought was to join. I have a business degree and have been working in the Aviation/Aerospace Industry since I graduated. I'm currently in the process of moving to Vancouver, WA. I'm still in the process of moving, so I haven't had a change to speak to a recruiter--can this be accomplished via Phone/Email. I noticed you can enlist online, just curious how the process works. Now for the questions. I've done my research and I have some great friends who are currently in the NG and have been a wealth of knowledge. I keep telling myself 27 is not too old, but I find myself worrying when I see 17/18 YO talking about their enlistment. How will the experience differ--Am I going to feel 'old' at 27? I'm in shape, I don't have any problems meeting the requirements, although the course at BT looks pretty intimidating. How does basic training work with male/female? I'm assuming females bunk,etc today, but we all work as a group/team when it comes to the daily activities? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. As you have heard, the age range varies at BCT, so nothing to worry about there. When you "Apply Online" you would be completing the enlistment application which will assign you a recruiter. In other words, it is the paperwork portion online. Your recruiter will be the one that gets you through the enlistment. Even if you go to meet a recruiter, you will still do the application online. eqmcclure made a great suggestion about looking into Officer Candidate School. You should see if this is a possibility for you.
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I read this book today this was a great book about spot everytime i see a dog standing there evan while i read the book and i also have the movie of this too on a vhs but i have not watched this in a longtime time everytime i think that is spot looking inside the box but really it's his mom i don't know why i always think thats spot i just do i still do think it's him so this book is about his mom sally looking for spot because he has to go eat his supper so then she has to play hide and seek with all his friends and she is trying to find spot the frist perison she finds is the bear eatting honey than she checks the clock but he's not there eater it was a snake than she checks the piano but he is not there too it's a hippo and a bird hiding inside then she says maybe he's under the stars no it was not spot it was the lion so then she checks the dressing room and he wasn't inside there aswell it was steve the monkey then she checked the bedroom is he under the bed no it was tom the Alligator then she walked to his treasure box and opened it no it was not him it was only the penguns then she came closer and saw something round under the rug there's spot then she lifted the rug and it was not him it was a turtle try the basket he said so Sally ran to the basket and opened it and found him and told him it's time for lunch and she said to him good boy spot.
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My Sweet Followers zondag 26 april 2009 After making the challengecard I was so inspired that I made this card for my sister in-law. Used most of the product I used with the Color Inspired Challenge. Accept now I stamped a Butterfy and gave in transparant antlers with a bead at the end and I used brown patterned paper, a sanding block and instead of my fastenator I used ordinairy white staples. This time I am entering a Color Inspiration Challenge from Kristina Werner for the 1st time. She is one of my favorite cardmakers on Youtube. Now I can enter because I don't have to use Stampin' Up colors. (I simply don't have anything from SU) I am very very very happy I can enter by just using the colors she picked for this challenge (Brown, Red, Yellow, Turquoise & White). This is her inspiration photo. Here's the card I made with the required colors. I made a RED card, cut off a strip and made a border with a corner rounder. Attached a strip of TURQUOISE cardstock and stamped on a border with Stazon Timber BROWN. I used a friendship stamp and stamped it with Stazon Timber BROWN ink on a piece of WHITE cardstock and matted it on a piece of TURQUOISE cardstock. I attached this with foamtape on the RED strip that I had cut off the card before and placed that on a piece of YELLOW wire mesh and attached it on the card with my fastenator using a YELLOW staple. Then I took a wooden butterfly that I colored with Stazon Timber BROWN ink, made some faux stitching with a WHITE gelpen and attached it on the RED card with some foamtape. I enjoyed making this card and entering this challenge. The colors were great to work with. If you would like to enter the challenge too, simply click on the inspiration photo and join. Deadline: Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 pm MT donderdag 23 april 2009 Tonight I made this simple card for my father in-law.He had to move to a special home after a stay of 3 months in the hospital.He's not well and I wanted to cheer him up a little with "Een Opkikker". (medical: lift). Kikker means Frog in dutch. ;-) The card had to be simple, otherwise he could panic. I've chosen sunny colours and hope for a little smile on his face.
