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AMON AMARTH'S Bassist Ted Lundström
@ HMV Forum, 23rd October 2011
Interview by Rhiannon Marley
Photography by Sabrina Dersel
Roll up, boys and girls. Grab your weapons, sharpen your axes. Because guess what? The Vikings are de-boarding their ship again!
Anyone who thought strapping boys of 10' 3", with gargantuan beards and titanium balls, disappeared at the end of the 11th century would do well to stop and take in the Scandinavian corner of the metal world. Even a snippet would do!The ongoing right-hand-of-the-father staple of the romanticised Viking image among its talent is evident of two things: their mythology is a force with its own postcode and social security number, and manly men are still more than doing it for us ladies.
And Amon Amarth offer bucket-loads of both.The 19-year-strong clan of hairy hunks has battered its way with an inventory of nine studio albums, videos pulling tens of millions of YouTube hits, and more line-up changes than their combined testosterone volume.
But as Metal Rules talks to bassist Ted Lundström about avoiding writer's block, the pros and cons of the www, and Lemmy's Nazi memorabilia collection, I'm not sure how ready for battle he is: he was snoozing on the very couch we're sitting on just a couple of hours ago…
Rhiannon Marley (RM): "We're seven months in now from the release of 'Surtur Rising'. How do you think the reception has fared?"
Ted Lundström (TL): "Well, the reception has been very good, y'know; all the touring we've done has been very successful, and the sales of the album have been really good. Good reviews – it's been good!"
RM: "And were you guys surprised by that, or did you think all the positive feedback was well-justified?"
TL: "Oh yeah. Personally, I think it was deserved, but of course, when you release a new album, you start from where the old album ended. The last ones were successful, so of course we knew this was going to be good. It was a good step to take from there. It's been very good – it's doing better than the last one, so that's always good!"
RM: "I suppose it depends on your constitution of an up and a down as a band, as well… What are your thoughts on the sound of Amon Amarth across your career so far? Considering different albums, line-up changes, etc, do you think you've chopped and changed anything, or that you've been pretty consistent in sound and style?"
TL: "Well, we had a slow and steady progress; we've just matured as people, and I think that also shows in the album: that we never really stepped out of our past. We've done it slowly, so that nobody will be surprised if they hear our latest album compared to the other ones. We've always tried to make it more exciting, but it's hard, 'cause in the end, when you work for a year to write an album, it's what you like most yourself that's gonna end up on the new album, so we just do what we like ourselves."
RM: "So you'd rather stay quote-un-quote 'true to yourselves' than cater for the critics in your writing?"
TL: "Well, some people, it seems like they're jumping back and forth, and trying new styles, new directions, etc, and it's never really been our thing to do. We'd rather be doing what we've always done."
RM: "Speaking of your past albums, when you've done a good few, it must get harder to keep refreshing your ideas. How do you renew your inspiration, and prevent yourselves from getting 'writer's block'?"
TL: "I don't know…that's, of course, the toughest part. You can always write music, and stuff; that's kind of easy, if you want to do it the same way. But you really have to challenge yourself. And we try to really push each other; if our singer, Johann, writes a lyric, and it's always about Vikings and battle… [Laughs] We'll try to push him to maybe try another angle, or try this and that. The same thing with music: if a riff is maybe too alike another one, we try to do at least a little bit of steering to the side."
RM: "I read an interview with Fred earlier about what he considered to be 'true' and 'untrue' metal…you're obviously receiving a lot more mainstream attention as a metal group nowadays. How do you think things like Facebook and YouTube affect music, and also the dissemination of metal music in particular?"
TL: [Referring to Fred] "Well, he's the master of the internet world! [Laughs] But I don't know; it's a good platform for music, the media, like that. But at the same time, it's very…quick…very fast, digital…could be here one day, and totally gone the next. I'm of the old-school. Of course, I use the internet a lot! [Laughs] But I don't use it really as a 'tool'."
RM: "Do you think the internet concerning music is an ephemeral thing? Do you think the power the web has over how music is accessed has staying power, or that it's transitory?"
TL: "What do you mean?"
RM: "Things like YouTube: you guys have over 12 million hits for 'The Pursuit of Vikings' video, for one example. That's got to help when it comes to people recognising the group or being exposed to your music. Do you think that kind of exposure will stand the test of time?"
TL: "Yeah, I mean, it's really good in the way that we can reach a lot of people really quickly. Like in the past, you recorded a music video because it was supposed to be on MTV; today, the only way you can see that video is on YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, etc. It's like the new video: the sad thing with that is that usually, people watch it in really low resolution, and you wanna spend a lot of money on the video. You won't really get the final product, or it won't be as good as it would be on a big screen. It's both good and bad."
RM: "I've got to touch on the old chestnut of the Viking thing. Do you think there's now a capital with it to match the culture? Is it something that makes a lot of money as well as being something for which bands have passion?"
TL: "Yeah, I mean, for us, it's been really successful. We used it not because we wanted to be like…we didn't really want people to know us as a 'Viking metal band', but still, that's what we were interested in. And it worked really well, y'know, because you stand out a little bit, and as you said, more and more people get interested in it. Even if you go to South America, or somewhere far, far from Scandinavia, where we're from, they know a lot about these old gods and stuff. But it was the same thing when we grew up: we read about the old Greek gods, and it's always interesting. It's tales and stories. It doesn't matter if you believe in it, if it's a religion, or if it's good stories: it's always gonna be a good thing. It's very good visually for us: stories like that give you good album covers, and good stage possibilities to do cool shows."
RM: "Your scenery is always great. Do you think there's one particular album from your discography which is most defining of your sound as a band? Or even for you: one which exploits your capabilities as a musician the most?"
TL: "No, I can't really point out one album. Usually, it's always the last one you're most happy with, 'cause that's where you are right now. It's always aiming to be one step better than the last album. I think our last one is the most mature one: the best one both production-wise and music-wise, as musicians. That's my favourite. Maybe not the album that took us the biggest step in our career, but it's still the best so far."
RM: "In terms of your own influences and inspirations, is there any one style in which you feel the most at home, or are you pretty wide-ranging concerning what you appreciate?"
TL: "Yeah, I'm very wide in my taste, so I can't really say anything…I like to be open for everything: both musically, and everything else."
RM: "Well, of course, you're a musician. But even some musicians or music fans are pretty intransigent concerning what they will or will not listen to. Musical snobbery; musical fascism…"
TL: "Yeah, that's true. Also within the band, some people are more aiming for this one special style or genre, or something. But I'm very open for everything."
RM: "That's always a good thing! I've got a couple of lighter questions for you before we wrap up. If you could take five musical personalities, live or dead, past or present, to dinner, who would they be?"
TL: "That's a good question! That's one of those you have to think for a while to work out…I'd probably grab a few old heroes, of course. That would be nice. Of course, Gene Simmons and Steve Harris: they've been the biggest inspiration for me since I started playing music in the band…"
RM: "Are you a big Maiden fan?"
TL: "Yeah! That was my first really big band, as a fan. I like collecting the albums and stuff. Who else? I guess I'll have to continue with bass players: Duff McKagan – would be nice to see what kind of stories he has. And we can't really skip Lemmy, of course – probably has tons of stories! [Laughs] I read his book, and he seems to be a really funny guy."
RM: "Did you watch the documentary on him?"
TL: "Yeah, I've seen that one, too. He seems to be very, very cool."
RM: "I couldn't believe his Nazi memorabilia collection!"
TL: "Yeah I know! That's crazy! Well, you've gotta have some interest in life, and apparently his was that! His was probably not the best one if you're into public pleasing!"
RM: "He's probably one of the few people who could get away with it…"
TL: "Yeah, anybody else would have been destroyed by the media immediately."
RM: "He just seems not to give a shit at all. This last one might be slightly easier… Desert-Island Disc: if you could take three albums with you to a desert island, what would they be?"
TL: "That's a tough one! It's tough because I could probably name three, but if you asked me tomorrow, I'd probably have three different albums! I'd have Iron Maiden – 'Killers' – that's when I started to listen to them, the first two albums. They've still got a special place in my heart. And also I think it's the best cover of album, and the coolest. I like that album a lot. I'd also pick W.A.S.P. – either the first, or 'Crimson Idol'; and I would probably have Hammer Horde – 'Under the Mighty Oath' as three."
The hollering from the winding queue outside continues. The after-partying – immense, according to Ted -, continues. Amon Amarth continue. Catch them on the remainder of the 'Surtur Rising European Tour', blazing a trail of tresses and treasure. And with their own legion of warriors behind them, it doesn't look like the boys have much to fear. Looking forward to seeing them onstage later tonight; until then, it's Malibu-and-coke-o'clock for Sabrina and I…


