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When you've decided to take the first step towards running your own business, you need to start by creating your business plan and winning financial backing.
Crafting your business plan
The business plan is the essential first step that will convince investors you have an idea worth supporting by showing evidence of real demand. "You have to prove first that there is an opportunity and the proof will come from the field, from interviews with potential customers," says Frédéric Iselin, HEC Paris affiliate professor in entrepreneurship and innovation. "The need has to be intense and shared among a lot of people." Companies like Apple which develop new products in strict secrecy have helped to fuel a belief that the most innovative ideas cannot be tested by market research. Professor Iselin believes that is a mistake.
"It's a strong belief in the start-up community but it's absolutely wrong," he says. "Being realistic is a matter of facts and figures coming from the field. If you have done market research, field interviews, expert interviews, and you have a big sample with good methodology, then we will trust you. But if everything just comes out of your brain, no one will trust you."
"You have to prove first that there is an opportunity and the proof will come from the field, from interviews with potential customers." ~FRÉDÉRIC ISELIN, AFFILIATE PROFESSOR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION AT HEC PARIS
Finding investors
The next stage is to present the pitch to investors, although technology has opened up a new option of crowdfunding through sites such as Kickstarter. However, successful crowdfunders usually have some larger backers to kickstart their Kickstarter³. Most founders start with money from people they know – "the three Fs, friends, family and fools," jokes Professor Iselin. After that, they will often seek finance from business angels, investors who take a risk on projects in their infancy. The average angel investor receives 8 percent of the equity for an investment of about £42,000, according to research in the UK⁴. If a business continues to hit the milestones agreed between investors, it's likely to seek funding from Venture Capital investors (VCs). With the promise of far higher investment come more professional processes and a new shareholder agreement dividing up ownership of your company. "If you want to play the game, you have to use their rules, or you don't get the money," says Professor Iselin.
"Entrepreneurs should realise that simply raising cash isn't everything. They need to ensure that investors share their long-term goals and strategy as well." ~ETIENNE KRIEGER, AFFILIATE PROFESSOR & SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR OF THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTRE AT HEC PARIS
For this reason, Professor Krieger says entrepreneurs should realise that simply raising cash isn't everything. They need to ensure that investors share their long-term goals and strategy as well. "Do not try to maximize your valuation without looking at other key issues," he says. It is just as important to build consensus between shareholders, find investors with strong reputations and make use of VCs' networking skills. Similarly, he warns entrepreneurs not to consider their job complete when they win a big funding round, just because their company now has a big nominal valuation. That's only "virtual wealth" until the founders and investors can cash out with an IPO or get acquired by a bigger player. "Do not compare yourself with Mr. Gates once you succeed in securing an important financing stage: the hard work is still ahead!" says Professor Krieger.
³ Source: Vulkan, N., Astebro, T.B. and Fernandez Sierra, M., 2015. Equity crowdfunding: A new phenomena. Saïd Business School WP, 21. ⁴ Source: Wiltbank, R.E., 2009. Siding with the Angels: Business Angel investing-promising outcomes and effective strategies. NESTA.


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Product Description
- Ultra-Range 50″ Extended Rollers: Most massage chairs have rollers that massage the entire back and rely on airbag technology to massage underneath the lower back. The Titan TP-Pro 8400 not only uses rollers to massage the entire back and neck, but extends into the seat to knead the glutes and the top of the hamstrings. This premium feature is mostly found in massage chairs that are priced over $5000, making the TP-Pro 8400 an attractive model
- Zero Gravity: During the popular Zero Gravity recline position, your legs are positioned above your heart and your weight is evenly distributed throughout the chair, giving you a "weightless" feel. The NASA-inspired technology relieves pressure on the spine, relaxes the neck and back, increases circulation and blood oxygen levels, and expands lung capacity
- Back Heat: The TP-Pro 8400 is equipped with two heating pads in the lower back region to increase the effectiveness of your massage. Lumbar heat therapy provides relief to those suffering from lower back pain by increasing the oxygen flow to help heal damaged tissue. Heat therapy also forces your lower back to press more firmly against the backrest for a stronger and deeper massage
- Dual Foot Rollers: The TP-Pro 8400 includes two (2) mechanical rollers on the bottom of the ottoman that target your acupressure trigger points by kneading the bottoms of the foot soles. The TP-8400 adds a speed adjustable foot roller component to chair, making it one of the few models that allows you to alter the speed of the foot rollers
- 24 Airbags: The massage track extends from the base of your skull all the way to inside the seat using "L-track" massage technology. The remainder of your body is massaged using air massage technology, which will provide a rejuvenating squeeze to you shoulders, arms/forearms, calves, thighs and feet
- Space-Saving Design: The TP-Pro 8400's innovative space-saving design permits you to place the massage chair within 6″ of the wall, which saves floor space in any room you place the chair in — small or big. The chair will never hit the wall even at its maximum recline position
- Chromotherapy LED Lights: When the massage chair is turned on, the TP-Pro 8400 casts cool colors on the surrounding walls, creating a soothing therapeutic-like atmosphere. For an even better experience, enjoy this feature with the lights in the room turned off during your massage session
- Foolproof Remote Control: The TP-Pro 8400 is equipped with an easy-to-use remote control. Choose any auto programs or any manual function with ease. When you've chosen your program, hide the remote control on any of the chair's two side pockets.
- Easy to Assemble: Unlike most massage chairs, this chair comes mostly assembled straight out of the box. Simply attach the foot ottoman and you're ready to use the chair within 5-10 minutes. Comes in one box
- 5 Auto Programs: Choose from Ache/Relief, Comfort, Demo/Relax, Upper Body, and Lower Body

subset: commoncrawl


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The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, no. 7406570. Registered office: 1 Interfields Cottage, Lower Interfields, Malvern, England, WR14 1UUWeb site designed in-house by DHRS © 2022
Half size Fairbourne based, DHR 'B' Class 'Sherpa' at the Littlehampton Miniature Railway, Dec 2019
During December 2019, the 12.25 gauge Littlehampton Miniature Railway hired the half size Fairbourne based DHR replica 'B' Class loco 'Sherpa', to work its Santa Specials and service trains.
Views of the loco, decorated to a standard which might be in India.Loco being used on 'Santa Services', on Saturday 14 December 2019.
More pictures to be seen on Littlehampton Railway website.


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Subliminator is subliminal software made for desktop PC's and laptops, which runs in the background and can play up to 5 messages at once. Select positive affirmations and motivating images to play to your subconscious mind.
Take popular personality tests such as the Big 5, Dark Triad, and our very our picture-based morality test.
Play our gamified version of the Attentional Network Task — a real-world experiment based on attention. We will be releasing more tools and games to help you learn more about psychology in the near future.
Improve the mind
Subliminal messages to change your
negative thinking patterns.
Understanding the mind
Attentional task to measure your attention.
Understanding the mind
Interactive game to demonstrate our
limited selective attention capacity.
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text: Sort by DateRelevance Online reviews - a guide for business & review platforms This guide has been designed to help you ensure the integrity of reviews on your site, or about your business. 3 December 2013 Trampoline safety This checklist will help to ensure your trampoline doesn't spring a nasty suprise. 3 October 2013 Wheat bags: safety alert What you need to know about the safety of wheat bags, also known as wheat packs. 15 July 2013 How competition in supplying landline telephone services benefits you This factsheet is part of a series explaining how our regulation of the telecommunications industry works. 15 July 2013 How the ACCC ensures that you can make calls to people on all telephone networks What you need to know about: How the ACCC ensures that you can make calls to people on all telephone networks 15 July 2013 Safe soccer goals guide - keeping kids safe A guide for teachers, coaches, volunteers and assistants involved in kids' soccer. 26 June 2013 Ban on small, high powered magnets This bulletin provides information about the permanent ban on certain small, high powered magnets. 18 June 2013 Keeping baby safe - a guide to infant and nursery products The Keeping Baby Safe Booklet provides some easy steps you can take to ensure your baby remains safe in your home. 18 June 2013 Hot water bottle compliance This bulletin provides information about the laws you must follow if you sell hot water bottles in Australia. 11 June 2013 More toys for under 3s covered by safety standard Outlines the new requirements of the revised mandatory standard for toys for children under three. 27 May 2013 1 2 next › last »