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Popular On About Biography Contemporary gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds, a native of Chicago, Illinois' south side, learned to play drums and keyboards prior to taking up singing in high school. He was briefly a member of the group Mind Over Matter, which released an EP before his solo move. McReynolds recorded a short set of songs and distributed it to family members with no intention of an official release, but it reached John Hannah, a local pastor and DJ who aired some of the material on Chicago's W... Read more
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IDEMIA, the provider in trusted identities for an increasingly digital world, announced its partnership with FlexiGroup, Australia’s market supplier in Point of Sale consumer and commercial finance to launch Australia’s first MOTION CODE credit card. Developed by IDEMIA (formerly known as OT-Morpho), the MOTION CODE credit card is a high-tech payment card with a dynamic security code (CVV2) that automatically changes hourly. Instead of a static security code printed on the back of a bank card, the MOTION CODE CVV2 is displayed on an e-paper “mini-screen”. The security code automatically refreshes to a random security code every hour. This solution has no impact on the cardholder journey for safer online transactions: if compromised, this dynamic data becomes rapidly unusable. As online shopping becomes increasingly popular, the cases of online fraud have escalated with online fraud in Australia rampant at $417 m(€354.07 m) last year and growing 15% per year, according to the Australian Payments Network. FlexiGroup will be the first company to launch MOTION CODE credit cards in Australia in the first half of 2018. “The security of our customers’ payment details is tremendously important to us and the levels of security are constantly evolving with the increasing use of online payments. The addition of this dynamic security feature means FlexiGroup will be able to offer customers advanced safeguarding when making online purchases.” “We continually strive to deliver innovative and tailored financial solutions for our customers and we are excited to partner with IDEMIA to be the first to bring MOTION CODE technology to Australians”, said Symon Brewis-Weston, CEO of FlexiGroup. “We are thrilled about this exclusive launch of MOTION CODE here as it is the first product of its kind in Australia and has the potential to significantly impact the online payments industry by reducing fraud. But more importantly, MOTION CODE can create better customer experience for shoppers as well as provide a strong sense of comfort and security for buyers to go online”, said Mark Garvie, Asia Pacific managing director for Financial Institutions activities at IDEMIA. FlexiGroup is also partnering with Mastercard to bring this new MOTION CODE card to market. “Safety and security is one of Mastercard’s global priorities, so we’re incredibly excited to partner with FlexiGroup to enable the launch of this Australian-first technology. We believe this technology will help shape the future of fraud prevention in Australia to make payments more secure, convenient and reliable for both businesses and consumers”, said Matt Barr, senior vice president: Core, Digital and New Payment Flows. FlexiGroup will announce further details on a new product offering featuring MOTION CODE technology closer to launch in 2018. With more than 174 million Americans shopping over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it’s looking to be a busy holiday season for retailers this year. As shoppers continue hunting for the perfect gift over the next couple weeks, it’s important to remember that cyber criminals will likely be on the hunt as well. How prepared are retailers to deal with an attack? In an effort to answer that question, Tripwire surveyed IT security professionals working in retail organisations about their experiences and attitudes towards factors affecting IT security. The results found that a large majority are not fully prepared for data breaches this holiday season. Of the respondents, only 28% of respondents said they have a fully tested plan in place in the event of a security breach. 21% said their organisation doesn’t have a plan at all, and the same proportion of respondents said they didn’t have the means to notify customers of a data breach within 72 hours, a requirement specified by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). “Considering the amount of high-profile data breaches that have occurred recently, plus the continued discussion around GDPR, it is surprising and concerning that many retailers do not have a tested plan in the event of a security breach,” said Tim Erlin, vice president of product management and strategy at Tripwire. “It’s encouraging that most respondents think they can meet the 72-hour notification window as set out in the upcoming GDPR, but if they haven’t tested their plans, I don’t know how confident they should be in that assumption.” Only a small minority of the retail industry felt fully secure in their incident response capabilities. 23% of respondents said they were “fully prepared” to absorb potential financial penalties. Even fewer professionals (15%) said they were fully prepared to manage customer and press communications following an incident. Not all the survey’s findings were discouraging, however. The results did provide some hope that the industry is moving in the right direction. More than half of respondents (57%) said that their organisation’s ability to detect and respond to a security breach has improved in the past year and a half. With the holiday season in full swing, organisations should make sure they have proper security safeguards in place. “It’s really critical that organisations have a good view of what’s on their network at all times, that they harden their systems with secure configuration and vulnerability management, and that they are able to continuously monitor for change and are alerted to any drift outside the established security and compliance policies,” said Erlin. There are a number of effective and established security control frameworks available to guide organisations, such as the CIS Critical Security Controls. Implementing even the most basic security controls can go a long way in improving an organisation’s security posture. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this December and have found ourselves reflecting over these last two wonderful decades. One of the most important organizational objectives we have here at ARIN is our community outreach efforts. We make it a priority to reach out to you, our community, to provide the tools and advice you need when it comes to Internet number resources. We have hosted and attended an incredible number of events over the years, and thought it would be fun to look back and share where we’ve been and what we’ve accomplished with our community. What kind of outreach do we do? Each year, we host or attend a number of different events. Twice annually we hold our Public Policy and Members Meetings in the second and fourth quarters in various locations throughout our region. These meetings provide an opportunity for the entire Internet community to engage in policy discussions, network with colleagues, and attend workshops and tutorials. Everyone with an interest in Internet number resources is welcome to attend the Public Policy & Members Meetings and registration is free! We also host many ARIN on the Road events around our region throughout the year. These free events provide local communities with the latest news from ARIN, covering everything from requesting IP addresses and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) to the status of IPv6 adoption, to current policy discussions, and updates about our technical services. Did you know that you can request an ARIN on the Road in your city, town, or metro area? I encourage you to send an email to [email protected] if you believe your local Internet community would be interested in participating. While we do discuss IPv6 at ARIN on the Road, that is not the only way we continue to spread the word in support of IPv6 deployment. Our message has evolved since we started actively promoting IPv6 in 2007, when we set up our TeamARIN site and began exhibiting at major industry shows. Today we exhibit at fewer tradeshows, but we do send speakers to many events across a wide range of industries, where we encourage organizations to prepare for the future by enabling IPv6 on their websites. Additionally, members of our team attend community events around the world. Whether it be other RIR meetings, Internet Governance events, or partners such as NANOG or CARIBNOG, we believe it’s important to show our support to the wider Internet community. For a full list of events we host or attend, check out our events page. Where was our first meeting? Our first members meeting took place in Chantilly, Virginia on 20 March 1998. Since then, we’ve held a total of 40 meetings over the last 20 years! Where was our first AOTR? Our first ARIN on the Road event was held in Phoenix, Arizona on 17 August 2010. Since then we have held an additional 46 AOTR events and counting! How can you get involved? Phew! As you can see, we’ve done a lot over the last 20 years, but we’ve only just begun. We plan to continue expanding our outreach efforts around our region, including a continued focus on the Caribbean, and it is all possible thanks to our wonderful community. There are so many ways you can continue to get involved with ARIN, including: Subscribe to our mailing lists to discuss Internet number resource policy development and keep up with ARIN services and activities Attend an ARIN meeting – We have great remote participation capabilities if needed Don’t forget you can apply for a fellowship! We are accepting fellowship applications to ARIN 41 in Miami 15-18 April 2018 Vodafone and Huawei have completed a trial on a full end-to-end (E2E) network of a technique to improve the range of high frequency spectrum that can in future be used to deliver 5G to its customers. Italy’s Ministry for Economic Development has made frequencies available to Vodafone so that it can trial pre-standard 5G in Milan. An E2E test network has been built for that purpose. High frequency bands can connect many users at the same time, but broadcast over a more limited distance than lower frequencies. However, Vodafone, working with Huawei, has pioneered a new approach to improve the coverage range of that high frequency spectrum. Instead of using a single frequency band to communicate between a smartphone and the network, the two telecoms companies tested using different frequency bands for downlink and uplink transmissions. The downlink is used to receive data from the network – like news read on a smartphone – and the uplink is used to send data through the network – like emails or posts on social media. The trials compared two scenarios using Vodafone’s 5G test network sending Gigabits of data. In scenario one, the same high frequency band was used for both the downlink and uplink. In scenario two, a high frequency band was used for the downlink, while a low frequency band was used for the uplink. This capability — known technically as uplink & downlink decoupling — is currently being standardised by 3GPP, a leading organisation through which industry-wide standards are agreed for the implementation of new telecoms technology. Vodafone measured up to a 10 decibel coverage range improvement in the uplink when also utilising the low band. That means that using the technique, customers would get a stronger signal even in areas where 5G coverage is limited. Francisco