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Thank You For Shopping Bits and Pieces!
Expires October 31
Home From The Hill is a 300 piece jigsaw puzzle designed by artist John Sloane. A brother and sister hand in hand, return from a day of sledding. Their trusty dog leads the way through the fresh fallen snow. Available in two piece counts.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Starting next season, a few changes will take place in Ajax 1's technical staff.
At the end of the season, assistant coach Alfred Schreuder will leave for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where he will become head coach. Schreuder (Barneveld, November 2, 1972) had been under contract with Ajax until June 30, 2020. At the start of 2018, the trainer came over from the same club he will return to at the end of this season.
Marc Overmars, Director of Football Affairs: "Alfred has already worked in the Bundesliga and can become head coach this summer. He very much wants to do this, and we will not stand in his way."
Christian Poulsen will join the A-selections' technical staff next season as assistant coach. The Dane will sign a contract for 2 years, from July 1, 2019, until June 30, 2021. Poulsen (Asnæs, February 28, 1980) earned his UEFA A-diploma last year, and has been doing an internship with the first team's technical staff since last September.
Played for Juventus and Ajax
During his playing career, the former midfielder was active at, among others, Juventus, Liverpool, Sevilla and Schalke 04, before coming to Ajax in 2012. Between 2012 and 2014, Pouslen played in a total of 54 games for Ajax and scored one goal. He won the Dutch championship twice in this period, as well as the Johan Cruijff Shield in 2013.


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Sound Percussion Labs Drums & Percussion
Regardless of your personal preferences or playing style, there's no doubt that Sound Percussion makes gear that's exactly what you need. For example, if you're a younger player who is getting an early start on the drums, you'll want to set your sights on the Lil Kicker - 3 Piece Jr Drum Set with Throne. This kit's smaller size is ideal for smaller drummers with big dreams. With everything you'll need to get rocking right away, this is an ideal kit to begin your musical journey on.
Another great option that is worth checking out is the Unity 5-Piece Drum Set with Hardware, Cymbals and Throne. This all-in-one kit offers plenty of features that are usually reserved for kits that are far more expensive. With a great tone and durable construction, this kit is made to take from the jam space, to the stage, to the studio, and everywhere in between.
Of course, if you've got your heart set on building a kit of your own from scratch, Sound Percussion still has you covered. From boom clamps, to hardware, to racks and mounts, Sound Percussion has everything a drummer could need. They even have their own line of sticks and mallets! Sound Percussion has thought of everything, all you need to do is count of the beat and get ready to perform.


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BackstageAxxess.com recently conducted an interview with guitarist DJ Ashba of SIXX: A.M. and GUNS N' ROSES. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).
On SIXX: A.M.'s new album, "Modern Vintage", drawing influences from a variety of '70s rock powerhouses:
Ashba: "That was kind of the whole theme and concept of this album. The whole inspiration was to go back and really dig into our past and the music collection and albums and bands we used to growing up as kids and, kind of, try to get inspired — re-inspired, I should say — by the spirit of what they were doing back then. Because when people like QUEEN and ELO and DAVID BOWIE made albums back then, they were epic, they were journeys, they were so incredible diverse. You look at them nowadays as rock records, but if you go back and really listen to them, they were more like… almost like operas. They really set you on such a crazy journey, and not one song was ever the same. So we really wanted to capture that spirit on 'Modern Vintage' and make a record like the ones we used to grow up on."
On "Modern Vintage" coming across as a more positive and upbeat album than the previous two:
Ashba: "The main thing is we didn't wanna make the same album twice, and we believe we've made three completely different albums. 'The Heroin Diaries' was very, very dark, lyrically and musically — a very dark album — whereas 'This Is Gonna Hurt' [was] super dark, but it was very aggressive; like, the way I approached all the guitar work, it was a very heavy, guitar-driven album. And this one is much more of a celebration. Although the underlying lyrical content is very dark still, we wanted to really venture into not only different bands that inspired us, but different genres of music that inspired us, such as ragtime and disco, and different things pulling from our past."
SIXX: A.M., which also features MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx and vocalist James Michael, released "Modern Vintage" on October 7 via Eleven Seven Music. SIXX: A.M. celebrated the CD release by playing its first full live show since 2009 the same night. The performance took place at the iHeart Theater in Burbank, California. The show, as well as a question-and-answer session with the band about the new album, its influences and the band's future plans was broadcast exclusively live on iHeartRadio and select Clear Channel radio stations.
SIXX: A.M. will embark on its first-ever headline tour in 2015, playing a limited number of dates across North America with special guest APOCALYPTICA.
Joining Sixx, Ashba and Michael on the road will be drummer Jeff Fabb (IN THIS MOMENT, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, FILTER), who also played on "Modern Vintage".


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Leveraging the Summer For Your UC Davis MSBA Application
Online via Zoom
Wondering how to best position your application for Fall 2020 admissions? Connect with the MSBA team as well as current students about the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics, and learn how to fully utilize the summer to launch your career in analytics.
Hear tips from Executive Director, Amy Russell, as well as current students about how to craft your strongest application and what your year in San Francisco will look like.
Webinar Details
Tuesday, June 27
9:00 am PST


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Christian Articles for All of your Publishing Needs!
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Up In Smoke
by PamFord Davis
10/02/2009 / Devotionals
Are you trying to kick the smoking habit? The addiction is difficult to overcome; but those breaking free share success stories giving motivation and encouragement. The widening number of those who quit is greatly influenced by rising costs of cigarettes and tobacco products. Your bank roll goes up in smoke!
We are forced to cut corners and pinch pennies, to deal with our challenging economic times. Individuals consider each transaction, weighing priorities and essentials. Some are forced to stop taking medications, in an effort to save money for groceries. How can we justify handing over cold cash for something going up in smoke? Congratulations if you are considering tossing that extravagant, harmful pack of cigarettes!
Do our lives have substance; or are we going up in smoke? "Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud and like the early dew that passes away, like chaff blown off from a threshing floor and like smoke from a chimney (Hosea 13:3 NKJ)." Illusionists use smoke to divert our attention. "Where there is smoke there is fire." Let's stir the fires of love for the Lord into a blaze and get the smoke out of our eyes!
Devotionals are her first love in writing. Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Coosa Journal, With God Daily, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter. http://www.pamforddavis.com
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
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The annual benefit brings together Broadway stars to perform songs from shows and roles in which they'd never be cast.
The 6:30 PM evening, hosted by Lewis Black, also honors the authors of the musical Carrie —Academy Award-winning composer Michael Gore, Academy Award-winning lyricist Dean Pitchford and screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen — for their "bold, daring, risk-taking spirit."
In addition to Groff ("Glee," Spring Awakening), Maroulis (Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde), Hilty ("Smash," 9 to 5) and Maxwell (Follies, The Royal Family), the benefit features Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Josh Gad ("Modern Family," The Book of Mormon), Norm Lewis (Porgy and Bess), Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon) and Nicole Parker ("MadTV," Wicked).
Gala tickets begin at $500, with mezzanine level show-only tickets available for $79 (general admission) and $99 (reserved seating). The Hammerstein Ballroom is located at 311 W. 34th Street.
For tickets click here, or phone Kathryn Banas at (212) 727-7722, ext. 232.