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You have been given your assignment. You tremble! This new warrior's outfit is shiny new. Are you ready to fight the good way?
Of course you are!!! Let's re-cap:
The Belt of Truth – God will help you live and speak Truth because Truth will come out.
The Breastplate of Righteousness – God is protecting your heart to live a righteous life.
The Shoes of Peace – Christ's sacrifice on the cross can help you stand firm with peace.
The Shield of Faith – when doubts and fears come, you have faith to deflect satan's schemes.
The Helmet of Salvation – God's Helmet keep things in perspective.
The Sword of the Spirit – The Scriptures give you your life's guide book to strengthen and move ahead.
God knew what He was doing to help us with life's assignments. He knows you are a Single Mom dealing with some tough stuff. He offers you each piece of armour to FIGHT THE GOOD WAY.
Yes, THE GOOD WAY. That will leave little room for revenge, bitterness, and stinkin' thinkin'. As humans, struggles are a part of life. He doesn't leave us stranded but supplies this outfit.
When you have your armour on, He wants you to PRAY.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:18
Who better to encourage us to pray then Paul. He was fighting the Good Fight bound by unjustified chains.
Prayer is what will make you move with this armour. Pray while holding your child and wiping their tears. Pray when you are lonely, pray when your ex-husband has been unfair and mean. Pray when you see your ex and his girlfriend at the mall. Pray when you need wisdom in the legal battles and pray about your finances. Pray, pray, pray. Paul says, on ALL occasions with ALL kinds of prayers and requests.
God wants you to talk to Him about your day and challenges. He wants you to tell Him how you are feeling, when exciting news come (I bet He gave you this), and when you need advice. Don't forget to take time to be silent and listen to Him. Pray when you are pushing the grocery chart, going for a walk, cooking meals, packing lunches, in the car, doing laundry, and signing legal papers. Just as you breathe, pray.
Many people use God like a Genie in a bottle. They have a dilemma and they cry, HELP! They never think of Him at any other time. He is their convenience God.
Real prayer is the battery to move you forward. In communion with God Almighty, He will give you
- wisdom when you feel unwise
- strength when you feel you are walking on your ankles.
- comfort and love when you are lonely and feeling unloved.
- joy in sorrow
- provisions of needs
God created us to be in relationship with Him. He loves it when we talk to Him, ask for Help, and thank Him. So with this new armour, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.
Single Moms, let your life be one of prayer. Sometimes we think God isn't listening or answering. He is! I prayed for my ex to come home. He never did. Did God still care or listen? Yes! However, the choices of my ex left the girls and me in some troublesome times. YET, and I say, YET God helped me to heal, to be all I could be and live a life of fulfilment as LINDA. I am so grateful!
God sent miracles my way, provisions for survival with success, and deepened my faith. He placed all these pieces of armour on me, and then said, Linda, talk to me. And I did just that!
OPEN YOUR TOOL BOX: I see your hands folded in prayer reading Ephesians 6!
- Do you feel God is like a Genie, or do you talk to Him all the time on all occasions?
- When God doesn't seem to answer, keep praying for direction
- Pray when you have to face court, your ex, and dealing with his family
- Pray when making lunch, driving, at kids' activities, and when you are having fun
- Pray for God's provisions
- Pray and tell God about your day. He will be your wonderful, true blue Friend
With YOUR ARMOUR OF GOD IN PLACE, AND YOU ARE BATHED IN PRAYER….MARCH FORWARD!
Because…. YOU CAN DO THIS!


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[facebook ]https://www.facebook.com/DailyMail/posts/118372951... data-width="800"
Wet nursing is making a comeback, if Lacey Dangerstone has anything to say about it. The 27-year-old Fort Worth mom has launched an international campaign to encourage the practice, which involves breastfeeding other women's children, according to the Daily Mail.
Dangerstone, a former nanny, has breastfed 14 infants, though she's the mother of only two.
More From Woman's Day
She began feeding other babies when her first daughter, Luna, born in 2012, was only a few months old. "'Wet nursing is considered a taboo subject but isn't it just one mother helping out another and, more importantly, the child or baby? Breastfeeding other babies and toddlers has changed my life," Dangerstone said.
Dangerstone said she boosted her milk supply the first time she breastfed someone else's child. Her sister's friends, who had a 9-month-old baby, were going out of town for the weekend and couldn't bring their infant with them. "My little one was four months old and I was producing more milk than they needed," she said, adding that she and her husband stayed at the couple's house to make the baby feel more comfortable.
"The whole experience was the baby breastfeeding, being cuddled and loved. I have never had a baby not latch or reject me," she said.
The Texas mom says her interest in wet nursing began with her own childhood: "My mom had to go back to work and hired a babysitter who was breast feeding her own baby and said if she wanted to feed me to give it a go."
Dangerstone recently took wet nursing to the extreme, "tandem feeding" her baby on one breast and a friend's on another. At get-togethers, she and her friends have no problem filling in for each other when a child needs feeding, according to The Motherish.
"I might be with one or two other mothers and we'll have babies we are wet nursing," she said. "If one of us is busy, the other will take the baby that needs nursing."
[via the Daily Mail]
Follow Woman's Day on Instagram.


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Funds fall through for Millville center
MILLVILLE – The proposed Cumberland County College Arts and Business Innovation Center has suffered a funding setback that could delay the much-anticipated High Street project for a year or longer, city officials announced Friday.
County officials have advised the city that $1.5 million in state Chapter 12 funding for the project will not be available heading into the new year. Millville was expecting to receive that money for the project, but now officials are scrambling to find a different funding source to cover the shortfall.
Millville Urban Redevelopment Corp., the lead supporter of the $7 million project, previously hoped to begin construction around the end of this year. Then the start was delayed until spring 2014 because some funding wasn't in place. Officials recently said they were looking to secure an investor for $4 million in private funds.
With the latest setback, the project could be delayed until 2015 — if the county gets awarded the $1.5 million in next year's round of Chapter 12 funding.
In the meantime, MURC Executive Director Donald Ayres said his agency will seek that funding through private investments or bonds.
"We were told the funds just wouldn't be available this time around," he said. "We're obviously disappointed."
Ayres is hopeful the $1.5 million could be found and said construction possibly could begin by June.
The 30,000-square-foot Arts and Business Innovation Center is planned for the corner of High and Vine streets. The three-story structure would house the college's entire arts program, including the Clay College facility that's currently three blocks south on High Street.
The facility also would include workforce training, community education programs, entrepreneurship and business guidance, credit and noncredit classes and other services.
The Chapter 12 reserve is one in which the state annually issues funds for community colleges. The $1.5 million that fell through was part of $3 million package of Chapter 12 funds the county proposed to give Millville for the project.
The county already was approved for $1.5 million in the spring before recently deciding to pursue another $1.5 million.
The City Commission was scheduled to vote this coming Tuesday on the second reading of an ordinance calling for Millville to repay the county $750,000 plus interest over 10 years in exchange for the second pot of $1.5 million. Instead, commissioners plan to vote on a motion to table the ordinance.
Despite the bad news, Mayor Tim Shannon said the city was fortunate to find out before Tuesday.
"Don talked about how sensitive the timeline was for these additional funds," he said. "There is a disappointment, but it's good we found this out before we got to Tuesday and voted on the ordinance. We're going to continue working to see where can get the funding."


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Privacy Policy
Effective December 3, 2019
HWH World, its affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to respecting your privacy. We have structured our Website so that you can visit HWH World on the Web without identifying yourself or revealing any personal information. Once you choose to provide us personally identifiable information (any information by which you can be identified), you can be assured that it will only be used to support your customer relationship with HWH World.
HWH World
HWH World provides this Online Privacy Statement to make you aware of our privacy policy and practices and of the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this notice easy to find, we make it available on the bottom of every page on our Website.
Upon logging onto our Web server, our Web server automatically recognizes your domain name but not your E-mail address (where possible). We will collect the domain name from which you log on, aggregate information on what pages you access or visit, user-specific information on what pages you access or visit and information volunteered by you (such as survey information and/or site registrations). We do not collect your E-mail address unless you contact us by E-mail or volunteer your E-mail address and other personal information.
HWH World websites use "cookies" to enable you to sign into our services and to help personalize your online experience. As you browse, we may install cookies (tiny text files stored on your hard disk by a web page server) in your browser. Cookies cannot harm your computer and they do not contain any personally identifiable information. One of the primary purposes of cookies is to store your preferences and other information on your computer in order to save you time by eliminating the need to repeatedly enter the same information and to display your personalized content on your later visits to websites. Cookies also help us to improve our site and to deliver a better and more personalized service. Among other things, they enable us:
- To estimate our audience size and usage pattern.
- To store information about your preferences, and so allow us to customize our site according to your individual interests.
- To increase the speed of your searches.
- To recognize you when you return to our site.
- On some HWH World Websites, you can order products or services, make requests and register to receive materials. The types of personal information that may be collected on these pages are name, Member ID number, contact and billing information, transaction and credit card information. In order to tailor our communications to you and continuously improve our products and services, we may also ask you to voluntarily provide us with information regarding your personal or professional interests, demographics, experience with our products and contact preferences.
HWH World uses your information to better understand your needs and provide you with better service. Specifically, we use your information to help you complete a transaction, to communicate back to you, to update you on services and benefits, and to personalize our Web sites for you. Credit card and bank account numbers are used only for payment processing and are not retained for other purposes.
HWH World will not sell, rent or lease your personally identifiable information to others unless we have your permission or are required to release that information by law. We will only share the personal data you provide online with other HWH World entities and/or business partners who are acting on our behalf for the uses described above. Such HWH World entities and/or business partners, including those in the United States and/or any other countries, are governed by our privacy policies with respect to the use of this data and are bound by the appropriate confidentiality agreements.
HWH World will not use or share the personally identifiable information provided to us online in ways unrelated to the ones described above without first letting you know and offering you a choice. As previously stated, we will also provide you the opportunity to let us know if you do not wish to receive unsolicited direct marketing materials from us and we will do everything we can to honor such requests. Your permission is always secured first, should we ever share your information with third parties that are not acting on our behalf and governed by our privacy policy.
HWH World strives to keep your personally identifiable information accurate and secure. In order to update or correct your information with HWH World it will be necessary for you to contact HWH World directly through the methods listed below. To protect your privacy and security, upon contacting us we will also take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting you access or enabling you to make corrections.
We take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect about you remains accurate, timely and secure. Unfortunately, no data transmission over the Internet can be guaranteed to be 100% secure and while we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee or warrant its complete security. We shall not be responsible for harm that you or any person may suffer as a result of a breach of confidentiality in respect to your use of the Site or any information you transmit to the Site. To prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the appropriate use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. We use the latest in encryption technology when collecting or transferring sensitive data, such as credit card and bank account information.
Information that is submitted to Websites HWH World will be collected, processed, stored, disclosed, and disposed of in accordance with applicable U.S. law. If you are a non-U.S. user, you agree and acknowledge that we may collect and use your personal data and disclose it outside your resident jurisdiction, as discussed in "Whom We Share It With" above. In addition, such information may be stored on servers located outside your resident jurisdiction. U.S. law may not provide the degree of protection for information that is available in other countries. By providing us with your information, you acknowledge that you have read this Policy, understand it, agree to its terms and consent to the transfer of such information outside your resident jurisdiction. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use HWH World Websites.
From time to time, we may use customer information for new, unanticipated uses not previously disclosed in our privacy notice. If our information practices change at some time in the future, we will post the policy changes to our Web site to notify you of these changes and provide you with the ability to opt out of these new uses. If you are concerned about how your information is used, you should check back at our Website periodically. We will only use data collected after a policy has changed for the new purposes.
Personally-identifiable information will be kept in active files or systems as long as needed to meet the purposes for which it was collected or as required to perform the contractual relationship with the Member and his/her up-line, and the commercial relationship with the Customer.
HWH World will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate and complete.
HWH World will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate and complete.
HWH World may at times provide links to other websites. These sites are not controlled by HWH World and we are not responsible for any content contained on any such website. While we try to link only to sites that share our high standards and respect for privacy, HWH World is not responsible for the privacy practices employed by other sites. We recommend that you review the privacy and security policies of each website you visit.
If you have comments or questions about our privacy policy, please contact us at [email protected]