Martin, head of Radio Product for Vodafone Group, said: “This test of pre-standard 5G uplink and downlink decoupling will help us to deploy the technology efficiently to support our customers as soon as we launch services.” Yang Chaobin, president of Huawei 5G product line, said: “With the acceleration of the 3GPP 5G standard, the first phase of 3GPP Release 15 is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and it will support eMBB application that will bring significant improvement to user experience and even greater enhancement to capacity. Huawei and Vodafone have successfully completed the verification of the uplink and downlink decoupling solution based on the end-to-end 5G network, including RAN, core network and terminals. Huawei will jointly work with industry partners and make 5G a global success.” Vodafone expects to launch 5G services in 2020, in markets where it has appropriate spectrum, once the standard is agreed by 3GPP and compatible telecoms equipment and devices are available. At Smart City Expo World Congress, the international event on smart cities, Guangdong Rongwen Energy Technology Group (Rongwen) and Silver Spring Networks, Inc. announced their selection to connect smart LED street lights in Guangzhou, China. Through its go-to-market partnership with Rongwen, one of the largest smart LED street light providers and operators in China, Silver Spring is planning to network more than 30,000 LED street lights in Guangzhou. According to Rongwen, its efficient and patented LED street lights and outdoor lighting controls, combined with Silver Spring’s StreetLight. Vision (SLV) Central Management System (CMS), will increase the city’s energy savings by more than 70%. The project is China’s first smart city project using Silver Spring’s secure, reliable, IPv6 platform and Wi- SUN® standards-based mesh technology, built on the IEEE 802.15.4g specification. Guangzhou, which is China’s third largest economic hub and a major foreign trade port, has committed to reducing its carbon emissions up to 45% by the end of the decade. “Rongwen is using Silver Spring’s pioneering smart city platform to provide seamless IoT connectivity to more efficiently operate existing city-wide resources to achieve immediate cost savings and speed time to value for smart city initiatives,” said Zhixiong Lee, general manager of Rongwen. “As one of the early movers in smart street lighting system integration, Rongwen is the first company in China that adapts and deploys internationally recognised smart city technologies. We believe that the scalability and sustainability of this system will allow cities such as Guangzhou to grow their network to millions of devices in the future.” “Guangzhou is an example of a major hub deploying an IoT network to drive sustainability, create resource efficiency and build a more livable city, which in turn draws in new investments. Jeff Ross We are thrilled to connect smart city devices in our first project in China, as Rongwen deploys our standards-based platform to connect street lights and establish a foundation for additional smart city services for the Guangzhou Development Zone,” said Jeff Ross, VP of Channels, Silver Spring Networks. “By working with our partners, we continue to evolve our standards-based platform’s capabilities, in an effort to address our cities’ biggest challenges, such as traffic congestion, pollution and public safety.” Accelerating delivery of proven smart city technology with Rongwen D-ONE Further accelerate the delivery of Silver Spring’s IPv6 platform and solution to the growing smart city industry, today Rongwen and Silver Spring also announced the availability of the Rongwen D-ONE Wireless Outdoor Lighting Controller. The D-ONE integrates Silver Spring’s network interface cards (NICs) into Rongwen’s outdoor lighting controller to help monitor and control the brightness of the lights based on pedestrian and vehicular traffic, time of day and weather. The D-ONE utilises a standardised 7-Pin NEMA Socket and collects a variety of energy usage information including voltage, current, lamp burning hours, and temperature. The D-ONE also integrates with SLV for seamless configuration, monitoring and real-time control. Matsui MFG. Co., Ltd., NTT DOCOMO, INC. and NTT DOCOMO ASIA Pte. Ltd. announced that they will launch a proof-of-concept demonstration of an IoT platform for plastic-molding operations using a mold-temperature controller equipped with sensors and connected to a mobile communications network, enabling production data to be sent to a cloud server for real-time processing. Beginning November 15, the demonstration will help to confirm system accuracy and related issues for an envisioned commercial solution, expected to be the world’s first of its kind, for highly efficient plastic molding applications in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing industries for automobiles, electrical appliances and other products. The solution will incorporate the use of a mobile-connected mold-temperature controller, built specially for the demonstration, at a plastic molding factory in Indonesia. The controller collects data via sensors and then communicates the data via a mobile network for real-time visualisation and analysis. IoT-dedicated software will connect the sensors to a public cloud via a mobile network, or potentially a low-power wireless access (LWPA) system. Manufacturers are expected to use the platform to reduce machine downtime due to various malfunctions, prevent production defects and improve production processes. Through the demonstration, the three partners will determine the possibilities of acquiring and visualising data suitable for extra-efficient plastic-molding production. In the future, machine learning and artificial intelligence are expected to be incorporated in the platform for increasingly efficient production operations. In