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Jermain Holness is not a teacher, but he and three other street-savvy colleagues at Westview Centennial Secondary School are changing young lives in the heart of Jane-Finch.
Officially he is one of four adult "safety monitors" hired to patrol the halls for truants and trouble.
But principal Patrick Knight believes these men can serve a richer purpose here in one of Toronto's two poorest schools by playing mentor rather than muscle, and he is rebranding them as male role models in a community with too few.
On top of keeping the school safe, these hall monitors now coach basketball, accompany boys on an annual leadership retreat in Muskoka and run an auto club that has awakened interest in apprenticeships. They help drive students to local grade schools to read to younger children, and oversee a gym free-for-all at lunch that draws some 70 kids. They even have designed a way to help suspended teens get back on track that is being considered by other schools.
"We're like walking counsellors; we can tell when kids are starting to go off track as they start to skip class or smoke or not wear their school uniform or disrespect women," said Holness, who studies child and youth work at night. "And we can sit down and talk to them, sometimes all day."
What's happening at Westview is part of a larger move among schools to encourage staff who are not teachers to engage with students, in the belief that every trusted adult who cares about a student will make them less likely to drop out.
"The bottom line in a student-teacher relationship is 'You've got to pass my course,'" noted Knight, "whereas these guys can take an angry student to the weight room and help them calm down.
"What they lack in academic authority they make up for in moral authority."
Since Westview launched its mentorship focus three years ago, Knight said there are fewer fights, less gang tension and better performance on report cards and scoreboards. The number of suspensions fell last year to 141 students from 250 the year before.
"In a community where many have been trained to think of themselves as Bloods and Crips, we're helping these young people create a community, and the principle is mentorship," said Knight.
"The safety monitors almost become like older brothers, or surrogate fathers, or even spiritual leaders."
When student Deji Adesanya applied to university recently, Holness helped him figure out how on the school computer. Holness helps run the Brothers Unlimited club for black Grade 12 boys who want to go on to higher education. The club pays the $120 application fee for each member who applied to university – nine this year, a record — and the $95 fee for each of nine more shooting for community college.
"Brothers Unlimited connects brothers who were on the verge of dropping out like I was," said Deji. "Now my average is 75 per cent and I mentor kids at elementary school and tell them, 'Drugs don't do it – school does it.' "
The York Region District School Board switched two-thirds of its 1,000 caretakers to the day shift three years ago partly to boost the range of adults who get to know students, because York Superintendent Robert Dunn said dropouts often admit they felt "no one seemed to care.
"Kids tell us after missing five days of school they're so far behind they probably won't go back, so making them feel they belong should be everyone's responsibility," said Dunn at a workshop on expanding the role of caretaker.
"Research shows the single greatest factor in engaging students is a caring adult in the school."
The Simcoe County District School Board has also switched many of its caretakers to days for the same reason.
York has trained all its caretakers in how to relate to students appropriately, in conflict resolution and special needs. Next step is to encourage principals to discover their caretakers' interests so they can help them connect with students.
Brad Ryerson is the lead caretaker at brand new Glenn Gould Public School in Vaughan, where he oversees a group of students in the eco-club. Clipboards in hand, Ryerson taught four students how to patrol empty classrooms during lunch to see if lights and computer monitors were left on.
This spring, he hopes to teach a Grade 6 class about the fur trade wearing his own trapper outfit. As a history buff, he can bring in his own War of 1812 uniform when the Grade 7s study that war. He has a family crest for when the Grade 4s study medieval times.
"I want to be more than just the guy mopping the floor, and I can guarantee that caretakers everywhere have skill sets they can bring to engage with kids."
The change has sparked early reports of less litter and vandalism because children know the caretakers personally, said Kevin McBean, York's manager of caretaking services.
"Kids often see caretakers as the guys having fun — not the disciplinarians, so they'll chat with them about careers and art; they can engage with each other in a unique way.
"We used to tell caretakers, 'Don't engage the kids – leave that to the teacher,' yet without these kids, we have no jobs. We're here because of the students."
At Newmarket's Rogers Public School, head caretaker Dan Allen has started fundraising for a guitar club he hopes to start. He supervises a student recycling program where he makes a point of asking 'What did you have for breakfast?' to begin a conversation about good nutrition.
"I talk to them so they're learning outside the classroom too."
Westview's safety monitors say they get a rare view into the sometimes turbulent emotional life of teens in this corner of the city. Kenrick Glasgow sees part of his job as teaching young males to "man up.
"We tell them, don't always deny, deny – own up to what you did. Once they know we won't beat them down for every little thing, they do own up," he said.
Glasgow praised fellow safety monitor Holness for developing character on the basketball court.
"Other teams used to know that to beat Westview they just had to insult one player and they'd clear the benches for a brawl; the game was over," said Glasgow. "What Jermain is doing is building self-discipline, both mentally and physically; he builds them as a person first so they understand the value of education. Now, that kind of fight just doesn't happen."
Safety monitor Chris Hayes says teachers sometimes ask a hall monitor to find out if personal problems might be affecting a student's class work.
"We can tell who's hungry. We get to know whose parents are sick. We can tell by the way a girl hangs her head down, if she has a boyfriend problem," said Hayes. "It's all about relationships."
But sometimes students need more than a confidante. When some came to school hungry – one fainted – safety monitor Ivor Toney began to bring home-cooking for their lunch. He also devised a way to help prevent suspended students from sliding back into bad habits when they return to school.
"We were frustrated seeing their behaviour get worse when they came back, so we put together a team of teachers and social workers who work with kids while they're suspended to make sure they're getting their work done," said Toney, "and then we talk about what happened when they come back.
"If they're repentant, fine. If not, they come in every Monday and we check whether they've been going to class and behaving and have the team talk about what the problem is and offer help with, say, maybe anger management."
All four monitors are helping work on a new program "for the 10 to 15 per cent of students who aren't going regularly to class," said Holness. "We want to assess their educational needs and monitor their skipping, their behaviour, then sit down and have a one-on-one to help them stay in school.
"A lot of these kids don't want to go talk to a guidance counsellor and they're worried the office will be punitive," he said. "But those 15 per cent have a massive effect on the rest of the school and if the school isn't focusing on fights, you have the opportunity to focus on education."


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The only minus so far for me is that DeepGuard/Virgo etc (their own detection/heuristics databases) do not update during the weekends. Not sure if anyone else has noticed it.
DeepGuard updated today saturday. Wonder if you @Lord Ami only get those updates during weekdays because your using the Beta version?
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Complexity, cane toads and how you can experiment to solve complex problems at work
Most of us deal with a great about of complexity everyday. What is complexity? One popular way to identify and understand complexity is via the Cynefin model. According to this, complexity is where cause and effect are difficult to establish, and even when established, are difficult to replicate. The model helps us understand how to identify complexity, and how to deal with it.
What do cane toads have anything to do with any of this, I hear you say? This talk illustrates complexity via a real life problem with regards to the introduction of cane toads to Australia and takes you through the impact of not adequately identifying and dealing with a complex situation.
So, how DOES one deal with a complex situation? The Cynefin framework says safe to fail experiments are the way. Here, you devise small experiments or probes that are safe to fail, meaning there are no adverse effects, to establish the best way forward. Safe to fail experiments are a great tool to deal with situations where many variables are at play, and where the outcome is uncertain. Also, it is a great way to engage your team to come together to find a productive and effective way forward.
Outline/Structure of the Workshop
Introduction to the Cynefin framework (10 minutes)
- The complex domain (5 minutes)
- The case study: Cane toads and a complex eco system: what not to do (10 minutes)
- Workshop intro: safe to fail experiments: intro (10 minutes)
- Example of an experiment (5 minutes)
- Generate ideas (10 minutes)
- Draft your own experiment (30 minutes)
Learning Outcome
- what is the cynefin framework?
- What is complexity?
- how to identify if if I'm working in a complex domain
- what's the big deal with cane toads, anyway? Example of complexity gone very wrong in real life
- How do I generate new ideas? (Just sitting and think about being innovative isn't working for me)
- What are safe to fail experiments?
- How can I devise and run safe to fail experiments?
Target Audience
Product people, BAs, IM/Scrummasters, Developers
Prerequisites for Attendees
No prerequisites.


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Patrick Modiano–AFTER THE CIRCUS
Posted in 5-2015 Reviews, Coming-of-age, France, Literary, Psychological study, Social and Political Issues on Nov 24th, 2015
Though Modiano has insisted many times that his novels are fiction, they all have direct parallels with his own life, and as he visits and revisits his own difficult and tormented childhood and teen years in the plots of his novels, he often introduces events in one novel and then returns to them again and again in other novels. Pedigree, his autobiography (in which he confirms the reality of specific events and traumas which dominate his novels), remains a straight-forward presentation of his real life up to his early twenties, almost journalistic in style, with little elaboration and even less emotion. Ironically, it is his "novels" – like this one – which most clearly reveal the horrors of his early life, his emotional torments, his incredible resilience, and his amazing ability to come to terms with his past and use these events to provide insight not just for himself but for his legions of fans. After the Circus begins when the narrator, identified as Jean, not yet of legal age, is interrogated by the police regarding any knowledge he may have about two people engaged in criminal activity, not the experience of a typical college student, but then, Jean's father, like Modiano's, has been involved in big-time crime syndicates throughout Europe, so it is not surprising that the police investigate Jean when his own name is found in an address book belonging to this couple.


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With its year-round subtropical climate, growing business community, and family-friendly mindset, Panama City Beach, FL is one of the most sought-after areas in the Sunshine State. Everyone knows the beaches here bring in many visitors year after year, but few know that the city is attracting many Floridians to Panama City Beach apartments for rent. According to information from City-Data, the city has seen a whopping 56 percent increase in population from 2000 to 2010. With a cost of living index more than 10 points below the nation's average, this area is a very affordable place to live as well.
The Bay County area was home to many Seminole Native Americans before it was settled by European immigrants in the 1800s. Home to many pirates in its early years, Panama City Beach once had a less-than-stellar reputation but cleaned up its image after Florida was admitted into the union. The area was also home to an Armed Forces base during World War II, which now serves as a state park.
Today, Panama City Beach remains a tight-knit community of more than 12,000 residents, according to 2010 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Over time, the residents have come to love the beaches here because of their crystal blue and emerald green waters next to sugar sand that stretches for miles along the Gulf Coast.
One of the city's most captivating attractions is St. Andrews State Park. This former military reservation now offers plenty of seaside amenities to Florida residents, including a beautiful boardwalk, two fishing piers, boat tours to nearby Shell Island, and plenty of open space for sunbathing and relaxation.
One of the biggest community events in the Southeast happens every year in Panama City Beach - the Indian Summer Festival. For three days during October, residents enjoy the weather, delicious Gulf seafood, and popular live musical acts.
If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Panama City Beach, search for rental properties at Rent.com®.