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Pork is essentially synonymous with barbecue in my area of the South, so the Lil' Pig barbecue from Traeger makes sense in a creepy meta-way if you can get past the doe-eyed cuteness. The grill boasts 418 sq. inches of cooking surface, an internal hopper, a stainless steel door handle and a multi-position digital thermostat control.
So while it's "some pig," (Giz reads!) the $1599 price tag might swing you toward some grilling gear a little less porky pricewise. There's also a Longhorn grill for you Texans.
Product Page [Traeger via shiny shiny]

subset: commoncrawl


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The Office of the Under Secretary (OUS) for International Trade plans, determines, and coordinates policy, directs the programs, and is responsible for all activities of ITA. The Under Secretary coordinates all issues concerning trade promotion, commercial policy, market access, agreements, trade law enforcement, import administration, domestic and international competitiveness.
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Advocacy Center helps California company secure $12.5 million contract with a Macedonian government agency
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Sheets of sound was a term coined in 1958 by Down Beat magazine jazz critic Ira Gitler to describe a new style of jazz by saxophone musician John Coltrane. The term also refers to a period of Coltrane's music between 1958-1960.
== Ira Gitler ==
"As he learned harmonically from Davis and Monk, and developed his mechanical skills, a new more confident Coltrane emerged. He has used long lines and multinoted figures within these lines, but in 1958 he started playing sections that might be termed 'sheets of sound'."
"Trane On The Track". Down Beat, 1958.
== Nat Hentoff ==
"While he was with Miles, Coltrane was tagged with the phrase "sheets of sound." Jazz critic Ira Gitler had first used it. These "sheets of sound" were multinote hailstorms of dense textures that sound like a simultaneous series of waterfalls. "His continuous flow of ideas without stopping really hit me," Gitler said. "It was almost superhuman. The amount of energy he was using could have powered a spaceship."
New liner notes to Giant Steps (Deluxe edition), Sep, 1997.


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Republican legislator Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC), cares nothing for your student loans because you don't need to borrow money for higher education. To wit (from Foxx herself): "I have very little tolerance for people who tell me that they graduate with $200,000 of debt or even $80,000 of debt because there's no reason for that. We live in an opportunity society and people are forgetting that."
So if we've learned anything from Republicans this election year, it's [insert controversial statement about birth control here] and they don't want to pay for your education, so get a job and pay for it yourself.


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Aborting Obama
Some time ago, I wrote about the issue of abortion and I posited that there was a spectrum of views that could be measured–with a 0-100% ratio–where 0% was the view that abortion should be illegal under any circumstance, and 100% was the view that abortion should be legal under all circumstances.
It looked something like this:
100% Legal [—————|—————] 0% Legal
I argued that any view on the subject of abortion would fall between those two extremes.
For instance, the view that abortion should be legal only in the case of rape, incest, or endangerment of the mother's life would fall on the scale roughly at 15%. The view that abortion should be legal until the third trimester would fall roughly at 85%, and the support of so-called "morning after" pills would fall somewhere near 30% on the scale.
One could quibble with the percentage points that I assigned to any particular viewpoint, but the overall theory was sound.
I further submitted that there were not two sides of the abortion debate, but three; pro-choice, pro-life, and pro-abortion.
My own position on abortion is such that I have had many debates with people representing views from nearly every point along the scale.
I am a conservative with a very thick libertarian streak. I personally believe that abortion is heinous and despicable. I mourn every child lost at the hands of an abortion doctor. However, I still believe that the decision to carry a pregnancy to term must remain in the hands of the woman, and not in the hands of government bureaucrats.
This position doesn't win me many friends, to say the least. Most of my fellow conservatives disagree with me vehemently, and, although I believe that they respect me, this disagreement has led to some pretty heated debates.
Most liberals disagree with me too, because I would restrict abortion access to the first trimester, if it were left to me. However, it is nearly always a distinct faction of liberals that hotly debate against my position, and they are the ones that I would describe as pro-abortion.
It seems counter-intuitive that there would be a class of people who believe that abortion is a positive thing, but I assure you that they do indeed exist.
Certainly Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was pro-abortion. In fact, Sanger was a noted eugenicist. She believed in abortion as a means to cull the population of "undesirable" races.
But even Sanger's extreme views fell within the abortion scale that I created.
I have debated the abortion issue with many people on all sides of the spectrum for many years. I thought that I had heard it all. I believed my scale to be an absolute representation.
Until I met Barack Obama.
President Obama's views on abortion are so very extreme that they do not fit on the scale that I created. He doesn't just believe that abortion should be legal under all circumstances…
He actually voted that a baby who managed to survive the abortion process could be denied medical care outside of the womb.
That, my friends, is not pro-choice. It isn't even pro-abortion.
That is MURDER.
With the Democratic National Convention gearing up, and all of the political winds pointing to their focus on women's reproductive issues, Obama's extreme position is something that should not be left ignored.
We need to hammer this home; over, and over, and over again. The Democrats simply can not be allowed to set themselves up as the champions of women's rights with this kind of blood on their hands.
Not now, and not ever.


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WASHINGTON – The most powerful gun-rights lobby in the U.S. says it wants to address gun violence by having an armed police officer in every school in the country.
Friday's comments by the National Rifle Association come exactly a week after a gunman killed 26 people at a Connecticut school, including 20 children ages 6 and 7.
The NRA's executive vice-president, Wayne LaPierre, says, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."
At least two protesters broke up his announcement. One man held up a large red banner that said "NRA killing our kids."
The protesters were taken away by security, shouting that guns in schools are not the answer.
The 4.3 million-member National Rifle Association may be facing its toughest challenge in the wake of national horror over last week's killing of children, many of them shot multiple times and at close range by high-powered rifle.
LaPierre said "the next Adam Lanza," the 20-year-old responsible for last week's shooting, is planning an attack on another school.
LaPierre brushed aside the idea that gun control legislation is needed, saying, "20,000 other laws have failed." Instead, he blamed video games, movies and music videos for exposing children to a violent culture day in and day out.
"In a race to the bottom, many conglomerates compete with one another to shock, violate, and offend every standard of civilized society, by bringing an even more toxic mix of reckless behaviour and criminal cruelty right into our homes," LaPierre said.
He also blamed the media, saying it has "demonized lawful gun owners" and "rewards (mass shooters) with wall-to-wall attention."
As "some have tried to exploit tragedy for political gain, we have remained respectfully silent," he added.
He refused to take any questions from the audience.
LaPierre also announced that former Rep. Asa Hutchison will lead an NRA program that will develop a model security plan for schools that relies on armed volunteers.
The NRA largely disappeared from public debate after the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, choosing atypical silence as a strategy as the nation sought answers after the rampage. The NRA temporarily took down its Facebook page and kept quiet on Twitter.
Five more funerals or memorials were being held Friday in Newtown.
Since the shooting, President Barack Obama has demanded "real action, right now" against gun violence and called on the NRA to join the effort. His administration has been moving quickly after several congressional gun-rights supporters said they would consider new legislation to control firearms.
Obama has said he wants proposals on reducing gun violence that he can take to Congress by January, and he put Vice-President Joe Biden, a gun control advocate with decades of experience in the Senate, in charge of the effort.
The president said in a video released early Friday that the White House has received an outpouring of support for stricter gun laws over the past week. "We hear you," he said.
A "We the People" petition on the White House website allows the public to submit petitions. Nearly 200,000 people have urged Obama to address gun control in one petition, and petitions related to gun violence have amassed more than 400,000 signatures.
At the same time, however, gun shops across the country have reported higher sales, including of assault weapons. A spike in gun sales is not uncommon after mass shootings.
Obama has already asked Congress to reinstate an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 and pass legislation that would end a provision that allows people to purchase firearms from private parties without a background check.
The president also has indicated that he wants Congress to pursue the possibility of limiting high-capacity magazines, which the 20-year-old gunman used in last week's shooting.
Obama wants to build on a rare national mood after years of hesitation by politicians across the country to take on the issue of gun violence – and the NRA.
"I've been doing this for 17 years, and I've never seen something like this in terms of response," said Brian Malte, spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, based in Washington, D.C. "The whole dynamic depends on whether the American public and people in certain states have had enough."
The Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism released a report Thursday showing that the Newtown shooting has led to more discussion about gun policy on social media than previous rampages. The report says users advocating for gun control were more numerous than those defending current gun laws.
Legislators, mostly Democrats, in California and New York plan a push to tighten what are already some of the most stringent state gun-control laws.
Meanwhile, Republicans in Oklahoma, Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida have called for making it easier for teachers and other adults to have weapons in schools.
A Pew Research Center survey taken Dec. 17-19, after the shooting, registered an increase in the percentage of Americans who prioritize gun control (49 per cent) over gun owner rights (42 per cent).
Those figures were statistically even in July. The December telephone survey included 1,219 adults in all 50 states. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.
Associated Press writer Philip Elliott contributed.