preparation for an envisioned commercial launch, Matsui will continue to enhance its mold-temperature controller, sensors and related know-how, DOCOMO will develop practical IoT services for Southeast Asian industries and DOCOMO ASIA will continue to enhance the IoT-solution platform for deployment in Southeast Asia. The demand for plastics in Southeast Asia’s manufacturing industry is expected to show robust growth due to factors including regional population growth, expanding operations by Japanese automotive, electric, and other manufacturers, and ongoing efforts to reduce product weights and production costs. Hazelcast, the open source in-memory data grid (IMDG) with tens of thousands of installed clusters and over 39 million server starts per month, announced the 0.5 release of Hazelcast Jet – an application embeddable, distributed computing platform for fast processing of big data sets. New functionality in Hazelcast Jet 0.5 includes the Pipeline API for general purpose programming of batch and stream processing, and fault tolerance using snapshotting with the integrated Hazelcast IMDG. The overall focus of the latest release is to increase developer productivity via an extremely simple and intuitive API. Jet is a single library with no dependencies which is therefore easily embedded and deployed, removing the need for multiple systems. Typical application use cases include online trades, sensor updates in IoT architectures, real-time fraud detection, system log events, in-store e-commerce systems and social media platforms. The Pipeline API is the primary programming interface of Hazelcast Jet for batch and stream processing, making it more appealing to a wider Java audience. This is a major enhancement to the Hazelcast Jet low-level Core API which uses directed acyclic graphs (DAG) to model data flow – allowing detailed DAG assembly of processing jobs. The new Pipeline API is easier to use and provides developers with tools to compose batch computations from building blocks such as filters, aggregators and joiners. The Java 8 Stream API is also available in Hazelcast Jet 0.5, a well-known and popular API in the Java community which supports functional-style operations on streams of elements. The key point is that ANY Java developer will find the new Pipeline API familiar and productive. Greg Luck, CEO of Hazelcast, said: “Since its first release Jet has put the Fast in Fast Big Data with performance up to 15 times faster than Spark and Flink. In this release we have been working on bringing Hazelcast’s legendary programming simplicity to Jet, which we think we have now achieved with the Pipeline API. Programmers, start your Jet engines.” Also new is fault tolerance using distributed in-memory snapshots – in Hazelcast Jet 0.5 snapshots are distributed across the cluster and held in multiple replicas to provide redundancy. Jet is now able to tolerate multiple faults such as node failure, network partition or job execution failure. Snapshots are periodically created and backed up. If there is a node failure Jet uses the latest state snapshot and automatically restarts all jobs that contain the failed node as a job participant. No additional infrastructure, such as distributed file system or external snapshot storage, is necessary to ensure Hazelcast Jet is fault tolerant out of the box. With this release, Jet is fully integrated with Hazelcast IMDG for sources, sinks and enrichment. It also has streaming as well as batch integrations. Jet benefits from being integrated with Hazelcast IMDG, accessing an elastic, in-memory storage capability. Using data already held in IMDG versus external sources gives a 5 times performance enhancement. We expect our millions of IMDG users to start leveraging Jet’s capabilities to process the data they already hold in IMDG. When I first heard about the Connect Council, I was intrigued. I knew Rudina Seseri and Glasswing Ventures, and knew they didn’t have a reputation for doing things half way. When I heard about the mission of the Connect Council and the people involved, I was more than intrigued, I was impressed. What follows is a quick Q&A with Rudina about the council. What is the Connect Council? It is the first of three advisory councils to support and extend Glasswing Ventures’ investment strategy. Collectively, these councils bring together 40 renowned entrepreneurs and technologists, AI visionaries, and world-leading executives to exclusively advise and support the firm and its portfolio companies. The Connect Council is a critical part of the Glasswing Ventures’ DNA, extending our strength in providing AI expertise and advice exponentially amplifying the firm’s and our portfolio companies’ competitive edge. The Connect Council is comprised of two working groups: the AI & Academic Group, and the Business Leadership Group. Today, we are announcing the AI & Academic Group. Who is on it? A group of extraordinary individuals who have been lending their support to us since the founding of Glasswing over 18 months ago – we are grateful to them and very happy to announce that the members of the Glasswing’s Connect Council – the AI & Academic Group include: Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, Professor at MIT and Oxford University and winner of the ACM A.M. Turing Prize Dr. Brad Berens, Chief ‫Strategy Officer at the Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg and Principal at Big Digital Idea Consulting Dr. Manuela Veloso, Herbert A. Simon University Professor and Head of Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University Dr. Peter Weinstock, Executive Director and Anesthesia Endowed Chair of the Boston Children’s Hospital Simulator Program and Associate Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School Why did you start it? We started the Councils as we know that they can bring tremendous scale to the firm as we help harness the