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Researching and developing automated trading algorithms using advanced mathematical techniques
Deep Learning Researcher
HRT understands that deep learning has the ability to shape the future of our field and as such, we are invested in not only building out a team of the best and brightest deep learning researchers, but also providing them with the freedom to explore and pursue their own ideas. As a deep learning researcher on our Algo Labs team you will work with vast amounts of market data to research and test your theories as a part of HRT's live trading strategies. Deep learning researchers will put theory into practice almost immediately, and will impact the landscape of global financial markets.
Leaders at HRT are coders, mathematicians, and researchers which means that our environment is collaborative and academic. We encourage idea sharing and use of the most cutting edge technology. Like the rest of HRT, the Algo Labs team uses standard open source tools (TensorFlow, Keras). We also understand that deep learning, especially with the low latency which we require, presents unique technical challenges and we are not afraid to invest in building our own infrastructure. Additionally, as a deep learning researcher you will work alongside the best in the field in optimization and other machine learning areas as well as financial experts, exposing you to a variety of different backgrounds and skill-sets to add to your research.
The Skills
Demonstrated research or work experience in the field of deep learning.
A track record of successful results as demonstrated by published papers, awards, grants, and/or patents.
Experience with software engineering in Python and C++.
The Profile
PhD (or currently pursuing) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field.
Capable of working independently as well as part of a team.
Able to analyze and fix problems quickly.
Able to learn quickly and apply new skills effectively.
The Culture
Hudson River Trading (HRT) brings a scientific approach to trading financial products. We have built one of the world's most sophisticated computing environments for research and development. Our researchers are at the forefront of innovation in the world of algorithmic trading.
At HRT we come from all sorts of backgrounds: mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, and engineering. We're a community of self-starters who are motivated by the excitement of being at the cutting edge of automated trading. Our culture celebrates great ideas whether they come from HRT veterans or new hires. At HRT we're friends and colleagues, whether we are sharing a meal, playing the latest board game, or writing elegant code. We embrace a culture of togetherness that extends far beyond the walls of our office.
Seem like something you might be interested in? Our goal is to find the best people and bring them together to do great work in a place where everyone is valued. HRT is proud of our diverse staff; we have offices all over the globe and benefit from our varied and unique perspectives. HRT is an equal opportunity employer; so whoever you are we'd love to get to know you.
Hudson River Trading at a glance
Hudson River Trading focuses on Financial Services, Trading, and Fin Tech. Their company has offices in New York City, New York, and Chicago. They have a large team that's between 201-500 employees.
You can view their website at http://www.hudson-trading.com or find them on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.


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Advantage Testing regards standardized tests as opportunities for students to learn important skills both for the tests themselves and for life. If students prepare properly, their tutoring and testing experiences foster quantifiable results and spur academic achievement.
Our long-term, rigorous, and carefully designed approach to learning seeks to go this far, and further. We work hard to instill education's most enduring and profound rewards:
- self-confidence
- academic growth
- joy in learning
- intellectual curiosity
Toward these ends, private tutoring serves as a uniquely powerful educational tool. We adapt traditional methods of study and practice for the individual student. Creating a positive environment that simultaneously challenges and supports, our tutors teach students to study not just intensively but effectively.
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Here's my best understanding of how the campaign will work:
The campaign is played until one side reaches a specific number of Campaign Points needed to win. If one side is behind, there is some kind of final battle mechanic.
Campaign Setup
The campaign will always be Rebel vs Imperial. It is designed to accommodate 2-6 players. In order to do this each side establishes 3 fleets no matter how many players are playing. Each fleet is initially built to 400 points although that point level can change throughout the campaign. Unique squadrons and upgrades cannot be duplicated between fleets. The fleets are not assigned to specific players, but can be played by anyone on that side. This helps out when a player is missing when the campaign is played. The box appears to include campaign sheets that track the fleets for each side as well as the status of unique squadrons and upgrades.
The position of fleets are not tracked on the board. Thanks to the wonders of hyperspace any fleet can attack or defend any location at any time. Based on my previous experience with map campaigns, this is a good thing.
Strategy Phase
Each Campaign Turn begins with a Strategy Phase. The side with fewer Campaign Points has the initiative and declares the first assault. It appears that the Rebels have the initiative in case of a tie in Campaign Points. To declare an assault the side with initiative picks a fleet and target and assaults there. The other side then chooses a fleet to defend with. It is unclear if the defenders get to know what fleet is assaulting when they choose the defender, but I suspect that they do.
Then the other side selects one of its fleets and declares an assault on a system of their choice. The side with initiative then has to assign a fleet to defend this new assault. It is not clear, but it appears at this point that the side with initiative can then declare a final assault with its third fleet which would be defended by the last remaining fleet.
So, it looks like there would be 3 assault declared in each campaign turn. It is possible that this number might be lower with fewer than 6 players, but I doubt it.
One of the assaults declared by a side in the Strategy Phase can be a Special Assault. These can only be declared in certain locations. These assaults won't earn campaign points, but do potentially earn a lot of resources quickly.
Battle Phase
After the assaults have been chosen, you play the games of Armada. The location of the assault can impact the game of Armada. The side that declares the assault automatically has the initiative for the game. If the assaulted location has a base or outpost, the objectives are chosen from a specific set by the second player. If the game is a Special Assault then a specific objective is used. If neither of those is true then then board may still offer some special objective options.
So, there are a few small tweaks to the basic rules, where a more expensive fleet can end up with initiative. Point bids will not be a thing in the campaign.
Once the game is going, you have to track which ships or squadrons are destroyed. These ships are then marked as being 'scarred'. If a 'scarred' ship or squadron plays another game, it loses either a defense token if it's a ship or an HP if it's a squadron. A 'scarred' ship that is destroyed in a game is lost from the campaign permanently. ouch!
I think the 'scarred' rules will make players quite a bit more cautious. You will want to win, but also while making sure to preserve your own ships as much as possible.
Management Phase
After the Battle Phase is over you move into the Management Phase. This is where you look at the results of the battles and update the various record sheets.
Winning a battle at a location with an opposing base/outpost allows you to destroy that base/outpost.
There appear to be 3 kinds of points that you can accrue:
- Campaign Points - The defender gains 1 Campaign Point if they win an assault against their base. Otherwise, it appears that only the attacker can gain Campaign Points by winning. Each system has a different Campaign Point value, with the examples from FFG showing from 0 - 2 points available. Campaign Points appear to only be used for winning and determining initiative in the Strategy Phase.
- Resource Points - Each system also has a Resource Point value. Based on the examples provided by FFG this can run from 5 - 20 points. A side only gains these resources if they have a base at that system in the Management Phase. Resource Points can also be gained from the Special Assault Objectives. These seem to provide a significant boost to the assaulting side with more available to the winner. 15 Resource Points can be used to build a base at a system that was successfully assaulted that turn. Resources can also be used to Refit or expand your fleet although we don't know the specific mechanics on that.
- Refit Points - Each round a side gains 30 Refit Points, plus an additional 5 points for each Repair Yard you control. These points can be used to remove the scarred status of a ship spending half the value of the ship plus its upgrades. If you run out of Refit Points you can apparently use Resource Points to do the same thing.
Once everything is tracked during the Management Phase and all the various rosters updated, the round is over and it is time for the next campaign turn. It is estimated that a campaign could take 8-9 turns for a longer campaign.
Overall I think that the campaign system looks great and should provide for some really interesting choices. Which fleets do you send out on assaults? Do you risk a 'scarred' ship? How do you allocate you points? It should provide some nice variety to the games of Armada that you play during the campaign.
There should be a couple of more previews for the Corellian Conflict. I expect one for the new squadrons and another for the new objectives. Hopefully we will see those over the next 3 weeks. Which would allow for the campaign to be released at the World Championships! So, maybe we will see it soon.
What do you think? Let me know.


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ELECTION 2014: Perillo focuses on business climate in re-election race
State Rep. Jason Perillo may not have an opponent this year, but that doesn't mean he's not advocating for positions during campaign season.
"The economy — and getting people back to work — is first in everyone's mind," said Perillo, a Republican who represents the 113th District.
Perillo said Connecticut is being held back by a business climate that is one of the worst in the country. "This can only be changed through years of systematic change," he said.
He said the goal is getting new companies to move to Connecticut while also providing help to the small businesses already here.
"A governor sets the tone, and I'm eager to work with a Republican governor who understands business and the economy," Perillo said.
Perillo serves an assistant minority leader in the House. He was first elected in a 2007 special election, following the death of longtime state Rep. Richard Belden.
Downtown development
Perillo said one of his main responsibilities is helping to encourage economic development, particularly the redevelopment of downtown Shelton.
"This is a watershed moment," Perillo said. "We've seen progress in the last decade, and there now are tremendous opportunities on Howe Avenue and Canal Street.
"Much of it takes government funding and government cooperation," he said, explaining his role as a legislator.
The downtown resident and former alderman said he enjoys serving in the legislature. "My family has been involved for generations in Shelton," he said. "My grandfather [Vincent Tisi] was mayor. We love our town and just want to make it better."
Perillo, 37, works as a health care consultant. He is married with one child.