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Salsa Fresca, and Others Things Salsa
Anyone have a good, red salsa fresca recipe?
I use the one below, which is my version based on Homesick Texan's recipe. I feel like it needs more tang -- a dash of vinegar, or perhaps using pickled jalapenos instead?
But consider this a good place to chat about all things salsa, I suppose, since the season is nearly upon us!
2 (14.5 oz.) cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes, drained well 3 jalapenos, stemmed, seeded and chopped 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro leaves 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1/3 cup diced yellow onion 1 1/2 tbl. of chile powder (add more to taste, if you like) 2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. white sugar Juice from 1/2 lime
Method: Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until desired consistency. Taste and adjust as desired.
Makes 4 cups
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While the latest update only takes data through the first quareter of '09, you can see that ecommerce retail sales went negative last year and has stayed negative since. Remember, ecommerce is a relatively new thing and until recently had been growing by leaps and bounds – but no longer. Growing at over a 70% rate in the year 2,000, it is now negative (contracting) by about 7% on a year over year basis.
This is yet another indicator showing that the consumer is tapped out. Sure the plunge has been arrested on the back of stimulus and government spending, but it certainly is not back to prior levels and meaningful growth has yet to resume. Could that be consumer credit related? You bet!
The following charts were updated today and contain data through quarter 1, 2009:
Thursday: Unemployment Claims, ISM Services
9 hours ago


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Against the backdrop of some strains between the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the general elections, Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today refused to meet the saffron party's prime ministerial candidate L K Advani who was in Mumbai in connection with a party function.
The Sena suggested that a meeting between the two leaders cannot be fixed at short notice amid reports that Advani had expressed a desire to meet Thackeray. "We received intimation from BJP in the afternoon that Advani, who was in the city to attend a function planned days earlier wanted to meet Thackeray," Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe claimed.
Relations between BJP and Shiv Sena, its oldest alliance partner in the NDA, have come under some strain in the recent weeks in the wake of talk of an Nationalist Congress Party-Sena alliance.
Advani was in Mumbai to attend a function where he was given Rs 11 crore for the election fund by the city BJP unit.
"The BJP leaders must have spent days collecting Rs 11 crore. Couldn't they have intimated us earlier instead of contacting at the last moment?" Gorhe asked.
"They should have been aware of the fact that Thackeray's daily routine is fixed and cannot be changed at the last moment," Gorhe told PTI.
BJP state unit spokesperson Madhav Bhandari however denied that his party had sought Thackeray's appointment. "All
such reports are baseless," he said.


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Golden State's new waterfront arena is still far from becoming reality
This time, no splashy news conference went down on the pier. No visit from David Stern and Ahmad Rashad. No buttons heralding big things in 2017.
Still, the same doggedness over the Warriors' arena project continues among the team's brass. The same we-perform-miracles spirit is driving this project forward.
The arena project is not on hold. That was the adamant response Monday from team officials to reports that the project had stalled. The Warriors are now acknowledging what most already knew: Their plans for a fantastical new arena on the San Francisco waterfront won't come to fruition in 2017. The new target date is 2018.
"We're expecting to make 2018, and we're full-speed ahead," team president Rick Welts said when contacted Monday. "Any indication there is any pause, that we're taking our foot off the pedal, is completely inaccurate."
Yes, they are still moving forward - aggressively, they might add - toward the spaceship on the dock of the bay at Piers 30/32.
What's more, Welts said moving next door to the Giants is not on the table. He said they aren't considering East Bay locations. The smart money is on some alternative plans being worked out behind the scenes to save face. But the public stance remains emphatic.
"We're 100 percent focused on 30/32," Welts said.
It's hard not to respect the stubbornness of the Warriors' brass. The greatest of accomplishments require powering through the greatest of doubts. And this arena project is embedded in doubt.
The price keeps rising. The window of opportunity keeps closing. The critics keep chirping. This arena feels like even more of a pipe dream than it did when the project was announced in 2012. Of course, all of that would make fruition that much sweeter.
But it's also hard not to shake your head at the same stubbornness. It's as if the Warriors are choosing the path of most resistance. Running up a down escalator.
The Warriors and co-owner Joe Lacob have built up some good favor in the Bay Area. The public perception of both the team and Lacob have improved dramatically since the infamous booing that followed the Monta Ellis trade. But this arena stuff threatens that progress. Issues with arenas and stadiums can leave a team with egg on its face (the Bob Lurie-era Giants) or take away from the glory of their achievements (the Lew Wolff-era A's).
The financial coup awaiting the Warriors, if they pull this off, is probably worth all the hassle. However, if it doesn't happen, it's going to be a long fall from grace considering the tunnel vision they've had this whole way.
The Warriors are working on the third revision of the new arena. Even though fixing up the decaying piers will cost $180 million, double the initial projections. Even though the project eventually might be forced onto a ballot since it exceeds waterfront height restrictions. Even though 2018 may not even be possible, which could lead to another concession. The Warriors are bent on fulfilling this dream of theirs.
Welts said the delay is the result of the Warriors being amenable to the community.
The timeline has been pushed back because they can't complete their environmental impact report and other requirements until they finish their final design. But their final design isn't done because they have been incorporating input from the various relative entities. Yet another public meeting was scheduled to take place Monday.
So the Warriors are just victims of the process, about which they were forewarned. And it will become further protracted if the voters are forced to get involved, or if the Warriors are forced to switch gears and find another spot.
That reality doesn't seem to give them pause, though. It's 2018, full speed ahead.


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The CT WATCHDOG: New ruling could mean higher condo fees
Condominium owners around the state face potentially higher fees as the result of a recent Superior Court ruling which limits dramatically the responsibility banks have to pay condo common charges in foreclosure cases.
New Haven Superior Court Judge Michael G. Maronich ruled that condo associations are limited to six months in fees that they can force banks to pay in case of a foreclosure.
That means that if it takes three years for a bank to complete its foreclosure, the rest of the unit owners in the complex will have to pay higher common charges for two and a half years to make up for the loss.
While a large complex with 100 or more units might be able to absorb one or two lengthy foreclosures, small complexes could be devastated.
"A complex with only six units would lose one sixth of its income," said Hamden Attorney Kristie Leff, who represents Lake Ridge Condominium Complex in Meriden, with 56 units, which lost the ruling to Bank of America.
For the rest of the story please click here.


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Ice Age: Continental Drift
Manny, Diego, and Sid find their home set adrift--no doubt because of "global warming"--forcing them to confront sea creatures and pirates.
Easy Money
Joel Kinnaman stars in this Swedish crime drama as a man living a double life as a low-level criminal dating a wealthy woman from a high-society family.
Red Lights
Robert De Niro stars as the world's most famous psychic, who is being investigated by two scientists, played by Sigourney Weaver and Cillian Murphy, who make their living debunking the paranormal. From writer-director Rodrigo Cortes ("Buried").
U.S. & World
Ballplayer: Pelotero
A documentary that follows two young prospects as they attempt to follow their dreams of signing huge contracts with major league baseball teams, and the pitfalls for both buyers and sellers in this murky marketplace.
A nurse, a paramedic, a gymnast and her coach begin hiring themselves out as stand-ins for the recently deceased to comfort those still grieving. From "Dogtooth" director Yorgos Lanthimos.
The Imposter
A documentary that looks at the a boy who disappeared in 1994 from his hometown in Texas and seemingly resurfaces three years later in Spain--but when he gets home his family begins to suspect something is wildly, insanely amiss.
Freida Pinto stars in director Michael Winterbottom's India-set adaptation of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," in which the love between a poor woman and a wealthy man run into issues of class and family.
Three Stars
Documentarian Lutz Hachmeister takes you inside the high-pressure world of fine dining, where the quest for a good review pushes even the greatest chefs to the brink. Features Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Sven Elverfeld, Yannick Alléno and more.
Union Square
Mira Sorvino stars as a woman on the verge of a breakdown who drops in unannounced on her estranged sister (Tammy Blanchard), who is about to be married, and asks to stay for a few days with her mountain of new clothes and her small dog.
Family Portrait
A documentary about a woman raising 17 foster children with a Stalin-esque level of discipline and rigidity, who finds some of the kids in revolt as they reach their teens.
2016 Obama's America
Based on conservative pundit Dinesh D'Souza's book of the same title, the film looks at what the president's re-election would mean for the country.
The Obama Effect
Charles Dutton stars as a man who finds a new purpose in campaigning to ensure Barack Obama's election.


