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Newport Beach, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2013
Ultimate Aquatics, announces the acquisition of SUP Products, the industry leader in U.S. Made Private Label Hybrid Molded Composite (HMC) Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) & Accessories.
Under the terms of the acquisition, SUP Products will continue to operate as SUP Products LLC. With SUP Products strong market position and reputation for developing superior U.S. based SUP designs and accessories, Ultimate Aquatics has chosen Rick O'Leary for the role of CEO at SUP Products LLC. Manufacturing, quality control and product development will continue unchanged under the companies current contracts and agreements.
With the addition of SUP Products, Ultimate Aquatics will forge ahead as a leader in the Stand Up Paddle Board market by setting the bar for the highest quality U.S. made Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) in the industry.
As a result of accommodating the explosive demand for our "Made In The U.S. Stand Up Paddleboards a second manufacturing operation was opened in Dec 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. With the two U.S. SUP factories in full production SUP Products, will more than double its manufacturing capabilities and offer zone distribution for 2013 and beyond.
With the companies innovative ON-Demand U.S. Manufacturing capabilities, SUP Products has the ability to expand its existing dealer network rapidly with short custom order and production turn around and at the same time mitigate the damage and delays encountered when ordering product form overseas.
In addition to our ON-Demand manufacturing capabilities, SUP Products, is the only company to offer a limited lifetime warranty for its products and will continue to focus on ways to improve on it's proprietary Hybrid Molded Composite construction process to insure the most consistent shape, size and weight for every product the company produces.
Our mission is to build the highest quality, most affordable, made in the U.S. Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) and the most innovative accessories in the Market.
The benefits of HMC SUP construction
Hybrid molded composites (HMC) is not new to the water. This tried and tested manufacturing technique predates what is commonly refereed to traditional construction – Hand or machine shaped expanded Polystyrene (EPS) or Polyurethane (PU) foam wrapped in a fiberglass shell. In its most basic form HMC construction is achieved by creating a mold off of a master plug – usually traditionally constructed board. The mold consists of two parts, a top mold and a bottom mold. Each half of the mold is individually laid up, vacuum bagged and cured. The two halves are then removed from the molds, statically reinforced and joined using a proprietary process
HMC construction has long been prized for its durability. There are several advantages to HMC construction, these include the following.
Weather resistant: HMC boards are finished with a gel coat, the same as would be used on mega yachts. This finish is intended to be stored outdoors and will resist fading and breaking down over time much more effectively than paint on or under fiberglass.
Temperature resistant: Unlike traditional construction import boards with a foam core HMC boards are hollow. This disassociates them with many of the problems associated with foam boards such as delimitation, discoloration, melting and warping.
Ding resistant: Each HMC board has a skin of vacuum bagged / hand laminated saturated fiberglass or carbon fiber. This type of construction is known for its memory and will bounce back from most impacts. It is not indestructible, but is much more resilient than fiberglass on foam construction which has a tendency to reflect any denting or damage to the foam interior.
Repairable: Unlike traditional construction techniques borrowed from surfboard manufacturing HMC boards are closely related to canoes, kayaks and boats. Few people have the knowledge and experience with the specialized techniques and materials necessary to properly fix a surfboard. However, any boat house, dock or canoe club will be able to direct you to someone knowledgeable in the repair and maintenance of HMC craft. Repairs can easily be done at home with a little research and commonly found materials. (Repair video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMS1t0eeNmI)
Reliable: HMC construction is the most reliable form of reproduction in the world. The master plug used to make the original mold is a perfect example of the desired shape. Prior to creating the plug, the master shape is scanned with 3 dimensional technology omitting any imperfections. The plug is then polished to flawless perfection.
Unlike traditionally constructed import boards that are laminated one side at a time – which can create unwanted rocker as a result of the curing process – HMC boards are laminated and cured before removing them from the mold. This ensures that the board's rocker – the characteristic that has the greatest effect on a boards overall performance – is consistent with the original shape.
Adaptable: HMC construction allows the desired shape to be replicated in a number of different layups. Different materials can be used to change the weight and stiffness of the board. For this reason we offer HMC boards in e glass, carbon/s-glass and carbon/carbon options.
Affordable: The reliability and streamlined production process associated with HMC construction we are able to offer boards at a very affordable price. These boards offer every paddler a low price option to traditionally constructed race boards without sacrificing quality or performance.
And made in the USA!


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KDIR 2011 : KDIR- International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval
Conference Series : International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval
|Link: http://www.kdir.ic3k.org/
Call For Papers
Conference name: KDIR- International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Information Retrieval
Venue: Paris, France
Event Date:26-29 October, 2011
Knowledge Discovery is an interdisciplinary area focusing upon methodologies for identifying valid, novel, potentially useful and meaningful patterns from data, often based on underlying large data sets. A major aspect of Knowledge Discovery is data mining, i.e. applying data analysis and discovery algorithms that produce a particular enumeration of patterns (or models) over the data. Knowledge Discovery also includes the evaluation of patterns and identification of which add to knowledge. This has proven to be a promising approach for enhancing the intelligence of software systems and services. The ongoing rapid growth of online data due to the Internet and the widespread use of large databases have created an important need for knowledge discovery methodologies. The challenge of extracting knowledge from data draws upon research in a large number of disciplines including statistics, databases, pattern recognition, machine learning, data visualization, optimization, and high-performance computing, to deliver advanced business intelligence and web discovery solutions.
Conference Topics
* Information Extraction
* Machine Learning
* Concept Mining
* Context Discovery
* Foundations of Knowledge Discovery in Databases
* Data Analytics
* Optimization
* Interactive and Online Data Mining
* Process Mining
* Integration of Data Warehousing and Data Mining
* Data Reduction and Quality Assessment
* Pre-processing and Post-processing for Data Mining
* Mining High-dimensional Data
* Mining Text and Semi-structured Data
* Information Extraction from Emails
* Mining Multimedia Data
* Web Mining
* User Profiling and Recommender Systems
* Collaborative Filtering
* Structured Data Analysis and Statistical Methods
* BioInformatics & Pattern Discovery
* Clustering and Classification Methods
* Visual Data Mining and Data Visualization
* Software Development
* Business Intelligence Applications
* Data Mining in Electronic Commerce
› Conference date: 26-29 October, 2011
Regular Paper Submission: May 10, 2011
Authors Notification (regular papers): July 6, 2011
Final Regular Paper Submission and Registration: July 22, 2011
KDIR Secretariat
Address: Av. D. Manuel I, 27A, 2º esq.
2910-595 Setúbal - Portugal
Tel.: +351 265 100 033
Fax: +44 203 014 8639
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Web: http://www.kdir.ic3k.org/

subset: commoncrawl


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Winter can be an especially difficult time for those who are homebound. Between the shorter days and colder weather, this time of year is tough for many of us. But for people who are dealing with physical illness, have limited mobility, or are struggling with emotional challenges, winter is more than tough. The isolation can lead to feelings of hopelessness or depression.
This need presents a great opportunity for churches and individuals to reach out in tangible ways to homebound individuals.
Perhaps this means offering to bring someone a meal, or, if the person is able, to go out for lunch and a change of scenery. It could mean showing up after the latest snowfall to shovel the driveway or clear a sidewalk. Or maybe there are creative opportunities to plan a game night, organize a craft, or bring a guitar over and sing a few hymns. The options are endless!
Has your church has found any creative or practical ways to minister and show love to those who are homebound (for any reason) during the winter? Or, do you personally try and spread joy and encouragement to a neighbor, friend, or fellow church member who has a hard time getting out?
If so, I'd love to hear some of your ideas for meeting this need!


text: by Pete Brown | December 21, 2018 I got an Iodine Notebook from Elemental Paper, and it is really nice. My only complaint is the lack of a band to keep it closed, but the Tomoe River paper more than makes up for that. Pete Brown Published December 21, 2018


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Burn our 7 Day Saint Elena candle to petition Saint Elena for help. Comes with the prayer in English & Spanish on the back.
Get exclusive offers, email-only coupons and other surprises by signing up for our newsletter.
Our botanica offers over 10,000 religious and spiritual products. Need help finding something? Call or email us at email@example.com.
Copyright © 2022 Original Products. All Rights Reserved. This site was created by Lighthaus Design.