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Browsing Lecture Papers National Published Articles by Author "Angelina, Jennifer"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Perencanaan Video Production dan Talent Agency "Eblo Production" Angelina, Jennifer; Saputra, Ellen Agustine (Universitas Ciputra, 2017-12-31)The development of technology such as mobile phones currently affect people's behavior. Almost everything can be accessed via mobile phones whenever and wherever. It's also affects the function of other technologies, such ...


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Search results
Crisis Communication Plan
Response Procedures Crisis Response Team Composition Sample Initial Statements The Crisis Communication ... Crisis Communication Plan (click to download PDF) CFAES Marketing and Communications Crisis Communication ...
Physical Office Re-Opens October 5th With Restricted Business Hours
In accordance with Ohio State University COVID-19 protocols, OSU Extension, Holmes County has ... provided if needed. Our new office location is 111 East Jackson Street, Millersburg, Ohio 44654. (Former ... location of the BP gas station) When not in the office, we are teleworking and programming to meet the ...
ZUMBA®- Virtual or In-Person
membership. Classes will be taught by a team of ZUMBA® Instructor Network Members: Haley Jones, Emily Martin, ...
Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions
who try to estimate which one will yield the highest quality of lean meat. For the carcass show, ...
STEM in Holmes County
Holmes County 4-H Program Assistant, Emily Laugesen, is available to collaborate and teach STEM ... programming to your classroom, group or organization. Contact her at firstname.lastname@example.com or call 330-674-3015. ... Available programs include, but are not limited to: ChickQuest Robotics Rocketry Computer Science Grab & ...
Blast-off to Mars with Ohio 4-H and Join the 4-H STEM Challenge
challenge at Insight from Mars And to help you on your Martian journey, the Ohio 4-H STEM Team is hosting ... https://ohio4h.org/statewide-programs/4-h-science/mars-base-camp-4-h-stem-challenge . Get ready to blast-off! ... and agriculture. We want Ohio 4-H families to join in and thanks to the Ohio 4-H Foundation and ...
COVID-19 CFAES Employee Resources
This CFAES Employee Safety page will serve to list work procedures or guildines, reinforce ... check-in for employees reporting to the workplace. For lab spaces, no more than two individuals may be ... present where the work is being conducted and they must maintain appropriate social distance. Limit to one ...
Holmes County 4-H Endowment & Funds
Contributions to Holmes County 4-H may be made in several ways: Current Gifts- Cash, securities, ... gifts to the Holmes County 4-H Fund and Endowment Fund through the Ohio 4-H Foundation are gifts to The ... Ohio State University and as such are tax exempt to the extent permitted by the law. In 4-H, we believe ...
ODA asking for Ohioans who have received unsolicited seeds to send them or take them to their local Ohio State University Extension office.
After increasing reports of Ohio citizens receiving packages of unsolicited seeds in the mail, the ... Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is urging the public to report and submit any unsolicited seed ... the number of seed packets sent to Ohio, what type of seeds they are, and where they were mailed from. ...
Return to Office Hours & Information
to the public. While many of our staff members are still teleworking at the direction of Ohio State ... Hill, 4-H Youth Development Friday – 9am to 3pm, Kate Shumaker, Family and Consumer Sciences Click here ...


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Angelina Jolie
War is Horrible but Sometimes Fun.
Angelina Jolie is not only famous for her sexy looks, award winning acting, and beautiful family but also for her humanitarian work with the UN. During the years she has worked with UNHCR, Jolie noted that the number of people driven from their homes by wars had surged to 65 million!
Nevertheless, while war is indeed the root of most evils, Jolie is fascinated by it. In 2007 she and her now estranged husband, Brad Pitt, threw an army style birthday bash for their eldest son, Madox, then 6, completed with uniforms, face paint and army gear.
On another occasion Jolie was photographed sporting a machine gun charm necklace that her eldest son, Maddox designed gushing about his fascination with war:
"Mad, our 6-year-old, draws lots of war scenarios," she explains. "He's all into war and guns. So for Mother's Day he drew a machine gun, and Brad had it made into a necklace, which is really sweet. It's really cute. I think it's really good!"


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A Talk About Naming Things
A Talk About Naming Things, by Shawn McCool and Mitchell van Wijngaarden. Presented at the DPC Uncon in 2015.
Naming things is cultural.
WordPress names things differently to Drupal, which names things differently to the Java ecosystem. This is a good thing, as it means there's scope to change things
When the section on interfaces came up I knew what was coming. I'm totally sold on this already. It doesn't matter that you're working with an interface. All that matters is that you're working with an object with certain public methods available. How it accomplishes the task is nothing to do with you - so long as your collaborator respects your contract (and you respect it's public API e.g. don't call public methods that aren't in the interface) then everyone's happy.
Instead of adding
Interface to differentiate your interface from your implementation, make your implementation more specific
PaymentProcessor and
PaymentProcessorInterface doesn't tell me anything.
StripePaymentProcessor and
PaymentProcessor lets me infer that we're processing payments via Stripe
Although I'm totally on board with dropping
Interface, I'm not too sure about dropping
Exception. I think this is more about gut reaction than any educated decision.
We know that the thing we're working with is an exception based on context
throw new MemberAlreadyRegistered
catch (MemberAlreadyRegistered $e)
class MemberAlreadyRegistered extends \Exception
This one will be a more difficult habit to shake, but I'm going to give it a go
Levels of cohesion
All code has to live alongside other code. Names help us understand how things relate to each other.
At the lowest level, all we have is a block of code. There's no context, just the raw facts about what it does. Take this code for example:
$i = -1;
while ($i < 0){
We have no idea why it loops forever, or if that's intended. It could be a bug for all we know.
That's why we have functions, which provide context
function loopForever() {
$i = -1;
while ($i < 0){
function loopTwice() {
$i = 2;
while ($i > 0){
Related functions are generally grouped in to a class, which indicate that they're related to each other
class Order {
public function getItemCount(){}
public function markAsImportant(){}
public function markAsShipped(){}
Usually I'd expect the next level of cohesion to be a namespace, but Shawn makes a good point that it's actually the file containing the code. It's a convention in the PHP world that each file only contains one class (due to
PSR-0 and PSR-4) but this is just a convention. In other languages there's no such convention. Shawn mentions C# and Scala as examples of when you place exceptions relating to a class in the class itself.
Finally, we group things by namespace. Some projects namespace by type e.g.
Repository\MemberRepository etc. I've been guilty of doing this in the past. Do we really think about everything in categories?
Instead, group things by domain -
Members\MemberRepository etc. This allows us to have
Policies\PolicyValidator etc. You can easily view everything related to Policies in the
Policies namespace. As an added bonus, it's easier to refactor this functionality - rename namespace or extract in to another package
Programming is about zooming in on what's actually happening. Removing artefacts such as
Interface and
Exception help focus on the name of things. Grouping code by domain rather than purpose helps us build a model of the real world system that we're trying to emulate.
As it was an uncon talk, Shawn mentioned a few board games to break things up. I've played Formula D and Dead of Winter and enjoyed them both a lot. Ca$h 'n Guns has been on my list for a while (and who can say no to a game where Rafael always dies?)


text: Next week (Monday 7/23-Wednesday 7/25), we will offer three days of wellness classes for a grand total of $12. The two sessions per day will be 9:30a and 5:30p (yes, you can go to all six classes at no extra charge). If you register and pay this week (by Friday 7/20), you will pay $9 for next week's classes. Payment can be made: 1) in-person at our studio (216 Main Street-Rockland-2nd floor – across from Harbor Park and the standing clock – please call ahead to schedule), 2) on-line through paypal on our website (www.peptalk.com – see payment options and pay the special price in this offer), 3) mail: John Jenkins, P.O. Box 7205, Lewiston, Maine 04243-7205. Space is limited and the first 10 are in (paid registrants). Registrations after the 10th person will be honored and an additional class time will be scheduled. Thank you! – John Jenkins / e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com / cell: 207-240-6887


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Deckard's sedan, driven in Blade Runner (1982). Designer: Syd Mead
There are a couple of things we don't really post about on this website. Six-pack abs and how to gain them is one; pinstripe suits and how to rock them, another. And while the Smith Journal charter doesn't technically prohibit us from writing about cars, it's just something we feel other publications (presumably ones whose staff can manage a three-point turn) do better than us. Leave it to the pros, is our philosophy.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is providing us with a nice little out, though. From now until March 2020, visitors to the museum's 'Hollywood Dream Machines' exhibit will be able to salivate over 40-plus vehicles from cinema history, including Blade Runner (the original and the sequel), A Clockwork Orange, Mad Max: Fury Road, Back to the Future, RoboCop and more.
Yes, some of the cars come with internal combustion engines and other mechanical wonders actual rev-heads might find interesting to see with their own eyes. But for us, it's the aesthetic of the vehicles that's of interest – the ways in which each car tries to envisage a future (often dystopian) through design principals rather than just technological ones.
For those who don't happen to be in L.A., these photos will have to suffice. But our inner geeks think they suffice quite nicely.
Luv's 'Spinner', driven in Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Designers: Dan Walker and George Hull
The Alligator, driven in Death Race 2000 (1975). Designer: James Powers
The De Lorean time machine, driven in Back to the Future (1985). Designers: Ron Cobb and Andrew Probert