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Just a while ago, I read a Young Adult novel that seems to be the positive mirror of this. It was Jennifer Brown's Hate List. Both novels deal with a tragedy, specifically a girl losing a boy to death and how it affects their lives. The relationship was big. Both happen to be outcasts in a Nowheresville. Relationships with the family is rocky and there is a sexually-active, supposedly hot chick that's evil involved.
The difference is in how Hate List is darker, but more sympathetic whereas King's book has more shocking content on the surface but less of the empathy which is truly disturbing. Therefore, at the bottom there isn't much horror or insight. King lays out at the beginning who are the good guys and who are the bad. Nowhere in the novel do they get a chance to prove otherwise and we don't get any view of their inner world. Dad figure swings from bad to good, and it's actually nice to see a parental figure being allowed to be flawed but not a complete asshole. Sadly, this is where the good characterization ends.
I'm all for novels like this. Teenagers need books like these which deal with drugs, sex and death. They experience these things at this age and sometimes what they need isn't the perspective of an adult, but a lot of perspectives similar to theirs. Books like this mention the important subject, but they offer such a narrow perspective. Perhaps for those for whom death and alcoholism ring close, this book can be some kind of an emotional outlet. For the rest of us, though, it's too close-minded.
My issue is not with the content and not even that it's quite wacky, moving away from the gritty-realism authors like this try to imitate. I can take the octagonal treehouse and teenagers burning shit down. I can even take the enigmatic, hot outcast male. Where's the life in them, though?
Charlie isn't as bad as Green's females, but we still get a character with zero personal issues that we're supposed to adore. He's a dream boy – wild, untamed, skinny, always doing things, putting a tough exterior but is actually romantic and with some emotional issues. Of course, the romantic side and the emotional baggage is never let out – because men with emotions aren't sexy. For some reason, too, love interests in these novels are always skinny and this is passed off as if it's against the beauty ideal.
Eventually he goes to the dark side to be with 'cool people'. King's version of the Evil Cool isn't jocks and football junkies for a change, but a bunch of druggies and a rocker girl. As for her, she happens to have a lot of sex and is nasty to people. Why she's nasty to people, we never understand. Her sexual nature is also often painted hostile and morally low, but I'm not sure why besides the fact it's 'conformist' – unlike Charlie who is really cool and builds treehouses.
She's so nasty that she ruins everyone's lives. I'm sure there are people like this, but if only King gave us a little insight into why she does what she does. Jenny ends up being nothing more than a plot device and someone we could hate. Besides breaking up between the main character and her lover, she has no role.
Many characters in this novel fit a scary template in fiction – characters whose main purpose is that we'll have something to hate. Such characters contain some qualities that nearly everyone will claim as bad – cruelty, sadism, lack of empathy. On top of that the authors will put something else to make them uncool, like being stupid or doing too many drugs or being too conserative, or maybe just racist. We'll be expected to really detest this character and hope for their downfall.
The problem is, we often feel this way in real life towards people because it's all we've been exposed to. Sometimes hating people is justified, but what's wrong is hating them while denying their humanity. Once we draw a too distinct line between us and the evil, we override the purpose of morality. Morality then is not decided by deeds or virtues, but by people. 'A is just because of X' becomes 'A is just because B is unjust'. That type of morality leaves no room for redemption, and so no room for admitting when we're wrong (since we can't be – the other side must be wrong!). Once we adopt such a morality, nothing prevents us from becoming what we hate.
Sadly this is what King has to offer us. Jenny and the others remain an enigma – assholes without character. If only King would've developed further, maybe she could've conjured something more horrifying, more haunting. Evil is at its scariest when we realize we can do it, too. That's why pictures of serial killers are so frightening. We look at them and see flesh and blood just like us.
Plot doesn't matter much in novels like these since the psychological development of the character is important. King is better than Brown in creating a main character. The writing is utilitarian and doesn't add much, but there's a toughness to the writing, an edge that lets Vera be more than an outcast. She's a tough person who bottles it all until it comes back out. While King is not the peak of minimalism, she lets just enough edge to let this psyche be expressed in the prose.
It would've been better if she didn't need a big event for the story to revolve on. Considering how Vera has enough depth to carry a story on her own – not much, but just enough – big explosions were unnecessary. All we needed was to see these characters go about their lives, how their worldviews and personalities – Vera's detachment, will to be responsible and for escapism and Charlie's adventurous spirit – collide, stray, collide again and eventually fall apart. She does it quite successfully throughout the novel. The relationship is convincing enough with how the characters relate and then go separate ways when puberty hits.
Scattered throughout the novels are other perspectives – the pagoda, the father. King doesn't have the writing ability to give these a new tone. Don't look at the heading and you'll find the father and the daughter are speaking in the same internal voice. Still, it's a refreshing addition that almost gets close to adding empathy to this story. Sadly, these are tidbits, not a choice of method that re-frames the whole novel. Most likely a young author will be inspired by this but will accidentally credit As I Lay Dying.
It's quick and to the point, but mostly it's an insulting collection of stereotypes. We all could use books, like music, that offer us catharsis but this is not a song that will carry on to future years. It's more like your first local show, where the mere presence of sound and emotion is enough to inspire you to keep digging. You won't remember precise details about that band, and the same goes for this book.
1.5 rocker girls out of 5


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| 12.6°C Belfast
David Cameron has promised that "money is no object" in providing relief to communities affected by floods, as he warned that the country faces "a long haul" to recover from the devastation of recent weeks.
Fresh from a two-day tour of inundated communities in South-West England and the Thames Valley, the Prime Minister announced he was cancelling a planned trip to the Middle East to take personal charge of the relief operation.
With 16 severe flood warnings, 133 flood warnings and 225 flood alerts still in force, he told a Downing Street news conference that the situation could deteriorate further.
"There is absolutely no sign of this threat abating, and with further rain and strong winds forecast throughout the week, things may get worse before they get better," he said.
Mr Cameron's warning came as the Environment Agency (EA) said rises in the level of the River Thames were set to cause more disruption for flood-hit areas.
Around 1,000 properties have been reported as flooded in the past week, including 800 along the Thames, and the EA said that Windsor and Maidenhead, in Berkshire, as well as parts of Surrey were now at risk . Since the beginning of December, a total of 5,800 premises have been flooded and more than 1.3 million protected by flood schemes, said the Agency.
EA senior flood adviser Kate Marks warned it was "increasingly likely" that there would also be problems along the River Severn and River Wye.
And the Met Office forecast 20-40mm (0.75-1.5 inches) of rain by Friday night across many southern and western areas, with as much as 70mm (2.75 inches) in the already sodden West Country, south Wales, western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
A storm due to hit tomorrow could fell trees and cause transport and power disruption, with winds in the South West potentially reaching 80mph. And there is continuing disruption to rail services in the Thames Valley and West Country.
About 100 properties remain flooded on the Somerset Levels, where extra pumps are being brought in from the Netherlands, and groun dwater flooding is also expected in the coming days in Hampshire, Kent and parts of London. The Thames barrier closed again this morning to protect communities to the West of the capital.
Announcing new support for householders, businesses and farms, Mr Cameron said every effort would be made to help affected areas get back on their feet.
"Money is no object in this relief effort. Whatever money is needed for it will be spent," he said.
The Prime Minister was this evening leading a meeting of the Government's emergency committee Cobra in Whitehall to assess the latest situation, and on Thursday he will chair a new Cabinet committee set up to oversee the recovery.
He said a tax deferral scheme will help businesses hit by flooding, while up to £10 million in new funding is being found to support farmers. Grants of several thousand pounds for homeowners and businesses will be available to improve flood defences as they repair their properties.
The PM rejected calls to divert funds from the overseas aid budget to the flood relief effort, insisting that, as a "wealthy country with a growing economy" Britain does not have to choose between the two.
Some 1,600 troops have now been deployed to assist with flood protection and relief, and the Prime Minister said that "thousands more" were available for tasks like filling and mov ing sandbags, getting medical assistance to the sick and helping vulnerable people. Appointing Major General Patrick Sanders to co-ordinate the military response, he said local authorities should not think twice before calling on the resources of the armed forces.
Labour leader Ed Miliband called on ministers to ensure insurance is paid promptly and protect access to insurance in future for people in flood-hit areas.
Speaking after a visit to flooded areas of Berkshire, Mr Miliband said: "The Government should be getting round the table with the insurance industry immediately to ensure every firm is signed up to clear principles of prompt assessment and payment. Now is not the time for foot-dragging of the kind we saw after the riots."
Insurers and business organisations met in Downing Street to speed up the response to claims from flood-hit companies. And Mr Cameron said that householders who experience difficulties with insurance should tell their local MPs, so the authorities can "go after those insurance companies and make sure they pay up". Local authorities will be able to request top-ups from central government for hardship funds for those with no insurance.
Mr Cameron acknowledged that it would take a "depressingly long period of time" for the country to get back to normal.
Repairs to the seafront rail link at Dawlish in Devon were expected to take six weeks, while pumping the water from the Somerset levels would take "a lot of time" even if there was no more rain. Even after water levels drop, householders face a "really painful and depressing process" of restoring their homes and replacing furniture, said the Prime Minister.
"It will be a long haul and it will require a stepped-up national effort with the whole country pulling together," he said.
Mr Cameron hailed the "inspiring" volunteers who have shown "the best of Britain" by stepping forward to help their communities.
And he praised the work of the Environment Agency's staff for the "brilliant job" they have done on the ground, but again offered only limited support for its under-fire chairman Lord Smith.
"Of course there will be a time to discuss how the pendulum against dredging swung too far in the past and how we put that right in the future," said the Prime Minister.
"But right now everybody needs every minister, every head of an agency, everyone involved, to work together to deliver the best possible response we can to these floods and that is exactly what is happening... Now is not the time for resignations."
Mr Cameron defended the Government's record of investing in flood defences, but admitted: "The truth is that when you have these extraordinary weather events, the wettest winter for 250 years, it is very difficult to have all the protections in place that you need".
Even those who were sceptical about man-made global warming should recognise the need for action to make the country more resilient in the face of the "challenges of extreme weather".
"Whether you think this is linked to climate change or whether you don't think it's linked to climate change, we should all unite in a great national effort to deal with these problems and to address them head-on and make our country more resilient because, whatever our views, it's clearly in the interests of everyone in our country," he said.
The GMB union, which represents staff at the Environment Agency, said it has learned that most of the £130 million additional funding announced by the Government in response to the crisis will be spent on capital projects, saving few - if any - of the 1,700 jobs under threat due to budget cuts.