positive potential of AI across industries and markets. Because the Connect Council is a collaborative and vibrant body composed of the most influential thought leaders and innovators in academia and AI technology today — our team, our founders and portfolio companies, gain access to a brilliant collective of luminaries at the forefront of AI and innovation, who are committed to fueling its success and growth. These visionaries have extensive experience across AI, academia, startups and Fortune 500 companies. They are the catalysts in extending our reach, supporting our portfolio companies and advising us, and helping Glasswing become a cornerstone of the AI ecosystem. They also play a pivotal role in helping bring AI to its full potential in the broader ecosystem and society at large. What do you hope to accomplish with it? Our council members are a resource for candid views and discussions about new technology trends, opportunities and talent in AI – they aren’t just big names and faces on a website. We won’t agree all of the time — and that’s exactly what we hope for. In fact, it’s beautiful when we brainstorm together, as that is when the best outcomes emerge. Our portfolio startups, and many more in the ecosystem, will be able to benefit first-hand from these brainstorms and the brilliance and experience of our advisors. We have a symbiotic relationship with our advisory council members. They enhance the value we add to founders and companies, well beyond smart capital. At the same time, through their affiliation with Glasswing, they are part of a platform that is developing and shaping the next generation of AI leaders and technology companies. It is because of this mutually beneficial dynamic that our advisors work with us on an exclusive basis. How will you know if it is working? Any metrics you are tracking? Our Connect Council members are catalysts in extending our reach, supporting our portfolio companies and advising us, and helping Glasswing become a cornerstone of the AI ecosystem. They also play a pivotal role in helping bring AI to its full potential in the broader ecosystem and society at large. Being as exclusive and engaged as they are, their inbounds — whether it is bringing in a unique deal flow or helping with diligence or key talent are part of the tremendous value they bring to us. Is AI really as big as the hype suggests? Artificial Intelligence has been at the forefront of tech innovation for some time, but 2017 has been the year in which it has truly taken center stage. In a world of pervasive connectivity, AI is essential to harnessing the power of data. Companies have to create an AI advantage to survive — Google, Facebook, Amazon and countless startups know this and are betting their businesses on it – in fact, startups are becoming major value creators. AI is already changing many aspects of our daily lives both at home and at work. However, this is just the start. AI is steadily and pervasively redefining our relationship with technology, enhancing human capacity and, fundamentally, how we live. It is big – and it’s going to be bigger than we imagined it. Rudina Seseri is founder and managing partner at Glasswing Ventures. With over 15 years of investing and transactional experience, Rudina has led technology investments and acquisitions in startup companies in the fields of robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), SaaS marketing technologies and digital media. Rudina’s portfolio investments include Talla, Celtra, CrowdTwist, Jibo and SocialFlow. Rudina has been appointed by the Dean of the Harvard Business School (HBS) for a fourth consecutive year to serve as Entrepreneur-In-Residence for the Business School and as Executive-In-Residence for Harvard University’s innovation-Lab. She is also a Member of the Business Leadership Council of Wellesley College. Rudina also serves as Advisor for L’Oreal USA Women in Digital, as Director on the Board of the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange (MITX) and on the Board of Overseers for Boston Children’s Hospital. She has been named a 2017 Boston Business Journal Power 50: Newsmaker, a 2014 Women to Watch honoree by Mass High Tech and a 2011 Boston Business Journal 40-under-40 honoree for her professional accomplishments and community involvement. She graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Economics and International Relations and with an MBA from the Harvard Business School (HBS). She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon honor societies. When I first heard about the Connect Council, I was intrigued. I knew Rudina Seseri and Glasswing Ventures, and knew they didn’t have a reputation for doing things half way. When I heard about the mission of the Connect Council and the people involved, I was more than intrigued, I was impressed. What follows is a quick Q&A with Rudina about the council. What is the Connect Council? It is the first of three advisory councils to support and extend Glasswing Ventures’ investment strategy. Collectively, these councils bring together 40 renowned entrepreneurs and technologists, AI visionaries, and world-leading executives to exclusively advise and support the firm and its portfolio companies. The Connect Council is a critical part of the Glasswing Ventures’ DNA, extending our strength in providing AI expertise and advice exponentially amplifying the firm’s and our portfolio companies’ competitive edge. The Connect Council is comprised of two working groups: the AI & Academic Group, and the Business Leadership Group. Today, we are announcing the AI & Academic Group. Who is on it? A group of extraordinary individuals who have been lending their support to us since the founding of Glasswing over 18 months ago – we are grateful to them and very happy to announce that the members of the Glasswing’s Connect Council – the AI & Academic Group