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"HIGHRISE" may be the best equipped Hatteras 60 Motoryacht example ever made available. This two owner example is sitting in the freshwater of the great lakes and is owned by a knowledgeable, multi-yacht owner who spares no expense in maintaining his fleet. She is in excellent condition, needs nothing and is available to immediately commence cruising. In addition to its extensive list of standard equipment, below is a partial list of key optional factory original equipment and owner installed options:
Please click on "Full Specs" for more information and a complete list of equipment or call to receive additional photos and complete vessel specifications.
Call NICK SALOMONE directly at (519) 933-8933 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view this beautiful Hatteras 60 Motoryacht.
Owners who plan to spend a lot of time aboard will definitely appreciate the full-beam master stateroom with tapered king-sized berth, vanity to starboard, and large atmospheric portlights. Cedar-lined hanging lockers and twin dressers provide abundant storage for traveling clothes and gear, and the 19-inch flat-screen TV and stereo speakers offer low-key entertainment after a long day. To port, a private head with solid-surface countertops also includes a shower or full-size tub with tempered glass sliding door, owner's choice.
The 60 features two generous guest cabins, one in the bow and one to port, with a shared head on the starboard side. A spacious VIP stateroom forward features a tapered queen berth that lifts to reveal a cedar-lined storage compartment below. Another cedar-lined hanging locker and a pair of cabinets provide additional stowage for extended voyages. The remaining stateroom has twin crisscross bunks that are ideal for kids or crewmembers.
Side decks measuring almost 13 inches across make working the lines easy and safe on the 60. These side decks also provide access to a storage locker on the port side and lead all the way forward to a molded bench seat on the bow deck.
114-76 Ardagh Rd
Barrie, ON L4N 9B7


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Some Auckland house hunters under pressure to find the right property are making snap purchase decisions after viewing their new home for less than 30 minutes.
Frustrated buyers who have lost at previous auctions are among those "jumping" on properties after viewing them only once, experts say.
But buyers rushing the most expensive purchase decision of their lives are being warned not to forgo necessary due diligence checks.
Today's NZ Herald-Quotable Value Property Report shows stark rises in house prices for some of the 420 North Island suburbs profiled.
Try our interactive here: What your home is worth
Research from the United Kingdom suggests the average buyer there spends just 33 minutes viewing a home and one in four view a property only once before signing a purchase agreement.
While there are no New Zealand figures, Barfoot and Thompson Mt Albert branch manager Jean Smith said Auckland buyers were under increasing pressure - particularly in city fringe areas in sought-after school zones.
Read more:
• Revealed: Suburbs with best rental returns
• Why renting's good for Aucklanders - for now
While most buyers were prudent, a shortage of available properties and soaring prices meant some were making impulse decisions - including pre-auction offers within 24 hours of their first viewing - to avoid losing their dream house.
"We're probably now getting purchasers who are a bit frustrated," Mrs Smith said. "They're coming to auctions and missing out on a few."
But while motivated buyers might have viewed a property for only 30 minutes, most still did due diligence, she said. LIM reports and title searches were usually provided by agents in property packs.
"They've seen the property this morning and they're quickly getting their solicitor to check the title.
"But they might have been looking for six months and know what they want.
"It's not that they haven't done any background checks."
Stephen Hart, who runs online property resource Hometopia, said with Auckland properties generally selling by auction, buyers had become disillusioned with forking out for costly pre-purchase reports, only to be repeatedly outbid.
Caught in a cycle of endless open homes, frustrated buyers might spend less than 30 minutes viewing a property before deciding to purchase or bid at auction. "Maybe the house has a few warts. But if you've lost out five times and you've [paid for] five building inspections and five valuations ... you just want the process over with."
Read more:
• Comment: First home-buyers still active in the Super City
• Jonno Ingerson: LVR hasn't dented lower end of market
• Analysis: Size does matter in housing trends
However, snap purchase decisions without proper due diligence put buyers at significant financial risk, Mr Hart warned.
Buyers trying to finalise a quick sale could still do background checks online, including a property's CV, LIM report, and researching the neighbourhood and recent sales.
"With rising interest rates and the likelihood of a potential correction, it could be a drastic error not to have done your price due diligence correctly."
Real Estate Institute chief executive Helen O'Sullivan said the proportion of homes selling by auction had fallen in recent months, and homes were taking longer to sell as the market slowed.
Most buyers viewed a property more than once before finalising the purchase.
But with new listings "very tight" in Auckland, buyers had to remain measured and not take shortcuts, she said.
"It's possible that people can get frustrated.
"I know a mortgage broker who refers to 'the nutter in the room', that person who pays too much for a property - who's just had enough of going to auctions and missing out."
Risk moved buyer up on the property ladder
Steve Anderson bought his first house at auction just three days after viewing it and only hours after securing finance, but says hesitation would have cost him the property.
Mr Anderson bought the two-bedroom cottage in Arch Hill, central Auckland, just days after a quick home inspection and without a building report or valuation, one of the conditions of finance.
Fortunately the valuation was favourable and the March 2010 purchase of his first home went ahead.
The 37-year-old accountant admitted it was risky to buy so hastily but the move earned him enough equity to trade up to a larger house in just three years.
"It was the best thing I've ever done. I sold the property for $160,000 more than I paid for it. I could only have bought the second property because of the first property."
His next purchase was decided almost as quickly when Mr Anderson and his partner found a three-bedroom house on a much larger section for sale in Chatswood on the North Shore earlier this year.
The couple discovered the house had passed in at auction so made an offer conditional on them selling the Arch Hill cottage.
- additional reporting Natalie Akoorie


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August 28, 2015 to August 29, 2015 – Bristol Dragway Registration will be from 9am to 11am and awards will be at 4pm. All Ford powered vehicles are welcome. Drag racing and swap meet will be on both days. Please come out and enjoy a weekend of drag ra… Organized by Kendra Nichols | Type: race, car-show
August 28, 2015 to August 30, 2015 – Carlisle PA Fairgrounds The largest and most fun-filled Corvette event in the world, the annual Corvettes at Carlisle event features more than 5,000 Corvettes representing all generations of America's classic sports car. Co… Organized by Mike Garland | Type: swap, meet, car, corral, auto
August 28, 2015 from 5pm to 11pm – Atlanta Dragway Year One Fast Friday "Legal" Street Racing Have you got a muscle car that can out run anyone? …or maybe the hottest sport compact on the block? Prove once and for all that you've got what it takes… Organized by Atlanta Dragway | Type: drag-racing, car-show


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SM-302-2020: Security requirements for procuring data concentrators (draft)
- Version
- Download 38
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- Last Updated December 30, 2019
SM-302-2020: Security requirements for procuring data concentrators (draft)
This document provides functional and quality requirements for the security of data concentrators, including requirements for secure development processes at the vendor. The requirements cover secure communication between the smart meters and the data concentrators and central system. They do not cover the security of the central systems themselves.
The requirements are meant for procuring new data concentrators. Smart meters are addressed separately. The requirements are not meant for legacy systems, although a selection of them can be used to improve the latter.
This document aims to help grid operators to set procurement requirements. It includes requirements that ENCS has developed for members in Austria, Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Portugal, which have been used in different tenders. They are set up to allow independent testing, and more than 15 data concentrators have already been successfully tested against them. By using these requirements in their tender process, grid operators can benefit from their already high maturity level.
The measures are aligned with ISO 27001:2013. They are designed to fit as much as possible into the processes and procedures already in place in the organizations, and to find the needed balance between the assured security level, feasibility by vendors and the operational impact.
Draft version 2.6 for review.
Attached Files
|SM-302-2020 Security requirements for procuring data concentrators v2.6.pdf


