question stringlengths 14 1.69M | answer stringlengths 1 40.5k | meat_tokens int64 1 8.18k |
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Key West House<|fim_middle|> will receive for the costs you pay.
If you would like others to get a good impression over you and how you were able to make your house a soothing place to stay, you should make house programs and help to make some improvements from time to time. It is not really required that you constantly buy new things just to make your house more beautiful. You can do just a little do-it-yourself without costing an individual penny. You can rearrange things and just simply use your creativity. The time should come when things need to be replaced and the home furniture to be changed.
19 Photos of "key west house plan – weber design group; naples, fl. & Key West House Plans"
Related Posts of "key west house plan – weber design group; naples, fl. & Key West House Plans" | Plans - What is the process for designing a new home? What are the steps in competing a new home design? The answers to these questions change from job to job, but generally include some of the same elements. The first step in contemplating a fresh home design can be to interview and select a design firm. There are several choices and many different prices to choose from when choosing a design group to complete your new home design. Enquire about their experience, ask for references, ask if they have designed homes similar from what you are looking for. Also, ask exactly what you | 115 |
Maxime Bôcher (* 28. August 1867 in Boston, Massachusetts; † 12. September 1918 in Cambridge) war ein US-amerikanischer Mathematiker, der auf den Gebieten Differentialgleichungen, Reihen und Algebra arbeitete.
Leben und Werk
Bôcher, dessen Vater Französisch-Professor an der Harvard University war, studierte 1883 bis 1888 an der Harvard University (Mathematik bei Benjamin Peirce, aber auch zahlreiche andere Fä<|fim_middle|>91 traf er in Göttingen Marie Niemann, die er im selben Jahr heiratete und mit der er drei Kinder hatte.
Weblinks
Bocher "Randwertaufgaben bei gewöhnlichen Differentialgleichungen", Enzyklopädie der mathematischen Wissenschaften 1900
Autoren-Profil in der Datenbank zbMATH
Mathematiker (19. Jahrhundert)
Mathematischer Analytiker (20. Jahrhundert)
Absolvent der Harvard University
Mitglied der American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Mitglied der National Academy of Sciences
Mitglied der American Philosophical Society
US-Amerikaner
Geboren 1867
Gestorben 1918
Mann | cher) und danach an der Universität Göttingen (bei Felix Klein und Hermann Amandus Schwarz, Arthur Schoenflies), wo er 1891 mit seiner Dissertation Über die Reihenentwicklungen der Potentialtheorie (1894 als Buch erschienen) bei Klein promoviert wurde. Für seine Dissertation erhielt er einen Preis der Universität Göttingen. Danach war er wieder in Harvard, wo er 1894 und 1904 Professor wurde. Er war wesentlich am Aufschwung der Mathematik in den USA Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts beteiligt.
Bekannt war auch sein Lehrbuch der Algebra (, MacMillan 1907). In einer Arbeit von 1906 in den Annals of Mathematics gab er die erste strenge Behandlung des Gibbs-Phänomens in der Theorie der Fourier-Reihen. 1917 erschienen seine Vorlesungen über die Sturm-Theorie der Differentialgleichungen, die er in Paris gehalten hatte.
Er war der erste Colloquium Lecturer der American Mathematical Society (AMS) und Gründer der Transactions of the AMS. 1899 wurde er in die American Academy of Arts and Sciences gewählt, 1909 in die National Academy of Sciences aufgenommen. 1909 bis 1910 war er Präsident der AMS. 1912 war er (Plenarvortrag) auf dem Internationalen Mathematikerkongress (ICM) in Cambridge (). Seit 1916 war er Mitglied der American Philosophical Society.
Der Bôcher Memorial Prize, ein hoher Analysis-Preis, ist nach ihm benannt.
18 | 385 |
Excited to post the next painting here on Valentine's day in honor of those living with dementia and Alzheimer's like my dad.
Current Subtitle: Floating on Clouds of Golden Memories.
It's been a challenging year and in many ways exhausting emotionally for me but I wanted to paint something to honor the life, the memories and the struggle we share with the ones we love.
Thankfully, he's still with us but this abstract landscape like my previous post, "WINTER FROST 1" is full of layered acrylics and pops of metallic gold. There is also<|fim_middle|> work, please call or email the studio. | a mix of mat and gloss layers for an added touch.
I know many of his thoughts and memories are clouded at times if not forgotten but there are moments of clarity that shine bright much like the use of gold in this painting.
There are also some small speckles of gold in the lower half to represents what I believe is still there but choked out by the tangles, known as Tau.
Here's some process pix for those interested on how I build up the canvas and get to the final piece.
Size canvas with multiple layers of gesso.
Get canvas to a starting place to begin the layers of painting.
Layers and layers of color play and toning.
Begin working in the main colors and continue building up the texture.
Not satisfied with the lower base color portions, I keep tweeking the purple with various shades of light and dark to get it just right.
I find when the layers build up nicely when I drag my brushes over the layers that's when the best subtleties start to shine through.
Detail adding in the flecks of metallic gold into the bottom section.
This final detail image has got me craving a Grape Crush soda.
If you are interested in commissioned | 239 |
Suede have released a new single called 'Life Is Golden'. You can watch the video above.
It's the first official single from the band's new album, The Blue Hour, which is set for release on September 21. The video has been produced by one of Suede's earliest collaborators, filmmaker Mike Christie. He was responsible for the band's 1993 collaboration with Derek Jarman at the Clapham Grand, and shot the recent documentary on Berlin's Hansa studios. The Suede video was filmed by drone<|fim_middle|> the new album's release taking in dates at London's Eventim Apollo on October 12 and 13. You can find the full list of dates here. | in Pripyat, the town that neighbours Chernobyl power station.
"It's not about the tragedy of the disaster that happened all those years ago - it's about the unstoppable force of life that's consumed the desolate landscape left behind by humans," says Christie of the clip. "It seemed wonderfully apt to set the song to cracked concrete, all conquered by towering golden trees."
The Blue Hour is billed as the final part of a triptych of albums recorded by the band since they reformed with 2013's Bloodsports.
The band will tour Europe through September and October following | 121 |
Here is a recent experience one of my financial planner clients, Phil, shared with me.
A business owner, Trevor, had worked extremely hard to build a successful enterprise, which included him working every Saturday.
Now the business had been established for several years he could easily cut back his hours to spend more time with his family, something that his wife was very keen for him to do.
This was part of his plan and he had discussed the logistics and financial aspects with Phil.
However, another year went by and yet he was still going in to work every Saturday.
So, at their next meeting, Phil began to question Trevor about this. He was curious and persistent. He asked him why he kept going in on a Saturday and, to Phil, Trevor's 'reasons' seemed more like habit than necessary.
They knew each other well and had a good relationship so Phil, with permission, told him what he thought!
Phil also added that he did not have Trevor down as the kind of person who did not follow through with commitments, but maybe he had this wrong.
Here is what I found interesting.
Several months later at their next meeting Trevor proudly shared with Phil that he had not worked a single Saturday since their last conversation and he was loving it. His wife and family were extremely pleased too.
Trevor remarked to Phil that the conversation that lead to the change was extremely valuable to him and that alone made Phil's fees worth every penny and more.
What is the one thing that Phil did for Trevor?
He created real value. He made a difference that wouldn't have happened without their relationship. Keep doing this and you have a client for life.
Value<|fim_middle|> unexpected ways).
Would you like to know more about this paradigm and how countless people around the globe are upping their game by thinking less? | can be added in an infinite number of ways but to be consistent requires imagination, creativity, originality and inspiration.
It requires going beyond the 'routine work' and doing something to positively surprise someone and have them think, feel or act differently.
The key to this begins with our own state of mind. With a clear mind ideas, insights and fresh thinking come to us easily and naturally. This is how we are designed to operate.
And yet busy, frenetic and over-burdened states of mind have become the 'new normal' for many people.
In these states of mind, we are bereft of ideas because what we are doing is chewing over endless amounts of repetitive thought that gets us nowhere.
I teach advisers a new paradigm of how the human mind works because this simple understanding leads to greatly increased mental presence, clarity of thought and the ability to effortlessly generate creative ideas (including adding value for clients in | 184 |
It's inevitable -- just as you've finished the Employee Manual or a work process documentation project, somebody figures out a way to misbehave in a way you never imagined. Many of us are inclined to reach for the manual and pencil in that "don't", awaiting the next revision.
"Futile", said a Chief Executive Boards International member at a recent meeting. Then he explained that he's built a management team that has rallied around a set of core values that keeps them all on track. One of those values is performance to key metrics -- managing the business by the numbers. Another is accountability to each other.
He recounted a recent operations review meeting where a site manager was trying to explain away his P&L problems for the past couple of months. As he<|fim_middle|> for the customer." It's worked for them, and a values-based management philosophy will likely work for you, too.
Politically incorrect editorial: This is at the core of what's wrong with our public institutions today -- Congress, Public Schools, the Legal System and Securities Regulations, to name a few. We've attempted (perhaps by necessity) to make rules where values once upon a time sufficed. You can't make enough rules. | bobbed and weaved he eventually figured out there was no place to hide. Unless he could figure out how to improve the results, the rest of the organization wasn't going to let it slide. He quit the following Monday.
"Bad money drives out good" has been a macroeconomic axiom for years. The organizational corollaries are "Bad people drive out good" or "Good people drive out bad." Organizations, including businesses, are a self-selecting population. If you own a culture of mediocrity, you'll attract and retain mediocre performers. This member has built a culture of accountability (including accountability to each other), which attracts and retains those who can deliver and drives out those who can't. Isn't that an easier way to manage than rulemaking?
So, consider Nordstrom's legendary success, guided by a culture of "Do what's right | 175 |
Pain in the face (cheek, chin, forehead, or jaw).
Caution: Sometimes face or jaw pain can be<|fim_middle|>0 minutes. Repeat 4 times on the first day and then as needed.
Heat Pack: Use a heat pack or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes and then as needed. | the only symptom of a heart attack. More often there will be other symptoms of a heart problem. These include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating.
Similar pain before from "heart attack"
Face pain can be caused by many things. Sinusitis or sinus congestion can cause pain. A toothache can make the face hurt. A skin infection can also cause face pain. Signs of a skin infection are redness and swelling. People with TMJ syndrome may have pain around their jaw joint.
The best way to treat face pain will depend on the exact cause.
If this pain does not go away, you will need to be examined.
Some people find that a cold or heat pack helps with the pain.
Cold Pack: Use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the sore area for 2 | 171 |
The concentration of talented<|fim_middle|>. Also, my favorite band is NOFX and NOFX are playing! | musicians coming out of Australia is staggering. Although one could argue that Australia's always been where it's at, producing artists like Nick Cave, AC/DC, INXS, Kylie Minogue, and many, many more, the southern continent is currently experiencing something of a renaissance.
Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett, Sia Furler, and The Rubens are just a handful of acts that are making waves well beyond their home country.
Add to that mix Matt Gresham, a humble, down-to-earth surfer who tells stories using his guitar and soulful voice. Gresham has built a following as an acoustic balladeer, with songs that wouldn't be out of place on a playlist featuring artists like Ray LaMontagne, Damien Rice, Jason Mraz, John Butler, and Jose Gonzalez.
MG: I grew up in a small coastal town in Perth, Western Australia, which is just kind of a big country town. I was surrounded by my family, who all play guitar and sing as well. I learned most of my things from my brother and mom, singing and growing up around them and close friends with acoustic guitars. That's basically how it all started. I kept playing concerts and did open mic nights and stuff like that. I just kept going.
Then I met some great songwriters and I came over to America this year and worked with an American songwriter named Jaymes Young [of London Grammar]. That was awesome. We wrote a few new songs together and I've just been plodding along, man. Just writing all the time and getting inspired.
SD: What's your process like when you write songs? What's typically the beginning point to the end point?
MG: I feel there's two ways. There's one way where something happens to me. Either it's really amazing or really traumatic or whatever it may be. And it's like, I have to. It's like self-healing for me.
Then the other way for me is more concept-based. Where I go see a film, or read about a book, or hear about a story and I'll be like, that's pretty cool. I think of something that's really intense and go from there, as far as lyrics go.
As far as music, I guess what I'm listening to will always come through because your subconscious mind is always there. You'll be like, I'm pretty sure this is my tune and then you'll be listening to your music and be like, oh actually I already heard that.
I definitely come from an acoustic, surf culture. But meeting Jaymes and listening to more electronic stuff, I'm trying to mix the two a little bit.
SD: Where do you go to get inspired? Who inspires you?
MG: Definitely my family. I'm really close to my mother. We spend a lot of time together. We still live together actually. My family lives in a big house and and she's been writing poetry for most of her life.
I go to places that are quiet. I like quiet beaches and places I can hear my thoughts and hear my guitar. Also, being in the studio, too, is pretty cool because you don't have any distractions. Even like home setup, where you're almost OCD about it. You're like, this is where the door closes. This is creative space. Weird stuff like that is the way it works.
SD: What kind of records were playing in your house growing up?
MG: A lot of Cat Stevens. Early Ben Harper, when he did acoustic stuff like Live From Mars, the live album. Dave Matthews, his solo stuff with Tim Reynolds. That was killer.
My mom's a big blues fan. A lot of Buddy Guy and B.B. King and Son House. Some really old blues like even before Robert Johnson, old dobro records. I guess blues and acoustic were the fundamentals and still my favorite kind of stuff.
SD: I'm sure a lot of people were introduced to you via 'X Factor' in Australia. You walked away from that because you wanted to do something more independent and your own. Take me through that experience. What was that like and how did you make the decision to walk away?
MG: I think the city I'm from is rated the most isolated city in the world. There's not much going on. It's on the west coast, everyone's pretty low key. And then I obviously flew over to Sydney, which is the biggest city in Australia. It was cool, like the style of the show, because it was exciting. At the start, they were letting me call the shots. Like, I wanted to do Bill Withers and they let me do that song.
I wanted to perform songs that still resonated with me because on X Factor, you're not allowed to do originals. So I was choosing artists that I loved to do their songs. And then as it got further in the show, all that individuality was kind of stolen from me. It was like, no, you can't choose your songs now. You have to change that, you can't play guitar when you're doing these songs.
The show as a platform is amazing because it gives people exposure. You're not going to get to play in front of a million viewers anywhere else. As far as that, it was awesome. But as far as my heart, it didn't feel right. I just had to give them a call. I remember the phone call, too. I gave them a call and said, look I'm not coming back. I can't do it.
SD: That's pretty courageous though. That takes being sure of yourself and confident in your own identity as a songwriter.
MG: Cheers, bro. It's one of those things where a lot of people didn't like it. And then a lot of people were like, oh, that's kind of cool. He wants to be himself. I feel like if I went further in the show, I would have ended up not liking music and then, I don't even know what I'd do.
Thanks @summersite for the exchange of a few words. You guys are cool. Yewwww!
SD: What's the hardest part about being a professional musician?
MG: I think the hardest part of being a musician and even being a person is finding balance. It's not just about playing guitar and singing. There's so many different things to think about. There's the business side of things, there's knowing when to switch on and switch off.
SD: What would you say is your favorite part about it? Why do you do what you do?
MG: I love storytelling. I love performing live, even if you do a show and one person comes up to you and says, "Man, that story was killer and that really resonated with me. That reminded me of this."
It's a pretty cliché thing to say, but I feel like music is an international voice and speaks through everything. I think it's the most powerful thing that we have as people. That's my favorite thing about it.
SD: What kind of advice would you give to a young songwriter?
MG: Try to find your inspiration from a lot of different places, especially if they're from a small town. I'm from a small place. You tend to, in your early songwriting stages, write about topics and stuff that's happening in your own circle of friends and your own kind of thing. Try to source your inspiration from many different things. I think that's key.
Also, don't just write about yourself all the time. That's a big thing. I was caught up in that for like 10 years. It's all about me and how I broke up with this girl, you know what I mean? Try to not write about love, I dare you. It's so hard.
SD: What are you most excited about for SXSW?
MG: I've just been constantly told about the energy of the town, the feeling of the town when the festival's on. I've heard about all the parties that go on and, apparently, it's nuts | 1,661 |
Katie Piper, author and broadcaster, shares her methods for improving your self-confidence and explains why feeling confident is key to realising your full potential.
It's easy, sometimes, to look at someone who appears at ease and assume they're brimming with confidence, but the truth is that we all have varying degrees of this often-envied trait and we'd all like to be a bit more confident.
Most people's struggle comes down to consistency, and it's worth remembering that we're all striving for that balance. While someone may excel in confidence in the workplace, they might struggle with confidence in personal relationships – and vice versa. Some may be crippled by a lack of confidence, while others may be able to push themselves out there but know they could benefit from more of it.
It's easy to assume that self-confidence and self-esteem are the same thing, but conversations with psychiatrists and therapists have convinced me that they're not. Self-esteem is about knowing your self-worth and boundaries, while confidence is the ability to actually exercise and enforce this.
Why is that important? I believe that living confidently allows us to realise the essence of who we are. It makes us strong, and that's when we can break through walls and realise our full potential.
The good news is that anyone can get there. It's very much a journey, and sometimes a roller-coaster, but it's important to remember that's OK; it's about understanding that and<|fim_middle|> are great and you matter to someone. I use all of the above daily, and it helps me to be the person I am now.
Katie Piper is the author of Confidence: The Secret and Confidence: The Journal, both published by Quercus Books – and hosts the Extraordinary People podcast. | setting yourself goals. And you can't wait for it to come to you, or for someone else to make it happen. It has to come from you.
Over the years, I've found methods that help. I believe the most important thing is that the body achieves what the mind believes. The mind is one of the most powerful tools we possess: use it positively and you'll reap the benefits, use it negatively and you'll suffer as a result.
The greatest confidence detractor is making comparisons with other people's lives, social media and apparent confidence – after all, it could all be a façade. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Visualising and putting pen to paper is hugely beneficial. We're so quick to list the things we don't want, but seldom document the things that we do. I swear by keeping a journal with a record of what you want to achieve, how happy and how confident you want to be, and what that looks like – what it means to you. Mapping out where you want to go and what you want from life is essential.
Another trick that I've learned along the way is to write down three things that you're good at, or three things that you are to the people that matter in your life – and carry them in your bag in moments of self-doubt or low self-worth. Pull one out and read it out loud to yourself to remind you that you | 287 |
j. Flashback | Rétrospective
RMC Alumni Association / July 13, 2009
We have contacted numerous ex-cadets from the fifties through to the new millennium and plan to feature them in the coming months to give readers a chance to catch up with names and faces from each of the respective CMCs.
by M0917 Dean Fleet
– 7454 Richard J. Young (RRMC 1967)
I grew up in Edmonton, Alberta where I had my first introduction to the Air Force by joining the RCAF Auxiliary in 1960 as an Aircraftsman with 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron. From there I transferred to the regular force in 1963 under ROTP and attended Royal Roads for two years, graduating from RMC in 1967 with a BA in Economics and Political Science, and my Commission as a Flying Officer in the RCAF. Immediately after graduation (the very next day in fact) I flew back to Victoria to marry my first year sweetheart Frances (nee Sands); then, after a short honeymoon, it was on to CFANS in Winnipeg for Navigator training.
I received my Navigator Wings in 1968 and after a two year tour as an instructor I was posted to Greenwood, N.S. on the CP 107 Argus with Maritime Patrol Squadron 405 finishing as a Crew Tactical Coordinator. In 1973, I returned to CFANS to attend the Aerospace Systems Course and found my self an instructor again until leaving to join the Long Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) Project Office in Ottawa in 1978. Following promotion to Major in 1979 I was posted on exchange to the US Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, PA where I spent three years working on P3C-Orion systems integration projects.
On return to Canada in 1981, I attended Staff College before resuming operational duties with VP 407 on the CP 140 Aurora aircraft. There I served as a crew Navigator, Squadron Standards Officer and Executive Officer. It was with VP 407, in 1984, that I was one of the first Navigators ever to become a VP Crew Commander (sharing that distinction with Fred Bishop as both of us were appointed the same day). The policy of having Navigators serve in that capacity is now well established. After that I was posted to the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) as OC Systems Flight Test Section in 1986. The memory that stands out while there was getting some unofficial "pole time" on just about every type of aircraft in service at that time, including "hovering 101" from Capt Bill Schick in the CH136 Kiowa helicopter. It had always been my suspicion that the Test Pilots at AETE gave me those opportunities in hopes of testing their ability to "recover from any unusual attitude." While at CFB Cold Lake, and on promotion to LCol in 1988, I became among very few Maritime Navigators to hold the position of BAdmO/Wing Admin O of Canada's largest fighter Base<|fim_middle|> "lulls" I had the opportunity to attended Staff School, the Aerospace Systems Course, Staff College and the National Security Studies Course, and was particularly proud to have been selected to attend the USAF Air War College Class of 1990-91. Beyond my undergrad degree from RMC, I also managed to find the time to complete a Master of Political Science (Auburn 1991) and Master of Arts in War Studies (RMC 1999).
Fran and I took up residence in Victoria after my retirement and became involved in several service organizations including the Air Force Officers Association, Aircrew Association, VPI, Royal United Services Institute, and the Vancouver Island Ex-Cadet Club. While on the executive of the VI Ex-Cadet Club, I was deeply involved in the revival of the "Western Reunions" at Royal Roads University (RRU). While geared for both past and present graduates of that magic campus, not surprisingly most of the attendees so far have been former "Roadents." Since the creation of the Royal Roads University Foundation, which now sponsors the event, these "Homecomings" have become a permanent fixture in the University Calendar. I continue to be involved with RRU by serving on their Military Heritage Committee chaired by a fellow classmate Russ Moore.
Frances and I recently celebrated our 42nd Anniversary and are proud parents of three wonderful daughters and very proud grandparents of three boys and one girl (so far).
Richard can be contacted at [email protected]
– 12977 Raymond Kao (RMC 1982)
After graduating from RMC I served with the Navy as a Combat Systems Engineering Officer and my last posting was taking HMCS Annapolis through DELEX refit. Then in 1986 I started medical school in Toronto and served in various capacities as GDMO and Base Surgeon at NDMC. I then applied to the post graduate residency program in Internal Medicine followed by Critical Care and Pulmonary Medicine both at University of Ottawa and Western Ontario. Due to the closing of NDMC and Force reduction in the late 90's, eventually all military specialists were required to work in a civilian hospita,l academic or non-academic, to maintain their medical and surgical skills. I was fortunate to be able to be on staff at the University of Western Ontario as an Associate Professor of Medicine while holding the rank of Commander in the military. I have been to Afghanistan twice, serving in the Role 3 MMU and will be returning this Sept.
For more information about his research at the University of Western Ontario, click here.
Raymond can be contacted at [email protected]
– 21010 Ryan FitzGerald (RRMC RMC 1999)
Ryan spent the last decade of his professional life worrying about things so that you don't have to. Previously working as a doorman in a bar and as an industrial medic in lumber yards and mining camps, Ryan resigned from the Canadian Forces in 2003. He completed his B.A. in English Lit. at the Royal Military College of Canada as an air force officer before finding a home among the Military Police. Ryan served as the air force's anti-terrorism & force protection advisor during 9/11 and its aftermath, taught anti-terrorism/force protection nationally and finally served in various capacities with air force Intelligence. All of this fuelled the guiding suspicion that a writer needs to have a story worth telling and a voice to match. Ryan has written for linear and non-linear media in film, TV and new media. He is an alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre Media Lab's Interac-tive Art & Entertainment Program where he wrote and designed the alternate reality game Per-fidia Gardens and the National Screen Institute's Features First Program which launched funded development of the feature film Chroma and its own alternate reality game, Ars Finium. Most recently, Ryan was selected for the National Screen Institute's inaugural playWRITE Program. He has taught convergence media nationally for both the Cultural Human Resources Council and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. He is on the advisory board of New Media Mani-toba, the Winnipeg International Film Festival and the Winnipeg Chapter of the International Game Developers Association. Ryan is currently the President & CEO of Rogue Nation Studios. He lives in Winnipeg with his family and three-legged dog named Typo.
Ryan can be contacted at [email protected]
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
Ex-Cadets in the News | . From there I was sent to NDHQ Ottawa in 1990 to join the Directorate of Air Requirements, and later to preside over the formation of the Joint Space Project Office in 1993 as its first Project Director until 1996.
For my final tour of duty in the Air force, it seemed my destiny to continue the "fish out of the water" pattern by being posted to NORAD HQ at Petersen AFB, in Colorado Springs. There I served in the Requirements Directorate (NORAD J5) until my retirement in 1999. Also during that time I also served as the special Space Advisor to the Deputy Commander in Chief NORAD.
Over my 39 years of service I felt privileged to enjoy a broad range of challenges in various operational, training, test and evaluation, staff, and project management positions – I managed several out of country postings, and retired from active duty at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During various | 201 |
U.S. Driving Team Wins First-Ever FEI World Equestrian Games™ Gold Medal, Delivering Epic Grand Finale to Tryon 2018
Mill Spring, N.C. – In a week that exuded many historic moments for U.S. equestrian teams, combined driving added another. They closed out their home FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) with their first-ever four-in-hand team gold medal at Tryon 2018 on Sunday. The U.S. Driving Team of James "Jimmy" Fairclough, Misdee Wrigley Miller, Chester Weber, and their respective groups of horses ended with 353.39 penalties, following three phases of competition. In addition, Weber earned his second career individual WEG silver medal, ending on 163.38 penalties. The Netherlands won silver on 356.79 penalties and Belgium won bronze with 364.089 penalties. Individually, Australia's Boyd Excell won gold with 154.14 penalties and Belgium's Edouard Simonet rounded out the podium with 174.15 penalties.
Chester Weber, Misdee Wrigley-Miller and Jimmy Fairclough celebrate their gold medal win (Shannon Brinkman Photo)
"This was brilliant, unexpected really. Everyone played their part, a true team effort," said Chef d'Equipe<|fim_middle|> Driving Team Finishes Eighth, Jacob Arnold Is 12th at 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs
By US Equestrian Communications Department Kronenberg, the Netherlands – The U.S. contingent had solid performances at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in Kronenberg, the Netherlands. Chef d'Equipe Marcie
PrevPreviousUS Equestrian Names U.S. Driving Team for FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018
NextKatydid Combined Driving Event Culminates 2018 Season with USEF Advanced Pony National ChampionshipsNext | Barry Hunter.
Weber added, "What also makes this team gold medal extra special to the three U.S. drivers, there was a wonderful man who passed away a year ago, [Chef d'Equipe] Ed Young. He was the force around US Equestrian's program and led the way for a number of years, and today, when the reality was there that we won team gold, to me personally, for me and this team medal, that's for Ed Young," added Weber.
The U.S. team held the gold-medal position heading into Sunday's cones phase on 338.55 penalties. Richard Nicoll constructed a challenging, technical course, dependent on precision and accuracy. Wrigley Miller (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) with her team of Beau, her 12-year-old KWPN gelding; Bravour 54, her 12-year-old KWPN gelding; Bolino D, her 12-year-old KWPN gelding; and Calipso 86, her 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, were the first on course for the U.S. Serving as the pathfinder, she helped the team gain a solid understanding of the tough course at hand. However, they added an unfortunate 32.93 penalties to their score to end with 230.87 for 16th place overall.
"It was wild in there; really tight. My horses were so responsive and wonderful and made the most of a really tough course," said Wrigley Miller, who earned her first WEG medal. "There was one spot to make up some time, but it was followed by so many sharp turns . . . but my horses were brilliant."
On her journey to the WEG, Wrigley Miller said, "It has been an amazing journey, learning about horsemanship, about finding the right combination of horses, and trying to learn new skills. It has been so much fun; I've put my life on hold the past year because this was my goal and focus. It was worth every second."
Fairclough (Newton, N.J.) and his team of Bento V, his 12-year old Dutch Warmblood gelding; Citens, his 11-year-old KWPN gelding; Dapper, his 10-year old Dutch Warmblood gelding; and Zenden, his 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, followed for the U.S. They encountered a minor incident on course when the left wheeler broke a noseband. This caused the team to stall a bit. As a result, they dropped two balls and added 6.07 time penalties, adding 12.07 penalties. They ended with 201.16 for 11th place overall.
"I had a hard time [on course] today. They were fighting me a little bit and they got really strong," said Fairclough, acknowledging the broken noseband. "I couldn't figure out why it was so heavy. It was a very technical course, so that already makes it a little difficult to be quick, and I felt myself a little late. I was hoping it would be a little smoother than it was, but it got rough and a little jerky, but that's the name of the game."
The U.S. sat in the bronze-medal position with Weber (Ocala, Fla.) as the second from last in the order. The team gold medal depended on a cautious completion with Splash, Jane Clark's 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding; First Edition, his nine-year-old KWPN gelding; Reno, his nine-year-old Hungarian gelding; and Boris W, his 12-year-old KWPN gelding. The double-WEG silver medalist and his team delivered in true fashion, adding only 2.77 time penalties to solidify the gold medal.
"It is a lot of fun to be on this team. When I was introduced to combined driving, Jimmy was my teacher; I was 13 years old. I remember when Misdee came up to me at the Florida State Fair and wanted to get into carriage driving, so it was really humbling and nice to be here. [Winning gold] was a surprise. I thought we came here with a chance at a medal, but if you asked me to bet on if we would be the world champions at the end of the week, I would have said 'I'm not sure.' "
For complete results, click here.
The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members.
Recent Combined Driving Headlines:
Chester Weber and Team Finish Eighth to Conclude 2022 FEI Driving World Championships for Four-in-Hands at Pratoni 2022
By US Equestrian Communications Department Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy – Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) and team concluded the 2022 FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hands finishing in eighth place overall after
Land Rover U.S. Driving Team Ready for 2022 FEI Driving World Championship for Single Horses
By US Equestrian Communications Department Le Pin-au-Haras, France – The Land Rover U.S. Driving Team finished the horse inspection and is set for the start of the 2022 FEI Driving World
US Equestrian Announces Land Rover U.S. Driving Team for 2022 FEI Driving World Championship for Single Horses
By US Equestrian Communications Department US Equestrian is pleased to announce the three combinations and ranked alternates selected to represent the Land Rover U.S. Driving Team at the 2022 FEI
Four USEF Combined Driving National Championships Awarded on Final Day of 2022 Live Oak International
By US Equestrian Communications Department Four newly-minted USEF National Champions exited the arena on Sunday, March 6, at the conclusion of the 2022 Live Oak International CAI. After the event
Land Rover U.S. | 1,273 |
IRWT survey
Tell us what you think of Rovers and you could win a season ticket
Five years ago Doncaster Rovers started a fan engagement journey that saw the birth of In Rovers We Trust and a series of initiatives aimed at improving the fan experience at the club.
The goal of In Rovers We Trust was to create experiences at Doncaster Rovers that would make loyal supporters proud and help welcome more people to the Rovers family.
The programme launched with a survey that provided fans with the opportunity to say exactly what you thought of the club both on and off the pitch, where we could improve, where we were successful, how valued you felt by us and what Doncaster Rovers meant to you.
The first survey, which was consisted of more than 70 questions and completed by more than 500 fans, was then followed by a smaller regular survey, which was conducted four times per year. Over time communication and feedback opportunities for fans developed through different channels, as the club conducted regular meetings with supporter organisations, hosted Meet<|fim_middle|> we are performing on and off the pitch.
Supporter Board member Patrick Queen said: "The club want to tailor products to fans, but we can make it a lot easier for them through the simple act of telling them what we like about our current experiences, what we don't like, and what we'd like to see.
"The biggest legacy of In Rovers We Trust is the club's appetite to continually engage with fans. I'm pleased that the club and Supporters Board have been able to work together to re-launch the In Rovers We Trust survey. Hopefully, this will lead to as many new initiatives being developed from the results of the survey as they did last time around and make our fan experience even better."
Last time around, the In Rovers We Trust survey led to a series of initiatives that still remain in place today: the return of cash gates, the creation of smoking bubbles, the rebirth of the Belle Vue Bar and the removal of additional fees when using a card to purchase tickets.
Rovers chief executive Gavin Baldwin said: "Five years on, it's great to go back to where In Rovers We Trust began, with the launch of a new survey for our supporters to give their honest feedback of how we're performing.
"This is a great opportunity for all of our fans to tell us how we're doing, whether it's related to our website, the programme, the club shop, match days, anything our supporters want to tell us, now is the time to do so."
The link to the new In Rovers We Trust survey can be found here.
The club are pleased to confirm that they are offering a free 2017/18 Category B* season ticket to one lucky respondent of the new survey. To have a chance of winning, please enter a contact number at the end of the survey when prompted.
*Prize is a 2017/18 Adult Category B season ticket, upgrade to Cat A is possible at the difference in price. | the Owners events and formed a fan panel, which evolved into the Supporters Board late last season.
Now, in one of their first official acts as a Supporters Board, the In Rovers We Trust survey has returned, as the Supporters Board and Club, ask fans to once again give your honest feedback on how | 61 |
Hire the Bloomsbury Room at Monticello House for your next conference venue hire in London.
Monticello House is home to the Anglo Educational Services; Study Centre. This centre is ideally situated in Russell Square, Bloomsbury making it accessible from various other areas of London. This unique venue hire offers seven rooms which can accommodate between 12 and 46 delegates - these are all suitable for meeting room hire, conference venue hire and classes.
Located on the first floor, the Bloomsbury room comes fully equipped with a desktop computer with full internet access, a data projector, Smartboard and whiteboard. The room also benefits from wireless internet for a small fee, air conditioning and natural daylight. Full day, evening and<|fim_middle|> are well equipped and can seat between 12 to 46 people depending on individual requirements. | weekend rates available. Ideal for meetings, training, events and classes. This is truly one of the best options for conference venues London has to offer.
Our very own Monticello House London Study Centre is where our Anglo Educational Services (AES) offices are located, situated in London Russell Square, Bloomsbury. The administrative offices of Anglo Educational Services are incorporated within the building together with 7 premium classrooms suitable for meetings, training, classes and more. All of which | 94 |
Justia Dockets & Filings Ninth Circuit Arizona District Court Ripa v. Federal National Mortgage Association et al Filing 39
Ripa v. Federal National Mortgage Association et al
ORDER that Defendants' motion for attorneys' fees (Doc. 33 ) is granted. Defendants are awarded attorneys' fees and non-taxable expenses against Plaintiff in the amount of $16,686.80. Signed by Judge David G Campbell on 4/23/2014.(KMG)
1 WO 2 3 4 5 6 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA 8 9 Alan Ripa, No. CV-13-01612-PHX-DGC Plaintiff, 10 11 v. 12 ORDER Federal National Mortgage Association, et al., 13 Defendants. 14 15 16 On October 21, 2013, the Court granted Defendants' Motion to Dismiss under 17 Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 8(a), 9(b), and 12(b)(6). Doc. 27. Defendants Wells 18 Fargo Bank, N.A. and Federal National Mortgage Association have moved for an award 19 of attorney's fees<|fim_middle|>'s efforts were completely superfluous in achieving the ultimate result, 1 (3) whether assessing fees against the unsuccessful party would cause extreme hardship, 2 (4) whether the successful party prevailed with respect to all relief sought, (5) whether 3 the legal question presented was novel or had been previously adjudicated, and 4 (6) whether a fee award would discourage other parties with tenable claims from 5 litigating. Velarde v. PACE Membership Warehouse, Inc., 105 F.3d 1313, 1319-20 (9th 6 Cir. 1997); Associated Indem. Corp. v. Warner, 694 P.2d 1181, 1184 (Ariz. 1985) (en 7 banc); Uyleman v. D.S. Rentco, 981 P.2d 1081, 1086 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1999). No single 8 factor is determinative – the court should weigh all factors in exercising its discretion. 9 See Wilcox, 744 P.2d at 450. 10 II. Analysis. 11 A. 12 Plaintiff contends that the "non-contract claims," including the consumer fraud 13 claims, statutory violation claims, negligent misrepresentation, and negligent supervision 14 claims, are not tied to the contract. Doc. 36 at 3-4. Defendants respond that all of 15 Plaintiff's claims depend, explicitly or implicitly, on a contractual relationship between 16 the parties because they all related to the Note and Deed of Trust. Doc. 38 at 4. Where a 17 defendant allegedly breaches a duty that would not exist but for the contract, those claims 18 are found to arise in contract. Doc. 34 at 2-3; see Assyia v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. 19 Co., 273 P.3d 668, 672-73 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2012). Plaintiff asserted two breach of 20 contract claims in this case, and the Court finds that the remaining claims arose of out of 21 contract. Therefore, the Court will individually consider the six factors outlined above. 22 Appropriateness of Awarding Fees. 1. Whether the Claims had Merit. 23 The Court dismissed all fourteen of Plaintiff's claims. Doc. 27. Plaintiff asserts 24 that the claims should not have been dismissed, but he does not explain the reason for his 25 assertion. Doc. 36 at 7. This factor favors Defendants. 26 2. Whether Defendants' Efforts were Superfluous. 27 Plaintiff contends that Defendants made no offer to resolve the matter. Id. at 3. 28 Defendants respond argue that during the pendency of the motion to dismiss, they -2- 1 reached out to Plaintiff's counsel regarding potential settlement options and Plaintiff 2 never responded. Doc. 34 at 6; Exhibit D. Plaintiff has not shown that Defendants could 3 have avoided this litigation. This factor favors Defendants. 3. 4 Whether Imposition of Fees would be a Hardship for Plaintiff. 5 Plaintiff does not contend that imposition of fees would be a hardship. "[T]he 6 party asserting financial hardship has the burden of coming forward with prima facie 7 evidence of financial hardship." Woerth v. City of Flagstaff, 808 P.2d 297, 305 (Ariz. Ct. 8 App. 1990). Plaintiff has failed to meet this burden. This factor favors Defendants. 4. 9 Whether Defendant Succeeded with Respect to All Relief. 10 The Court granted Defendants' motion to dismiss (Doc. 27) and entered judgment 11 in favor of Defendants (Doc. 30). Because Defendants prevailed on all claims, this factor 12 favors Defendants. 5. 13 Whether Legal Issues were Novel. 14 Defendants contend that the legal issues were not novel and that many of the same 15 issues in the complaint had been pled and rejected in this court. Doc. 34 at 7; see Raup v. 16 Wells Fargo Bank, NA, No. CV-13-00137-PHX-GMS, 2013 WL 3216175 (D. Ariz. June 17 25, 2013). Plaintiff does not contend that the legal issues were novel; he only notes that 18 in Raup, the court did not dismiss all claims. Doc. 36 at 6. The Court agrees with 19 Defendants that the legal issues were not novel. This factor favors Defendants. 6. 20 Whether a Fee Award would Discourage Meritorious Litigation. 21 Defendants contend that an award of attorneys' fees would protect against 22 "groundless, yet time-consuming suits." Doc. 34 at 8. Defendants argue that Plaintiff's 23 counsel, who was also counsel for plaintiffs in Raup, was aware of the pleading 24 deficiencies in the complaint but proceeded to pursue his claims. Id. at 7-8. Therefore, 25 Defendants contend that an award of fees would enforce the principle that "a plaintiff 26 should not proceed on meritless claims in contract actions." Id. at 8. Plaintiff does not 27 argue that a fee would discourage meritorious litigation. This factor favors Defendants. 28 /// -3- 1 2 In sum, the Court finds that all six factors favor Defendants and that an award of fees is appropriate. 3 B. Reasonableness of Requested Fees. 4 Defendants request a total of $16,686.60 in fees. Doc. 34 at 1-2. Plaintiff 5 contends that the only work completed in this matter involved the dismissal of the claims, 6 and that "it is unconscionable" that "this amount should be charged for a case that went 7 no further than a Rule 12 Motion." Doc. 36 at 7. Local Rule 54.2(f) states that a 8 memorandum in opposition to a motion for an award of attorney's fees "shall identify 9 with specificity all disputed issues of material fact and shall separately identify each and 10 every disputed time entry or expense item." LRCiv 54.2(f). Plaintiff has not specifically 11 identified a single disputed expense. 12 Defendants discuss the factors used to determine reasonable attorneys' fees as 13 outlined in Schweiger v. China Doll Rest., Inc., 673 P.2d 927, 931 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1983), 14 including (1) the qualities of the advocate, (2) the character of the work, including its 15 difficulty and importance, (3) the work actually performed, including the skill, time and 16 attention given to the work, and (4) the result. Doc. 34 at 8. Defendants contend that the 17 work performed was "necessary to respond and defend against claims in this action," and 18 the number of hours expended was reasonable because they were earned by performing 19 services that "would have been undertaken by a reasonable and prudent lawyer to 20 advance or protect his client's interests." Doc. 34 at 9. Defendants further contend that 21 the average billing rate was equal to $174.86 per hour, which is similar to or lower than 22 rates charged by other Phoenix law firms. Id. at 10. Defendants also note that their 23 attorneys have a combined total of more than seven years of experience representing 24 banks and other financial institutions, and the paralegal's rates were justified because the 25 paralegal "works regularly with members of the firm's financial services litigation 26 subgroup in a litigation support role." Id. Plaintiff does not address any of these issues. 27 The Court finds the hourly rates charged by Defendants' legal team to be 28 reasonable for the Phoenix market and for attorneys of the skill and experience needed -4- 1 for a case such as this. The Court also finds the time records provided by defense counsel 2 to be sufficiently detailed, and the hours incurred in defending this case to be reasonable. 3 Having considered the record as a whole and the relevant fee award factors, see Warner, 4 694 P.2d at 1184, the Court finds the requested fee award to be reasonable and 5 appropriate. 6 reasonableness of a fee award). 7 See also LRCiv 54.2(c)(3)(A)-(M) (listing factors bearing on the IT IS ORDERED that Defendants' motion for attorneys' fees (Doc. 33) is 8 granted. 9 Plaintiff in the amount of $16,686.80. 10 Defendants are awarded attorneys' fees and non-taxable expenses against Dated this 23rd day of April, 2014. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 -5- | pursuant to Rule 54(d)(2), seeking fees for claims against them arising 20 out of contract under A.R.S. § 12-341.01(A). Doc. 33. The motion has been fully 21 briefed. Docs. 36, 38. The Court will grant the motion. 22 I. Legal Standard. 23 Under Arizona law, "[i]n any contested action arising out of a contract, express or 24 implied, the court may award the successful party reasonable attorney fees." A.R.S. 25 § 12-341.01(A). Under Arizona law, the trial court has discretion regarding awarding 26 attorneys' fees. See Wilcox v. Waldman, 744 P.2d 444, 450 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1987). 27 Courts consider: (1) the merits of the unsuccessful party's claim, (2) whether the 28 successful party | 226 |
St George Gets Ready for Regular Cruise Vis<|fim_middle|> | its
By John Stansfield , February 2, 2017 , Cruise Industry
Construction work on upgrades to St George Harbour (Bermuda) shoreline got under way in preparation for the comeback of regular cruise visits to the town in summer.
The redevelopment project will feature a major facelift of Hunter's Wharf in order to accommodate the two new Norwegian Cruise Lines ferries that will bring visitors to the East End from Dockyard as well as improvements to Penno's Wharf.
Mayor Quinell Francis told The Royal Gazette that crews had made good progress and that work was anticipated to be completed by the end of March in time for the first cruise arrival on April 6.
"Crisson Construction started work on January 16 and so far it is going well," Ms Francis said.
"The work on Hunter's Wharf is to restore the sea wall that was destroyed by Hurricane Fabian. This wharf is going to be the new location for the ferries and the NCL tender."
The $2 million project will also involve extensive improvements to Penno's Wharf, including bollard replacements, refendering and dock resurfacing.
"Work on both Hunter's Wharf and Penno's will be completed by the end of March," Ms Francis added.
"The project has been funded thanks to a $1.4 million grant from the Government, while the Corporation is putting forward the rest of the budget.
"While work is ongoing we would remind people that they cannot park in this area.
"If you are visiting the restaurants and shops in the west of the town, you should park in Tiger Bay, while if you are in the east of the town you should park in King's Square of Market Wharf."
Twelve extra cruise ships are to call on St George's each year from 2017 to 2022 as part of a deal between the Government and Norwegian Cruise Lines.
The agreement also includes bringing two catamaran ferries to the island for the run from Dockyard to the East End, along with a yearly investment of $150,000 by NCL to sponsor tourism enhancement in co-operation with the Bermuda Tourism Authority. | 448 |
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Young Driver Insurance
Policy Renewal
Are your clients insured for the increased exposures from GDPR with both a comprehensive Cyber and D&O policy?
On the 25th of May this year, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force putting data protection into the spotlight. The effects of this new regulation and the changes that it brings will be onerous on businesses and will include stricter enforcement of data breach notification. This article takes a look at GDPR, provides an overview of the changes to the current data protection framework and sets out how insurance can play a critical role in a business's planning and protection for GDPR.
GDPR will create a uniform data protection framework across the EU giving individual's control of their own personal data whilst enforcing strict rules on those in possession of this data. Though an EU regulation, GDPR will apply to any business that collects data from EU subjects or provides any type of goods or services to any individual within the EU, regardless of whether the business processes or stores the data within the EU or not. The new regulation includes the right for individuals to access their data, the right to be informed, the right to rectify and erase and the right to restrict processing. It firmly puts an onus on business's to change their perception of data protection and take responsibility to keep personal data secure and ensure that individual's rights are respected. It introduces a new requirement of compulsory notification for all companies<|fim_middle|> and Officers exposure exists across the spectrum; from large financial institutions, small family-run SMEs with a local customer base, sports organisations with a large list of members, to charitable organisations.
The quality of directors and officers decision making is constantly being tested by new and evolving threats, such as cyber-attacks, and resulting changes in regulation, for example GDPR. The role of the board is critical in identifying and managing cyber exposure so as to limit its effect on the business. Directors are becoming increasingly concerned that in the event of a cyber breach, some blame will inevitably lie at their door. Increased scrutiny on management is likely to focus on whether the board approved the right level of funding for IT security, applied the correct rigour in analysing cyber exposure and whether the right level of insurance cover was purchased.
The cyber threat is an evolving one and is clearly imposing additional responsibilities on directors, but what remains unclear is what the resulting ramifications will be for company executives. The financial impact of a data breach can be huge; as such directors should be concerned about both their fiduciary obligation to the company and its shareholders, as well as directors' own personal assets which are at risk in the event of a claim for alleged wrongful management. In a situation where a cyber incident has a material effect on a company's shareholder value, or indeed reputational value, then litigation will almost certainly ensue, particularly if there is a lapse on the part of the board to insure the cyber exposure.
Given the potential personal exposure for directors and management of companies, the purchase of a broad Directors & Officers Liability policy, in conjunction with a Cyber Liability policy, should be strongly considered when having the discussion about preparation for GDPR from an insurance perspective. Cases have been brought against executives of various US companies following cyber hacks, for example Target and Home Depot. It will be interesting to see what follows for directors of Irish and European organisations following the introduction of GDPR in May 2018. Expensive data breaches are now a fact of corporate life, and it seems inevitable that cyber-related D&O litigation will follow, as both aggrieved shareholders and customers seek retribution and regulators start to use their enhanced powers.
For more information relating to this article, please contact Caoimhe.gormley@aig.com or Michelle.boland@aig.com
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Copyright © 2020 American International Group, Inc. All rights reserved. AIG Europe S.A. is an insurance undertaking with R.C.S. Luxembourg number B 218806. AIG Europe S.A. has its head office at 35 D Avenue John F. Kennedy, L-1855, Luxembourg. AIG Europe S.A., Ireland branch office has its registered branch office at 30 North Wall Quay, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1, D01 R8H7, and branch registration number 908876. Telephone: +353 1 208 1400. VAT number: IE3580476UH. AIG Europe S.A. is authorised by the Luxembourg Ministère des Finances and supervised by the Commissariat aux Assurances, and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. | to the supervisory authority (Data Protection Commissioner here in Ireland) within 72 hours after discovery of a breach of personal data and the notification of data subjects without undue delay if the data poses a 'high risk to their rights and freedoms'.
GDPR also significantly increases the scope and nature of fines for non-compliance. A business potentially will be subject to fines up to €20 million or 4% of total global annual turnover (whichever is higher) for a breach. Individuals and boards of directors also face increased exposure to legal actions, for example, from individuals for data breaches, from shareholders for mismanagement of privacy risk and from regulators.
GDPR and Cyber Liability Insurance
Cyber Liability insurance provides two very important aspects of coverage in response to GDPR. Firstly, it protects against the insurable elements of GDPR and secondly provides first response and event management support. The insurable elements of GDPR include cover for potential fines, notification costs and third party liability claims. Broad standalone Cyber Liability policies will cover regulatory fines to the extent they are insurable by law. Notification to the supervisory authority and individuals following a breach which is likely to result 'in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals' will be both expensive and time consuming, these costs are insurable including follow up credit and ID monitoring. With respect to third party liability claims, following the introduction of GDPR, individuals will now have the right to sue for non-material damage in addition to material damage and will have the right to receive compensation from the business involved. A Cyber Liability policy will cover the defence costs and liability claims resulting from a confidential information breach. The first response and event management support provides a coordinated approach to a data breach including IT, Legal and PR assistance.
It has never been so important given the introduction of GDPR and the increase in cyber-attacks globally that businesses consider a well-designed and broad coverage Cyber Liability policy, not only to cover those risks arising from a breach of GDPR but also for the immediate access to experts provided for under these policies. For any business that already purchases Cyber Liability insurance consideration must also be given to ascertaining if the existing limits of indemnity are sufficient as the financial consequences of a data breach will almost certainly increase under GDPR. GDPR creates a significant exposure for not only Cyber Liability insurance, but also Directors & Officers Liability Insurance. With accountability as a core theme in the new regulation, Cyber Liability is no longer the only relevant insurance to consider and emphasis should also be placed on Directors & Officers Liability insurance.
GDPR in the Boardroom and Directors & Officers Insurance
The principal aim of Directors and Officers insurance is to protect the personal assets of directors and officers. The policy also responds to meet the potentially crippling defence costs in the event of an allegation of wrongful management, in addition to judgements and settlements. Directors | 568 |
From ASIS in Orlando …Fire Protection Hand in Glove with Security
By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff September 15, 2005
The Orange County Convention Center was a hive of activity once again on the second day of the 51st annual ASIS International Seminar and Exhibits, with the day being kicked off with a speech from none other than former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.