include: Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, Professor at MIT and Oxford University and winner of the ACM A.M. Turing Prize Dr. Brad Berens, Chief ‫Strategy Officer at the Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg and Principal at Big Digital Idea Consulting Dr. Manuela Veloso, Herbert A. Simon University Professor and Head of Machine Learning Department at Carnegie Mellon University Dr. Peter Weinstock, Executive Director and Anesthesia Endowed Chair of the Boston Children’s Hospital Simulator Program and Associate Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School Why did you start it? We started the Councils as we know that they can bring tremendous scale to the firm as we help harness the positive potential of AI across industries and markets. Because the Connect Council is a collaborative and vibrant body composed of the most influential thought leaders and innovators in academia and AI technology today — our team, our founders and portfolio companies, gain access to a brilliant collective of luminaries at the forefront of AI and innovation, who are committed to fueling its success and growth. These visionaries have extensive experience across AI, academia, startups and Fortune 500 companies. They are the catalysts in extending our reach, supporting our portfolio companies and advising us, and helping Glasswing become a cornerstone of the AI ecosystem. They also play a pivotal role in helping bring AI to its full potential in the broader ecosystem and society at large. What do you hope to accomplish with it? Our council members are a resource for candid views and discussions about new technology trends, opportunities and talent in AI – they aren’t just big names and faces on a website. We won’t agree all of the time — and that’s exactly what we hope for. In fact, it’s beautiful when we brainstorm together, as that is when the best outcomes emerge. Our portfolio startups, and many more in the ecosystem, will be able to benefit first-hand from these brainstorms and the brilliance and experience of our advisors. We have a symbiotic relationship with our advisory council members. They enhance the value we add to founders and companies, well beyond smart capital. At the same time, through their affiliation with Glasswing, they are part of a platform that is developing and shaping the next generation of AI leaders and technology companies. It is because of this mutually beneficial dynamic that our advisors work with us on an exclusive basis. How will you know if it is working? Any metrics you are tracking? Our Connect Council members are catalysts in extending our reach, supporting our portfolio companies and advising us, and helping Glasswing become a cornerstone of the AI ecosystem. They also play a pivotal role in helping bring AI to its full potential in the broader ecosystem and society at large. Being as exclusive and engaged as they are, their inbounds — whether it is bringing in a unique deal flow or helping with diligence or key talent are part of the tremendous value they bring to us. Is AI really as big as the hype suggests? Artificial Intelligence has been at the forefront of tech innovation for some time, but 2017 has been the year in which it has truly taken center stage. In a world of pervasive connectivity, AI is essential to harnessing the power of data. Companies have to create an AI advantage to survive — Google, Facebook, Amazon and countless startups know this and are betting their businesses on it – in fact, startups are becoming major value creators. AI is already changing many aspects of our daily lives both at home and at work. However, this is just the start. AI is steadily and pervasively redefining our relationship with technology, enhancing human capacity and, fundamentally, how we live. It is big – and it’s going to be bigger than we imagined it. Rudina Seseri is founder and managing partner at Glasswing Ventures. With over 15 years of investing and transactional experience, Rudina has led technology investments and acquisitions in startup companies in the fields of robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), SaaS marketing technologies and digital media. Rudina’s portfolio investments include Talla, Celtra, CrowdTwist, Jibo and SocialFlow. Rudina has been appointed by the Dean of the Harvard Business School (HBS) for a fourth consecutive year to serve as Entrepreneur-In-Residence for the Business School and as Executive-In-Residence for Harvard University’s innovation-Lab. She is also a Member of the Business Leadership Council of Wellesley College. Rudina also serves as Advisor for L’Oreal USA Women in Digital, as Director on the Board of the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange (MITX) and on the Board of Overseers for Boston Children’s Hospital. She has been named a 2017 Boston Business Journal Power 50: Newsmaker, a 2014 Women to Watch honoree by Mass High Tech and a 2011 Boston Business Journal 40-under-40 honoree for her professional accomplishments and community involvement. She graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a BA in Economics and International Relations and with an MBA from the Harvard Business School (HBS). She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon honor societies. Vodafone entered the Internet of Things (IoT) consumer market with the launch of “V by Vodafone” enabling consumers to connect millions of home and leisure electronics products to the Group’s dedicated global IoT network – the largest of its kind in the world. IoT technologies bring Internet-connected network intelligence to a wide range of devices at work, home and on the move. Analyst estimates suggest that by 2020 there will be more than 370 million consumer electronics and smart home devices capable of connection to mobile IoT networks in the countries in which Vodafone operates, up from around 50 million