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Microsoft gifting Xbox 360 kiosks to US hospitals
Microsoft is to supply "hundreds" of 360 kiosks to American children's hospitals, the company has announced.
The initiative is the result of a partnership with the Companions in Courage Foundation charity.
"Microsoft is committed to keeping kids entertained in a variety of ways within a safer gaming environment, so partnering with Companions in Courage to offer children in hospitals a way to connect through something as universal as games is a natural fit for the work we do," said Xbox boss Robbie Bach.
"The goal for this program is to give these kids a chance to have some fun and just be kids."
Press release after the link.
Xbox 360 Kiosks Bring Games and Entertainment to Children's Hospitals
Microsoft partners with Companions in Courage to give young patients an outlet for games and chat via private Xbox LIVE network.
REDMOND, Wash. — April 23, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. today announced a new partnership with the Companions in Courage Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families who are overcoming life-threatening obstacles. As part of its commitment to providing fun, interactive entertainment for children, Microsoft is supplying hundreds of Xbox 360 game kiosks to playrooms in children's hospitals across the United States, intended to provide a respite for young patients and be a catalyst for fun. In addition to select games, movies and television content, the Xbox 360 kiosks will provide access to a private network that allows hospitalized children across the country to play games and chat in a safety-enhanced environment over Xbox LIVE, the world's largest social network connected to television.
Microsoft is celebrating this partnership and the installation of the first wave of kiosks with three simultaneous events today at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center of Seattle and the Children's Hospital of Orange County in California. Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft, will attend the Seattle event to commemorate the first group of Xbox 360 kiosks and the launch of the special Xbox LIVE network.
"Microsoft is committed to keeping kids entertained in a variety of ways within a safer gaming environment, so partnering with Companions in Courage to offer children in hospitals a way to connect through something as universal as games is a natural fit for the work we do," Bach said. "The goal for this program is to give these kids a chance to have some fun and just be kids."
Companions in Courage founder and National Hockey League Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine said, "Entertainment, creativity and personal connections can be important factors in alleviating some of the isolation and discomfort these children experience each day. Xbox 360 offers young patients a fun escape through games, TV shows, movies and positive interactions with others over the Xbox LIVE network. These gaming stations are a perfect complement to the interactive playrooms."
The customized and hospital-friendly Xbox 360 kiosks are pre-loaded with a variety of Y-rated TV programs, G-rated movies, games rated E and E10+, as well as Xbox 360 Headset and Xbox LIVE Vision Camera capabilities, which enable patients to communicate over a dedicated Xbox LIVE network. This network, created just for Xbox 360 kiosks and consoles in children's hospitals, allows patients to play games over Xbox LIVE, but limits chat via voice, text and video to only those children playing from select hospitals across the country. The industry-leading parental controls on Xbox 360, known as Family Settings, will be used to help restrict access to content outside ratings parameters, as well as the times during which patients can use the kiosks or consoles.
"It's extremely gratifying to witness the joy and excitement of these children and teens when they have a chance to break away from the normal hospital routine, and make new friends while playing video games," said Cynthia Sparer, executive director of Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian. "We are grateful that our partnership with Companions in Courage helps us meet the needs of our patients and allows kids to be kids even when they're sick."
To help bring even more Xbox 360 kiosks to children's hospitals across the country, individuals can visit the Companions in Courage Web site at http://cic16.org to make a donation.


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Last Wednesday, I attended the first round of the redistricting process for the new Cross Keys North elementary (aka Doraville United Elementary). Because of some of the options being discussed and thrown around, many teachers and parents have contacted me, worried about what is going to happen to their schools. Some have even asked if their school is going to be shut down. I have tried to assure them that with schools being hundreds of students overcapacity, they really shouldn't have anything to worry about as far as a school being shut down.
Having been involved in local and school politics for quite some time, I know that redistricting and schools are one of the most influential factors for a neighborhood and a city. Therefore, I feel that — as a city council candidate especially — I should be doing what I can to encourage thoughtful dialogue as a community. This is going to affect our communities for decades to come.
As you can see from the schools capacity handout and other meeting materials (click "Cross Keys North"), the redistricting process has the potential to affect many elementary schools and their feeder patterns into middle and high schools.
As I've written about many times, the schools in the Cross Keys, Chamblee, and Dunwoody clusters have suffered from significant overcrowding for some time. The new Cross Keys North elementary will significantly reduce overcrowding at schools like Cary Reynolds and Dresden; however, overcrowding is likely to remain a problem in some Dunwoody and Chamblee cluster schools even after this redistricting.
Given both a history and a future of overcrowding in these areas, the school district is rightly focused on the goal of making efficient use of school capacity based on projected enrollment. Achieving this goal means the most overcrowding relief for the greatest number of students.
With the school district considering asking for a tax increase to support more school capacity building and maintenance, it seems we literally cannot afford to have the current redistricting efforts result in schools that are significantly under capacity.
At last Wednesday's redistricting meeting on how to reduce overcrowding, one of the small group questions was: "Should any changes to the Oakcliff Theme School be considered as part of the options for redistricting in round 2?"
Before exploring what I love about Oakcliff and how it potentially relates to overcrowding, I want to provide some background: Oakcliff Traditional Theme School is a DeKalb school that's part of DeKalb's school choice program, but it is different from many other choice schools because, with a few small exceptions, it is a choice only for students in the Cary Reynolds and Dreseden attendance areas shown here and in the Pleasantdale attendance area shown here. (Please click on these links as understanding the maps and where Oakcliff draws its students from is very important.)
Because Oakcliff is a DeKalb school and serves a small area, it also provides bus transportation to its students. I understand we should have final October 2019 enrollment numbers soon, but based on the October 2018 data available on DeKalb Schools planning website, here's the 2018 breakdown of where the students attending Oakcliff came from last school year:
At Wednesday's redistricting meeting I spent time in a few different small group breakout rooms, including both the English and Spanish-speaking rooms, and a number of people also responded that they didn't want any changes to Oakcliff. It seems they, too, recognize, the high-quality staff and programming at Oakcliff, including its STEM certification and numerous community partnerships.
But in the small groups, I also heard a few other questions and comments. Like "How can I make sure my children attend the new school?", "I attend Oakcliff, but I would also be interested in sending my kids to the new school," or "I chose Oakcliff to avoid overcrowding in my neighborhood school."
These comments have me asking myself the following:
What will Oakcliff's enrollment be after the new Cross Keys North and the new Pleasantdale elementary (click here for the new Pleasantdale) schools open in the fall of 2020?
It's reasonable to assume that some current Oakcliff parents will opt to send their kids to one of the new schools in 2020. Some may also return to their home schools now that they won't be overcrowded. And what about beyond 2020? What will Oakcliff's enrollment be? What assumptions underlie these projections? How do these projections change if Oakcliff is transitioned back into a regular neighborhood school with a defined attendance area? What happens to these projections if you expand the area that Oakcliff draws from?
I will be asking the school district to provide the community with detailed answers to these questions about Oakcliff's projected enrollment in 2020 and beyond.
If projected enrollment at Oakcliff stays strong in 2020 and beyond with no changes, then the answer seems to be easy — no change to Oakcliff.
However, if projected enrollment at Oakcliff would decline significantly in 2020 and beyond, then the answer becomes much harder because having a school with significant excess capacity when other schools may become overcrowded seems like it undermines the big-picture policy goal of reducing overcrowding at as many schools as possible. Hopefully in the next round we will see some good options from the school district on how to address this scenario.
The bottom line is that from a personal perspective — as a parent of a current Oakcliff student, member of the Oakcliff PTA, and friend to many other Oakcliff parents and students — I don't want to see any changes to Oakcliff. Dr. Paschall and her staff and teachers do an excellent job, and the school district should do everything they can to retain, empower, and promote them. But if Oakcliff enrollment is projected to decline significantly, evaluating the options becomes much harder given the big-picture goal of reducing overcrowding for as many students as possible.
Please be sure to take the DeKalb County School District online survey regarding this redistricting process before October 6.