We started off yesterday's report by describing it as an event for "security professionals." But today we must qualify that characterization. As you'll see from our report, the convergence of security, fire-protection and IT systems has made security a cross-disciplinary concern.
Note: Besides bringing you the lastest from ASIS, CSE's editors are also happy to provide dining tips! There are two steak/seafood restaurants in Orlando with similar names: Bonefish and Fishbone. If planning a group dinner at one of these establishments, make sure everyone is on the same page as it's highly likely that certain members of your party might end up at the wrong restaurant. Not that this happened to the CSE editorial/sales staff. Really.
Fire and Security—Strange Bedfellows?
We are seeing lots of familiar faces at the American Society of Industrial Security show this year—Simplex, Notifier, System Sensor—faces one always expects to see at the National Fire Protection Assn.'s annual expo, but not necessarily at a security show.
Indeed, these vendors themselves note that they've gotten some odd looks as they stand by their fire-alarm panels. "For us this is a different type of client—there are a lot more computer users and people who work with networks," said Jeff Hendrickson with Silent Knight.
Hendrickson points out that his company is here to reach out to people they wouldn't normally make contact with. With ever-increasing sophistication of building types and interconnection of systems, this is key for these vendors. "We're being encouraged to play, if not out right integrate, with security folks," he observes.
For manufacturer FCI, this is an opportunity to promote and gather feedback on the whole topic of mass notification. "We<|fim_middle|>abyte units.
The extra capacity, explained Abram, helps avert the video quality problems user often run into with compression. There's nothing wrong with compression, added Abram. "You can get massive storage if you compress. But what's the quality of your video you'll get back? That's what the user needs to be aware of." | 're not really sure who's going to be heading this up," said FCI's Ray Kimble. "We're guessing that since it technically falls under life safety, it will fall under NFPA's jurisdiction."
That said, tying mass notification into fire-alarm technology makes sense. It's a circuited system and one that can be more survivable. FCI's NetSolo line, for example, features a distributed style 7 configuration that allows it to act like a worm if it's severed or damaged for whatever reason. "This way if someone damages your system the message can still get out," said Kimble.
But it's not just the fire-protection manufacturers that are at the show. Veteran fire-protection engineering design firms, such as Rolf Jensen Assocs. and Schirmer Engineering, are also here. RJA, in fact, gave a presentation on halon and halon alternatives. According to RJA's Dick Evensen, it's in suit with the whole confluence of security systems with IT technology: "Those server rooms have to be protected."
Schirmer Engineering, which has been providing integrated security services for a number of years, believes the two disciplines, though disparate, go hand in glove. Sean Ahrens, CPP, a senior security consultant with the firm, cites a good example:
"We had an office project in Baltimore with multiple tenants, and we couldn't just lock the whole building down because of one tenant. So we had to go to the codes and our fire guys down the hall," said Ahrens. "In this particular case, we assumed that we had to leave a set of doors open for life-safety reasons. As it turned out, that was not the case because the distance was less than 50 feet."
But despite the push for systems integration, some professionals warn that there are serious technology gaps between the security and fire-protection disciplines. Take fire alarms, for example, which offer the greatest potential for integration. According to Schirmer's Steve Moritz, fire-protection equipment tends to lag behind security innovations due to strict UL testing requirements. Security systems don't generally require such testing, but when they're married with fire protection, that can lead to local approval problems because of the lack of UL listings.
"It really depends on what the client needs," added Rob Lomb, another security specialist with the firm." Maybe an integrated fire-alarm and security system doesn't make sense, but an integrated command center certainly would."
In the end, having expertise in both fields helps leverage capabilities so that manufacturers might be able to offer clients custom solutions.
Getting Digital Means Getting More Space
A lot of acronyms are flying back and forth at the ASIS show: IP, DVR, EVR, NVR—even HDR. In our show daily yesterday, we covered IP— which is, of course, Internet Protocol. The others refer to video technology, specifically digital video recorder, network video recorder and hybrid video recorder (EVR is a brand name by Toshiba).
Digital technology has really changed surveillance technology on both the recorder and camera fronts. According to Frank Abram with Sanyo, which debuted its "Tiger" DVR at the show, many factors have led the industry to embrace digital so quickly: the ability to remotely monitor various locations from one location; economy of equipment and people; centralization; and capabilities that weren't there before.
But despite all those benefits, digital technology still has a number of challenges, perhaps the greatest being storage capacity. Both Sanyo and Toshiba—which, by the way, has officially changed its name to Toshiba Surveillance and IP Video Surveillance—exhibited 2 ter | 740 |
И́рис Фо́стера, или Юно́на Фостера (, также ) — вид декоративных однодольных растений, входящий в подрод Scorpiris рода (по другой классификации — в соответствующий этому подроду самостоятельный род ).
Растение впервые описано британскими ботаниками Джеймсом Эдвардом Тирни Эйчисоном и Джоном Гилбертом Бейкером в 1888 году.
Распространение, описание
Распространён в Афганистане, Иране и Туркмении; описан из Афганистана.
Клубневой геофит. Луковица 0,8—1,2 см толщиной, удлинённая, покрытая сухими чешуйками бурого цвета. Стебель высотой 5—20<|fim_middle|>Таксоны растений, названные в честь людей
Декоративные растения | см, несёт до четырёх цветков. Цветки размером 4—5 см; наружные доли околоцветника бледно-жёлтого цвета, внутренние — бледно-фиолетового. Цветёт весной, плодоносит в конце весны—начале лета.
Число хромосом — 2n=18.
Значение
Может использоваться в селекции.
Синонимы
Синонимичные названия:
Juno fosteriana (Aitch. & Baker) Rodion.
Iris caucasica var. bicolor Regel
Примечания
Флора Азии
Ирисовые
| 169 |
We have complete control over design – other firms do 'specials' at inflated prices. 'Specials' is our bread and butter. We consider them as normal and we make no excess charge for making units to non<|fim_middle|> producing good quality well designed schemes for your home – no more, no less.
In the other pages on this site you will find information about our particular products and services.
Manufacture: Many claim to do just that when in fact they are buying in carcases from one supplier and doors from someone else. We really do manufacture and you are welcome to call us to arrange to look round our workshop and see the furniture being made. | -standard dimensions. We will design into the awkward spaces where other companies fear to tread. We design special arrangements for larders and laundries, under stairs and in the slope of a roof.
We supply a wide range of appliances and accessories. As Premier Partners with AEG, Electrolux and Zanussi we are able to offer core ranges of all these brands at competitive prices and with a warrantee extension at no extra cost thus giving you peace of mind.
Over recent years we have been commissioned increasingly regularly to take on larger projects. Sometimes they involves just two rooms, kitchen & utility or bedroom and en suite, sometimes involving full house renovation including building work. In the latter cases we use our long established network of local tradesmen to add to our own expertise and we manage the entire project thus taking the stress and worry of your shoulders.
Our prices are honest and are based on the manufacturing cost of your furniture. We have low advertising and sales costs and no middlemen to pay. We are often asked 'Do you have a sale?". The quick answer is that we don't. The longer answer is that, on occasions, we have ex display kitchens, cancelled or postponed orders for builders who are not ready to take their furniture and special offers from some of our suppliers. The fact is though that if you see someone offering a sale that seems too good to be true then make no mistake, it is too good to be true. If retailers can offer an extra 20% on top of their already 40% sale then they are overcharging to start with (and over-charging by an awful lot). Our prices reflect the cost of | 336 |
Pop a vitamin, ban doctors' neckties, vacuum away swine flu germs and smoke an e-cigarette to ward off H1N1.
Nov. 9, 2009 5:38 p.m.
TORONTO — Pop a vitamin, ban doctors' neckties, vacuum away swine flu germs and smoke an e-cigarette to ward off H1N1.
Those are just some of the suggestions making the rounds on the Internet that have health officials and experts shaking their heads.
The Web is awash with dubious advice and various flu kits for sale as H1N1 deaths continue to rise, vaccine shortages force clinics to close and officials find themselves unable to provide a hard date for when the general public can get their flu shot.
The message from experts to those tempted to buy into such schemes — don't.
Dr. Donald Low, chief microbiologist at Toronto's Mount Sinai hospital, chuckles when he hears about some of the alternative remedies, including one that suggests putting onions around the house, like a farmer did with the Spanish flu in 1918, to absorb the virus.
"Well in 1918, what could you do? You had little else. Unfortunately that doesn't make any biological sense and there's been no scientific evidence that such a thing would actually work," said Low.
Still, questionable cures are so commonplace that Health Canada and the Competition Bureau were compelled last Wednesday to issue a warning advising people not to purchase products claiming to fight or prevent swine flu.
Health Canada said it was monitoring the Internet and would take action against Canadian websites selling unauthorized products.
The federal agency has only authorized three products — the H1N1 vaccine Arepanrix and the antiviral drugs Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). As well, the distribution of 200,000 doses of unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine Panvax from Australia has been authorized for use in pregnant women.
"We're advising Canadians not to purchase unauthorized products that claim to fight or prevent H1N1 over the Internet or other sources," said Brent H<|fim_middle|> effective, he said they wouldn't be able to cough onto susceptible people or surfaces.
But Low said he hasn't seen any reports that airborne transmission is a major route for H1N1, so he thinks masks are of little benefit in general against the swine flu.
Zinc works for upper respiratory tract infections and Vitamin D helps treat tuberculosis, but neither fights swine flu, said Low. As for Vitamin C to fight H1N1? Forget about it, he said.
Don't sweat it over your doctor's germy necktie either, because swine flu won't jump from the tie onto patients.
A claim on a press release this week states that "E cigarettes may be more effective than swine flu vaccine" because one of their ingredients, propylene glycol, may be a powerful deterrent against influenza. It cites a 1942 study to back it up. But Low just shakes his head.
"What people will stoop to. There's good evidence that smoking is a risk factor for people to get influenza," Low said.
What does work? The Public Health Agency of Canada advises you to wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer, cough and sneeze into your arm or sleeve, stay home when sick and get the flu shot. | oman of Competition Bureau.
The bureau investigates health fraud and will send letters or take other steps to fight it, he added.
U.S. federal officials recently sent warning letters to promoters of more than 140 swine flu-related products, telling them to stop making false claims. It has also posted a list online that consumers can check.
There's an amazing array of products outlined — everything from gels, inhalers and body washes to herbal extracts and tea products to air purifiers, ultraviolet devices, gloves and sprays.
Some even have the phrase "swine flu" in their name, such as the "Swine Flu… Gone" shampoo.
There's the "Basic Pandemic Swine Flu Kit" by Quake Kare Inc. that comes with a N95 mask, four antimicrobial wipes, a pair of industrial grade gloves and antiseptic hand sanitizer gel — all packaged in a Zip-lock Bag — on sale for US$10.95, down from the regular price of US$15.95.
Or you can upgrade to the deluxe kit which adds safety goggles, hooded coveralls, plastic sheeting and duct tape for $39.95.
Despite the company website's claim to the contrary, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the kit is not approved to fight H1N1.
"There's always going to be opportunists," said Low, who worries Canadians might opt for unapproved products, seeing them as another excuse not to get a flu shot.
"It's giving false hope where people are going to get the feeling that they can protect themselves and their family and that they don't need a vaccine," he said.
For the record, Low — who is also head of the public health laboratories with the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion — has had the flu shot himself, as he is in a high-risk group, and he said he had no adverse effects.
He recommends checking out reliable websites of the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and CIDRAP for flu advice.
What about air purifiers or masks touted on the web to fight H1N1? There's no evidence air purifiers reduce H1N1 transmission, Low said.
N95 masks flew off the shelves during the 2003 SARS crisis and Low said they were proven to protect against airborne transmission of viruses. If infected patients wear surgical masks, which are less | 514 |
Review: Seventh Born by Monica Sanz (@MonicaBSanz, @entangledteen)
Seventh Born
Author: Monica Sanz
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
The Witchling Academy Book #1
Abomination. Curse. Murderer. All names hurled at eighteen-year-old Seraphina Dovetail. As the seventh-born daughter to a witch, she's the cause of her mother losing her powers and, in turn, her life.
Abandoned as a child, Sera dreams of becoming an inspector and finding her family. To do that, she must be referred into the Advanced Studies Program at the Aetherium's Witchling Academy. Her birth order, quick temper, and tendency to set things on fire, however, have left her an outcast with failing marks…and just what Professor Nikolai Barrington is looking for.
The tall, brooding, yet exceedingly handsome young professor makes her a proposition: become his assistant and he'll give her the referral she needs. Sera is quickly thrust into a world where witches are being kidnapped, bodies are raised from the<|fim_middle|>era is used to being bullied and treated like a nuisance by both the students and staff of the Aetherium Witchling Academy. It was easy to like Sera and feel for her circumstances. We learn that her current troubles aren't even the worse things she has gone through in her life and we still have a lot to learn about her that wasn't revealed in SEVENTH BORN.
I wasn't sure how I felt about Professor Barrington when he was first introduced. I didn't immediately like him, but he grew on me as the story unfolded. There is still a ton of mystery to his character, but his bond with Sera grew a lot in SEVENTH BORN and I have some hopes for them in future books.
I had no trouble getting into the story. I felt that the characters were well rounded and I enjoyed watching their personalities and growth unfold. The world was interesting and well built. The mysteries involved in SEVENTH BORN were gripping. I'm not sure where the author plans to take everything, but I'm adding this series to my watch list.
Review: Seventh Born by Monica Sanz (@MonicaBSanz,... | dead, and someone is burning seventhborns alive. As Sera and Barrington grow ever closer, she'll discover that some secrets are best left buried…and fire isn't the only thing that makes a witch burn.
I enjoyed learning about the world and the characters in SEVENTH BORN.
Seventh born's are treated like the scum of the earth. As a seventh born, S | 80 |
Media Server Reviews
Innuos Statement music server
Jason Victor Serinus | Apr 3, 2020
We carry within us the wonders we seek outside us.—Rumi
There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them.—Ralph Marston, The Daily Motivator
Put these two quotes together, shake vigorously, and you've got the essence of a music server. Unless your container isn't tightly sealed, in which case you've got a mess.
A dedicated streaming music server has but one overriding purpose: to enable the discovery and delivery of digitally encoded music—and then get out of the way. Ideally, it performs like the best of servants, keeping everything in order, noting items worthy of attention,<|fim_middle|> up review. Greetings from a Stereophile subscriber since more than 25 years.
HiFi Rose RS250 audio & video streaming D/A preamplifier
Antipodes Audio K50 music server
exaSound Delta Music Server
Grimm Audio MU1 music streamer
Volumio Primo music player/streamer
Pink Faun 2.16x music streamer
Wolf Audio Systems Alpha 3 SX music server
Mytek Brooklyn Bridge streaming DAC/network server
Sony DMP-Z1 digital music player
Pro-Ject Audio Systems Stream Box S2 Ultra network bridge
Naim ND5 XS 2 media player
Esoteric N-01 network audio player
Roon Labs Nucleus+ music server
Bryston BDP-3 Digital Music Player
Aurender A10 network music player/server
dCS Network Bridge network player | doing exactly as its master wishes, and then bowing out without drawing attention to itself.
For probably the majority of music-lovers, an all-purpose computer, used for pretty much everything except washing dishes, serves as their music server. Some use a dedicated computer reserved solely for music playback.
Typical computers, though—dedicated or not—aren't optimized for music playback; because they run all sorts of processes irrelevant to audio, and, because noise usually doesn't affect nonmusical functions, they are saddled with noise—not the directly audible kind, but the kind that pollutes audio signals and makes them sound worse, in a variety of ways. The noise comes not just from apps working in the background—antivirus software, word processors, and a host of nondefeatable, automatically updating programs—but also from ports and pathways designed for multiple functions and not engineered to keep polluting EMI away from precious music signals.
Enter the dedicated high-end audio server, a class that includes the Innuos Statement music server/streamer/ripper ($13,750 and up), the flagship server from a Portuguese company that makes nothing but. Innuos was founded in 2013 by software engineers Nuno Vitorino and Amelia Santos, who met in 1994 as university students and, later, got married. Seeds for the company were planted in 2009, when Vitorino assembled a music server in his garage, offered it on eBay, and sold 200 units in six months.
"When I started Innuos, there was nothing available for people who were not technologically savvy," Vitorino explained in an interview via Skype. Seven years later, thanks in no small part to Managing Director Santos's INSEAD-honed business skills, the company employs teams of software and hardware developers and is expanding to new headquarters with a sound room exceeding 500 square feet. Building that room was essential for the couple, whose two children, ages 5 and 9, frequently commandeer the home system to watch Paw Patrol.
"We own the company 100%," Vitorino said. "We wanted to do our own vision and remain independent of investors or private-equity companies who might alter our approach in order to get their investment back fast. The good thing is that we've always been profitable."
Innuos unveiled a prototype of the Statement at the 2018 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest and launched the product in early 2019. At the 2019 RMAF, they launched the PhoenixUSB reclocker. Expected next is PhoenixNET, an Ethernet reclocker, which Vitorino likens to an audiophile network switch. In 2020, Innuos intends to completely revamp its software while also expanding the company's reach beyond Europe and North America, to Asia in particular.
Noise, begone!
I first met Vitorino at RMAF 2019, where I briefly auditioned several of the company's servers. It quickly became clear that, as the most transparent of the lot, the Statement was the most appropriate Innuos product for use in my reference setup. I set up a review.
The two-box Statement's "power unit" connects to its server via two short umbilical cords. The boxes are intended to be stacked, with the power unit on bottom, to keep the umbilical lengths short—shorter lengths presumed to be less susceptible to noise pollution than longer ones. Longer cords are available for users who must, or prefer, to put the two boxes side by side or on different shelves.
The power unit box is reserved for coarse AC/DC conversion. Eight cable pairs, each containing a power wire and its ground, carry otherwise untreated DC power to the top box via the two umbilical cords. Regulation occurs in the top box.
Once regulated to "nice, clean, steady power"—Vitorino's words—this direct current travels over very short cable lengths, soldered point-to-point, to the server unit's individual component blocks. "We don't give the power a chance to get polluted again," Vitorino said. "If we located the entire PS in the bottom box and did the regulation there as well, the clean power would have to go through cable connectors, external cables, more connectors, and then internal cable. Along the way, it would pick up all sorts of . . . interference. You can shield it, you can protect, but it's never 100% perfect. Our arrangement allows us to send cleaner power to the server's different components."
The DC emerging from the bottom box comprises eight separate supplies: three for each voltage of the motherboard, one for the CPU, one for the SSD storage device, one for the Ethernet Reclocker board, one for the USB Reclocker Board, and one that feeds only the USB clock. (The Statement uses OCXO clocks—oven-controlled crystal oscillators, which are large because their mass allows more carefully controlled internal temperature, hence superior stability, to the oscillator. There are separate clocks for the USB and Ethernet boards.)
Regulators, which are intended to ensure stable power, can themselves be a source of noise. Which is why "there are no switching regulators on our USB board," Vitorino told me. "Switching regulators are quite efficient, but they create a lot of noise because they oscillate a lot." Instead, the external supplies provide the board with the three voltage levels it needs, each voltage level stabilized by discrete, low-noise LT3045 regulators. "The objective is low noise and a better-timed signal," Vitorino told me. Vitorino also told me that the normal precision of an oscillator on a computer motherboard or USB board is about 30 parts per million. "Ours is 3 parts per billion," he said. "Our clocks, handmade in the US, are the kind used in missiles and aviation because they offer less noise and greater precision. To get as much precision out of our clocks as we can, we use two independent clocks at the right frequencies, 24MHz for USB and 25MHz for Ethernet. The clock signal travels directly through the board without using cables. The better timed the signal is that you send your DAC, the less work the DAC has to do to interpret the results."
Inside the Statement, Vitorino and his crew have attempted to identify, isolate, and eliminate all contributors to noise: "We went through the motherboard and all the components with an oscilloscope and a proper probe, identified which components made the most noise, and worked with our custom motherboard supplier to remove non-essential noise-creating components that might be useful for a PC but have no place in an audio server."
Given Vitorino's attention to noise and power delivery, it came as no surprise to hear him say, "The Statement certainly benefits from a really good power cable. In addition, a lot of our users have had very good experiences with changing the fuse to another slow-blow fuse. We tested quite a number of fuses, some of them very high end, before deciding on any. They do make a difference in terms of sound quality—they convey more air around instruments—but some aftermarket fuses negatively affect dynamics. We like our systems to have quite a lot of dynamics and rhythm—a lot of PRAT—and with some fuses, my feet weren't tapping anymore."
I needed no convincing about the impact of power quality on a fine audio system. More than a year ago, when I was working with Roon's Rob Darling to improve playback from a Roon-equipped Intel NUC (since replaced by Roon's Nucleus +), we moved my router to the hallway, far from the system, and created an Ethernet > optical > Ethernet pathway to isolate router-related noise. Then we replaced the switch-mode power supply on one of my Ethernet/optical converters with a Small Green Computer 15W linear power supply ($160) fed by a Nordost Odin 2 power cable. The increase in transparency and detail was so dramatic that I tried an LPS on the router, and then the NUC. The additional increase in bass, color saturation, and detail was so marked that every wall wart in my system was banished and replaced by two Small Green Computer/HDPLEX 200W power supplies, each of which can power up to four devices of different voltages.
The Statement's server box, which includes a CD ripper, is fitted with special support feet, asymmetrically positioned to minimize vibration. "The bottom power box is not very sensitive to vibration and not in need of special feet with special placement, but the top box is very sensitive." Vitorino said. "One foot is below the SSD, and another below the regulators for the USB port. We wanted to put the third under the boards on the other side, but because the box needs to be balanced, we put it a little further back under the motherboard, which is also a sensitive component. The feet are tuned to the weight and resonant frequency of the chassis and designed to remove low-frequency vibration that comes from air moved by speaker drivers. They're fairly high end and would cost about $500/set of three at retail."
Goals and preferences
I have yet to encounter a manufacturer whose ultimate goal is the sonic equivalent of a huge Saint Bernard slobbering all over the floor. Some, however, do prefer a bit of warmth to what they call sterility. Not Vitorino, who declared, "We don't pursue a 'sound' per se. It would be very attractive to make it very warm sounding, particularly for those who like valve amplifiers. If you go to shows and make it nice and warm and smooth, everyone will like it. That's not what we want to do. We want to keep it as neutral as possible, reduce as much as we can the amount of power noise interference that might affect the signal, and provide the best timing possible for that signal. This enables the rest of the hi-fi chain to perform at its best. We don't tweak the tonal balance or the amount of treble or bass."
NEXT: Page 2 »
support@innuos.com
innuos.com
John Atkinson May 2020
Innuos Phoenix .........
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on April 3, 2020 - 10:39am
Waiting for a review of the Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker by JVS :-) ..........
Here's to hoping no one
Submitted by chuckles304 on April 3, 2020 - 3:03pm
Here's to hoping no one accuses JVS of trying to spread plague by having his sister-in-law over or "waving his middle finger" at those of us who can't afford the server.
Other than that, nice review.
Thanks for the stroke
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on April 3, 2020 - 3:19pm
I'm glad you like the review.
My sister-in-law returned to Oakland safely on January 3. The only plague she carried with her was the hi-end audio bug.
Unfortunately, she also returned to her job teaching 4th graders. That's where she may have contracted COVID-19. She and her hubby have now fully recovered. Fingers are currently crossed for my neighbors two houses down. We only have 19 confirmed cases in the entire county, and three are my neighbors.
GPS tracking ..........
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on April 3, 2020 - 7:34pm
Uncle Sam may start tracking your neighborhood with GPS :-) ........
FollowUp on the Way
Submitted by John Atkinson on April 3, 2020 - 3:09pm
I have written a follow-up review of the Innuos server for the May issue, comparing it with the Roon Nucleus+.
Technical Editor, Stereophile
JA1 could also review the Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker :-) ........
Aurender W20SE ........
May be JA1 could also review the new Aurender flag-ship W20SE music server :-) .......
130db or more below
Submitted by DH on April 4, 2020 - 1:43am
The measurements are at a level of -130 to -145db; so any noise or differences are inaudible in any case, aren't they?
Would seem to belie the descriptions in the review.
In addition, the results with the Mytek would indicate that with any well engineered audiophile DAC the Statement makes no difference. The Dragonfly DACs aren't really audiophile, and the Cobalt actually measures worse than it's $100 cheaper brother.
Experimental feature
Submitted by thyname on April 4, 2020 - 4:37am
JVS: you have the Roon facts a bit wrong here. The experimental feature is when using Statement as Roon Core with SqueezeLite Player. I wish I could post a screen grab here to show you that setting on my Statement. There is nothing experimental here when using Statement as "regular" Roon Core only, or Roon Core + Player.
Here is the description on the experimental feature:
****(Experimental) New option in Roon Settings to allow using our internal player with Roon, enabling RAM playback. Please see setup instructions below.***
Also, I was shocked to hear you liked Nucleus more than Statement as a Roon Core. To me, Statement when used as Core + Roon Endpoint is significantly better than when used as a Player only with Roon Nucleus as the Core. Even the Zenith MK3 I used to own before the Statement is better that way. I suggest you give it another shot, and ask Innuos folks for help with the set up, as something must have been terribly wrong with the way you had configured stuff.
habanero monk
Submitted by Habanero Monk on April 4, 2020 - 7:21am
My endpoint system buffers entire tracks. How does this server help vs my QNAP?
Max Hold
Submitted by CG on April 4, 2020 - 9:34am
Perhaps the measurements would be more revealing if they were made using the Max Hold function in the analyzer. That would capture peaks in the noise spectra over a period of time. Averaging tends to, well, average incoherent or faux-coherent disturbances into almost nothingness. That's the reason for using averaging.
Many sources of noise and interference only appear every few samples. So, they'd get averaged out or only appear as a modest bump in the noise floor. In the communications system biz, engineers figured this out some time back. You can lose a couple symbols out of a thousand, and it only shows as a couple hundredths of a dB in averaged degradation. Yet, those bits are entirely corrupted.
People tend to listen to a continuum of samples - how silly! - which means that averaging isn't representative of how something might sound. A noise burst that only appears once every hundred samples might be pretty loud for those samples, but the average would only show a slight perturbation.
I'm not sure whether the most recent Audio Precision products have this function. Older units certainly did, and AP is not a company that skimps on useful design features.
This might be a trip down the rabbit hole in regard to audio. It only takes a couple mouse clicks and a small amount of time to see if there's anything there. (Easy for me to say - I'm not the guy doing the work!)
Re: Max Hold
CG wrote:
Perhaps the measurements would be more revealing if they were made using the Max Hold function in the analyzer. That would capture peaks in the noise spectra over a period of time.
I will try this. I have been using averaging because so many of these things at very low levels become impossible to see without the noisefloor being lowered by the averaging.
This might be a trip down the rabbit hole in regard to audio.
There's always that possibility, of course. :-)
Submitted by CG on April 4, 2020 - 3:52pm
This might be compared to (maybe) not seeing the forest for the trees.
But, you're partially retired, right? Mostly confined to home for now, right? No concerts or time at the pub, right? So, you probably are just looking for things to keep you busy.
No need to thank me...
I agree ........
JA1 is currently busy, binge-watching movies on Netflix ......... He could take a break and do something useful in audio ...... Just kidding JA1 :-) ........
My Follow-Up Review
Submitted by John Atkinson on April 13, 2020 - 8:40am
Bogolu Haranath wrote:
JA1 is currently busy, binge-watching movies on Netflix ......... He could take a break and do something useful in audio ...
I just posted my follow-up review of the Innuos Statement from the new (May) issue. It's appended to the end of Jason's review: www.stereophile.com/content/innuos-statement-music-server-john-atkinson-may-2020.
I'm glad .......
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on April 13, 2020 - 10:57am
I'm glad JA1 is binge-reviewing audio equipment instead of binge-watching movies :-) .......
With all due respect ........
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on April 13, 2020 - 12:31pm
With all due respect ...... it is not a fair comparison ....... You (JA1) could have used at least Vimberg Mino speakers for Innuos comparison test, not LS-50 :-) .......
Re: My Reference System
Submitted by John Atkinson on April 13, 2020 - 1:38pm
With all due respect ...... it is not a fair comparison ....... You (JA1) could have used at least Vimberg Mino speakers for Innuos comparison test, not LS-50 :-)
Perhaps the Mino speakers would have been more revealing. Perhaps. However, I wanted to use my regular reference system for the comparisons with the Nucleus +. More of a real-world context, if you wish.
I wish there was a more affordable streamer
Submitted by direstraitsfan98 on April 6, 2020 - 12:21pm
The best streamers seem to jump in price from entry level ones.
I just want something with good features, an attractive looking chassis, and a price tag that makes sense for me. Doesn't seem like one exists that checks all these boxes... perhaps I will just make do running my computer into my DAC until I'm close to retirement age...
Mytek ........
Submitted by Bogolu Haranath on April 6, 2020 - 12:52pm
Mytek Brooklyn Bridge (DAC) reviewed by Stereophile, is not very expensive ....... Of course, it also has a DAC :-) ........
Actually...
Submitted by direstraitsfan98 on April 6, 2020 - 1:44pm
After doing some research I found that Innous sells a much simpler and 'standard' version of their statement Statement model that as far as I can tell has the same features. The price? 10 percent of the statement's cost. I think I will look to get one of those. I'm not considering the Mytek because I have a dedicated DAC already.
Is it safe to say that the standard Innous Zen will offer up a large portion of the Innous Statement's performance, at a fraction of the cost? Probably.
DAC .........
May I ask, what DAC you are using? ........ Does it offer several digital reconstruction filters like Mytek? :-) ........
Innuos Zen ........
The new Innuos Zen models also offer 1 TB HDD storage :-) ........
I chose the Statement for review because when I heard it at the audio show, it was noticeably more transparent than the server beneath it, even with the USB reclocker added. Have you considered the Roon Nucleus or Nucleus + together with an outboard LPS? You have to use Roon, of course, which costs $, and there's no storage unless you add some. But it sure sounds great.
Nucleus ........
When we add storage, Nucleus becomes an 'Atomic nucleus' :-) ........
The only thing MBB can't do is, you can't use it to post comments on Stereophile website :-) .......
LPS for Nucleus Plus
Submitted by jameslockie on April 9, 2020 - 10:22pm
I am currently using the supplied wall wart.
Be interested to learn of your experiences with External LPS for this device.
It makes a huge difference
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on April 10, 2020 - 11:16am
I discuss this in a review recently posted to AudioStream: https://www.audiostream.com/content/sonore-opticalmodule-review. Much smoother sound, greater detail, more saturated colors, far deeper bass... fill in the blanks.
In virtually every interview I've conducted with a manufacturer or designer, they have emphasized the supreme importance of the power supply or transformer. In my admittedly limited experience, what is true for internal power supplies applies equally to external power supplies. Unless a designer has made a superhuman effort to isolate the noise from a switch mode power supply, from my admittedly limited experience, a linear power supply will improve the sound. I'm not an electrical engineer, and cannot discuss this with more sophistication - for all I know, there's an isolated example where what I've said isn't true - but I've certainly heard the difference in my system. I would never want to go back.
There are undoubtedly better LPSs on the market than the ones I've tried, but I haven't had the financial resources or time to explore them. The ones I've used have made such a significant difference that I've been happy. Once we get past COVID-19, or I win the lottery...
Submitted by jameslockie on April 10, 2020 - 11:36pm
Thanks JVS.
I will investigate LPS alternatives.
Submitted by tresaino on April 13, 2020 - 11:42am
I don't have the Statement but am very very happy with its smaller brother Zen Mk3. Software being the same, I never encountered the software problems JVS described. And sonically the Zen Mk3 delivers in my system, in spades. I don't say this easily but over the years I learned reading between the lines and found Serinus' review overall wrong and also unfair. I had a few servers and streamers before buying the Mk3 and never looked back. The Zen doesn't cost a fortune, sounds much better and the software is very intuitive and also very reliable. I was almost upset reading JVS' review. Thank to John Atkinson for a more balanced follow | 4,875 |
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The Honors College supports an inclusive learning environment where diversity and individual differences are understood, respected, appreciated, and recognized as a source of strength.
Honors College Program Learning Outcomes:
Integration: Honors students will be able to integrate concepts and methodologies from multiple disciplines and diverse viewpoints in Honors seminars
Research: Honors students will engage in research, using appropriate disciplinary and scholarly skills, resulting in a senior thesis
Critical thinking: Honors students will continually develop their ability to think critically and independently by actively engaging in discussions of complex issues throughout the Honors curriculum
Communication: Honors students will communicate clearly and precisely in multiple formats including written prose, verbal exposition, and audio/visual projects.
Community Engagement: Honors students will engage in activities that promote civic mindedness, global citizenship and the stewardship of our natural environment.
Honors seminars are capped at sixteen students, thus permitting close interaction with faculty and peers. There are also special sections of departmental offerings in chemistry, computer science, earth science, economics, mathematics, music, psychology, sociology, engineering, and physics. These courses are restricted to Honors students and are considerably smaller than regular departmental classes. Additionally, Honors students are routinely invited to join outstanding scientists in their laboratories or pursue independent studies with acclaimed scholars and artists in a variety of fields.
Extending the dynamic energy that are at the core of all Honors classes, students also engage in social activities that further personal and intellectual growth | 317 |
Friday through Sunday, April 5 – 7, 2019, in St. Louis.
Heritage UU Church is part of the MidAmerica Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association (U<|fim_middle|> an early-bird discount for people who register by February 28. | UA). This year, the regional meeting will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, and the keynote speaker will be the President of the UUA, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.
The theme is "Intersectionalities." Presentations and workshops will explore identities we encounter and embody, the challenges of social inequality, and tools and skills we need in order to work more effectively with one another, as well as the general "nuts and bolts" of congregational life, such as leadership, stewardship, membership, and religious education.
Detailed information can be found on the MidAmerica Regional Assembly webpage and the pages it links to (click the links on the left of that page for location, schedule, workshops, etc.). There is | 147 |
Cars get smart at CES
By Amanda Schupak
January 7, 2015 / 5:14 PM / CBS News
Car companies had more of a presence at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas than ever before. Here are just some of the ways that carmakers are upping the ante on automotive tech.
Cars that don't need you
Driverless cars won't be hitting the roads anytime soon, but they hit the show floor in a big way. As CNET's Kara Tsuboi reports, Audi rolled into CES with a car that drove itself from Silicon Valley to Las Vegas, and BMW's electric prototype will find its own parking space.
The world's most dangerous spiders (WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES)
Insane snake attacks
Tinder's new feature lets you play matchmaker
Top 10 fastest cars in the world
Meanwhile Mercedes showed<|fim_middle|> next step in connecting road users outside the vehicle. We are protecting the unprotected."
"To bring this to a large scale, there needs to be standardization of how to communicate these types of solutions," he continued. "We are not waiting. We want to be in the lead of the technology."
First published on January 7, 2015 / 5:14 PM
Amanda Schupak
Amanda Schupak is the science and technology editor at CBSNews.com | off a new concept car that is so comfortable with its autonomy that the driver's seat faces backward. Its interior panels are covered in touch screens and any navigating you might actually do can be accomplished through eye movements and hand gestures.
New technology to make your home smarter
Improving control over the control
BMW and Volkswagen showed off dashboard panels that put the hands back in hands-free. The displays use gesture recognition so drivers can adjust the volume of the stereo, or take and dismiss phone calls with simple waves of the hand.
Cars that self-diagnose
Chevrolet revealed new diagnostic technology that can predict when certain engine components need attention and alert the driver before it starts affecting the car's performance. Slated to appear in Tahoes, Suburbans, Corvettes and other models later this year, it will start with a focus on the battery, starter motor and fuel pump before being expanded to other parts.
Connected, even when you're not in the car
Nokia's HERE navigation subsidiary partnered with BMW to create cloud-based services that start before you get in the car and keep going after you get out. "Intelligent Drive" syncs mapped routes between your mobile phone and the dashboard nav, recommends where and when to fuel up and park, and helps you get from your spot to your final destination on foot.
Preventing accidents
Going beyond vehicle-to-vehicle communication, Volvo is developing technology that alerts drivers to the possibility of a collision with a cyclist, and vice versa. Coordinating GPS locations from the car and the biker's smartphone in the cloud, an algorithm determines the potential for an accident and alerts the driver via head's up display on the windshield and warns the biker by flashing LEDs and enabling vibration in a Bluetooth-connected helmet.
"Connected safety is a totally new domain," Klas Bendrik, Group CIO at Volvo Cars told CBS News. "We are taking the | 383 |
A birth certificate is a vital<|fim_middle|> or citizenship, and are frequently rejected by the Bureau of Consular Affairs during passport applications. Many Americans believe the souvenir records to be their official birth certificates, when in reality they hold little legal value. In most cases only certified copies can be used for apostille or embassy legalization. | record that documents the birth of a child. The term "birth certificate" can refer to either the original document certifying the circumstances of the birth or to a certified copy of or representation of the ensuing registration of that birth. Depending on the jurisdiction, a record of birth might or might not contain verification of the event by such as a midwife or doctor. The actual record of birth is stored with a government agency. That agency will issue certified copies or representations of the original birth record upon request, which can be used to apply for government benefits, such as passports. The certification is signed and/or sealed by the registrar or other custodian of birth records, who is commissioned by the government.
Long form - legal size or two-page form with details of the person, their parents', place of birth, certification by the parents, signature and stamp of the issuing agency or department. You will need a long form birth certificate if you are applying for dual citizenship, adoption, etc.
Most hospitals in the U.S. issue a souvenir birth certificate, which may include the footprints of the newborn. However, these birth certificates are not legally accepted as proof of age | 232 |
"A classic thriller as two youngsters race from crooks, kidnappers and the police … in search of their long-lost father<|fim_middle|>919 | . A wonderful, gripping story, from the first words to the last." Chris Barraclough, the author of BAT BOY, keeps his readers spellbound – not just by the frantic, hilarious and wildly suspenseful plot, but by the perfectly realised character of Joel, the narrator, who is 12 years old and has been blind since birth.
Chris Barraclough is an award-winning author and journalist, based in London. BAT BOY, his first full-length novel, won the 2010 International UKAuthors Opening Pages Competition Award, and has garnered garnered high praise for its wildly humorous and suspenseful story – one that never lets up, carrying Joel and his brother on a desperate journey, twisting and turning through the seedy backstreets of London and finally out to sea, for a superbly dramatic climax.
Reviewed by Graham Sclater on Venture Radio (mp3)
A fresh and well-voiced story with real depth of character. Joel is well-drawn – both witty and hardened, but still naive and boyish at the same time. His voice is absorbing and clear, and the wry sarcasm in Pat's voice is a good counter-balance. The story really does yomp along but is intriguing and articulate from page one. Joel's blindness is originally described and the whole story is awash with sensory descriptions that bring his world to life. — Holly Howitt, author The Schoolboy (Cinnamon Press)
A classic thriller as two youngsters race from crooks, kidnappers and the police…in search of their long-lost father. A wonderful, gripping story, from the first words to the last. Marvellous! – UK Crime Writers
A fast-paced, ironic, highly satisfying, original story, told in a clear, direct style and the voice of an instantly engaging character, in a vivid, threatening setting. The whole book had us riveted. – UK Authors Opening Pages judging panel, when awarding first prize to BAT BOY
(Out of Print)
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UKAPress part of UKAuthors.com
© UKAuthors.com 2003 - 2 | 442 |
The Big Apple Returns
This used to be my favourite city.
Marc and I spent a good deal of time here BC (before children) and loved every minute of it. We were travelling for business, on expense accounts with buckets of disposable income. We were young(er) with no real responsibilities or cares. We played in the city until the wee hours of the morning and suffered few regrets. And then children, marriage, mortgages, school fees, and all the associated pressures seemed to shift into the top priority slots. Frivolous holidays in New York? Who can afford that? Besides, what could the children possibly find entertaining in a city full of the most expensive hotels and restaurants ot to mention the top notch bars and nightclubs?
Ok, so I wasn't fully committed to finding the answers to those questions. Until now. And let me tell you, I have now found answeres galore.
So, where did I start with the planning for this holiday? Simple: I started with them. A simple question such as "What would you like to see, eat, do, and learn when we go to NYC?" was more than adequate to get this party started.
Abigail's answer was simple: The Statue of Liberty. She then elaborated by informing us that she thought someone would discover her on the streets of NYC and ask her to do modelling. I smiled. Funny, I used to think that myself......still do in my dreams. Sebastian's answer was a little more complex (of course, it is). Seb wanted to know why NYC was significant in the history of the USA and why it remains the most vibrant city in the world. Oh God, this was going to require some research.
Or maybe not...... I decided to let the city speak for itself.
We arrived Sunday night and the first thing Sebastian said after the taxi dropped us off in mind numbing heat and humidity was that he thought the city stank. Yep, there is a stench about it this time of year. Or most times of the year.
After a refreshing shower we headed out the front door of our hotel, crossed Central Park South into, you guessed it, Central Park and walked towards Columbus Circle. We saw some super fit black men doing a break dance/acrobatic performance. It was set to get dance tunes and the children loved watching it although Abigail did seem to find more than a little amused by the comment that seeing a black man running in Manhattan without a police officer chasing him was very unusual. Abigail caught a Chinese woman apparently hypnotising a Chinese man whilst sitting on a park bench. We caught a cab and directed him uptown. Way uptown. To Harlem.
Many of you might be thinking at this point, I done gone and lost my mind. Nope, I was hungry and there ain't no place better to fix an aching, empty belly than Harlem. Me was going to get me some soooooouuuuuul food.
The yellow cab drove us all the way up to 110th and barely stopped to collect his fare and kick us to the curb. We walked into the restaurant and was told to sit ourselves down just anywhere we liked, as long as someone else wasn't sitting there. Well, that's simple enough.
Their homemade lemonade was declareded by the children to be the best lemonade in the entire world and children have drank a lot of lemonade. We ordered ribs, fried chicken, cornbread,cornbread stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and green beans. Abigail went for the catfish fish fingers. And chips. We can bring a girl all the way to NYC from England and she orders fish and chips. What can I say?
We ate until we thought we would explode. Or the jet lag would leave us a lumps of lard huddled in the chairs. When it came time to ask for the bill, 2 slices of cake (1 chocolate, 1 red velvet) were delivered all packaged up for us to take home with us. Gratis. Free. Complimentary. No charge. They had such a great time listening to us and were so charmed by the children's English accents and manners they gave them cake. Get them! The children were so pleased<|fim_middle|> the fast-paced, mundane world of school runs, ballet shows, full time employment outside the home, grocery shopping, sports days and Friday nights sat in front of a television until you fall asleep because you're too knackered to even consider a marathon night of mind blowing sex every night of the week, these books are fun to read. And might even lead to 10 minutes of "well, that wasn't so bad" sex with the one you love.
So, jump down from that towering pedestal of judgement on which you are comfortably perched and let me read what I want to read, for whatever reason I want to read.
My only criticism is not aimed at E.L. James or the books. I do have a problem with where and how these books are being sold. I don't want my 8 year old daughter picking them up off a table at the front of the store and flicking through it. I'm not going to dictate when children should be allowed to read these books. That is up to the parents. Could the publisher please put a paper ring around the books which would prevent them from being flipped through in the book store? That way my daughter will only find the books on my iPad and read it at home.
I didn't get a chance to say all this on the radio. But if you missed it or was wondering what I was on about, if you did hear it, now you know!
Labels: books, Fifty Shades, reading | with themselves, they wouldn't go to sleep. Abigail thought this might be better than being discovered as a star in the making.
We finally collapsed into our beds, shattered from a long day our travel and the early excitement of a city just waiting to show us what it had to offer our new demographic despite the humidity. Maybe, NYC is still my favourite city.
EDITOR'S NOTE: My iPad is to blame for the lousy state of this article when I first posted it. It wouldn't let me do any formatting. Sorry, if you had to read it like that. I will do my best to do my duty to ensure future technology challenges are beaten down. Into the ground!
Posted by LaDawn at 12:17 pm 2 comments:
Labels: Betty Ford, blackberry, holidays, New York, summer, USA
Back in July 2004, we moved into our new house. Abigail was only 6 months old and we had gone from living in the centre of Windsor, a bustling town, to a rural spot in Old Windsor, a sprawling village. We had bought a house that was 1 in a row of 4 cottages and a week later new people moved into the cottage right next to ours.
They were a young unmarried couple. He worked for the same company as I and she was a veterinarian. In those early days we rarely saw them. They sailed on the weekends and we were busy raising our family. Once, before they had their own children, he picked up Sebastian and hung him upside down. Then promptly let him slip from his hands. Seb dropped to the pavement and landed on his shoulders. His wife was horrified (so was I) but once we determined that Sebastian was absolutely fine, we found the humour in it and still laugh about it today. But soon they were married and then the babies began to arrive, all three little girls.
We grew closer to them as they faced the challenges of raising a family and were home on the weekends juggling taking care of children and a garden and a house with all the loads of laundry and meals to prepare and schools to evaluate. He was babysitting one night for a few hours and upon his arrival, Sebastian announced that having just done a massive poo "I want you to wipe this" pointing at his bum. The look on his face was hilarious. Marc and I bee lined it out the door and let him get on with it. His daughter's have since had their revenge on me.
As the girls got older and Sebastian went off to boarding school, Abigail started spending more and more time around their home. Those little girls became like sisters. She was the big sister and they adored her. She would quite happily lead them in make believe tea parties or play with doll houses. She read them books and kept them out of their mother's hair.
They taught her how to ride a bike and fed her endless fresh fruit platters.
We have handed down all of Abigail's clothes (even those that were handed down to us). There is something very satisfying about seeing hand me downs on the girls. Makes me feel like we are wasting the planet less. The girls love to think they are wearing Abigail's clothes. It is like they used to belong to a princess.
She loves these little girls and a deep loving friendship has grown between them. I hope it will serve as a model of true friendship the rest of their lives.
Today those neighbours are moving. Their family of 5 has outgrown their tiny 3 bedroom cottage and they've bought a house up the hill. It isn't far but it is too far to walk, too far to borrow a pint of milk or an egg or a cup of sugar or a bottle of ketchup. It's too far to pop round for a cup of tea and a slice of cake on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It's too far to ask for emergency babysitting.
I am so very sad to see them go. I'm not sure how Abigail will cope with losing her little sisters. Last night she told me she was sad but hoped we could go round to visit. I know it won't be the same. Deep down, she knows it won't be either.
We are lucky to have had them as neighbours and we wish them lots of love and happy memories in their new home. We also hope they miss us lots and invite us round for tea and cake on rainy Sunday afternoons.
Course of Human Events
What follows is what I consider to be one of the greatest complaint letters ever written. Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, and reviewed/edited by John Adams, and Ben Franklin, the Declaration was a letter to King George to express why the united states of America had been at war with Britain for over a year. It clearly itemises their complaints and on what grounds they felt they had the right to complain. They were passionate. They were reasonable. They were courageous. Read to the end.....you wouldn't want to miss that last sentence!
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish [[sic]] brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Happy Independence Day. BBQ safely!
Labels: history, USA
Fifty Shades of BBC Radio Berkshire
Last week I'm sitting in my office happily minding my own business writing various blog posts, short stories, tweets, and occasionally glancing at my novel. You know, the usual stuff. I had been dealing with some difficult phone calls all morning long and I was feeling a bit low.
The phone rings mid afternoon and the man on the other ends announces that he is with BBC Radio Berkshire and my friend, the indomitable Melanie Gow, is doing her usual stint on The Culture Show. The show had run into a slight glitch in that they were discussing the publishing sensation that has become the Fifty Shades Trilogy and non one in the studio had actually read the books. they wondered if I would be willing to weigh in. And, Mel knowing me the way she knows me, knew that I would have read all the books.
For those of you living in a cave or under a rock, Fifty Shades is a series of 3 books, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed. A young virgin (22) just graduating from university (already unlikely) meets a very, very, very rich older man (27). Ok, not that much older but don't spoil this for me. He proposes that she become his submissive to his dominance in a somewhat twisted contract of employment which would clearly never hold up in an employment tribunal.
Ana, aka young virgin, is appalled but cannot resist the smoldering, good looks and charm of Christian, aka twisted sexual deviant. I won't be giving anything away when I say she looses her virginity to him and a whole lot of other things.
The buzz and hum of the media is marvelling at how this series of books has broken all publishing records. 10 million copies sold in 6 weeks? The author, E.L. James, has crushed every record set, although critics are saying she can't sustain the sales to break some of the long standing records of the Harry Potter series. I say, oh, just watch her.
The media has gotten themselves all worked up over the fact that, first off, there's a lot of sex in the book and, secondly, the sex is graphic. Woop de doop, I say!
Now I won't lie, the sex scenes are titillating. But they are also fascinating. I suspect that most readers like myself, don't know all that much about bondage, submissives, dominance, and being tied up. I suspect very few readers have a sex life that resembles anything like the sex described in the book.
So the media just needs to calm themselves down. This is a bit of escapism. That's it. We all read the Twilight series and none of us wanted to become vampires.
These books are not under any circumstances high literature. They are poorly written and repetitive. In fact they are so repetitive, I found I could scan entire pages and not lose the plot. I could just jump to the juicy bits.
E.L. James started this series as a fan website for the Twilight series of books which was a very chaste series written as it was by Stephanie Myers, a devout Mormon who believed girls should not have sex until marriage. Bella certainly didn't have sex with Edward, the vampire, until they were married. There was a lot of kissing going on but little else. I reckon those books would have been a lot better if Bella knew what sex with a vampire was like before she promised to love, honour, and cherish forever. And with a vampire, forever is a long time. The Twilight series wasn't a well written series either. But no one got themselves into a twist. And he was a very much older man!
Besides, the Fifty Shades trilogy is, after all, just a romance series. I getting ready to spoil the whole series here so if you haven't read the last book and don't want (or can't guess) how it ends, stop reading this paragraph. Ana successfully breaks through Christian's sexual deviance and together they resolve the incredible damage done to his character by the sexual abuse of an older woman at a young age. He learns to love in a gentle and respectful manner. Ana also learns to have a bit of fun and engage in fantasies. They meet in the middle as two adults with a very fulfilling sex life. Which I reckon is really all most readers would like.