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I've been doing a lot of research recently on state and local tech-based tech-based economic development (see here). And I've been thinking a lot about California's economy.
From 2007 to 2011 the number of jobs in California's "Internet industry"—web search, publishing, social media, and the like–rose by 50%. What's more, that trend has continued. Over the past year alone, the number of California want ads for computer software engineers—the key human capital input for growing internet firms–has increased by 27%, according to The Conference Board's database of help wanted ads.
Given the job-creating strength of the state Internet industry, it's a good thing that California–traditionally known as a high-regulation state–is taking steps to protect its growth. On September 28 Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that prohibited the state's Public Utilities Commission from regulating Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other internet-based services, including mobile apps.
The bill made two important points:*
California's innovation economy is leading the state's economic recovery. Silicon Valley alone added 42,000 jobs in 2011, an increase of 3.8 percent versus a national job growth rate of 1.1 percent. The newly designated "app," for application, economy has resulted in 466,000 new jobs nationwide, with 25 percent of that total created in California."
The Internet and Internet Protocol-based (IP-based) services have flourished to the benefit of all Californians under the current regulatory structure.
In other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it–a good principle.
The bill would stop the state's Public Utilities Commission from putting more rules on Internet-based services, including VoIP. Clearly this makes sense for California, which is benefiting so much from the growth of the Internet sector. But this applies to other states as well: if individual states started regulating Internet-based services, we would get the equivalent of trade barriers between states.
But there's a broader question as well. The Progressive Policy Institute has just released a paper entitled Beyond Goods and Services: The (Unmeasured) Rise of the Data-Driven Economy. This paper shows how, more than ever, data is a potent source of economic growth. Data consumption by individual Americans, if measured correctly, is responsible for adding an extra half percentage point to GDP growth today. And that contribution is only going to grow over time.
That means states, localities, and countries have to encourage the growth of the data-driven economy, for the benefit of long-term prosperity . And that means the old models of regulation won't work in the 21st century economy.
Going forward, one key question will how to regulate phone service as providers shift to a VoIP model. Internet-based services were historically unregulated, and it may very well be that we get more innovation and growth if we pare back the regulatory structure on phone service as part of the shift to VoIP.
From that perspective, California's action may hold lessons for the rest of the country.
*The figure of 466,000 App Economy jobs was, of course, were drawn from my February 2012 paper Where the Jobs Are: The App Economy


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Re: Glitch Report
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:42 am
I noticed that at first I always got an E-mail telling me when my subscribed topic has a new post or I have a new PM. Now, I don't get either...and I can't figure out how to fix it. I don't know if you can help me or not, but if you can,please do? = ] Thanks Pel!


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Download Inception Streaming In HDDownload Inception Online Streaming with duration 148 Min and released on 2010-07-16 with MPAA rating is 6021.
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Year of movie : 2010
Genres of movie : Action, Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller,
Status of movie : Released
Release date of movie : 2010-07-16
Companies of movie : Warner Bros., Legendary Pictures, Syncopy,
Countries of movie : United States of America,
Language of movie : English, 日本語, Français,
Durationof movie : 148 Min
Average vote of movie : 7.6
Youtube ID of movie : 8hP9D6kZseM
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- Michael Caine ( Miles )
- Dileep Rao ( Yusuf )
- Tom Berenger ( Browning )
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Your mind is the scene of the crime.
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Press Release: Téliphone Corp. Acquires Titan Communications Inc.
Titan is very pleased to announce it has been acquired by TéliPhone Navigata-Westel.
For the press release click here.
To visit the Téliphone Navigata-Westel website please click here.
To access your login page click here.
About Téliphone Corp. / Téliphone Navigata-Westel Inc.
From its origin in 1957 as BC Rail Telecom, to its evolution into Téliphone Navigata-Westel, the company is now one of the largest independent facilities-based Competitive Local Exchange Carrier in Canada providing voice, data, broadband Internet, IT support, Cloud computing, Co-location data centres and IPTV service across Canada. Téliphone services carriers, business, government and residential customers on a national network which includes a wireless backhaul network, a trans-Canada SONET fibre optic network and multiple CLEC/ILEC mutual CO facilities. Téliphone also operates a US network and its voice and IPTV services are available in 47 countries.


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Dear Friends,
I don't know about you, but I'm a bit rigid when it comes to holiday routines. An improviser I'm not. I fastidiously plan all our family celebrations, from birthdays and anniversaries, to major holidays like Christmas, to even lesser holidays like Valentine's Day. If there's a celebration on the calendar, you can count on the fact I will have an associated timeline, to-do list, menu, and shopping list (organized by sub-categories for "groceries," "gifts" and "supplies") that I carefully create and monitor. I would argue my planning is a hallmark of the diligent, but truth be told, it's probably just a hedge against spontaneity, which has never been my strong suit.
For some reason, though, this year I threw caution to the wind when I decided to ditch my typical Christmas plan by decorating before December 1. And, gasp, I even decorated before Thanksgiving. Normally I'm a real Grinch when it comes to pre-emptive Christmas displays. And, if you read this post, you'll recall I have a veritable ritual related to my children's involvement in tree trimming. But Sunday, November 23, was a cold and rainy day in my corner of the world and – with nothing better to do – I decided to deck my halls a full four days before Turkey Day. Mr. Mom was busy and my kids were at college and it just seemed like the thing to do for a sentimental old woman with time on her hands.
Of course when my children arrived home for Thanksgiving they were shocked to see the tree (in an unusual spot, no less), and the garland, and the bells, and my grandmother's vintage Santa mug collection, and enough twinkly lights to fill a Target. "Wow, what got into you?" Parker said. "Oh . . ." whimpered Kate, "I was looking forward to helping." I was stung by an immediate and familiar pang of maternal guilt, which was intensified when I arranged our Thanksgiving table a few days later and contemplated the clash of competing holiday décor on display in our dining room. I clearly had jumped the gun.
Despite my second-guessing, I felt a lightness about my decision and wondered what it would be like to have the Christmas season commence without the most time-consuming holiday chore hanging over my head.
A few days later, I was talking to a new friend, an older lady I recently met, about my early decorating spree. Dixie mentioned she just didn't have the energy for such things. She said ever since her husband died a few years ago, she found Christmas decorating difficult. She recollected – sadly I thought – that she especially missed setting up her extensive Dickens village that used to bring her so much joy. "It's just so much work," she said, "and I can't do it anymore."
In any other year, I would have rushed to commiserate with Dixie. "Oh, I know EXACTLY how you feel," I would have said. "I always feel so overwhelmed this time of year. There's too much to do and sometimes I just want to skip it all!" But instead of this reflexive reaction that I've shared so many times with the similarly harried, a mindless statement borne of a working mother's guilt and anxiety, I paused to listen to her words and, though I said nothing, Dixie's sense of longing stuck with me.
I emailed her a few days later and offered to go to her home and do her decorating for her. She was gracious enough to take me up on my offer and that's how I found myself in the midst of the most joyful and rewarding Christmas decorating spree ever.
Dixie indeed has a beautiful Dickens village, with every building and village amenity imaginable, including tiny carolers and dogs and electric street lamps and park benches and more, each carefully tied in bubble wrap and stored in their original boxes. When I was a young mother, I dreamed of collecting a Dickens village, but I couldn't afford it. Unpacking and arranging Dixie's village was like a Christmas dream come true. I felt like an 8-year-old girl who had just unwrapped Santa's best dollhouse ever and – best of all – Dixie gave me full creative license to display the village however I wished.
While I "played house," Dixie brought me tea and cookies and turned up the holiday music and told me about her life over the last 30 years in our community. After I finished assembling the display (and promised to return in January to put everything away), I couldn't help but linger over another cup of tea, enjoying the scene before us and soaking up the unexpected joy of helping a friend, no matter how modest the task. It was a magical moment in time, one I will always treasure, made possible because I dared to step out of my comfortable routine and open my heart to the potential of something even more wonderful.
As this Christmas season offers its joys and challenges to you, as you deck your halls and bake your goodies and wrap your gifts and attend parties and otherwise seek holiday cheer in your own ways, I wish for you a moment of whimsy . . . a sparkling instant in which old expectations melt away and new memories – perhaps tiny but oh so merry – fill your heart with the love and joy of the season.
With gratitude {for holiday gifts of all kinds},
Joan, who loved her some Barbie back in the day


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Halifax, Vermont
|This article is a stub. Help us to expand it by contributing your knowledge. For county and town page guidelines, visit U.S. County Page Content Suggestions.
Halifax is a town in Windham county, Vermont. It was formed in 1750 in N.H. from Windham county. The probate district for Halifax is Marlboro. For more information, contact the town at P.O.Box 127, West Halifax 05358. On the attached map, Halifax is shown as 2 in Windham county.
For information about the state of Vermont see Vermont Family History Research.