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If a brand is the perception of an organization that exists in the minds of those who encounter said organization, then an understanding of the human mind is critical to the work of designers who engage in branding initiatives. Understanding users, as well as the context of use, informs the development of brands that deliver a desired effect.
According to Psychology Today, each of us is subjected to anywhere between 3,000 and 10,000 brand exposures every day. We don't yet understand the complete psychological effect of so many commercial messages, but this much is clear: Logos play a big part in this increasingly rich and complex landscape.
Graphic identities need to reflect the values, demographics, and psychology of their intended audience. Many essential elements of a logo shape, color, pattern, etc. mean different things to different audiences.
Understanding people's needs and desires through research and rapid prototyping is one way of evaluating graphic treatments for a graphic identity. Can you test the appeal and connotation of a red logo in South Korea vs. Western Europe? Another method involves consideration of trends and the competitive landscape. What ideas are being adopted from another culture? Is Hello Kitty on the rise for your target audience?
What do these marks say about you? If you are in the target audience for any of these brands, they say a lot about someone else's understanding of you.
As a graphic identity moves into the physical world and interacts with spaces and objects over time, often the audience experiences a more visceral and immediate effect.
As you enter a retail store, do you pass through glass doors? Do the interior graphics entice you to look up or down? Does the space remind you of your garage or kitchen?
Do the photos in a brochure encourage close examination or a cursory glance? Does the text make you want to read it twice? Does the printed piece look like a phone book or a work of art?
From product packaging to selling environments, there's a time for soft and subtle and a place for bold and direct.
The application of program elements can be a powerful way of amplifying the psychological effect of the graphic identity.
The world's most memorable brands tend to distinguish themselves in the connotation not just the denotation of the value proposition. Brand builders strive to create just the right connotation for the brand in the mind of its target audience. Success in this endeavor is a rare and precious commodity.
While the idea of corporate reputation is nothing new among public relations and marketing professionals, linking diverse brand initiatives for a cumulative psychological effect on target audiences is the work of building a brand identity. It starts and ends with what people think—or, more accurately, what a brand can inspire people to think.
Most people don't know enough about wine to make educated purchases. Fortunately, wine distributors know a lot about people and they know how to craft packaging to capture the attention of wine consumers.


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The police showed up on my porch last week, my fourteen-year-old son, Jake, in tow. He was in trouble again for skateboarding and the police had confiscated his board. Jake's first interaction with the police happened two summers before, coming home from the skate park. The police pulled up alongside him and told him if they caught him on his board they'd take it away. He was very upset when he told us about it.
At that time, local ordinance prohibited skateboarding on sidewalks in the business district, but not in residential areas. After I complained to the police department about my son's treatment, the ordinance was changed to cover all areas of the town. Since then, Jake has had repeated run-ins with the police, and was ticketed for skateboarding on the sidewalk in front of our house.
While we won't pay Jake's tickets for him, we also will not forbid him to skateboard in our neighborhood. The police have tried to explain to us that skateboarding is dangerous. Of course, Jake has come home with scrapes and bruises and torn clothes. But while we have gotten him to agree not to skateboard in the street, I believe there are some risks worth taking.
Rather than sitting inside parked in front of a television or computer screen, Jake is getting exercise in the fresh air. He takes pride when the hard work he puts in to learning a trick pays off, and calls us to watch him perform it. He videos his friends doing tricks on their boards and shares them with us.
I understand the thrill and the sense of accomplishment he feels. At the age of forty I decided to learn to ride horses. I was ready for a new challenge and riding pushed me, physically and mentally. I had to face my fear of falling, of not being fully in control–an illusion many of us like to maintain.
Since then I have worked hard, moving from trail riding to the jumping ring. Two years ago I was challenged again when, after breaking my wrist in a bad fall, I had to get back in the saddle. Riding has taught me how to be completely present in the moment, because it demands that of us: focus, attention, responsiveness. That is also what Jake is learning on his skateboard.
Of course, he is also learning disobedience. We have insisted he behave respectfully with the police. He has researched the law on skateboarding in other towns and has written a petition to reverse the ordinance. So he is also learning about engaging in civil action.
And yes, he could get hurt, badly hurt. So could I. But there are risks we all face every day: in our kitchens, on the highway. Riding is teaching me to be comfortable with unpredictability. The lessons I learn in the riding ring I bring forward into my life. Because I believe that always playing it safe holds its own hidden dangers.
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I want to share my story in the hope that it will raise awareness and lead to change.
Unfortunately, I have come across several sexual abusers in my life. What upsets me the most is even when they were caught, the sentences they were given were pitiful.
Aged Five – Like most children I started school at 5. This was the place I first lost my right to a normal childhood and where my innocence was stolen. An older child who was being molested at home, molested me. He was confused about what was being done to him. I wanted to tell my mum, but it happened the same day my Grandad passed away.
I didn't tell her until after he molested me the second time. Thankfully action was taken to separate me from the boy, and the police investigated what had been happening to him.
His Uncle; who was responsible for molesting him only got a few months Home Detention!!
He wasn't even fully prevented from seeing his nephew. This boy was a minor, 11 years old, and not properly protected by our Justice System.
Aged Six – I started music lessons when I was 6 years old. It was here that my music teacher did disgusting things to me. I tried to tell my mother, but she assumed I was just wanting attention. She told me "lightning doesn't strike twice". It wasn't until 5 years later that the Police met with my Mum. They told her they were looking into my music teacher, and his 'behaviours'.
My music teacher molested me every week for 5 long years. Twelve girls stood against him in court. He took our innocence, our security, our safety and our psychological stability. He ruined our lives. This monster was only sentenced to a few short years in prison. The number of years he served were less than the number of years he spent abusing me.
Aged 13 – This was the age when the effects of my sexual abuse became obvious. I was so confused. I had no idea how to deal with the horror I had endured. I didn't know any better. I thought my biggest purpose in life was to be a sex object. I had sex with adult men who took advantage of my confusion. They were all aged between 19 to 24. They knew better. They knew I was only 13 but they did it anyway.
If someone is under 16 they cannot consent. One of them had previously been taken to court for sex with a minor, but the case was thrown out.
There was no doubt he did it. He was 21, I was 13. He had sex with two other girls in my class at school, they were my exact age; only 13. I still talk to one of the girls he harmed. Like me, she suffers the pain of what he did to us. He is free to live his life without consequence. We both know there is no point trying to build a case against him. It has been ten years since it all happened. We both know the Courts won't do anything to help us.
Growing up I had a family member who took thousands of photos, in public areas, up innocent women's skirts. He would then distribute them online for the world to see. Thousands of women whose lives were affected by this selfless and sick crime. The man responsible did not even serve 2 years!! He got 21 months for his crimes-How is this Justice?
Aged 23 – Present Day. I have a wonderful supportive partner who I love very much. I have a gorgeous, healthy child. I do fear for the safety of my child's future growing up in NZ. Our country has a such prevalence of abusers. Our Justice System shows such lenience towards sexual crimes.
My partner has also experienced abuse, he took his abuser to Court last year. My partner had plenty of evidence against his abuser. His abuser had previous offences against a child-something that was not allowed to be mentioned in his trial.
The abuser received so much more support than my partner, it was sickening. My partner lost the case. I have watched my partner wake up with panic attacks after having nightmares from the abuse he has suffered. I have seen him twitch and tic as his body and mind try to process and cope with the trauma he has endured. I have seen him panic with fear after he see's someone who may look like the man who abused him. My partner who went through hell was not allowed to bring up important details of his abuser's past and what he did to him. His abuser now walks free. This was the final straw.
I have witnessed the Court System and the Justice System let so many of us down. Sexual assault is a serious crime, it needs to be treated as such. We must implement better Laws and better policies around these crimes. We must change how sexual assault cases are presented in a Court Room and how the offenders of sexual crimes are sentenced. Victims are not being acknowledged. The abusers are walking free and it hurts!!