In | 3,509 |
LAUREN JENKINS -NO SAINT
Posted in: What's New | No Comments | Posted<|fim_middle|> her passion and authentic songwriting that blend traditional Country roots with Americana influences. The Texas‐born, Carolina‐raised musician has picked up a variety of inspirations throughout her travels from the Southern charm of Charleston and artistic vibe of New York City to the eclectic sounds of Music City.
Her first EP, The Nashville Sessions, prompted "One to Watch" praise from Rolling Stone and Billboard and additionally she has been named an "Artist to Watch in 2019" by outlets such as Sounds Like Nashville, The Tennessean and Taste of Country among others. Outside of her headline ventures, Jenkins has toured with acts such as Lady Antebellum, Delta Rae and Martina McBride. | on March 15, 2019 by Grumpy
Named one of The New York Times Artists to Watch for 2019, Lauren Jenkins releases her highly anticipated debut album No Saint on March 15 via Big Machine Records.
With a sound described by Refinery29 as "musically so damn good and, well, pure" her debut album has been named by American Songwriter as "One of 2019's more anticipated releases in the borderless world of country music" and described by The New York Times as a collection that "..surrounds her most bitter tidings with gleaming guitars and bright harmonies."
Several video pieces have been released to date to tease the full concept of a forthcoming short film of the same name, created by and starring Jenkins. The film sets Jenkins's music and passion for storytelling against the backdrop of the American West and the first trailer recently premiered at Variety's Music for Screens
Honing her craft since the age of 15, Jenkins has mesmerized crowds with | 212 |
I will be doing another exciting India photography workshop on March 18th – 29th, 2019. I am not sure I have ever been anywhere in the world as photogenic as India and up in the north, in Rajisthan, it is just off the wall amazing for photography. The incredibly bright colors and eye candy in every direction is non stop and there are photo ops everywhere you look. We will be traveling all over the north of India in Rajisthan to some of my favorite locations including New Delhi and then of course the Taj Mahal in Agra, which is hard to describe in terms of pure magic for your camera.
We will also be able to photograph behind the Taj Mahal in one of my favorite places, along the river on the backside of the Taj where one of my best buddies lives behind the Taj Mahal with his family. We will also travel to Jaipur, home of the painted elephants which we will photograph by the huge and one of a kind, Agra Fort. The city of Jaipur is<|fim_middle|> how and when to apply for your e-visa as it is a lot of questions but is easy to apply. I love doing visas for foreign countries online!
India uses 230 Volts, 50 Hz alternating current as the power source. Plugs and sockets have either grounded / earthed 3 Pin connections (Type D) or ungrounded 2 pin connections (Type C). You will need a plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter. View more information about electrical standardsaround the world.
India is a very dirty country so you have to bring lots hand sanitizer and be careful of what you eat and what you drink. Only drink bottled water. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.
Hepatitis A: The CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in India, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
Typhoid: You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in India. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.
Malaria: Talk to your doctor about how to prevent malaria while traveling. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, especially if you are visiting low-altitude areas. See more detailed information about malaria in India. | my favorite city in all of India and with the Pink City, Floating Palace and and very special painted elephants, this is one amazing place.
We will also photograph the incredibly colorful Holi Festival in Rajasthan where it is all about color. Holi is a Hindu spring festival celebrated in India and Nepal, also known as the " festival of colours" or the "festival of love". The Holi festival involves covering everyone in colored powder and water and the images from this incredible festival are second to none!
We will also fly to the religious center of the entire country. Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River's sacred waters and perform funeral rites. This is beyond words in terms of photography and something you have to experience to believe. We will also photograph the people bathing in the Ganges and so much more in this incredibly unique city.
I am limiting this workshop to a maximum of 8-9 people as I do not like large groups in foreign countries. The workshop will cost $5,800 and will include transportation in air conditioned buses, a guide throughout all of Rajisthan and Varinasi, all transfers, entrance fees to monuments, all hotels which are at least 4 star hotels and all buffet breakfasts and buffet dinners in the hotels.
I will be helping everyone understand the best ways to capture this amazing country and work with each person individually on their photography. My guide is very knowledgeable and one of the best in India and I want to make sure everything is nailed down perfect for 2019. I already have many people interested so if you think you want to come, please email me here asap as I am sure there will be a waiting list soon. This is going to be one of the most photogenic workshops I have ever run as India has no match anywhere on earth for photo opportunities! To see more images of India on my site here, click on this link.
This workshop includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness. The weight of a camera backpack through the dirty and dusty streets can take it's toll on anyone. India is a very dirty country in almost every city.
The climate is always hot and can be pretty humid at times but going in March is a pretty good time of the year for the good temps. The average for March in Rajasthan is usually a low of 63 degrees and a high of 92 degrees. Plan on being hot and bringing a towel to wipe away your sweat is always a good idea!
Shorts are probably what you will want to wear most days with light shirts but nights can be cooler. I would also bring a few pairs of long pants and hiking shoes or tennis shoes. I like to wear good sandals such as Tevas…and you might want to bring a pair of these as they keep you cooler and cut down on bringing so many socks. A light rain jacket is a good idea too.
The currency in India is the Rupee. The best place to exchange money is not in the airport but at money changers in the city. We will exchange money as a group on the first day but make sure you bring extra cash for tips and also a major credit card.
U.S. citizens must have a passport which is valid for at least six months after your arrival date. U.S. passport holders must have an e-visa to enter India, which you will apply for online. I will give everyone instructions on | 735 |
ESOL Tutoring Services
ESOL Tutoring Services: Home
Image sources: Combination of Books Bookstore by pixabay user LubosHouska Used under CC0 and Study in group by Wikimedia Commons user Warateens Used Under Public Domain
Downtown Campus: Deerwood Center:
Mondays - Tuesdays: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; 12:30p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (by appointment)* Wednesdays - Thursdays: 8 a.m-12 p.m.; 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (by appointment)*
Friday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.; 12:30p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (by appointment)*
Conversation Club 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
*Students can contact dcobis@fscj.edu or 904-632-3016 to set up an appointment. Appointments are for individual or small group tutoring sessions.
ESOL Tutor Information
Conversation Club Information
Practice Makes Perfect: Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners, Second Edition by Mark Lester PRINT: Take your English Grammar skills to the next level and speak with confidence! To fully understand how to speak English effectively you must move beyond the fundamental principles of grammar and tackle more sophisticated sentence constructions. Practice Makes Perfect: Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners focuses on intermediate- to advanced-level topics to help you create more complex, meaningful sentences and communicate more naturally. Instead of just applying sets of rules, Practice Makes Perfect: Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners helps you better understand the nuances of the language and develop your skills and confident as a native speaker by providing easy-to-absorb explanatory materials, examples, and exercises. Inside you will find: *Dozens of exercises in formats suited to your learning style *Example sentences that illustrate and clarify each grammatical point *A detailed answer key for quick, easy progress checks *Diagnostic exercises, new to this second edition, that help identify topics that require special attention Learn the Ins and Outs of: Non-count nouns * Possessives formed with of * Articles and quantifiers * Deriving adjectives from verb participles * Key rules for verb forms and tenses * Modal auxiliary verbs * Get passives * Restrictive and nonrestrictive adjective clauses *Identifying gerunds and infinitives * The use of noun clauses
Call Number: PE1112 .L44 2017 (Deerwood ESOL)
English U. S. A. Every Day by Gilda Martinez-Alba PRINT: A Fun ESL guide to American culture and language English USA Every Day helps familiarize immigrants and ESL learners with American culture and language in a fun, lighthearted way. Readers will learn about everything from finding a job and locating an organic grocery store to facts about American culture and enjoying the night life<|fim_middle|> on a single verbal or grammatical concept, providing concise yet comprehensive explanations.
Perfect Phrases for ESL by Natalie Gast Now you'll know what to say atthe right time in any situation ESL specialist Natalie Gast knows from her experiencethat the workplace presents some unique situations. Inthis book she presents scenarios, business slang, andother linguistic issues that typical language texts don'tgo into--for example, how to break the ice with smalltalk or ask for clarification. These hundreds of phrases will help younot only survive but thrive in your chosen field.
ACCUPLACER for Dummies with Online Practice by Mark Zegarelli Get on the right college path with the next-generation ACCUPLACER The next-generation ACCUPLACER is a compilation of computerized assessments that's designed to evaluate a student's skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and computer abilities. Next-generation ACCUPLACER determines how prepared students are for college courses, and places them in the appropriate course level where they will best succeed and grow as a learner. Next-Generation ACCUPLACER For Dummies with Online Practice is the one-stop guide for students who want to get a head start on scoring well on the important college placement tests for reading, writing, and math. With tips, tricks, and plenty of practice questions in the book, plus two full-length practice tests online, it helps you know what to expect and perform your absolute best on test day. Identify knowledge gaps and areas of strength Find skill-building support with tools that improve your readiness for college Get placed into the right college course Discover preparation tactics and opportunities for individual success If you're looking for a one-stop resource for preparing for the next-generation ACCUPLACER, the book starts here!
Accudemia/ Ready Set Swipe
Ready Set Swipe/ Accudemia
The FSCJ Library and Learning Commons has a system to help our service to our students.
URL: https://guides.fscj.edu/ESOL
Tags: English As A Second Language, English for Speakers of Other Languages, ESOL | . Each chapter includes new vocabulary and idioms that are common in the U.S.A., as well as fun activities such as true or false questions, crosswords, matching games, "Write It Down," "Stop and Think," "Story Time," and more that help reinforce the lessons. There are also 2--4 dialogues in each chapter that show how people speak conversationally, with new vocabulary and idioms to learn and practice. Accompanying audio for each dialogue helps listeners learn how to speak just like Americans. An answer key is included at the back of the book.
Call Number: PE1128 .M35295 2017 (Deerwood, Downtown)
Practice Makes Perfect Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners by Robin Torres-Gouzerh PRINT: Master English grammar through hands-on exercises and practice, practice, practice Now with digital support! Continuing the success of the bestselling PracticeMakes Perfect series, Practice Makes Perfect: Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners embraces all aspects of English grammar that you need to advance your English-language skills. This practical, insightful book helps you in understanding how and why certain grammar elements are used. With help from this book, you will move beyond the basics and master the subtleties that come naturally to native speakers. This second edition provides you with invaluable digital tools to ensure mastery of the content. Features: New flashcards with multiple-choice review exercises pinpoint areas of difficulty Example sentences that illustrate and clarify each grammatical point An answer key for all exercises in the book
Call Number: PE1128 .T677 2016 (Deerwood ESOL)
English Made Easy by Jonathan Crichton; Pieter Koster PRINT: This is a fun and user-friendly way to learn English English Made Easy is a breakthrough in English language learning--imaginatively exploiting how pictures and text can work together to create understanding and help readers learn more productively. It gives beginner English learners easy access to the vocabulary, grammar and functions of English as it is actually used in a comprehensive range of social situations. Self-guided students and classroom learners alike will be delighted by the way they are helped to progress effortlessly from one unitto the next, using a combination of pictures and text to discover for themselves how English works. The pictorial method used in this book is based on a thorough understanding of language structure and how language is successfully learned. The authors are experienced English language teachers with strong backgrounds in language analysis and language learning. English Made Easy, Volume 1 consists of a total of 20 units arranged in groups of five. The first four units present language and provide learners the opportunities to practice as they learn. The first page of each unit has a list of all the words and phrases to be learned in that unit, together with a pronunciation guide. At the end of each unit, an entertaining story which uses the language that has just been learned is presented. The fifth unit in each group contains exercises designed to reinforce the languagelearned in the first four units.
Call Number: PE1128 .C773 2015 (Deerwood ESOL)
ESL Beginner by Johanna Pugni; Dianne Ramdeholl; Linda Robbian; Sherry Boguchwal The ESL-Beginner covers basic English grammar for those just learning the language. Topics include nouns and noun phrases, verbs simple sentences, compound sentences, and modifiers. Students enhance their speaking abilities through individual exercises, class discussions, and group projects that are both fun and effective learning devices.
Call Number: PE1128 .E82 2003 (Downtown)
Everyday American English Dictionary by Richard A. Spears; Linda Schinke-Llano; Betty Kirkpatrick This simplified dictionary for learners of English, which has sold more than 100,000 copies in its previous edition, provides easy access to a basic vocabulary of 5,500 everyday English words. Entries have clear, simple, easy-to-understand definitions and include pronunciations and parts of speech.
Call Number: PE2835 .E86 2000 (Deerwood, South)
Starting Lines by David Blot; David M. Davidson Staring Lines uses the community language learning experience to explore and validate student experiences while developing basic writing skills.
Call Number: PE1128 .B5935 1995 (Deerwood, Downtown)
Easy English Step-by-Step by Bregstein; Danielle Pelletier You've come to the right place for learning English quickly and easily! Easy English Step-by-Step for ESL Learners is based on the idea that the quickest route to learning this subject is building a solid foundation in the basics. You won't find a lot of pointless discussion; instead, you get an original, step-by-step approach to mastering English, with important concepts linked together by clearexplanations, appropriate exercises, and helpful answers. The first steps introduce you to the everyday expressions of the English language, allowing you to communicate in a variety of everyday situations almost immediately. Gradually, a series of interconnected steps takes you from simple to more challenging concepts at your own pace, with a variety of increasingly difficult exercises to practice what you've learned. After working through these exercises, you'll have a better grasp of the subject along with the knowledge and skills you need to handle English with confidence. Easy English Step-by-Step for ESL Learners features: Easy-to-understand grammar explanations with multiple examples Realistic conversations for practical situations, from Shopping to Getting Around Town and Making Friends Helpful communication strategies, including the use of gestures and body language Exercises to help test what you've learned and measure progress Online audio recordings to improve pronunciation and fluency Danielle Pelletier is the president of English League, a translation and workforce training companythat provides English and foreign-language training and cross-cultural education to international students andprofessionals working in universities and corporations.
Call Number: PE1128 .P379 2014 (Deerwood)
Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners by Robin Torres-Gouzerh Take your English skills to the next level Continuing the success of the bestselling PracticeMakes Perfect series, Practice Makes Perfect IntermediateEnglish Grammar for ESL Learners embraces allaspects of English grammar that youneed to continue acquiring the language. More thanjust a guide to help you memorize English grammar,this practical, insightful book aids you inunderstanding how and why certain grammar elementsare used. Under the guidance of this book, youwill move beyond the basics and master the subtletiesthat come naturally to native speakers.
Call Number: PE1128 .T677 2008 (Deerwood)
Basic English Grammar with Audio CD, with Answer Key by Betty Schrampfer Azar; Stacy Hagen Basic English Grammar is a classic developmental skills text for beginning students of English as a second or foreign language. It uses a grammar-based approach integrated with communicative methodologies to prmote the development of all language skills. While keeping the same basic approach and materials as in earlier edtions, the fourth edition continues to build on the foundation of understanding form and meaning by engaging students in meaningful communication about real actions, real things, and their own lives in classroom context. Several of the new features are: Information in the grammar charts highlighting differences between spoken and written English Step-by-step writing activities with models for students to follow Innovative warm-up exercises that precede the grammar charts and introduce points to be taught Newly created exercises to give students more incremental grammar practice Structure-based listening exercises that introduce students to relaxed, reduced speech
Call Number: PE1128 .A96 2014 (Deerwood)
Essential Idioms in English by Robert J. Dixson From catching a cold to landing on your feet, idiomatic expressions add color and style to the English language. The latest edition of Essential Idioms in English remains the resource of choice for mastering more than 500 common English idioms, phrasal verbs, and collocations. Essential Idioms in English thoroughly defines and illustrates each idiom, then reinforces its meaning and usage with multiple-choice, true-false, fill-in-the-blank, and matching exercises.
Call Number: PE1128 .D513 2004 (Downtown)
ESL Conversation Lessons by Alex Forero PRINT: ESL Conversation Lessons: Instant Lessons that Get your English Language Students Talking! is the complete resource for ESL/EFL teachers created to really get your students talking through interesting and fun topics.This book contains not only questions but also activities including, role-plays, board games, discussions and much more designed to get your students speaking effortlessly. Lessons are best suited to lower intermediate to advance level learners.Features:* Instant lessons. Print and go type lessons inside.* Easy to follow lessons.* Hundreds of questions PLUS plenty of other conversation activities.* Tried and tested topics that students all over the world can talk about.* Online access- FREE Downloadable worksheets provided online for easy printing.All materials are organised and integrated in a structured lesson plan planned to eliminate your preparation time while giving your students a perfectly structured lesson.Offer your students the best lessons with ESL Conversation Lessons: Instant Lessons that Get your English Language Students Talking!
Call Number: PE1131 .F674 2016 (Deerwood)
Understanding and Using English Grammar by Betty S. Azar; Stacy A. Hagen PRINT: For nearly forty years, Understanding and Using English Grammar has been the go-to grammar resource for students and teachers alike. Its time-tested approach blends direct grammar instruction with carefully sequenced practice to develop all language skills. New to This Edition Pretests at the start of each chapter enable learners to check what they already know. Updated grammar charts reflect current usage and highlight differences between written and spoken English. A new chapter on article usage. A variety of high-interest readings include reviews, articles on current topics, and blogs that focus on student success. Additional incremental practice helps learners better grasp concepts, while thematic exercises and integrated tasks offer more contextualized language use. Step-by-step writing activities are supported by writing tips and pre-writing and editing tasks. MyEnglishLab (access code provided in the book) Rich online practice for all skill areas: grammar, reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Instant feedback and remediation. Grammar videos. Bonus material not included in the Student Book, including additional expanded practice of gerunds and infinitives. Robust assessments. Gradebook and diagnostic tools.
Call Number: PE1128 .A97 2017 (Downtown)
Essential Grammar in Use with Answers and Interactive Ebook 4th Edition by Raymond Murphy Grammar in Use is the world's best-selling grammar series for learners of English. Essential Grammar in Use Fourth edition is a self-study reference and practice book for elementary-level learners (A1-B1), used by millions of people around the world. With clear examples and easy-to-follow exercises, it is perfect for independent study, covering all the areas of grammar you will need at this level. This edition includes an eBook, for use on tablet devices and desktop and laptop computers. The eBook has the same grammar explanations and exercises found in the printed book, plus other great features such as integrated audio for all of the example sentences and an easy-to-use answer key.
Call Number: PE1128 .M77764 2015 (Downtown)
Rachel's English
American English - UH [ʌ] Vowel - How to make the UH Vowel
Rachel has a background in classical singing, and she brings her expertise of voice and pronunciation to all of her videos. If you're looking to "reduce" your accent or refine your pronunciation, Rachel's English is a great place to start.
ESLbasics
Tongue Twister - Woodchuck
This YouTube Channel has mini-lessons on vocabulary, idioms, and phrasal verbs, this channel is perfect for learning vocabulary quickly. This video playlist contains tongue twisters from Andrea Giordano to help you practice your pronunciation. The first one is the tongue twister entitled, "How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck".
Steve Ford's Most Popular Videos Playlist
How to improve your English speaking - Learn English Live 18 with Steve Ford
This video channel has English lessons from basic to fluency levels. You can use these channel to help you with TOEFL, studying business English, or improving your conversation skills. The playlist is Steve Ford's 19 most popular videos. In the first video on this list he answers questions from his students.
ESOL Helpful Links
English Listening Resources
Englishpage.com has created this collection of listening resources to help advanced English learners learn English online. The resources on this page include free online news and culture broadcasts, online music, online movies, online radio and more. (Most resources work best with high-speed Internet access.)
www.ManyThings.org
There are quizzes, word games, word puzzles, proverbs, slang expressions, anagrams, a random-sentence generator and other computer assisted language learning activities.
Pronunciation exercises from Merriam-Webster.
This webpage is created by the United States Department of State and it contains resources to help with learning American English. This link is to the section of this web-page that contains stories read in English. The site has many other helpful support such as links to activities you can select based on skills such as speaking, reading, writing and more. You can select different languages for the site to help with understanding the instructions.
Visual Dictionary Online
"The Visual Dictionary is designed to help you find the right word at a glance. Filled with stunning illustrations labeled with accurate terminology in up to six languages, it is the ideal language-learning and vocabulary dictionary for use at school, at home or at work."
Learning English is VOA's multimedia source of news and information for millions of English learners worldwide.
Let's Communicate by J. John Love Joy; Francis M. Peter
Call Number: eBook
Let's Communicate by J. John Love Joy; Francis M. Peter This book is designed as an ESL textbook/workbook for college students
How to Write Effective Business English by Fiona Talbot How to Write Effective Business English gives guidance to both native and non-native English speakers on how to express yourself clearly and concisely. With case studies and real-life examples that demonstrate how English is used internationally in business, and full of ideas to help you get your communications right first time, How to Write Effective Business English sets the scene for describing the benefits of good Business English, ideal for multinational companies where communication is a priority.For native English speakers, it may mean un-learning things you were taught at school and learning how to save time by getting to the point more quickly in emails; for elementary to immediate English speakers, it focuses on the areas that are easy to get wrong. How to Write Effective Business English uses real-life international business scenarios to develop your skills and provide you with some answers that even your boss might not kanow. You will learn a system to help you quickly and easily write emails, letters, CVs and more. Featuring sections on punctuation and grammar, checklists to help assess progress and now with a new chapter on how to write effectively for social media, How to Write Effective Business English has been praised by both native and non-native writers of English as an indispensable resource.
Odds and Ends of English Usage by Eduardo Rosset
English Verbs by Eduardo Rosset
This book is for Spanish speakers learning English.
Writing and Presenting in English by Petey Young The Rosetta Stone of Science is a useful and practical guide to presenting scientific research in the English language. It is written specifically for scientists who would like to improve the effectiveness with which they use the English language and improve their communicative skills in order to become published and develop more confidence in presenting their work at international conferences. Part 1 of the book covers the style preferred by today's leading journals, discusses how to prepare models for writing research papers, and provides advice for writing abstracts, proposals, and editing. Examples of cover letters are also given. Part 2 discusses the various arts and techniques used by successful presenters at scientific conferences. The content of the book is presented in a light, simple and informative manner making The Rosetta Stone of Science an entertaining and instructive read. This book will prove invaluable to all scientists, research fellows, post-docs, and graduate students whose first language is not English.
2000 Frases by Eduardo Rosset; Beryl Aguado Lait
This book level one book of 2000 phrases is a bilingual book for English and Spanish.
Mastering English by Carl Bache; Niels Davidsen-Nielsen The future of English linguistics as envisaged by the editors of Topics in English Linguistics lies in empirical studies which integrate work in English linguistics into general and theoretical linguistics on the one hand, and comparative linguistics on the other. The TiEL series features volumes that present interesting new data and analyses, and above all fresh approaches that contribute to the overall aim of the series, which is to further outstanding research in English linguistics.
English Verbs and Essentials of Grammar for ESL Learners by Ed Swick EBOOK: An all-in-one resource to help you sharpen your English verb and grammar skills Written with ESL learners like you in mind, this book provides essential concepts regarding verbs and grammar, as well as an appendix of helpful verb tables. English Verbs & Essentials of Grammar contains a multitude of examples using contemporary language to give you a taste of the language in real-life situations. Each unit focuses | 3,623 |
CFA hosts usually 2 friendly <|fim_middle|>; and again not lucky with 5vs.4….. | 4 national tournaments every year. The last tournament was held in Changsha, where Mexico, Romania and Morocco where the contenders together with us.
The preparation was quite good, without injuries, great atmosphere in the group, players who are becoming more mature. Many of our tactical concepts and way of playing were lost and forgot, normal after 6 months without training and play together.
The first game was against Mexico, a very physical team, with some good individualities, fighters as in the DNA of its people. We received 2 big slaps at beginning, 1'30" and were loosing down 2-0. Little by little we tried to play but the movement were too slow and especially we were un-able to compete. Mexico fought and competed, we watched them. One more time, one more demonstration how the level of intensity of the league, physical and mental is different from international competition. We scored a goal from kick in strategy but we hadn't even the time to celebrate and we received the 3-1. At the 1/2 time we talked, we analyzed that without the rule number 1: COMPETE, technic and tactic have no importance. In the second half we were better, more aggressive, more fluid in the movement of attack and always very dangerous in set pieces. We scored again by corner and with power player we hit a poste at 1 minute to the end…for a draw the honestly we deserved.
3rd Game against Romania, a very very well tactically organized team (congratulations to Coach Lupu for his great job), extremely dangerous in set pieces and very strong physically with an excellent finishing. We played our best game. First Half ended 2-1 for Romania, little bit better than us, the second 1/2 we played really really well, a great pressing where Romania was often forced to kick the ball far, and a great confidence in attack, creating many chances vs. their organized defense. The games was on 3-3, we risked because we wanted to win and on a count attack we received another goal due to a stupid individual mistake | 436 |
Vanderlande has launched a spare parts portal for customers, which will enable them to order items quickly and easily online. More than <|fim_middle|> Spanish, French and Polish. It is complemented by the personal support and professional expertise of Vanderlande's local representatives all around the world. | 100,000 different spare parts are available from parts.vanderlande.com, and users can find the items they need by browsing the portal's catalogue or via the search engine facility. A unique and interesting feature is that customers can even refine their search for parts used in their own installed base.
Although thousands of products are available on parts.vanderlande.com, the advanced search engine makes it easy to locate specific items by recognising many different terms of search queries. Customers can look for parts in various ways, for example by entering the OEM number, Vanderlande item number or a brief product description.
The spare parts portal offers Vanderlande customers an installed base search option including equipment identification code functionality. This means that search results can be refined to only show items that match those included in their own system's bill of material. Vanderlande can preprogram this into the portal for owners of Vanderlande systems who want to make their search even easier.
Once customers have identified the parts they want, they can also view relevant data such as technical information, pictures and drawings on the portal. The resource provides 24/7 online access to product information, prices and real-time stock availability. Users can track the status of their order and its delivery, as well as arrange repairs, and submit return and warranty requests.
Vanderlande has launched the portal in six languages: English, German, Dutch, | 288 |
You might recall my last attempt with making pizza crust – while the dough tasted delicious, I wasn't thrilled<|fim_middle|> pizza crust. | with the texture. I've read quite a bit about "00 flour", which is a very finely ground flour that is high in protein, and is the choice of Italian pizza makers around the world. It's not easy to find the specific brand favored by so many – Antimo Caputo – but thanks to the internet, you can order it online. Pizza recipes are pretty much all the same – flour, salt, yeast, water, and some extra virgin olive oil. But it's surprising to me how different the proportions are from chef to chef. In the end, I made up my own ratios, and I was quite pleased with the results. I like a very thin crust, so rolled out 1 ball of the dough into a large (to fit a 12 x 14 rectangular pizza stone), very thin, crust. I sized this recipe to use one full bag of the Antimo Caputo flour, so it makes enough dough for 6 pizzas. The next time I make one, I'm going to experiment with a thicker crusted, smaller pizza. I recommend cutting the dough into 6 dough balls after it has risen, rubbing them with some olive oil, and then placing them in ziplock bags to freeze. You can thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight when you are ready to use it, and then let it rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before rolling it out for pizza.
Place the flour and salt into a stand mixer with the dough hook attached and mix together for 30 seconds. Add the sugar to the warm water and then sprinkle the yeast over the warm water in the measuring cup. After a minute, gently stir it and then let it stand until the yeast is activated and has started foaming up, about 2 minutes.
With the mixer running on low, add the yeast water and the olive oil and let the mixer run on low until the dry ingredients are incorporate. Turn mixer to medium and let the dough hook knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
Remove the dough and shape it into a smooth ball. Place the dough in an oiled large mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm place to rise until 2-3 times the size, about 2-3 hours.
Punch dough down and divide into 6-8 dough balls for pizzas. (Extra dough may be oiled and placed in freezer bags to freeze for another use.) Roll out dough and top with desired toppings. Bake at the highest temperature your oven will go until the crust is crispy and browned, about 15 minutes.
Not sure what you disagree with Gloria – I've made this recipe many times and it works for me. That's not to say that other recipes online don't also work!
I would like to know if there is a difference between the all red bag of 00 flour and the red & white bag of 00 flour for your pizza dough recipe? I love the recipe. It is really good pizza dough.
I don't see an difference from the labeling on the bag – both by the same producer and both 00 and both soft wheat flour that's touted as great for | 653 |
Taste of Cinema - Movie Reviews and Classic Movie Lists > Lists > Film Lists > 10 Movies From 2017 That Could Be Nominated for Best Picture
10 Movies From 2017 That Could Be Nominated for Best Picture
Posted on December 20, 2017 December 20, 2017 by Justin Gunterman
Taste of Cinema previously did a way-too-early Best Picture prediction list, and to say that the choices were a little off would be an understatement. To be fair, nobody has any idea what the Oscars would look like back in the summer. In fact, people are still pretty confused about what the heck is going on this year. This is one of the most confusing Oscar years in recent memory thanks to the fact that nobody can come up with a general consensus. To be fair, the nominations are fairly consistent, but the actual winners are all over the place.
Luckily, as stated, the nominations are relatively similar across the board. Early critic awards have generally picked out the same crop of movies. As a result, it's relatively easy to pick ten movies that have a shot of sneaking into the Best Picture category. Picking a winner is a completely different story unless the guilds can actually come up with a similar conclusion.
Still, we've finally made it to a point where picking actual nominations is perfectly doable. With that in mind, expect the Best Picture field to look something like this. There could be a few small changes here and there, but these predictions should be relatively close to what people will see when nominations are announced. Check back in closer to the actual Oscars to get a definitive prediction list.
10. Mudbound
Mudbound has an unfortunate burden to carry; it's a Netflix original movie. After Almodovar and several other industry giants claimed that Netflix movies shouldn't be in the running for various awards, movies like Mudbound were sadly thrown under a bus. Though they often carry the same sizeable budgets, big-name stars, and viewership, the lack of a theatrical release has led the more conservative academy voters to deem them non-contenders. This means that out of every movie on the list, Mudbound has the most to lose.
It's not a lost cause though. Aside from the phenomenal reviews, Mudbound hasn't been completely shut out of the precursor awards. It hasn't done quite as well as several other movies, but it is earning some sort of recognition. New York Film Critics Online Awards awarded it with a Best Picture, though that's admittedly not exactly a big deal.
The strongest thing working in its favor is its nomination for Best Ensemble at the SAG awards. While the SAG awards aren't as consistent as other guild awards, an ensemble nomination is often a good boost for a struggling movie. The fact that it was able to beat out heavyweights like The Shape of Water, The Post, The Florida Project means people are at least paying attention.
At the same time, Beasts of No Nation did relatively well early on before getting completely shut out at the Oscars. Mudbound doesn't look like it'll be shut out entirely thanks to Mary J. Blige's acclaimed performance, but its Best Picture chances are a little foggier. The movie's fate should be sealed later on after further guild awards are announced. As of right now, it's a possibility but hardly an inevitability.
9. Phantom Thread
Ten years following the release of his most critically acclaimed movie, Paul Thomas Anderson finally reunites with Daniel Day Lewis to deliver another critical darling. There Will Be Blood was an awards juggernaut following its release, but Phantom Thread hasn't had the same success in terms of award performance. The reviews have been phenomenal, but it just can't seem to capture the attention of voters. It has done relatively well, but it's far from a serious contender at this point.
Back in 2007, it was No Country for Old Men versus There Will Be Blood versus Atonement. In other words, There Will Be Blood was one of three frontrunners to win it all. In 2017, people are more concerned with whether or not Phantom Thread will even get a nomination. The late December release date has done it no favors, but it also seems like it's just not connecting with certain viewers. The Post is a late-game contender as well, but it's not struggling in the same way. Phantom Thread has earned enough buzz to be labeled as a possibility, but it has some stiff competition.
8. The Florida Project
Considering how spread out these critic awards have been, it shouldn't be surprising to learn that The Florida Project has picked up quite a few Best Picture wins in the precursors. That's definitely going to help boost the movie, but the victories have all been courtesy of the lesser known critic awards. Now that it's game time, this poignant reflection on childhood has fallen a bit short. It couldn't secure a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama and it failed to earn an ensemble nomination at the SAG awards as well.
Luckily, it still seems like a pretty safe bet as long as the voters can make it up to eight nominations. Remember, the Best Picture category can feature anywhere from five to ten nominees. Assuming The Florida Project can get enough of those preferential votes, it should make its way into the highly competitive field. Generally speaking, voters tend to go for nine total nominations, which means the two movies below this one may have to duke it out. However, The Florida Project remains relatively safe. It's just not quite as safe as something like Dunkirk.
7. Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name is one of the best reviewed movie of the year. Luca Guadagnino isn't exactly a household name at this point, but his latest film looks to be his big break. His upcoming remake of Suspiria may have more mainstream appeal, but the general acclaim directed at this movie ensures that plenty of people will flock to see it. The coming-of-age drama has an astounding 95 Metascore, which makes it one of the best reviewed movies on the entire website.
It seems as though Call Me By Your Name and The<|fim_middle|> Oscar attention got a nice little break for a change. That brief period of peace is now over. It looks like Spielberg is back to directing timely movies with universal themes, which means someone has to step aside and leave some room. At this point, any drama directed by Steven Spielberg is a lock for a Best Picture nomination because that's just the way things go.
The Post has, no surprise, been an awards season hit so far. Though it failed to pick up an ensemble nomination at the SAG awards, it has done incredibly well everywhere else. The National Board of Review picked it as their best film, the Globes gave it a fair amount of attention, and the lesser critic awards are showering it with praise as well. Will the film win the Best Picture award? Probably not, but there's no denying the fact that it will show up in most of the major categories.
Movies From 2017 That Could Be Nominated for Best Picture
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10 Great Movies That Will Make You Lose Faith In Marriage | Shape of Water have kind of switched places, which is somewhat troubling for the acclaimed movie. Although it did incredibly well during the early stages of award season, it hasn't performed quite as strongly over the course of the past two weeks. Unfortunately, the more recent awards are generally considered to be the more important ones. If anything, this mostly means that Call Me By Your Name probably won't win the big prize come Oscar night. A nomination still seems likely, but it has to continue to perform relatively well.
6. The Post
Spielberg recently took a break from Oscar bait dramas to direct a cute family flick about a big friendly giant. This meant that the people who were hoping to earn some | 141 |
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When you are staying at the Marriott Walnut Creek or just in the neighborhood, you are invited to dine at Átrio where fresh cuisine is served. Make it a fun lunch with friends while you are on-the-go or a special date night enjoying the delicious offerings on our<|fim_middle|>able range of price points, you'll find the perfect pairing for an incredible meal at Atrio.
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Primary Examiner: Banks; Derris H.
Other References: Over/Under 13(.TM.) Blackjack, Gaming Concepts, Inc., 1988..
Abstract: A method for playing a card game between a banker and at least one player that includes a Pai Gow phase and at least one bonus phase using a number of cards fewer than the number used in the Pai Gow phase. The player wagers on the bonus outcome and the Pai Gow outcome. Cards are dealt to each player and dealer to form a partial hand. The player's partial hand is compared to a bonus payout schedule and appropriate payouts are made to the player. Then cards are dealt to each player and dealer until each hand is complete. The player and dealer divide their hands into low and high hands, then the player's and dealer's hands are compared, and appropriate payouts are made.
1. A method for playing a card game between a banker and at least one player, said game including a Pai Gow phase using a total number of cards, said Pai Gow phase having an outcome,said game including at least one bonus phase using a bonus number of cards, said bonus number of cards being less than said total number of cards and said bonus phase having an outcome, said method comprising the steps of: (a) allowing said player toplace a wager on said bonus phase outcome; (b) allowing said player to place a wager on said Pai Gow phase outcome; (c) providing a payout schedule including a set of winning bonus hands of said bonus number of cards; (d) dealing said bonus number ofcards to said player to form a player partial hand and to said banker to form a banker partial hand; (e) comparing said player partial hand to said winning bonus hands in said payout schedule to determine said bonus phase outcome; (f) making anappropriate payout to said player based on said bonus phase outcome; (g) dealing a number of cards to said player to add to said player partial hand to form a player Pai Gow hand of said total number of cards and to said banker to add to said bankerpartial hand to form a banker Pai Gow hand of said total number of cards; (h) allowing said player to divide said player Pai Gow hand into a player low hand and a player high hand; (i) allowing said banker to divide said banker Pai Gow hand into abanker low hand and a banker high hand, said banker low hand having the same number of cards as said player low hand; (j) comparing said player low hand to said banker low hand and said player high hand to said banker high hand to determine said Pai Gowphase outcome; and (k) making an appropriate payout to said player based on said Pai Gow phase outcome.
2. The method for playing a card game of claim 1 wherein said player low hand has the same or fewer cards than said player high hand, the rank of said player high hand is the same as or exceeds the rank of said player low hand and the rank ofsaid banker high hand is the same as or exceeds the rank of said banker low hand.
3. The method for playing a card game of claim 1 wherein said player low hand has two cards and said banker low hand has two cards.
4. The method for playing a card game of claim 3 wherein said total number of cards is seven and said bonus number of cards is three.
5. The method for playing a card game of claim 3 wherein said total number of cards is five and said bonus number of cards is three.
6. The method for playing a card game of claim 1 further comprising: (a) allowing said player to divide said player partial hand into a player partial low hand and a player partial high hand; (b) allowing said banker to divide said bankerpartial hand into a banker partial low hand and a banker partial high hand, said banker partial low hand having the same number of cards as said player partial low hand; (c) comparing said player partial low hand to said banker partial low hand and saidplayer partial high hand to said banker partial high hand to determine an outcome; and (d) making an appropriate payout to said player based on said outcome.
7. The method for playing a card game of claim 6 wherein said player partial low hand has the same or fewer cards than said player partial high hand, the rank of said player partial high hand is the same as or exceeds the rank of said playerpartial low hand and the rank of said banker partial high hand is the same as or exceeds the rank of said banker partial low hand.
The present invention relates to poker games, more particularly, to a form of Pai Gow poker that includes bonus hands.
A very popular casino card game is Pai Gow poker. A player is dealt seven cards which she then arranges to m a k e two hands: a two-card hand (low hand) and a five-card hand (high hand). Rankings are based on basic poker rankings. Thus, thehighest two-card hand is two aces, and the highest five-card hand is a royal flush. When arranging the cards into the two-card and five-card hands, it is important to remember that the five-card hand must be ranked higher than the two-card hand. Theobject is for the player's two-card hand to rank higher than the dealer's two-card hand and for the player's five-card hand to rank higher than the dealer's five-card hand. The dealer wins all tied hands. If the player wins one hand and loses the otherhand, a "push" results and no money exchanges hands. If the player wins both hands, she is paid even money, less a commission of typically 5%. If the player loses both hands, she loses the money wagered.
To start the game, the dealer deals out seven hands of seven cards each. Then the hands are placed in player or dealer positions depending upon the result of a random number generator. In some gaming establishments, the random number generatoris a set of three dice, where the sum of the dice determines the position to receive the first hand. In other establishments, the random number generator is a digital electronic device built into the table that displays a number 1 through 7, whichdetermines the position to receive the first hand. The remainder of the hands are placed in the remainder of the player and dealer positions in a clockwise direction. Each player then arranges his cards into a two-card low and a five-card high hand asdescribed above. The house dealer does not look at the cards until all players have set their hands in the designated table spaces face down. The dealer then turns his cards over and sets his hands in front of the tray face up. The arrangement ofcards into the two-card and five-card by which the dealer sets his hands are determined by rules of the gaming establishment. Finally, the player's hands are compared to the dealer's hand to determine the winners, losers, and ties.
There are two reasons why gaming establishments do not prefer Pai Gow poker. Not coincidentally, they are also reasons why the game is popular. The first is that, because of the number of steps involved, the game is rather slow: (1) the cardsare dealt, (2) the first position to receive a hand is determined, (3) the hands are placed, (4) the players set their hands, (5) the dealer sets his hand, and, finally, (6) the hands are compared and the winners are determined. The second reason thatgaming establishments are not fond of Pai Gow poker is that not every game wins or loses. A significant percentage of the time, a hand ends in a push, where no money changes hands, reducing the establishment's chance of winning.
An object of the present invention is to provide a Pai Gow poker game that provides a player more opportunities for winning than standard Pai Gow poker.
Another object is to provide a Pai Gow poker game that provides greater odds for the gaming establishment while retaining the aspects of the game that players like.
Another object is to provide a Pai Gow poker game that moves faster than standard Pai Gow poker.
The basic game of the present invention is a variation on standard Pai Gow poker with the inclusion of bonuses on partial hands. Another aspect is a Pai Gow-like poker game that is played with fewer than the standard seven cards. A third aspectis the inclusion of a side bet based on the random number generator used to determine which position receives the first hand.
The present specification describes five sample games: (1) a seven-card game with three-card and five-card bonus phases, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase; (2) a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, aseven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase; (3) a five-card game without bonuses; (4) a five-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a five-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional five-card bonus phase; and (5) a seven-card game withthree-card and five-card bonus phases, three-card, five-card, and seven-card Pai Gow phases, and an optional seven-card bonus phase.
The basic method of the present invention, that of example games 1, 2, 4 and 5, is a method for playing a card game between a banker and at least one player, where the game includes a Pai Gow phase using a total number of cards and at least onebonus phase using a bonus number of cards fewer than the total number. The game provides for the player to place a wager on the bonus outcome and the Pai Gow outcome and for a bonus payout schedule. Cards are dealt to each player and dealer to form apartial hand. The player's partial hand is compared to the bonus payout schedule and appropriate payouts are made to the player. Then cards are dealt to each player and dealer until each hand has a total number of cards. The player and dealer dividetheir hands into low and high hands, then the player's and dealer's hands are compared, and appropriate payouts are made.
Another basic method of the present invention, that of example game 3, is a method for playing a card game between a banker and at least one player, where the game provides for the player to place a wager on the outcome. Cards are dealt to eachplayer and dealer to form a hand of less than seven cards. The player and dealer divide their hands into low and high hands, then the player's and dealer's hands are compared, and appropriate payouts are made.
A third basic method of the present invention includes providing a side bet based on the result of a random number generator that is used to determine the first position to received cards during the deal of a Pai Gow game.
The present invention contemplates that the game may be played on a variety of media, including regular paper playing cards at a table and electronic media, such as video machines at gaming establishments, standalone personal computers, personalcomputers on a network, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a drawing of an example machine for playing the seven-card game with bonuses of the present invention.
The basic game of the present invention is a variation on standard Pai Gow poker with the inclusion of bonuses that may be won during the play of a game. The bonuses are based on partial hands received during the course of the game. Forexample, a bonus may be based on the first three cards dealt to the player and/or on the first five cards dealt to the player. Another aspect of the present invention is a Pai Gow-like poker game that is played with fewer than the standard seven cards,for example, five cards divided-into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. A third aspect of the present invention is the inclusion of a side bet based on the random number generator used in standard Pai Gow poker to determine which player ordealer position receives the first hand.
The term "card" is used in the present application to indicate a playing card or any facsimile thereof. For example, a card can be a paper playing card or an image of a card on a video display or ticket. Any representation of a playing card iscontemplated. In addition, each card has a value which, for the standard poker decks of 52 cards, includes the suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) and the number (2-10, J,Q,K,A). Finally, the general rules of Pai Gow poker include the use of a53.sup.rd card, a joker, that can be used to complete a straight, to complete a flush, or as an ace. In the present invention, the use of a joker or any other wild card is optional.
As described below, winning hands are typically determined by standard Pai Gow poker rankings. Standard Pai Gow poker rankings are the same as standard poker rankings, with the exception that the second highest straight is A-2-3-4-5. The use ofstandard Pai Gow rankings is merely a convenience, and are used primarily because most people know the rankings and know, for example, that it is more difficult to get a straight than to get a pair. However, the present invention contemplates that somestandard card combination may be excluded and that other card combinations may be used to determine winning hands. For example, straights and flushes may be excluded from the hand rankings. Examples of combinations that may be included in ranking arehands of all even numbered cards, hands with at least one card from each suit, and/or pairs of like-colored cards. Unless otherwise indicated, the examples in the remainder of the specification will use standard Pai Gow poker rankings.
Standard Pai Gow rules require that the two-card hand have a rank that is equal to or lower than the rank of the five-card hand. The present invention contemplates that the reverse may also be true, that the two-card hand is equal to or higherin rank that of the five-card hand.
Pai Gow may be played with a banker other than the gaming establishment, which means that the dealer does not necessarily represent the banker. The present invention contemplates that such an option is available. The remainder of thespecification uses the term, "dealer", to denote the person dealing the cards and the term, "banker", to denote the person or entity having the hand against which the players' hands are compared. It is possible, and generally likely, that the dealer andbanker will be the same.
Winning bonus hands of the present invention are generally paid as a multiple of the amount wagered. However, it is also contemplated that a bonus may be paid as a percentage of a jackpot that is "set" or "progressive". In a set jackpot, theamount put into the jackpot for each game is fixed, but the fixed amount may be adjusted periodically, for example, after the jackpot is won. In a progressive jackpot, the amount put into the jackpot increases for each game played during which thejackpot is not won.
Finally, non-monetary winnings, such as toys, gifts, or coupons, are possible. It is also contemplated that the game may be played for fun<|fim_middle|>, a five-card bonus phase is offered. The dealer or banker determines if any player that wagered on the five-card bonus phase is entitled to a seven-card bonus by comparing the five-card hand to a five-card bonus payout schedule. Ifthe player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the five-card payout schedule.
The example seven-card combined game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the three-card Pai Gow phase, the five-card bonus phase, the five-card Pai Gow phase, the seven-card Pai Gow phase, and/or theoptional seven-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 5, the gaming table 82 includes a position 84 for each player and a position 86 for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount inthe three-card bonus spot 88, wagering for the three-card Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card Pai Gow spot 90, wagering for the five-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in thefive-card bonus spot 92, wagering for the five-card Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card Pai Gow spot 94, and wagering for the seven-card Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the PaiGow spot 98, and wagering for the optional seven-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the seven-card bonus spot 96. Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in thatparticular game.
After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player position 84 to form a three-card partial hand and the dealer's position 86 to form a three-card partial hand. After the first three cards are dealt to each position, eachplayer that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing her three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cardsface up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the three-card payout schedule.
In the three-card Pai Gow phase, each player divides her three-card partial hand into a one-card low hand and a two-card high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot 100 at the player's position 84 and the high, hand is placed inthe appropriate spot 102 at the player's position 84. The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a one-card low hand and a two-card high hand. The player's hands are then compared to the banker's hands to determine if the total game is a win,loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that theplayer's complete three-card hand can be compared to the banker's complete three-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push.
After all players that have wagered on the three-card Pai Gow phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position 84 to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card partial hand and to the dealerposition 86 to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card partial hand. Now each player that wagered on the five-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a five-card bonus by comparing her five-card partial hand to a five-cardbonus payout schedule. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the five-cardpayout schedule.
In the five-card Pai Gow phase, each player divides her five-card partial hand into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot 100 at the player's position 84 and the high hand is placed in theappropriate spot 102 at the player's position 84. The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The player's hands are then compared to the banker's hands to determine if the total game is a win,loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that theplayer's complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker's complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push.
After all players that have wagered on the five-card Pai Gow phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position 84 to combine with the five-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand and to the dealerposition 86 to combine with the five-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand. Each player divides her seven cards into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot 100 at the player'sposition 84 and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot 102 at the player's position 84. The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The player's hands are then compared to the banker's handsto determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the presentinvention contemplates that the player's complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker's complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push.
As indicated above, the present invention contemplates that the game may be played on a variety of media, including the use of regular paper playing cards at a table in a gaming establishment and the use of electronic media, the former beingdescribed above.
Electronic media includes standalone machines and machines on networks. With a standalone machine, each player has her own terminal 200. An example is a video machine at a gaming establishment, as shown in FIG. 6, for playing the seven-cardgame described above. Other examples include personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. Prior to playing any game, the player inserts cash, tokens, or paper tickets into a money reader 220, swipes a credit or debit card in a cardreader 222, inputs a credit or debit card number, or any other way available on the machine to provide a cash or monetary equivalent. The player begins a game by pressing the START button 202. Next, the player is permitted to enter which bonuses andgame, if any, she wants to play by pressing the appropriate buttons 204, 206, 208 and the amounts to wager in the keypad 226. Optionally, the wager amounts for each bonus and game are predetermined, for example, only a $5 bet is allowed for a bonus andonly a $20 bet is allowed for the Pai Gow game.
After wagering is complete, the machine 200 deals three cards to the player row 212 for the three-card bonus, assuming it is being played. If the hand formed by these three cards creates a hand that is entitled to a bonus payout as indicated bythe three-card bonus payout table 216, such a payout is made. Next, the machine 200 deals two more cards to the player row 214 for the five-card bonus, assuming it is being played. If the hand formed by these five cards creates a hand that is entitledto a bonus payout as indicated by the five-card bonus payout table 218, such a payout is made.
After the bonuses are complete, the machine deals the remaining two cards to the player row 212 and the player is allowed to set the two-card low hand and five-card high hand. There are any number of ways that this can be used to set the hands. For example, each card location 228 is numbered and the keypad is used to move cards to the low hand. Alternatively, the display is touch sensitive and the last two cards touched go into the low hand. The present invention contemplates that any way ofselecting cards for each hand can be used. The low hand is displayed separately from the high hand, as at 230, 232.
After the hands are set, the player presses the PLAY button 210 to complete the game. The machine 200 displays a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand in the banker row 214 and then compares the hands. Winning amounts are credited to theplayer and may be printed on a voucher or paper ticket, as at 224, paid in coins or other monetary tokens by the machine itself, or credited to the player's credit or debit card. Losing amounts are deducted from the player's account.
The present invention also contemplates that the machine may be a component of a network wherein one machine is operated by the banker and other machines are operated by the players.
The above-described machines are merely examples of machines that can be used to implement the present invention. Any machine that can offer the game using the rules described above is contemplated by the present invention.
Thus it has been shown and described a card game which satisfies the objects set forth above.
Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense. | rather than for monetary gain.
The present specification employs five sample games to describe the present invention. The first game is a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a five-card bonus phase, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonusphase. The second game is a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase. The third game is a five-card game without bonuses. The fourth game is a five-card game with a three-cardbonus phase, a five-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional five-card bonus phase. The fifth game is a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a three-card Pai Gow phase, a five-card bonus phase, a five-card Pai Gow phase, a seven-card Pai Gow phase,and an optional seven-card bonus phase. It is understood that present invention is not limited to Pai Gow hands of five cards or seven cards. It is also understood that the present invention is not limited to bonuses of three and/or five cards. Thebonus hand-or hands may have any number of cards up to and including all cards in the hand. For example, bonuses may be available on two and four card hands, rather than on three and five cards hands. The present invention also contemplates that thePai Gow hand may be divided into two hands where the low hand does not have two cards. For example, the seven-card game may have a three-card low hand and a four-card high hand.