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Ex 1: The News and I
300 words and/or 2 minutes of content, on your relationship to the news.
All I ask is that in class, you give me something so that I can read, watch, hear, or otherwise re-experience your 2 minute presentation in the comfort of my office. (I may not actually see your in-class performance, because the class will be divided into groups and you'll mainly be presenting for each other. ... so, e-mail me your Youtube URL? Hand me a printout? Burn me a CD?)
Categories: due_dates
30 Comments
Summer Encounter with the News
A Play, Because My Relationship with the News Inspires that Kind of Passion
What I Think About The News
As an FYI the video claims to be 6 mins long but it's actually right around 2 mins. The fact check is the last screen.
News, Roger and I: An Old, but Not Forgotten Friendship
My relationship with the news.
When I think about my relationship with the news, I am not too sure there is much of one. I have definitely connected more with the news since being a part of this Newswriting course, but before this class, I did not care much for the news. I do not feel proud of this, but it is the truth. I never really watched the news or read the newspaper. I wrote for my highschool newspaper and was the sports editor, but I didn't take that too seriously. When I would watch the news, it was usually because my mom had it on the television, and I just decided to stay in that room she was in. Sometimes, when something really out of the ordinary or crazy was happening, I would independently watch the news. But, that was not out of my concern for what was going on outside of my little world, just a fix for some curiosity. Anytime I would pick up a newspaper, it was usually the City Paper but only to search for auditions for singing and acting. My parents subscribe to the Tribune Review so I would pick it up and bring it inside and maybe take a glance at it, but never actually read it. My grandparents subscribe to the Post Gazette so whenever I would be at their house, I would see my grandma reading through the entire newspaper. She really does read each part of the newspaper, but her favorite section is the comics. My aunt is always informed as to what is going on in the world and locally simply because she reads alot, and she subscribes to the New Yorker. My aunt and I are really close so sometimes when we get together, she will ask me about something that is going on, and if I don't know, she usually isn't too happy with me, but in a joking way, and then goes on to tell me about it. My mom's whole side of the family is very educated, and fairly liberal. They are all very opinionated and observant, which is helpful for me because I get to hear and see different viewpoints and learn from them. So, I would have to say that my relationship with news comes from my family. I pretty much am informed through them. Hopefully I will grow to like reading the newspaper and being accurately informed the way they are. However, I do believe that this Newswriting class is helping me to develop in that sense because it's interesting in that we critique the news and our assignments include watching or reading the news. Inevitably, I will become more informed and see the news in a different light.
Reflecting on News Presentations
The News and I: Newsletter Project
Group Presentation Reviews
The News and I: TV News Presents the Weather
Reading for the Comics-Class Reflection
Reaction to Presentations
Here's the poem I wrote about my relationship to the news if anyone wants to take a closer look at it or was in the other group:
Here is my reflection:
Group 1 Reactions: "News and I"
Something In Common: Group 1 Reflection
Presentation Reviews


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Hot Air: The Fix Was In
The Wall Street Journal reports: Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe had his Superpac donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to the campaign of a wife of one of the lead FBI agents (the deputy director) investigating Hillary Clinton. No conflict of interest there, is there? How dare you accuse McAuliffe or the Clintons or the FBI of any impropriety.
Government is completely compromised. The FBI is flat out corrupt. It is only going to get worse after this election. Buckle your seat belts folks, we are heading for some turbulence.
Instapundit: Terry McAuliffe helped the wife of one of the lead FBI agents investigating Hillary Clinton's emails (nothing to see here, move along), Rigging the Election
Powerline: Architect of Disaster and Hillary Clinton cyber security
Legal Insurrection: The FBI denies any conflict of interest
Guardian: Desensitized
Powerline: What happened to the FBI's integrity?
Regular Right Guy: Of course the process is rigged
American Power Blog: Reuters calls the election for Hillary
Rush Limbaugh: I have never seen anything like this, Rush talks to Gov. Mike Pence, Podesta emails show Dems rig polls, shouldn't Obama be happy?, Republicans don't know how to win or what to do when they win, and what to make of the polls
Wombat: Louder with Crowder: What's $600K among friends?


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Rap superstar and Michigan native Eminem surprised more than 230 graduates of Flint Community Schools at their commencement ceremony Tuesday by presenting them with a special gift: a new set of Beats by Dre headphones for each one of them.
MLive reports that as the graduates prepared to cross the stage and receive their diplomas, Eminem's picture was flashed on four screens at the Dort Event Center as his voice boomed from the public-address system.
"What's up, Class of 2017? This is Eminem. I just want to say congratulations to the graduating seniors of Flint Northwestern, Flint Southwestern and Flint Accelerated Learning Academy," the rapper said. "Congrats to all your guys' hard work, man. You earned this moment."
Flint Schools Superintendent Bilal Tawwab told MLive that the entire thing was Eminem's idea: He and his Marshall Mathers Foundation reached out to the school district with the idea. It's the second time the rapper and his foundation have helped Flint students. In August 2016, he gave more than 240 backpacks filled with supplies to students at Flint's Freeman Elementary School.
"I commend him for being very genuine, not really looking for all the attention, media hype, just really doing something for kids," Tawwab said. "We're really excited to be able to surprise them this evening [with the gift]."
Read more at MLive.


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HELENA — The Montana House has endorsed a new bill that prohibits gender transition surgeries for transgender youth.
House Bill 427, sponsored by Republican Rep. John Fuller of Whitefish, passed 59-to-40 Wednesday in a preliminary vote on the House floor.
The bill is a slightly narrowed version of House Bill 113, also introduced by Fuller. That bill failed on the House floor last month.
HB 113 would have blocked a wider range of care for gender dysphoria, including hormone therapy. HB 427 only applies to surgeries.
Supporters said the intent was to ensure children didn't receive procedures with permanent effects.
"These children need care, counseling, compassion and guidance, but irreversible medical procedures is not what they need at this time," Fuller said.
Opponents said the restrictions would still have unintended consequences, and that the bill remained an unnecessary obstacle for transgender youth seeking care.
"We don't need a law on the books that opens up serious equal protection concerns," said Rep. Andrea Olsen, a Democrat from Missoula. "We don't need a law on the books that will make life more difficult for young trans people."
HB 113 passed its initial vote in the House 53-47, but it failed 49-51 on the final vote the next day. 11 Republicans who voted "no" then switched to voting "yes" on HB 427.
One of those was Rep. Wendy McKamey of Ulm, who said she saw this version as less of an interference with parents' rights.
"The parental prerogative still exists," she said. "We're not going to be inhibited with our interactions as egregiously as the previous bill was."
HB 427 must still pass its own final vote in the House tomorrow before it is transmitted to the Senate.


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Nike LeBron 17 Currency available on December 13! Nike just announced that one of their best selling models, Nike LeBron 17 Currency will arrive on December ...READ MORE +
Nike fans have set high hopes from this year's release of the Nike Zoom LeBron 3. Currently, we don't have enough info to know much about the model. But ...READ MORE +


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London band AT THE SUN create classic sounding hard 'n' bluesy rock and roll tunes. They're a heavy, groovy, muscular, bop-rock band who have the rhythmic pedigree to progress to stadium level and even now would not be out of place at a veteran-rock jamboree down on Beale Street, Memphis — this brightly-burning band is, most definitely, for you.
Harry Dale (Vocals), Alex Matthews (Bass), Chet Jogia (Lead Guitar), Craig Steen (Drums) and Kieron Heavens (Rhythm Guitar) released their debut recording in 2017. Since then they've been taking the rock-world by storm…
If you're looking for a band that offers sufficient excitement to knock your wackachookies clean off… you won't find better than AT THE SUN. Their sounds are poignant, indestructible and completely seductive.
'For us, it's all about making music people can move to – music they can really feel!' says founder Kieron Heavens. 'We don't buy into the idea of just getting things out there quickly; we take our time to make sure everything we do is the best it can be.'
This Spring the lads will embark on their 'Leave Before the Light' UK tour [dates below] in support of the album due 8th March
Link: https://www.facebook.com/atthesunband/


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Wlodzimierz Kuklinski is a Polish Artist who is primarily concentrated on oil painting and posters designing. He also designs the book covers, illustrations, trademarks, wrappings, as well as CDs and cassettes boxes. Kuklinski finds a great pleasure in illustrating fairytales, detective stories, historic books, and academic manuals. His works can be found in about a 100 books. This self-educated artist is a member of The Association of the Polish Miniaturists.
June 12, 2020
Portrait Paintings
Home colorful painting Figurative Figurative Painter Paintings Polish Artist Polish Painter Portrait Paintings Wlodzimierz Kuklinski | Polish Artist | Figurative | Colorful Art
Wlodzimierz Kuklinski | Polish Artist | Figurative | Colorful Art
Portrait Paintings
Tags: colorful painting, Figurative, Figurative Painter, Paintings, Polish Artist, Polish Painter, Portrait Paintings
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Here's my current reading: a book by Jamie Smart entitled "Clarity: Clear Mind, Better Performance, Bigger Results".
I do recommend it wholeheartedly but want to warn you that it will challenge the way you think about yourself, your thoughts, your successes and failures, your relationships and about life as you know it.
Here's one of the many things Smart says that really grabbed my attention:
" You're feeling your thinking, not what you're thinking about…"
Tell me what you think about this quote.
I will leave you with this for today.