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When most people think about 900 numbers for television, they think about those ads with girls in hot tubs that have been seen on American television since 1987. This is true even though at&t and MCI have not allowed adult entertainment on 900 numbers for years.
Yet it was television that made 900 numbers a reality. Such numbers first were used on television when ABC wanted a way to gauge public opinion of who won the 1980 presidential debate between President Jimmy Carter and challenger Ronald Reagan. Viewers chose the Californian, and a new presidency and a new technology were launched.
Years later, those zanies from "Saturday Night Live" got in the television 900 number act as well. Host Eddie Murphy polled the viewing audience on whether to boil Larry the Lobster or spare its life. The sympathetic viewers chose to spare the crustacean, but Mr. Murphy boiled Larry anyway.
Today, interactive text messaging is the newest rage for polling television audiences. It's quick, easy and the viewer doesn't even have to get up from the couch to dial like in the 900 number days.
Moreover, text messaging can be either standard rate (free to the television viewer) or premium rate (where the viewer pays a fee to participate). Hence, text messaging can become a profit center for the television station.
But clearly a place remains for the use of a 900 number involving a television audience participation event. If the Dec. 11, 2005, edition of ABC's "Wide World of Sports" is any indication, TV viewers still like the ease of participating through a 900 number.
ABC's Marshall's Figure Skating Challenge let viewers vote for the best male and female figure skater during the two-hour show. Viewers were permitted to vote for free online or pay 75 cents to vote via a 900 number or through text message.
Viewers cast more than 105,000 votes during the event. The free online version garnered the most votes, but only slightly ahead of the 900 number. Text messaging was a distant third.
The successful use of the 900 number in the figure skating challenge emphasizes that 900 numbers still have a role in television broadcasts. It makes one wonder why television doesn't use 900 numbers more often. Maybe it's those girls in hot tubs who still linger in the minds of TV executives. n


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WASHINGTON – Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb, 76, of Mobile, Ala., and has named Bishop Thomas J. Rodi of Biloxi, Miss., as his successor.
The resignation and appointment were announced in Washington April 2 by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Archbishop Rodi will be installed as Mobile's archbishop at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile June 6. The 59-year-old archbishop has led the Biloxi Diocese since 2001; Archbishop Lipscomb has been Mobile's archbishop for the past 28 years.
The Vatican has also named Archbishop Rodi as apostolic administrator of the Biloxi Diocese until another bishop is installed.
"I am both honored and humbled by our Holy Father's appointment to serve as archbishop of Mobile," Archbishop Rodi said in an April 2 statement.
"I respect and admire Archbishop Lipscomb and am grateful for his ministry," he added, saying, "I intend to rely upon his good judgment as I become acquainted with the people of the Archdiocese of Mobile."
Archbishop Lipscomb submitted his resignation to the pope in 2006 when he turned 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to turn in their resignation. He will turn 77 Sept. 21.
He said he was "grateful to Archbishop Rodi for accepting this new charge," and described him "as no stranger" to the Mobile Archdiocese because of his familiarity with the area as a native of New Orleans and bishop in neighboring Biloxi.
He also praised Archbishop Rodi for being "in the forefront of helping the church and community of south Mississippi to cope with and overcome the ravages of Hurricane Katrina."
Archbishop Rodi earned a bachelor's degree from Jesuit-run Georgetown University in Washington in 1971 and a law degree from the Tulane University Law School in New Orleans in 1974 before entering Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, where he received a master of divinity degree in 1978.
After being ordained in 1978 for the New Orleans Archdiocese, he was an associate pastor at three parishes. In 1986 he earned a licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington and was a professor of canon law at Notre Dame Seminary from 1986 to 1995.
In the New Orleans Archdiocese, he was director of the Office of Religious Education, executive director of the Department of Pastoral Services and archdiocesan chancellor. He also served as vicar general and moderator of the curia.
His episcopal ordination and installation as bishop of Biloxi was July 2, 2001.
Archbishop Rodi currently serves on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Subcommittee for Home Missions, Committee for Canonical Affairs and Church Governance, and the Priorities and Plans Committee. He is a former member of the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.
The Archdiocese of Mobile has a Catholic population of 67,351, about 4 percent of the total population of 1,680,384. It includes the lower 28 counties of Alabama and has 76 parishes and 11 missions.


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As a food person who teaches cooking, I often get asked what my favorite restaurant in L.A. is — a daunting question for anyone due to the magnitude and expanse of such a place as Los Angeles. How about narrowing it down a bit. Why not wonder what my favorite Italian place in Santa Monica is. Now we can actually have a stab at an answer, don't you think?
Well I went to such a place on Saturday night with my husband and although we have been there a number of times I still vote for Capo on Ocean Avenue and Pico Boulevard as hands down the best meal I have had in Santa Monica and maybe in all of L.A.
Wow! Now that is quite a claim, but seriously this place is unreal! I know, I know it is too expensive, but what are we talking about here? Any good restaurant anywhere — even on an island in the Puget Sound — is expensive. The minute you have food made to order with any type of atmosphere and decent service you are looking at $100 per person for dinner. So Capo is a bit more than that — it is well worth it. I for one don't enjoy most restaurants because I can cook better than most and often find the trendiness of a place a huge turnoff. So I love to find somewhere like Capo that has been there for years and is not overrun with trend spotters where the food is fantastic, service professional and atmosphere romantic and cozy.
We had the tasting menu as there were so many choices I figured let the chef decide what is best. I am glad we went that route although with eight courses it was a bit too much food for me. It began with a homemade white corn ravioli which was divine and moved on to a wonderful artichoke salad, delicious baked crab, porcini mushroom soup, heirloom tomatoes with burrata, grilled branzino, seared New York steak with fava beans, and finally ended with a plate of homemade cookies, tiramisu and crème brulee. Whew! This was enough food for us to have split the tasting menu, but who knew. Next time we will have that choice. We both truly enjoyed the entire experience with no complaints and would love to return if only to sit at the tiny bar and enjoy a glass of wine and one or two appetizers.
This is the perfect place for a special occasion or a romantic dinner for two and reminds me of the great restaurants in New York.
My version of one of their pasta dishes, gnocchi with pesto, is a beautiful alternative to the traditional gnocchi made with boiled and mashed potatoes. This version utilizes ricotta cheese and comes out light as a feather. I wish you all the enjoyment of making and eating this simple, tasty dish.
Amanda Cushman is a culinary educator who has cooked professionally for 25 years. She teaches privately for groups of two to 20 students. She has developed hundreds of recipes for cookbooks as well as food magazines and Web sites. She can be reached email@example.com.
Ricotta gnocchi with pesto
Serves 8
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3 cups basil leaves, washed dried
3 tbs. toasted pine nuts
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and pepper
1. Blend the cheeses in a medium bowl. Add flour and salt until dough becomes a smooth ball.
2. Turn out onto a floured work surface and divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and cut into gnocchi shapes as shown. Refrigerate the gnocchi for about 30 minutes before cooking. They can be frozen at this point as well.
3. Combine the sauce ingredients in a processor until blended, taste and adjust seasoning. Add water if it's too thick. This can be frozen for up to three months.
4. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil and add the gnocchi about 20 at a time. When they rise to the surface test one for doneness. Remove to a bowl and toss with a sauce.
Wild mushroom sauce
Serves 4 to 6
1/2 oz. dried porcini, soaked in hot water to soften for about 20 minutes
5 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds wild mushrooms, wiped clean and quartered
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
Salt, pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
chicken broth, as needed
1 pound short shaped pasta
Freshly grated parmesan
1. Drain the porcini reserving the liquid and chop the mushrooms, set aside.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and sauté the fresh mushrooms until they soften slightly, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and parsley sauté for another minute.
3. Add the porcini to the skillet with their juices and cook for 3 minutes. De-glaze the pan with the wine adding salt and pepper to taste, reduce the wine to half, about 10 minutes.
4. Add the cream and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding chicken broth is needed if the sauce is too thick.
5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente in a large saucepan of salted boiling water, drain and transfer to a serving bowl.
6. Toss the sauce with the pasta and serve with the grated cheese.


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Veteran Owned, Operated and 100% American Made Flags
In the spirit of patriotism, convention-goers can buy wooden flags handcrafted by combat veterans at the 2016 Republican National Convention underway in Cleveland, Ohio.
Flags of Valor—a veteran owned and operated company—is one of 22 vendors showcasing their product at this week's event.
Air Force veteran and President of Flags of Valor Brian Steorts said he got the idea for the company after being injured while deployed. He joined the FOX Business Network's Maria Bartiromo to share his story.
"I went to a rehabilitation program and I didn't wear my uniform anymore, I'm used to having my flag on my shoulder and so it kind of upset me," Steorts said. "There was a flag that I found that was actually a beautiful flag, but it wasn't made in the United States, and so for therapeutic reasons I started making my own and I wanted to make it all with materials made in America."
Steorts said he'd never done woodwork before, but picked up the trade by watching 'do it yourself' videos of painting and distressing.
After it became a passion for Steorts, he says he launched the Virginia-based company to offer jobs to veterans.
Flags of Valor now employs five other combat veterans and sells handcrafted U.S. flags named after specific groups of people or military events.
"We're very old school" Steorts said. "We make everything by hand. We believe Made in America still matters, we believe that our veterans are an untapped resource, and believe in giving back."
When it comes to hiring, Steorts said he advocates for veterans because they thrive in the workplace.
"It's a great therapeutic transition for them to go from military lives to civilian and to really search for that camaraderie and brotherhood that we have at our company," he said. "I'm a veteran myself and I know what drives me and what drives these men and women. They've been through some very intense conflicts and they're very well at handling stress and being in those kinds of environments."
Steorts said he hopes to spread that message and share his love for America at this week's convention.
"We've gotten to connect with almost every one of our customers in one way or another, and it's very rewarding to know that something that I started in my garage…. and have gotten to train ally my guys, my team back in Virginia, veteran craftsman," he said. "It's self-rewarding and it's philanthropic when we give back. We love being able to promote patriotism like this."