Before game play begins, the house determines the exact rules of the game, including such items as how many cards are in a hand, how many cards are in the low and high hands, how many and what combination of cards are available for bonuses, theamounts that can be wagered, the payout schedule, the rules used by the banker for setting the hands, whether cards are dealt face up or face down, the percentage, if any, taken by the house or banker on winning hands, and any other rules necessary toplaying the game. For the following examples, standard Pai Gow poker rules are assumed, except where otherwise noted.
The example seven-card game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the five-card bonus phase, the Pai Gow phase, and/or the optional seven-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 1, the gamingtable 10 includes a position 12 for each player and a position 14 for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card spot 20, wagering for the five-card bonus phase is done byplacing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card spot 22, wagering for the Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the Pai Gow spot 26, and wagering for the optional seven-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of thedesired amount in the seven-card spot 24. Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in that particular game.
After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player position 12 to form a three-card partial hand and to the dealer's position 14 to form a three-card partial hand. As indicated above, standard Pai Gow rules call for the useof a random number generator 16 to determine the first position to receive cards. Typically, the random number generator 16 is a set of three dice or a digital electronic device. In the present invention, the use of a random number generator 16 isoptional. If it is used, there are two possibilities as to when the resulting random number is employed. In the first, the three-card hands are dealt out first and then placed according to the random number generator 16. The random number generator 16determines the first position to receive a hand and the remainder of the positions receive hands in a clockwise direction from the first position. In the second, the random number generator 16 determines the first position to receive the cards and thenthe three-card hands are dealt to each position, starting with the first position and continuing clockwise. If a random number generator 16 is not used, the dealer may start with whatever position is dictated by the game rules. Typically, the deal willstart at the position to the dealer left and continue clockwise.
The present invention contemplates that the outcome of the random number generator 16, that is, the number of the position to receive the first hand, can be the subject of a side bet. For example, each player position 12 on the table layout 10may include seven spots 18, one for each player position 12 and the dealer position 14. The player wagers on the number of the position to receive the first hand by placing a wager in one or more of these spots 18. Obviously, the wagering must be donesometime before the random number generator 16 indicates a position. If the player wagers correctly, she wins an amount that is a multiple of her wager. Since the odds of winning such a wager are one in seven for each spot, the payout may be, forexample, five to one, so that the banker has better than even odds of coming out ahead in the long run.
After the first three cards are dealt to each position, each player that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing the three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule, anexample of which is shown in Table I. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based onthe three-card payout schedule.
After all players that have wagered on the five-card bonus phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position 12 to combine with the five-card bonus hand to form a seven-card Pai-Gow hand and to the dealerposition 14 to combine with the five-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand. From this point, the Pai Gow phase is typically played like standard Pai Gow poker. Each player divides her cards into a two-card low hand and a five-card highhand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot 28 at the player's position 12 and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot 30 at the player's position 12. The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and afive-card high hand. The player's hands are then compared to the banker's hands to determine if the total game is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, theplayer loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player's complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker's complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push.
Optionally, a seven-card bonus phase is offered. The dealer or banker determines if any player that wagered on the seven-card bonus phase is entitled to a seven-card bonus by comparing the seven-card hand to a seven-card bonus payout schedule. If the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the seven-card payout schedule. The seven-card payout schedule can include such items as the best five cards out of the seven, seven card straights and flushes, allcards of one color, etc.
The example seven-card game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the Pai Gow phase, and/or the optional 7-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming table 32 includes a position 34for each player and a position 36 for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card spot 38, wagering for the Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount-in thePai Gow spot 42, and wagering for the optional five-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card spot 40. Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in thatparticular game.
After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player's position 34 to form a three-card partial hand and the dealer's position 36 to form a three-card partial hand. As described above with respect to the seven-card game, arandom number generator may be used to determine the first position to receive a hand.
After the first three cards are dealt to each position, each player that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing her three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule. Ifthe player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the three-card payout schedule.
After all players that have wagered on the three-card bonus phase have been settled, the dealer deals out four more cards to each player position 34 to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand and to the dealerposition 36 to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand. Each player divides her seven cards into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The rank of the low hand cannot exceed the rank of the high hand. Thelow hand is placed in the appropriate spot 44 at the player's position 34 and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot 46 at the player's position 34. The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a five-card highhand. The player's hands are then compared to the banker's hands to determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. Fora push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player's complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker's complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push.
The example five-card game without bonus begins with each player wagering on the outcome of the game. As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming table 50 includes a position 52 for each player and a position 54 for the dealer. Wagering is done by placing awager of the desired amount in the appropriate spot 60 at the player's position.
After wagers are made, the dealer deals out five cards to each player position 52 and the dealer's position 54. As described above with respect to the seven-card game, a random number generator 56 may be used to determine the first position toreceive a hand. As described above, the players may also wager on the outcome of the random number generator 56 by placing wagers in the appropriate spots 58.
Each player divides her total number of cards into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The rank of the low hand cannot exceed the rank of the high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot 62 in the player's position 52and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot 64 in the player's position 52. The banker then sets his total number of cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The player's hands are then compared to the banker'shands to determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the presentinvention contemplates that the player's total five-card hand can be compared to the banker's total five-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push.
The example five-card game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the Pai Gow phase, and/or the optional 5-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming table 66 includes a position 68for each player and a position 70 for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card spot 72, wagering for the Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in thePai Gow spot 76, and wagering for the optional five-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card spot 74. Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in thatparticular game.
After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player's position 68 to form a three-card partial hand and the dealer's position 70 to form a three-card partial hand. As described above with respect to the seven-card game, arandom number generator may be used to determine the first position to receive a hand.
After the first three cards are dealt to each position, each player that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing her three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule. Ifthe player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the three-card payout schedule.
After all players that have wagered on the three-card bonus phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position 68 to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card Pai Gow hand and to the dealerposition 70 to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card Pai Gow hand. Each player divides her cards into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The rank of the low hand cannot exceed the rank of the high hand. The low handis placed in the appropriate spot 78 at the player's position 68 and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot 80 at the player's position 68. The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. Theplayer's hands are then compared to the banker's hands to determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, nomoney is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player's complete five-card hand can be compared to the banker's complete five-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push.
Optionally | 3,231 |
WYD<|fim_middle|> but for the yes we can give today. The WYD Lisbon 2023 theme song inspires youth from around the world to turn to Our Lady for guidance and embody her haste to spread the Good News of the Lord.
WYD Lisbon | Lisbon 2023 theme song inspires us to make haste like Mary
Louisa Florentin
Everyone will hear our voice, / Todos vão ouvir a nossa voz,
Let us lift our arms, There's a rush in the air. / Levantemos os braços, há pressa no ar.
Jesus lives and does not leave us alone: / Jesus vive e não nos deixa sós:
We will not cease to love. / Não mais deixaremos de amar.
— Literal translation of the chorus of «Há Pressa no Ar»
On Wednesday, January 27th, the theme song for World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 was released to the public. «Há Pressa no Ar» ("There's a Rush in the Air") focuses on Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth when she "went with haste" (Lk 1:39). This is a beautiful continuation of WYD Panama 2019, which focused on Mary's fiat (Lk 1:38). Though past years have not exclusively focused on Mary, the common thread among all World Youth Days is how we respond to God's call.
Creating the theme song
João Paulo Vaz, a priest, and Pedro Ferreira, a teacher and musician, were chosen among hundreds of contestants to compose the song. Friends for years and both belonging to the Diocese of Coimbra, Ferreira began with a simple melody he composed in "a small room, alone by the piano", and Fr. Vaz added the lyrics. The priest tied together previous WYD themes, with special emphasis on connecting WYD Panama 2019 to the WYD Lisbon 2023 theme.
In creating the song, Ferreira and Fr. Vaz noted how their relationship to Our Lady deepened during the process. "It's quite funny that I got the news about the song being chosen on the month of completing 25 years of priesthood," said Fr. Vaz. "The joy was immense, it was an overflowing moment, realizing that something emerging in a small room, in a small place, would gain wings and fly," remarked Ferreira.
A life-giving urge to "get up"
As preparations for WYD Lisbon 2023 continue, the Directorate of Pastoral and Central Events has outlined verses from the Bible that will encompass the worldwide gathering.
"Young man, I tell you, arise!" (Lk 7:14)
"Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen [of me] and what you will be shown." ( Acts 26: 16).
"Mary set out and went with haste." (Lk 1:39)
A dead man brought back to life, a persecutor of Christians who later became a follower of Christ, and Mary — what do they all have in common? When they encountered the life-giving power and light of God, they got up from where they were, forever changed.
With these symbols, verses, and now a new theme song, we are given the tools to prepare ourselves not only for the exciting events of WYD Lisbon 2023 | 684 |
Identity: Is It Truly a Healthy And Realistic Concept?
Author : Carole Douillot
So what is identity? I didn't want to look it up in a dictionary but rather think of what came up for me as my own definition. So, let me share with you what I think identity is. It is formed from our internal perception of ourselves, combined with how the outside world sees us and how we think we need to show up to match this illusion.
Our inner self encompasses many aspects, from ethics to core values, beliefs to needs. The outer self is the layer that people can see from the outside: our looks, clothing, the way we talk, walk, smile… To be satisfied with one's identity is to feel complete, where both the inner and outer layer are aligned with who we truly are. This struggle has been at the core of many coaching conversations. The actual question has never been as clear as the "who am I?" but more a "what should I do?" in order to satisfy others' visions of me and avoid disappointing them, ultimately complying with a seemingly acquired identity.
So let's see how these identity questions and reflections show up in the coaching environment. Instead of looking at one particular client, I will reflect on several instances when the question of identity appeared in different people and scenarios. This way, I will highlight a broader spectrum of situations.
Identity – the story we tell ourselves, influenced by what has happened to us
"My mum was an alcoholic," one client told me. Then the penny dropped. "She chose alcohol over me." Chloe clearly identified herself as an unlovable person, not worthy of love or attention. This belief was so much part of her, that it framed her thinking that she needed validation from others. When I challenged this limiting belief by asking: "How do you know for sure she chose alcohol over you?" I was able to shine a different light on her story and who she really was. After all, yes, she was a lovable person. This conversation allowed her to move forward with her life and make a crucial decision about her future career. Looking at the skills she developed throughout her traumatic childhood made her realise that she was a strong, resilient person and didn't have to hold on to this limiting 'victim' label anymore.
The loss of identity – identity reveals itself once we realise we've actually somehow lost it
Laura seems shy, quiet and lacking in confidence. She's still young, undecided on her future and not clear on what route to take to fulfil her dream to become a fashion designer. She seeks approval from her relatives. One session, our conversation got into "what would help you regain your confidence?" After searching, she realised that she had changed something in her daily routine. She didn't pick her clothes the night before in the same way she used to. She came to the realisation that her confidence was highly linked to this habit of selecting her clothes carefully. Gradually, she had stopped expressing herself through her clothing. The expression of her identity was showing through this. For instance, she had stopped wearing her favourite bright yellow jumper. This is who she was: a girl who wore bright, flashy clothes. This showed her that not going through this daily process any longer was a sign of this loss of confidence and identity. The goal she then set herself seemed trivial at first, but wearing her once-loved yellow top was a way for her to regain her sense of who she really was. She was no longer a girl who wore black clothes, but one who expressed herself with outrageous colours.
The change of identity – a period of transition
When Rita reached 54, having just undergone a major operation, she felt that it was time to reflect. She had clearly lost her sense of identity. She was a mother whose children had flown the nest. Her identity as a mum meant that other people's needs were put before her own, as she told me how she had sacrificed her work. She cared for her ill daughter and expressed the need at the time to have counselling as she had a feeling of 'lost self', her confidence and self-esteem also suffering.
Through coaching she managed to change her self- perception, enabling her to reflect and take the time to talk about the process of change she had just seen before her eyes. Her forced time out had allowed her to spend time thinking of what she used to be and what she was to become. Her shift in identity meant she could accept being successful now, and the necessary validation was actually not coming from the outside but within herself. What had been holding her back was that very sense of identity, and allowing herself to accept that she deserved to put herself first helped her to move forward.
Rita's self-worth was highly connected with earning money. It was once she realised other people who mattered to her could see her as a success, that she not only could remind herself that she deserved success, but that success for her was at least in part about her earning power. Because in the past she had identified herself as a non-materialistic being, she was ashamed about the very concept of earning money. Giving herself permission to earn meant that she could get rid of the negative spin on money she previously had. During our conversation she made the connection that financial success was the missing piece in her identity. Being a financial success in her field of work would allow her to feel complete. Once she rewrote this mental picture of herself she was able to move forward and embrace what was at stake for her whilst feeling her newly discovered, true self.
Rita now understands her purpose and how to feel fulfilled, and this removes her constant need to self-sabotage through accepting how she is now. She also realised that to get there she had to make sure she wouldn't revert back to<|fim_middle|> would give to the other person, but suddenly she could see that she was a new person and that this didn't apply to her anymore. The shift in identity happened when she noticed that she was able to have a completely different attitude to this new situation. She could see in this moment that she had changed, and this was when she said she was ready to let go of her old identity. All of a sudden, her rhythm of speech slowed down; she was quiet, still and peaceful. She closed her eyes, I am not sure how long this moment lasted but I could sense her inner peace. The battle inside her had stopped and she was free to enjoy who she wanted to be without fear of her past identity.
The inner conflict – Who am I? Who do I want to be?
This client is in her 40s, and thinks she is having a midlife crisis. We have many sessions in which we speak about her career, what she wants from life, her values, her priorities. She fears she might be depressed and has lost her zest for life. It was only in our last session together that the issue of identity truly presented itself. She revealed to me some traumatic events from her childhood, before telling me that she has a kind of split identity. Describing it as a kind of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde situation, she seems to be genuinely scared of who she might be, and what she is pretending to be, caught in not knowing which persona to choose. She says that there is the kind one and the bad one inside her. On one hand she is this crazy, highly-sexed girl who loves partying and experimenting and on the other, this calm, tamed, established woman in a relationship.
She explained to me how she used to be so involved in human and animal rights, how passionate she was, and how now she is hiding this side of herself as she thinks it's not appropriate in the world in which she finds herself. But what she is truly tormented by is how to show herself. She is worried that if she drops the mask of this nice person, she might fall back into her old bad, nasty self. She is even looking for the signs that this person is still there, assuming that it will all go wrong for her again if so. She says it's like having two incompatible people inside her and admits lying to herself by not being her true self and pretending to be good.
I asked her a simple question. "Imagine you didn't have the traumatic events in your past: who are you, without this experience?" She actually couldn't get rid of who she had been, she couldn't disassociate herself from her past. We laughed about it, as we were going round in circles, and again and again she would go back to her past. As it was our last session, it was clear that I had planted a new seed in her head and she now had all the time in the world to digest and reflect on this question. I do believe that the work during the session is only the start of the process, as the human brain doesn't change so easily.
To conclude, this is a small illustration of how identity shows up in the coaching space. You might wonder how we end up working on identity; the truth is none of my clients ever came to me with the question "who am I?" or even with a clear goal to work on their sense of self. It just happened within the coaching space, naturally and without the identity question at the forefront of the conversation. But funnily enough, the question from me did pop up a few times: "who are you, and who do you want to be?" And these questions were really powerful as they had probably never been asked so bluntly before.
Being a transformational coach means that we don't stick to the surface. A client might want to lose weight as a goal, but by questioning the motivation behind it, soon the goal itself disappears as the client realises what is really at the core: self-acceptance. This is the beauty of my work. I don't just take for granted what the client wants but the clues emerge as the client expresses their fears and doubts…
The very fact that the way you see yourself can be your own barrier, means that being loyal to this perceived identity could generate self- sabotage, avoiding any chance of growth and change.
Looking back at my notes from these sessions has made me realise how identity is at the core of my work, and bearing this in mind will allow me to be more aware of the unsaid and how it plays in the background. It's only with this greater awareness that I can truly call myself a transformational life coach. My role is to be able to spot and identify issues around identity in the client's narrative to allow for the client's transformation to take place.
Find out more about Carole here.
This blog post is a chapter from the latest Animas free eBook Identity. | old behaviour. One way to achieve this was to have clear affirmations on her mirror to remind herself daily of who she was and keep a clear focus. After a few sessions, she was going forward with applying her idea of her new approach to her business ideas. She felt so resolute that she was happy to take the risk of getting people's feedback on what they thought of her concept. Her gained sense of self was strong enough to apply the right filters when people commented on her ideas, and she didn't fear them anymore. Instead, she was prepared and ready to receive them. There was now evidently far less self-doubt about who she had become.
How we label ourselves – identity, an abstract and highly subjective concept – how we see and describe ourselves
Many clients used unhealthy labels and they were not even aware they were doing so. Jenny kept saying throughout our sessions: "I am stupid." I started making notes of this word and eventually asked her if she had noticed she kept using it to describe herself. Then, every time it showed up, we started laughing about it together. This systematic description of her being stupid was like an automatic means of identification. "I'm stupid." Where was this coming from? How long had she used this adjective as a form of identity? Again, bringing the awareness to her was a useful way to break an unhealthy and unconscious pattern. By challenging the very use of this label I was able to demonstrate to her how restrictive and negative the effect had been on her, and how she saw herself.
A label we are given – and the same goes with a label we have received from someone of authority, such as a teacher
The young man I am coaching wants to become someone great and wants to do extremely well in his business venture. Despite all the positive feedback he gets all around him, an old label emerges whilst he is speaking to me. One day, a teacher called him "stupid". This triggered in him a strong belief that this was who he was, someone who couldn't do well in his studies and was good for nothing. After a lengthy conversation with me, it was a revelation to him that this label did indeed no longer apply to him and he could simply decide to ignore it. He said with pride during the session, "This is not the person I am now," and, "I have proof through all my successes." Successes which included getting a degree in a foreign country, in a language that was not his first, that proved to reassure him that he was no longer this little boy he described himself as. He had previously accepted the label and now it was time for him to let go and move forward.
How we see ourselves in the present
In one magical session with a new client (it was actually the first time we talked) I had no idea about what the client was like or who she was. In a very short and deep session, the client was able to let go of her past and her fears of the person she used to be. In the session, the client realised what her old self was like, and who she didn't want to be anymore. Just allowing herself to acknowledge who she had become was enough to shift her entire emotional being, allowing her to feel grounded and present. She was talking to me about the fact that she had met someone new. Her whole body was tellingly excited by the experience, as she referred to a tsunami within herself. The next moment, she was explaining that in the past, she had suffered in previous relationships, which was affecting how she was viewing this new one.
She described her past attitude as someone who would sacrifice in the way she | 740 |
Prior to the 1980s almost all companies built their own software applications to handle their needs. Every company believes that its business processes and challenges were so unique that only software built by its own business and IT staff would be adequate to solve the problems. Surprisingly this process extended to applications such as General Ledger and Payroll. An interesting example is the case of PG&E, the energy firm on the west coast. PG&E actually built its own operating system.
Over time, with application vendors such as Dun and Bradstreet, Oracle Applications, PeopleSoft HR, SAP R/3, QuickBooks, Peachtree etc, most business applications have been standardized and created as installable packages. Still the choice between Build and Buy is often debated within many companies. This article considers the choices in the context of the need to have a working sales commission application.
'Buy' typically defines the purchase of a standard vendor package for the application, being used by other companies in the marketplace. 'Build' typically defines the building of the application with internal resources, external resources or a combination of both. This article discusses the benefits<|fim_middle|> as sales commission applications.
It is clear that in the case of most applications- and sales commission applications in particular- it is a much better decision to make the choice to Buy a packaged application, rather than the alternative. | of a Buy choice compared to a Build choice.
Sales commission, unlike many other applications tends to be fairly unique from company to company, though there is significant commonality within an industry. The other unique aspect of sales commission is the flexible nature of customer needs. It is fairly common for a company to change its commission plans year to year or even within the year. This is unlikely to happen with applications such as General Ledger and Payroll. This critical need for a high level of flexibility requires a very dynamic application that can accommodate itself to changing needs. To make this possible the sales commission application is normally built around a rule-based architecture.
Most resources typically come from the application vendor. Internal resources are limited to the business subject matter expert (SME), project manager and if really necessary, technical resources to do simpler tasks such as report writing, extracting data etc.
Buy timeframes are typically shorter, since the software is already built and ready to go.
Build projects typically require a business SME, a project manager, developer resources to code the application, other resources for report writing, extract of data, etc. The developer resources can be internal or sourced from external contract firms. The time requirement on the SME and project manager will be far higher because of resource sourcing, knowledge transfer and design functions.
Build timeframes are typically much longer, because of the effort and time involved in Knowledge Transfer, Design and development.
The amount of domain knowledge and experience as it relates to sales commission is a strong factor to consider in the choice of Build vs. Buy.
Application vendors, who have built the packaged application, typically have dedicated resources that have studied the particular application area. They would have gathered requirements from a lot of customers and prospects to build the application. Even though the vendor resource, may not know the subset of business needs that makes any customer unique, they tend to know the vast majority of business practices involved in the concerned business area. They do not have to be taught many of the concepts and practices involved.
In the sales commission area, the typical application vendor resource will already be aware of concepts such as compensation plans, splits, overrides, draws, SPIFs, etc. As a matter of fact, customers typically rely on the vendor's expertise in the broader areas of sales commission to help them determine the correct business practices to follow.
The developer resources used for building the application can be chosen to make sure they have the right technical background to use the underlying software. But invariably, they will not know most of the business processes, terms or requirements involved. In most cases the entire basic concepts of sales commission, crediting of transactions to payees, calculating flat commission rates vs. tiered rates, calculating commissions on order, invoicing or payments, etc have to be explained to the resources involved. This typically takes large amounts of time from the SME, who normally already holds down a full-time function.
One customer explained it like this: "I asked for a car to be built, but I got a car that could go from A to B, but did not have the ability to reverse or have rear view mirrors". The custom-built application for this customer could not handle negative numbers in returns and consequently did not process them at all. The customer paid out more commissions that he should have.
Not knowing the domain of sales commission also means that the resource has no experience in the typical problems that can happen within the domain. For example, what happens if product is returned? At what commission rate should the product be taken back, especially if the commission rate varies over time? What if today commissions vary by client industries and tomorrow they vary by product families? This rigidity can at best cause time delays, or worse, calculate erroneous commissions.
Clearly there is a compelling business benefit to having knowledgeable people staff the project. It will save a lot of valuable business resource time as well as avoid future problems.
A key factor in contemplating a build-vs.-buy choice is to reduce costs. Superficially, there is a sense that build projects will cost less. But careful analysis shows that many costs are overlooked in making a decision.
Application vendors' costs are typically very clear and upfront. The three components, licensing, maintenance and development can be known with a fair amount of certainty and budgeted for. Typically vendors have room to negotiate on one or more of these components.
Even though the initial cost of license and services could be high in comparison, over time, the cost tends to be less than the maintenance involved in custom-built projects. Implementing a packaged application typically takes considerably less time and effort than a custom-solution.
For custom projects, the amount of internal resources dedicated to the project tends to be far higher than packaged products. Much of the effort goes into the business people teaching the custom developers the business, before it can be automated. This affects both business and IT and there is an opportunity cost of this resource not being able to handle their own responsibilities.
A media firm decided to build their commission solution in-house. They hired a Visual Basic (VB) programmer at $85/hr for two months and expected to be complete with their application. Inevitably, the project took longer than anticipated and after four months, the total cost ended up to be almost $60,000. The application was too brittle to handle the subsequent commission plan changes and they ended up buying a packaged sales commission solution where, the license and services ended up costing less than $40,000.
When all the costs are taken into account, packaged applications tend to be less costly to the customer than custom-built applications.
The comprehensive nature of the functionality in the application being implemented has to be considered in the Build vs. Buy choice. Customers tend to have very specific requirements surrounding their current business problem and tend not to be conscious of future needs. When their needs change, they are looking to their current application to accommodate their needs. If the live application is unable to meet those needs, they end up either curtailing their business changes or spending more money on replacing their systems.
In the sales commission area, applications tend to be able to calculate commissions for many different industries and use many different methods. For example, it will be possible to calculate commissions in many ways: flat rate; tiered rate; tiered rate based on quota; different rates by product; different rates by customers, etc. Another example would be where the customer can calculate commissions and bonuses on revenue, gross profit, quantity, etc. Customer will start with one kind of a plan and very likely move to a different type of plan over the next few years. So flexibility and rule-based application architecture will be important requirements for the software.
Application vendors would have gathered requirements from a lot of customers and prospects prior to building the application. It is not uncommon to have the solutions built to handle the requirements of many different industries. So most of the business practices a customer will tend to use, now or in the future, will already be available in the application. In addition, the vendors get constant feedback from their customers and prospects as to gaps in the application and make constant upgrades to the application.
In addition, application vendors attempt to reduce support calls and so provide a lot of additional tools to help the customer be self-sufficient. Tools such as report writers, data extractors, email capabilities, logging facilities, etc, all tend to be built into the application.
Applications vendors would understand the amount of change in sales commission plans and will build in a lot of flexibility into the software. In addition it is common to see sales commission plans expressed as rules, in this kind of an application.
The developer resources will do their job diligently in asking questions and understanding the customer requirements. And the business SME will provide the exact requirements necessary to solve their current problem. But the operative word is 'current'. The solution will tend to match the current needs well. The solution normally does not take into account possible future changes. But sales commission plans change frequently. So very soon after the implementation, the customers find themselves calling in the resources for further work or abandoning the application altogether, for another attempt.
A computer hardware reseller built a commission solution to pay his reps commissions, on sales revenue. Within a year, he found that, sales people were discounting prices to get sales and impacting his profitability. He decided to change his sales commission plans to calculate commission on gross profit rather than revenue. But unfortunately the custom-built solution had no facility to handle gross profit.
The average custom development resource is not charged with building all the tools necessary to have a productive application environment. It is rare that customers ask the developer for report writers, data extractors, PDF generation, etc. The custom-built applications tend to rigidly satisfy the expressed requirements and won't be flexible to handle future changes. Rule based programming is complex and takes significantly more effort, and is typically not part of the charter of a custom project.
A comprehensive application preserves the options of the customer for future changes and reduces business impact and total cost of ownership of the product. Buy solutions will provide this in an economical manner.
Customers invest in the product choice they make and the resources that support the product choice. To support their ongoing business, they have a reasonable expectation that the resources involved with their product and especially the knowledge of the product is available to them.
Application vendors are dependent on ongoing revenue from their products for their business survival and success. To that extent they invest considerably in research, development, consulting, support, sales and marketing functions. Their success depends on their expertise in their products.
Continuous availability of knowledgeable experts allows them to serve their customers effectively, reduce support costs and increase the possibility that the customer will buy additional products from them. So there is very little risk that the vendor will not have resources that understand and handle the customer's problems.
Customers choosing the build option either use their internal resources or hire resources with the right technical background for the job. After the job, the internal resource may be assigned to other projects that consume their time. External resources will generally be assigned to different projects for different customers. Worse still, the internal resource may leave and likewise the external resource, leaving the customer with an orphaned application with no way of modifying it.
A staffing firm had its technical resource build a very complex commission plan application in Visual Basic and Access. The resource quit a few months after the application was live and went to a competitor's firm. Very soon after, the application had to have some bugs fixed and some of the plans changed. The staffing firm was placed in a bind, with no easy way to correct the situation.
In the case of external resources, any time the application has to be modified, the resource has to be rehired. If the resource is available at that particular time, the customer has to pay for the time necessary to refamiliarize the resource to the application as well as the actual change. This typically tends to be a significant proportion of the original cost.
Resource risk is reduced significantly when the software is bought from a packaged application vendor. Application vendors can ensure future support and maintenance of the application.
Software development is a complex endeavor and almost all software ends up having a significant number of bugs. Companies are also growing continuously and require their systems to have the ability to handle their growth. The better the quality of the software, the easier the user's experience will be in the long run.
Application vendors invest a lot more into building their software than the average customer will. It is not unusual for vendors to invest millions of dollars into software that retails in the tens of thousands. The research and development process typically includes a quality assurance component. Software is typically released into the marketplace only after the quality is verified. The vendor is also getting bug reports from many different customers and typically have a bug fix and patch release program to continuously get the fixes out into the marketplace.
Applications are also designed to operate across many different sizes of customers and all customers get the benefit of performance goals specified for the largest customers. The customer gets the benefit of tried and tested code with high performance characteristics.
One of the biggest problems with custom projects is that the entire code base tends to be brand new. So the customer lives through the identification of resolution of bugs in the software over time, but in the real live production environment.
A manufacturing firm created a custom project to handle its commissions, where the commissions were paid by the client industry. Commissions were calculated on the complete invoice, so they only required one record per invoice. This worked in an acceptable manner for the few thousands of invoices they processed every month. Then their business dictated that they shift to commissions based on different products, which required that they calculate commissions at the individual invoice line level. This increased the amount of transactions they had to process ten-fold, and the custom-built system bogged down, unable to process the huge transaction load increase.
Because of the change inherent in commission plans, it is not predictable how much of a volume the application has to process. Growth can be rapid; the types of plans can change dramatically; so the typically custom project may not be robust enough to handle these performance needs.
Vendor built applications tend to have higher quality and can definitely handle higher performance needs.
Even though business operations have consistently moved towards packaged applications in large, medium and small enterprises, some companies still consider building their own application. Sometimes this happens even for standard business applications such | 2,692 |
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RA Exchange<|fim_middle|> Soundcloud producers and people working in this style they are definitely a very handy filtration tool for the this scene.
Of course, he followed that up with a load of praise for our good friend Soda Plains and all he's done, but it was a really special moment to essentially come upon one of the nicest bits of praise and affirmation we've received for the series to date. Check out the full podcast, which features a host of other great selections in the live performer, DJ, album, etc. departments, and check out Soda Plains' Astral Plane mix after the jump. | Team Names Soda Plains' Astral Plane Mix Best Of Year, Lauds Series
We've been listening to Resident Advisor's Exchange podcast for years and the team's year end efforts have always been on point, leading to new discoveries, especially in the mix department. It was quite a surprise then to find out that Ryan Keeling, the editor of RA, named Soda Plains' Astral Plane mix as one his favorites of the year and went on to say the following.
I've gone for Soda Plains, the mix he's done for The Astral Plane. I think I should be honest and say that my pick is more of a big up for The Astral Plane series than it is for this particular mix. I think the series as a whole does a fantastic job of, quite simply, presenting fresh club sounds. But I think why I appreciate them is because with the raft or endless stream of | 181 |
Home / Politics / Kogi Assembly Summons Dangote Over Alleged Acquisition Of State Cement Company
Kogi Assembly Summons Dangote Over Alleged Acquisition Of State Cement Company
Editor Sunday, September 18, 2022 Politics
By Adedayo Said
The Kogi State House of Assembly has again summoned Dangote Cement Limited to appear before it on Thursday to shed more lights on how hitherto Obajana Cement was acquired by the company.
This is as the Management of Dangote Cement Limited did not appear before the House on Saturday in Lokoja.
This was disclosed on Saturday by the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole at the Hallowed Chamber of the House during the botched public hearing with the management of Dangote Cement Limited.
The Speaker noted that the invitation to Dangote Cement Company and other companies operating in the State became necessary to demand the State's fair share from the companies.
He added that despite the huge amount of resources being taken away from the soil of the State, what was being paid to the government coffer as revenue was nothing to write home about.
According to him, "the invitation is simply a demand for the rights of the State to a fair share of resources taken out of her soil."
He stressed that the summons should not be misconstrued as witch-hunting.
He decried the manner in which Obajana Cement which was wholly owned by the State was taken over by Dangote Cement Limited, adding that the public hearing was meant to unearth the secret behind the acquisition.
READ ALSO: Don't Allow Politicians Waste You In 2023, CAC Advises Youths
Kolawole explained that the House was not unmindful of what transpired in the past, saying they were making reference to it to avoid a repeat in the future.
According to him, "we are currently investigating sources of our Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and we believe it is expedient for the House to interface with some companies operating in the State.
"For example, Dangote Cement Limited started as Obajana Cement company. Kogi State House of Assembly is interested and curious to know what happened at a point that the company transformed to Dangote Cement Limited.
"We want to know what is the benefits of the State in the company. What is the equity share of the State in the company.
"We are beaming our searchlights on all companies in the State, as we not particular about Dangote.
"We have Mangal Limited, we have some that are into mining coal, limestones, gold, even as different kinds<|fim_middle|> disclosed.
Kogi Assembly Summons Dangote Over Alleged Acquisition Of State Cement Company Reviewed by Editor on Sunday, September 18, 2022 Rating: 5 | of solid minerals are being mined out of Kogi on a daily basis.
"We want to know on whose instruction are they paying their dues. We are interested in doing business with companies that will give us our fair share of the quantum of resources taken out of our soil.
"We are not against any organisation, but let the right things be done at the right time. We enjoin them to give to us what belongs to us and that is why we are here.
"We are confident that when the report would be written a lot of discovery will be made. We invited Dangote and they are not here. I have directed the committee to invite Dangote for Thursday and ensure that they acknowledge receipt of the correspondence," he | 145 |
McCommons eventually returned to southeast Atlanta, then drove the ambulance into a light pole in the 300 block of Kelly Street, causing minor damage. He jumped out of the vehicle and ran, stripping off his clothing as he escaped.
Griffin said Arass, a 3-year-old "hero" K-9, picked up a scent from the discarded clothing and tracked McCommons to a drainage sewer near Interstate 20. McCommons was taken into custody about 30 minutes after crashing the ambulance. He was charged with auto theft and several other traffic-related counts.
"We found one of his shirts, so we knew we were somewhat on the right track. And then we found his shoe," said Atlanta Police Officer Robert Godwin, the dog's partner.
Arass followed the scent in an area that is difficult for even search helicopters and ground patrols to search in the dark.
"At the beginning of Capital Avenue, she jumped the wall went around the corner of the sound barrier. There<|fim_middle|> waived his first scheduled court appeared Wednesday morning. | he was laying in the bushes," Godwin said.
Godwin was quick to share credit for the capture with the ground team that secured the perimeter and tracked the ambulance by GPS.
Suspect McCommons | 41 |
The stunning freshwater Phewa Lake in Pok<|fim_middle|>, sums up the perfect day in this altitudinous land. | hara, Nepal.
Whether you take a leisurely walk around the mountain-framed lake or a dive into a heart-pounding white-water rafting ride, Nepal's stunning Pokhara does not discriminate against your fitness levels.
Nepal's 'second' city feels more like a mystical country town, located 200 kilometres north-west of Kathmandu.
Pokhara's major tourism raison d'être is as a base for the trek-tacular Annapurna Circuit, but it hypnotises you into staying a little longer.
The Old Town, more or less unaffected by 2015's earthquake, is a superb glimpse of what life was like before the masses (and a few five-star hotels) crept in.
You can go white water-rafting and visit an absorbing Gurkha soldier museum, but a simple walk or cycle around the lake, in the presence of some 8000-metre leviathans, harlequin-hued doongas (boats) bobbing up and down | 212 |
BTR's Diamond Technology Reviews, now in its 14th year, is a technology recognition program in which vendors serving the broadband cable industry are invited to submit information about products that have been released or upgraded since last year's SCTE Cable-Tec Expo (held in October 2017).
Each entry was assigned to at least three of our expert volunteer judges. To help ensure fairness, similar products from diferent vendors were reviewed by the same group of panelists. Judges based scores/comments on written material provided by vendors, as well as their own experience with or knowledge of the specifc technologies. Review panelists were informed that scores/comments would remain anonymous.
5: Superb product that sets new standard for performance and provides ground-breaking and new technical milestones Each entry's scores were averaged and rounded to the nearest full or half Diamond. Note that products are grouped by score (with the highest Diamonds ranking frst), and then<|fim_middle|> included in this article.
"We tasked our judges to evaluate each entry based on its innovation and overall usefulness to cable operators," commented Broadband Technology Report Editorial Director Stephen Hardy, who served as program director this year. "Our judges took these instructions very seriously this year.
ing and customer premises equipment.
"Broadband Technology Report thanks the judges for their hard work and diligence in evaluating so many entries. Tis year's Diamond Technology Reviews entries indicate that cable operators should fnd several good options to meet their needs as they continue to evolve their networks," Hardy concluded. | in alphabetical order.
Scores of 3. 5 or above are considered superlative and refect a very positive opinion from the panel. Only products receiving a 3. 5 or above are | 41 |
Ford to Move Production of All-New 2016 F-650/F-750 Medium-Duty Trucks from Mexico to Ohio Assembly Plant
Ford today announced production of its all-new 2016 F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks will shift from Mexico to Ohio Assembly Plant starting early next year, with the trucks on sale in spring 2015.
"Shifting production of the 2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks to Ohio Assembly Plant helps<|fim_middle|>0, E-450, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-650, F-750, Ford Transit, LPG, Transit Connect | secure a solid future for the dedicated workers at this facility," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. "Building these trucks in-house will utilize our expertise from our other tough truck and commercial vehicle lines to give our customers a better product at a competitive price."
The production shift from Mexico is part of the collective bargaining agreement Ford and the United Auto Workers negotiated in 2011. Ford's announcement today confirms the company is moving forward with the plan for Ohio Assembly Plant.
"We are extremely pleased that the dedicated, highly skilled and highly motivated UAW members of Ohio Assembly Plant have been selected to build the next-generation Ford F-650 and F-750," said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president and director of the National Ford Department.
"We're confident our outstanding work force will build these Ford medium-duty trucks to the highest levels of quality, reliability, dependability and craftsmanship – the factors that matter most to the demanding, hard-working owners of these vehicles."
The 2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 will set a new standard for commercial work as the toughest, most work-ready, best value Ford medium-duty trucks ever.
Anchoring Ford's commercial truck range – America's best-selling, broadest lineup of commercial trucks for 29 years – the new F-650 and F-750 will deliver an impressive combination of commercial-grade quality, capability and convenience. This now includes segment-exclusive Ford gasoline and diesel engines, outstanding performance at an affordable price, and comfortable, modern interiors.
Upgraded, versatile engine choices
Newly available is the second-generation Ford-built and proven 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 turbo diesel. The engine is paired with a commercial-grade six-speed 6R140 automatic transmission with available power takeoff provision to run accessories in the field, a dump body, crane and other vocational equipment.
Ford remains the only automaker to offer a gasoline engine for medium-duty trucks. The 6.8-liter V10 is available for both F-650 and F-750 models with the 6R140 six-speed automatic transmission. This engine can be factory-prepped for converting to compressed natural gas or liquid propane gas as cost-effective alternatives to unleaded gasoline.
Built Ford Tough testing to ensure durability
Testing for F-650 and F-750 includes the industry's first robotic test driving program. The robotically driven trucks are expected to repeatedly perform tests on torturous surfaces that can compress 10 years of daily driving abuse into courses just a few hundred yards long. Surfaces include broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.
By controlling every aspect of development in-house – from design to manufacturing to service – Ford can offer F-650 and F-750 customers exceptional value, convenience and cost of ownership.
Filed Under: 2015, Trucks Tagged With: F-650, F-750, Ford, medium-duty trucks, Ohio Assembly Plant
All-New Ford Transit Chassis Cab and Cutaway Versions Join Widest Range of Commercial Chassis Offerings
Ford Motor Company recently announced the introduction of the all-new Transit chassis cab and cutaway models, engineered to tackle an almost unlimited variety of specialized jobs and vocations.
Transit chassis cab features an enclosed passenger compartment and bare frame ready to accept aftermarket body modules ranging from custom cargo delivery to utility body. Transit cutaway is similar to the chassis cab, but with the rear of the passenger compartment open so it can be paired with specialty body modules such as shuttle or school bus bodies.
The chassis cab and cutaway will be offered in three wheelbases, 138, 156 or 178 inches, and gross vehicle weight ratings from 9,000 pounds to 10,360 pounds.
"No other automaker offers the variety and adaptability that Ford Motor Company brings to our commercial customers," said Len Deluca, director, Ford Commercial Vehicles. "Transit's best-in-class capabilities are combined with an extensive nationwide network of commercial upfitters to provide an unparalleled number of body choices to suit almost any job."
Transit chassis cab and cutaway models join the industry's broadest lineup of commercial chassis, which include E-Series cutaway and stripped chassis, F-Series Super Duty chassis cab, F-650 and F-750 medium-duty chassis cab and F-59 stripped chassis.
Filed Under: 2013, Trucks Tagged With: F-650, F-750, F-Series Super Duty, Ford, Transit chassis cab
Ford Commercial Vehicle Lineup Expands with Industry's Broadest Range of CNG/LPG-Ready Offerings
Sales of Ford vehicles capable of running on compressed natural gas or propane auto gas have reached record levels, as businesses and commercial customers seek relief from constantly fluctuating gas prices.
In response to increased customer demand for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid propane gas (LPG) ready vehicles, Ford has expanded its portfolio of product offerings in this growing alternative-fuel market segment.
"Since 2009, we've seen the number of Built Ford Tough commercial vehicles sold with factory-prepped engines for CNG/LPG upfit increase by more than 350 percent," said Jon Coleman, Ford Fleet Sustainability and Technology manager. "To expand power of choice for our commercial customers, we are offering CNG/LPG prepped engines in additional vehicle nameplates – from the Transit Connect compact van up to medium-duty F-650 models."
As gas prices continue to rise, CNG conversion can drastically lower vehicle operating costs for fleet administrators. CNG sells for an average of $2.10 per gallon, representing a significant savings over unleaded regular fuel, selling for a national average of $3.78 per gallon according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report. As the commercial vehicle market leader, Ford aims to provide sustainable solutions for a broad spectrum of its fleet customers.
Another benefit of this alternative fuel: Cleaner emissions. CNG usage can result in up to 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The commercial truck market is composed of many unique vocations and vehicle requirements. Ford is collaborating with qualified upfitters to deliver completed vehicles under its Qualified Vehicle Modifier program.
Filed Under: 2013, Trucks, Vans Tagged With: CNG, E-150, E-250, E-35 | 1,362 |
Just over halfway through the season, and this is a huge share! We are at peak production on the farm, and your share reflects that. We've gotten into huge picks of all the fruits, with our biggest pick yet on green beans last Friday (106 pounds!). The zucchini have finally taken off and are making up for lost time, and the tomatoes are treating us to consistently large harvests of delicious juicy fruit. Meanwhile, we're still getting regular harvests from all our cool season favorites, and we've still got 2/3 of the potato patch to dig.
Today's share is a lot of food, so if you can't eat it all this week consider putting some up. Tomatoes are easy to freeze, just put them in a ziploc bag and you're done. Green beans and kale can be blanched (briefly submerged in boiling water) and then frozen. Zucchini, Cauliflower, and broccoli can all be frozen by roasting or grilling them part way first (or these can be blanched and frozen too). Zucchini can also be grated and frozen to make zucchini bread in the winter, and basil can be ground in olive oil and frozen to add to soups, pastas<|fim_middle|> spears and a sprinkle of parmesan. | , and more. You can also try pickling many of today's veggies, and we've included an extra bunch of herbs that could be used to flavor your favorite pickles (dilly beans, anyone?).
For many of you, these are the first beets. Our beets don't need peeling as the skins are very tender. You can eat them raw, roasted, boiled, or grilled. Beet greens are a real winner, too; they are extra nutritious with a fruity, earthy flavor. I'm honestly not a huge beet fan, but I love the greens. Cook them like kale or spinach, sauteed, steamed, or in soup. Store beets in a bag in the fridge, if you won't use them right away remove the tops and store them separately.
We are sad to bid farewell to one of our crewmembers this week as Helen heads back for her sophomore year at Western Washington University. Helen has been a skilled harvester and has packed nearly all of your shares. She's been a lot of fun to work with and we've enjoyed her great attitude, calm presence, and keen observation here at the farm. The crew won't be the same without her.
Helen has classes to get to, so she's leaving a little before our harvests actually taper off, but it's hard to believe that in just a few weeks we'll be starting to slow down. As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, growth slows and some of the warm weather crops kick the bucket. Our potatoes are dying back and soon we'll be digging them all out to store for fall and winter use. We're already cutting back on watering and getting ready to cover crop the fields for winter, planting fall crops in the greenhouses, and finishing up our final sowings and plantings. You always have to be 3 steps ahead in farming or you miss your chance!
This time of year, people start to ask me when the CSA ends. Folks getting the summer only shares have their final pickup September 18 – 23. The rest of you go into November, so you're really only halfway through the season! We still have lots more to harvest from our summer crops and lots of fall crops coming that we haven't even harvested (pumpkins! Brussels sprouts!). We still have Thanksgiving shares available if you want to secure some storage crops and delicious goodies for your holiday table, click here to sign up if you haven't already. I'll be raising the price soon, but with all this harvesting I haven't gotten around to it. Last chance to get the early bird price!
Recommended by member Anna Russo, she says this delicious soup is easy to make and is a great way to use up lots of zucchini. From the June 1995 issue of Bon Appetit.
Melt butter with oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in garlic and rosemary. Add stock and potato; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Add sliced zucchini; simmer until tender about 15 minutes.
Working in batches, puree in blender (or use an immersion blender). Season with salt and pepper.
Cook cubed zucchini in saucepan of boiling salted water for 30 seconds. Drain. Rewarm soup over medium heat. Ladle into bowls. Top with zucchini and croutons. Sprinkle with green onions.
This is a quick and filling meal. You can use a canned tomato sauce, or make a simple one like in the recipe below. This works best with the smaller side shoots of the broccoli, as they cook quickly and require no preparation. Serves 4.
release their juice. I also add a splash of red or white wine. Bring to a simmer and continue to stir occasionally for 20 to 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened to the desired consistency. Add ½ c chopped basil or parsley.
spears, or use whole if already thin. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 7 to 10 minutes, using tongs to turn the spears once. They are done when the florets start to get crispy and the stems are tender.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and salt generously. Add 1 pound spaghetti and cook until al dente. Toss with the sauce and top with broccoli | 924 |
The article explores essential prerequisites and effects for automated processes of surface forming in planning manufacturing processes within Industry 4.0. Based on authors'<|fim_middle|>, and also, basic functional bonds are analysed. Eventually, production systems are divided according to the variety of their technological competences. The suggested article fits in the concept of solutions within Industry 4.0, namely in regard to its design, digitalization and data collection. | practical experience and profound knowledge, they describe the adequate use of industrial robots and handlers for automated manufacturing processes. They in depth analyse methods and structures of handling operations and their application in automation of surface forming. Moreover, they give examples of handling methods and structures of operations in regard to the settings of production facility. A close attention is paid to their own structure of manufacturing process and its characteristics. Furthermore, the production system is divided into individual subsystems | 88 |
With the Grady Sizemore decision dominating conversation as the Red Sox finish off their spring training, one person who has a unique perspective on the outfielder is assistant general manager Mike Hazen. Hazen is not only in the middle of the decision-making making process when it comes to formulating this year'€™s Red Sox roster, but he also watched Sizemore regularly while working in the Indians organization. Appearing on the Red Sox radio broadcast with Alex Speier and Joe Castiglione Thursday night, Hazen had plenty to say about Sizemore and fellow Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. On first being introduced to Sizemore: "He was an exciting prospect, but I don't think we knew exactly what we were going to get when we got him. He was a little skinnier. He was a little more wiry even<|fim_middle|> was -- understandably, given what he's gone through physically. We've gotten him 4.2 down the line. ... For a left-handed hitter, around there, maybe 4.3. So he's probably right around average, maybe still a tick above depending how he gets out of the box. He gets out of the box decent. But underway, he's been very good as well. You've seen some of the explosive plays." On if Bradley is pressing: "You don't know. It would probably seem that way. Jackie's never struggled that much in his career. So, when you get into these situations sometimes when jobs are up for grabs, you never know how a guy is going to react to it. But he's worked hard, he's played a ton, he's shown a lot of really good signs, he's done a lot of good things defensively. He just hasn't gotten as many hits as he probably would hope for in spring training. But he'll be fine. He's a really, really good player no matter what happens." On Bradley's need for development: "There's room for development, certainly. When you hit under .200 at the major league level, there's room for development. That's not the player that he is. It's not the player that he's going to be. He needs more at-bats. He needs to get his timing down a little bit better. He's pulled off the outer half a decent amount this spring, more than we saw last year, I think. But he's hit everywhere he's gone. And he'll continue to do that. But yes -- some of those adjustments will continue to come. When you're going through those funks, he'll figure that out. But there's going to be more at-bats that are needed. Where those end up being, we don't know that right now." | than he was now. Didn't show the power that he has come to possess. On-base guy. Good hitter. More of a line-drive stroke. He really moved into his power in his Double-A, Triple-A seasons, and that was when we really started to see the full measure of the kind of player he was going to be offensively and defensively. He was one of the best players in the game for those first few years he was in the big leagues. He does play the game extremely hard. The injuries certainly took a toll. This was a really good player. If we get him back to even some percentage of what he was, we're going to have a pretty good player on our hands." On the smoothness of Sizemore's swing: "Those are going to be some of the swings that you're going to want to see when he starts getting locked in. He has the pull power and he's more of a pull/line drive approach right now with that swing, but when he was a really good player, he was able to do that -- go to left field, go to left-center, as well as yank the ball to right. I don't think you're going to see a lot of home runs to left field. You're going to see balls get driven through the left-center field gap. You're going to see most of his home runs going from right-center to the right-field line. But when he's locked in and you see some swings like that, that's going to be encouraging." On Sizemore's ability to pick up his swing after his long layoff: "It has been something that has been very surprising. To not even have a live AB -- minor league or major league -- in the last couple of years, to be able to step right in, from the timing standpoint, he's seen velocity. he's handled some velocity. Certainly there's been some breaking stuff and velocity that's gotten him, but you would expect that." On Sizemore's pitch recognition: "Those are probably still some things he's going to have to work through. They're not pitching to an advance report yet. If the breaking ball down and in is something he'll be susceptible to, they haven't started pounding and picking at it yet, which they will. Now, you're still getting guys throwing fastballs who are trying to work on their stuff. You may not get the exact attack plan that he'll get during the season. He'll have to readjust back to that. But what we've seen so far, he's hit breaking balls, he's hit fastballs and the timing's been there and that's probably been the biggest thing." On the team's expectations for Sizemore: "I don't think we had that level of expectations. What we thought was, we're trying to build depth, we're trying to add depth at a reasonable cost. We know there's going to be some uncertainty given his track from an injury standpoint, but we felt like when he left the game, from an injury standpoint, the talent was so extreme, the bar was so high that we know there's probably going to be a tick back from that. He's a little bit older. He hasn't played." On what else Sizemore needs to prove: "I don't think from a talent or a performance standpoint. It's more just the physical questions that we need to answer. And who knows when we're going to have those 100 percent answers? What we've seen so far has been extremely encouraging." On the importance of physical therapist Dan Dyrek: "That's certainly something that's been discussed. I don't think it can trump everything. We're delivering consistent care throughout the major leagues and minor leagues. No matter where anybody would go, where they'd be, they would get that same quality. But certainly on the medical standpoint, when guys develop a rapport with the people that are treating them day in and day out, it can be the same way with a coach. They know their bodies better. They have the daily conversations with them. There can be some advantages to that. I don't think it would trump what we were seeing from a baseball standpoint. In the end, it's not about one guy. It's about all 25 guys who are going to be out there on Opening Day." On why Sizemore might be down in the order: "He'll sacrifice some at-bats early in the season because of that, but maybe that would be good for him a little bit. Daniel [Nava] gets on base so much or whoever John [Farrell] chooses to lead off, Daniel would probably be a good candidate for it, to put as many guys on base as possible for [Dustin] Pedroia and [David] Ortiz and [Mike Napoli]. It will probably give Grady a way to ease in a little bit. He's going to have a lot thrown at him when he's up there, just with regard to getting back into the flow." On how good Sizemore was with the Indians: "Somebody has said he was somewhat of an equivalent to [Mike] Trout. I don't know that he was Trout. There may be only one of Trout in the next 20-30 years, or in the past, or present. But it was that type of dominance in the game for one player: defense, base running, offense, he did everything. He hit for power, he hit for average, he got on base. He played very good defensive center field. And he could really run. He was a physical speed with regards to his speed, his explosiveness and all those other things. He played in the middle of the diamond and he hit in the middle of the order." On Sizemore's speed: "Pretty good. He's probably down a tick from where he | 1,213 |
Home/Tech/The best Apple HomeKit-enabled TVs
The best Apple HomeKit-enabled TVs
Admin February 24, 2020 Tech, Technology 10 Views
Apple's HomeKit ecosystem<|fim_middle|> your TV and use services like Apple Music. The app library also includes many other popular streaming services, like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Hulu.