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December 2017
presented by Winston Resources
Could Bad Credit Cost You the Job?
Being out of work can take a toll on your finances. Will that employer pull the offer when they see you've missed a few payments -- or are you worrying over nothing?
Does Your Company Give a Hoot About You?
Or is it time to look for greener (and more appreciative) pastures? Here are five signs your employer truly values you -- and five signs they don't.
Operation Declutter.
Want to make room for amazing new things in your life in 2018? It's time to clean house (literally and figuratively)! Use this rule book to purge, organize and welcome the new year.
Handling a Workday Interview
If you need to schedule a job interview during your workday, be smart about it:
Are you, or is someone you know, looking for a better job? Winston Resources has opportunities with employers who won't take you for granted. Don't wait until the holidays are over -- register today or refer a friend!
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Coach Rex Ryan yesterday reopened his argument for Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis being the best defensive player in the NFL in 2009 despite the fact that Packers cornerback Charles Woodson was awarded NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
During a conference call with the Green Bay reporters, Ryan continued to make his case for Revis.
"I know [Woodson is] a great player, but the year that Darrelle Revis had has never been done in the history of the league, and I think that was a once-in-a-lifetime year for any corner.
"Charles had an unbelievable year. You look at him statistically, it was a phenomenal year. As much as I respect Charles Woodson, I just thought the year Darrelle Revis had, I'd never seen anything like it, and I've only been around football all my life."
Revis yesterday harbored no ill feelings about not getting the award.
"I have no control over Charles Woodson winning the defensive award last year," he said. "I look up to the guy. That's a guy that you always wanted to be like — be like Charles Woodson and cover like he does. I appreciate everything he did to pave the way for corners to try to play aggressive football like him."
With the Jets 5-1 and Giants 5-2, there has been some early chatter about a Jets-Giants Super Bowl. That, however, was a subject few on the Jets had any interest in touching.
Even the usually brash Ryan took a low-key approach to that prospect.
"The opponent doesn't matter to me," he said. "It can be the Giants. It can be Dallas. It doesn't matter to me. As long as we're there, I couldn't care less who we play."
Ryan delivered high praise for LG Matt Slauson
, a first-year starter. "I think he's as good a left guard as there is in our division." . . . The only Jet who was limited in practice was LB Calvin Pace
(foot), who will start and play Sunday. . . . Ryan said WR Santonio Holmes
"will get a few more opportunities this week."
The Jets signed DT Jarron Gilbert
from their practice to the regular roster, replacing DT Howard Green
, who was released Tuesday. Green was signed yesterday by the Packers.
Gilbert, a 6-foot-5, 285 pounder out of San Jose State, was a third-round pick of the Bears in 2009. He played in four games last season, recording one tackle. Ryan said he scouted Gilbert coming out of college and liked him. He said the Bears had him lose weight to about 270 and he wants to get him back to over 290.
The Jets also filled a spot on their practice squad, signing CB Will Billingsley
from North Carolina A&T.
The Jets plan to have a moment of silence in the press box before Sunday's game for long-time press box announcer and baseball official scorer Bill Shannon
, who died in a house fire on Tuesday. Shannon, 69, was an institution in New York-area press boxes.


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Fantasy Football Chat: Tips and advice for setting lineups in Week 13
Fantasy owners have already been treated to an appetizer of games this week on Thanksgiving Day, with and now we get to sit down for the full buffet. A quick recap: Calvin Johnson had his second-biggest game of the season against the Bears, catching 11 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns (and reached 10,000 career receiving yards, becoming the fastest receiver to do so) as Detroit routed Chicago 34-17. Eagles' LeSean McCoy had his second-straight 100-plus-yard rushing game as the Eagles shut down the Cowboys and took the lead in the NFC East, and in the nightcap, Seahawks defense shined as Seattle stole a crucial win against San Francisco.
• Fantasy football:Week 13 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em | Complete stat projections
Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Waiver wire running backs to provide a boost
On Sunday, fantasy owners (especially those fighting for a playoff spot in the last week of the regular fantasy season) will surely be keeping their eyes on a few players. First, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers go head to head in what many have called a potential Super Bowl preview in one of two afternoon games. Will the game turn into a shootout of top quarterbacks? Steelers' Antonio Brown hasn't had 100 receiving yards since Week 9 -- can he get the job done for his owners against the Saints?
This week has also seen a few quarterback changes. Redskins' Robert Griffin III has been benched in favor of Colt McCoy, while Jets' Geno Smith will get the start over veteran Michael Vick. And a quick injury update: Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, who sprained his MCL in Week 11 and sat out Week 12, is highly likely to play against the Falcons Sunday. Raiders' Latavius Murray, everyone's favorite waiver-wire pickup after his huge game against the Chiefs, is out against the Rams this week with a concussion.
SI's Michael Beller is here to provide fantasy advice and answer any questions you may have leading up to Sunday's action. Reach out to him on the @SINow Twitter account, or just follow along with the Q&A below, starting at 10:30 a.m. ET for an hour. And after the Twitter chat, Beller will be taking questions and giving tips on SI's Facebook page starting at 12:00 p.m. ET.
• Fantasy team out of the playoffs? Pick a new team with FanNation's game


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Individual projects can be selected on the project's portal.
- Web-based user-interface for the exploration of brain data: The aim of this project is to build a web-based 3D exploration and labelling user interface to make this highly complex data exportable for the general public. Advanced view management techniques (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUQu4XAc2MI), disassembly techniques (e.g. explosion diagrams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXoeMdTx48s), and interaction techniques (e.g. using Intel's RealSense https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uINRC83tlTA), and real-time data visualisation techniques are to be explored in the course of this project.
- Deep-learning assisted semi-automatic, interactive 3D segmentation of medical data: A goal of this project is to develop a generally applicable method for 3D segmentation of medical images that is able to train extremely fast on new data and to provide tissue segmentations in real-time. Initially this approach will be tested on thoracic CT scans for the semi-automatic, assisted segmentation of lungs and lung nodules.
- GPU Accelerated SCNNs for the Prediction of Breast Cancer Proliferation: The aim of this project is to evaluate sparse CNNs for the prediction of breast cancer proliferation in histopathological images.
- Massively parallel slice-to-volume registration for motion compensation in MRI: The aim of this project is to implement rigid slice-to-volume registration for slices of arbitrary size using massively parallel computing platforms like modern GPUs. The developed method will extend an existing platform for SVR (https://github.com/bkainz/fetalReconstruction), based on Nvidia's CUDA GPU programming language. Test data and appropriate, remotely accessible hardware will be provided in the computing lab.
- Applications for pocket-sized supercomputers: The aim of this project is to test and review the capabilities of pocket-sized supercomputers like the parallella platform (http://www.parallella.org/) or modern mobile phones and mobile GPU platforms for real-time applications with low engery demands. Computers have come a long way in 40 years, and mobile computers have come the farthest in the shortest time – some of them are more powerful than early supercomputers. A tweaked Motorola Droid can hit speeds more than 15-times faster than the Cray-1 supercomputer of 1979. Apple's iPad 2 rivals the Cray 2 supercomputer, the world's fastest computer in 1985. What are promising applications of such platforms for the future?
- Deep bottlenecks: The goal of this project is to develop a framework that allows to evaluate the computational bottlenecks of deep learning approaches and to propose improvements automatically. This method should be generally applicable. Initial exemplars may use natural images and medical image data.
- Deep introspection: The goal of this project is to develop a framework that allows to intuitively explore trained deep network models based on state-of-the-art deep learning methods. This method should be generally applicable. First exemplars may use natural images and medical image data.


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- This event has passed.
Hamilton Recovery Awareness Day
September 12, 2018 @ 3:00 pm - 8:00 pmFree
We are excitedly working on a great agenda for this year and glad to have beautiful Gage Park as a backdrop to our event. Here is a taste of what you can expect:
- Musical performances throughout the event
- Open Mic opporunities for people to share their experience with recovery
- An opportunity to recognize some of those in our community who have had success in their own recovery and given back to others
- Yoga and salsa activities
- Mindful Meditation practices
- A kid zone
- Our Art Marketplace featuring local artists in recovery
- Booths with information and opportunities to connect with community agencies
- A Memorial instalation for those who have passed away due to addiction
- Food Trucks will be available throughout our event
- Collective recovery based art pieces we hope everyone will help us create.
September is Recovery Awareness Month. Those of us working in the Hamilton Addiction services are proud to honour and celebrate the men, women and youth who are reaching out, giving back, embracing life and making a significant mark in their community through their recovery efforts. Recovery is Possible. Every stage of the journey matters and if you are struggling with addiction, you are not alone. We come together at our Annual event to hear stories of inspiration, share music and spoken word and are delighted to showcase the therapeutic value of the arts in this journey. The Recovery Awareness Day Committee seeks sponsorship to ensure any person who would like to attend and also are putting a call out to the recovery community for anyone who would like to display their artwork, of any medium or be a part of our celebration. Feel free to share our page, follow us on twitter @RAD2018Hamilton and follow our posts. Keep coming back!!