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TLX Reset
For the 2018 model, Acura designers and engineers made changes to the sport sedan that go beyond a typical refresh. Here's why and how.
#Lexus #engineer #HP
Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager, Acura, at the New York Auto Show, when revealing the 2018 TLX, a car that has been refreshed to a degree that is something between a traditional updating of a car and a model change, made one of the most understated observations in the industry: "It's no secret that the luxury sedan market is a tough business." That would be "tough" as in the context of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He added, "And with every premium automaker fighting for its share, I'm not surprised to see the competition resorting to very aggressive tactics." By which he means aggressive sales and marketing tactics. That said, he continued, "So, it's a challenging market but sedans remain a critical pillar of our brand."
According to Ikeda, while Acura, too, is experiencing growth in the SUV/crossover categories, with its MDX and RDX models, when people think about a "performance vehicle," odds are better that they're going to think of a sedan before they think of something with a high roofline.
Featured Content
Yes, they may think of a sports car before they think of a sedan, and Ikeda would be all-too-ready to point to the NSX. Ikeda says that when people go to the Acura website to look at the NSX, Acura data miners have found that the next place those people go to is, yes, the TLX page. "We have to make sure the design of our sedans has the connection to the NSX, that we tie the energy, performance and attributes of that into our core product," he explains.
The TLX is an important product in the company's lineup, as it competes, says Jonathon Rivers, lead product planner for the car, in the Entry Premium segment along with the likes of the Mercedes C300, Audi A4, BMW 330i, Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50. Although, he acknowledges, that segment is fairly flat and is expected to remain so for the next five years, it is the largest segment within the premium/luxury sedan category, so there's volume, and "entry," of course, means leading to something else (in Acura's case it would be its RLX.)
What's more, the TLX is the melding of two cars that had done comparatively well in the Acura lineup: the TL, which ran from model year 1996 to 2014, and the TSX, which went from model year 2004 to 2014. The TLX was introduced as a model year 2015 midsize sport sedan.
Performance and enthusiasm are important to Ikeda and his team, as is design. For the 2018 TLX they developed, he says, what are essentially three different appearances for the sedan. There is the entry model with the 206-hp, 2.4-liter direct injected I4 and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, and then two models with a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and a nine-speed automatic (paddle shifters all around), the TLX V6 and the TLX V6 A-Spec. (The torque vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive all-wheel drive system, is available for all V6 models.
The A-Spec version is the sportier of the two V6 models. The A-Spec nomenclature goes back to 2004, when the Acura Factory Performance Package was given that name (it debuted on the RSX).
There are visible differences among the three. In all cases, everything ahead of the A-pillars is new, as in hood, fenders, bumper and diamond pentagon grille (the grille is a new design signature for Acura, as the company transitions away from the shield-style grille that had been nothing if not controversial).
The V6 model also has the addition of chrome trim accents, available LED fog lights and a new rear fascia. The visible dual exhaust pipes on the V6 are rectangular. On the back of the A-Spec the dual exhausts are four inches in diameter. There are an aggressive diffuser and a black spoiler, too. The A-Spec has its own front fascia with a darker grille and round fog lights. The A-spec has 19-inch alloy wheels and 245-series tires; the regular V6 has 18-inch alloys and 225-series tires.
Dan Powderly, TLX engineering development leader, has been working on the TL and then the TLX for the last 10 years. He describes the dynamic tuning that they performed for the A-spec as a "leap forward," explaining that the A-Spec isn't just "a cosmetic upgrade." They increased the front and rear damping forces through revised valve tuning; they increased the spring rate, as well (from 2.9 to 3.0 kgf/mm in the front and from 3.0 to 3.1 kgf/mm in the back). The stabilizer bar has been increased in size, with the diameter from 24.7 to 25.4 mm and its thickness from 3.7 to 3.8 mm. Yes, he admits, the tuning is harsher and there's more road noise than is the case on a standard TLX, but on the spider diagram the handling (initial response and turn-in confidence) steering (on-center feel and gain level) and gross body motion are all much better than the standard car provides.
On the inside, the A-Spec is distinguished by featuring Alcantara trim, contrast stitching, red ambient lighting and an available red sport seat, along with a new thicker steering wheel.
Although the TLX—across the board—is about sporty, possibly exhilarating, driving, there is one thing that Acura is doing with the vehicle that sets it apart from its competitors in the class: It is offering its active-safety and driver-assistive technologies—as in Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with automatic emergency braking, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF) and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)—that are branded under the name AcuraWatch, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, standard.
It's not that the other manufacturers don't have such capabilities on offer, but Rivers notes that they do, at a price.
Related Topics
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Nio Plant Venture Lands $1.5 Billion Investment
Chinese electric-car startup Nio Inc. is forming a manufacturing joint venture with Beijing E-Town International Investment and Development Co., which is investing 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in the business.
COVER STORY: Engineering the 2017 Honda CR-V
It's the fifth generation of a vehicle that has been increasing in sales year after year since its introduction in 1997.


text:
I have been at CAP for 3 months and 13 days. It sounds like such a short time and I still feel like I just arrived. I am still learning my role here--it's no simple thing to transition into volunteer life. I am still learning about the people, both in CAP and in Jackson County, as well my service and the best way to accomplish our goals with the kids we serve. I am definitely still learning about myself and my gifts and my struggles. Still, I have been here for 3 months and 13 days, so I have already learned a few things.
I was struck by how nice everyone was upon my arrival. My first day in the Jackson Volunteer House I was hugging people and laughing. The next day, I came to start at Camp AJ and the CAP Leadership Team was there for a meeting and retreat. I ate lunch with them and they were all friendly. I spoke with the CEO and he told me about his grandson's summer camp experiences. That day, the camp staff were all smiling. They were obviously glad that their new volunteer had finally arrived. This welcome was similar to past experiences I have had with being the "new person," but this time, the welcome was more personal.
I kept waiting for this niceness to wear off, but that has not happened yet. There is a spirit of gratitude and generosity that has permeated this place. I am just waiting for it to fully permeate me and my own spirit. In the Jackson House, people are always thanking each other for basic deeds. This level of gratitude was so strange at first. I would be in the kitchen emptying the dishwasher and someone else would come in and help. The help was nice, but then they would thank me. The first week, this startled me. The second week, I was thanking people for doing things too. When my mom came to visit, she helped me prepare a dinner for the house. I thanked her for helping me cook. The surprise in her face made me wonder about the way I was before I came here. Sure I said "Thank you" sometimes before I came to CAP, but it was more out of habit and politeness than gratitude. Usually, my thanks was reserved for strangers and big swooping gestures. Often, it was an afterthought--something to be checked off a to-do list.
My first few weeks at camp were spent on orienting myself to the service I would be doing and going over expectations with my manager and coordinator. They told me over and over to keep them updated on how things are going and to let them know if I had any problems or concerns. They let me know that channels of communication are always open. Our camp caretaker also showed an interest in making sure that I was adjusting and finding things I needed. This concern and openness applies to all the employees across CAP. I have yet to meet an employee who is uninterested in helping volunteers, or a volunteer who is uninterested in the rest of the CAP community.
One day, I was coming to camp from school after doing my morning tutoring at one of the elementary schools. I stopped at the Jackson House to pick up a lunch, and then I was going straight to camp. I went inside, and grabbed my lunch. Then I realized that I had left my car keys inside the van and I only had my house keys. I panicked a little. I was worried about wasting time and bothering people and what if I could not find the spare key? I started hiking over to camp, mentally beating myself up over doing something so stupid. Then I remembered that people at CAP are nice. There was an easy enough solution; we would get the spare key and maybe someone could take me over to the house to get my van so I would not have to waste so much time.
I walked out of the woods on the trail and someone shouted a greeting. They were happy to see me and interested in how my morning went. I told them that I had done something stupid; I locked the keys in my van and it was stuck over at the Jackson House. I was right, they were not mad that the keys were locked inside the van. They were unhappy that I had not called them from the house to come bring me the spare keys. They explained that any one of them would have been happy to come over and help.
So you see, these people at CAP are super nice. Their generosity and gratitude is inspiring. Every person here at CAP is an awesome person. I cannot wait to be one of these awesome people. I just wonder if one year is long enough.
Anna P. is a long-term CAP Volunteer serving as an AmeriCorps Camp Educator/Summer Camp Counselor at Camp Andrew Jackson. She is a member of the Jackson Volunteer Community and is a graduate of Bellarmine University.


text:
About the Vending Industry
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text:
More crooks are "swiping" money from the MTA and ripping off riders by jamming MetroCard machines, amNewYork has learned.
The vandals, who force straphangers to buy swipes from them after they bust the machines, are targeting stations without token clerks, according to union leaders and machine repairmen.
An average of 236 MetroCard machines are vandalized daily, with incidents rising 26 percent last month compared to April 2009, NYC Transit data shows.
"We can't keep up with it. (The crooks) have a big circuit they do," said Pete Foley, a union leader for those who fix the machines.
The crooks alter the machine to prevent it from taking bills, forcing riders to buy a fare from them or a clerk. Last Monday, the line at the Port Authority token booth snaked throughout the station after a row of machines were jammed.
"It's an inconvenience for everybody. They're taking advantage of the system," said Anthony Lin, 35, a straphanger from Bayside.
"Swipers," as the crooks are called, have tampered with MetroCard machines for a decade, but they seem to be becoming more methodical. One gang of swipers will bounce among stations on a line, blocking security cameras with tape and using kids as lookouts, transit workers say.
"I think there should be personnel there to prevent that," said Steve Kenny, a Queens rider.
The crooks tend to target stations without booth workers, such as 174th Street on the D and 168th Street on the A. The cash-strapped agency is laying off station agents to save $21 million a year.
"These guys are not dumb. Anywhere there is no booth, they are running rampant," one repairman said.
One evening last week, there were 190 service calls that repairmen couldn't get to in Manhattan because of the backlog of jammed machines, union figures show. The average time a machine is out of service is six hours, according to transit data.
Machine jamming is "definitely an issue," Transit Police Chief Raymond Diaz said. Arrests for tampering with the machines are low, but police have developed a special unit to target hotspots that's starting to reduce fraud and vandalism, a transit spokesman said.
(Katherine Lieb contributed to this story)
7,091 incidents of a jammed MetroCard machine in April 2010.
5,620 times machines were vandalized in April 2009.
6 hours is the average length of time a machine is out of service.
(Source: MTA)