The Apple TV 4K, as the name suggests, supports 4K resolution playback with HDR (HDR10 and Dolby Vision) and Dolby Atmos with compatible gear. It's well-designed and should look right at home on any TV stand or entertainment center. On the downside, those advanced features do make the device a little more expensive than other streaming players. Still, the impressive performance should justify the extra cost for enthusiasts.
Pros: Great choice for a HomeKit hub, well-designed, integrated Siri support, works well with other Apple services, 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos playback
Cons: A little expensive, doesn't add full HomeKit control to your TV
Check out our other smart home and smart TV guides
The best HomeKit devices
An Apple HomeKit ecosystem lets you control a variety of smart home devices, including speakers, media players, lights, outlets, security cameras, locks, thermostats, and more, directly from Apple's Home app. HomeKit devices include support for special automated tasks as well, enabling different products to work in tandem. To control HomeKit systems remotely, you'll need need to make sure you also have a device that can act as a HomeKit hub. We've selected our favorite HomeKit hub below, along with all the other devices you might want for your HomeKit smart home. Here are the best HomeKit gadgets you can buy:
Best HomeKit Hub: Apple TV 4K
Best HomeKit smart speaker: Apple HomePod
Best HomeKit lights: Philips Hue
Best HomeKit light strip: Philips Hue Lightstrip
Best HomeKit switch: Belkin WeMo Mini
Best HomeKit lock: Schlage Sense
Best HomeKit dimmer switch: Belkin WeMo Dimmer Switch
Best HomeKit light switch: Eve Light Switch
Best HomeKit security camera: Logitech Circle 2
Best HomeKit non-Apple speaker: Sonos One
Best HomeKit thermostat: Ecobee4
Best HomeKit motion sensor: Eve Motion Sensor
The best 4K TVs
4K Ultra HD TVs have become the norm for anyone looking to buy a new display for their living room, bedroom, or home theater. Features and image performance can vary a lot between different models, however, especially when it comes to HDR support and smart connectivity. With different needs in mind, we've detailed the basics of what you should look for in a 4K TV. Here are the best you can buy:
Best 4K TV overall: LG C9
Best 4K TV for the money: Vizio P-Series Quantum
Best budget 4K TV: TCL 6-Series
Best QLED 4K TV: Samsung Q90R
Best premium 4K TV: Sony A9G
The best affordable TVs
TV pricing has come down a lot over the past few years. Now, you can get a solid display with a 4K panel and basic HDR support for only a few hundred dollars. There are even big-screen options as big as 65 inches for surprisingly affordable prices. Of course, there are always trade-offs to consider when buying a TV on a budget. We cover everything you need to know about purchasing a display without breaking the bank. Here are some of the best affordable 4K TVs you can buy:
Best affordable 4K TV overall: TCL 55-inch 5 Series 4K TV
Best affordable 4K TV for HDR: Vizio 50-inch M-Series Quantum 4K TV
Best affordable 4K TV for wide viewing angles: LG 49-inch UM7300 4K TV
Best affordable 4K TV with a big screen: TCL 65-inch 4 Series 4K TV
Best affordable 1080p TV: Sharp 40-inch LC-40LB601U HDTV
The best OLED TVs
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Next How to convert your Google Sheets files into Excel files, and edit them in Microsoft Excel | allows you to easily control a variety of smart home devices, including select TV models from LG, Vizio, and Sony.
With HomeKit support, you can stream content to your TV from your iPhone, use Siri voice commands with your display, and even automate special tasks for your TV in tandem with other HomeKit products.
A great HomeKit-enabled TV balances advanced smart features with excellent image quality — which is exactly why we've chosen the LG C9 as our top pick.
TVs are getting smarter. Beyond the fact that many TVs offer smart operating systems that allow you to download apps, they're also now starting to integrate with wider smart home platforms, like Alexa and Google Assistant. For a long time, however, support for Apple's HomeKit ecosystem has been largely absent from smart TVs. Thankfully, that's now starting to change.
In the past year, a number of companies have added Apple HomeKit support with AirPlay 2 to their TVs, allowing them to tie into the rest of your HomeKit setup — which is good news for those who want to automate their home and easily control their devices from their iPhone or with Siri.
So what exactly does HomeKit support on a TV allow for? Well, once added to HomeKit, you'll be able to switch your TV on and off and set your TV to different inputs directly from the Home app on an iOS device. With HomeKit support, you can also automate multiple smart home devices together. For example, you could set up an automation where your smart lights dim when your TV is turned on. Or, you could set your TV to automatically switch on when you come home from work in the evening. Of course, for multiple smart devices to work together, they all need to support HomeKit.
HomeKit also enables Siri support for connected devices. For instance, you can tell Siri on your phone or other compatible product to play a certain movie or show on your TV via AirPlay 2 streaming. In addition, you can even assign different HomeKit-enabled TVs in your house to specific rooms within the Home app. This allows you to tell Siri exactly what you want to watch and where you want to watch it.
HomeKit-enabled smart TV models are currently available from Sony, LG, and Vizio. With more and more options popping up, it can be tough to figure out which one is right for your needs. To help narrow the field, we've selected our top picks for HomeKit-enabled TVs at a variety of budget and performance levels.
Here are the best Apple HomeKit-enabled TVs you can buy:
Best HomeKit-enabled TV overall: LG C9
Best HomeKit-enabled TV for the money: Vizio P-Series Quantum
Best budget HomeKit-enabled TV: Vizio M-Series Quantum
Best HomeKit-enabled Android TV: Sony X950G
Best HomeKit-enabled streaming device: Apple TV 4K
The best HomeKit-enabled TV overall
LG's OLED TVs are considered some of the best TVs currently on the market, and the most recent models support HomeKit and AirPlay 2.
When it comes to smart TV features and image performance, LGs OLED lineup continues to rank highly among other display models. OLED panels are able to produce deep black levels with an infinite contrast ratio, resulting in some key benefits over LCD technology. The LG C9 is the company's current flagship model, and beyond great picture performance, it also boasts HomeKit support for easy integration with Apple's ecosystem.
The LG C9 is available in a few different sizes, including 55 inches, 65 inches, and 77 inches. Not only that, but the TV offers LG's a9 Gen 2 processor, which intelligently removes image noise and is powered by artificial intelligence. Extensive HDR capabilities are included as well, including support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision for the best color and contrast performance when watching HDR videos.
The TV offers a full suite of smart features too. Of course, you'll get HomeKit and AirPlay 2 support for convenient streaming from Apple devices and easy integration with an existing HomeKit-enabled smart home setup. Outside of Apple's platform, the C9 also supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa directly through the included voice remote.
For streaming services, the TV uses LG's webOS platform, enabling simple access to a large collection of apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and so on.
The 2019 LG C9 has gotten some pretty stellar reviews. Notably, Tom's Guide scored the TV an impressive 4.5/5, while Digital Trends scored it an equally impressive 9/10. The only downsides? The TV is pretty expensive, so if you're looking for a more budget-friendly HomeKit-enabled display, you'll likely be better off checking out some of Vizio's options. Unlike LCD TVs, there's also some risk for burn-in on OLED displays, though the C9 includes several features designed to minimize that possibility.
Pros: High-end image quality, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, Google Assistant and Alexa for expanded ecosystem support, webOS smart TV platform
Cons: Expensive, some risk for burn-in
The best HomeKit-enabled TV for the money
Can't afford an OLED TV? The Vizio P-Series Quantum is arguably the next best thing, thanks to its excellent image quality and solid smart features.
LG's OLED displays are impressive, but not everyone has that much cash to burn on a TV. If the C9 exceeds your price limit, then there are still several worthwhile TVs with HomeKit support to go for — like, for example, the Vizio P-Series Quantum.
The P-Series Quantum is surprisingly affordable, and it offers an image quality that rivals many pricier displays from other manufacturers. Thanks to the fact that the TV leverages quantum dot technology and full-array local dimming, the display is able to produce vivid colors, deep black levels, and bright HDR highlights.
The P-Series Quantum is pretty smart too. In addition to easy integration with Apple's HomeKit and AirPlay 2 smart ecosystem, the TV also supports voice commands through separate Google Assistant and Alexa devices. Meanwhile, Vizio's SmartCast OS makes it easy to cast streaming apps from mobile devices, though the platform's on-screen app selection is a bit limited compared to other systems. Vizio's handy WatchFree app, which allows you to stream over 100 live TV channels for free, is also a nice inclusion.
In our full review for the Vizio P-Series Quantum, we called the TV "one of the best display options out there for buyers who want a genuine home theater experience without breaking the bank." Compared to more expensive HomeKit-enabled TVs, however, viewing angles are mediocre and the TV doesn't include a voice remote.
Still, for Apple fans who want a budget-friendly HomeKit display solution without sacrificing image quality, the P-Series Quantum is a very worthwhile alternative to an OLED.
Pros: Impressive image quality for the price, supports separate Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa devices, bright image with HDR10 and Dolby Vision
Cons: On-screen app selection is limited, viewing angles aren't great, no voice remote
The best budget HomeKit-enabled TV
The Vizio M-Series Quantum not only offers an excellent image quality for the price, but it also comes with many of the smart features you would expect from much more expensive TVs.
Vizio makes some TVs that are even more affordable than the P-Series. The Vizio M-Series Quantum isn't quite as high-tech as the P-Series, but it still has a ton to offer. The main differences between the two TVs are that the M-Series offers less zones for local dimming and a lower peak brightness. This means that HDR and black level performance aren't as advanced on the M-Series as they are on the P-Series. But when it comes to TVs in this price range that support HomeKit, it's hard to find a better performing display than the M-Series Quantum.
Like other Vizio Quantum TVs, the M-Series Quantum boasts quantum dot technology for wide color playback, ensuring you get the most accurate image when watching HDR videos. You'll also still get Vizio's SmartCast platform, with support for Google Assistant and Alexa devices, plus AirPlay 2. Of course, it also supports HomeKit, making it one of the most affordable TVs to offer HomeKit capabilities so far.
The Vizio M-Series Quantum is available in a few different sizes, including 55 inches and 65 inches, so there should be a size that works for most needs.
Like other Vizio TVs, the Vizio M-Series Quantum has been getting excellent reviews. CNET and Tom's Guide both gave the TV an impressive 4/5, with the main downsides being that the TV's remote isn't the best, and that the SmartCast platform could use some work.
If you want an even less expensive HomeKit-enabled TV option, Vizio's entry-level V-Series 4K TV is also worth considering. Though its picture quality isn't as advanced as the M-Series, it still offers a decent viewing experience for the price.
Pros: Affordable, includes advanced picture features for the price, works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa products, HDR10 and Dolby Vision
Cons: Remote's design isn't the best, SmartCast could use some work, brightness and local dimming capabilities are not on par with more expensive models
The best HomeKit-enabled Android TV
The Sony X950G is the TV for those with a foot in multiple camps – not only does it have HomeKit support, but it also has Android TV and will work perfectly with your other Google devices.
This category might be a little niche, but could still come in handy for families with users on different smart platforms. The Sony X950G not only has Android TV built into it, but it also works with HomeKit, making for an interesting combination.
Android TV is a reliable smart TV platform with access to a large assortment of apps. It can also tie in seamlessly with Google's other products. Namely, you'll get Google Assistant integration directly on the X950G, so you can use the TV to control your other Google Assistant-enabled devices. It also, as mentioned, has HomeKit support — meaning you can also integrate it with your Apple ecosystem and other HomeKit smart devices. The result? You can tell Siri to play content on your Android TV.
The image quality on the Sony X950G is impressive too. The TV has a 4K panel and supports HDR with Dolby Vision, plus it features Sony's X1 Ultimate Processor, which helps deliver good upscaling and motion smoothing.
So what are the downsides to the Sony X950G? Well, the main one is that the TV's speakers are a little sub-par, and compared to some other TVs in its price range, the black-levels aren't that deep. Still, the TV has gotten some good reviews — including a rating of 4/5 from Tom's Guide.
Pros: Android TV with integrated Google Assistant, support for separate Amazon Alexa devices, HDR10 and Dolby Vision
Cons: Lackluster audio quality, black levels aren't great, more expensive than similar models from other manufacturers
The best HomeKit-enabled streaming device
The Apple TV brings some HomeKit features to any TV with an HDMI port, plus it integrates with all your other Apple devices.
The TVs on this list are all great, but what if you don't want to buy a new display and simply want to utilize HomeKit and AirPlay 2 through a TV you already have? In that case, it's worth looking into an Apple TV — like the Apple TV 4K.
It's important to note that using the Apple TV 4K is a little different than using a TV with HomeKit support built into it. With an Apple TV device you won't be able to actually control your TV itself with Siri or the Home app, but you will be able to ask Siri to play content on your display from your phone or iPad through the Apple TV, which is a nice touch.
The Apple TV 4K can also serve as a HomeKit hub — which is something that smart TVs can't do. When configured as a hub, your other HomeKit devices will connect to the Apple TV 4K and your Wi-Fi network, so you can control your HomeKit products from outside your home. Without a hub, you can only control your devices when you're within range of your home.
Outside of HomeKit functionality, the Apple TV 4K is simply a great media player. The device has Siri built right into it, plus it has access to all of Apple's other apps and services that you would expect. That means you can easily play your iTunes library on | 2,625 |
We will customize a digital strategy based on your business goals and budget, whether you are building a<|fim_middle|> in the most cost-effective manner. | website for the first time or wish to optimize an existing site.
The goal of Digital Strategy is to provide your business with an actionable plan for your digital marketing, targeting well-defined customer segments within specific channels. We develop a strategy to build awareness, increase traffic, provide product and/or service differentiation, and to meet measurable business objectives.
We have deep expertise in Digital Strategy and Marketing, and a passion for growing small business. Our goal is to evolve and grow along with our clients, using all of the tools in our digital toolbox to build your business and grow your brand.
A good digital strategy follows structure, people and ideas with an outcome of profit and ROIs. Without digital strategy, a company can end up with disparate marketing ideas that aren't working together and without return being measured. A solid digital strategy provides a roadmap for digital marketing, clear marketing goals, and the metrics upon which success will be measured. This is an important first step in putting together a digital plan that will grow with your business.
…And that's not all! Contact us to discuss Digital Marketing Strategies to help your business to gain the competitive advantage by reaching target customers and influencers | 230 |
Why "Gentle Birth Doula Services"?
First, birthing women need to be treated with gentleness and respect. Not only should they have procedures explained to them before the procedures happen, but they should be the ones with authority over their births. There is no one more expert than the mother and the baby in their own unique dance of birth. Mothers should be treated as the intelligent human beings they are and not be coerced, either overtly or covertly, into doing things. Finally, they should be touched gently and have their physical boundaries respected, especially in the process of childbirth. Birthing mothers are creatures of great worth and beauty, and this is the message they should be receiving as they give birth.
Equally, babies need to be treated with gentleness and respect. They deserve to be brought into this world by the gentlest process possible and held by gentle hands. They deserve to spend the first<|fim_middle|> active in the process of being born. Babies are creatures of great worth and beauty, and we grown-ups should affirm this even at birth.
Of course, I try as the doula to be gentle, too , but primarily it's because I believe mothers and babies deserve to go through the journey of birth with compassionate attendants and respectful treatment. | sacred hours of their lives in the safest, most reassuring place possible: their mother's arms. It may come as a surprise to many of us in our Western culture, but babies are intelligent people who are | 41 |
Fort Smith, the little town in the Northern bush
Kyle Gennings
Paddlers surf the hole at Mountain Rapids outside of Fort Smith during the fourth annual Paddlefest, showing off their kayaking prowess while braving the Slave River's strong currents.<|fim_middle|> Queen Elizabeth park where prizes and awards were given out.
Paddlefest
slave river | Paddlers young and old spent the long weekend playing on the river, competing in various friendly competitions of skill.Photo by Paul Bannister.
"It was an awesome weekend, the best Paddlefest so far," said organizer Kirsten Bradley.
This year's event saw paddlers come in larger numbers from farther distances to enjoy the event and play in the Slave River rapids over the holiday weekend.
"We have a huge contingent from Yellowknife, 25 at least," said Bradley. "We had people from Fort Simpson, Calgary, B.C., Colorado and Michigan."
Higher water levels and periodic rain made the event less spectator-friendly, but many still hiked and waded their way to the place local paddlers lovingly call The Playground at Mountain Rapids, site of most of the activities, to watch the competitors do what they do best.
"We saw a lot more advanced paddlers this year," said Bradley. "They were a really friendly group and we had a lot of fun."
Activities were kicked off with the flotilla and war canoe race Friday morning.
Both were flat water events involving paddling down the Slave River from Hay Camp in Wood Buffalo National Park to Fitzgerald.
This year, there was a shortened version of the flotilla starting at the halfway point and most flotilla paddlers took advantage of that, enjoying a leisurely sojourn down a picturesque part of the river for several hours.
Smith's Landing First Nation, Wood Buffalo National Park and the Fort Smith Paddling Club were partners in the organization of that day's events.
Each had a team in the featured war canoe race.
The winner this year was the paddling club, managing to wrest the honours and the coveted paddling trophy from the hands of the Smith's Landing team, who finished only minutes behind.
"We felt it a good idea to be charitable," quipped SLFN Chief Cheyeanne Paulette during the trophy presentation ceremony.
The day was concluded with an outdoor feast at Fitzgerald, hosted by SLFN.
Saturday was the day for whitewater events.
It kicked off with a Feeding the Fire ceremony where Francois Paulette, assisted by SLFN members and drummers, blessed the event and all who traveled to it in a traditional Dene way.
It was a special, inspiring and heartfelt moment when paddlers were reminded of the spiritual connection all people have to the river, and to appreciate how meaningful that is.
Following that, people proceeded to the rapids and events commenced.
The feature event Saturday afternoon was the advanced paddler throw-down, where the best paddlers played in a whitewater "hole" right off the rocks in full view of spectators.
Called rodeo or free-style, the paddlers got two chances to show off their skills and do a variety of tricks, with judges scoring each performance.
The winner this year was defending champion Leif Anderson from Fort Collins, Colorado, who once again wowed with some amazing aquabatics.
There were a variety of kayak events for all skill levels as well as canoe surfing and rescue, an event involving teams of kayakers battling one another while pushing large inflated balls around on the rapids, and some hi-jinx events such as surfing the hole with an inflatable toy and a swimming race through the rapids.
This year's newest addition, the tandem kayak, was a huge success, according to Bradley. People paid to have a professional paddler take them out into the rapids and show them the finer points of getting wet in the Slave.
"The people who took a ride said it was awesome," she said. "One person told me that it was way better than whitewater rafting."
The profit (at $15 a ride) from the tandem tours will be donated to the Fort Smith Food Bank.
Even though the imminent threat of damming the Slave has now seemingly passed, the prospect is never far from Bradley's mind.
"We have to keep using and appreciating the river because the power companies are not going away forever," she said. "The rapids are one of the defining features of Fort Smith, so let's continue to celebrate them every year."
The day was capped off with a barbecue and party at | 847 |
Over<|fim_middle|>! | the 11 years that Bart Brown has been volunteering at KidWorks' after school programs, he's probably given thousands of "high fives" to the young students he's helped solve math problems or correctly pronounce long words.
Bart's connection to KidWorks is as strong today as it was at our founding. Every Monday you'll find him at our Townsend Center, ready to tackle homework alongside our students.
Jessica Ellis, Site Director of our Dan Donahue Center, says Bart really brings learning to life for our students.
Bart says he has seen the transformation of Townsend Street from a more troubled neighborhood a few years ago, to one where real community is evident.
Bart and his wife, Laurie, have lived in Newport Beach since 1959, moving there after graduating college. They have two married adult daughters, plus four grandchildren ranging in age from 11 to 32.
Laurie and Bart love to travel (the accompanying photo shows them during a recent visit to Prambanan, a ninth century Hindu temple in Indonesia).
KidWorks deeply thanks Bart for being such a vital part of our history—past, present and future | 235 |
UQ Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) student, Courtney Bartels, in the Ekka Animal Nursery.
Tiny fish, burly Brahman bulls and everything in between were cared for at this year's Ekka by University of Queensland veterinarians.
The Royal<|fim_middle|> after the welfare of animals at the extremely popular animal nursery exhibit, and discussed Gatton campus life and study programs at the 'cow paddock' exhibit.
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology student, Sarah Stewart-Koster, patting a Clydesdale horse, which her family owns.
Bachelor of Veterinary Technology student, Sarah Stewart-Koster, was excited to see a new side of the Ekka, while picking up new skills and experience.
"I'd been to the Ekka before and thought I'd seen it all, but didn't realise the scale and scope of the event," she said.
"My background is mostly in Clydesdale horses and horse shows, so this was a fantastic opportunity to open my eyes to other animal care practices, and to learn how to apply my skills in a professional setting.
"It was also really interesting to see the wide variety of people attending, find out a little about their backgrounds and what they were interested in, and see if we could get them excited about interacting with animals and learning more.
The UQ VETS veterinarians, along with assisting UQ students will be returning to the Ekka in 2019.
Media: Dr Rachel Allavena, r.allavena@uq.edu.au, +61 7 5460 1826; Dominic Jarvis, dominic.jarvis@uq.edu.au, +61 413 334 924. | Queensland Show, known affectionately as the 'Ekka', benefited from the presence of UQ VETS veterinarians from the Dayboro and Gatton clinics, as they assisted at various displays and precincts across the event.
Veterinarian and Associate Professor at the School of Veterinary Science, Dr Rachel Allavena, believes that the collaboration, which has now run for many years, is great for both animals in need and UQ vet students.
"The Ekka is known for being where the city meets the country, and a wide array of animals are on display or compete in shows throughout the 10 day event," Dr Allavena said.
"The variety of animals is great for our final year Bachelor of Veterinary Science honours students, who assist our vets, as they get to see how diverse and exciting a mixed practice can be.
"This year we also introduced students at earlier stages of their degree, as well as Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students, who volunteered to look | 195 |
Pushing the boundaries of what is possible with packaging is at the heart of everything Label Apeel does. The company uses the expertise of its in-house research and development team, and also the talents of its sister packaging design agency, Shuck Creative, to ensure that all the labels Label Apeel produces help products to fly off the shelves.
Claire Jeffery, from Shuck Creative, reveals why it makes sense to use a label printer that has close links with designers. "Shuck provides the full design offering. This isn't just about labels, but full packaging - from cartons and tubes, to glass and everything in between. We offer a full artwork and implementation service, so if you've got a design, we can roll that out over other pack formats and sizes," she explains.
"Our team handles all aspects of design and artwork, and works closely with clients and Label Apeel to avoid the common problem of coming up with an amazing idea, then finding out it can't be done by the time it gets to repro or print."
She adds, "With 20 years' experience, and staff that have worked in the top ten agencies in London, we've learned a few things along the way. We'll research the brief and the current market, and we'll explore what our client wants. We will look at what can realistically be achieved within budgets and time frames, and we'll work hard to ensure<|fim_middle|> it hits the shelf.
"Label Apeel, and Shuck Creative, have an open-door policy. They invite brand-owners, designers and suppliers to come in, put on a hairnet and take a selfie. Visitors can spend time next to the printers and get in the thick of where the action happens. We want to help educate and inform clients about what's possible with a label."
Label Apeel believes that the self-regulatory nature of the alcohol industry is in danger of being impacted by mandatory government labelling laws.
Dancing Duck Brewery applies the same playful designs to the company's informative responsibilities as it does to branding and style. | that the brand has a cohesive look and feel across all formats by the time | 15 |
On Aug. 17, 1959, the most powerful earthquake in Montana's recorded history battered the Madison River Canyon near the town of West Yellowstone. The quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale, triggered the largest landslide ever recorded in North America. An estimated 80 million tons of earth and rock fell from the side of a mountain into the Madison River, forming a dam and creating what is now known as Quake Lake. It's estimated that 28 people were killed.
The initial large shock occurred near midnight, sending waves surging down Hebgen Lake and over the top of Hebgen Dam. A 20-foot wall of water, sloshing as if it were in a giant dishpan, swept down the narrow Madison Canyon. From the dam to the mouth of the canyon, a distance of seven miles, there were three Forest Service campgrounds and a couple of dude ranches. Those facilities were packed with campers, most of whom were in bed. About the time the surge reached the canyon mouth, half of a 7600-foot mountain crashed into the river.
Forty years later, on Aug. 18, 1999, the Gallatin National Forest hosted a memorial<|fim_middle|>. Later in the day they got the road open. The jumpers started working along the river and the rapidly rising Quake Lake searching for survivors and victims. We looked in vehicles, campers and trailers and took the license plates off everything that was or would be under water. There are probably a lot of once-new rigs that are under the surface of that lake today. We continued searching until later the following day when most of us were demobed back to Missoula. Al Hammond stayed on to help explain things to the fact-finding officials.
Many changes have been made in Madison Canyon since the quake, including a new highway above the new lake, lots of roadside markers referring to the event and a visitors' center right on top of the landslide.
The commemorative program began with people gathering in a meadow near Refuge Point. Shortly thereafter the West Yellowstone Twin Otter showed up and dropped Greg Anderson and eight of his folks on a proficiency jump. Everybody got right into the spot and was soon mixing with the crowd answering the usual questions. It turned into a nice show-and-tell thing. From there, everybody moved up to a viewpoint above the visitors'center where a local pastor delivered a service reciting the names of each person who had died there, many of whom were entombed in the landslide below.
The folks on the Gallatin Forest and volunteers at the visitors'center did a great job of putting the memorial together and contacting survivors or their families who are scattered all over the country. And, the West Yellowstone jumpers helped lighten the mood of what otherwise might have been a somber event.
Robert H. Nicol rookied at Nine Mile in 1952 and jumped eight seasons, six of them on the New Mexico detail. His last jump season was 1961. Bob started flying for a living in 1962 with Johnson Flying Service and has also flown for Intermountain, Southern Air Transport, Interior Airways, Evergreen International, the US Forest Service, Empire and Leading Edge. He served 2-1/2 years in the Marine Corps. Bob's still flying and he lives near Hamilton, Mont. | at the site of the disaster where many of the survivors, their families and other participants gathered to remember. Eight smokejumpers from the Missoula base, including Al Hammond and I, were among the many involved in the rescue effort who attended the memorial event.
I was called out to the Aerial Fire Depot in the early morning of that day 40 years ago, assuming it was going to be for a fire mission, but the base was gearing up for a rescue. The plan was to load the airplane with emergency medical technicians, but since most jumpers were out on fires, all available overhead were suited up, and the remainder of the load was filled from the jump list.
In the meantime, we were hearing rumors about an earthquake, a landslide, a flood and a dam break. Nobody really seemed to know what was going on, as usual. We loaded up on the DC-2 with Cookie Calloway as the pilot, Joe Roemer and Randy Hurst as spotters. The jumpers were Al Hammond, foreman in charge, "Andy"Andersen, Jim Burleigh, Lowell Hansen, Bill McLaughlin, Pat Scheid, **** Tracy and me. We figured that the West Yellowstone jumpers would be going also but it turned out their airplane was broke or gone or something.
We made a couple of passes up and down the canyon trying to sort things out, then we got word that the Hebgen Dam had been cracked and could break at any time. Hammond said we'd better get those people to higher ground as quickly as possible.
Survivors had laid out a white SOS near the dam. Near it was a bunch of people, and another large group was about halfway down the canyon at a place now known as Refuge Point.
We decided to split the load. Al and three guys jumped by the dam and then Andersen and the rest of us took the lower spot. The air was kind of rough and it had started to rain. I was holding into the wind but was going downhill and backward a lot faster than I wanted to. There were some real impressive parachute landing falls made right among the rescuees that day. As I was thrashing around trying to get myself untangled several folks ran up and asked if I was OK. Seemed a little ironic somehow.
We found a lot of hurt people and a few fatalities. Others were missing. There was a lot of confusion too, but folks were helping each other as best they could and had mostly done what could be done at that point. We did a little first aid work while trying to get everybody to move up the hill. That was the hard part. They just didn't want to leave their vehicles, their tents or any belongings down by the river. We got most of them moved up a ways but not near far enough as far as I was concerned. Turned out they were right. The dam was cracked sure enough, but it never did break.
As I said, it was raining a little, and a couple of ladies asked "Big Andy" if they could use his parachute for a tent. He couldn't refuse, of course but was not too happy when later he saw that they had cut off all the lines right at the skirt.
It seemed like the air in that canyon was full of little airplanes, mostly news media and sightseers, I suppose. There was probably some officialdom up there but they had no radio contact or control of any kind. Cookie, the DC-2 pilot, told me later that trying to drop our cargo in that sort of deal was something he didn't want to do ever again.
About noon, helicopters started coming in bringing some real medical types and the law. They started moving injured people out and things started to settle down | 761 |
10 The Lord was pleased by Solomon's request. 11 So God said to him: Because you asked for this—you did not ask for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies—but you asked for discernment to know what is right— 12 I now do as you request. I give you a heart so wise and discerning that there has never been anyone like you until now, nor after you will there be anyone to equal you. 13 In addition, I give you what you have not asked for: I give you such riches and glory that among kings there will be no one like you all your days. 14 And<|fim_middle|> made in the wilderness, and the altar for burnt offerings were at that time on the high place at Gibeon.
21:29 : 1 Chr 16:39; 1 Kgs 8:4; 2 Chr 1:3. | if you walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and commandments, as David your father did, I will give you a long life. 15 Solomon awoke; it was a dream! He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, sacrificed burnt offerings and communion offerings, and gave a feast for all his servants.
3:16–5:14 The fourth major unit of the Solomon story shows how Solomon used the three gifts that the Lord gave him in 3:12–13: a listening heart (3:16–28), riches (4:1–5:8), universal renown (5:9–14). In each case his gifts benefited the populace, from the lowest classes (3:16–28) to his whole people (4:20; 5:5) to the whole world (5:9–14). Compare 9:26–10:29, where the same three gifts all redound to the benefit of Solomon himself.
3:13 : Eccl 1:12–13; Wis 7:7–11; Mt 6:29.
29 The tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had | 265 |
Safran launches exciting new ad campaign
Safran is launching its brand-new advertising campaign during the Farnborough air show in Britain from June 19 to 23. Marking a break with previous ads by our Group and in our sector, this campaign is based on a unique illustrated alphabet that reflects Safran's mastery of high technology. The campaign will be visible on large billboards in train stations and airports used by show visitors, in the press (business and trade magazines) and on Internet banners. And it will continue to be published throughout the year in the aerospace trade press. We asked Pascale Dubois, Safran Vice President for Communications, to share her insights.
Safran's new ad campaign is built around an "alphabet" based on the products and areas of expertise of Group companies. Could you explain this choice?
The main idea is to show the diversity and unity of our Group. Safran comprises a number of companies that share the same passion for cutting-edge expertise in our three core markets of Aerospace, Defence and Security. What does an engineer working in the United States on airport security systems have in common with another engineer in France who's designing tomorrow's airplane engines? In short, a passion for high-technology, precision, expertise... Using this alphabet, we illustrate the language "spoken" by the 55,000 men and women working for Safran around the world.
What is the aim of this ad campaign?
Communications<|fim_middle|> voluntarily "offbeat", compared to the usual ads in the sector…
It is in effect an original approach in our business sector, one that is designed to establish our difference and reflect our goals. In terms of differentiation, we chose to emphasize our expertise rather than the products themselves. And it reflects our goals because the words chosen as illustrations and the accompanying body copy spotlight our core values. For example, when we talk about "passion", we make a firm commitment to our customers and to our employees, both present and future. Looking forward, we could even adapt this campaign as a recruiting tool. | at a group like Safran are primarily "Business to Business", and this campaign will give our customers a better understanding of Safran. It is designed to establish our distinctive difference, with the primary aim of enhancing our Group's recognition. For more than a year now we have scored a number of significant business wins, along with other positive developments. So the time was ripe to launch a campaign that would make a striking impact, provide a rallying point for all employees and spotlight our new logo and visual identity.
It's also a campaign that seems to be | 112 |
I was still standing at my alter praying, when I saw Jesus and my spirit guides enter the healing room that I visualized. I entered into a deep meditative state. I was at her head, my spirit guides surrounding her. Jesus was standing to her right, holding her wrist very gently, as if not to hurt her. He held her swollen right arm for a long time, laying it gently across her stomach when he finished. I fell asleep knowing intuitively that the swelling would be gone in the morning. I awoke in the night and saw the team of spiritual guides still working on Eleanor. They had worked on her all night!
She called in the afternoon the next day. "I was so afraid to call you today, for fear that you would be lying on the floor unconscious after what happened last night." "What happened Eleanor?", I asked. "Well, first my mind was drawn up into the universe, there were stars all around and then I saw sparkling rubies and diamonds. The color purple kept coming to me. I was surrounded by purple. Then I saw a brilliant white light. There were people working on me and I saw Jesus. I felt my right arm being lifted as if by air, then somehow it was across my stomach, and I didn't put it there . I felt like I needed to keep opening my mouth, because they were pulling these poisons from my toes, up through my body and out of my mouth." "Guess what?" She said happily, "The swelling in my arm and ankles is gone and I am getting better. My husband says I look like a different person today.".
We continued the Reiki treatments every night for a week. The second night I was very tired and fought to stay awake. "Go to sleep, we will finish this." I heard a voice say. They told me<|fim_middle|> to remain anonymous. Thank you White Feather for sharing this inspirational story. | and showed me that I was a conduit, plugging Eleanor into the power source. Thank you God, I thought gratefully as I fell asleep.
The most awesome moment came one night during Eleanor's Reiki treatment. I felt Jesus' presence near me. Then suddenly I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of love, centered in my heart chakra. It radiated out through my arm into Eleanor' body, as my hand reached over and gently touched her chin. I felt/ heard Him say "Eleanor, my sweet and precious child." I knew that it was His love that was healing her.
Later, I asked Eleanor what was so important about having that gold chain fixed. "You know, it's the strangest thing, but I suddenly decided that I had to have that 22 year old chain fixed." "Eleanor.... it was time for your healing to begin and that chain was what started it all." I said.
Eleanor's healing continues, she is getting stronger every day. During her radiation and chemotherapy treatments she was told by a nurse and her doctor that she was at stage -3 andd that at stage -4, when the cancer enters the patient's bones death is imminent. They told her that she probably wouldn't survive the radiation treatments. She was given the most radical chemotherapy they had ever given at that hospital. The doctor told Eleanor that "Only God would save her now." I think it did.
White Feather is a pen name for one of our readers who wishes | 305 |
About a month and a half ago I took a big step towards finishing the exterior of the IC 3345<|fim_middle|> went into the storage field and found both of them. With the help from Jeff, from the steam department and operating the large fork lift, we moved them from the storage field to an area next to barn 10. This happened in the early spring of this year. This September I personally hired a contractor to abrade the exterior of both buffers. Kane DeKalb Dustless Blasting is the name of the contractor. The process involves using water as the medium mixed with in this case with fine particles of ground up glass to remove the old paint and rust. I would highly recommend its use on other projects around the museum for it worked very well. Anyway, they were prepped, blasted and primed on a Saturday and then top coated with two coats, of Sherwin Williams urethane paint on Sunday, September 22 of this year.
Before the contracting work has begun.
I just finished priming both buffers.
Sunday was another beautiful fall day for painting. This is the finish coat.
What a difference sandblasting and painting will do for any piece. Painting makes anything look good. The next step is to finally install each buffer onto the coach and then finally move it into barn 3 for display. If you would like to help defray the cost of the removal please send your donation and mark it for the IC3345 fund. Thanks, Roger! | coach. The end buffers were not installed when we painted the coach last year. Wanting to finally finish that part of the project I | 27 |
Jesus began His ministry with the words, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." His next words were to two fishermen, while working at their trade. He said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:17-19. The message of<|fim_middle|> church. He is causing His people to face the claims of His kingdom in their lives. The kingdom is at hand. All else will pass away. Do not draw back, but press on and into the kingdom. | the kingdom was applied to the lives of men in relationship to their occupation. These were fishers of fish. But Jesus called them to become fishers of men – still fishing, but with a higher purpose in view. The kingdom message, in its functioning, lifts the earthly aspect of our vocation into a higher purpose.
The word "kingdom" has been misunderstood and misapplied. It has often been relegated to a future heaven or millennium. The message of the kingdom is meant to be a present reality in our lives. The kingdom being "at hand" means it is within our reach in reality and function. It does not imply being in a place of rulership, but rather, the operation of kingdom principles in our lives.
The "kingdom at hand" requires submission to the rule of God in our lives. To seek the kingdom is to make the rule of God the object of our desires. It is recognizing Jesus as King, and placing everything in our lives in subjection to His kingdom rule. It is "at hand" that is, it is in your immediate circumstances, not in some ethereal religious form or future hope, but "at hand," reachable and touchable. Jesus said, "Follow Me." If we do not recognize Him as King and allow the operation of the kingdom in our lives, we are not in the place of His calling. If our lives are like they were before salvation, plus the salt of religion, we are falling far short of His purpose in and for us.
Today He is establishing His body in divine order. Our homes and churches are being brought back to scriptural patterns. Things that God winked at in the past are no longer left unchallenged in our lives. Everything that can be shaken is shaking. The Lord will no longer allow His people to remain in the realm of blessing or playing | 376 |
For the first time ever, we have secrets of mold revealed! Did you know that after a flooding of virtually any volume (from a ceiling leak to a full flooded house) your soaked home is the perfect real estate spot for dangerous mold?
Mold are fungi life forms that reproduce from seed-like spores. Their living inside a home could result in a household's allergic reactions, asthma attacks or even lead to respiratory illnesses<|fim_middle|>! | . Consider 4 important secrets about mold and what you can do to prevent the development.
1. Molds are attracted to dark, humid rooms with warm temperatures.
The aftermath of a flood is the perfect climate and situation for the developing mold to grow. As long as mold has a source of moisture and something carbon like paper, wood or clothing, they can survive. A wet carpet, a wet piece of furniture or a puddle of water under the refrigerator is an ideal place for mold growth.
2. Mold advances much faster than mankind.
Within hours after landing, mold can start reproducing and forming colonies. This is why after a flood situation, immediate action is required to prevent the infiltration.
Regular carpeting after a flooding situation should be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 48 hours of the water damage. After 48 hours, especially in warm temperatures, it very well might be too late to salvage the carpet from mold and bacteria contamination.
3. Mold can be nasty when provoked...actually it's always nasty.
Mold thrives on dirt and dirty surroundings. Mold has an eye for dirty real estate and can sense when a carpet or a piece of furniture looks clean but still contains left over residue. It's important when cleaning up after a flood to also totally disinfect the area in addition to washing and rinsing.
Water, chlorine and detergent effectively kill off living mold and prevent the growth of new spores. Careful cleaning of not only the dirty area, but also surrounding areas is advised so that what you terminate doesn't return.
4. Mold hates the desert.
Mold needs moisture to survive. Even though the organism can live off of very little food, it is dependent upon water. Therefore, it is important to not only clean surfaces and furnishings after a flood but to make sure they are also thoroughly dry.
Just because you clean the surface of a carpet doesn't mean the mold has been wiped out. In carpets that are completely wet it may be necessary to replace the padding underneath so that no left over moisture can spawn new mold development.
A vacuum is best when drying off home furnishings; last but not least, be sure to to exhaust the vacuum into an outside area. Vacuuming up the mold, mildew and bacteria only to send it elsewhere in the house defeats the purpose of cleaning.
Mold is not that smart of an enemy, yet so many people continue to have problems keeping these lower life forms out of their house. But now you can breathe comfortably, since you know the secrets on how to get rid of mold and keep your house clean | 518 |
Home » Winners announced for SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition
Winners announced for SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition
Celebrating their wins at the Analog Device Building at UL were, Colaiste Bhaile Chlair Galway students, Rachel Scarry, for the most innovative crystal, First place prize winner, Aoife Ryan and Second runner-up prize winner Billy Clarke.
"Crystals come in all different shapes and sizes and can be found everywhere in nature. Most of the medicines we take are made up of compacted powders and the individual particles of the powders are in fact tiny crystals." Professor Kieran Hodnett, SSPC Scientific Director.
Following the great success of the 2014 SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition, which was launched as part of Science Week to celebrate the International Year of Crystallography 2014, the Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), announced the winners of the 2015 SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition at the University of Limerick on Friday, March 4th, 2016. The competition was open to primary and post-primary schools in Ireland and aimed at students who were challenged to grow a single crystal from a variety of compounds such as: Salt (Sodium Chloride), Alum, Sugar, or Copper Sulphate.
Professor Kieran Hodnett, SSPC Scientific Director said,"The SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition is of significant importance as not only has it enabled students to grow their own crystals, but it has also increased students' awareness and understanding of the importance of crystals in our lives today."
At the award ceremony, Professor Michael Zaworotko, SSPC collaborator and University of Limerick's Bernal Chair of Crystal Engineering, announced the winners of the SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition.
First place prizes were awarded to Aoife Ryan, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Galway and Keat's 5th class from Scoil Ide primary school, Limerick. Second runner-up prizes were awarded to Dominika D<|fim_middle|> of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, for the most innovative crystal.
Professor Michael Zaworotko added,"As someone who appreciates the beauty and importance of crystals, it excites me to see the high level of energy and dedication shown by the students and their teachers involved in the SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition. Congratulations to all our winners as the standard of crystals were of a very high quality."
Growing crystals takes time and the best crystals are those which have grown slowly. The final judgement is based largely on fundamentals such as the crystal definition, clarity, size and overall quality. The judging panel for the SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition complimented the excellent standard of entries.
The crystals submitted to the SSPC National Crystal Growing Competition will be kept on public display at SSPC headquarters at UL. This event was supported by UL. | acas, Cabinteely Community School, Dublin and Billy Clarke, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir and third runner-up prizes were awarded to both Dean Byrne, Cabinteely Community School and Megha Theresa James, St Paul's Secondary School, Dublin. This year an additional prize was awarded to Rachel Scarry, | 65 |
DURHAM, N.C. -- Materials scientists at Duke University computationally predicted the electrical and optical properties of semiconductors made from extended organic molecules sandwiched by inorganic structures.
These types of so-called layered "hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites" -- or HOIPs -- are popular targets for light-based devices such as solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The ability to build accurate models of these materials atom-by-atom will allow researchers to explore new material designs for next-generation devices.
The results appeared online on October 4 in Physical Review Letters.
"Ideally we would like to be able to manipulate the organic and inorganic components of these types<|fim_middle|> Yosuke Kanai, a fellow theorist at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill; and Alvaro Vazquez-Mayagoitia, a scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, used Theta's computational power to model the electronic states within a layered HOIP first synthesized by Mitzi more than a decade ago. While the electrical and optical properties of the material are well-known, the physics behind how they emerge have been much debated.
In a series of computational models, the team calculates the electronic states and localizes the valence band and conduction band of the HOIP's constituent materials, the organic bis(aminoethyl)-quaterthiophene (AE4T) and the inorganic lead bromide (PbBr4). These properties dictate how electrons travel through and between the two materials, which determines the wavelengths and energies of light it absorbs and emits, among other important properties such as electrical conduction.
Liu then went further by tweaking the materials -- varying the length of the organic molecular chain and substituting chlorine or iodine for the bromine in the inorganic structure -- and running additional computations. On the experimental side, Mitzi and collaborator Wei You, professor of chemistry and applied physical sciences at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, are working on the difficult task of synthesizing these variations to further verify their colleagues' theoretical models.
The work is part of a larger initiative called the HybriD3 project aimed at discovering and fine-tuning new functional semiconductor materials. The collaborative effort features a total of six teams of researchers. Joining those researchers located at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, professors Kenan Gundogdu and Franky So at North Carolina State University are working to further characterize the materials made in the project, as well as exploring prototype light-emitting devices.
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation (DMR-1729297, DMR-1728921, DMR-11-21107) and the Department of Energy (DE-AC02-06CH11357). | of materials independently and create semiconductors with new, predictable properties," said David Mitzi, the Simon Family Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke. "This study shows that we are able to match and explain the experimental properties of these materials through complex supercomputer simulations, which is quite exciting."
That supercomputer -- dubbed Theta -- is currently the 21st fastest in the world and resides at Argonne National Laboratory. The group was able to gain time on the behemoth through Blum securing one of only a dozen Theta Early Science Projects, aimed at paving the way for other applications to run on the system first launched in late 2017. They are now co-investigators on one of Department of Energy's prestigious "Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment" (INCITE) awards, enabling them to continue their work.
In the new study, Chi Liu, a graduate student in Blum's laboratory; | 194 |
We never plan for the "no's" in life.
We never plan to have our dreams shattered by this small two letter word<|fim_middle|>, "no." And as I watched others experience the same dream that had now unraveled in my life, I felt deeply abandoned, hurt, and even angry. Losing a dream is never easy. Hearing no, is never easy. Right? I mean, maybe you too have lost that dream. Maybe it stings every time you remember it and how you will never get it back. Maybe you have lost a relationship because God closed the door. Maybe you lost the job or the promotion you prayed for and you don't know where to go from here.
It's times like these when we despise that answer. We angrily wipe our tears as we ask God, "Why? Why would you say no to something so good? Why would you take away what I love?" But maybe? Just maybe…there is a little bit of grace hidden inside every no.
Perhaps inside of the no God gave you there was a greater yes just waiting to come.
A yes that will totally blow your mind. But to get to the yes? You must hold on through the no.
Nope, I'm certainly not saying it's easy to lose something that means a lot to you. I'm not saying it's easy to watch a dream die. Yet in the midst of the pain, I do ask you to look up. Because I think looking up is where you'll find that Jesus is aching to hold you. He's aching to hold you until His next yes comes. He knows. He knows that His no might hurt, but He also knows that the yes will finally make sense when it comes. Maybe it won't come for awhile. And maybe? Maybe it won't come until you see Him face to face. Yet when it does come, it'll be so worth it. I only ask you along the journey, when the answer is "no," to push towards Jesus and not away.
You might just find that He is the only answer your heart ever needed all along. | . It's a word used so commonly, and yet, there are times when it can be so devastating. We've spoken this word since we first learned to talk, saying "no" to anything and anyone. But as we've grown up we've learned that "no" is much less fun than "yes." So maybe that's why we view no as a hindrance, a problem, an interruption, or even a punishment.
But a blessing? Surely not.
We could never view this answer as a blessing or a little piece of grace. Because the truth? We think everything has to go according to our plans to be good. We believe that our dreams must work out or somehow we have failed. We view this answer, this no, as something bad, something harmful.
would've happened by now. Maybe you feel a bit like this too? Like all your dreaming and planning crashed around you when God said, "no." Yes, "wait," is always a different answer than, "no." Waiting means your good thing, your dream, is still coming. But no? That means never. It means you must let go. And letting go is hard.
You see, God told me, "no," too. It was my dream. It was an adventure I ached to live and it was all I ever thought about. I planned, and I planned some more. But in the end? God still said | 289 |
After the truly amazing celebration of our 16th year of techno space travels, we are very proud to announce our next edition with again several international names that are bright, shining stars on the techno firmament.
Robert Hood needs little introduction. Founding member of the legendary group Underground Resistance as a 'Minister Of Information' with 'Mad' Mike Banks & Jeff Mills, his seminal works on Jeff Mill's Axis and his very own M-Plant imprint paved the way for a wave of stripped-down dancefloor minimalism that directed much of techno's path throughout the late Nineties. Robert Hood makes Detroit techno with an emphasis on soul and experimentation over flash and popularity. Having recorded for Metroplex, Jeff Mills' Axis label, as well as Patrick Pulsingers 'Cheap' label, Peacefrog, and more recently Music Man, Hood also owns and operates the M-Plant imprint, through which he's released the bulk of his solo material. He has only released 2 ever CD mixes one for French label Logistic, and a mix for the club 'Fabric' mix<|fim_middle|> undoubtedly exquisite techno night will be started and closed off by our residents. Spacid will be warming up the crowd and Kr!z will make sure you go home satisfied. | series.