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NFL season has kicked off. Bars and restaurants are in gear for gridiron mania. They've got special menus and more to keep crowds happy. Many are offering the NFL Sunday Ticket, so you can see every NFL game, even those not broadcast in local markets.
Here's the scoop on a couple of hot spots.
The three Starters restaurants in the Bethlehem area have a special NFL menu for Sundays that includes conference team-themed burgers, cheesesteaks and entrees. You can get a classic cheesesteak representing the Eagles and a Jack Daniels BBQ sauce steak skillet with loaded mashed potatoes representing Dallas Cowboys. Recently introduced elk burgers are a specialty from Cleveland.
At Starters Riverport, drink specials include $10 Coors Light 100-ounce beer towers, $5 bomb shots — a liquor-filled shot glass dropped inside another drink — and $75 bottle service, including a featured liquor and mixers delivered to your table
There are weekly prize giveaways, from T-shirts to VIP Red Bull soccer game passes. And DJ Fly keeps up the energy during commercials and between games.
Starters Riverport has the NFL Sunday Ticket on seven big screens and dozens of TVs. (ESPN GamePlan on Saturday lets you catch college games.). It also has free parking on Sundays.
Starters Riverport is at 17 W. Second St. Starters Clubhouse is at 400 Illicks Mill Road and Starters Pub is at 3731 Route 378. Info: http://www.starterspub.com.
Fegley's Brew Works on the Green at Allentown Municipal Golf Course Sunday has drink specials on Sundays starting at 11 a.m., including $2 Bud Light Drafts and $2.50 for bottled domestic beer. (The bottled beer special is also featured during Monday night games.) Sunday menu specials include mesquite-smoked ribs, wings in a variety of sauces, and Frito pie — corn chips topped with chili and beer cheese soup.
Fegley's has the NFL Sunday Ticket and eight HDTV screens. Brew Works on the Green is at 3400 W. Tilghman St., Allentown. Info: 484-223-2020, http://www.thebrewworks.com.
The Vineyard Restaurant, a family-run Italian restaurant in Fountain Hill since 1990, is launching its fall Italian Wine and Appetizer Tasting series at 4 p.m. Sept. 30. The price is $40 per person and reservations are suggested.
The event will feature Italian varietal wines selected by co-owner Maria DiMatteo. The wines will be paired with cold antipasto, fresh and aged Italian cheeses, old-fashioned panella bread, portobello pizza, cheese-stuffed eggplant and pasta in vodka sauce. Chef Pietro DiMatteo also will prepare desserts that will be served with an after-dinner liqueur.
The Vineyard Restaurant is at 605 Fiot St. Info: 610-867-2441, http://www.thevineyardrestaurant.net.
Lenora Dannelke is a freelance writer.


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NEWS UPDATE! April 2012 EWG's Hall of Shame, Most Toxic Cleaning Supplies. Check it out and make sure none are in your cupboards. When is the last time you looked under your kitchen sink? Or in the cupboard where you keep your cleaning supplies? Household cleaners have some of the most toxic ingredients. In our […]
Tag Archives | Spot Shot
Toxic Landfill or Oasis? Natural Cleaning Solutions For Your Home
By Susan P on February 12, 2011 in Cleansing & Detox, Natural Home Care, Pure Home


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Ricky Alvarez's days at Inter look numbered after his agent revealed that the Nerazzurri "do not have faith in him."
Alvarez, 24, who moved to Italy from Velez Sarsfield in August 2011, was booed by the Inter supporters as he left the field 30 minutes into Saturday's 1-1 draw with Genoa at San Siro suffering yet another injury.
"I certainly did not expect these difficulties, because he arrived in Italy at the right time," his agent Filippo Colasanto told Il Sussidiario.
"He wasn't too young or too old and he certainly has quality. Perhaps the club does not have faith in him, but it must also be said Inter are a demanding side."
The midfielder, who has four caps for Argentina, signed for Inter for €10 million after impressing in Sarsfield's run to the semi-finals of the 2011 Copa Libertadores.
Inter beat off competition from Arsenal for the player's signature and Alvarez has been linked with a move to River Plate and Marseille in recent weeks.


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- Satin (Subtle Shine)
- Leather Texture (Crafted in polished faux pebble leather that you can actually touch and feel)
>>> Makers Gonna Make! <<<
Finest Craftsmanship custom hand-made in just 8 Business days Days.
- All of our iPad Hybrid Hard Cases are hand made just for you with care and love, we require 8 business days to create and ship each item with absolute excellence, we are sure the wait will be worthwhile.
- Ships to U.S. & WorldWide
All of our products are made shortly after your order is placed. All of our materials are sourced from local suppliers, right here in the USA.
>>> We are here to make you Happy!! <<<
You will Love our Product, it's Guaranteed - US only.
If you are not completely happy with your purchase -- for any reason and would like to exchange it for another design, please send us a convo and we'll find a way to fix it.
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7% Florida Tax will be added to orders shipping to Florida, USA
Import Duties & Customs
Each country has different laws that apply to imported products, some countries will charge additional custom fees at the moment of import, this is not included in our price or shipping costs, the payment of this duties are directly to customs in your country.
We ship WorldWide, our production time for each order is 5 to 6 weeks, we make each order under demand, this assures you that your case or skin is "hot from the oven" every time you order.
Import Duties & Customs
Each country has different laws that apply to imported products, some countries will charge additional custom fees at the moment of import, this is not included in our price or shipping costs, the payment of this duties are directly to customs in your country.
Just contact me within: 3 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery
But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Because of the nature of these items, unless they arrive damaged or defective, I can't accept returns for:
We are here to make you Happy!
You will Love our Product, it's guaranteed.
If you are not completely happy with your purchase -- for any reason and would like to exchange it for another design, please send us a convo and we'll find a way to fix it.
Returns (New)
We do accept Returns as the last option, we will try our best to fix any issues, hopefully an exchange is an option that you might be willing to accept.
Please keep in mind that all of our product are made upon ordering and returning them will hurt us in an already very difficult and challenging economic situation.
If you have any issue, I'm more than happy to assist and help, please email any urgent matters to hello [!at] clique.boutique and I will reply as fast as possible. This is a very challenging time for everyone and can be overloaded with anxiety, I kindly ask that if anything is not as expected that you give me an opportunity to fix the problem before posting a public review, please be mindful that small business like ours are struggling and with your help and support we are able to keep our doors open.
How do I know what Macbook model I have?
How long does it take to make and ship my order?
We do our best to have orders produced and shipped within 5 to 6 weeks for Macbooks, iPad, iPhones and Microsoft Surface. Please do note that larger orders, can take a few days longer. Don't hesitate to send us a Convo with any questions about how long your order might take.
What are Clique Skins Made of?
Clique skins are made of premium automotive-grade cast vinyl with a special adhesive backing to prevent air bubbles during installation and leave no residue when removed.
Our skins are strong but super thin, measuring about 3 mil total - or five thousandths (0.003) of an inch - that's thin! It also means they'll work with just about any kind of dock, charger or case on the market.
I messed up installing my skin, can I get a replacement?
YES!, We totally understand accidents sometimes happen during installation, and if you've damaged your skin during installation we'll send you a new piece for free - you just need to cover the return shipping charge.
All you have to do is send us a Convo and request a replacement skin.
What is a Platinum Edition Hybrid Hard Case?
Our Platinum Edition Hybrid Hard Case, is made using a Crystal Clear Hard Case, we then professionally hand-install our Pro-Vinyl Skin on top the Hard Case.
How do I apply my Platinum Edition (Inner Skin)?
How do I apply my Skin?
All Clique skins are super easy to apply. Please click on the link below for a tutorial:
http://bit.ly/2ijUXHS (Video)
http://bit.ly/2jn6JD7 (PDF Instructions)
How do I remove my Skin?
All Clique skins should peel off pretty easily by pulling on them gently and slowly. They won't leave any residue behind, so that shouldn't be a concern.
If for any reason you have a problem or it seems difficult to remove, we've found that applying a little bit of heat (sunlight, a lamp or a short shot of heat from a blow dryer) really makes removal much easier.
Macbooks skins come off easiest when the lid is closed.
Are the Skins Re-Usable?
Sorry, they're meant for one time use only.
Our skins are not sold as reusable as they are meant for a one time use.
They are adjustable during the application process but once they have bonded you more than likely will stretch the skin when you remove it.
You can certainly change them up at any time as they are removable at any time.
Can I request any edits or text on the artwork?
You can add text to any design including your name, your favorite quote, a Monogram, or even a special birthday message - printed right on the skin itself.
Additional costs will incur ($. 25 Approximately)
Just send us a Convo and we'll get right to work on your custom order.
What's the difference between Glossy and Matte Finish?
Just like photographs.
Matte finish is a non-glossy, satin-type finish. It allows fingerprints and smudges to fade into the surface of the skin and gives a unique look and feel to the artwork.
Glossy finish has a shiny, glossy, appearance and the colors within the artwork may seem to be more vibrant.
See this Video to better understand the difference:
It's important to double check the model of your Macbook to make sure it will fit perfectly upon arrival, here's a short reference table to identify your model:
Model Reference:
New Macbook 12" - A1534
Macbook Air 11" - A1465 / A1370
Macbook Air 13" - A1466 / A1369
Mcbook Pro 13 Retina - A1502 / A1425
Mcbook Pro 15 Retina - A1398
New MacPro 13 Touch - A1706 (Released Late 2016)
New MacPro 13 No Bar- A1708 (Released Late 2016)
New MacPro 15 Touch - A1707 (Released Late 2016)
Pro 13" Unibody/DVD - A1278 (DVD/CD on the side)
Pro 15" Unibody/DVD - A1286 (DVD/CD on the side)
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>>> Accidental Coverage & Warranty
Yes!, yes!, yes!. Send us an email for more details to email@example.com


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Group Wants To Recover 36-Year-Old Historic Spacecraft From Deep Space, Slashdot
"A band of space hackers and engineers are trying to do something never done before -- recover a 36 year old NASA spacecraft from the grips of deep space and time. With old NASA documents and Rockethub crowdfunding, a team led by Dennis Wingo and Keith Cowing is attempting to steer ISEE-3, later rechristened ICE, the International Cometary Explorer, back into an Earth orbit and return it to scientific operations. Dennis says, 'ISEE-3 can become a great teaching tool for future engineers and scientists helping with design and travel to Mars'. Only 40 days remain before the spacecraft will be out of range for recovery. A radio telescope is available, propulsion designs are in hand and the team is hoping for public support to provide the small amount needed to accomplish a very unique milestone in space exploration."