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Kenya Gazette
The Kenya Gazette is an official publication of the government of the Republic of Kenya. It contains notices of new legislation, notices required to be published by law or policy as well as other announcements that are published for general public information. It is published every week, usually on Friday, with occasional releases of special or supplementary editions within the week.
Common terms and phrases
1969 Gazette Notice 7-ton vehicle Act Cap 280 advocates aforesaid application associated with TMA buildings Bungoma Bus Service Carnage Claimants Cleasby & Satchu Coast Province Commissioner of Lands Company County Council Dated day of October December Deputy Registrar dispute Distnct Eldoret Embu District farm produce Ganssa GAZETTE 17th October grantee shall pay hereby given Isiolo J M LONG July June Kaplan & Stratton Kapsabet Karatina Kencho KENYA GAZETTE 17th Kerugoya Kiambu Kibwezi Kisu Kisumu Kitale Kutus Lands Act Cap Limuru Machakos Meru Meru Carriage Messrs Atkinson Miss Kehato Mombasa MOMBASA DISTRICT Murang'a Nakuru Nan obi Nanyuki NOTICE is hereby November Nyanza Nyen Nyeri Office Othaya P O Box P O Box 29 passenger vehicle plot Present route registered Republic of Kenya Rift Valley Province Road Route Embu Route Meru Route Nairobi route to add Ruiru Sagana September 1969 Sirikwa Sotik stand premium thereto Thika tons Trade Marks Variation of route


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Search by Last Name
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504 593 0602
New Orleans, LA
As co-head of the Professional Liability department, Ms. Marshall concentrates on defending legal malpractice claims, representing lawyers insured by the endorsed insurer for the Louisiana State Bar and lawyers covered by other insurers. She represents other professionals including insurance agents and brokers, real estate brokers, accountants, and nurses, nursing homes and home health care facilities. She recently expanded her practice to include toxic tort, personal injury and product liability claims, as well as insurance defense matters.
Her experience includes representing the manufacturers of three- and four-wheelers, motorcycles, personal watercraft, light truck wheels, airless spray guns, pesticides, guniting equipment and golf course trenching equipment, as well as representing various trucking and rental car companies.
Ms. Marshall is a regular presenter at professional seminars both locally and nationally.


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Archaeologists May Have Found Long-lost Byzantine City Ashdod-Yam
Discovery of Greek dedication from 1,500 years ago indicates to archaeologists that they have finally found the Roman-Byzantine city of Ashdod-Yam, right by Ashdod
The discovery of a Greek dedication to a church, or possibly a monastery, from 1,500 years ago is leading archaeologists to think they may have found the long-lost ruins of Ashdod-Yam, a Byzantine city known in the classical sources as Azotos Paralios.
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- 3,200-year-old Pagan Ritual Hall Found in Israel
- 1,500-year-old Perfect Lioness Carving Discovered in Israel
Azotos Paralios was a later expansion of the ancient Roman city of Ashdod-Yam, which had been found on the Israeli coast just a few kilometers from the even older city of Ashdod, and which has been partially excavated. The location and extent of the Byzantine expansion had remained unknown, until now.
The almost perfectly preserved dedicatory inscription discovered during the third excavation season most probably belonged to a Georgian church built at the site.
Archaeologists believe the rest of the Byzantine city lies beneath the dunes by the modern southern Israeli city of Ashdod.
"We know from historical sources and a representation on the Madaba map (a contemporary mosaic map located in Jordan, from the sixth century) that the region's center of gravity shifted from Ashdod to Ashdod-Yam during the Byzantine period," says Dr. Alexander Fantalkin of the Tel Aviv University institute of archaeology, head of the expedition with Prof. Angelika Berlejung of Leipzig University.
"Obviously, the ruins of the Roman-Byzantine city of Ashdod-Yam are waiting beneath the dunes," Fantalkin adds.
The unique inscription was discovered between two modern houses in Ashdod, about a mile from the coast (the sea level in Roman times was similar to present-day, but slightly higher in the Byzantine period, so the coastline may have been nearer then). Surprise at the discovery might be slightly mitigated by the fact that a corner of a colorful mosaic floor had been discernable in the ground at the site for the past 30 years, says Fantalkin.
Iron-age massive walls and inlaid eyes
The city of Ashdod-Yam (not to be confused with the city of Ashdod) had existed for thousands of years. It was certainly occupied from the late Iron Age (eighth to seventh centuries B.C.E.), and during the Hellenistic Period (323-31 B.C.E.).
The archaeologists hope to find evidence of what happened when the Assyrians crushed next-door Ashdod and expanded Ashdod-Yam (which, in Hebrew, means "Ashdod by the Sea"; in Assyrian sources, the city was called Asdudimmu).
Meanwhile, the excavations have exposed an enormous system of fortifications from Iron Age Ashdod-Yam.
Finds inside the fortified city this year include massive mud-brick structures and Assyrian-style pottery and various luxury items.
"This season we had impressive mudbrick architecture inside the city, on the acropolis, from the Iron IIB period, and also remains from the Iron IIC. There were narrow corridors between Iron IIB mudbrick walls, with some exemplary finds on the floors: Assyrian style bowls, bronze eyes with inlays (probably from a wooden sculpture that did not survive) and a statuette of a lioness," says Fantalkin.
Sargon II punishes the king of Ashdod
Ancient sources tell of the uprising by the king of Ashdod, Yamani, against the Assyrians.
After the Ashdodites stopped paying Sargon II tribute, the Assyrian king dispatched a military force to crush the uprising.
When King Yamani of Ashdod heard that Sargon's commander in Chief, Turtanu, marched against the city, he fled, tail between legs, to Egypt.
Although the unsympathetic Egyptians later handed him back to the Assyrians, in fetters, the peeved Assyrians sacked the city of Ashdod in 712-711 B.C.E.
With the Pax Assyriaca reinstated, sea trading could resume and tax could be levied, for the greater fortune of the Assyrian domain.
Archaeologist Jacob Kaplan, who unearthed some of the Iron Age remains in the late 1960s, had assumed the fortifications were built by the rebel king in anticipation of the Assyrian onslaught.
Today, the thinking is that the fortification was too impressive to have been built in haste. However, the question remains: Who was responsible for this construction? Was it commenced on behalf of the Assyrian regime from the beginning and constructed by the locals, in order to protect a man-made harbor? Or was it constructed first independently on behalf of the Kingdom of Ashdod and enlarged and incorporated later on into the Neo-Assyrian realm? Only future excavations will provide the answers.
During this period of Assyrian dominance, Ashdod-Yam became one of the most important trading hubs of the Assyrian empire's eastern frontier.
Blossoming Hellenistic center
Somewhat more recent ruins from the Hellenistic period, including what seem to be the traces of the settlement of the Seleucid garrison captured by the Hasmonean king John Hyrcanus in the late second century B.C.E., were discovered on the acropolis during two previous excavation seasons.
Ultimately, the Hellenistic city was struck by an earthquake and finally abandoned and ruined sometime in the late second century B.C.E.
The real gem of this Ashdod-Yam exploration season came, however, from far beyond the limits of the Iron Age or Hellenistic compound.
Georgian on my mind
The dedicatory four-line inscription that was uncovered by the archaeologists from the University of Tel Aviv and Israel Antiquities Authority is, 1, 60 by 50 centimeters in size. It had been covered in a few centimeters of packed earth, so it took just a few hours to uncover, clean and read the dedicatory inscription. This is what it says:
"[By the grace of God (or Christ)], this work was done from the foundation under Procopius, our most saintly and most holy bishop, in the month Dios of the 3rd indiction, year 292"
Lovely, but calculating the actual date of the inscription proved to be extraordinarily tricky.
Attempts to establish well-known eras for calculation of the absolute date did not fit the indiction. ("Indiction" refers to an ancient method of keeping track of time for taxation purposes.) In antiquity, different local eras were used for chronological purposes. It is not always easy to correlate and establish an absolute date and the year mentioned in the inscription.
Using a Georgian chronological system, Dr. Leah Di Segni of the Hebrew University suggests the inscription should be dated to 539.
If she is right, it would prove her earlier suggestion that a Georgian chronological system, which also developed its own Georgian era of Creation, had been introduced in Palestine long before it came into use in Georgia itself (by which we mean the formerly Soviet country, not the American state).
Jerusalem and its surroundings have several early Byzantine-era Georgian establishments. If the church being dedicated with this inscription was Georgian, it would be the first example on the Israeli coast.
"Perhaps the structure was erected in memory of the famous Peter the Iberian, a Georgian royal prince by birth, who became a prominent figure of early Christianity, actively promoting monophysitism that rejected the Council of Chalcedon," Fantalkin speculates (meaning, Peter promoted the view that Jesus had only one, divine nature).
"Perhaps Peter the Iberian, who stayed and preached at Ashdod-Yam shortly before his death, might have had an even greater influence than scholars previously thought in the area," suggests Dr. Balbina Bäbler of the University of Göttingen.
An aerial photograph from the British Mandate period shows that, back then, there were significant remains in the vicinity of the inscription. According to Fantalkin and Sa'ar Ganor, Ashkelon district archaeologist at the IAA, it is plausible that the whole complex is represented on the famous sixth century Madaba Mosaic Map, which is located in the Byzantine church of Saint George at Madaba, Jordan.
The archaeologists hope that further investigation of the complex will shed more light on the roles of Ashdod and Ashdod-Yam in the history of early Christianity.
Interestingly, of all the cities of the Philistine Pentapolis, only Azotos is featured prominently in the New Testament. It appears in the story of the Apostle Philip, who, after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, was led by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel in Azotos, and from there he launched the journey:
"Philip, however, appeared at Azotos and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea." (Acts 8:40).
Indeed, we should know more if Ganor is right. He thinks that, based on the archaeological record and history, spectacular remains of the Roman-Byzantine city of Ashdod-Yam await discovery beneath the sand dunes.