For Mark Broom, it all started in the summer of '89 when influenced by the Acid House era, he decided to try his hand at making music. He released his 1st record on General Prod. in the early 90´s. In '94 he established the Pure Plastic label together with Dave Hill. With his productions and excellent dj sets he made himself a name in the techno hall of fame. Under the name "Rue East" he established a banging live pa with Dave Hill. They recorded more than 10 EPs and two albums. Mark's newly launched imprint "King Of The Snakes" is now well into its 10th release and has a very bright future, Pure Plastic records just broke the 65th release barrier, has a Rue East album in the pipeline and some very strong releases coming up so this will be another fine year for Mark Broom.
Shed is a man of action, a living example how to reinvent oneself again and again within the boundaries of electronic music. At the same time, Shed does not follow shallow trends. The Berlin-based producer firmly believes in the power of techno music and is a techno kid through and through. His second album 'The traveller' on Ostgut Ton is not about the cultivated yet boring DJ-tool, but pitches those qualities of techno, which got us all going in the first place. Passion, surprise and the never-ending strive to push both the human being and the machines to the limit.
This | 308 |
Technology|As Trump and Xi Talk Trade, Huawei Will Loom Large
As Trump and Xi Talk Trade, Huawei Will Loom Large
China is not expected to accept a deal to lift tariffs unless there's relief for its biggest, most internationally successful tech company.
Testing 5G technology at a Huawei stand during the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai.CreditCreditHector Retamal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
By Raymond Zhong
DONGGUAN, China — President Trump and China's leader, Xi Jinping, are expected to try again to resolve their tariff war when they meet in Japan on Saturday.
First, they will need to figure out what to do about Huawei.
The Trump administration has squeezed the Chinese technology giant with nearly the full might of the United States government, choking off the firm's access to vital American suppliers, barring it from the country's telecom market and filing sweeping criminal charges against it.
Though Washington officials say those moves arose from national security concerns and are separate from the trade fight, few expect China to accept a deal to lift punishing tariffs that does not include relief for its biggest, most internationally successful tech firm.
"It is almost impossible for the Chinese to agree to almost anything while the Huawei action looms," said Samm Sacks, a China expert at the think tank New America. "Even if this is walked back, the Chinese fundamentally mistrust this administration. At this point, there's no walking back this mistrust."
Beijing on Thursday again called on Washington to end its restrictions on Huawei, and Chinese officials have complained about the harm they said the administration's moves against Chinese firms had done.
"We hope, in the spirit of free trade and the principles of W.T.O., that the U.S. will remove these inappropriate unilateral measures against Chinese companies," said Wang Shouwen, China's vice minister of commerce, referring to the World Trade Organization, earlier this week. "This is good for both sides."
Wang Shouwen, China's vice minister of commerce, in Beijing early this month.CreditWu Hong/EPA, via Shutterstock
Washington's blunt-force approach to st<|fim_middle|> have been studded with wartime language.
One post on the messaging app WeChat announced that cafeteria hours had been extended at Huawei's campuses in Dongguan. It ended by pledging the company's support to its employees:
The battle has begun,
As the bugle sounds the charge,
We will go forth hand in hand
To escort the warriors!
Paul Mozur contributed reporting from Shanghai. Carolyn Zhang and Luz Ding contributed research.
Raymond Zhong is a technology reporter. Prior to joining The Times in 2017, he covered India's fast-moving economy from New Delhi for The Wall Street Journal. @zhonggg
A version of this article appears in print on , Section B, Page 3 of the New York edition with the headline: 'Say No to Vacation Days': As Trump and Xi Talk, It's 'War Mode' at Huawei. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe | ymieing China's technological aspirations has split the business world, forcing tech firms on both sides of the Pacific to adapt at warp speed. Restricted from selling to Huawei, Silicon Valley is slashing revenue forecasts, although some firms have resumed certain sales that they do not believe are covered by Washington's ban. American businesses of all kinds are bracing for retaliation from Beijing.
Huawei has swung into what employees call "war mode" to survive Washington's fusillade. At the company's campuses in the southern Chinese cities of Dongguan and Shenzhen, projects have been accelerated and working hours have ballooned, according to half a dozen Huawei workers who requested anonymity to discuss internal company matters.
Even the Coca-Cola that gives employees their midafternoon sugar kick now comes in cans custom-printed with pump-up messages. One can pairs the image of a raised fist with the words "In the frenzy of the fight, say no to vacation days."
Mr. Trump has dangled the possibility of easing up on the company, saying last month that "it's possible that Huawei even would be included in some kind of a trade deal."
But any clemency for Huawei would face pushback in Washington. Hawkish officials and lawmakers see technology as an important front in a generational threat posed by China's rise. And they see Huawei as the apex of all that is threatening about that rise.
Their message has been heard clearly in Beijing, even if Washington eventually dials back some of its restrictions on the company.
"The damage is certainly done, from Beijing's perspective," Ms. Sacks said. "I think we are in a new world now. And to the extent that there is some deal to be made, I don't think it changes this new reality."
Washington has gone after Huawei on multiple fronts in the past year. The Justice Department in January filed criminal charges against the company, related to alleged violations of sanctions against Iran. Huawei denies wrongdoing and says its products do not threaten any nation's security — another allegation made by American officials, who say the company could spy on China's behalf.
After trade talks went off the rails last month, the Commerce Department ordered what was once seen as the nuclear option against Huawei: No more parts and equipment could be purchased from American suppliers without special waivers.
Last week, the department gave the same treatment to one of China's leading makers of supercomputers. The Trump administration has also set other Chinese firms, including the surveillance giant Hikvision, in its sights.
The cafeteria at the Huawei Songshan Lake Campus in Dongguan, China.CreditHector Retamal/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
In response, China's Ministry of Commerce has threatened to make a list of "unreliable" companies and people who could be punished for disrupting Chinese supply chains. Chinese officials have echoed the threat in meetings with American tech companies. Beijing has also proposed new cybersecurity regulations that experts say could impair the operations of foreign companies in China.
Still, Arthur Kroeber, a founding partner at the research firm Gavekal, said China would hurt itself as much as it hurt the United States if it took more steps to disconnect itself from the global economy.
"China's only hope of influencing U.S. policy in a more positive (from its standpoint) direction is to keep the business community as some kind of an ally," Mr. Kroeber wrote in an email. "This limits its ability to target U.S. firms for retaliation."
Huawei's leaders do not seem to believe that China and the United States are heading for a permanent divorce.
At an event last week, the firm's founder and chief executive, Ren Zhengfei, predicted that business would be tough for the next two years. But he said he hoped to resume working with American partners in the not-too-distant future.
Huawei's founder, Ren Zhengfei, said last week that he hoped to be working with American partners again soon.CreditAly Song/Reuters
"We are not afraid of using American components," Mr. Ren said. "We are not afraid of working with any American people."
The company appears to understand that its fate is entwined with larger political discussions, which it can influence only indirectly. Huawei officials have avoided high-level contact with Washington ahead of this week's Group of 20 meeting in Osaka, Japan, according to a person familiar with the company's activities who was not authorized to speak with the press.
Huawei has spent only $55,000 this year on lobbying in Washington, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. By comparison, ZTE, the Chinese hardware maker that the Trump administration nearly drove out of business last year, has spent nearly $1.4 million.
ZTE's near-death experience drove Huawei to begin planning for similar contingencies. The company says, for instance, that it has been developing its own operating system to replace Google's Android in Huawei handsets.
Such efforts have been redoubled in the past month. Huawei employees are being plied with round-the-clock meals and snacks. Buses and cars ferry workers home after days that routinely end, in many departments, after 11 p.m. or midnight.
Office walls have been adorned with motivational slogans. "We are in the first battle, victory is ours," one goes. Another says, "The ace forces are dispatched, the mission must be completed."
China's government has helped to keep Huawei afloat. The company had been poised to become a major provider of equipment for 5G, the next generation of mobile internet. That is why some industry observers believe Washington's restrictions on Huawei will delay the construction of 5G networks in China and around the world.
But a few weeks ago, China began issuing commercial 5G licenses to mobile carriers, ahead of the schedule that many observers had expected. Analysts at J.P. Morgan called the move an attempt "by the government to assure the world about China's capability to push forward 5G." China's state-run telecom operators have also signed agreements to buy 5G gear from Huawei.
"They can survive," Xiaomeng Lu of Access Partnership, a policy consulting firm, said of Huawei. The company will just have to stand more firmly on China's side of the increasingly "splintered" world of tech, Ms. Lu said. "The U.S. only picks suppliers they trust, and China will pick suppliers they trust."
Huawei's leaders have long cultivated an aggressive "wolf culture" at the firm, one that celebrates individual dedication and team conquest. Recently, even mundane, administrative posts on the company's social media pages | 1,349 |
The days are starting to fly by a little too quickly. We're up way up here in Copenhagen and currently contemplating extending our trip. If it wasn't for my intense desire to see Vienna, I think it'd be a no brainer. But it's been almost a month since we've seen our hotdog and I think it's time to go home. While the bulk of our trip has been spent seeking out exciting restaurants and sites, we did have a little downtime in our insanely cute airbnb in Amsterdam. We hoofed it over to the farmers market to pick out ingredients in the rain, ate deep-dish apple pie with a giant dollop of whipped cream, and then went back to spend the<|fim_middle|> then add the sage and cook until the sage is very fragrant and crisp. Remove the sage and set on a plate lined with paper towel and add the onions to the pan. Cook until nearly translucent then add garlic and reduce heat to low, cooking for a couple of minutes.
Right before the pumpkin is done, cook the pasta until al dente, according to directions on package. Reserve one cup of cooking water before straining out all the water.
Once the pumpkin halves are cooked, carefully scoop out all the flesh into the pot with the onions and garlic. Cook for a minute or two on medium then add the crème fraîche and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in the shredded gouda and add pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Add in pasta and gently toss.
Serve with diced pumpkin and crispy sage leaves. Enjoy!
Note: This is a no-recipe kind of recipe, so use this more as a guide than the absolute truth when it come to measurements and time. | day in reading, lounging, and cooking. Two things about this. Firstly, checking out the farmers market in a new city is always so exciting, because you never really know what you'll find. I was looking for pumpkin and so excited to see that all the pumpkin vendors all had adorable little hokkaido pumpkins for sale. Secondly, goodness did I miss cooking and a properly home-cooked cozy kind of meal. Anyway, somehow the day quickly turned to night and we spent the night in with a big 'ole pot of mac and gouda and a bunch of Amsterdam IPAs for Moses.
This is a no-recipe kind of recipe, in that I can give you approximate cooking times and temp, as well as an ingredient list and some tips and tricks but really encourage you to do you when you make this. It's a non-traditional pumpkin and sage mac and gouda because I didn't make a roux or do anything like that. The homemade pumpkin puree pretty much does all the work thickening up and stabilizing the sauce, so all you've really got to do is add some crème fraîche and loads of gouda at the end to make it really good-a. ;) It's a super comforting and cozy dish (and gosh, I'm in the mood for it right now). It must be fall because this is the second pumpkin recipe I'm sharing in less than a week and it's part of the giant virtual pumpkin party that Sarah, aka Cake Over Steak, and Aimee, aka Twigg Studios, are throwing. You can head to either of their blogs for all the other pumpkiny recipes everyone's sharing today!!
Preheat oven to 375°F. Peel and dice two of the pumpkins, being sure to remove stems and scoop out all the seeds, and toss with a couple glugs of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, a pinch or two of both should be great, and place in a baking dish or sheet pan with raised edges. For the remaining two pumpkins, split in half, cutting from top to bottom, and remove the stem and scoop out all the seeds. Drizzle insides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and place face down on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until the diced pumpkin is just fork tender and the halves are very fork tender.
Meanwhile, place the butter in a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat till it starts to simmer, | 512 |
Are you sick of this project yet? Ghosts of a Chance Artifact #3, The Con<|fim_middle|> desideratum? Or is this, rather, a copy indistinguishable from the original? Should such a perfect replica be celebrated or feared? Your replica may aspire to answer these questions. It is more likely to pose others.
Tagged Alternate Reality Game, ARG, Art, Beading, Con Artist's Replica, Ghosts of a Chance, Quilting, Smithsonian.
Gorgeous!!!! Very cool. I hadn't been following your work on this project. Wish I had — it's a great concept and execution! | Artist's Replica, has been posted to the Luce Foundation website. I enjoyed this one, particularly because I feel my idea may have contained a spark of genius.
Create a replica of something you desire but know you cannot have.
An ordinary con man might substitute such a replica for its model, but your replica will be more real than the original object of desire; we invite you to be a con artist.
Is it a prop, or a partial representation? A functional stand-in that will, in time, yield its position to a more authentic | 109 |
As you may have already guessed by now, I'm a huge breast cancer supporter. I'm very proud to be affiliated with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.
I'm also a huge supporter of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation. When I'm working (Job #1 as a Host/Producer), we do a lot of work with MSH and the Foundation. I produce<|fim_middle|> years ago. Together with his mother, Betty, Allan has led the charge and been the main organizer of the Celebration of Hope for more than 20 years. He's also a wonderful fundraiser for many worthwhile causes.
This year, Allan and his mother Betty were honoured in a great way, receiving the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award. Allan does an incredible job at always recognizing others' achievements and I was so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. To a crowd of more than 700 ladies and gentlemen on their feet, Allan accepted the award, thanking everyone for helping him in his fundraising. Such a gracious man.
To donate to the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation, visit: www.msh.on.ca/mshf. | their annual gala in April and we've been helping to raise money for the new expansion for years. In 2013, the new hospital will open!
One of my favourite fundraising initiatives the Foundation puts on is the annual Celebration of Hope Luncheon. Every year, it's held at the Hilton Suites in Markham and raises money for the Breast Health Centre at the hospital. Hundreds of women - and a few men - gather for a day of shopping, good food, and celebrating and honouring those who have been affected by breast cancer. Yesterday was the 24th annual event, and I was happy to volunteer my time for the cause.
One of the main forces behind this event is a great friend of mine - Allan Bell. Allan has been instrumental in the fight against breast cancer. His sister, Lesley, lost her battle much too soon, 10 | 177 |
Microsoft Azure CSP Added to Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace in Australia
SYDNEY, Australia – November 08, 2016. Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE: IM) today announced Microsoft Azure has been added in Australia to the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace, a leading automated cloud services platform that allows<|fim_middle|> Gaut
Danielle.Gaut@ingrammicro.com | partners to purchase, provision, manage, and invoice cloud technology with ease.
With this announcement, Ingram Micro partners can now offer Azure in a flexible consumption-based, pay-as-you-go pricing model through the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program. The Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider program empowers resellers to fully own the end-customer relationship. This enables them to manage the end-to-end subscription lifecycle which helps ensure greater customer satisfaction, higher renewal margins and topline cloud revenue.
Microsoft Azure is a highly flexible hybrid cloud platform that features a combination of infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) solutions that enable developers to quickly build, deploy, manage, and scale applications to meet their organization's specific needs, without the investment of an underlying infrastructure. By leveraging Azure, companies can avoid the complexity and costs associated with in-house IT management and better manage their IT budgets by only paying for what they need.
The Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace fully automates the service delivery, customer management, and invoicing of Azure services, allowing resellers to quickly bring the Azure suite to a wider client base by accelerating time-to-market and eliminating operational complexities. Resellers can also easily differentiate their offerings by bundling their own services with Azure and other Microsoft cloud solutions including Office 365 for greater upsell and cross-sell potential.
"We are pleased to differentiate our Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider offering with the addition of Azure to our broad portfolio of cloud solutions," said Lee Welch, general manager, Cloud and Software Services, Ingram Micro. "By automating the delivery of Azure and making available the necessary resources and tools for transformation, our reseller partners have the capability to accelerate their Azure CSP business and deliver greater value to their customers."
"We are extremely excited to see the extension of services offered by Ingram Micro to now include Azure CSP through its Cloud Marketplace," said Gregg Lalle, VP sales & strategy for Connectwise International. "By leveraging Ingram Micro and ConnectWise, IT solution providers can now seamlessly manage, provision, and bill both Office 365 and Azure subscriptions. Azure truly is the most integrated and automated solution in the marketplace today, delivering tangible cost savings and increased productivity for our partners."
Ingram Micro was recently recognized for its efforts in automating the delivery of Microsoft Azure services in North America, winning Microsoft's prestigious Gold Level Excellence in Operations Award. The award honors partners who have delivered market-leading operational excellence and process improvements that support Microsoft technology over the past year.
To learn more about the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace, please visit: www.ingrammicrocloud.com.au
About Ingram Micro Cloud
At Ingram Micro Cloud™, we view Cloud not just as a single technology, but as a foundational platform to run and drive a whole new way of doing business. We help resellers and partners transform their business so they get up and running with Cloud in minutes, with little to no investment, enabling them to deliver bundled services, up-sell and cross sell, and manage their infrastructure most efficiently. We offer security, business apps, cloud services, communication/collaboration and infrastructure solutions to help our clients monetize and manage the entire lifecycle of cloud services, infrastructure, and IoT subscriptions, so they can simplify digital transformation with confidence, speed and agility. To learn more, please visit www.ingrammicrocloud.com.
About Ingram Micro Inc.
Ingram Micro helps businesses Realize the Promise of Technology™. It delivers a full spectrum of global technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world. Deep expertise in technology solutions, mobility, cloud, and supply chain solutions enables its business partners to operate efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Unrivaled agility, deep market insights and the trust and dependability that come from decades of proven relationships, set Ingram Micro apart and ahead. More at www.ingrammicro.com.
Meeshi Kakar
Meenakshi.Kakar@ingrammicro.com
Global Media Contact:
Danielle | 807 |
It may be a routine day-to-day process but delays can be costly and paper/email are lousy solutions. Passing paper around or chasing emails wastes time and inhibits collaboration – both major no-nos in today's world.
There's a reason for the hundreds of to-do list apps in the App Store. We're bombarded with<|fim_middle|> data entry. More important, integration can extract essential information and dramatically improve business intelligence and give you insights on how better to operate – a potential game-changer.
The Cloud now provides unlimited, affordable storage and access from anywhere with redundancy and disaster recovery that cannot be matched by most organizations. Use it and you can stop worrying about fires and floods and the like and operate a resilient organization that focuses on customers.
It's 2015 – why are you still printing and scanning and emailing? Contact frevvo today and learn how you can start implementing these game-changers today.
Previous Post frevvo forms are Accessible!!! | hundreds of emails every day. It's hard to keep track and easy to forget about getting to things that need doing. When managers forget, employees have to waste time chasing them down to figure out where the approval is.
Smart phones are ubiquitous. Practically everyone has one and we all know how rapidly usage is growing. Ditch the paper/Excel and let busy parents, employees & customers handle approvals on their phones anytime and from anywhere. Make life easier for everyone.
Approvals usually require signatures. You can fill everything else online but chances are the PDF or Excel is physically printed solely for getting the Manager or CFO's signature. Eliminate it with electronic signatures. There's no excuse for that in 2015 – we all know there are too few trees. It's easy to do your part.
Automated workflows allow 24×7 access from any device. Today, most people prefer to engage with organizations via the web rather than calling or coming to your office. For everything from school permissions to sales orders, paperless forms make life easier for your customers – another potential game-changing initiative.
Digital approvals are easy to track with the click of a button or swipe of a finger. Stop making employees search through email or chase down paper forms to figure out where approvals are.
It's easy to make mistakes like using an older version of a Word document or a calculation error or simply forgetting to fill out parts of the form. Then, someone has to manually get them fixed. Digital versions eliminate these unnecessary and wasteful errors.
Digital processes can be integrated with your other business systems and services. It can really improve efficiency by, for example, eliminating duplicate | 334 |
MSV Life p.l.c. registers Pre-Tax Profits of €11.63 million
MSV Life plc ("MSV Life" and "MSV Group") – (formerly Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance Co. Ltd) registered a profit before tax of €11.63 million for the year ended 31 December 2010, an increase of 52.2% over 2009. Profit after tax in 2010 of €7.84 million compared to the profit after tax of €<|fim_middle|>. At its core, the thorough restructuring that took place in 2010 ensures a strong and independent future for the company."
The shareholders of MSV Life, namely Bank of Valletta p.l.c. and Middlesea Insurance p.l.c., are wholly committed to ensuring that MSV Life remains strongly capitalised at all times and well positioned for business growth. On 14 April 2010 an increase in the issued share capital of the company was effected through a capitalization of a dividend of €3.00 million. As a result, the issued share capital of MSV Group increased | 6.20 million recorded in 2009.
Business Written increased strongly by 18.3% from €124.65 million in 2009 to €147.49 million in 2010 supported by business growth across all major classes of business particularly single premium participating contracts.
The MSV Group's total assets, supported by strong premium growth and investment performance, increased from €999.24 million at the end of 2009 to €1,130.71 million at the end of 2010, whilst the Life Fund increased by 13.7% from €879.20 million in 2009 to €1,000.44 million in 2010.
The value-of-in-force business increased by 4.4% from €40.73 million in 2009 to €42.53 million in 2010. The value of in-force business reflects the after tax value of the projected future transfers to shareholders arising from policies in force at the end of the year.
The net investment income decreased from a gain of €61.02 million in 2009 to a gain of €56.80 million in 2010.
At the end of 2010 the level of excess assets stood at €68.79 million showing an excess of €28.45 million over the statutory solvency margin of €40.35 million.
Total shareholders' funds at the close of 2010 amounted to €108.89 million, an increase of 1.6% over the previous year.
The Chairman of MSV Group, Roderick Chalmers, stated "I am pleased to be able to announce the best set of results registered by MSV Group to date. During 2010 investment conditions in both local and international markets were once again, very challenging and were characterised by continuing low interest rates, tightened fiscal conditions and widening credit spreads across Euro zone member States."
Mr. Chalmers added, "against this background of uncertainty and a weakened euro our investment performance was satisfactory and well underpinned both by the company's conservative and diversified portfolio of assets as well as by the rigorous and prudent investment management process which is so important in the management of life insurance companies."
Mr. Chalmers stated, "2010 was a very important year for MSV Life as the company moved rapidly to implement a Board mandated initiative to transform itself into a wholly self-sufficient, standalone company, ably led by its Chief Executive Officer, David Curmi. A new senior management team has been put in place, with a number of important senior executives having been recruited during the year. The change of name and re-branding of the company was also successfully completed during the last quarter of 2010."
Mr. Chalmers added, "with total business written during the year of over €147 million, total assets of over €1.1 billion, more than 94,000 policies in force and total sums assured of more than €3.3 billion, MSV Life is Malta's leading life insurance company and prospects for continuing growth and development are encouraging, both in the life assurance and in the long term savings and retirement areas | 713 |
1,2,3..Let it Rip! Or perhaps "Chakkar De Takkar" is common in every household in India that has kids. I threw a Beyblade themed birthday party for my son's 5th birthday and it was a super duper hit. Here are some of my ideas for invitations, decor, cake, games and return gifts.
My son was thrilled to be a part of the invitation. I used an online tool to cartoonify his picture and added it to baby pictures of other famous beyblade characters to make the invitation.
I cartoonised my son's pic and added him the group of his 'Beyblade heroes' on the invitation. The invite was email/WhatsApp only.
As always, I designed my own invitations, decorations and Thank you notes and got them printed from Vistaprint. I used the cartoon image of my son in everything.
For the Beyblade Party Decoration, I used the same graphic that I designed for the invitation – the one with my son. I got a huge banner printed out and it was the main backdrop along with columns of balloons in red, blue and yellow. Two other posters of my son with<|fim_middle|> guests of all ages – even Mommies and Daddies!
Scores and winners for all games and activities were taken note of to decide upon the final prizes.
Little kids love bingo/housie/tambola, whatever you choose to call it. But they find it difficult to quickly find numbers and cross them off correctly. A picture bingo is much more attractive to kids and I have had one at all my parties for ages less than 5. For our beyblade party, I created a Beyblade bingo with pictures of different beyblades and characters. You can find the free Beyblade Bingo printables to use for your own Beyblade themed birthday parties.
Since half the people were eating while we played, and was busy conducting the game, we forgot to take pictures when playing the game. This is from when I was cutting out the bingo tickets with my paper cutter. It is played just like Housie or Tambola. Those are calling cards that you see on the top left. I showed each card to the kids. If they have that picture on their ticket, they would cross it out. We had prizes for rows, full house and 2nd full house.
Beyblades for giving as Return Gifts. I bought severalpacks of 4 beyblades each, opened them up and put 2 beyblades with rip cords and launchers in each favor bag.
The beyblade party prizes consisted of message bracelets, funky pens, pencil boxes and the like.
These personalized stickers were used for all and sundry – cupcake picks, decorations, thank you stickers for the grown up gifts etc.
Lata, I love your posts and always wait for your to share your next post. As always beautiful write-up with some superb images.
Such a perfect birthday party! Oh the cake!
Loved the cake. And I liked the idea of personalized stickers. I am sure birthday boy must be very happy. Well done mamma..
That's an amazing theme !!
Awesome party ideas!. I would like to have a link for information on where you got the banner and personalized stickers printed. Also the online app to cartoonify pictures. Thanks!
how did you make the cake?? I am trying to make one for my sons birthday.
I got it made from a local bakery, Kathy. Took a printout of some beyblades and asked them to make whichever was most realistically possible for them to make.
Hi. Can you share the bingo file? I would really appreciate it! | his beyblades were on either side and some quick paper beyblade shapes that I made, were glued under the main banner.
Other than the backdrop, balloons in the same colour scheme filled up the space.
We had many games using beyblades like the longest spin (whose ever's beyblade kept spinning for the longest time would win) and spinning inside a circle (the beyblade shouldn't move outside the square when spinning) etc. The main activity was the Beyblade Battle Championship, of course.
Beyblade Party Games – The beyblade championship was the main attraction.
The Battle was enjoyed by | 122 |
"A limited edition Scottish ale with notes of toast and caramel, Noble Scot is full-bodied and sweet with a subtle smokiness."
- Nice clear dark tea-colored brew. Minimal off-white head which quickly settles to a scattered trace above the brew, and a small ring stuck to the glass. Quite simple really, and nothing spectacular.
- Certainly a good amount of esters in the aroma. Tart esters with a touch of cherry, fig, and sweet tangy malts. A little more fruit-like than I like, but expected from a Scottish style which isn't a Wee Heavy. Not much in the hop department other than maybe an earthy and grassy touch to balance.
- Nice smooth malts, light sweetness, a touch of brown sugar and/or molasses, little bit of a biscuit touch with a light crisp taste of early boil bitter grassy hop. Overall a well balanced and simple dark beer. Hits the style, but not much about it stands out in flavor.
- This is where it gets<|fim_middle|> am too impressed. This beer has "played safe" all over it. I would like more robust flavors and aromas.. perhaps a little smoke and roast. Carbonation should be a little more above the usual house pale ale yeast, and i want some lingering flavors in my mouth. This is just a bit too simple and safe. | a bit tricky for me. I don't much care for a beer of a different style or origin being brewed with a simple house ale yeast. This just has the feel of a pale ale. It's rather light to medium bodied, bubble like a soda pop pale, but does have a nice hop induced chewiness to it that is favorable. I would prefer a thick head and perhaps some more aroma coming from it.
- Can't say I | 90 |
Revolution Postmatch Reactions
Revolution 2-1 United: Postmatch Highlights, Quotes, and Select Stats
The Revolution beat D.C. United on Saturday night, extending their long winning and unbeaten streaks.
By Steve Stoehr May 25, 2014, 9:00am EDT
Share All sharing options for: Revolution 2-1 United: Postmatch Highlights, Quotes, and Select Stats
JAY HEAPS
I thought it was a good, hard-fought match all the way around. I knew they came in with an excellent game plan. I thought Ben (Olsen's) tactics were spot on. They made a formation change and it was hard to break them down. It was difficult. We had some good chances, but not great chances. We knew we weren't going to be given anything, we had to go take it and I think that's what I'm taking away from the game. We went out and found a way and that's what I'm most proud about.
We grinded it. There are going to be games where you've got to find a way and fortunately for us, those last two games things went our way, bounces went our way and tonight it just felt like we were going to have to make it happen. I credit our guys, I credit our leadership. I thought that (Chris) Tierney, (Andy) Dorman, Jose (Goncalves), AJ (Soares) - those guys in particular - really stepped up their game tonight and fought hard. D.C. is a veteran team and even after we scored, you saw them ratchet it up. I was impressed with D.C. in that regard and I thought our senior guys answered the bell and fought really hard.
I think Patrick (Mullins), the goals are awesome. They're kind of a bonus for how we want to play and I think Patrick does an excellent job pressuring, holding the ball up, and allowing players to get forward. It wasn't pretty. I thought D.C. did a nice job with their two defensive midfielders and they won every second ball, they shielded their back four really well, so Patrick had to earn it tonight and I thought he did a great job of finding the little gaps, holding it when he could and finishing off a chance.
(Putting Jose Goncalves back in the starting 11) was probably my toughest decision of the short season so far, because who do you take out? It's not an easy one. The conversation was about what was going to be better for us tactically tonight. It wasn't about just getting Jose back. I thought tonight we needed a little uptick from some senior leadership because that's what he does so well. If you ever worried about complacency, go in a locker room 10 minutes before a game and I'll tell you right now, Jose is going to eliminate any complacency in anyone.
You can win games different ways and I think we've shown a couple different varieties of ways, but in terms of tonight, an Eastern Conference game, when it starts to rain and you get a goal, give up a goal, where are the tough guys going to step up? And I think our guys did really well tonight.
I think (Patrick Mullins) has a great awareness of where he needs to be, where the ball is. He never goes outside the 18, he finds really good spaces in there. You have to have a knack for it, you can't just say, just go score goals. I think he's done it his whole life and he's just now finding he's good enough to do it at this level.
We're trying to win games. Whoever was on the schedule tonight we were going to give the same effort. You go into games, you have to prepare. I think it's more about the coaches, what we learned from the first game, how do we react to the next game we play them? Are we better at how we assess the game? We lost 2-0 in D.C., what was our game<|fim_middle|> our mentality. Where we're going into training, training hard, it's competitive then when we step onto the field we want to entertain, we want to show the fans a good game and we want to win. That's what it comes down to, but we're also enjoying it.
I think for us, it was just maybe we weren't as patient as we should've been. Maybe we were forcing it a little bit too much. D.C.'s a great team and it showed. They were able to come back and tie it up and then we were able to get the game winner but it was definitely a close game.
DIEGO FAGUNDEZ
I thought I did well on both sides of the field. I think I worked hard defensively and I think that if you do that offensively everything else just comes. Teal (Bunbury) played a ball across and it got flicked off and I just saw an open net.
Patrick Mullins just keeps scoring - but it all started with a ball getting wide to me. I tried to cut inside and take some players on and when I saw that I was one on one I tried to shoot it and even though it didn't work out, luckily Patrick was there.
We knew that we needed to break their backs and move it side to side. We were going 1-on-1 against them and it definitely worked for us.
This win gives us our confidence going; knowing we can win 5-0 or give it all that we have and still pull out a win with a score of 2-1. The important thing is that we keep going and we got the three points.
I don't think it got sloppy, I think that we were tired and our legs were going. We knew it was a tie game and if we wanted to win we needed to work hard. It helped scoring the second goal. However, we still knew that they were going to come at us hard.
I think we were always confident. We have good players that are very attack-minded - and that comes from our front players as well as our backs. We are very strong going forward a lot of the time if anything is going to happen, it will be from our wide midfielder going at their backs 1-on-1.
I think (Patrick) Mullins and I are working very well with each other - and you can even add Teal (Bunbury) in that. All three of us are working a lot better than in the beginning of the season. We are moving off the ball well and are making good runs. As long as we keep playing like this, more goals will come.
I tell everyone, after you get the first goal, it all comes after that. After I scored that first goal this season it opened up a lot for me - I think a lot of other players will tell you the same thing.
D.C. knows that they are our rivals, so when they came here they came out playing hard in order to try to win. They knew it was the number 1 team playing the number 2 team, and we both played hard to try to take that number 1 spot.
It feels great winning against teams that we've lost to before. We lost against Philly in the beginning - so when we went back and beat them, it definitely showed that we are a better team now.
PATRICK MULLINS
On the goal
I think it started long before it came to my feet. Diego with a prototypical mazy run from him, you know, he's got great feet, and the defense just kind of opened up for him. I thought he was going to take it all the way, but, you know, as a forward you've got to stay alert and ready for any kind of rebounds, and the ball came to my feet. I just did some quick footwork in and out, got it on my left foot, and saw a tight angle. I just wanted to lift it, I wanted to make sure I didn't rush it and just try and smash it, I think at that point you need a little composure. I just lifted it and I found the back of the net.
On breaking down D.C. in the second half
I think we showed a good quality tonight, I was proud of the boys. I thought we showed good composure. We stuck to our gameplan, and that was to move the ball quickly and try to make them shuffle around and get out of position as best we could. Obviously D.C. United's a great team and very well organized, and well-lead from the back. It took a while to break them down, but once we did, obviously, kind of like the rain falling, you know, the goals came in the second half. We were lucky enough, you know, we had made some great plays at the end and came out with a great win.
On the rivalry and physicality
You know, I think that this was my favorite match so far. Like I said, with just the rain coming down in the second half, it really, I thought, set a great atmosphere for the fans. They were going berserk, they were inviting the rain even more. Sometimes, these games, they get a little chippy, and I think you need that composure that I was talking about before. I think our team showed great character, just guys making plays all over the place, from Diego [Fagundez] to Kelyn [Rowe] when he came in, to Stevie Neumann off the line late. It's just a full team effort.
On his recent run of form
Hard work. Doing what the team needs from me, and that is: hold the ball up, work hard defensively, make it easier for the guys behind me. I think as an attacking player I've got some skills to where I can find the back of the net, and if I do the other parts of the game well, I think those chances will fall to me.
Forward chemistry
I mean it's huge. Obviously, tonight wasn't a five-goal explosion but I think, when we get the ball at our feet we've got a good connection. You know, it's kind of one of those, when the guy's not even looking at you he still knows where you are on the field. It's great having, especially in the system we play, interchanging, in-and-out, me, Teal, and Diego, it's great having that kind of dynamic in attack.
Is this run better than you could have imagined?
I believe in myself. As a forward, you want to score in every game you come into. Like I said, I think for me I'm focusing that I'm a complete player and not just one that gets the goals. That's something that I think I can add to the team, but there's a greater role that I have to play.
College-MLS transition
I mean, it's a difficult league, there's hungry guys out there. Week in, week out you get challenged. I think college prepared me, Maryland is a great program for me, and we were in one of the best conferences. I played against great players who are in this league, and I think I was ready, it's just about getting into it and finding the right team dynamic. I think I've gelled in pretty well.
D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen
It's mostly just that I'm proud about the way we went about the game, barreling back to get to 1-1. We should find a way to get a result out of that, but overall I'm very pleased with the way we played and fought. I think we were unlucky not to get something out of it. But they're a good team - got a lot of moving parts that keep you on your toes. Not sure about the first goal. I'm sure when I look at it I'll think again that it was a foul. I'll have to check out the red on Eddie (Johnson). I'm sure that's probably a little harsh, too.
I thought (Alex Caskey and Collin Martin) both did fine. I thought they both worked extremely hard. You can see that Alex has been around a little bit and shown that he was certainly capable of starting for us. Collin is really a talent that's exciting to have. We believe in him and believe he's going to play for this team in the starting 11 one day, so it was good to get him some minutes.
It was a quick turnaround and a long season. Obviously, (Fabian Espindola) can change games and he did that again and he found himself in the right spot. Again, we fought back at 1-1 and we still had a chance for two down the stretch, but we were good tonight, and overall I'm really happy with the way we played.
D.C. United midfielder Davy Arnaud
We're extremely disappointed with the result. I felt like we did more than enough to come out of here with something from the game, and we didn't. Coming off three games in a week, I think we came here, we matched them, and then some. It's disappointing to not come away with something from the game.
We've seen things will go your way in the course of the season, and things won't. I think the first goal I think (Chris) Korb gets fouled, but either way we get back into the game, and gave up another one. It's disappointing you can't always point your finger at that but I do think (Chris) Korb was fouled on the first goal. I think if he looks at it again, I think he'll see the same thing.
I thought they both (Collin Martin and Alex Caskey) did very well. Collin (Martin), he's a young guy. You can see he's very composed, he works hard, he's a very good player, he's going to be a very good player. I thought (Alex) Caskey came in and provided us what he has been when he's been coming in games this year. We have a good roster, we have a deep roster, and I think when you see guys come in that haven't played they do a job. I don't think we missed a beat tonight. I think we came here, and we were well worth a point if not more.
D.C United defender Bobby Boswell
We're not happy. It was a tough game. I think we were hoping for more than that, at least a point. We came in here with expectations to even get three. You play a team in your conference that's ahead of you, you want to try and jump them. It wasn't the case tonight.
I thought we actually played pretty well in the first half. I thought we were the better team in the first half, and then in the second half they kind of got some things going. Fabi (Fabian Espindola) comes on and kind of turns the tide. We weren't able to see it out. For one reason or the other, it didn't go our way tonight. You play enough games you are going to have some that don't go your way, but this one still hurts because I think we thought we were better than that.
To be honest with you, I thought we started off better. At the end of the day it's all about points. We weren't able to pick up any points here, and they were able to widen their lead (in the conference). Everyone has stretches during the year where you are going to play a lot of games. That's especially with CONCACAF and Open Cup, things like that. We have a deep roster; I don't think that really affected us. I think the coaches made some good changes, and those changes they worked out one way or the other, maybe gave Fabi (Fabian Espindola) some rest so he can go on and score the goal, get some new legs in there, some new life. I thought it was alright, the final score is what killed us. Giving up a goal after we scored one, that'll pretty much hammer you anytime you play on the road.
I always talk about things defensively. A lot of times it takes games, the more games you play. It's hard to mimic real game scenarios in training. When you're in real games you learn what the guys next to you are going to do. I think that's been coming along alright. I told you from preseason in Florida our expectations were to win and win early. This isn't like a three-year plan where we want to be in first place. We felt we could have done that tonight. We're still making strides in the right direction. I don't feel like we got played off the field tonight. I felt like we kind of shot ourselves in the foot a little bit. Some things didn't go our way, but it wasn't like it was a bad performance by our team tonight, so I think we take some positives away from that, learn from the mistakes, and the ultimate goal is to be better and learn from it. I think that's what this group has been able to do. We haven't put together any real long winning streaks, but we haven't put together losing streaks either, so we obviously need to work on some things still.
I feel like here, as opposed to teams in the past, it's not like there's a first team and a second team. I feel like everyone feels they can contribute and they're going to get their opportunity, and the coaches have kind of stressed that. There're expectations from the 33-year-old guy to the 18-, 19-year old guy. Tonight you saw a young kid out there. There was no real drop off. It's a deep squad, and these moments are kind of what test us. I wouldn't say tonight was a failed test, but it definitely wasn't the desired result.
Pool Reporter Question to Referees
"Why did you decide to show a red card to Eddie Johnson (D.C. #7) in the 82nd minute?"
Written Response from Referees
"Eddie Johnson was issued a red card for violent conduct for kicking at an opponent while on the ground, while (the ball) was not within playing distance."
NE - 47.1%
DC - 52.9%
NE - 74%
DC - 78%
NE - 10
DC - 1
NE - 2
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Diego and Mullins Stay Hot, Revs Win 2-1 | plan coming in that game and how do we change it so that we can be better tonight?
TEAL BUNBURY
I think it's just our mindset, you know? It takes some time to build up chemistry. Working with each other in training and going in and executing in the games, it takes time. And now we're 12 games into the season and now everyone can see it's finally clicking. Guys are working for each other, putting the effort in and once you get that first win, they keep coming and coming and everyone's spirits are up.
I keep telling (Patrick Mullins), obviously the goals are unbelievable. He's scored in the past four games. But the things that people aren't realizing for me, is his hold-up play, his movement. He's just creating a lot of havoc for defenses which don't go on the stats sheet. But, us players, we see that and that's more important to us than the goal scoring. The goals will come, I mean, they're coming for him now but, his movement, his hold up play, just all-around play is really extraordinary.
For us, it's another win. It doesn't matter if it's close, if it's by six goals. By one goal, it just shows our resiliency, our character. Everyone's putting the work in from the first minute to the 90th minute. Like I always say, it's | 295 |
Latest news from Active Communication.
Below are articles about products and<|fim_middle|>-causing compounds result in distracting smells in enclosed spaces.
With the air quality sensor from W&T you always have a fix on air quality: VOC, volatile organic compounds measured and represented as CO2 equivalents, limit violations are indicated on a traffic-light type display, reported via email and are also available when needed from the W&T cloud. You no longer have to feel tired and listless at the office!
Continuous documentation of the measurement data in the online memory enables access to the measurement data anytime and anywhere.
Views can be custom defined and diagrams and graphs combined as desired. Other authorized users also have access to your displays.
Measurement values can be stored directly on the sensor and viewed when needed directly from your browser (without using the cloud). Limit violations are reported and displayed on the LED indicator located on the device.
Optionally you can automatically send the measurements from the device to the W&T cloud, save and document them there and report limit violations.
See more details, use guest access at cloud.wut.de to view live.
The English abbreviation "VOC" stands for volatile organic compounds, which are present in the air in gaseous or condensed form at room temperature.
Many solvents, liquid fuels and synthetically manufactured substances may be present as VOCs, but also many organic compounds which are formed in biological processes. Humans and animals give off VOC through breathing or directly from the skin.
The quality of room air is not felt by persons only according to the actual values of temperature and relative humidity. Odors in the air are a significant reason why people feel unwell in such areas and feel compelled to quickly leave the space.
Examples which we all know from experience include poorly ventilated offices and business, commercial kitchens, fitness centers and toilets and washrooms.
Eye and sinus irritations as well as headaches, fatigue, lack of concentration and diminished performance - also known as "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS) - may be a consequence of VOC in indoor spaces.
Reason enough to measure and control the presence of VOC!
CO2 sensors are mostly used for ventilation control in office buildings, schools, educational and sports facilities. But since odors caused by VOC have little or no influence on the determined CO2 values, they are hardly detected by CO2 measurement. The consequence: Although there is an actual ventilation need, this condition is not recognized using traditional approaches.
As a rule the rise of VOC in indoor spaces is caused by humans - whether from breathing, perspiration or as a consequence of human activities. Therefore a rise in VOC over the base level in the room can be used as a good indicator for the presence of persons in the monitored area.
A deterioration of well-being is often closely linked to the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOC = Volatile Organic Compounds). Individual VOCs have a direct impact on health; consisting mainly of odor-related compounds in higher concentrations affect human well-being. It causes not only fatigue, but also reduce performance.
With the new Web-Graph Air Quality from Wiesemann & Theis does not need to sit in bad air. Air quality in offices, conference rooms or classrooms can now be easily monitored by temperature, humidity and VOC and made a vent as needed. | applications that help to describe the new and previous news.
Make automation easier and faster !!!
Are you involved in exploring new effective methods for managing the automation process - if YES - then you must learn pure.box and Google Go to know.
pure.box is a small server for industrial communication and automation, and it does not fill more than 105 x 75 x 22mm.
In recent months, Wiesemann & Theis GmbH has prepared the network-based remote control units and the Web-IO family sensor for thorough inspection. Web-IO 4.0 is now available and offers, in addition to new protocols and enhanced security, a new and simplified user interface.
New communication channels have been added to configure the necessary protocols and interfaces, such as email or MQTT. It is easy to decide how the Web-IO device should behave against a particular state or event. It may be that it should send an email if the temperature becomes too high - or turn off a digital output upon receipt of an MQTT subscription.
Terminal devices in the Internet of Things generally have no public IP address, but rather are connected over private networks. Cross-network connections can be opened only in the outgoing direction without a lot of additional effort. This eliminates peer-to-peer connections as a communication channel for the Internet of Things.
The solution is provided by the protocol MQTT: Terminal devices open a connection to a publically accessible messaging service, the broker. Here they can as publishers publish information and as subscribers subscribe to it.
January 1, 2017, we introduced this new updated website designed and developed by the company Infoicon Software, a collaborate as we certainly can recommend.
A frequent cause of fatigue and reduced performance in the office is stale room air. Higher CO2 values make you tired. In addition, odor | 365 |
The fish is enormous, shimmering yellow and green, its big head almost comical. "This is dolphin," says Leo Beckles, waiting for a look of horror to cross my face. But while I'm not able to identify this amazing specimen as mahi mahi (or dolphinfish), I do know that eating dolphin on the islands of the Caribbean is not something to get your knickers in a twist over. It's obviously not that kind of dolphin.
Chef Beckles is taking me on a tour of today's catch, brought by boat to the fish market at the edge of Bridgetown. He introduces me to his friends, the fishmongers, and imparts knowledge that is invaluable. I'd wandered around this market on my own a few days previously, and I could hardly tell my marlin from my kingfish. "Mahi mahi is quite acidic because it's a deep-sea fish. Chub has that taste too. Snapper is sweet, mild and creamy while barracuda has a light, refreshing taste," explains the chef, as he points to each, stacked up on the stalls.
I tell Beckles that on my previous visit, the ladies had told me to soak the fish in lime for an hour. "Don't do that," he says, horrified. "It cooks the fish and takes away the flavour."
He shows me a flying fish, pulling out the fins that act as wings and allow it to skim along the surface of the water. Women trim them all around us and I buy a bag of fillets to fry later, in a coating of a flour breadcrumbs mix spiked up with Bajan blackened seasoning. Pound for pound, they're an expensive fish, but they're delicate and divine — served with cou cou<|fim_middle|>2), with an extra five for Sharky's gutting services. He advises covering the fish with foil and cooking for less than 10 minutes in a hot oven. The flesh is beautiful and sweet, and works perfectly with roasted sweet potatoes from the market. Cold Banks beer (brewed on the island) in hand, I raise a toast to Sharky and Beckles, and the fish lessons they've bestowed. I now know my dolphin from my king, my snapper from my sword — and I know how to cook them too.
First run by Cuz Snr, now run by Cuz Jnr, this trailer near Pebbles Beach sells around 500 salt bread buns (stuffed with fried blue marlin and seasoned with Bajan spices) every day.
Fish, seafood, beer and rum are on the menu at this weekly party in the Oistin's area, on the south coast. Stall holders flame grill the local catch, while punters hit the dance floor.
Barbados's national dish: fillets of this tasty little fish are fried until they are crisp, then served hot and spicy, along with a tasty mash of cornmeal with okra mixed through.
This baked cheesy pasta dish features evaporated milk, Bajan herbs and spices, ketchup and mustard. Served as a side dish but it is also a meal in its own right.
First produced on the island in 1703, Mount Gay Rum claims to be the world's oldest. Available in five different varieties, such as 1703 Old Cask Selection, it's usually drunk straight.
Pick your own Caribbean spiny lobster from the tank, personally flown in weekly from the Grenadines by owner Art Taylor. Chef Simon Charles will cook it to your liking, and you can either dine on the beach, deck, or inside, where jazz band The Crustaceans play during Sunday lunch. Lobster features in starter spring rolls and also in bisque; in mains it can come grilled, as a thermidor, or in pasta, salads or crepes. Those with an eye on their wallet can opt for the catch of the day.
Three courses without wine from £71 per person. This includes a main course of half a lobster. Without lobster, from £42.50.
Since taking over as manager of Cobblers Cove, Will Oakley has turned the focus of the restaurant to fresh, seasonal island produce. Local fisherman Barker brings his catch to the door every day. Mains include olive-crusted mahi mahi with cinnamon-dusted plantains, and lamb rack marinated in local herbs.
How much: Three courses without wine from £56 per person. A market tour with chef Leo Beckles with lunch prepared poolside from the market shop, is £120.
Probably the most famous and exclusive restaurant in Barbados, The Cliff boasts a dramatic setting over a cove. Dining is on a number of decks, all with flaming torches. Popular with celebrity visitors, the menu is international but also includes local dishes such as chargrilled dolphin (mahi mahi), swordfish and seared tuna.
How much: Dinner is a set price at £106 per person for two courses and £124 for three. | (cornmeal and okra), they're Barbados's national dish.
A chef at Cobblers Cove hotel, on the island's 'Platinum Coast', Beckles clearly loves taking guests on a tour of the markets here; he's high-fived and hi'd everywhere he goes. His eye is caught by some tuna lying on one of the stalls, dark and meaty, and as he looks closer he pronounces it 'B grade' — high-quality stuff often shipped out to the United States. We buy some and Beckles whips out his knives. He cuts it into logs, to be cooked later, but saves some which he quickly chops into small pieces, seasoning with orange juice and zest, olive oil and salt. Right there on the market stall. "Taste it," he demands. "Tuna tartare. You won't beat it." And he's right — it's so fresh it's practically singing.
We cross the street and head for Cheapside Market, where the air is filled with the smells of oregano, marjoram, bay, chives and thyme. Stalls offer local produce: yams, eddos, breadfruits, green bananas and cassavas, as well as bottles of homemade hot sauce and mauby (a drink derived from tree bark and mixed with sugar to taste).
Upstairs, we perch on high stools at Harriet's, a hole-in-the-wall food stall serving some of the best fish cakes I taste in Barbados. Another Caribbean favourite, they're made from salt fish, flour, herbs and spices, and we eat them with a cooling glass of fresh coconut water.
Later, we cross the island to its wilder Atlantic side, and one of the most popular lunch spots for good Bajan food: The Village Inn, also known as Lemon Arbour. The pickled shrimp is spiky, with lime zest and chilli, while the fried chicken is crunchy and comes with a kick. Saturday is pudding (steamed, grated sweet potato) and souse (bits of pork, pickled in lime) day — served with pickled cucumbers and peppers, it's an acquired taste. Macaroni pie, known as just 'pie', is a staple of Barbados, eaten almost every day. Long tubes of macaroni are mixed with cheese, evaporated milk, Bajan spices and hot sauce, and baked until crisp; it's excellent and strangely addictive.