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A group of leaders in Congress wrote to Betsy DeVos to complain about her Department's failure to demand accountability from the Charter Schools that win federal funding. She has $440 million to hand out to charters, and she has chosen to shower millions on corporate charter chains like IDEA, KIPP, and Success Academy. All of these chains are super rich. They don't need federal aid.
The charter industry is angry because the House Appropriations Committee cut Betsy DeVos's request from $500 million to $400 million. Tough. She uses the Charter School Program as her personal slush fund.
The fact is that the charter industry wants to play a game of pretending to be progressive while sleeping with Trump and DeVos. Sorry, that doesn't make sense. You can't be funded by rightwing ideologues and still be "liberal." You can't take Walton money and pretend to be progressive. You can't be anti-union, pro-segregation and claim to be progressive. Nope.
As the charter industry grows more defensive, watch them cry "racism." Please note that many of the signatories of this letter are Black and Hispanic. Note that one of them is Jahana Hayes, the Connecticut Teacher of the Year who was elected in 2018.
The letter can be found here.


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Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Part One - Off The Road with Dave Lawrence
Browse and hear the complete Off the Road series at hawaiipublicradio.org/offtheroad.
Today our series welcomes guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who spoke with HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence remotely from his home in the Nashville area.
Kenny, with all touring and most live music halted, has recently released his first-ever live DVD, also released as a live album, called Straight To You Live. The guitar icon was in between tours for the project when the pandemic put the road plans on hold for now.
In addition to details on the European concert the release is based around, he shared how he had a surgery scheduled during the first days of the pandemic and what that unusual experience was like, as well as providing insight into the ways artists have dealt with the uncertainty of upcoming tour dates, offering perspective on how booking agents and artists manage making plans during the crisis, which has revised the way tours and concerts are being booked, often as tentative events.
Kenny also paid tribute to one of the musical luminaries lost to the virus, Ellis Marsalis, and connected the dots to musicians he's been associated with, who, in some cases, like Ellis, came into his life due to his father, whose own passion for music and role as a sometime concert promoter brought him together with other musical legends we'll hear about tomorrow.
Off the Road is a series of interviews with musicians remotely sharing how they've been touched by the pandemic and other crises, including hours of conversation and many exclusive musical performances, speaking to artists across the musical spectrum.
Browse and hear the complete Off the Road series at hawaiipublicradio.org/offtheroad.
See a live video for the song in our radio feature:
Hear Kenny's 2011 interview with Dave.
See video of the complete concert this live release is based on:
Browse and hear the complete Off The Road series at hawaiipublicradio.org/offtheroad.


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Speaking for the first time as coach of Inter Milan, Stefano Pioli said Thursday he is targeting a quick return to the Champions League. Inter is ninth in Serie A, eight points behind third-place AC Milan and the final Champions League spot.
"We need to have a winning mentality," Pioli said. "The squad has the right values to play in a concrete and winning way. The aim is to get them to play with passion, that's how we'll become a strong team.
"I would be happy if we get to the Champions League. Last year at this time Inter was first and (eventual champion Juventus) was way down, we all know how it finished. I don't want anyone to be under any illusions. It won't be easy but there is time to do it."
The last time Inter was in the Champions League was in 2011-12, when it was knocked out by Marseille on away goals in the round of 16.
Pioli replaced Frank de Boer, who was fired last week after Inter lost seven of 14 matches in all competitions. He is Inter's ninth coach since Jose Mourinho led the club to a treble in 2010.
Pioli, who has said he's always been an Inter fan, faces rival AC Milan in his first match on Nov. 20, after the international break.
"We have a very important month coming up," Pioli said. "We will have eight matches in a month, we will need everyone. I will make sure everyone is ready. Above all, I want everyone to have the right attitude."
Pioli spent nearly two seasons in charge of Lazio. He led the Rome club to a third-place finish in his first campaign, but was fired last April after a 4-1 derby loss to Roma.
Besides Lazio, the 51-year-old Pioli previously coached his hometown club Parma plus Chievo Verona, Palermo and Bologna in Serie A. In 218 matches as a Serie A coach, his teams have a record of 73 wins, 62 draws and 83 losses.
He has been given an 18-month contract at Inter.
"I'm not worried about my future," Pioli said. "I'm just focused and motivated. I'm coaching Inter, I can't think about anything else but that. I will give everything. My contract doesn't matter, the only thing that matters is the good of Inter."
De Boer was hired less than two weeks before the season began following the unexpected resignation of Roberto Mancini, who reportedly wanted more control over the transfer market and clashed with Suning, the Chinese retail giant that took control of 70 percent of Inter in June.
Inter's youth squad coach, Stefano Vecchi, was given temporary control of the senior team for a 2-1 loss at Southampton in the Europa League on Thursday – leaving the Nerazzurri last in their group – and a 3-0 win over last-place Crotone on Sunday in Serie A.


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Event: Trail Building Workshops - Tai Lam CP - Jan 2012
This is your chance to step and make a difference for Mountain Biking where it really counts: building trails!Story Update: Jan 7th 2012 - "Get your Dig On Everyone"
Tony Boone and HM Lim are already in town and scouting the new trail. According to Tony, the new trail will be longer than expected at about 8km. Good news is that the new trailhead for for the Tin Man will be located at the picnic site at the bottom of the road segment that leads up to the Fire Tower.
Tony also issued a personal plea to riders here to get up there and pitch in:
Tony also issued a personal plea to riders here to get up there and pitch in:
"get your dig on everyone! HM Lim and our great AFCD crew have almost 2km of new trail already flagged...from picnic area to Tin Man below the fire tower....hummmmm that's gonna make the Tin Man very happy.....He'll be much longer, stronger and packed with serious flow....get your All-mountain rides ready for a true blue trail! see below, WE NEED MORE DIGGERS PLEASE!"
If you do choose to ride upto the work site to help, please note that to access is it you must pass through the picnic site (see rough map below). The picnic area is not yet open for bikes so the AFCD has kindly offered to store your bikes in their van near the site... and I promise you its no ruse - they WILL return your bike.
Here is where the work site is located - note the picnic area (white box in the middle). The yellow line is just a rough, imaginary Tin Man trail that for illustration purposes shows the start and finish points. I am sure the final line will look have many more delighful curves... and dont forget that you are most welcome to pitch in to make a dream come true.
The complete map of Tai Lam can be found in our route finder download here: Trail Finder - Tai Lam Country Park (2.9 MB)
The road network map is here: Route Finder - Tai lam (TMS) road network (2.44 MB)
* note that you must sign in to be able to download these maps
Story Update: Jan 3rd 2012
We have already had a fantastic response and about 40 HKMBA members have signed up. AFCD informed the HKMBA today that there is still lots of room for anyone interested in joining these workshops.
See below for registration details.
See below for registration details.
Good news for a change!
Another trail in Tai Lam Country Park will soon be legalized. This trail known by many as "Tin Man" or the "Fire Station Trail" is about 5km long and will no doubt be everyone's favorite haunt in the years to come.
There is a catch however. The AFCD wants you to help build it. Beginning in January 2012 Tony Boone from IMBA Trail Solutions will return to oversee the trail design and help train local volunteers to assist in building it.
Last Spring Tony helped train volunteers and AFCD to build the short beginner trail at Route Twisk. This collective effort proved first hand that building sustainable and fun mountain bike trails in the Country Parks is a real possibility and does not require tens of millions of dollar and the mega-engineering forces of the CEDD to accomplish. It just needs a good sustainable design, simple tools and folks willing to work hard, side by side and grow this sport together, metre by metre.
The AFCD has allocated a limited number spots for HKMBA members to join the workshop on one of four days in January. These spots will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. The HKMBA will collect the names of our volunteers and forward them onto the AFCD by Dec 21st, 2011.
Date: 8 & 15 Janaury 2012 (Sunday)
7 & 14 January 2012 (Saturday)
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Registration :
- please include your name and phone
- indicate which day(s) you want to help out on and in order of preference so we can ensure all volunteers who are interested can be accommodated.
- indicate if you will be requiring bus transport from either Tsuen Wan MTR or Kowloon Tong MTR
- deadline still open
- cost: FREE
Materials and equipment: to be provided by AFCD (but volunteers are expected to wear suitable clothing, and bring their own drinking water and lunch)
Food and Drinks: Pack your own lunch and beverages as none will be provided.
Clothing: Weather conditions at this time of year can change quickly from bright, warm sunshine and 20C to cold, wet, and windy conditions. Bring footwear that is suitable for hiking and that you dont mind getting muddy or dirty. Also bring some work gloves if you have any.
Public Transport to the Twisk Management Centre: Take KMB #51 from Tsuen Wan West Rail (or near Tsuen Wan MTR). Get off at the bus stop 26 "Country Park" at the top. The Twisk management centre is on the southern side of the road. The frequency of the bus is every 30 minutes or so. Here is the KMB route map: http://www.kmb.hk/en/services/search.html (plug in route 51). Get off at Stop 26 "Country Park"
AFCD Bus Transportation: If you cannot make your own way to the AFCD Route Twisk Management Centre, AFCD will supply a 24 seat coach to meet volunteers at the Tsuen Wan and Kowloon Tong MTR stations. Look for the bus marked "AFCD Trailbuilding Workshop"
- Kowloon Tong MTR pickup at 8.45am (see blue pin on map below)
- Tsuen Wan MTR pickup at 9:15am (see blue pin on map below)
Transportation within the country park will be provided by AFCD.