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Accelerate your business with the top 10 tools and top 10 trends of 2020, to accelerate your flow of customers, cash, talent and time.
The Speaker:
Renowned futurist and social entrepreneur, Roger James Hamilton
The Participants:
Leaders and guests of Europe's leading entrepreneur organisations
The Venue:
London, UK
The Date:
14 September - 15 September 2020
The Time:
8.00am registration opens (9.00am start)
Trend #1 - The End of Innocence
What happens when we lost trust entirely?
The lack of trust in longtime pillars of society among millennials is one of the most discussed and talked about topics currently. The big questions is of whom they trust to do the right thing most of the time. What could be more distinctly millennial than not trusting longtime pillars of society? There is definitely something bigger at work than just the millennials not trusting institutions that we know. Based on statistics, society wide trust in institutions is at or near record lows. So how do we move into 2020 when trust is lost in what is perceivably known?
Trend #2 - Rise of the Robots
What happens when robots outsmart us?
The big question here is - "Is this a good thing or should we feel nervous about this change?" As machine automation and artificial intelligence gain momentum in our lives, we are starting to see some positives with potentially life-saving robots (medical and dental) and then some negatives where online fraudsters and machines are taking advantage of the human population.
Trend #3 - Exponential Times
What if you could 100x in the next 10 years?
What will you be doing in the next 10 years to increase your impact and grow your business? By thinking exponentially and understanding these concepts, you will be better prepared for the changes that are happening around you.
Trend #4 - Entrepreneur 5.0
Are you aware of Society 5.0 and Humanity 5.0?
This year, the big topic at Davos and the G20 Summit is 'Society 5.0'. Society 5.0 is a brand new concept created by the Japanese Government to describe the coming 5th revolution, starting in 2020.
Trend #5 - This Time it's Personal
How can you personalize for every Individal?
Right now, you can learn anything. For free, just for you, for everyone around you and forever. Education is a legacy that cannot be taken away from you. Understand how to leverage off increasing your knowledge and learning into 2020.
Trend #6 - Hyper Reality
What happens when our virtual worlds appear real?
In an overpopulated world, with products for every need and whim, offline experiences have become key to personal fulfillment. This trend is already having extreme effects on the global economy and traditional business models.
Trend #7 - Superhuman Intelligence
What happens with AI becomes smarter than us?
How do we navigate our lives and businesses when Singularity is closer than we can imagine? Singularity will influence they way we respond to the varying complex challenges that the world is facing today.
Trend #8 - Our Digital Selves
Would you live forever if you could?
Technology and AI are making it possible for humans to achieve immortality. How do we navigate this life altering concept and embrace it as we head for 2020?
Trend #9 - Age of Abundance
What would you do if you started with nothing?
Imagine that everything changed today and what we know in terms of economy and businesses suddenly did not exist? What would you do if you started with nothing? This is a massive concept to wrap your head around.
Trend #10 - Worldwide Wealth
Is it possible to have worldwide wealth?
By understanding the Top 10 Trends and applying them in the most effective way for you and your business you will understand how to do this.
Roger is a world-renowned futurist, social entrepreneur and Impact Investor.
Roger is the founder of Genius Group, a $100 million group of companies leading the entrepreneur movement. Genius Group includes his tech company, GeniusU, which connects entrepreneurs to the smartest knowledge, connections and opportunities, and is growing from a $50 million to $80 million venture builder in the coming year. It also includes Entrepreneurs Institute, which is the largest Entrepreneur Network in the world, with over 2,000,000 entrepreneurs in over 200 cities.
He is also founder of Entrepreneur Resorts, the world's leading Entrepreneur Resorts and Beach Clubs Group, which had its IPO and became a listed company in 2017. Roger is the creator of Wealth Dynamics, Talent Dynamics & Impact Dynamics, used by over 700,000 entrepreneurs to follow their flow. All of Roger's companies empower the Entrepreneur Movement - collectively growing our ability to create and contribute wealth.
'I've been attending all the London events for the past 5 years. It's really valuable coming back to keep myself up-to-date with all the latest trends in entrepreneurship. There are not many places where you can get the latest entrepreneurship advice alongside a great growth culture and awesome community. Every time I attend the event, one thing that gets me is how much bigger I should be thinking. I wouldn't have started my business and taken the route I did if it wasn't for the many entrepreneurs I've met through the event. I've learnt a great deal as I grow as an entrepreneur and take action because of the learning from Roger Hamilton.'
Woon Tan, Founder of Podcast Publishing
'Kathy & I attended the one day event in Manchester & Birmingham in May this year, as well as the Exponential Entrepreneur in London in June.
The events were among the most exciting, interesting and challenging that we've attended. Roger's perception is phenomenal. He explains things clearly, drawing together many different aspects of personal and business development and still relates this to your real world experience. The events are fun, dynamic, welcoming, personal, engaging and unmissable. '
Howard Cain & Kathy Bradley
'This event highlighted the fast pace at which disruptive technologies are changing our business landscape whilst also showing us all how to embrace the change. This affects us all, so is a must for everyone before it is too late!'
Caterina Bernardini
'I have been part of this community for many years, I run an extremely successful business and the reason I come to Roger Hamilton's events is because each time I come, I learn something that can change my business, improve it or I gain some perspective in how I can make a difference in my community of vets around the world. I have had many light-bulb moments over the years which have made a massive impact in my business.'
Anthony Chadwick, Founder of Webinar Vet
General Admission
Free Wealth Dynamics Profiling test (worth $97US)*
We unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction with our European Entrepreneur Summit. If you dont believe you have got your money's worth, just send us an email within 48 hrs after the event and we will give you a full refund or exchange - whichever you prefer.
The Date:Monday 14 of September to Tuesday 15 of September 2020
The Time: Registration from 8.00 am (9.00am Start)
+ Where is the event being held?
London, UK
+ Who can I contact if I have any questions?
michelle nolting
+ What do I do if I cannot find my ticket?
Once you have been registered you will receive an email confirming your ticket. If you cannot find your ticket or the email, please do not worry, as long as you can give us your name we can scan you into the event on the day!
+ What happens if I haven't done my wealth or talent dynamics test before the event?
Please attempt to do your test prior to attending the event. We will have systems available at the event to be able to complete your test however we strongly suggest that you do it prior to the event to avoid queues.
+ What time is registration?
Registration is from 8am and the event starts at 9am.
+ If I arrive late, can I still join?
Yes you may, however please take care not to disturb the other delegates.
+ Can I bring a guest?
Yes you are welcome. There may be an additional charge at the door.
+ What is the dress code?
We recommend you to wear smart-casual; wear something that you are feeling
comfortable with and that
you'd wear at other networking events;
Ladies: You are good to come in clothes that still feel comfortable to move and sit with for a couple of hours each day!
Gentlemen: You are good to come without a tie and a suit!
+ Will food and accommodation be provided?
For Gold and Platinum guests you will receive a working lunch on both Saturday and Sunday which caters for various dietary requirements. For Silver guests there are plenty of cafes either in the venue or close by plus you will be able to enjoy Tea and Coffee during the breaks.
+ What do I need to bring?
Please bring your e-ticket. You can either print it out or keep it on your phone. We will scan the QR code to register you. If you can't find your ticket we can easily look you up in the system.
+ Everything you need to know about ticket purchases!
1.Online Ticket Purchase
Purchasers of tickets who are under eighteen (18) years of age should seek parental consent before purchasing tickets/ merchandises from our website. By transacting on our website, purchaser certifies that purchaser is at least (18) eighteen years of age & understands the conditions of use.
2.Transferring tickets
In the event that you cannot attend to receive the Event/course for which you booked, your ticket is transferable to another person, provided that you identify to us the person to whom you wish to transfer your ticket together with full contact details for your substitute, at least seven (07) days before the Event/course. Once the transfer has taken place the transferee will be bound by the same terms & conditions as the original ticket holder. Any funds due or outstanding will remain due from the initial attendee that agreed to these Terms and Conditions at the point of sale.
3.Event/Course changes
We may for any reason deem it necessary to change the Event/course dates, audience capacity, venue, speaker or hours without prior notice. In such circumstances, you retain the right to reschedule your enrolment in accordance with our rescheduling policy clause 3.
4.Event cancellation
If for any reason we deem it necessary to do so, we may cancel any Event/course by notifying you in writing, in which case, we will refund the total amount you have paid for your enrolment. This is your sole right and remedy against us and you will have no other claim against us for a refund or for compensation.
No refund can be made for cancellations or no-show at the event upon successful registrations. No refund can be made on any of the courses and mentoring programs organised by GeniusU or its partners. However, substitutions will be welcomed if you are unable to attend.
6. 100% Risk-Free Guarantee
We unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction with our European Entrepreneur Summit. If you dont believe you have got your money's worth, just send us an email within 48 hrs after the event and we will give you a full refund or exchange - whichever you prefer.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Entrepreneurs Institute is monitoring closely any developments of the Coronavirus, which first emerged from Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The health and safety of our team, our clients and our partners is, as always our top priority. We are following all safety advice and precautions as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Several countries have put in place screening measures at airports and points of entry to limit the spread of the virus. As such, for now, customers can be reassured that while we are monitoring the situation and staying up to date with guidance from the government and authorities and that it's entirely business as usual for our upcoming events and workshops. You can also check the WHO (world health organisation) website for more advice on the basic protective measures you can be taking
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The progress of equality in sailing can often resemble the turning of an oil tanker rather than a carbon fibre racing boat, but there are some new grounds for optimism at sea.
The race village of the 14th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre was officially inaugurated on Saturday and hosts the latest generation of women making waves.
There is a strong mission statement on the only all-female boat in the race. It is all about education, science and the secret is in the name of the boat: 4myplanet.
Skipper Alexia Barrier's cause was, and is, planetary rather than equality, and it was not part of her thinking when she chose Ireland's Joan Mulloy as her co-skipper.
"I didn't choose Joan because she's a woman," she says. "I chose her because she's a good sailor and because she has good energy and is always smiling - those things are really important on a race like this."
Barrier, who grew up sailing in the French Riviera, set up the 4myplanet foundation in 2010. "I'd done six or seven transats and was spending 200 days of the year at sea I was feeling very uncomfortable," she said. "I wanted to do something to save my playground and so I thought I can make myself a tool for science."
As well as collecting and testing water along the along the route, 4myplanet is one of three boats that will launch the two-metre long 30kg probe that will measure ocean salinity and temperature and will be tracked and picked up after three years.
Gender was not a cause that either chose, but it is one they have been confronted with, and both feel conscious of how the example they and others are setting can inspire.
"The way to change it is education and by showing little girls you can do whatever you want, you just have to go for it," Barrier says. "We're in France, not in Canada or Germany, it's not such an issue there," she says. "We're behind in France. We just had the first conference for women in offshore sailing (with the Magenta Project in Lorient on October 11/12), but it's a shame it's taken this long and didn't happen 20 years ago."
You might have thought Ellen MacArthur would have settled this a generation ago (yes, it's 18 years! since she finished second in the Vendée Globe at the age of 24). Sailing, particularly short-handed sailing is as much a test of endurance as anything and endurance is, at least, gender neutral (although Sarah Thomas might argue with that).
The 39-year-old Barrier is not alone in highlighting the sexism she sometimes faces. There are nine mixed boats beside 4myplanets among the 60 double-handed teams in the race, with the like of Sam Davies successfully skippering bigger budget campaigns like Initiatives-Cœur. But the antediluvian attitudes are still visible, worryingly close to the surface.
"When I've gone to meet potential sponsors, two or three have said: 'why are still sailing? You're 35, you should be having babies, it's time.'
"If a male skipper went to them they would never say that to him. It's terrible.
That's why I think we're not there yet. But it looks like there will be six girls at the Vendée Globe, which is great. The way to change it is education and by showing little girls you can do whatever you want, you just have to go for it."
Mulloy feels the same.
"When the Voiles et Voiliers piece came out and said there wasn't an all-female boat, we pointed out there was," Mulloy says. "We weren't bothered for us but it matters. There is an impact for those coming through to see those doing this at the next level of racing."
That impact was personal for Mulloy, 32, because she had felt it when the two skippers first met during the 2017 Solitaire du Figaro, where Mulloy was managing six boats for the Artemis offshore academy.
"I wanted to be sailing so it was inspiring just seeing her," Mulloy says. "It does make it more accessible, but in the way that seeing someone from Ireland makes it more accessible."
Mulloy, from County Mayo, is trying to do be that double inspiration.
Find out more at www.transatjacquesvabre.org