On the balcony at Lemon Arbour, you look out across the fields in the parish of St John, planted with sugar cane, eddos and yams. The cows here are grass-fed and so too are black-belly lambs, a breed indigenous to Barbados.
I visit Andrea Power in the shed in her garden where she makes Hatchman's Cheeses, a new range of artisan cheeses launched just under three years ago. On an island not known for the best dairy products, she's created three fresh cheeses from goat's milk: a Bajan brie; a blue cheese; and a number of flavoured little bombs, including a Scotch bonnet cheddar and another using fresh, local passion fruit.
Now selling to some of the island's best restaurants, as well as to supermarkets, demand is already outstripping supply, so she's looking forward to expanding. "I really started it as a hobby," she laughs. "I had a point to prove; that I could make good cheese. I also wanted Barbadians to know what quality cheese was. Most of the cheese here is imported, and a lot of it isn't very good. Now we've got our own island cheeses, really good ones too."
Under the lee of some coconut trees, skirting the beach on Carlisle Bay, I find Sharky, a kind of fish middleman who buys the catch of the day direct from the small-time fishermen on the beach. He then cleans and scales his recently acquired wares on a table for a small add-on sum. There are fish of different sizes and colours, known locally as 'pot fish'. I buy 2lb of them for five Bajan dollars (around £ | 846 |
A Classic Tales Christmas
Authors: Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hans Christian Anderson, O. Henry
Tag: Christmas Audio
Publisher: B.J. Harrison
ASIN: B007IJKG28
All of your favorite Christmas stories in one fantastic collection. From heartfelt stories such as O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" to tales of mystery from G. K. Chesterton and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Here is a treasure trove of tales from some of the best writers in the world, narrated by the voi...
All of your favorite Christmas stories in one fantastic collection. From heartfelt stories such as O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" to tales of mystery from G. K. Chesterton and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Here is a treasure trove of tales from some of the best writers in the world, narrated by the voice of the Classic Tales: B<|fim_middle|> Burnett
"A Christmas Carol", by Charles Dickens
I Am Not An Airplane
RAR #93: How to Create a Book Club Culture at Home
How to Enjoy Homeschooling… (just because we can!)
How I'm Using Spiral Notebooks to Simplify Homeschooling
How to Make Meaningful Connections with Your Kids in the Coming Year | .J. Harrison. Each story is presented unabridged.
A Classic Tales Christmas includes:
"The Flying Stars", by G.K. Chesterton
"Markheim", by Robert Louis Stevenson
"The Goblins and the Gravedigger", by Charles Dickens
"Do You Hear What I Hear?" sung by Wooster and Jeeves
"Christmas at Sea", poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
"Reginald on Christmas Presents", by Saki
"The Life of Our Lord", by Charles Dickens
"Christmas Trees", by Robert Frost
"The Little Match Girl", by Hans Christian Andersen
"The Christmas Story" (Luke 2:7-14) from The King James Bible
"'Twas the Night Before Christmas", by Clement Moore
"A Cricket on the Hearth", by Charles Dickens
"Thar' Be No Place Like Home (Fer the Holidays)", sung by Long John Silver
"The Blue Carbuncle", by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
"Where Love Is, God Is", by Leo Tolstoy
"The Ice Palace", by F. Scott Fitzgerald
"The Gift of the Magi", by O. Henry
"The Last Leaf", by O. Henry
"Behind the White Brick", by Francis Hodgson | 247 |
Home > Trending NSE Music News > NEW SOUND EXPRESS POP WINNERS OF 2020: 'Gianluca Gallo' and his catchy, fun and charming 'Susanna'
NEW SOUND EXPRESS POP WINNERS OF 2020: 'Gianluca Gallo' and his catchy, fun and charming 'Susanna'
June 17, 2020 June 17, 2020 newsoundexpress
'Gianluca Gallo' and his catchy, fun and charming 'Susanna'.
Susanna is a new single from Italian singer, composer and music producer, Gianluca Gallo. This catchy track combines orchestral/big band elements with Eurodance, lounge and even disco.
The horn<|fim_middle|> POP TREATS OF 2020: Established Italian artist RIO releases great new album 'State of Mind' out now on all global digital stores | driven beat adds a distinctive dimension to the song. Infectious and sophisticated, this jam will induce you to put on your best dancing suit (or dress). Beautiful, reverb drenched vocals (which alternate between male and female) give this song a stylishly mod vibe.
Susanna incorporates the best of retro while retaining its appeal to 21st century audiences through recording quality and musicianship. Everything about this release is professional and meticulously put together. Gianluca Gallo proves himself to be a seasoned musical craftsman with this fun, clean and classy tune.
Gianluca Gallo is a singer, composer, music producer was born in Italy.
"Here from early childhood my parents recognized and developed my musical talent" he says.
He entered and attended Musical Conservatory of Palermo, where he graduated as Guitar Maestro.
"Since then I have made my music experience live on stage and in studio, besides working with such singers like Umberto Tozzi, Los Locos, Luca Barbarossa".
Gianluca Gallo has organized and directed various Italian music Festivals and been honoured to judge international song contests in Italy and worldwide.
Gianluca Gallo speaks about his creation process, "I have my music recording studio based in Latvia where I create complete music and sound design"
Tell us all about Susanna your new single ?
"Susanna" was born spontaneously as the most part of my compositions due to the catchy theme in my head.
The song has been posted in various Spotify playlists. The song Susanna is definitely the song of the summer 2020, made to have fun, to dance, and to enjoy a beautiful evening.
Born in Agrigento in 1974, Gianluca Gallo began playing the guitar at the age of only 12 and by the age of 13 she passed her exams entering the Music Conservatory of Palermo. At the age of 16, he formed his first Rock group, not neglecting his studies at the Conservatory. In the meantime he began composing and singing Italian Rock style songs and after having sent auditions to various show agencies, he was called to perform the vaudeville of some singers such as Francesco Baccini, Luca Barbarossa, Andrea Mingardi, Los Locos.
In 1998 he recorded a song titled (Quanto Tempo) and it is thanks to this song that has been successful in Sicily and southern Italy, this song is passed on the radio and Gianluca is called as a guest in various events of Piazza and also host of television programs .
In 1999 he began his Tournée with 7 dates in the Sicilian squares, with Pop Rock songs written by himself, obtaining great favor from the public and reaching in some squares an audience of 5,000 people.
In 2001 he finally released his first single CD titled (Un tuffo al Mare) a joking single that goes a bit 'out of the rules, the electro-pop-Latin style, and this time begins another tour with 10 dates.
In 2007 comes the single (È Tardi … Arrivederci) that brings Gianluca a decent success in Italy, first through a television commercial that uses the song and then through over 400 national radio stations that pass the song.
Today Gianluca lives in Latvia.
Trending NSE Music News Agrigento, Arrivederci, disco, È Tardi, Eurodance, Gianluca Gallo, Guitar Maestro, Italian music Festivals, Italy music, latvia, Los Locos, lounge, Luca Barbarossa, Musical Conservatory of Palermo, Quanto Tempo, Sicily, Susanna, Tournée, Umberto Tozzi, Un tuffo al Mare
NEW SOUND EXPRESS DEEP CUTS: 'Happy Sadness' from 'Guantamano Bae' was partly inspired by Guantamano Bae experience working as a prison guard at Guantanamo Bay
NSE JAZZ AND | 834 |
SRG<|fim_middle|>868 2212.
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[Updates] MESSENGER Mission News
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MESSENGER Mission News
by Notebook 03-20-2008, 06:07 AM
http://messenger.jhuapl.edu
Critical Deep-Space Maneuver Targets MESSENGER for Its Second Mercury Encounter
The MESSENGER spacecraft delivered a critical deep-space maneuver today – 64 million miles (103 million kilometers) from Earth – successfully firing its large bi-propellant engine to change the probe's trajectory and target it for its second flyby of Mercury on October 6, 2008. This was the first trajectory-correction maneuver (TCM) to test the continuous slow rotation of the spacecraft throughout the burn, essential for the March 18, 2011, Mercury orbit-insertion (MOI) maneuver.
"Every propulsive event in this complex mission is an important step toward our ultimate goal – placing the first spacecraft into orbit about the innermost planet," offers MESSENGER Principal Investigator Sean Solomon, of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. "Today's deep-space maneuver is a crucial milestone that points us cleanly toward our next close look at Mercury in October."
The 149-second maneuver began at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Mission controllers at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., verified the start of the maneuver about 5 minutes 42 seconds later, when the first signals indicating spacecraft thruster activity reached NASA's Deep Space Network tracking station outside Goldstone, California.
The continuous rotation of the spacecraft occurred during the 90-second firing of the large bi-propellant engine, the main part of the 149-second TCM, and was less than 4° – about 11% of the turn required for the mission-critical MOI. The total change in velocity of 72.2 meters per second (161.5 miles per hour) achieved during the maneuver will increase the spacecraft's speed relative to the Sun.
This was the third of five deep-space maneuvers that will help the spacecraft reach Mercury orbit. The first, on December 12, 2005, positioned the probe for its October 2006 flyby of Venus; the second, on October 17, 2007, targeted MESSENGER for its first flyby of Mercury this January.
DSM-4 on December 6, 2008, will position MESSENGER for Mercury flyby 3, scheduled for September 30, 2009. And the final deep-space maneuver on November 29, 2009, will target the probe for Mercury orbit insertion.
The next maneuver, TCM-24, is currently scheduled for April 24 and will be used to further fine-tune the trajectory for the second Mercury encounter. "There are also several instrument and subsystem calibrations this spring and summer, and even an instrument flight software load in July," says MESSENGER Mission Operations Manager Andy Calloway of APL. "The MESSENGER team will also continue to focus on the Mercury Flyby 2 sequence planning and testing, as well as orbital operations planning in parallel with the ongoing flight operations."
MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) is a NASA-sponsored scientific investigation of the planet Mercury and the first space mission designed to orbit the planet closest to the Sun. The MESSENGER spacecraft launched on August 3, 2004, and after flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury will start a yearlong study of its target planet in March 2011. Dr. Sean C. Solomon, of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, leads the mission as Principal Investigator. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory built and operates the MESSENGER spacecraft and manages this Discovery-class mission for NASA.
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The Mastermind behind MESSENGER's Trajectory Honored for Efforts
Jim McAdams, the MESSENGER mission design lead engineer, was named the 2008 Engineer of the Year by the Baltimore Section, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Each spring, this chapter of AIAA honors those in the aerospace community who have made significant contributions during the previous year.
McAdams of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., "optimized the trajectory and maneuver schedule, designing one of the most challenging planetary missions in history," said APL's Tom Strikwerda, who on May 28 presented the award: a plaque and a 24-inch-high trophy that McAdams will keep until passing it on to the next winner a year from now.
Because Mercury lies deep within the Sun's gravity well, travel to the planet requires an extremely large velocity change. A spacecraft travelling to Mercury speeds up as it falls toward the Sun; so MESSENGER's trajectory had to be designed to most effectively utilize the gravitational pull of Venus and Mercury to achieve most of the required velocity change.
To make the trip possible, the trajectory uses six gravity-assist flybys: one by Earth, two by Venus, and three by Mercury. These gravity-assists, along with five large course-correction maneuvers, reduce the energy (and thus fuel) requirements but greatly prolong the trip. These maneuvers will also slow the spacecraft's speed just enough relative to Mercury to enable its thruster to place the probe into orbit around Mercury.
Upon arrival at Mercury in March of 2011 the spacecraft will enter an elliptical orbit that passes as close as 200 kilometers to Mercury's far northern surface every 12 hours. Such an orbit will allow MESSENGER to measure solar wind and magnetic fields at a variety of distances from the planet yet still obtain close-up measurements and images of the surface.
"The implementation of this complex mission plan has been a significant challenge," says McAdams, who also worked on the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission. "It's a privilege to join two other MESSENGER team engineers as recipients of this award," he adds, referring to Robin Vaughan and Adrian Hill, two other engineers from the team who received the award in 2004 and 2006, respectively.
McAdams, who holds an M.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University, also created and led the development of MESSENGER education and outreach products, as well as trajectory data distribution to the science community. Last summer, he played a critical role in the creation of the Mercury Flyby Visualization Tool, which provides simulated views of Mercury from MESSENGER's perspective, during approach, flyby, and departure, or in real time (as the observations actually occur).
Members of MESSENGER's Geology Discipline Group used the tool both before and after the probe's first flyby of Mercury in January to gain information about imaging sites on Mercury. The tool will be updated for upcoming Mercury encounters.
"Jim McAdams has been a critical member of the MESSENGER team," offers MESSENGER Principal Investigator Sean Solomon. "Jim is usually several steps ahead of the rest of us with respect to planning for mission-critical events, and we can always count on his results to high precision. The journey to orbiting Mercury is long and complex, but we have a terrific guide."
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J. D. Harrington
NASA Headquarters, Washington
Paulette Campbell
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md.
MEDIA ADVISORY: M08-128
NASA TO REVEAL NEW DISCOVERIES FROM MERCURY
WASHINGTON -- NASA will host a media teleconference Thursday, July 3, at 2 p.m. EDT, to discuss analysis of data from the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft's flyby of Mercury earlier this year.
The spacecraft is the first designed to orbit the planet closest to the sun. It flew past Mercury on Jan. 14, 2008, and made the first up-close measurements since Mariner 10's final flyby in 1975.
Analyses of the data show volcanoes were involved in the formation of plains. The data also suggest the planet's magnetic field is actively produced in its core. In addition, the mission has provided the first look at the chemical composition of Mercury's surface. The results will be reported in a series of 11 papers published July 4 in a special section of Science magazine.
The teleconference participants are:
- Marilyn Lindstrom, program scientist, NASA Headquarters
- Sean Solomon, principal investigator, Carnegie Institution of Washington
- James W. Head III, professor of geological sciences, Brown University, Providence, R.I.
- William McClintock, senior research associate, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder
- Thomas H. Zurbuchen, associate professor, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Reporters may access the embargoed science press package materials by registering with EurekAlert! at www.eurekalert.org and e-mailing [email protected] to expedite their registration. Once registered, they may log in directly at: http://www.eurekalert.org/jrnls/sci/.
To participate in the teleconference, reporters in the United States should call 1-888-455-3616 and use the passcode "messenger." International reporters should call 1-517-623-4705. Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live at: http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio.
When the briefing begins, related images will be available at: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/telecon4.html.
Tina McDowell
Carnegie Institution of Washington
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Md.
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MESSENGER Settles old Debates and Makes new Discoveries at Mercury
Scientists have argued about the origins of Mercury's smooth plains and the source of its magnetic field for over 30 years. Now, analyses of data from the January 2008 flyby of the planet by the MESSENGER spacecraft have shown that volcanoes were involved in plains formation and suggest that its magnetic field is actively produced in the planet's core and is not a frozen relic. Scientists additionally took their first look at the chemical composition the planet's surface material. The tiny craft probed the composition of Mercury's thin atmosphere, sampled charged particles (ions) near the planet, and demonstrated new links between both sets of observations and materials on Mercury's surface. The results are reported in a series of 11 papers published in a special section of the July 4 issue of Science magazine.
The controversy over the origin of Mercury's smooth plains began with the 1972 Apollo 16 Moon mission, which suggested that some lunar plains came from material that was ejected by large impacts and then formed smooth 'ponds.' When Mariner 10 imaged similar formations on Mercury in 1975, some scientists believed that the same processes were at work. Others thought that Mercury's plains material came from erupted lavas, but the absence of volcanic vents or other volcanic features in images from that mission prevented a consensus.
Six of the papers in Science report on analyses of the planet's surface through its reflectance and color variation, surface chemistry, high-resolution imaging at different wavelengths, and altitude measurements. The researchers found evidence of volcanic ventsalong the margins of the Caloris basin, one of the Solar System's largest and youngest impact basins. They also found that Caloris has a much more complicated geologic history than previously believed.
"By combining Mariner 10 and MESSENGER data, the science team was able to reconstruct a comprehensive geologic history of the entire basin interior," explained James Head of Brown University, the lead author of one of the Science reports. "The Caloris basin was formed from an impact by an asteroid or comet during the heavy bombardment period in the first billion years of Solar System history. As with the lunar maria, a period of volcanic activity produced lava flows that filled the basin interior. This volcanism produced the comparatively light, red material of the interior plains intermingled with impact crater deposits. Subsidence caused the surface of the Caloris floor to shorten, producing what we call wrinkle-ridges. The large troughs, or graben, then formed as a result of later uplift, and more recent impacts yielded newer craters."
The first altitude measurements from any spacecraft at Mercury also found that craters on that planet are about a factor of two shallower than those on the Moon and they, too, show a complex geologic history.
Mariner 10 discovered Mercury's magnetic field. Earth is the only other terrestrial planet with a global magnetic field. In both cases the field produces a protective bubble called a magnetosphere, which generally shields the planet surface from the charged particles of the solar wind. Earth's magnetic field is generated by the churning, hot, liquid-iron core via a mechanism called a magnetic dynamo. Researchers have been puzzled by Mercury's field since its iron core should have cooled long ago and stopped generating magnetism. Some researchers have thought that the field may have been a relic of the past, frozen in the outer crust.
"MESSENGER's measurements did indicate that, like the Earth, Mercury's magnetic field is mostly dipolar, which means it has a north and south magnetic poles," stated lead author Brian Anderson of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md. "The fact that it's dipolar, and that we did not find the 'signature' shorter-wavelength anomalies that would signify patches of magnetized crust, supports the view that we're seeing a modern dynamo.We are eager for the October flyby and the year in orbit to see if this is the case elsewhere on the planet and confirm that the field comes from the core."
The flyby made the first-ever observations of the ionized particles in Mercury's unique exosphere. The exosphere is an ultrathin atmosphere where the molecules are so far apart they are more likely to collide with the surface than with each other. The planet's highly elliptical orbit, its slow rotation, and particle interactions with the magnetosphere, interplanetary medium, and solar wind result in strong seasonal and day-night differences in the way particles behave.
"MESSENGER was able to observe Mercury's exosphere in three areas—the dayside, the day/night line, or terminator, and its 25,000 mile-long (40,000 km) sodium tail," explained lead author Bill McClintock of the University of Colorado. "Atoms of hydrogen, helium, sodium, potassium, and calcium have been seen in the exosphere, and many other elements almost certainly exist there. When species escape from the surface they are accelerated by solar-radiation pressure and form a long tail of atoms flowing away from the Sun. But their abundances differ depending on whether it's day or night, effects from the magnetic field and solar wind, and possibly the latitude. Mercury's exosphere is remarkably active."
"Since Mariner 10's discovery of Mercury's magnetosphere, there's been speculation about its dynamics, ion composition, and how the solar wind interacts with the surface and exosphere," commented lead author Thomas Zurbuchen of the University of Michigan. "The planet's surface is the most space-weathered of any terrestrial planet, and the interaction of solar wind and micrometeoroid flux with the surface can inject both neutral and charged particles into the exosphere and space. The ion composition was not measured by Mariner 10 and MESSENGER once again provided a significant scientific surprise. The magnetosphere is full of many ionic species, both atomic and molecular and in a variety of charge states. What is in some sense a 'Mercury plasma nebula' is far richer in complexity and makeup than the Io plasma torus in the Jupiter system. The abundances of silicon, sodium, and sulfur relative to oxygen in the solar wind are too low, and their charge states — ionization — are too high to account for the abundances we measured, so there is no doubt that this material came from the planet's surface. This observation means that this flyby got the first-ever look at surface composition."
Mercury's core makes up 60% of its mass, which is at least twice as large as any other planet. The flyby revealed that the magnetic field, originating in the outer core and powered by core cooling, drives very dynamic and complex interactions among the planet's interior, surface, exosphere, and magnetosphere.
Remarking on the importance of the core to surface geological structures, MESSENGER Principal Investigator Sean Solomon, at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, said: "The dominant tectonic landforms on Mercury, including areas imaged for the first time by MESSENGER, are features called lobate scarps, huge cliffs that mark the tops of crustal faults that formed during the contraction of the surrounding area. They tell us how important the cooling core has been to the evolution of the surface. After the end of the period of heavy bombardment, cooling of the planet's core not only fuels the magnetic dynamo, it also led to contraction of the entire planet. And the data from the flyby indicate that the total contraction is a least one third greater than we previously thought."
"When you look at the planet in the sky, it looks like a simple point of light," remarked MESSENGER Project Scientist Ralph McNutt, of APL. "But when you experience Mercury close-up through all of MESSENGER's 'senses' seeing it at different wavelengths, feeling its magnetic properties, and touching its surface features and energetic particles, you perceive a complex system and not just a ball of rock and metal. We are all surprised by how active that planet is and at the dynamic interrelationships among its core, surface, exosphere, and magnetosphere."
"It's remarkable that this rich lode of data came from two days of imaging, just 30 minutes of sampling the planet's magnetosphere and exosphere, and less than ten minutes carrying out altimetry and collecting other data near the time of its closest approach 125 miles (200 kilometers) to the surface," offered Solomon. "MESSENGER's first flyby was a huge success, both in keeping us on target for the rest of our journey and in advancing our progress toward answering the science questions that have motivated this mission."
Additional information is available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/mer_flyby1.html. For copies of the papers contact AAAS SciPak at 202-326-6440 or [email protected]
MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) is a NASA-sponsored scientific investigation of the planet Mercury and the first space mission designed to orbit the planet closest to the Sun. The MESSENGER spacecraft launched on August 3, 2004, and after flybys of Earth, Venus, and Mercury will start a yearlong study of its target planet in March 2011. Dr. Sean C. Solomon, of the Carnegie Institution, leads the mission as Principal Investigator. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory built and operates the MESSENGER spacecraft and manages this Discovery-class mission for NASA.
Last edited by Notebook; 07-03-2008 at 09:52 PM. Reason: Update of. content
Sharing the Wealth: MESSENGER Team Delivers Mercury Flyby 1 Data to Planetary Data System
Data from MESSENGER's first flyby of Mercury have been released to the public by the Planetary Data System (PDS), an organization that archives and distributes all of NASA's planetary mission data.
"This delivery, while not the first for the MESSENGER mission, represents a significant milestone," says MESSENGER Mission Archive Coordinator Alan Mick, of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. "We had delivered data from MESSENGER to the PDS before, but not Mercury data," he says. "This delivery was particularly significant — the first MESSENGER flyby of Mercury was mankind's return to this planet after an absence of over three decades. In this one flyby we imaged previously unseen areas of Mercury's surface, greatly improved the resolution in areas already covered, and made observations of a kind that had never been made before."
Calibrated data from three of the probe's science instruments — the Magnetometer (MAG), the Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS), and the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) — are included in this release. "The science results from these instruments have already shed light on questions about Mercury that have lingered for more than three decades," says MESSENGER Project Scientist Ralph McNutt of APL.
For instance, analyses of data from MDIS have shown that volcanoes were involved in plains formation, and MAG results confirm that the planet's magnetic field is actively produced in the planet's core and is not a frozen relic. The MASCS instrument has provided new insights into the extent and complexity of the planet's tenuous exosphere. "The availability of these data via PDS will allow scientists around the world to study the data and begin making even more connections and discoveries," McNutt adds.
Since the mid-1990s, NASA has required all of its planetary missions to archive data in the PDS, an active archive that makes available well-documented, peer-reviewed data to the research community. "An essential element of the implementation of NASA missions is the dissemination of collected data to the science community at large," explains Marilyn Lindstrom, NASAProgram Scientist for MESSENGER. "It's critical to maintain a planetary data archive that will withstand the test of time so that future generations of scientists can access, understand, and use pre-existing planetary data."
The PDS includes eight university/research center science teams, called discipline nodes, each of which specializes in specific areas of planetary data. The contributions from these nodes provide a data-rich source for scientists, researchers, and developers. Steven Joy of the University of California, Los Angeles, is MESSENGER's PDS liaison. His challenge was to coordinate the efforts of the nodes responsible for validating the various datasets before they could be released. "The PDS validation process needs to be comprehensive and unforgiving to ensure that only high-quality, well-documented data are released for use by the science community," Joy says. "The data archives do not need to be perfect, but they do need to be documented well enough that future users, unfamiliar with how the data were acquired, can understand the data and apply them to new problems."
The "formal" public release makes mission data available for several applications, including the MESSENGER Mercury flyby visualization tool, available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/encountersactual/. "The tool now includes actual, unprocessed images from the narrow-angle and wide-angle cameras, taken during the January flyby," says APL's James McAdams, who designed MESSENGER's trajectory. "Viewers will see the same images that told the team that the cameras were not only on target, but were revealing Mercury as it had never been seen before."
In addition, the "Science on a Sphere" exhibit at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center's Visitor Center has now incorporated MESSENGER images into its collection of Solar System displays. This exhibit utilizes four video projectors to display three-dimensional data onto the surface of a six-foot, suspended sphere. "It's a unique opportunity to project high-resolution NASA data for educational purposes," notes MESSENGER Education and Public Outreach Project Manager Stephanie Stockman.
MESSENGER Principal Investigator Sean Solomon says it took high level of dedication for the team to pull this off. "Many members of the MESSENGER team devoted long hours and weekends to ensure that the project met the goal of releasing all of our Mercury data six months after the flyby. We are delighted to share these historic data with the scientific community and the public, and we hope that their availability will foster interest everywhere in the mysteries of the Sun's closest planetary neighbor."
Happy Anniversary MESSENGER!
It's been four years since MESSENGER was launched atop a Delta II rocket on August 3, 2004, and they have been busy years. Since it began its odyssey, the spacecraft has travelled 4.33 billion kilometers (2.69 billion miles) relative to the Sun. It has executed four planetary flybys (one of Earth on August 2, 2005; two of Venus, on October 24, 2006, and June 5, 2007; and one of Mercury, on January 14, 2008), three deep-space propulsive maneuvers, and 15 smaller trajectory-correction maneuvers. Up next are two more passes by Mercury (October 6, 2008, and September 29, 2009) and then on March 18, 2011, MESSENGER will become the first spacecraft to enter into orbit around the innermost planet.
MESSENGER Sails on Sun's Fire for Second Flyby of Mercury
On September 4, the MESSENGER team announced that it would not need to implement a scheduled maneuver to adjust the probe's trajectory. This is the fourth time this year that such a maneuver has been called off. The reason? A recently implemented navigational technique that makes use of solar-radiation pressure (SRP) to guide the probe has been extremely successful at maintaining MESSENGER on a trajectory that will carry it over the cratered surface of Mercury for a second time on October 6.
SRP is small and decreases by the square of the distance away from the Sun. But, unlike rockets, so-called solar sailing requires no fuel. And although SRP's thrust is small, it will continue as long as the Sun is shining and the "sail" is deployed, providing a continuous acceleration source for the probe.
MESSENGER's mission designers and its guidance and control team at the Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md., along with the navigation team, at KinetX, Inc., in Simi Valley, Calif., once viewed SRP as something of a challenge to overcome, particularly for the critical gravity-assist flybys – one of Earth, two of Venus, and three of Mercury – that the spacecraft would be executing to position it for Mercury orbit insertion in 2011.
"Because of the changing proximity to the Sun during MESSENGER's cruise phase, the SRP varies from one to 11 times the value experienced at Earth," explains APL's Daniel J. O'Shaughnessy, MESSENGER's Guidance and Control Lead Engineer. This variation in magnitude, as well as the attitude-dependent direction of the resulting disturbance force and torque, presents a significant challenge to mission designers and the guidance and control team, he says.
"The Mercury flybys are designed to take the probe within approximately 200 kilometers of the planet, so precision targeting is absolutely critical," O'Shaughnessy says. Fly too low and the probe could crash into the planet. Fly too far away and MESSENGER might have to use its reserve fuel to correct for the acceleration loss. Either way, getting off target could jeopardize the mission.
SRP was seen as an impediment to precise targeting, until the first Mercury flyby in January 2008. About 26 days before that historic event, MESSENGER fired its thrusters to fine-tune its trajectory and aim for the 200-kilometer-altitude flyby point. Prior to the maneuver, the probe was on a course to miss the flyby aim point by more than 2,000 kilometers.
After the maneuver, the probe was still about 9.5 kilometers off<|fim_middle|> and then to take a color image and a high-resolution mosaic of Mercury with the Mercury Dual Imaging System instrument.
"The operations team is now preparing for the period of time about an hour prior to closest approach [at 4:40:21 a.m. EDT], when we will be transitioning our support from the Canberra ground station to the Madrid ground station that will capture the flyby," Finnegan said. "High-gain communications with the spacecraft will be re-establishedon Tuesday at 1:14 a.m. EDT at approximately 52 kilobits per second, and playback of the data stored in the solid-state recorder will start approximately 30 minutes later."
"MESSENGER is now on its own. The MESSENGER team is confident that our probe will carry out the full flyby command sequence, which was developed and thoroughly tested by the many dedicated engineers and scientists on the MESSENGER flight team," said MESSENGER Principal Investigator Sean Solomon of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. "We all look forward with excitement to the flyby data set that we will start to glimpse Tuesday morning. We'll be seeing at close range, for the first time, a region of Mercury larger in area than South America. Discoveries are just hours away."
SiberianTiger
News Sifter
The Messenger has swung by Mercury for the second time!
BTW, a very interesting fly-by mission chart by JPL here:
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MESSENGER Flyby of Mercury
At a little after 4:40 a.m. EDT, MESSENGER skimmed 200 kilometers (124 miles) above the surface of Mercury in the second of three flybys of the planet. Initial indications from the radio signals indicate that the spacecraft continues to operate nominally. The spacecraft is now collecting images and other scientific measurements from the planet as it departs Mercury from the illuminated side, filling in the details of much of Mercury's surface not previously viewed by spacecraft.
Tomorrow at 1:14 a.m. EDT, the spacecraft will turn its high-gain antenna back toward Earth to start down-linking the data stored onboard. The first pictures from the flyby will be released around 10:00 a.m. on October 7, 2008. Additional information and features from this encounter will be available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/mer_flyby2.html. Be sure to check back frequently to see the latest released images and science results!
From Mariner 10 to MESSENGER
On Wednesday, October 8, 2008, MESSENGER Science Team member Mark Robinson, from Arizona State University, will talk about what we've learned about Mercury in the last three decades and release new pictures from MESSENGER's second flyby of Mercury. The event, to be held at the Kossiakoff Center on the campus of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md., will begin at 4 p.m. To RSVP, go online to http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/RSVP/.
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MESSENGER Reveals Mercury as Never Seen Before
When Mariner 10 flew past Mercury three times in 1974 and 1975, the probe imaged less than half the planet. In January, during MESSENGER's first flyby, its cameras returned images of about 20 percent of the planet's surface missed by Mariner 10. Yesterday, at 4:40 am EDT, MESSENGER successfully completed its second flyby of Mercury, and its cameras captured more than 1,200 high-resolution and color images of the planet – unveiling another 30 percent of Mercury's surface that had never before been seen by spacecraft.
"The MESSENGER team is extremely pleased by the superb performance of the spacecraft and the payload," said MESSENGER Principal Investigator Sean Solomon of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. "We are now on the correct trajectory for eventual insertion into orbit around Mercury, and all of our instruments returned data as planned from the side of the planet opposite to the one we viewed during our first flyby. When these data have been digested and compared, we will have a global perspective of Mercury for the first time."
Today, at about 1:50 a.m. EDT, MESENGER turned to Earth and began transmitting data gathered during its second Mercury encounter. This spectacular image – one of the first to be returned – was snapped by the Wide Angle Camera (WAC), part of the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) instrument, about 90 minutes after MESSENGER's closest approach to Mercury, when the spacecraft was at a distance of about 27,000 kilometers (about 17,000 miles).
The bright crater just south of the center of the image is Kuiper, identified on images from the Mariner 10 mission in the 1970s. For most of the terrain east of Kuiper, toward the edge of the planet, the departing images are the first spacecraft views of that portion of Mercury's surface. A striking characteristic of this newly imaged area is the large pattern of rays that extend from the northern region of Mercury to regions south of Kuiper.
This WAC image is one in a sequence of 55: a five-frame mosaic with each frame in the mosaic acquired in all 11 of the WAC filters. This portion of Mercury's surface was previously imaged under different lighting conditions by Mariner 10, but this new MESSENGER image mosaic is the highest-resolution color imaging ever acquired of any portion of Mercury's surface.
Additionally, some of the images in this mosaic overlap with flyby data acquired by the Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer and Mercury Laser Altimeter instruments, resulting in the first time that these three instruments have gathered data of the same area of Mercury. The combination of these three datasets will enable unprecedented studies of this region of Mercury's surface.
This image, acquired about 89 minutes before the craft's closest approach to Mercury, resembles the optical navigation images taken leading up to the flyby. The resolution of this image is somewhat better than that obtained by the final optical navigation image set, and the surface visible is newly imaged terrain that was not previously seen by either Mariner 10 or during MESSENGER's first flyby.
However, the added resolution is not the main scientific advancement that will be provided by this image. This WAC image is one of 11 viewed through different narrow-band color filters, the set of which will enable detailed color studies of this newly imaged area. In addition, the Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) acquired a high-resolution mosaic of most of this thin crescent view of Mercury at a resolution better than 0.5 kilometers/pixel (0.3 miles/pixel) that will enable the MESSENGER team to explore this newly imaged region of Mercury's surface in more detail.
About 58 minutes before MESSENGER's closest approach to Mercury, the NAC captured this close-up image of a portion of Mercury's surface imaged by spacecraft for the first time. It is one of 44 in a high-resolution NAC mosaic taken of the approaching crescent-shaped Mercury, as seen at lower resolution in the optical navigation images and the approach WAC color image set.
As the MESSENGER team is busy examining this newly obtained view, data from the flyby continue to stream down to Earth, including higher resolution close-up images of this previously unseen terrain.Collectively, these images and measurements made by other MESSENGER instruments will soon provide a broad range of information for understanding the formation and geologic history of the innermost planet.
Additional information and features from this encounter will be available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/mer_flyby2.html, so check back frequently to see the latest released images and science results!
astrosammy
Dash!
A little question about the image:
Is it a true color image? Because all these MESSENGER images look much different to what I see in Orbiter and the old Mariner 10 images:
Find More Posts by astrosammy | from its target. "We still had one more opportunity for another trajectory-correction maneuver four days before the flyby, but we were able to skip it by solar sailing the spacecraft closer to the intended aim point," explains APL's Jim McAdams, who designed MESSENGER's trajectory.
Three days earlier than originally planned, the team tilted MESSENGER's solar panels an extra 20 degrees away from the Sun. The resulting change in solar-array orientation moved the flyby altitude very close to the target aim point. Ultimately, MESSENGER missed its target altitude by only 1.4 kilometers. This targeting was "spectacular," McAdams says.
The MESSENGER team has planned a more extensive use of this technique for the second Mercury flyby. "We've developed a process to use the SRP force as a control for the trajectory," explains O'Shaughnessy. Using the knowledge developed from the first flyby, the team has developed a carefully planned sequence of probe-body attitude and solar-array orientations that, if all goes according to plan, should reduce the number of trajectory correction maneuvers needed in the future.
According to NASA, the only other visitor to Mercury used solar sailing. In 1974, when the Mariner 10 spacecraft ran low on attitude-control gas, its engineers angled the spacecraft's solar arrays into the Sun and used solar radiation pressure for attitude control, and it worked. But MESSENGER's use of the technique represents the first time that a spacecraft has successfully used solar sailing as a propulsion-free trajectory control method for the targeting of planetary flybys.
MESSENGER Team Member Highlight
While the scientists on the MESSENGER team decided what features to image, and the guidance and control team calculated the pointing of the instrument, Nori Laslo – at 29 one of the youngest members on the team – pieced together the commands to tell the camera precisely what to do. Read more about Laslo in the latest MESSENGER Team Highlight, available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/who_we_are/member_focus.html.
Mercury Does a Sunset Tango with Mars and Venus in September
Sky watchers using binoculars and scanning the horizon about 15 to 30 minutes after sunset on September 7 will see a Venus-Mercury-Mars grouping that looks like an isosceles triangle, with the Mars-Mercury and Mars-Venus sides measuring about 2.5 degrees in length and the Mercury-Venus side about 4 degrees. About 10 degrees to the upper left of the triangle will be Spica, the brightest star of the constellation Virgo.
On September 18, Venus, Mercury, and Mars will form an equilateral triangle, whose sides are 4 degrees in length. And Spica will become a part of this arrangement, sitting a few degrees to the left of the triangle. Mercury will remain in the evening sky until October 6, and then reappear on November 25.
One Month to Go until Second Flyby of Mercury!
With just 30 days until MESSENGER's second encounter with Mercury, the spacecraft remains safe and healthy, with all systems operating nominally. All instruments are on except for the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA), which will be powered on September 25 and configured for the encounter. "The final command load for the upcoming flyby is now complete, has been reviewed by the team, and is being tested on the hardware simulator," says APL's Peter Bedini, MESSENGER's project manager. "A successful simulation will represent the passing of the last major milestone in the encounter preparations."
MESSENGER is about 55.95 million miles (90.04 million kilometers) from the Sun and 87.55 million miles (140.9 million kilometers) from Earth. At that distance, a signal from Earth reaches the spacecraft in 7.8 minutes. The spacecraft is moving around the Sun at 77.5 million miles (124.7 kilometers) per hour.
FordPrefect
Originally Posted by Notebook
...The spacecraft is moving around the Sun at 77.5 million miles (124.7 kilometers) per hour.
...uhhmm, this doesn't sound right. Seems like they mixed up the numbers there greatly!
Thanks Notebook for the heads-up!
Find More Posts by FordPrefect
Just had a look at
http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/whereis/index.php
and the current range to Earth is given as 87.918 Million Miles. So that agrees with the distance in the article. Can't find any info about the velocity though.
MESSENGER Finalizes Plans for Its Second Look at Mercury
It is now only slightly more than three weeks before the MESSENGER spacecraft flies by Mercury for the second time. At 4:40 a.m. ET on October 6, the craft will speed by the planet, passing within 125 miles (200 kilometers) and gaining a gravity assist that will tighten its orbit and keep it on its course to pass the planet one last time next year before becoming the first spacecraft ever to orbit Mercury, beginning in 2011.
A comprehensive set of observations of Mercury and its environment has been designed for this upcoming encounter – deploying all seven of the science payload instruments, in addition to the telecommunications system – to continue the investigations begun during the first encounter with Mercury last January.
Over the last six months, engineers have been building the software commands needed to implement these observations into one single sequence that will be loaded to the spacecraft to run automatically during the encounter. The development of this sequence included several levels of review and testing as it matured. Today, engineers successfully completed the final testing of the commands on the hardware simulator, and on September 29, engineers will send MESSENGER instructions on what observations to perform at each point along the flyby trajectory.
As MESSENGER flew by Mercury on January 14, its instruments imaged 20% of Mercury's surface not previously seen by spacecraft. The spacecraft made measurements of the planet's magnetic field, exosphere and sodium tail, surface color and composition, and gravitational field. On its second visit, MESSENGER will image an additional 30% of the surface never before seen by spacecraft.
"MESSENGER's first flyby of Mercury produced many surprises," offered MESSENGER Principal Investigator Sean Solomon. "The second flyby will bring us close to the opposite side of the planet from the one we visited in January, and the surface we will view at close range for the first time is larger in area than South America. The only safe prediction at this stage of exploring the innermost planet is that we will make new discoveries."
Mercury – in 3D!
This graphic shows a portion of the fault scarp Beagle Rupes cutting through the highly elliptical crater Sveinsdóttir in a three-dimensional (3D) representation. Standard 3D glasses (which can be assembled at home), with a red filter in front of the left eye and a blue filter in front of the right one, can be used to view this picture. By combining information from multiple images of the same portion of Mercury's surface taken under different viewing angles, the topography of the surface was determined. A high-resolution image was then overlaid on the topography map, resulting in this 3D image.
More than 80 MESSENGER images were used to create this 3D view of Mercury's surface. As the MESSENGER mission continues, many more images will be acquired, and these additional images will provide views of Mercury's surface from a variety of illumination conditions and viewing geometries. These myriad views, anchored by topographic profiles to be acquired by MESSENGER's laser altimeter, will enable large portions of the surface of Mercury to be studied in 3D.
Stat Corner
MESSENGER is about 51.8 million miles (83.4 million kilometers) from the Sun and 81.5
million miles (131.2 million kilometers) from Earth. At that distance, a signal from Earth reaches the spacecraft in 7.3 minutes. The spacecraft is moving around the Sun at 84,744.7 miles (136,383.4 kilometers) per hour.
To Ford Prefect above, looks like you are correct, and they got the velocity out by a 10^3.
MLA Ready to Range to Mercury's Surface
One week from today, the MESSENGER spacecraft will fly by Mercury for the second time this year. As part of the final preparations for this encounter, the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) has been powered on after having been off since shortly after the first flyby at the beginning of the year. The entire MESSENGER science payload is now powered and configured to collect data during next week's encounter.
"Right after the January flyby, the MLA completed passive observations of Mercury, without the laser firing, as a calibration," explained MLA Instrument Scientist Olivier Barnouin-Jha of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md.
"At that point it was switched off, and it has remained off since that time,"
During MESSENGER's first Mercury encounter, the MLA provided the first direct measurements of the topography of Mercury from spacecraft. The results provide evidence for a complex geologic history and indicate that Mercury's craters are shallower than those on the Moon at a given crater diameter, as expected because of the higher surface gravity.
"Unlike the topographic data obtained during the first flyby, which were of terrain for which we have no space-based imaging, some of the area to which MLA will range during this second encounter was imaged by the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) during the first Mercury flyby," Barnouin-Jha said. Moreover, terrain sampled by MLA during the first flyby will in turn be imaged by MDIS during this visit.
"So this second flyby will allow the first inter-comparison between the topographic observations and high-resolution spacecraft images," he added.
Imaging Plans for MESSENGER's Second Mercury Flyby
Mariner 10, the only spacecraft to visit Mercury prior to the MESSENGER mission, imaged about 45% of the planet's surface. In January, MESSENGER's Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) captured an additional 21% of Mercury's surface. During its upcoming encounter with Mercury, the 1,287 planned MDIS images will cover much of the remaining portion of Mercury's surface not yet seen by spacecraft. A map of Mercury's surface with images from Mariner 10 overlaid by mosaics by the MDIS narrow-angle camera (NAC) acquired during MESSENGER's first Mercury flyby is available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos/image.php?gallery_id=2&image_id=205.
MESSENGER's first flyby of Mercury covered two general areas of Mercury surface: the crescent view of Mercury seen as the spacecraft approached the planet and the fuller view of Mercury acquired as the spacecraft departed. Similarly, Mercury will appear as a thin crescent during the inbound portion of MESSENGER's second Mercury flyby and as a nearly full disk during the outbound portion of the encounter. The areas of the surface that will be imaged by the NAC are shaded in purple in the figure. One week from today, as may be seen from the figure, spacecraft imaging of Mercury's surface will be nearly global in coverage for the first time.
Experience MESSENGER's Second Mercury Flyby Virtually
See Mercury through the "eyes" of MESSENGER's imagers with the Mercury Flyby Visualization Tool, now available at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/encountersm2/. This updated Web feature offers a unique opportunity to see simulated views of Mercury from MESSENGER's perspective, during approach, flyby, and departure, or in real-time (as the observations actually occur).
This tool combines the best available image map of Mercury's surface with observation sequences for the Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS), Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS), and Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA). The map of Mercury's surface combines Earth-based low-resolution radar images from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, high-resolution image mosaics from the Mariner 10 spacecraft flybys of Mercury in 1974 and 1975, and images from MESSENGER's first flyby of Mercury on January 14, 2008.
There are many helpful tips available on the pages of this visualization tool. Pointing and clicking on any color bar will display the projection of each completed image mosaic on Mercury or show the end of the active MLA or MASCS observation. Information accompanying each simulated image includes the latitude and longitude of the point at the center of each image, the resolution in meters (or kilometers when farther from the planet) per pixel (picture element) at the image center, the altitude (how far the spacecraft is above Mercury's surface), and the time relative to closest approach.
MESSENGER Beams Back First Approach Images of Mercury
MESSENGER mission operators at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., have received the first optical navigation images from the spacecraft. "We will be taking seven additional sets over the next three days as the spacecraft approaches the planet," said APL's Eric Finnegan, the Mission Systems Engineer.
Optical navigation is commonly used to tie the position of a spacecraft to the position of a target body to ensure a safe and well-positioned flyby, particularly when the position of the target body is uncertain or if the navigation process has not been validated in flight. "During the first encounter with Mercury, both of these issues were of concern to mission planners," Finnegan explained. "However, following the highly accurate flyby in January, the necessity of these images for critical trajectory planning was removed."
"For successful optical navigation, we need to see the target body in the same image sequence as the background star field," said MESSENGER's Navigation Team Chief Ken Williams of KinetX, Inc. "Stars are far away, so to us, it appears that their positions are fixed in space. By comparing where Mercury is in the field-of-view with the stars visible behind it, and by controlling where the camera is pointing, we can estimate the position of the spacecraft."
The Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) instrument consists of two imagers, a wide-angle camera (WAC) with a 10.5º field of view, and a narrow-angle camera (NAC), with a 1.5º field of view. These imagers are always pointed at the same place, and the NAC footprint falls in the center of the WAC footprint. The WAC has a filter specially designed for imaging stars, most of which are so faint that long (up to 10-second) exposures are required.
The MESSENGER team employs both cameras for optical navigation, taking a star image with the WAC, and then quickly switching to the NAC for an image of the planet limb. Because the images are taken within seconds of each other, they can be used to see where the planet is compared with the star field.
The navigation images snapped during this flyby will also help the team plot MESSENGER's yearlong orbital survey of Mercury, which begins in March 2011. MESSENGER will fly very close to the surface of Mercury—within 200 kilometers (124 miles)—during the October 6 flyby, as it did in January. However, during this encounter, the navigation team will rely only on radiometric tracking data during closest approach.
As the flyby continues toward closest approach, additional information and features will be available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/mer_flyby2.html, so check back frequently. Following the flyby, be sure to check back to see the latest released images and science results!
Closing in on Mercury
If you look at our "Where Is MESSENGER?" page, which displays the spacecraft's trajectory status, you'll see that we're right on Mercury's doorstep. MESSENGER's mission design and navigation teams met today at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., to discuss the spacecraft's current trajectory to determine if a last-minute trajectory-correction maneuver would be needed.
"Early this morning, the navigation team delivered the final ephemeris update for the spacecraft prior to the flyby," said APL's Eric Finnegan, the MESSENGER Mission Systems Engineer. "The data indicate that the last solar sailing attitude alternation implemented between Tuesday and Wednesday was a complete success. The current position estimate places the spacecraft within approximately 800 meters of the target! This is a phenomenal achievement for both the navigation and guidance and control teams."
"The operations team has confirmed that the core Mercury command load sequence was onboard the spacecraft, and all subsystems and instruments are operating nominally," Finnegan said. With less than two days to the flyby, MESSENGER is on target to encounter Mercury at an altitude of 200 kilometers (124 miles) on Monday, October 6, at approximately 4:41 a.m. EDT.
Over the next two days, the spacecraft will continue to gather optical navigation images approximately every eight hours, while the operations team monitors the spacecraft. You can view the latest one online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos/image.php?gallery_id=2&image_id=207.
The entire operations and engineering teams will gather in the operations center at APL on Sunday to make one last assessment of the spacecraft before the core encounter sequence begins, rotating the probe away from the Earth to view once again the closest planet to the Sun, revealing terrain never before seen by spacecraft!
MESSENGER Instruments Take Aim
MESSENGER's engineering and operations teams convened at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md., this afternoon to confirm the health and readiness of the spacecraft. "All spacecraft sub-systems and instruments reported nominal operations indicating that MESSENGER is ready for its second encounter with Mercury," said MESSENGER Systems Engineer Eric Finnegan of APL.
At 6:05 p.m. EDT the last bits of data from the spacecraft were received as it transitioned from high-gain downlink to beacon-only operations, and the spacecraft reoriented itself to begin science operations. Before turning away, however, the spacecraft returned a set of optical navigation images (available online at http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos/image.php?gallery_id=2&image_id=212) of the terrain not yet seen up-close by any spacecraft to whet our appetite regarding the discoveries to come.
For the next 10 hours or so, the spacecraft will take repetitive scans through Mercury's comet-like anti-sunward tail, pausing now | 4,016 |
Studio rep says next game in series may not be set after or before Mass Effect 3, or even feature any of the same characters.
BioWare wants to make<|fim_middle|> to be "very respectful" of the franchise's core pillars, though BioWare is pursuing new directions with regard to story and gameplay. | clear that the next entry in the Mass Effect series should not be known as Mass Effect 4. Writing on the BioWare forums (via Eurogamer), community developer Chris Priestly explained that the only confirmed detail about the new game is that it will not feature Commander Shepard.
"To call the next game Mass Effect 4 or ME4 is doing it a disservice and seems to cause a lot of confusion here," Priestly said.
Priestly added that a much more accurate way of thinking about the next Mass Effect game is "what happens next set in the Mass Effect universe." The developer said he expects fans to speculate as to content, character, and story, but nothing official will be announced for some time.
The next Mass Effect game was officially confirmed in November. It will run on the Frostbite game engine--the technology that powers DICE's Battlefield games, among others--and is said | 182 |
Do you have little or no knowledge when it comes to arranging a beloved family member's funeral and/or cremation?
Were you fleeced by an undertaker in the past?
At last, the eagerly anticipated book by Johan Green "As die dood intree – 'n Praktiese handleiding" has been published. If all goes according to plan the English version, "When death enters your home – a practical guide" will be out in December 2010. This book offers fascinating insights into the funeral industry in South Africa as well as municipal cemetery personal structures and their duties. It is a must read for all who wish to gain a greater understanding of the mysterious business of the death.
The following are just a few of the many chapters covered: burial, cremation, exhumations, building or erecting a crematorium, cemetery maintenance, funeral policies, you don't need an undertaker for a funeral, some cheating undertakers, why graves subside, how to obtain a headstone, headstone guarantees, analysis of established undertaker's funeral price survey for 2010, are coffins really expensive? The death of a South African citizen overseas, repatriation of human remains, burial or ash scattering at sea, etc, etc, etc.