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Katia Dvorianinova got her Master's degree in Cell Biology from Lomonosov Moscow State University. Short research internship at the UMCG during the studies inspired her to find a PhD position in Groningen, and in February 2018 she started working in ERIBA in the Laboratory of Asymmetric Stem Cell Division and Ageing. Her project is focused on the role of signaling activity in cell fate specification.
Besides doing a PhD, she is also involved in the organization of recreational activities for employees in her department (as part of a PhD committee), and writes short reviews on freshly published preprints for the preLights portal (an initiative supported by The Company of Biologists).


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A Showcase Of Durutti ColumnArticle
10/08/2015, Paul PLEDGER
I can remember the first time I heard The Durutti Column. It was 1984, It was raining. Hard. A brace of thunder-rumbles and lightning-bolts followed me home from Plymouth's open-air market, home to Rhythm Records. In my hands were two of the first Factory releases I had ever bought, "From The Hip" by Section 25 and the one I ended up playing first - "Without Mercy" by the Durutti Column. In true time-honoured tradition, both bloody albums were pressed with the labels on the wrong sides. Before taking them back to Rhythm to swap them, I played them. I never took them back.
I didn't know what to expect from either record, but I liked the sleeves. The Durutti one had a rough cardboard cover with a Matisse image pasted crudely onto it, artistically at an angle of course. Noting the role-call of impressive musicians alongside mainman and guitarist Vini Reilly, I placed the record on the platter, lowered the arm onto the vinyl and listened. As the rain hammered down outside and the sky growled ever louder outside my house, the subtle melancholic tones of the saddest piano kick-started the record. This pleasing near-classical coda then ended abruptly when a drum machine kicked in, a lightly picked electric guitar began fading in and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. What a great sound. I turned it up to hear the beats juddering around the room like electronic whip-cracks and decided that this was rather fabulous. Although the record appeared to have only 2 tracks, the music was split into passages - the second on this (incorrectly labelled) side was a dubby, urgent beast whilst the record closed with a repeat of the same opening refrain preceded by another DMX-led meander through sadness. I played the whole side again. In fact I didn't want to turn the thing over in case I was bitterly disappointed, but I did and I wasn't. I played that side twice as well.
And so began my love affair with the skinny boy's music. The next Durutti release I invested in was "Circuses And Bread" on sister label, Factory Benelux. By comparing it to Without Mercy, it fell short of expectations. I didn't dislike CAB initially but, apart from the 2 versions of "Dance" and a couple of the piano-led pieces on side 1, it just didn't light my fuse. However, I wasn't put off playing it over and over or from buying Reilly's earlier recordings. Vini's elegiac first full-length foray into vinyl, "The Return Of The Durutti Column", certainly hit the spot. No vocals, no repetition and no filler - bang on. "Sketch for Summer", "Colette" and "Katherine" remain the equal of his best work, no question. His other early albums, however, are collectively a mixed bag. "LC" is on the one hand triumphant and shimmers and glistens with the likes of "Jacqueline", "Messidor", "The Act Committed" and "Never Known", while "Another Setting" suffers from muddied production and a poor pressing, save for "The Beggar" and "Prayer". Thankfully, with the next few albums, Durutti Column releases hit a purple patch.
"The Guitar & Other Machines", released in 1988, is jam-packed with imaginative ideas and memorable moments, not least the radical reworking of the previously sullen and solemn, "Bordeaux" (from "Another Setting") and the stunning, noisy opener "Arpegiator", an example of Reilly 'rocking out' a bit. But the biggest notable change is the presence of technology. Mixed with the usual warmth from guest vocalists and the ubiquitous strings nursed by John Metcalfe (previously on "Without Mercy"), tracks are also sprinkled with harmonica, hefty beats (in places) and tunes, TGAOM still sounds like a serious stab at commercial longevity without trying too hard or bending over forwards. Factory even plugged the album with a free instore flexi-disc promotion, a square shaped artefact with rare 90-second excerpts of four album-tracks. Standees full of the blighters were left on the counters of Virgin stores. I still have a handful of them.
His next album brought drummer Bruce Mitchell into the spotlight. "Vini Reilly" is a collection of sample-flooded instrumentals with spanish guitar and real drums (with real drummer). With subtle drops of found samples (Otis Redding, Annie Lennox, Tracy Chapman and a few I don't recognize) respectfully weaved into the tapestry, Reilly made yet another truly unique album. I was lucky enough to see the Durutti Column at WOMAD in 1988. Most of this album featured throughout the show and he got a rapturous applause for playing "Otis". Happy days.
Times change and so do designers. The garish, modernist pink and yellow sleeve designed by 8VO is somewhat far removed from the pastoral images of earlier Durutti Column albums, yet fitted in nicely with acid house and the impending rave-culture being championed by the label's Hacienda nightclub. Strangely, "Obey The Time" was overlooked by the chemical generation and equally shunned by the critics. However where I worked, in Our Price in Plymouth, it was a regular Saturday morning (and most mornings) fixture on the store stereo. It wasn't and still isn't a particularily ground-breaking release, but stands as something of a leap forward for Reilly, who utilised a drum machine in place of Bruce Mitchell (except on the plaintive "Art & Freight".
In fact there was also very little guitar in evidence, something which may have alienated a few fans at the time - it worked perfectly for me and is ideal music for Saturday comedowns, apparently. Tracks like "The Warmest Rain" and "Fridays" are sparse and minimal, whilst the opening and closing vignettes "Vino Della Casa Bianco" and "Vina Della Casa Rosso" and the spine-tinglingly beautiful "Home" showed a warmer, more personal side to his oeuvre. It certainly impressed a few Our Price customers with a dozen sales straight off the deck during its first couple of weeks. A 12"/CD single featuring a Together Brothers remix of "Contra-Indications" was released to mute acclaim. Sadly, "Obey The Time" proved to be the last official Factory album for Reilly.
The next studio album, "Sex and Death", appeared on Factory Too and marked a solid return to guitars, female vocalists and a line-up of capable musicians such as Peter Hook, Rob Gray, Stephen Street (producing) and previous regular DC members, Bruce Mitchell and John Metcalfe.
Where OTT was sparse and minimalist, SAD was bursting with fresh ideas and a bold production from Stephen Street. Despite being issued additionally on CDRom (in a sandpaper sleeve again) and garnering favourable reviews, the album sank without trace. I think it is one of DCs best 5 albums, but in an age of Brit-pop, Blur and Oasis, no-one cared. Many songs remain the equal of his key early material - "The Rest of My Life" and "Beautiful Lies" being the stand-outs. Also once again, the instrumental tracks strengthened Reilly's reputation as a masterly guitarist - "Blue Period", "My Irascible Friend" and "For Colette" are all utterly wonderful and still timeless.
Belgian indie and ally Les Disques du Crepuscule released his next album, another set of electronica entitled "Fidelity". Unfortunately, the Brussels label were as hapless at promotion as Factory and the album was largely ignored. This remains a shame - "Fidelity boasts some fine tracks. "G & T", "Abstract Of Expression" and the stunning "Guitar For Mother" would make worthy inclusions on a DC "Greatest Hits" album.
In 1998, "Time Was Gigantic.. When We Were Kids" appeared as a lead-in to increased activity involving Durutti Column's back-catalogue. Several re-issues of his Factory output appeared on London, with Tony Wilson humourous and sometimes arch sleevenotes, ensuring that his legacy continued. Sadly, the new album was a mixed bag. Elli / Eley Rudge provided some light relief amongst the moody darkness with songs including "Twenty Three", "I B Yours", "Drinking Song" and "Sing To Me", the latter being a rather enjoyable meander and a potential radio-hit.... if only. The album does stray a little on "Abuse", "My Last Kiss" and "Highfield Choir", while the hopeful closing piece, "Epilogue", formed the backdrop for the later Singles Club release, "Kiss Of Def", a pummelling Drum N Bass experiment that is right up there with J Majik, Photek and Digital with its uncompromising beats, yet underlying beauty - bassheads, take note.