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Whether you've got dogs, cats, rodents, potbelly pigs, birds, ferrets or rabbits, there are hazards within your home that these pets could get into which can do them real harm. Actually, any pet that chews could potentially be at risk, if you're not aware of the materials presenting dangerous opportunities for them. Unwitting animals have absolutely no idea what's safe and what's not until they get into it. It's your job, as pet parent, to pet-proof your home, just as you'd toddler-proof it for children. Furry kids need protection, too, so learn how to keep pets safe from common indoor hazards.
Curious George
Most pets are curious by nature. Couple that natural inclination towards inquisitiveness with boredom and you've got a recipe for mischief. As pets explore our homes they discover all sorts of new sights and sounds, some more appealing than others. But more house pets than not chew, so don't be surprised to find any of the above-mentioned animals — and a handful that weren't — chewing on electrical cords. According to veterinarians, this destructive behavior is not limited to rodents. Cats and dogs of all ages and a sizeable portion of the inhabitants of Noah's ark chew, and chewing an electrical cord will lead to shock and possibly death.
Cleaning Products & Medication
Like kids, household-cleaning products are among the leading culprits for pets struck ill within the home. Currently, small children and pets are falling victim to the inviting allure of dishwasher gel packs and ending up in ERs at an alarming rate. Bottles of cleaning fluids, drain cleaner, bleach, lighter fluid, just about anything under your sink is hazardous. The problem is these products often get left out and bored pets looking for something to do find them. The same goes with OTC and prescription medications. If your pet has enough time on their paws, they can get into them, or at the very least start a nice dent.
Hazardous Building Materials
While the crusade for the reduction of lead and asbestos has been making headway over the last couple decades, there's still a lot of it around — especially if you live in an old house or apartment. Certainly the last few layers of paint may not be hazardous, but how about the 10 coats or so beneath it? And it isn't just paint. Linoleum, drywall and other building materials may contain it. That's why it's important to keep animals from eating chipped paint or chewing on baseboards and door frames. Even ingesting a small amount could be fatal for small pets.
Creature Comforts
Food and the ability to stay at a comfortable temperature are both a necessity and a luxury many people take for granted. Pets, though, are at the mercy of their owners when it comes to these creature comforts. They depend on us to not only provide them with food, but to provide them with safe food. If you're a pet owner, it's up to you to research which foods are dangerous to your particular pet. For instance, garlic, onions, chocolate, grapes and many other foods are toxic to some pets. If you're going to feed them people food, find out if they can have it first.
Also, make sure and provide your pet with the proper climate it needs to thrive. Animals can be extremely temperature sensitive. Birds don't like drafts and cold, rabbits and brachycephalic animals can easily overheat, and creatures like iguanas and hedgehogs can go into hibernative states that include a slowed heart rate and increased opportunities for susceptibility to illness if the temperature drops.
Common Houseplants
Houseplants are another hidden hazard that are right out in the open. Animals that chew and forage are drawn to these attractive nuisances just as easily as they're drawn to the other materials mentioned. Not all plants are dangerous to all animals, so it's important that you acquaint yourself with your specific pets and the foliage that could in turn create a health crisis, indoors and out, should they indulge in it.
Now that you've read this, take a moment to go through your casa and see if there's room for improvement regarding pet safety in your home — and let us know if we've missed anything on our list of tips for keeping pets safe from common indoor hazards.


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Good morning everyone hope you are all keeping nice and warm its been cold here in the North East but nice and bright.
I can't believe we are over half way through November all ready soon be thinking of butting the tree up.
This week project is a treat bag get for your home made treats.
I have made this cute gift bag with the gift bag punch board .
Supplies used to make this project
All of the items used can be found in my online shop


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The 409 Tailgate began hosting group tailgates in 2016 and has continued to grow. This passionate group of Nittany Lion fans have also started a company that bottles their very on line of BBQ Sauces, Dry Rubs, and Bloody Mary Mix, which they feature at every tailgate and have gained in regional popularity. This group has hosted many former players and is a very welcoming and enjoyable party.
How many guests on average attend this tailgate: 50 - 75
Typical age group range: 25-50
Hours spent tailgating BEFORE the game: 5
Hours spent tailgating FOLLOWING the game: 1
Number of tents and/or canopies: 1-2
What music source is featured at the tailgate: Stereo and speakers
Amount of televisions for game viewing: One (1)
Unique alcohol contraption/s: The 409 Bloody Mary Bar
Main course specialties: Wood smoked BBQ, grilled chicken, smoked
kielbosi and PSU themed specialty desserts
Drinks offered at this tailgate: Cans of domestic beer, cans of craft beer, Bloody Mary bar, vodka, fireball, mixers
What makes this tailgate stand out: Their food/drink menu as it contains some of the best BBQ on the Easy Coast and the Bloody Mary mixes are very authentic and tasty. The proximity to Beaver Stadium is also great, so just UBER on up and enjoy yourself in Happy Valley.


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Recipe: Pasta e Ceci
Mondays can be brutal. And after a particularly long day, the last thing we want to do is make a complicated meal for dinner. That's where this genius, simple recipe from Chickpeas by Victoria Granof comes in. Using just a few pantry ingredients, the result is comforting without any of the usual work. Shop the full edition here.
Pasta e Ceci
Two things to remember here: First, do not skimp on the olive oil; it's what'll make you think you're on a balcony in Naples when you eat this. Second, don't wimp out and undercook the garlic. It needs to be toasted to give this dish the right flavor. You'll get what I mean when you taste it. This is my son's favorite meal, and one that I make for him once a week. I used to give him Parmesan rinds to teethe on, and when he no longer needed to teethe, I started throwing them in this pasta. -Victoria Granof
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
3 tablespoons good tomato paste
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 2/3 cup cooked chickpeas (or one 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed)
½ cup uncooked ditalini pasta
2 cups boiling water
Crushed red pepper flakes, for serving
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil until it shimmers. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it becomes lightly browned and fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and salt and fry for 30 seconds or so. Add the chickpeas, pasta and boiling water. Stir to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot, lower the heat and simmer until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. To serve, ladle the pasta into shallow bowls, sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes and dribble a bit of extra-virgin olive oil on top.


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New on ejournals@cambridge A-Z : Industrial and Corporate Change
From the Oxford Journals website for the journal:
"The journal is committed to present and interpret the evidence on corporate and industrial change, drawing from an interdisciplinary set of approaches and theories from e.g. economics, sociology of organization, organization theory, political science, and social psychology. It is a forum where industrial historians explicitly relate their analyses to the state of the art in the relevant social sciences and propose conjectures and theories. Conversely, economists and practitioners of other social disciplines are encouraged to apply their models to the historical evidence."
Now available to the University of Cambridge electronically from volume 1 (1992) to present.
Access Industrial and Corporate Change via the ejournals@cambridge A-Z or at this link.