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Navn: Tamara Marthe
Job: Singer
Fødselsdag: November 28, 1985
Shy'm is a French singer. She released her debut album, Mes Fantaisies, in 2006 which rose to #6 in the French charts. To date, four songs from the album have been released as singles, all of which charted in the top 10 in France. In 2007, she made a guest appearance on the popular French game show, Fort Boyard.


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Royals Minor League report: June 27
Omaha Storm Chasers (35-45)
Iowa 4, Omaha 2
LP: Kelvin Herrera (0-1)
HR: Johnny Giavotella (7)
Omaha lost the opener vs. Iowa. Kelvin Herrera (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR) made the start in his first outing since being optioned on Tuesday. He allowed a two-run homer to former Royal Donnie Murphy. Yordano Ventura pitched 4.0 innings in relief, yielding a run on four hits and five walks. Johnny Giavotella hit a solo homer in the sixth off of Guillermo Moscoso. Giavotella has hit safely in nine straight games at a .469 clip (15-for-32).
NW Arkansas Naturals (5-3 2nd half, 30-48 overall)
NW Arkansas 11, Midland 0
WP: Brooks Pounders (3-4)
HR: Brian Fletcher (6), Orlando Calixte (4)
Brooks Pounders threw the first complete game no-hitter in Naturals history and third overall. The 22-year old retired 27 of 29, with Midland reaching on an error and a hit batter. Brian Fletcher provided a three-run homer in the first. Orlando Calixte added a solo shot in the sixth and Whit Merrifield tripled home three in a six-run eighth.
Wilmington Blue Rocks (4-3 2nd half, 37-40 overall) Wilmington 4, Lynchburg 1
WP: Sam Selman (7-5)
SV: Spencer Patton (2)
HR: None
Wilmington won three of four at Lynchburg, holding the Hillcats scoreless until the ninth. 2012 second-rounder Sam Selman tossed 5.0 innings, scattering two hits and three walks. He has allowed just one earned run over his last 16.0 innings and is tied for the league lead in wins. Wilmington scored three times in the fifth, capped by Lane Adams' two-run single.
Lexington Legends (4-4 2nd half, 37-39 overall) Hagerstown 5, Lexington 4
LP: Clayton Schulz (1-3)
HR: Michael Antonio (3), Fred Ford (9)
Lexington took a 4-3 lead with four in the seventh, only to see Hagerstown plate a pair in the eighth. Michael Antonio and Fred Ford hit back-to-back homers in the seventh, with one on board for Antonio's blast. Bubba Starling added two hits and a run. He is batting .394 (13-for-33) over his last nine games.
Idaho Falls Chukars (2-6)
Orem 10, Idaho Falls 6
LP: Ashton Goudeau (0-2)
HR: None
Orem broke open a 2-2 game with six runs in the fourth. 2013 first-round pick Hunter Dozier was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI for Idaho Falls. He has reached safely in all eight games, posting a .361 on-base percentage. Elier Hernandez added two hits, an RBI and a run.
Burlington Royals (5-3) Bluefield 2, Burlington 0
LP: Javier Reynoso (0-1)
HR: None
The B-Royals have dropped three in a row after opening on a five-game winning streak. Starter Zach Lovvorn was outstanding as he held Bluefield to a hit and a walk over 6.0 shutout innings. He has 11.0 scoreless stanzas through his first two starts. Burlington hosts Greeneville (Astros) tonight.
Surprise Royals (3-4)
Arizona Dodgers 12, Surprise 7
LP: Jesus Ortiz (0-1)
HR: Brandon Dulin (1)
Cody Bellinger's 10th inning grand slam lifted the Dodgers to the win. Lee's Summit North graduate Brandon Dulin forced extras with a three-run shot in the ninth, the first professional homer for the 2013 12th round pick. Jorge Bonifacio had a single, an RBI and two walks as he continues a rehab stint.


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The Simple (Yet Powerful) Results of Spending Time with God
The Simple (Yet Powerful) Results of Spending Time with God
I remember a time when Dave and I needed a miracle every month to pay our bills. I had quit my job so I could spend more time preparing for full-time ministry, which cut our income in half.
Each time I paid the bills, I would get upset because we didn't have enough money. It became a routine. I'd be sitting at the table in one room with the bills, checkbook and calculator in front of me, while Dave was in the other room, playing with the kids, laughing and having fun.
It eventually led to a conversation like this…
Me: Every month we don't have the money to pay our bills.
Dave: Yes, and every month God comes through.
Me: Well, how is He gonna come through this month? Why don't you do something?!
Dave: What do you want me to do? Do you believe we're in the will of God?
Me: Yes, I believe we're in the will of God.
Dave: Do you believe God told you to quit your job?
Me: Yes, I believe God told me to quit my job.
Dave: Well, has God been taking care of us every month?
Me: Yes, yes… (exasperated sigh)
Dave: Okay, Joyce, we're in the will of God, we're givers, God promises to meet our needs… What else do you want me to do?
What I wanted was for him to count the money with me and get upset too. But what I needed to do was spend time with God, rather than the checkbook.
Quality Time Is the Key
Spending quality time with God is so important. And there are many promises in the Bible about what happens when we do this. For example, Psalm 16:11 says that in God's presence, there is fullness of joy. And Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that God's joy is our strength.
The devil wants to steal our joy. He's not really after our stuff, but he'll go for the stuff to get our joy, like he did with me when I was upset about our finances. If he can get our joy, he knows we won't be strong in the Lord. And we'll lose our focus on God.
We need to focus on God and our relationship with Him.
In fact, we've got to desperately require Him! When we do, we realize that He's given us authority over the enemy. This means you don't have to let the devil run your life – you don't have to believe his lies. You can resist him and bind him as you pray in faith for God's will to be done.
Now, we can't stop the devil from coming against us, but we can overcome him each time – if we exercise the authority of Jesus and decide not to put up with him. It's true. If you really believe God hears your prayers and you know what the Bible says, the devil can't control your life!
The Power of Faith and a Good Attitude
I want you to get the revelation that God has given you – a born-again Christian – authority over your enemy. And one way you can use it is by keeping a good attitude when hard times come.
Romans 8:28 is a scripture that's quoted a lot. It says that when we are partnering with God, "all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."
This verse is a promise to us that no matter what happens in our lives, if we will keep praying, keep loving God, and continue in the purpose He has for us, good things will come.
I want to encourage you to live by faith, not fear. Keep your focus on God, trusting that He'll do whatever needs to be done in His way and His time. And in the meantime, you can enjoy the life He's given you today.


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A Look at Health Care Under Obama
ABC News' medical editor analyzes health care under a new president.
ABC News Medical Editor
Nov. 5, 2008 -- Forty-seven million Americans -- most from working families -- have no health insurance, and 25 million more are considered "underinsured," meaning they have health insurance but not enough to protect them from high medical bills.
Now, with the fear of an economic recession, tens of millions of additional workers are worried about losing their health benefits if they lose or change jobs. The plans proposed by President-elect Barack Obama to address the situation reflect two very different ideas about health care reform.
Currently, 160 million Americans get their health insurance from an employer, and according to surveys from the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation specializing in health policy research, most people want to keep it that way, for a variety of reasons.
"There are better premiums, there are better benefits … you've got a human resources manager to help you out if you've got a claim denied," Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis said.
She says Americans will become cost-conscious if they have to pay their own way. And she cautions that the cost of the Obama plan to the federal government could be very high -- "between $60 billion to $120 billion more than the very expensive health care we already have," she said.
Health Care Reform Difficult Territory
There is one thing health policy experts we've spoken with over the course of this campaign agree on: Health care reform will not be a winner-take-all game for Obama.
"There's not going to be a plan that satisfies the right or that satisfies the left. There can only be a plan that represents some kind of a combination approach," said Drew Altman, president and CEO of the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation.
"It will fundamentally depend on the Congress, and on the willingness of a president, to reach out and try to craft a bipartisan solution," said health economist Gail Wilensky, former Medicare head and an adviser to John McCain's campaign.
Davis also emphasizes the bipartisan role the president will have to play to steer government and business to work together on health care solutions that are cost-effective for both the family and federal budgets.
"We spend an enormous amount of money on administrative costs, because we have no leadership, no collaboration between the government sector and the private sector," Davis said.
Here are the major policy points of president-elect Obama's health care plan:
Health Care Under an Obama Administration
Expand Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage: Under an Obama administration, employers will have to offer coverage to their employees or pay a tax to help cover the uninsured. Some small businesses will be exempt from this requirement. Low-income workers will be eligible for subsidies to purchase employer insurance.
Create a New Public Health Insurance Plan: The plan will be open to the uninsured, and employees who can't get health insurance through an employer. The plan is described as similar to Medicare.
Create a National Health Insurance Exchange: For those who want private insurance, the exchange will act as a watchdog and set up rules and standards for participating insurance plans to ensure affordability and accessibility. Approved plans will have benefits similar to what federal employees and members of Congress get.
Mandate Insurance Coverage for All Children: Children under 18 must be covered through parents' employer-sponsored insurance plans, through Medicaid or SCHIP, through the Public Plan or Exchange plan.
Control Costs With Insurance Industry Regulation and Electronic Medical Records: Plans to reduce a typical family's premium by $2,500 through savings gotten by Health IT investment and regulating the insurance industry by creating rules and standards.
Some critics of the Obama plan say it relies too much on big government, and that it will put a greater tax burden on some American companies.
Obama sees it another way: "Well, I think it should be a right for every American. In a country as wealthy as ours, for us to have people who are going bankrupt because they can't pay their medical bills … there's something fundamentally wrong about that."