The next set, "Rebellion", is a pot-pourri of the usual, beautiful Durutti Column music ("4 Sophia"), clumsy and forlorn vocals masked by samples ("Longsight Romance") and nouveau-folk with vocals by one of many female contributors, Vick Wood ("The Fields Of Athenry"). One track features a rap from Bic but it just doesn't sit well as an album track - maybe a 12" release would have sufficed. There are flashes of excellence on here, but overall it's a fussy and fraught album that dips into alien territory rather too much. Bruce Mitchell's wonderful and skittery drumming is also notably absent from much of the album.
Further releases on Kookydisc appeared in the following months after "Rebellion", including a further rounding up of so-called Sporadic Recordings that paired the first hard-to-find volume from the '80s with a further gathering of high-end demos. Good release, although not all of the tracks from volume one are included (a handful had already seen a revisit for those Durutti reissues on London).
There followed another new album, "Someone Else's Party", a welcome improvement on "Rebellion". Although quite vocal-heavy, this was a set that sounds like a return to form to these ears. The opener, "Love Is A Friend", captures radio samples (Top 40) and brassy couplets, mixed subtly with drum machines and a pretty guitar landscape. But it was the more plaintive choices that worked a treat. "Spanish Lament" sees Vini playing alongside the "Crying" montage sampled from the David Lynch film, "Mulholland Drive" and, whilst some would see this as direct theft, it is a match made in heaven (he name-checks the source on the sleeve). "Blue" and "Goodbye" hark back to the "Return Of...." days with sparse and minimal arrangments and "Vigil" and "No More Hurt" stir drum-loops and breaks with the typically-mournful Reilly vocals to successful effect. Sure, there are a few drab moments but, overall, this album stands up as a credible DC release. US radio even commissioned an edit of the Bhangra-tinged "Woman".
Back to Earth with a bump for the next album, "Tempus Fugit". This frustrating set seems to draw from previously released material for its selections and sounds muddled. "Lullaby 4 Nina" features a melody from "We Stumble" whilst "Guitar - Woman" had previously turned up on the previous release SEP. Much of TF just doesn't get going and once again ardent fans felt a little disappointed. Thankfully, Tempus Fugit's shortcomings were a temporary blip.
Follow-up album "Keep Breathing" sports a great sleeve and contains some fine music. "Nina" and "Its Wonderful" are once again sampled-laden excursions into guitar-laden electronica, but arguably its the fabulous "Maggie" that becomes the album's centrepiece.
Using "She Moves Through The Fair" as a vocal template, Reilly conjures up images of deserted beaches at sundown and mountainous highlands bullied by harsh winds and teeming rain. Elsewhere, "Helen" is lyrically forgettable but tremendous on sound and "Big Hole" is a bit indulgent. But "Neil" shimmers like a bag of diamonds and harks back to "Catos Con Guantes" and "Homage To Catalonia" days, as does the oddly-titled "Lunch". It doesn't all gel, but Keep Breathing ain't half bad.
Before another 2 issues of rare demos, there was to be another studio release, "Idiot Savants". Like "Rebellion", "Another Setting" and "Time Was Gigantic", the album suffers from being erratic in delivery and just too muddled to be fluent. "Interleukin 2" was dedicated to the recently-deceased head of Factory, Tony Wilson, and is far and away the best track here. But aside from "Please Let Me Sleep" (acoustic finger-magitrickery), Idiot Savants goes down as a rather forgettable exercise.
Far better is "Sporadic 3" which rounds up versions of previously-released songs and rare pieces, plus the plaintive opener "Birthday Present". As with previous Durutti compilations, Sporadic 3 covers all bases, electronic and organic and scores well.
The 2008 album, "Sunlight To Blue.. Blue To Black" is a hark back to jaw-dropping Reilly beauty. "Glimpse" borrows from "The Party" and sets the scene for this melancholic, mainly-acoustic collection that ranks highly in the DC canon (Mr Wilson would have been proud). "Ged" and "Grief" compare musically to earlier works such as LC or Without Mercy. "Ananda" wouldn't be out of place on a Ludivico Einaudi or Kate Bush CD while a cracking remake of "Never Known" (which also pinches from "All That Love & Maths Can Do") gives you enough reasons to pick up a copy.
Also issued in 2008 was a specially-commissioned soundtrack to a performance-piece written and performed by dance-troupe, 12 Stars. "Treatise On The Steppenwolf" is more of a step back to the days of Fidelity and some of the later Sporadic Recordings material and features electro-beats and spoken samples among the usual engaging guitar-work from Reilly. In 2008, LTM continued their Durutti-release program with the release of "Live In Bruxelles 13.8.1981", a fascinating document of a young Reilly experiencing European culture in concert for the first time and includes a radio-interview, as well as live favourites "Sketch For Summer", "The Missing Boy" and "Jacqueline" alongside rare tracks "Stains" and "Danny".
Artful Records followed up "Idiot Savants" with another studio-album in the shape of Love In The Time Of Recession. Although still not a peerless outing, it's an improvement on its predecessor, sporting memorable tracks such as "I'm Alive", "Lock-Down" and the lovely "For Bruce".
However, it was to be Kooky who would provide the next essential Reilly outing, although the circumstances surrounding its release were hardly joyous. 2010's "A Paean To Wilson" is essentially Reilly coming to terms with the death of his friend, Tony Wilson. The tracks cover old and new, short and long pieces and even features Wilson delivering a passionate rant about the then-government's economic policy and the continued widening gap between rich and poor.
Presented as a double-disc set and supported by a handful of live-shows, this homage to Manchester's most misunderstood maverick is perhaps Reilly's most assured and complete work since Guitar and Other Machines or Vini Reilly. There are samples, there are pretty pieces and there is also a fair bit of Bruce Mitchell's deft and exquisite drumming throughout. "Brother" includes a Marvin Gaye sample which sort-of works (though purists might disagree), "Duet With Piano" revisits "Royal Infirmary" (from Circuses and Bread) and "Catos Revisited", er, revisits "Catos Con Guantes", the elegaic 8-minute spanish-guitar exercise from Sporadic 3 and the EP, "When the World". It's an album that demands a complete sitting, rather than a skip-through via an i-Pod and heralding something of a return to form.
That form and renewed vigour was dampened somewhat by Reilly's ensuing personal and health issues, documented in the tough-going 2011 set, "Chronicle". Issued only at a few Durutti Column shows in the same year, the album was shelved indefinitely some months later while Reilly recovered from a stroke and relationship issues which temporarily paralyzed him, physically and emotionally. He has since performed a few short slots here and there, but continues to receive treatment to this day.
In 2012, LTM commissioned a welcome vinyl-only release of the legendary aborted album, "Short Stories For Pauline". Issued as a limited run of just 1000 copies, the selections have all been previously issued on various compilations during the past couple of decades, yet haven't been compiled in one place before. Housed in an authentic Factory Benelux sleeve and retaining its intended catalogue-number of FBN 36, Short Stories is an impressive effort and reveals what might have happened had Without Mercy not happened back in 1984. Which brings us full circle, for the moment.
This review also appeared also on Flipside Reviews.
Paul PLEDGER
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My new gpu is running at x8 1.1 instead of x16 3.0 on my motherboard Gigabyte AX370 Gaming Rev 1.x even though if its connected to the x16 slot. See the screenshot
How to solve this issue?
How to solve this issue?
- R5 2400g
- 1050ti Asus
- AX370-Gaming
- 2x8gb Crucial 2400 oc'd to 2666
- 1xWd Blue and 1xEvo 250Gb
- 5x CM Case Fans Red Led plus 1x CPU Cooler
- Corsair CX450 80+Bronze
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Main Characteristics
Blanford's Foxes are a small species of fox. They have a body length between 40 and 50 cms (15.7 - 19.7 inches), a tail length between 33 and 41 cms (13 - 16 inches) and they weigh between 3 and 4 kgs (6.6 - 8.8 lbs).
They are light tan or greyish in colour with a pale coloured underside. Their long, bushy tail has a black tip. They are solitary and active at night.
Blanford's Foxes are found in the semi-arid regions, steppes and mountains in west and south Asia.
Blanford's Foxes mainly feed on fruit, such as melons and grapes, insects and rodents.
After a gestation period of 51 - 53 days, Blanford's Foxes give birth to 1 - 3 cubs. At birth the cubs weigh between 50 and 100 g (1.8 - 3.5 oz). They are weaned by the time they reach 6 weeks old and reach sexual maturity at 8 - 12 months old.
Humans are predators of Blanford's Foxes.
There are no subspecies of Blanford's Fox.
Interesting Facts
Blanford's Foxes are also known as:
Afghan Fox
Dog Fox
Hoary Fox
Steppe Fox
Please note: There are two entirely different species of fox called Hoary Fox (Lycalopex vetulus) and Corsac Fox (Vulpes corsac).
Copyright © 2012