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Admission Counselors
The University of Tampa admissions counselors look forward to assisting you with your college selection. Choose from the options below and contact a counselor with questions about UT or for assistance with admissions and financial aid processes.
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It was one of those innocuous questions everyone hears or asks in casual conversation all the time, the kind of not-too-deep ice breaker most people can answer without much thought, so of course I stumbled all over it. "Do you have any hobbies?"
I didn't have a ready answer, I think, because I really don't do anything that fits the stereotype of a hobby. I don't collect or make things or participate in any leisure activity or sport with regularity. I don't garden or paint or hunt or fish. In general I don't do anything of which people usually think when the word hobby is mentioned. This humble and neglected blog probably comes closest to a "normal" hobby, which says yet more about me that I probably shouldn't ponder.
It wasn't always so. Growing up I was a huge fan of the space program. I kept a scrapbook of every article I could find on the subject, and built a large model of the Saturn 5 rocket. I also used to draw regularly, usually cars, especially after acquiring a draft pack for a college class. But for quite a few years I haven't done anything like those.
Once again, Merriam-Webster: "hobby - a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation". By that definition I do have hobbies. Perhaps another reason I didn't casually say so is....well…I feel slightly embarrassed when I mention them.
- I watch a great deal of TV.
- I think a lot.
Not exactly mountain climbing and skydiving. I can see "LAZY" run through a person's mind, and it often strains that person's politeness reflexes to not say "that's it?", although I never blame anyone who does. The conversation usually moves on to another topic quickly.
TV has always been scorned as being not so much a hobby as a way to suppress brain activity. But growing up long before the internet in a town too small to have a public library, television was an important information source for me, limited as it was then (no cable), not so much about classic academic subjects (although PBS was good for that), but about the wider world. I eventually made TV my profession for 16 years, and if I had it to do over it would still be. As it is, even with the internet TV is still my old favorite window on the world.
As for thinking, that seems a bit like saying breathing is a hobby. Many people would probably consider daydreaming a more appropriate term for what I do. Here again I cite my upbringing; for all its limitations, it was a great environment for quiet contemplation of whatever came to mind. I always tell people that I don't bore easily; even when I look bored I'm usually fine, just thinking. This does contribute to a vicious circle, in that my antisocial tendencies cause me to drift off, which (along with a tendency to look like I'm not paying attention when I actually am listening) makes me seem more antisocial. Thinking does have the great advantage of being readily doable anytime, anywhere, with no accessories required.
My hobbies are cheap: roughly $87 a month for cable and internet supports them nicely. Compared to what some people spend on their pastimes this is a bargain. They also feed each other: TV gets me thinking, which provides material for the blog, the production of which often leads me off on other tangents, and so on. I suppose I could add internet surfing to the list, but lately I haven't had time to do that for much more than to feed thought and the blog. Besides, compared to the others, which have been lifelong, the internet/blog is a newcomer.
Maybe someday I'll take up something more traditional, but I like what I have now. They meet the definition above, in that I find them relaxing, which is what hobbies are about.
Friday, October 9, 2009
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Best Christening Gifts for Boys: My Top Baptism Presents
As a Mum, Grandma, and with a daughter who is a primary teacher, Alison draws on a wealth of experience for her child-related Hubs.
Diverse Christening Gifts
I have chosen diverse gifts, some with a Christian, religious theme, others that could be given by someone who does not share the Christian Faith but who nevertheless wants to give a gift to recognize a baby's Christening as an important day, not only in the life of the baby but in the lives of his parents and godparents.
You will also find some ideas and explanatory videos for making your own personalized gifts that will be treasured by Parents, Godparents, Grandparents and the baby himself!
The Christian tradition of giving presents to a new baby probably originates with the gold, frankincense and myrrh given to the infant Jesus in the Christmas Story. Pagan traditions go back long before this when celebrations and the giving of gifts marked rites of passage.
The Christening gifts for boys in this article have been researched by me from the wide range of christening gifts or baptism gifts available online. I have made my selections on the basis of quality, interest and value for money.
Godchild Baby Bodysuit
I just had to include this godchild Baby Bodysuit on my list as it is something really different! It really is a fun outfit for a baby, whether the baby is yours or your godchild—I am not suggesting he wears it for the christening itself, but maybe afterwards, when everyone is relaxing and having a nice family occasion together, this might be a nice outfit for baby to change into—it is a one-piece outfit made of 100% cotton and will certainly be a talking point!
God Gave Us You
God Gave Us You is a lovely book, and I chose it as an extra special gift because it is so beautifully illustrated.
This book is such a wonderful way to give a little child the assurance he is a much loved, welcomed and treasured gift from the Lord.
I think the mamma Polar Bear says it best when she says:
"We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because--"God gave us you."
Perfect for bedtime reading with little children and one that your child will love looking at by himself when he is a little older.
Catholic Baptism
If the child is to be baptized in the Catholic faith, as in the video below, a Rosary makes a lovely and very thoughtful gift.
Read More From Holidappy
Mary Meyer Christening Plush Rattle, Lamb
For a special Christening gift, you could not choose anything sweeter than this sweet little Mary Meyer lamb made of soft plush.
The lamb is such a symbolic Christian gift, and this one is especially adorable, made by Mary Meyer, who has been producing safe toys for little children for over seventy-five years.
The lamb has a silver cross embroidered decoration, is so adorably soft and cuddly for little children and contains a rattle safely inside.
This cute little lamb has had 48 customer reviews left on Amazon at the time of writing (28 gave it the full 5* and 14 gave it 4*). The most common comment is that it is small, soft and cute, and the perfect size for a baby and at this price, it won't break the bank either!
Christening and Baptism Traditions
Christening gifts were originally items that were thought to be of value, that would increase in value with time and perhaps form the basis of an investment for the child in the future.
There was a tradition of giving Apostle Spoons to a baby that began in the time of the Tudors in England, and this may be where the phrase 'he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth' originated.
So, whatever Christening gift you choose for a new baby, you can be sure that you are continuing a tradition that has existed for many centuries and your gift, given with love, is sure to be treasured.
Mud Pie Baby Classic Keepsakes Silver-Plate Rattle, Cross
I really love the Mud Pie 'Classic Keepsakes' range of gifts; this silver-plated rattle is no exception. The detail is beautiful, with an embossed cross and pretty bead details. You can see a picture below of the Mud Pie Baby Classic Keepsakes Silver-Plate Rattle, Cross. Everything is beautifully packaged in an acetate box and decorated with a bow. The rattle is four inches long, and each of the ends is two inches in diameter. This would be perfect for any baby and a lovely Christening or Baby Shower gift.
There are lots of other lovely gifts in this range, and many are designed especially to commemorate the 'firsts' that happen in a baby's life and as well as this one for a Christening, there are also gifts for baby's first tooth, first haircut and so on.
Creating Your Own Personalized Baptism Gifts
All the ready-made 'store-bought' gifts I have chosen are lovely and will be treasured. However, you might feel that you want to make something truly personal for the little boy who is to be Baptized and for his family.
The video I have shared below shows how to make a personalized mini album. This would be perfect for storing special photographs of the Baptism day and of special occasions throughout childhood. I think this is a lovely idea and hope it is one you would like to copy.
Alternatively, consider the footprint/handprint keepsake idea detailed below and explained in the easy-to-follow video.
Make a Keepsake of the Baby's Footprint
As babies grow so quickly, taking an imprint of their tiny footprint can make a wonderful keepsake not only for parents, Godparents, and Grandparents but for the baby himself. He will hardly believe how small his feet once were when he is a young man!
The video below shows you everything you need to know in a step-by-step fashion. My top tip is that once you have all the materials assembled, it is easy to create two or more plates to make an imprint as a keepsake for more than one person.
Of course, you can use the technique for handprints too.
The plate could be made into a wall plaque, or you could use rectangular pieces of clay cut to size for a box picture frame. Another option would be to use a multi-aperture frame for a footprint, a handprint and a picture of the baby!
Did You Enjoy My Selection of Christening Gifts for Boys?
I really hope you have enjoyed my selection of Christening gifts for boys. If you have, please help me to share it by clicking on the Tweet and Like buttons at the top of the page to share with your Twitter followers and Facebook friends.
Please also use the vote button and leave me your feedback by way of a comment—perhaps you have found a special gift that I have not mentioned, perhaps you have purchased one of the gifts on my list and want to tell me how you liked it—whatever comment you want to leave will help to make this article on Christening gifts for boys better for other readers. Thank you.
© 2010 Alison Graham
Alison Graham (author) from UK on September 29, 2011:
Sarah, thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it.
sarah on September 29, 2011:
This is lovely ...... and Im eleven!!
Alison Graham (author) from UK on November 01, 2010:
Thank you Billy.
billyaustindillon on October 31, 2010:
Alison Some great gift ideas here and wonderful reminders - the candle is also a special one to look back on.
Alison Graham (author) from UK on October 22, 2010:
Thanks HealthyHanna, I really had fun researching my favourite Christening gifts for boys, glad you liked what I chose.
HealthyHanna from Utah on October 21, 2010:
Great list. There should be something here to fit the bill for the occasion.
Alison Graham (author) from UK on October 21, 2010:
thank for your comment jeannie, so glad you liked my hub on Christening gifts for boys.
jeannie on October 21, 2010:
I love the array of gift ideas and illustration. Thanks!


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Recipe. Menu. This is a collection of recipes to make for a wintery Sunday lunch or dinner. The combination of these recipes incorporate rich winter flavors in a delicate way. By serviing this menu you will be sure to have an elegant presentation and a tasty surprise on every dish.
Pan di Spagna alla Frutta di Bosco Click Here


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Building Real Trust in a Virtual World
Super Lawyers Playbook
Building trust in the legal arena faces new obstacles. You only get a short period of time to make your case through the limitations of the online world, which makes it difficult to stand out with credibility and faith.
In a setting where getting in front of and keeping the legal consumer's attention has never been more difficult, you need to do everything in your power to be the go-to attorney. Building Real Trust in a Virtual World: An Attorney's Guide will shed light on the role of trust in converting a prospect to a client and guide you through four simple steps to convey your trustworthiness in an online world.
Download this playbook to learn more about:
- Embracing Online Reviews
- Being Where Prospects Validate
- Letting the Experts Praise You
- Focusing on Simple Language in Client Relations


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Those with an interest in cryptozoology should mark their calendars. A conference focusing on Bigfoot is coming to Pocatello.
One of the featured speakers at the two-day conference is Idaho State University Professor Dr. Jeff Meldrum. He studies anthropology and anatomy and is a specialist in human bipedal motion – walking on two legs. His passion for Sasquatch started decades ago.
Click 'play' to hear the audio version of this story.
"It was in 1996," Meldrum remembers. "I was shown a long line of tracks – 35-45 clear footprints in the mud. I mean, there was nothing ambiguous about these. There was no room for misidentification. They were either the real deal or it was an extremely clever hoax. I don't think I'm one to be easily fooled given the experience and expertise that I have."
Meldrum will speak Friday, September 21 at the Pocatello Bigfoot Conference 2018. His talk will center on the famous Patterson – Gimlin footage recorded in 1967 in Northern California showing an ape-like creature walking in the forest.
"That's what I'm going to be looking at: Examining how in hindsight we see that the film actually anticipated by decades many of the characteristics of an early bipedal hominin which are now conventional wisdom," Meldrum says.
The two-day gathering, September 21 and 22, has limited seating and requires a ticket.
For more local news, follow the KBSX newsroom on Twitter @KBSX915
Copyright 2018 Boise State Public Radio