text:
Major Culpepper watched as Private Robards placed the last dynamite bundle.
"That'll do it sir."
"You're sure?" the Major asked. "We can leave nothing to chance."
"It'll be a magnificent explosion," Robards replied.
Robards picked up a wooden detonator box, being careful not to get his hand anywhere near the plunger at the top. The device was hooked up to a large spool of blasting cord, the opposite end of which was hooked up to the last bundle of dynamite. In turn, that bundle was connected to a long line of bundles placed on supports all across the bridge.
"I'll walk the box across, sir," Robards said. "I don't trust any of these other idiots with it."
"Very well," the Major said. "Just be sure not kill us all with that contraption."
One of Robards' helpers picked up the spool and walked behind the demolition expert, leaving a trail of blasting cord behind as they walked toward the Illinois side of the bridge.
The Major addressed the crowd. Corporal Bartlett took his place next to a squad of soldiers.
"Now then," Major Culpepper said. "Women and children only! All men say your goodbyes and then off you go back to the West to fight the zombie menace. Make your country proud."
An ornery looking man shouted, "Why don't you fight the zombie menace?"
The Major grabbed his belly and laughed. "Oh you are a card sir! I'm much too important to have my brains eaten. Away with you now!"
All the men turned and started to trudge back to Highwater. Women of all ages marched across the bridge. Some carried babies, others held their children by the hand.
One woman kept her face covered by a scarf. Her shoulders were wrapped by a raggedy, worn out afghan. A bonnet covered the top of her head. She hobbled along slowly, her right hand gripping a cane. With her left arm, she clutched a white cloth bundle.
Bartlett approached her.
"Oh ma'am," the Corporal said. "Here, let me help you that."
The old woman's voice was high-pitched. "No thank you sonny."
"Please ma'am," Bartlett insisted as he reached for the bundle. "You look very unsteady and I fear you might drop your grandchild."
The old woman looked down and shook her head. "Oh no, sonny. He's fine. What a nice young man you are for caring. Goodbye!"
Oddly, the old woman picked up her pace, walking as if she didn't even need the cane.
Bartlett kept up. He grabbed the bundle and pulled it away only to be surprised how heavy it was.
"Ma'am I don't mind helping you at all…what the…ooomph!"
Bartlett strained under the weight of the bundle. "What in the world?"
The old woman grabbed the other end of the bundle. "He's a very fat baby. Let him go!"
"What have you been feeding him?" Bartlett asked as he yanked the bundle his way.
"Buttermilk three times a day," the old lady said as she yanked the bundle back. "He'll be as big as Paul Bunyan one day!"
There the pair stood on the bridge, locked in a tug of war with the bundle, each refusing to give in.
"Stop!" the old woman protested. "You're hurting him!"
"Ma'am," Bartlett replied. "I'm with the government. You can trust me!"
Finally, each person pulled their end of the bundle so hard that the cloth came undone and hundreds of metal objects clattered all across the bridge.
Cutlery made out of pure silver. Forks. Knives. Spoons. Gold pocket watches. A flask or two. A cigar box. Rings. Necklaces. All manner of jewelry. Coins of every denomination.
Bartlett was shocked. He grabbed the bonnet that was covering the old lady's head to reveal a head of grimy receding hair. He then pulled her scarf away to discover that she was not a she at all.
It was frequent Bonnie Lass customer Roscoe Crandall.
"What's the meaning of this?" Major Culpepper asked as he stepped over to inspect the commotion. As soon as he saw the riches at his feet he added, "What in the name of William T. Sherman is all this?"
Roscoe started to reply with his old lady impression. "It's not…"
Seeing that Bartlett and Culpepper were not amused, Roscoe reverted to his own voice.
"It's not a bunch of peoples' personal belongings I looted from their homes while they were all busy running for their lives from the dead men I swear," Roscoe said. "It's all mine."
Bartlett raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Roscoe grabbed the lapels of his pink dress and puffed out his chest. "They are! I'll have you know I'm a rather well-to-do man in Highwater!"
Bartlett shook his head. "You're in a lot of troub…"
Before the corporal could finish his sentence, a bullet tore through Roscoe's skull. The degenerate's body fell to the ground.
The corporal turned to the Major, who was holding a smoking pistol.
"Sir!" Bartlett said.
"Oh don't give me that look, Bartlett," the Major said. "The man was clearly scum."
"But he should have had a trial!" Bartlett said.
"We're under martial law, man," Major Culpepper said. "The law's very unclear in dark times such as these."
The major looked at all the shiny objects on the ground, then back to Bartlett.
"Be a good man and scoop that all up, will you?" the Major asked. "We'll claim it for the war effort."
"But we should try to find out who the owners are," Bartlett said. "Maybe some of these things belong to the women."
"Nonsense!" the Major said. "We have a wall to build!"
Bartlett shook his head disapprovingly then remembered his place. He dropped to his knees and started picking up the items and placing them in the white cloth.
A feint sound interrupted his concentration.
Bartlett lifted his head up. "What was that?"
The Major nonchalantly dropped some tobacco into his pipe. "What was what?"
"Arrr! Arrr! Arrrrrwooooooo!"
"That!" Bartlett said.