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AMC has tapped CMT programming exec Eliot Goldberg as senior vice prez of unscripted programming. He will report to Joel Stillerman, the cabler's exec veep of original programming, production and digital content.
Goldberg transitions to AMC after serving as CMT's senior v.p. of original programming and development, handling the country channel's reality series including "Bayou Billionaires." Before his tenure at CMT, he oversaw development and original programming for TV Land, launching "Hot in Cleveland."
At AMC, Goldberg is tasked with overseeing the network's growing reality slate, which includes "Talking Dead," "Comic Book Men," "Freakshow" and upcoming series "Owner's Manual."
"Eliot is a talented executive with both network and production company experience and a proven ability to tell authentic stories and find characters that resonate with audiences," said Stillerman. "I look forward to having him join the team at AMC, and help us continue to evolve our unscripted strategy."


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Plants and Bugs
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Schooling for 8
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Hey You
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Sunnyside Farm Truck
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Lazy Valerie & her Seven Daughters
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Murakami House – 22/52 2017
"The house was built in 1885 on piles over the marsh. The Murakami family – ten children, mom and dad, lived in the residence from early 1929 to 1942. The refurbished home and boat works opened in May 1998 to visitors for the first time. The Murakami family has provided valuable information and artefacts enabling us to share their story." http://ift.tt/2sCunzt
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Wake Up Juice
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Bridal Veil Falls – 21/52 2017
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The State Department has confirmed that three family members of Foreign Service employees at the US Embassy in Haiti perished during the earthquake.
No names have been released so far. From the 01/25/2010 – Daily Press Briefing – January 25:
I did not realized that the dependents killed in Haiti were all family members of one employee. State Department employee Andrew Wyllie who was working for the United Nations in Haiti lost "his wife on her birthday and his seven-and-a-half and five-year-old children," according to Secretary Clinton. My heart is full of sadness. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Updated: 1/27
Andrew Wyllie's wife Laurence and his two young sons Evan and Baptiste were lost in the disaster. Click here for the official statement from the State Department.
Courtesy photo published in
The Newport Daily Express. (h/t to David L.)
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Website: www.tofinocommunityfoodinitiative.com
The Tofino Local Food Project aims to connect local foods grown within the Alberni-Clayoquot Region with the local community of Tofino and surrounding areas. Through the connection of smaller or newer growers we are able to increase accessibility to affordable food for residents within the region and provide a direct connection between grower and consumer. The project aims to fill a void at the Saturday Market by providing fresh produce on a weekly basis to both locals and visitors alike. We look forward to seeing you soon at the Tofino Local Food Booth at the Tofino Public Market!
The Tofino Local Food Booth at the Tofino Public Market is a project supported and funded by the Tofino Community Food Initiative. Additional support has been provided, in part, by the District of Tofino, Eat West Coast and our dedicated volunteers. Proceeds from the booth go towards supporting the Wickaninnish Elementary School Garden.


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It is my great pleasure to take part in the release day celebration for Flying Lessons & Other Stories! This wonderful middle-grade anthology was made in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, which was co-founded by the editor, Ellen Oh. I was lucky enough to be able to read an advanced copy of this collection - thank you Random House Kids! - which I have reviewed below. So check out Flying Lesson & Other Stories, read my impressions, and pick up your own copy today!
Flying Lessons & Other Stories
edited by Ellen Oh
Published: 3 January 2017
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 240
Formats: Hardcover
Age Level: 8-12
Source: Provided by Publisher
Whether it is basketball dreams, family fiascos, first crushes, or new neighborhoods, this bold anthology—written by the best children's authors—celebrates the uniqueness and universality in all of us.
In a partnership with We Need Diverse Books, industry giants Kwame Alexander, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Peña, Tim Federle, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Walter Dean Myers, Tim Tingle, and Jacqueline Woodson join newcomer Kelly J. Baptist in a story collection that is as humorous as it is heartfelt. This impressive group of authors has earned among them every major award in children's publishing and popularity as New York Times bestsellers.
From these distinguished authors come ten distinct and vibrant stories.
It is no secret that the world needs more diversity. Or rather, we need to embrace more diversity. How boring would it be if everybody was exactly the same? I personally love how people are so different from one another, with different traditions, food, languages, culture, mythologies, you name it. Lately, I have been making a conscious effort to read more books with characters of a different background and ethnicity than my own. I have found that doing so has greatly enriched my life and made me even more curious about the world around me! Having this desire to read more diverse books in my own life made it easy to jump at the chance to read Flying Lessons & Other Stories.
The funny thing about me reading an anthology is I have never really been a fan. Now, I'm not saying they're bad in any way, it's just that I get involved in the story, the characters, and then it... ends. I want more! I have tried my hand at reading them a few times, but I still found I had a hard time not knowing more. Am I alone in this? Anyway, one of the things that impressed me most about Flying Lessons & Other Stories is the fact that I felt they all ended quite well. They seemed much more full and complete on their own than others I have tried in the past. Kudos to all!
One of my favorite stories was Choctaw Bigfoot, Midnight in the Mountains by Tim Tingle. I loved "Turtle Kid", his dozens of cousins, and his animated Uncle Kenneth. The story Uncle Kenneth tells about the Naloosha Chitto, or Bigfoot, is awesome. I could easily visualize all the children gathered around their Uncle Kenneth at the big family event, listening with wide eyes, and asking many questions. This story was charm itself.
Another favorite of mine was The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn by Kelly J. Baptist. My heart broke and lifted continuously for Isaiah and his family. They experience a lot of hardship, and he misses his father tremendously, but Isaiah always seems to find a way to make it through. He is one tough kid, that is for sure. Along the way, he discovers some stories his dad had been writing. It was lovely to see how Isaiah pays homage to his father whilst also trying to keep his family afloat. Isaiah's tale is at times sad and heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful.
I could talk and talk about the stories within this anthology for quite a while, but I shall refrain... for now. Honestly, I was most pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this particular anthology. I would love to read longer versions of so many of them, but I am satisfied with the length of them nonetheless. Flying Lessons & Other Stories is a spectacular anthology with top-notch authors and engaging stories. I highly recommend it to all!