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This Blitz is a bit of a change of pace for us We are doing something different and fun as Author Ren Garcia is making YouTube videos telling you the backstory of each chapter in his book and then narrating the chapter. The Treasure Hunt Questions will be based on the videos and you can answer the questions in the Rafflecopter.
Ren Garcia is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author and Texas native who grew up in western Ohio. He has been writing since before he could write, often scribbling alien lingo on any available wall or floor with assorted crayons. He attended The Ohio State University and majored in English Literature.
Ren has been an avid lover of anything surreal since childhood. He also has a passion for caving, urban archaeology, taking pictures of clouds, and architecture. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, and their four dogs.
Raised in the dark under the lash of the Black Hat Sisterhood, when the woman who would become known as Kat, is sent on a suicide mission into the heart of the League, she was not expected to survive. Her mission: discover the identity of the fabled Shadow tech Goddess, a being who does not exist. All other considerations, including her possible death, are secondary.
But, Kat is guided by higher powers, by merciful hands that feed her, clothe her and whisper in her ear. As she watches the sun rise for the first time, she recalls their words: "Be strong," they said. "You have much to live for.
YouTube Clip:
Subscribe to Author Ren Garcia's Youtube Channel for more clips like this one.
The answer to Treasure Hunt Question #9 is in this video.
It was a long trip to Tyrol, the Black Hat antsy, obsessed with her padded seat, refusing to sit still, clutching her basket, her head thrust out the window. The Autocar kept dispensing spritzes of air fragrance to offset the Black Hat's dank mustiness. At last, the hellish journey neared its end and the Autocar came down from over the sea and settled into the flat familiar lanes and marshes of Esther, floating just over the cobbles, winding through the neck of the Eastern Continent north of Rustam, nearing Tyrol. The flat olive green Estherlands seemed to bore her. She turned her attention from the window to him, staring the whole time, studying his face, making him uncomfortable.
"It's quite rude to stare," he said.
"Garment," she replied, ignoring his remark.
"I have spent a great deal of time thinking about this. Your name shall be 'Man in Garment the Color of Mercy'. I am a giver of names. You are wearing a magnificent garment, and 'Garment', for short, shall be your name." She seemed rather proud of herself.
Stenstrom was astonished. "This 'garment' is my HRN coat, and I already have a name," he said perfunctorily.
She seemed puzzled, cocking her head to one side. "Like the sky, you are named already?"
"Yes," he said, having no idea what she was talking about. "Yes, that is correct."
"Who named you?"
"My bloody parents, that's who."
Silence. The Autocar moved steadily down the road, the skies turning wet and gray. He was sharing a ride with a filthy, smelly, tangled, barefoot Black Hat slathered in Shadow tech and stale food like a bum passed out behind a pub, but the rules of courtesy and standard decorum won out. He decided to offer his name, as was proper.
"I am Stenstrom, Lord of Belmont-South Tyrol, son of Stenstrom the Older, captain of the Fleet Warbird Caroline, and of Jubilee, 7th Lady of Tyrol."
The Black Hat listened and wasn't impressed. "Garment is better," she proclaimed. "I have named many."
"Who have you named?" he asked.
She opened her mouth to answer, but then her eyes went lost, staring out in confusion, as if she couldn't remember those she had named.
More silence. Again, decorum won out. "And what is your name?" he finally asked.
"I am Kat."
"Kat? Just Kat?
"I am Kat. The gods named me Kat."
"I see. The gods again …" –Lord Stenstrom and Kat share a ride to his home in Tyrol.
Treasure Hunt Questions 9-11: (put your answers in the rafflecopter below)
(One of the Rafflecopter Prizes is specifically for the Treasure Hunt Winner)
1- The Shadow tech Goddess – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SS-q4SLWHU
Question: What part of her face will the Shadow tech Goddess not allow A-Ram to see?
A: Her ears
B: Her nose
C: Her eyes
D: Her hair
2- The Library of Time – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZrLYQMEJV4
Question: What monster does the Shadow tech Goddess pick to attack Bellathauser?
A: The Bubbler
B: The Clacker
C: The Mighty Fibbon
D: The Great Seal
3- Selecting a Covus – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6prCLspxSoc
Question: Which Covus is selected by A-Ram and Alesta from the list?
A: Prof Hannah-Ben Shurlamp
B: Logan Tom
C: Tregga the Naked
D: Kat
See our Official Event Page for links to where you can find the rest of the Treasure Hunt Questions.
To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page


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August 5, 2014
National Foreclosure Settlement Funding To Advance Neighborhood Rebuilding, Preservation Effort
Chicago — Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced she has awarded $1.5 million to support an affordable historic home revitalization project underway in Chicagos Pullman neighborhood being led by the Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI).
The funding provided by Madigan stems from her lead role in obtaining a historic $25 billion national settlement with the countrys five largest bank mortgage servicers Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citibank and Ally Bank, formerly GMAC. The 2012 settlement addressed allegations of widespread robo-signing of documents and other fraudulent practices by banks during foreclosure proceedings.
The CNI renovation and affordable housing program is part of the Attorney Generals dedication of $70 million in settlement funding to support relief efforts for Illinois communities fraught with vacant and abandoned properties in the wake of the foreclosure crisis.
Whole neighborhoods in Chicago were devastated by the foreclosure crisis, Madigan said. The funding from the national mortgage settlement will help restore these communities block by block and serve as a down payment on a more stable financial future for families in Pullman.
The funding for CNI will enable it to acquire and rehabilitate 20 single-family homes for resale or rent. It will also allow for the acquisition of 15 buildings that will be developed into approximately 40 new rental units. To date, CNI has invested over $5 million in the Pullman neighborhood to renovate 38 historic homes.
As the result of Madigans role in the national foreclosure settlement, Illinois residents have received over $2.4 billion in direct relief, through principal reductions on home loans and refinancing for underwater loans, and an additional $43 million in direct payments to foreclosed borrowers.
In addition to securing direct relief for Illinois residents, Attorney General Madigan also dedicated nearly $70 million in settlement funding for community reinvestment, which has provided support for 54 proposals that focused on areas of need in Illinois and on housing initiatives that have been nationally recognized by the institutions as diverse as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Brookings Institution. Funding was awarded to groups of organizations working collaboratively to ensure efforts are not duplicated and are more effective allowing public and private partners to reach a larger number of homeowners and renters in neighborhoods across the state. Some resources were also dedicated to housing policy and data experts that will ensure the long-term viability of the projects. Attorney General Madigan also awarded $20 million to legal aid organizations and $5 million to pilot mortgage foreclosure mediation programs in Illinois as a result of the national foreclosure settlement.
Combating the Housing Crisis on Many Fronts
Madigan led an earlier lawsuit against Countrywide that brought about a national $8.7 billion settlement in 2008 regarding the companys predatory lending practices, and she reached a $39.5 million settlement with Wells Fargo over the banks deceptive marketing of extremely risky loans called Pay Option ARMs. Madigan has also filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Standard & Poors, alleging the ratings agency compromised its independence by assigning high ratings to unworthy, risky investments as a corporate strategy to increase its revenue and market share.
The Attorney General has also secured over $184 million in settlement negotiations with JPMorgan Chase & Company and Citigroup to fully recover losses for Illinois pension systems incurred as a result of the banks fraudulent marketing and sale of risky residential mortgage-backed securities in the lead up to the economic crisis.
For more information on the national foreclosure settlement that led to todays announcement, visit www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/bankforeclosuresettlement.html. Borrowers also can visit www.NationalForeclosureSettlement.com.
|© 2020 Illinois Attorney General
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Audio Research Reference Two preamplifier Measurements
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I measured the performance of the Reference Two in both full single-ended and full balanced modes. Maximum voltage gains were 15.2dB balanced in to balanced out, and 13.8dB single-ended in to single-ended out. With a single-ended input, the maximum gain available from the balanced outputs was just under 20dB. The preamp was non-inverting from both sets of outputs. The unity-gain settings of the volume control were 2:00 balanced, 2:30 unbalanced.
The preamp's input impedance varied from 52.5k ohms (unbalanced at 20kHz) through 66.5k ohms (unbalanced, bass through upper midrange) and 163k ohms (balanced at 20kHz), to 235k ohms (balanced, bass through midrange). The output impedance was basically 440 ohms balanced and 270 ohms unbalanced, though these figures did rise at the bottom of the audioband to 625 and 750 ohms, respectively.
As a result, the bass rolled off early into the very low 600-ohm load (fig.1, bottom trace), though into the more typical 100k ohm load (top trace) the Reference Two offered excellent extension at the low-frequency extreme. The high frequencies were slightly curtailed into both loads, at -1.5dB at 20kHz. As MF noted, "the Ref 2's top end was ever so slightly soft."
Fig.1 Audio Research Reference Two, balanced frequency response at 1V output with volume control at maximum gain into 100k ohms (top below 100Hz) and 600 ohms (bottom below 20kHz). (0.5dB/vertical div.)
Channel separation (fig.2) was excellent, but the ubiquitous 6dB/octave rise in crosstalk with frequency due to capacitive coupling can be seen in this graph. (Double the frequency and you get double the crosstalk.) Channel separation was slightly worse in the balanced mode, presumably because then you have double the number of signal-carrying paths.
Fig.2 Audio Research Reference Two, channel separation with volume control at its maximum, from top to bottom: R-L, L-R, balanced; R-L, L-R, unbalanced (10dB/vertical div.).
Distortion at 1V output into 100k ohms was very low in either mode (fig.3), though the unbalanced THD was a little higher overall, perhaps due to the contribution of noise to this result. Figs.4 and 5 show the spectrum of a 50Hz sinewave at 2V in unbalanced and balanced modes, respectively. Now it is the balanced result (fig.4) that has slightly higher THD, with the second and third harmonics around -70dB (0.03%). Note also the presence of an AC supply-related component at 180Hz (-76dB, or 0.015%), presumably due to magnetic coupling. The only harmonic of significance in the unbalanced spectrum (fig.5) is the second, at -74dB. While the 180Hz component is gone, a 120Hz electrical hum can now be seen at -90dB (0.003%).
Fig.3 Audio Research Reference Two, distortion (%) vs frequency at 1V into 100k ohms, balanced (bottom) and unbalanced (top).
Fig.4 Audio Research Reference Two, unbalanced spectrum of 50Hz sinewave, DC-1kHz, at 1V into 100k ohms (linear frequency scale).
Fig.5 Audio Research Reference Two, balanced spectrum of 50Hz sinewave, DC-1kHz, at 1V into 100k ohms (linear frequency scale).


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