today. “V by Vodafone” is a new, simple system for consumers to connect and manage IoT devices and a product range that includes a connected car dongle, a 4G security camera, a pet location and activity tracker and a bag location tracker. Vodafone’s consumer IoT strategy will build upon the company’s extensive track record in developing and implementing enterprise IoT technologies. The Group is the mobile world leader in IoT, with 59 million IoT connections and an international network and services platform for a wide range of business-critical applications. The new, simple way for consumers to connect IoT devices “V by Vodafone” comprises: the dedicated IoT “V-Sim by Vodafone”. The Sim card will be shipped as standard with IoT-enabled consumer electronics products sold by Vodafone from today. “V-Sim by Vodafone” will be also offered by third-party retailers next year; the “V by Vodafone” smartphone app, providing customers with a single and intuitive overview of all IoT-enabled products registered to their account. Setting up each product is simple: customers scan a QR code on the product packaging to register it and add the monthly fee to their existing Vodafone mobile account; automatic straight-out-of-the-box connection to the international Vodafone IoT network in any of 32 countries. Customers benefit from a straightforward means of managing all of their connected devices from a single interface wherever they are, and wherever they travel. Unlike Wi-Fi-enabled devices, “V by Vodafone” products are constantly connected wherever there is a mobile signal; a single, affordable fixed monthly price plan for each product connected with a “V-Sim by Vodafone”, making it easy for consumers to use multiple IoT-enabled products; and during 2018, Vodafone will launch a new online product marketplace open to IoT developers that will greatly extend the product choice for customers. The “V by Vodafone” concept and product range were developed with insights from comprehensive research involving more than 15,000 consumers in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Launch products Vodafone has focused on four product categories at launch. Other categories will follow in 2018. The products will be available for purchase by current Vodafone mobile customers from today in selected Vodafone stores in Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. They can also be purchased online at v.vodafone.com. V-Auto by Vodafone uses the same IoT technologies developed by Vodafone for some of the world’s most advanced connected cars. The “plug and drive” dongle can be added to most vehicles on European roads manufactured since 2002. The “V-Auto by Vodafone” dongle is fitted to […]
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Maharashtras ailing cooperative sugar industry has received yet another shock after income tax department started issuing demands for the payment of dues pending since 1992. These arrears are of the order of Rs 2,500 crore. The mills under the Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories in Maharashtra, would soon seek the intervention of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee with a plea that the sugarcane price paid to farmers fixed by the state government be treated as business expenditure and not profit. Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, chairman of the Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories in Maharashtra, a representative body of over 160 cooperative mills, told Business Standard, At present, the cases fall in two different categories those falling before 2009 where the concept of statutory minimum price was in force and cases after 2009 when fair & remunerative price (FRP) regime was introduced. Patil said the income tax departments timing to recover arrears comes at a time when the industry is currently reeling under a crisis due to dwindling sugar prices having short margin on stock of Rs 1,500 crore. Moreover, the next season, which is going to start in October requires pre-seasonal working capital loan of Rs 1,100 crore.Chairman of a sugar mill from the sugarcane-rich western Maharashtra, who did not want to be identified, said, The industry is not having funds to make the payment of taxes. The money has already been passed down to cane growers. If income tax department takes coercive action for the tax demands like attachment of property, bank accounts and sugar stock, the factories will be compelled to recover money from the farmers. This may lead to unrest in the farmers. The federation has demanded that all cases before 2009 may be accepted as sugarcane prices have already been paid and the coffers to the sugar factories cannot meet the huge tax demands raised for the past 18 to 19 years. As far as cases falling after 2009, the actual price paid may be allowed as business expenditure in the year in which the sugarcane is received and accepted. A federation official said some sugar mills had already filed appeal before the Appellate Tribunal against the recent order passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and also filed stay petitions.
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Albensi on CJOB Dr. Ben Albensi was interviewed recently on the Charles Adler Show on CJOB 680 AM radio, where the program focused on Reconstructing Memories. This topic was in association with the publication of several recent papers on creating false memories in mice by MIT professor, Dr. Susumu Tonegawa, who won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1987 for “his discovery of the genetic principle for generation of antibody diversity.” He has since continued to make important contributions in the field of neuroscience. If you are interested in listening to a shortened clip of his interview, go to the link below and look for Reconstructing Memories.
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