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Interview: S Olbricht
23 Sep 2015 — Evelyn Malinowski
I'm sure plenty of us agree that Hungarian producer S Olbricht exudes plenty of novelty as well as mystery. To try and understand this better, I contacted Martin Mikolai, the man behind the make-believe legendary name, and asked him some questions.
S Olbricht's latest 12" Trancess is out via Bratislava-based imprint Proto Sites. Stream it in full right here.
Read more →
Can you start by talking about your history of producing music? How long has it been since you started pursuing your attraction to synths?
My first experience with electronic music was in 1999, when my father came home with a software called Music: Music Creation for the Playstation. It was quite fun, I learned how to create basic sequencies and stuff like that, but it was just a game for me back then. I started to make music properly around 2003. I changed from the Playstation to a PC and began to compose pretty lame drum and bass tracks. But as I remember it was a good term for learning a few more things about electronic instruments and effects, besides I really loved to learn things independently.
A few years later Gábor Lázár joined me in this revelation what was quite obvius then, since we were neighbours and spent a lot of time together. We bought a pair of turntables and played music all day. And obviusly we produced a lot of ridiculous tracks and a few ones what were not that bad, but the point is that we motivated each other for doing things better and I think that fact determined our whole career in several ways. Around 2008 things got more serious. I released my first breakcore tracks under the name 'Poor Jiffy' and released a few post-avantgarde shit as M. Mikolai. We made two fanzines with Gábor Lázár and Gergő Szinyova called Odd Rain and Odd Train (Roger Semsroth aka Sleeparchive joined us for the secod one).
Then in 2010 I went to University of Pécs, Faculty of Music and Visual Arts. I took Electronic Music and Media Art which seemed pretty useful after many years of self-education. By the way I wrote The Last Act of Dorothy Stratten in Pécs during the second semester, and yeah, in 2012 we established our wonderful label, Farbwechsel, with Daniel Jani, Bálint Zalkai, Erik Bánhalmi and Balázs Semsei. That was the year when SILF was born. And it was also the year when I released my first tape under the name S Olbricht.
What are a few synthesizers that you'd like to make sweet love to?
Hmm... Sh-101... She's a classy one. A monophonic bass synth with a hand grip... sounds perfect for me. I love the acidic sound with a little portamento. It reminds me of the early IDM tracks I've been in love with. And my other fav is Sequential Cirquits Six-Track which is a polyphonic/multi-timbral synth. It's quite difficult to program it and to change the parameters but we use it with a UC-33 midi controller which sends CC for filter, lfo, etc. I'm in love with many other synths too like JX-3P, Jupiter-4, SH-1, etc (yeah I prefer stuff manufactured by Roland) but it would take too long to describe all these machines properly.
The careful maturation of Farbwechsel's roster is persistently impressive. Are we to expect more groovy 909 work like that of Christian Kroupa or is it back to the slasher soundtrack sound like that by Eril Fjord? What about any upcoming releases from SILF?
In the next few months we'll focus on groovy things. You can reckon on releases by G.W., James Booth, Norwell.. and a SILF EP is also coming soon. We'll release some debut vinyls also by Mike Nylons and FOR. And we also decided to repress a few things... so the next one and a half years seem quite busy for us.
Your otherworldly song titles are striking in their own way. They are half semantical, half not, harkening to science fiction's visions of the future of linguistics, or perhaps just hysterical or cryptic communication. Where do they come from, and how do they feed into your conceptual work around fictitious Stephan Olbricht and his love for Dorothy Stratten?
With these combinations of letters I try to reach impression of barely visible memos on a rubbed paper.. notes of a person who passed away a long time ago. The meaning of these titles based on my personal emotions and memories and somehow I think it's much easier to treat my past like a dead person... Like someone who doesn't exist anymore (I know, it sounds disappointingly dumb and boring).
I read in your interview with Electronic Beats that SILF came from Zalkai's term of endearment for his vintage synths. Meanwhile, S Olbricht is a character you created who actually got to be close to Stratten during her life in the1970s, as early synths were becoming popular. Is Olbricht at all your fantasy self, and is there a connection between 70s/80s aesthetic and music for you?
We were born in the mid 80s so we missed the synth-revolution and that's the reason why that part of history is quite myterious for us. Back in those days when the Dorothy album was born we were totally into the late 70s and 80s culture so it was quite obvious to find a connection between the story and the synths and the past. By the way, the particular story of Stratten and Olbricht was created by Bálint too, but he was absolutely counscious of my inspirations and intentions, what led me to make those tracks and that's why he formed a tale of a romantic-tragedy.
Does your interest in the murder of Stratten speak to your own interest in Playboy/vintage porn culture, or more so in murder stories and gore? Perhaps merely just the Unexplained?
Much more in murder stories and gore (vintage porn culture is not my biz). Mainly murders or suicides actuated by jealousy and loneliness. I consider myself an undercover emo, haha.
The Last Act of Dorothy Stratten is an eclectic, mostly melodic album, and furthermore a strong start to S Olbricht's discography; however, subsequent releases dwell more on the dissonant side. Your latest, Trancess, lends itself to the light from time to time, but mostly sits happily on the borderlands between uplifting techno and upsetting ambience. Farbwechsel overall conveys the same gamut. Does this back-and-forth say anything about an existing duality which you experience? Where does the inclination toward the sinister come from, although there is also plenty of moments of harmlessness and beauty in your music?
Hmm... honestly I cant answer that question. I mean these things are too close to me to see these differencies what others do.
Proto Sites is an exciting, pristine imprint that has already reinforced its competent style through its four releases. We're big fans. Can you say anything about your creation of your release for them? Did you approach anything differently?
Trancess was finished before Juraj asked me to give some tracks for Proto Sites so...no, I did not approach anything differently. Honestly I really like to collaborate with different people from different countries, especially in our region. I want people to see that we know each other, we respect each other's work because that's the only thing what boosts our scene.
How has the wave of Budapest and Bratislava-based techno artists who've gained international laud changed the local scene? Is there any type of techno tourism coming in? Do you plan on continuing to call it base?
The international interest sensibly motivates our whole scene in Budapest. I mean not just the artists but also the club owners and promoters have started think differently. As I see it, they're much more open-minded, they are full of ambitions and cooperate much more easily. I'm really happy to see that because one of our main purposes at Farbwechsel was to show people in the Hungarian music scene that they should stick together instead of pushing themselves towards some kind of egoistic street cred competition.


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The goal of the Unit's assessment system is to ensure that its candidates are meeting the standards of the Unit's Conceptual Framework and to determine the extent to which educators are being prepared to "positively impact learning through evidence-based practices." In order to achieve this goal, the Unit, with guidance from its assessment committee, has adopted a set of candidate assessment instruments, which are completed using internal and external sources.
Each program has, with its constituent groups, reviewed, refined, and/or developed program-level assessments to ensure that candidates are meeting professional association standards. Additionally, assessments of Unit operations have been reviewed to ensure consistency with the Guiding Principles of the Unit's Conceptual Framework. This work has been undertaken with the primary purpose of evaluating how well the Unit and its individual programs are achieving the mission and vision. Assessments were developed and selected based on a focus of measuring how effectively the Dewar College of Education and Human Services is "positively impacting learning through evidence-based practices." The Unit assessment system incorporates processes to guide instruction, including curricular development and implementation; provide feedback to candidates; evaluate individual programs and the Unit; and document accountability. Unit assessment occurs through on-going data collection, aggregation, disaggregation, analysis, and use.
The Dewar College of Education and Human Services utilizes LiveText® to collect assessment data. Training and support are offered through the Center for Program Assessment, Analytics, and Evaluation in conjunction with courses for Entry into the Profession. Further support can be accessed directly for users of LiveText ®.
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