Funeral and cremation irregularities are sharply dealt with by the writer and plenty of questions are answered honestly for the first time, particularly with regard to cremation. Legislative regulations are also fully explained in this reference book.
The author Johan Green shares his thorough and in-depth knowledge gained from his 26 years of service with one of the biggest municipalities in South Africa. Johan was the assistant director responsible for the management of numerous cem<|fim_middle|> heart and laid it bare on the table for all to see.
His fascinating journey from his own birth to his daughter's birth and her death at five months of age is heartbreaking and inspiring.
In the book, we follow Kevin from his birth in England to his adventurous voyage on a ship to Australia, being forced to change from left to right handed at school, his painful shyness and depression, young love and heartache, his life enhancing experiences in the police force, through two marriages, two divorces and even the unusual experience of chasing a burglar in Ireland while naked!
This emotional story is one of love, courage, despair and finally inspiration. Anyone who has suffered through grief or loss will resonate with his touching descriptions of the grieving process and the way in which he handled his emotions.
His book is unique in that it tells of emotion, love, grief and heartache from a man's perspective. It's a coming of age story, a story of saying goodbye to the past and leaving it where it belongs… In the past. This book is helping inspire people to overcome any obstacle that life puts before them.
You can read the introduction and first chapter, and purchase your copy by visiting Kevin McNamara's website. | eteries and the crematoria. During this time he also drafted the administrative guideline for the training of cemetery and crematorium staff in funeral and cremation arrangements, exhumation and reburials, approval of gravestones, reservation of burial sites, and many more interesting aspects of cemeteries and a crematoria.
I have had the privilege of meeting Johan Green and I hung on his every word. A fascinating and wonderful man who I would describe in two simple words, 'courage' and 'truth'. I will be the first one to eat up the English version of his book, I cannot wait.
Pay into the following account: J.C. Green, ABSA, Flexi savings, Quagga Centre Branch, Acc no: 9249 469 696. Then fax your deposit slip to: fax number 0862737993. The book will be posted within 5 working days.
Alternatively one can contact Groep7Publishers for more information.
Do I have to Cry to Say Goodbye?
'Do I have to cry to say goodbye?' is an inspirational book about Kevin McNamara's life and how he handled the grief and emotion of losing his daughter Holly to SIDS.
This is an excerpt from the review published in The Australian Funeral Directors Magazine.
'Do I Have to Cry to Say Goodbye?
Losing a child to cot death is the hardest thing any parent will have to experience. Writing about that experience is even harder. Kevin McNamara has done what very few men ever have, ripped open his chest cavity and gone inside and pulled out his | 336 |
Lakers center Bynum says he will play through pain
By Elliott Teaford | eteaford@scng.com | Orange County Register
PUBLISHED: May 2, 2010 at 12:00 am | UPDATED: August 30, 2017 at 10:25 am
Andrew Bynum scored eight points, made 4 of 8 shots, grabbed 10 rebounds and added two assists in almost 25 minutes Sunday in Game 1 against the<|fim_middle|> in Spyball scandal, not even the Dodgers
Kawhi Leonard is Western Conference Player of the Week for 1st time as a Clipper | Utah Jazz. Only once, when his right knee buckled after a dunk, did it appear anything was amiss.
A slight meniscus tear in his right knee won't be getting better anytime soon. It might get a little worse, but he said he's determined to play with it until the Lakers' season comes to an end and repairs can be completed.
"It's there with me every step," he said after the Lakers' victory over the Jazz.
In fact, it's been there for a quite a while. The Lakers learned the 7-foot center had a tear after their season ended with a victory over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals last June. They said it went from being "very small to small" last week.
Bynum suffered what was originally diagnosed as a hyperextended knee after a collision with Nenad Krstic of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 on Friday. It was then said to be a slight tear after an MRI exam Saturday morning.
Coach Phil Jackson said he had Pau Gasol ready to shift from power forward to center in case Bynum couldn't play Sunday. Lamar Odom was prepared to move from a reserve role into Gasol's spot.
"He gave us a really good effort," Jackson said of Bynum's play against the Jazz in Game 1. "You could tell he was limited in some of the things he was doing, but I thought he gave us a really good effort."
LeBron James was selected the NBA's MVP for the second consecutive season, outdistancing Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers in voting by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
It wasn't a surprise since word leaked Friday.
It also didn't alter the familiar routine at Staples Center whenever Bryant steps to the free-throw line and Lakers fans chant, "MVP, MVP." Bryant won for the first time in his career two seasons ago.
James has won the past two awards.
Defending Deron
Determined to avoid getting torched by a point guard for the second consecutive series, the Lakers ran a number of defenders at Utah's Deron Williams, including Bryant.
Derek Fisher started on Williams, but Ron Artest and Shannon Brown also checked him.
Williams led the Jazz with 24 points and eight assists.
"You can't guard him by yourself," Fisher said. "This series won't be about shutting down Deron Williams. He's too good of a player. It's really about our team game, making sure other guys don't hurt us as much."
Vujacic update
Backup guard Sasha Vujacic could begin running soon and be ready to play at some point later in the series, Jackson said. Vujacic has been sidelined since spraining his left ankle during the regular-season finale against the Clippers on April 14.
Utah coach Jerry Sloan on the Lakers' physical play: "They take your nose and stick it in the ground and turn around on their heels on top of you. That's how good they are. We have to learn to fight through that."
Elliott Teaford
Elliott Teaford covers the Anaheim Ducks for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He covered the Ducks for 12 years, including the Stanley Cup season, for the Los Angeles Times and the Daily Breeze before returning to the beat in 2018 for SCNG. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and '10. He once made a jump shot over future Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton during a pickup game in 1980 at Cypress College.
Whicker: No winners | 758 |
Soaking Up the Power of the Sun at PCEI
Bruce Cage of EcoDepot and Steve Streets of DayStar Construction stand triumphantly in front of the Waxwing after installing brand new solar panels.
Thanks to a grant from Avista Utilities, the PCEI Nature Center now boasts 22 brand-new solar panels on top of its (also new) Joel and Mary Jo Hamilton Patio roof (<|fim_middle|>. It generates electricity!
Funding for the panels was provided in part by Avista Foundation and donations to the Jim LaFortune Memorial Fund. The panels were installed by Steve Streets from DayStar Construction and by Bruce Gage from EcoDepot.
Funding for the Waxwing panels was provided by Avista Utilities Buck-a-Block Program which allows customers to pay $1 per month for 300 kilowatt hours (300 kWh) of power from a wind, solar, or biomass energy source. The panels were installed by DayStar Construction and EcoDepot.
PCEI's Solar Energy Production
Find out more about PCEI's past and current solar energy production through this interactive dashboard. Click on the various buttons and sliders to see how energy production varies by month, day or hour and what that solar energy can power.
Rose Creek Nature Preserve | attached to the Waxwing building). These arrays are capable of producing an additional 6,270 watts (6,270 W) of power under ideal conditions, bringing the total number of watts capable of being produced at the PCEI Nature Center to 7,000.
These SolarWorld USA panels (along with Enphase Energy microinverters) were installed in June of 2015, and in July alone, they produced a whopping one million watt-hours (1,000,000 Wh) of electricity!
On March 21, 2013, the solar panels on the south side of the Jim LaFortune Memorial Groover officially went live. The 4-panel array can generate up to 800 watt hours (800 Wh) under ideal conditions. Net power usage for the Groover is estimated to be zero over the course of a year (uses of power in the building include lights, pumping stored rainwater for hand-washing, an exhaust fan and heaters).
The Jim LaFortune Memorial "Groover" not only generates compost | 229 |
Mission, Vision, & Core Values
Pre-Licensure BSN Track
LPN to BSN Track
RN to BSN Track
Pre-Nursing Advising
NDSU nursing students gain insight through documentary
November 21, 2016 – Bismarck, North Dakota – NDSU School of Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck partnered with community groups to sponsor
More than 150 nursing students and members of the public attended the event, gaining insight into the aging process and the human need for connection. The eye-opening documentary provides a rich portrait showing that love is ageless, as it candidly follows a speed dating event for those over 70. screening of the documentary titled "The Age of Love" at the Heritage Center in Bismarck on October 27.
"We sponsored the screening in conjunction with AARP of North Dakota and Sanford Health," said Wendy Kopp, NDSU associate professor of practice and certified gerontological nurse.
"The event provided students an opportunity for greater understanding of the needs of people as they age. Students encounter some aspect of the older adult population in almost every course and clinical they have. Understanding human needs, no matter where a person is on their life<|fim_middle|> is playful and revealing, as well as wise and inspiring, as our senior daters entertain and enlighten us with a candor that puts media stereotypes to shame."
Based on the success of the Bismarck event, Kopp is working with the director of the documentary to partner with other educational institutions. With people living active lives longer, Kopp said it's important that current and future health professionals who interact with them have an awareness of their needs and challenges.
Providing health education is a key component, said Kopp. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports significant increases in sexually transmitted diseases among adults 65 and over. "There remains a public health component," according to Kopp, "to provide health education to all populations across the age continuum."
NDSU School of Nursing
Phone +1 701.231.7395 / Fax 701.231.6257
Fargo Campus address Stop and Go Center
Physical/delivery address 1919 University Drive North, D102, Fargo, ND 58102
Mailing address NDSU Dept. 2670 / PO Box 6050 / Fargo, ND 58108-6050
NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health
Phone +1 701.224.3800/ Fax 701.234.3830
Address 512 N Seventh Street, Bismarck, ND 58501
Page manager Nursing | journey, is important when working in health professions," said Kopp.
Kopp moderated a panel discussion at the event, which included Dr. Andrea Huseth-Zosel, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health in the NDSU College of Health Professions; Dr. David Field, family internal medicine provider at Sanford Health; and Reva Kautz, marketing director of Edgewood Vista in Bismarck.
Directed by Steven Loring, the film looks at seniors through shared, human experiences. "I set out with one question: Do decades of life and loss constrict our hearts, or might time develop them in unexpected ways?"
In press materials about the documentary, the director noted: "As one 74-year-old speed dater puts it, 'No one, not even my own children, asks me what's in my heart anymore.'"
In introducing the documentary, Kopp highlighted its importance. "The film | 191 |
For this episode of the Planet MicroCap Podcast, I spoke with Brent Cook from Exploration Insights. One of the first conferences I went to since joining the business was a mining and resources conference back in 2011 and 2012 during the natural resources bull market. During that time, I was<|fim_middle|> focused here? | meeting a lot of experts in the field, and the one person I gravitated towards most was my guest on today's show, Brent Cook. Geology is not an exact science, and picking the right company that has a promising resource can be difficult. It helps learning from geologists who analyze and look at these rocks on a daily basis. Brent has been in the business for a long time and has seen a lot of rocks.
The goal for this episode is to get a general understanding of the mining and junior mining sector, the business itself, opportunities when investing in junior mining companies, his criteria, tips to analyzing mining results and PEA's, and more.
- Overview of the junior mining sector. Why is space important and why he is so | 151 |
How IBM Rebooted Personal Measurement To Optimize Digital Era Performance
IBM is determined to compete with Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook.
But in a full employment economy defined by a war for skilled talent, traditional systems dependent on annual ratings and reviews were often intuitive and not tied to the company's own data generation and analytics capabilities. This hindered recruiting and retaining high performers as well as those with potential who could be trained to improve their contributions while enhancing personal growth, performance and compensation.
What employees wanted was a more agile feedback system, delivered with greater detail more frequently so they could adjust. More data with better insights serves both corporate and personal needs and optimizes competitive strategies. JL
David Kiron and Barbara Spindel report in MIT Sloan Management Review:
The company's key decision was to crowdsource its new performance management system rather than impose top-down. IBM's digital transformation would not succeed without higher employee engagement. It was "important employees feel they were stakeholders in the design, not just consumers of it." (The initial design proposal) was viewed by 75<|fim_middle|> and driving value at IBM.
To achieve a more central role in value creation, IBM's HR function had to be freed from the tasks that traditionally consumed so much of its managers' time. "People have a million questions: 'When do I have to sign up for my 401(k)?' 'What's the deadline for the health benefits program enrollment?' These are all findable pieces of data, but actually finding them has always been the hardest part," Gherson says. "I wouldn't say that's the highest value that HR could provide, but it's a lot of what HR has been doing. Maybe in some companies that's all HR does. But that's not the purpose of HR. You don't need HR to answer those questions. You just need really great bots and virtual assistants."
Here, the company again exploited its own capabilities in AI and analytics. In HR alone, IBM currently deploys 15 virtual assistants and chatbots, and the company is diligent about measuring both employees' experience and the effectiveness of the bots in responding to questions. With the bots taking on routine tasks previously performed by people, IBM's HR function can devote itself to what Gherson sees as its real purpose: "to create competitive advantage with your talent and improve the employee experience."
Of course, technology and data are vital not just in freeing up the humans on the HR team but also in optimizing their performance. "For too long, HR people have relied on just being highly intuitive: 'I think this person's going to be a good fit for the job' or 'I think a two-year assignment is the right length,' or whatever," Gherson observes.
"And actually, you can employ science-based methods to come up with an estimate ― for example, there's an 80% chance they'll fail in this job because they lack these capabilities or there's a 50% chance that you'll get no return on your investment in that international assignment because it's too short," she says. "So, we should be able to give much better advice to the people that we support."
Gherson acknowledges that working this way also requires culture change within the HR function, which demands different skills like data science and different job roles to fully realize the disruption. She has invested in a robust re-skilling education program for her team of HR professionals.
Gherson says HR can't simply stop at using technology to detect patterns. Giving managers data on, say, turnover rate, without also offering guidance on how to use that information, leaves them to rely once again on intuition to solve problems. As with the predictive attrition program, IBM pairs reporting data with recommendations for action.
"Technology enables us to not just report, but to then say, 'If you keep doing what you're doing, here's what the picture will look like a month from now, a year from now. Your cost of labor will be higher than your competitors by 12% if you carry on hiring at the rate you're hiring. So here's a prediction that's going to be a bit of a wake-up call for you. But if you take these actions, here's the impact,'" Gherson explains.
"We're going from intuitive to reporting to predicting to prescribing," she adds. "And if we can take it all the way to that level, then we're really adding value. We're very proud of the fact that through these talent programs, HR delivered more than $107 million in benefits in the last year."
IBM's efforts to modernize its performance management system are part of an ongoing process. "We will continue to refine the measurement and expectations of skills growth in IBM as it becomes clear that we need to become a fabulous re-skilling-at-scale machine and hold ourselves accountable to that," Gherson says. Daly echoes that point: "These aren't programs that HR is developing. This is a new way of working that all IBMers are developing together so that we can keep our skills up to date as things keep changing in the future." | ,000 IBMers within hours, 18,000 responding with detailed suggestions. Employees are (now) assessed according to their business results, impact on client, innovation, personal responsibility to others, and skills. Managers are held accountable through surveys of the people they oversee.
In 2015, IBM was in the midst of a tremendous business transformation. Its revenue model had been disrupted by new technology and was shifting toward artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud services. To increase its rate and pace of innovation, the company was rapidly changing its approach to getting work done. New, agile ways of working together with new workforce skills were required to accomplish its portfolio shift. But standing in the way was an outdated performance management (PM) system employees did not trust. Diane Gherson, chief human resources officer and senior vice president of human resources, recognized that IBM's approach to performance management would need to be entirely reimagined before the organization could fully engage its people in the business transformation.
Gherson says the performance management system then in place followed a traditional approach, one that revolved around a yearlong cycle and relied on ratings and annual reviews. "You'd write in all your goals at the beginning of the year, and at the end of the year, your manager would give you feedback and write a short blurb and then give you your rating," she says.
IBM's approach to performance management would need to be entirely reimagined before the organization could fully engage its people in the business transformation.
That approach was "holding us back," Gherson says. "The massive transformation meant we were shifting pretty dramatically into new spaces and doing work really differently. Whereas efficiency was very important in the prior business model, innovation and speed had become really important in the new business model. And when you're trying to make that kind of a fundamental shift, it's important, obviously, to bring your employees along with you."
Gherson knew from employee roundtables and surveys that IBMers didn't have confidence or trust in the existing PM system. This view was at odds with the views of other senior leaders, who felt the system in place was working well from their perspective.
It took Gherson more than a year to convince her peers in senior leadership that IBM's digital transformation would not succeed without higher levels of employee engagement, and that meant focusing on the existing PM system. Eventually she won them over. As for the traditional PM system that was holding the company back? "We threw all that out," Gherson says. "We kept our principle of cultivating a high-performance culture, but pretty much everything else changed."
2015 was hardly the first time the company had found itself in the midst of a fundamental shift. IBM has had to reinvent itself time and again to remain relevant. Founded in 1911 as machinery manufacturer Computing-Tabulating-Recording Co., IBM (International Business Machines) over the decades has repeatedly adjusted its business focus — from early data processing to PC hardware to services to software systems — in response to evolving markets and competitive pressures.
Today, IBM, headquartered in Armonk, New York, employs about 360,000 people in 170 countries. After 22 consecutive quarters of declining revenue, the company reversed the trend in the fourth quarter of 2017 and subsequently has shown revenue growth. Growth in its cloud, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity services, and blockchain units have contributed to the turnaround, with about half of its revenues now derived from new business areas. Indeed, these days, IBM is betting big on AI and hybrid cloud, recently announcing plans to acquire open-source software pioneer Red Hat, an innovator of hybrid cloud technology, for $34 billion. With that notable acquisition, the company is making a bold bid to compete against heavyweights like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft in the cloud services market.
The new strategic direction has necessitated a change in how IBM's talent is managed and how the work of the digital enterprise is done. "In a classic, traditional model, a manager will oversee the work of an employee and, therefore, have firsthand knowledge of how they're doing," Gherson observes. "That traditional model is long gone in most companies. Work is more fluid."
At IBM, work is being done differently in three fundamental ways. One is a stronger emphasis on project work: Individuals move around the organization to work on various projects and initiatives, joining teams for short stints before moving on to new teams to tackle new challenges. Two, the entire concept of performance is shifting from primarily emphasizing performance outcomes to a model that also emphasizes the "how," including the continuous development and application of new skills to keep up with the exponential rate of change in technology. Finally, with the adoption of agile ways of working, continuous feedback becomes a critical part of workflow. The new PM system needed to abandon the concept of an annual feedback event and find a way to reinforce a culture of feedback ― up, down, and across.
Meanwhile, digital transformation in the economy at large is exerting pressure on IBM as the tech giant strives to maintain an edge over its competitors. As a result of these internal and external changes, the company has seen the need to prioritize not only innovation and agility but also the continual development of employee skills, since what it requires of its talent base has also changed, with the need to continually develop employee skills becoming paramount.
Test-Driving a New System
The company's key decision was to crowdsource its new performance management system rather than impose something top-down on its workforce, which was not consistent with agile methodologies or design thinking. Gherson says it was "really important to have employees feel like they were stakeholders in the new design, not just bystanders or consumers of it." To that end, IBM undertook a process for designing the system that was a radical departure from the past. "There were many skeptics initially," Gherson recalls, highlighting the challenges of the project. IBM relied heavily on enterprise design thinking, creating a minimum viable product (MVP), and invited the workforce to test it and offer feedback. Gherson likens the process to "giving people a concept car that they can drive and kick the tires as opposed to asking them what they would like to have in a car." The rollout was fast: The September 2015 launch of the MVP happened within a couple of months of the first design-thinking session.
While many employees were thrilled that the traditional approach to performance management was on its way out the door, most were skeptical that the replacement program would be an improvement. As Joanna Daly, IBM's vice president of global talent, recalls, "Employees actually said to us, 'We don't believe that you want our input. We think you already know what you're going to do, and you're just sort of pretending to ask for our input.' We had to figure out how to prove to employees that we were authentic and serious in wanting them to shape this."
Changes to IBM's Performance Management
HR did so in a simple way: by asking employees what they wanted, giving their responses due consideration, and playing back what it was hearing. "We asked, 'What do you want to get out of our approach to performance?'" Daly says. "And the answer we got was they wanted richer feedback. And they hated being defined by a single assessment rating."
When Gherson blogged about the new system on the company's internal platform, her first entry was viewed by 75,000 IBMers within hours, with 18,000 responding with detailed suggestions. The company used its proprietary Watson text analytics to sort through what employees wrote, enabling Gherson to put out a second blog within 48 hours enumerating which elements employees liked and which they disliked. The company proceeded through numerous iterations and playbacks, with employees continuously participating in the design process. Management even reached out personally to the most vocal critics at every step, directly engaging their input in producing the next prototype. The eventual result ― officially launched in February 2016 and called Checkpoint ― was aligned to the employees' input, providing a PM system focused more on feedback and less on assessment. (See "Changes to IBM's Performance Management" for key differences between the old and new system.)
The eventual result was aligned to the employees' input, providing a performance management system focused more on feedback and less on assessment.
Rather than receiving a single rating at an annual review, employees now have more frequent check-ins with managers. Through the company's mobile ACE (appreciation, coaching, and evaluation) app, they also can seek feedback from peers, managers, or employees they manage.
The new and more agile system allows IBMers to revise their goals throughout the year. In response to crowdsourced input during the design process, employees are assessed according to their business results, impact on client success, innovation, personal responsibility to others, and skills. Managers are held accountable through pulse and mini-pulse surveys of the people they oversee, with poor results leading to training or, in some cases, removal from management.
Checkpoint is a far cry from the previous stand-alone HR program that rated and ranked employees. It's aligned to the critical factors for IBM's success and designed to ensure that the company achieves advantage with its talent in a fast-moving competitive landscape.
Checkpoint has been a major contributor to employee engagement, which has increased by 20% since IBM deployed the revitalized performance management system. In fact, in the company's annual engagement pulse survey, employees pointed to Checkpoint as the change that made the biggest difference in their experience at IBM.
Focus on Learning and Growing
Technological change ― in the marketplace and in IBM's business focus ― is driving an unremitting need for new skills, making their development an essential part of IBM's corporate strategy. "In today's world, skills are actually more important than jobs," Gherson declares. "In order to reinvent our company, we need everyone to reinvent their skills on a continuous basis. You can't hire someone because they have a particular skill. You have to hire someone because they have the capacity to continue to learn." To that end, in addition to the new approach to performance management, talent management at IBM now includes a personalized learning platform and a personalized digital career adviser.
The platforms use data to infer which skills employees have and connect them with learning to build those skills that are increasingly in demand. The personalized program is "really accessible, very consumer-friendly," Gherson says. "It has everything: internal and external courses, Harvard Business Review articles, MIT Sloan Management Review articles, YouTube videos ― you name it. And it serves it up for you as an individual, based on your unique role. It will say, 'Given what you've taken so far and your career goals, here are some recommendations and here's what people like you have taken and how they've rated it.'"To encourage career mobility, IBM launched a digital coach for employees wishing to advance their careers within the company. My Career Advisor (known commercially as Watson Career Coach) was created by employees during a company-wide hackathon. It features a virtual assistant that uses data to provide personalized career counseling, such as average time to promotion from an employee's current role and career steps taken by others to acquire the job a user might want. Another related platform, Blue Matching, serves IBM employees internal job opportunities tailored to their qualifications and aspirations, inferred from their CVs.
What enables these learning and career programs, says Daly, is "having more data available and having better insights to guide the user. These new digital platforms mean we can get these insights directly into the hands of employees and their managers." Also essential has been uniting these platforms. "It's not about having a learning platform and having separately an internal jobs platform," Daly notes. "It's how do we integrate these two together with AI-enabled advice for employees to explore? What kind of job should I do next? What are my skills gaps if I want to pursue that job, and then what learning would I take to close that gap?"
The new PM system was about agility and prioritizing feedback over assessment. IBM elected to go further and figure out how to use all the insights it was developing from its analytics and AI capabilities to ensure that useful insights could readily emerge and be accessible to both HR and the workforce.
More predictive and prescriptive insights will be transmitted directly to managers and employees at the moment they're needed most, embedded in the workflow.
"Thanks to these digital experiences, we've modernized how to deliver insights to our workforce and management ― right when they need it," Daly says. She cites compensation decisions as an example. Using machine learning, "we advise managers about which employees should get the highest salary increase. We arrive at the recommendation using dozens of internal and external data sources. This helps with more transparent conversations between the manager and her employee," she says. "We give managers talent alerts directly on their personalized dashboard. For example, the system might observe, 'Hey, your team member has been in her band level for a few years and is a good performer and is building her skills. Have you thought about promoting her?'"
Going forward, Daly anticipates that more predictive and prescriptive insights will be transmitted directly to managers and employees at the moment they're needed most, embedded in the workflow.
Preventing Attrition
"In our industry, talent is the No. 1 issue," Gherson contends. "And so, it's really important that we attract and develop and continue to upgrade our skills and retain talent if we're going to win in this market." Despite more than 7,000 job applicants coming into IBM every day, with a tech talent shortage and ongoing talent wars in AI and cybersecurity, retention becomes particularly crucial; experts agree that in the coming decades, there won't be enough qualified people to fill available jobs.Gherson and her team received a patent for their predictive attrition program, which was developed at IBM using Watson AI algorithms to predict which employees were likely flight risks. Most managers were initially skeptical at the notion that algorithms could have more insight into their employees' intentions than they did — until the algorithm consistently made correct predictions. Then, Gherson recalls, "We started getting these little notes from managers saying, 'How did you know?'"
Significantly, the technology is about prescription in addition to prediction. "We reach out to you as a manager," Gherson explains, "and we tell you that you've got someone who is at high risk to leave and here are the actions we recommend you take." Because the AI is able to infer which skills individual employees possess, it can then recommend actions for managers to implement — often related to furthering skills development — to prevent them from leaving. By helping their employees develop new skills, managers bolster employee engagement and increase job satisfaction, advantages in a talent-scarce market environment. "The attrition rate of the people we touch with this program is minuscule compared to the control group," Gherson says, noting the improvement in employee retention has already saved IBM nearly $300 million.
The Evolving Role of HR
Given the heightened significance of talent, HR, as the function primarily responsible for talent, has a revitalized role to play in executing corporate strategy | 3,111 |
What is the Elite Athlete Program?
Our Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP) is a four year programme (2020 to 2024) meant to give athletes the best of everything they require to be able to make podium success in the Olympics. We have minimal provisions for you to compete in the international circuit as part of the growth plan<|fim_middle|>isation, the more powerful the impact.
2. Confidence: Nothing will cripple performance like damaged confidence. Every mistake holds a lesson, but dwelling on mistakes will inevitably lead to their repetition. When athletes make mistakes, they try to learn from and forget them instantly so they don't linger. Having a short memory and identifying with past successes helps athletes maintain a high level of performance, even after major setbacks.
3. Personalised training programme: Most high-level athletes benefit from training under the supervision of a strength and conditioning coach. While some of these professionals are better than others, athletes will get better results following a structured programme than they will achieve on their own. It's human nature to focus on what you're good at, which isn't always what you need.
By following a professionally designed training programme with components of individualisation, athletes are more likely to improve their weaknesses and overall performance and decrease their injury risk. Quality training often allows less-skilled athletes to compete at higher levels and can add years to a career.
While completing a pass is dependent upon a teammate catching it, habit goals are less dependent on external influences. As an example, a related habit goal could be, "I will make sure my head is up before making every pass." Other habit goals can be things like always drinking a post-workout shake or always going to bed at a specific time. Setting goals provides athletes with structure and constant motivation, which ensures continual progress.
5. Coaching with separate style: Athletes are fortunate to work with a variety of coaches invested in their success. In many cases, coaches are what make everything else on this list possible. A strength coach can help design an individualised training programme, a nutrition coach can make specific pre and post-workout recommendations and a sports coach can help the athlete set performance and habit goals.
Coaches help athletes stay focused and keep progressing. They remove many of the "planning" stresses from the athlete and allow them to focus more on the implementation side of things. | .
Deferred assessments and assignment extensions. Elite Athletes are eligible to defer assessments and exams due to sporting commitments or if competing inter-state or overseas.
Flexible attendance throughout the academic semester. We are still working to get our student athletes to be exempted from specific attendance requirements due to sport related travel commitments.
Elite athletes are eligible for funding benefits through the Elite Athlete Scholarship Programme. Our plan is to have 100 such athletes in Nigerian higher institutions of learning.
Funding support will also be available to compete at the World University Games for those who meet our standards for each of the five sports and other world Championships in your sports discipline.
Elite Athlete Scholarships support elite athletes in attaining excellence in their chosen sport whilst maintaining high academic achievements. A total of N45m is planned for each of the 180 elite athletes in the six centre for a period of this four-year (2020-2024) tranche.
1. Mental toughness: Most great athletes in the world recognise that a significant proportion of performance is mental. Yet it's uncommon for most men to spend any time on mind training and preparation. Elite athletes frequently report visualising their success before it happens.
By playing a "mental movie" of their conquests of upcoming competitions, they not only improve their performance, but also pre-emptively calm their nerves. The clearer the visual | 280 |
What's the Largest Recorded Volcanic E<|fim_middle|>' Created Using Frog Cells and Artificial Intelligence | ruption?
Mount Tambora's 1815 eruption is the largest recorded.
(Image: © NASA.)
Nope, it wasn't Mt. Vesuvius' monster eruption, which buried Pompeii and other nearby towns in feet of ash.
It was the explosion of Mount Tambora in Indonesia in 1815. The volcano, which is still active, is located on Sumbawa Island and is one of the tallest peaks in the Indonesian archipelago.
Tambora's volcanic activity reached a peak in April 1815, when it erupted with an explosion so loud that it was heard on Sumatra Island, more than 1,200 miles away. The eruption ranked a 7 (or "super-colossal") on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, the second-highest rating in the index.
Only a handful of such explosive eruptions have occurred in recorded history, and Tambora's tempest was believed to be the largest eruption since Lake Taupo in A.D. 181.
The death toll from the eruption was estimated at 71,000 people, and clouds of heavy ash descended on many far-away islands.
Out of Deep-Sea Mud, a Strange Blob May Hold Secrets to the Origins of Complex Life
Huge Philippines Volcano Blasts Ash 9 Miles Up As Satellites Watch (Video)
Can You 'Catch' Cancer or Obesity from Other People?
World's First 'Living Machine | 299 |
Review: The Year We Turned Forty
If you could repeat one year of your life, what would you do differently? This heartwarming and hilarious novel from the authors of The Status of All Things and Your Perfect Life features three best friends who get the chance to return to the year they turned forty—the year that altered all of their lives, in ways big and small—and also, get the opportunity to change their future.
Jessie loves her son Lucas more than anything, but it tears her up inside that he was conceived in an affair that ended her marriage to a man she still loves, a man who just told her he's getting remarried. This time around, she's determined to bury the secret of Lucas' paternity, and to repair the fissures that sent her wandering the first time.
Gabriela regrets that she wasted her most fertile years in hot pursuit of a publishing career. Yes, she's one of the biggest authors in the world, but maybe what she really wanted to create was a family. With a chance to do it again, she's focused on convincing her husband, Colin, to give her the baby she desires.
Claire is the only one who has made peace with her past: her twenty-two-year-old daughter, Emily, is finally on track after the turmoil of adolescence, and she's recently gotten engaged, with the two-carat diamond on her finger to prove it. But if she's being honest, Claire still fantasizes about her own missed opportunities: a chance to bond with her mother before it was too late, and the possibility of preventing her daughter from years of anguish. Plus, there's the man who got away—the man who may have been her one true love.
But it doesn't take long for all three women to learn that re-living a life and making different decisions only leads to new problems and consequences—and that the mistakes they made may, in fact, have been the best choices of all…
The Year We Turned Forty by both Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is an intriguing and highly entertaining read. Readers will instantly connect with each of the three women inside this novel. Their journeys are realistic, quirky, and heart melting. Family, friendships, and love are the important themes inside this delightful new title. Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have beautifully created a women's novel that will have readers looking at their lives a little bit differently than before. We may never be able to change our pasts, but we should count our blessings for what we have and where we have come…
This is the first novel that I have read by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke. Their writing creates an imagery that sets readers straight into the plot. It feels like we, the readers, have become each of the leading female characters. Everything they have done said, felt or even thought becomes our own. Amazing in how the emotional journey of fictional women pops off the pages and completely surrounds us. Lives have been lived and created…going back can have drastic changes on our future and they may not come out exactly they way we thought they would…even the best-laid plans fail. The tight knit of the friends and how they support one another brilliant way of luring readers deeper into the story of three strong independent women. I loved reading this masterpiece and I look forward to reading more by these two talented writers.<|fim_middle|> picking up to read. Overall, I highly recommend The Year We Turned Forty to readers everywhere.
5 stars, Affairs, Amazon, book review, entertaining, family, Fiction, friendships, future, Goodreads, heart melting, Highly Recommend It, intriguing, life, Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke, Loved IT, marriage, mistakes, must read, Net Gallery, new, novel, present, realistic, the past, The Year We Turned Forty, women, Women's Fiction
Review: The Total Package
Review: Revealing the Revolution | A novel that will move readers…is definitely worth | 10 |
1. Should I work with a specific person at NCAR to develop my statement of work?
Yes. Please identify someone on the scientific staff with whom you can develop a collaboration. Work with that person to develop your statement of work.
2. Can I bring my graduate and/or undergraduate students?
Absolutely! In fact, only applications with at least one student will be considered. The program has funds to cover up to two students. Please note that we do not pay salaries, only duplicate living expenses called Temporary Living Per Diem.
3. Does ASP provide GAUS to Faculty Fellowship Program Participants?
The ASP may have some computing time available to facilitate your project.
4.<|fim_middle|> of airfare. If you choose to drive, you will be reimbursed mileage up to $750.00.
Temporary Living Per Diem: Temporary living per diem can be requested up to $2500/month for faculty members and up to $2000/month for students. No additional per diem will be provided.
Shipping: If your project requires specialized equipment or instruments, shipping may be provided.
2. Do I need to follow a specific format for my budget submission?
Yes. Please view and download our excel form here. We have also included a sample budget to help you with this process.
3. Should my university consider paying for some or all of the above expenses?
Generally, any co-sponsorship that your university provides will be beneficial to the Faculty Fellowship Program as a whole and will allow more FFP proposals to be funded. You may also use co-sponsorship to extend your visit beyond the two months covered by the FFP.
4. Will NCAR pay for any additional travel during my stay?
No. Any scientific travel or trips to your home institution must be borne by your institution.
5. Is there someone at NCAR with whom I can work to develop my budget?
Certainly. Please contact the Advanced Study Program Administrator, Paula Fisher, to help you with your budget. | Are international faculty eligible to apply?
Yes, international faculty are eligible to apply.
5. Can I split my visit into two trips?
No. Your award cannot be split into more than one visit.
6. Can I stay longer than two months?
Yes, you may stay longer if you have additional funding, for example from your home institution or from another program at NCAR. The FFP only has funding for up to two months.
7. Does the Faculty Fellowship Program provide health insurance?
No, we assume that health insurance will be provided by your institution. If you are visiting from a foreign country, please note that Exchange Visitors are required to have medical insurance in effect for themselves and any accompanying spouse and minor children on J visas for the durations of their exchange program. At a minimum, insurance coverage shall include: (1)medical benefits of at least U.S. $50,000 per person per accident or illness; (2)repatriation of remains in the amount of U.S. $7,500; and (3)expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of U.S. $10,000. A policy secured to fulfill the insurance requirements shall not have a deductible that exceeds U.S. $500 per accident or illness, and must meet other standards specified in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, 22 CFR 514.14 (http://frwebqate.access.qpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cqi?TITLE=22&PART=514&SECTION=14&YEAR=1999&TYPE=TEXT).
1. What items can I request funding for in my FFP application?
Travel: You may request funds to pay for your travel to and from NCAR as long as it conforms to our travel policies and procedures. If your proposal is approved, you will work with the staff from the Advanced Study Program to submit the proper paperwork. Travel will be reimbursed based on actual costs | 407 |
Several months ago, Cameron Reilly, the founder of The Podcast Network (TPN), notified me that he was shutting down TPN. He had worked hard to build the business for many years,<|fim_middle|> I know that quite a few of them are going to be in Chicago for the annual ANS Meeting. Margaret Harding, one of those frequent guests, will be receiving a special award for her amazing efforts to spread real knowledge in the face of Fukushima Frenzy FUD. Congratulations, Margaret!
Cam Reilly – I hope that you are continuing to follow Atomic Insights and are able to read this public thank note. You were a great host and provided responsive service for many years. You helped to make the Atomic Show a viable information source for thousands of nuclear curious people. I still love The Podcast Network motto – Listen, Learn, Evolve. It was a terrific concept; I am sorry that it did not result in a business that lasted. | but had decided to move on. That announcement meant that I had to find a new home for The Atomic Show podcast.
As a life long procrastinator, it took me a while to get motivated and to set up a new plan for a new infrastructure. For a part of that time I was in denial and hoping that Cam would find a way to keep going. A few days ago, I finally moved all of the archived Atomic Show audio files to a robust hosted service provider. I was apparently just in time – The Podcast Network server became unavailable within a few hours after I completed that move.
With the help of Jason, my favorite WordPress guru, I decided to make the Atomic Show an integral part of Atomic Insights. All of the historical posts have been imported, we have added the capability for inline audio playback, and all of the audio files can be downloaded from the associated blog post.
We will continue producing new shows and place them in the "Podcast" category. I am hoping to gather some of my favorite guests this weekend, but | 209 |
During the course of Hank Schueler's 13 month battle with leukemia, members of the Chicago Fire Department, along with many other friends and neighbors in the community played an important role in supporting the Schueler family, forging a permanent bond with them that has survived Hank's untimely death. To help raise public awareness and money for the pediatric cancer research targeted by the 41 & 9 Foundation, Ignite suggested a bike ride around Lake Michigan to raise funds.
So in 2010, Chicago Fire<|fim_middle|>-atty.com or richpinskey@aol.com. Please join our team as we work toward a cure for Hypodploid Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and the secondary infections such as Zygomycosis which took Hank's life. Your support is vital to the ongoing research efforts being conducted on behalf of the Henry Schueler 41 & 9 Foundation at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and around the world. Be a Hero and Join Our Team! | fighters with Ignite the Spirit road their bicycles 941 miles around Lake Michigan, raising $50,000 in the Bike to Fight Campaign to support the research efforts funded by the Foundation.
In 2011 Ignite the Spirit the Henry Schueler 41 & 9 Foundation once again partnered, this time riding their bikes from Chicago to Indianapolis to St. Louis, MO raising over $25,000 each for the 41 & 9 Foundation and the Ignite the Spirit Fund.
In 2012, 10 riders from Ignite and the 41 & 9 Foundation rode their bikes from Redondo Beach, CA to Myrtle Beach, SC in the C2C Campaign to support pediatric cancer research at St. Jude's Children's Hospital through the work of the Henry Schueler 41 & 9 Foundation and to fund a 6 year academic scholarship program award in honor of Rich Pinskey, awarded to a CFD family who has battled cancer.
In 2014 the Foundation and Ignite the Spirit will once again hit the road, this time from one historic baseball shrine to another. In honoring Hank's love of baseball, we will depart from Wrigley Field on May 26 and travel over 1000 miles in 12 days before finishing our ride in Boston at Fenway Park. The goal of the Wrigley to Fenway Ride is to raise $100,000 for the two Foundations.
Please consider supporting the 41 & 9/IGNITE team by contributing your time or your treasures to this inspiring bike ride. Any contribution is welcome. Checks can be written to the Henry Schueler Foundation and/or Ignite the Spirit and can be designated to a specific rider's efforts.
Ignite the Spirit's support is vital to the ongoing research efforts being conducted on behalf of the Henry Schueler 41 & 9 Foundation at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and around the world.
Wrigley to Fenway Ride for A Cure!
We hope you will consider supporting the Ignite and 41 & 9 team by riding with us from Chicago to New Buffalo, MI and raising $500 for the Wrigley to Fenway bike ride. This 80 mile ride will leave from CFD Engine 78 on Waveland Ave next to Wrigley Field on Monday, May 26 at 8:30 am. There will be fully staffed rest stops and meals and drinks provided, along with dinner and drinks in New Buffalo and transportation for riders and bikes back to Chicago Monday night.
Contributions can be made to the Henry Schueler Foundation and/or Ignite the Spirit. Contributions can also be made via PayPal at www.HenrySchueler.org or www.IgnitetheSpirit.org.
We are also looking for a corporate sponsor(s) to assist us with our effort. If any of you know of a potential sponsor who might be interested in supporting our effort please email mschueler@sdc | 636 |
On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a collection of freshly grown and gracefully aged electronica for the season, on a program called TRANSPARENT SPRING.
Music is by GENERAL FUZZ, HILLTON FM, TRISTAN FELDBAUER & FRIENDS, JOHAN AGEBJORN, ISHQ, DANNA & CLEMENT, MINOR, and GLEN DARCY.
The progression of the seasons is our context, a basic fact of life. Yet there's hardly anything more powerful, pervasive or profound.
From the frigid, binding grip of winter, we emerge in spring into a world stirring with change and new life. It begins with subtle sounds: the melting of<|fim_middle|> oh-so-powerful, it captures the reflective emotions: love, loss, sadness, nostalgia...and peace.
In the waning days of the 20th century, ancient music from Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany leapt beyond its acoustic roots and evolved a new electro/acoustic style, influenced by pop, ambient, and country music and modern production values. But whatever the stylistic innovations, the heart and soul of Celtic music is always melody.
Music is by an all star group of Celtic master musicians: CAPERCAILLIE, DAVY SPILLANE, PADDY KEENAN & TOMMY O'SULLIVAN, DOLORES KEANE, AINE MINOGUE and more. On this 25th Anniversary retrospective edition of Hearts of Space, another journey in the Celtic soundscape, on a program called BETWEEN THE WORLDS.
In good times, life moves swiftly, with little time for reflection. Warnings of impending disaster may go unheeded — until it's too late: confusion and chaos rule the day.
In stormy times, the wise remain calm, even when the world around them is in turmoil. Turbulence may destroy structures that lack a firm foundation, but this is necessary to build stronger ones. In nature and in society, excess must be corrected. Destruction...is also a path to renewal.
On this transmission of Hearts of Space, an electro-ambient journey for turbulent times called INTO THE STORM. Music is by MARCONI UNION, ADHAM SHAIKH & TIM FLOYD, MICHAEL STEARNS, DAN BARRIO, RUBEN GARCIA, IAN BODDY, PHILIPPE EMANUEL GEUBLE, and KIT WATKINS. | ice, the rustle of the forest, the singing of birds, the trickle of streams. Slowly, inexorably, the natural world awakes; the light grows brighter, and we begin to move.
On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a trans-seasonal journey called WINTER INTO SPRING. Music is by the esteemed cellist DAVID DARLING, DEUTER, JEFF JOHNSON, and SECRET GARDEN.
The buttery smooth sound of the Irish "low whistle" kicks off this classic Celtic show. When you consider we're coming up on the Spring Equinox, it's easy to guess where we're headed this week. Yes, rain or shine, war or peace, boom or bust, it's the season of rebirth, and time for our yearly celebration of the slow, deep side of Celtic music — the timeless Celtic ballad. Quiet but | 182 |
Are you looking for a Psychology assessment to determine if you or your child has ADHD?
Wondering if Psychologist /Counsellor intervention could offer support?
Seeking guidance to understand the complexities of ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a development disorder that typically begins early in life.<|fim_middle|> Glenda Lattimore and Deborah Vanzoelen are highly trained and experienced in the area of ADHD diagnosis and psychological intervention.
Ready to navigate your way through a diagnosis or management plan?
Our team of Psychologists are happy to offer a complimentary phone chat to assess if this is the right path for you. | Children and adults with ADHD can exhibit different behavioural traits. However, the most common trait in Children is difficulty in concentration, restlessness, forgetfulness and hyperactivity. In children and adults this may affect them in their relationships, home life, school or workplace.
Children and adults diagnosed is ever increasing for multiple reasons. It is estimated that around 6-7% of children are diagnosed with ADHD. Typically the symptoms of ADHD improve as the child gets older. However, a large portion will still exhibit traits of ADHD in their adult life. Many adults with ADHD have never been diagnosed.
Many people focus on the difficulties of ADHD, but it is important to remember the many abilities and the personality traits of the person. Often those with ADHD exhibit bright, high energy personalities, they can be highly driven and can at times become great leaders and innovators.
Many parents are confused if their child is exhibited behaviour of ADHD or normal behavioural problems. The key is early intervention through psychology assessment and treatment as early as possible to support the childs neurodevelopment.
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It is the capability to replicate data so that each repeated unit can replace any other. From a cryptocurrency viewpoint, each coin or token is fungible as each one has the equivalent value. Therefore, each coin/token is deemed identical and interchangeable.
When a blockchain's users change its rules, these changes to a blockchain protocol often appear in two new paths, one that attends the old rules and a new blockchain that splits off from the preceding one.
FUD ("fear, uncertainty, doubt")
In crypto language, FUD regards negative information that pulls on an asset's value.
A charge that developers have to pay to the Ethereum network to use the system. Gas is paid in ether, which is the native Cryptocurrency of Ethereum.
It means "Hold On for Dear Life," though the term started from a user typo on a Bitcoin forum in 2013. It connects to a passive investment strategy in which people buy and hold onto Cryptocurrency instead of trading it in the hopes that it grows in value.
This is a unique string of numbers and letters that distinguish blocks and are tied to crypto buyers and sellers.
Initial Coin Offering (ICO)
A system where funds are accumulated for a new cryptocurrency project. ICOs are comparable to Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of stocks.
An account or record that is used to trace transactions. From a blockchain view, ledgers are distributed across several nodes within a blockchain network.
The facility at which a cryptocurrency can be converted into some other form of crypto or fiat currency.
For Cryptocurrency, the market cap applies to the total value of all the coins that have been mined. Users can calculate a crypto's market cap by multiplying the current number of coins by the present value of the coins.
It is the process whereby new cryptocurrency coins are offered available, and the log of transactions between users is kept.
Node is a computer that attaches to a blockchain network.
Non-fungible tokens are units of value utilized to represent the ownership of unique digital items like art or collectibles. These are most often held on the Ethereum blockchain.
Two users interact directly without a third party or intermediary.
This is a key, code, or string of characters that unlocks or decrypts data that has been encrypted. Private keys must be held safe from others and cannot be retrieved.
It is a string of unique characters generated from the private key that is used to encrypt data. The only alternative to theoretically decrypt the data is if the user/device has the private key.
Satoshi Nakomoto
The pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin. No one identifies the true identity of Nakomoto or if it's more than one person.
An algorithmic system that establishes the terms of a contract automatically based on its code. One of the central value propositions of the Ethereum network is its capacity to perform smart contracts.
Stablecoin or Digital Fiat
It pegs its value to other non-digital currencies or commodities. A digital fiat depicts a fiat or government-backed currency on the blockchain.
A token is the unit of value on a blockchain that usually has another value proposition.
This is a digital storage file holding coins or tokens held by a user or entity. Each wallet in a blockchain network has a different address to identify it to transmit/receive coins or tokens.
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Many people are still confused about what Cryptocurrency is all about and its capabilities despite its popularity. It isn't just a novel investment option, and in various ways
Many people are still confused about what Cryptocurrency is all about and its capabilities despite its popularity. It isn't just a novel investment option, and in various ways, depicts a diverse world altogether compared to conventional stocks and bonds. Learning the basics takes time, even for experienced traditional investors, between unfamiliar acronyms, developing technologies, and following up with memes and tweets. As with any investment, it's essential to recognize what you're investing in before you begin. That's especially valid when it comes to an uncertain and still growing asset like crypto.
As Cryptocurrency requires an urge for risk and a whole unique vocabulary, below are the fundamentals of crypto terminology that one should know:
A blockchain address is a compilation of unique numbers and letters that leads to a particular address where Cryptocurrency can be sent and received inside a blockchain network.
Any blockchain-based coin or token is regarded as an alternative to Bitcoin. Popular Altcoin includes Ether, Litecoin, and Dogecoin.
Attestation Ledger
A record book, also called an attestation ledger, is utilized to show a transaction receipt to confirm the authenticity of a cryptocurrency transaction and prove that a transaction has been completed.
Considered as the first and most valuable Cryptocurrency launched on Jan. 3, 2009. While its value has risen steadily since then, it has seen raging changes.
These are groups of data within a blockchain. On cryptocurrency blockchains, blocks are formed up of transaction records as users buy or sell coins. Every block can contain only a particular amount of data. Once it approaches that limit, a new block is formed to continue the chain.
It is a digital form of record-keeping and the underlying technology behind cryptocurrencies. It results from sequential blocks that develop upon one another, building a permanent and unchangeable ledger of transactions (or other information).
It is an emerging technology for decentralized data storage. It's appealing because it's transparent, provable, traceable, and tamper-proof.
The coin represents the value of a digital asset that is native to the blockchain network. Examples of coins include Bitcoin and Altcoins like Ether, Litecoin, and Dogecoin.
Cold wallet
This is a method of storing Cryptocurrency that is not connected to the Internet. Cold wallets are appended protection against malicious activities to steal or disrupt the probity of digital coins/tokens.
A digitized kind of currency that is bound with cryptography and decentralized networks utilizing blockchain technologies.
It is the science of generating secure communications using codes. These codes are preserved so only the sender and receiver of the data can obtain the contents of the communications.
It is the system of allocating power away from a central point. Blockchains are traditionally decentralized because they need majority approval from all users to run and make adjustments rather than a principal authority.
Financial activities are conducted without an intermediary's involvement, like a bank, government, or other financial institution.
These are applications designed by developers and deployed on a blockchain to send out actions without intermediaries. Decentralized finance activities are often made by employing decentralized apps. Ethereum is the primary network supporting activities in decentralized finance.
The second-largest Cryptocurrency by trade volume, Ethereum is a crypto network and software platform that developers can utilize to create new applications and has a corresponding currency called ether.
A digital marketplace where users can buy and sell Cryptocurrency.
It is a currency distributed by a government that is not backed by any commodity. Instead, the currency is backed or guaranteed by the issuing government. Fiat currency is diverse from traditional commodity money backed initially by tangible assets such as gold, salt, and tea.
A fork is a split, change, or alternative variant of a blockchain. For blockchain technology to work, all nodes inside a blockchain network must operate the same underlying center software. A fork occurs if sufficient nodes wish to change or alter the core software, splitting the nodes into two | 811 |
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