text:
UPDATE: Tsunami-caused rise in water expected soon at Port San Luis
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a rise in the sea level of up to 24 inches at Port San Luis around 9:07 tonight as a result of the tsunami generated by the earthquake today off America Samoa.
In a precautionary move, Cal Fire moved some 50 campers at the Oceano Dunes away from their ocean campsites, according to Ron Alsop of county emergency services.
He added that piers have been closed at Cayucos and Avila Beach.
The county coastline remains under a tsunami advisory, which also includes thecoastal areas of California and Oregon.
NOAA officials noted that people in tsunami advisory areas should move out of the water, off the beach and out of harbors and marinas.
Tsunami advisories mean that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near water is imminent of expected. Significant widespread inundation is not expected for areas in an advisory.
Tsunamis are a series of waves potentially dangerous several hours after initial arrival time.


text:
May 21, 2014 •
Business, Events, Post, Social networking •
Views: 3950
It sounds obvious to spend your social budget to please valuable fans, doesn't it? So why aren't we doing so? It looks like we are shooting in the blind, meanwhile complaining that the ROI of social media is poor. Fortunately, it's...
Read article

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Join us for this community event held every Fourth of July at Meador Park in Seabrook. All kids from the Seabrook community are invited to march in the parade that takes place on the trail outlining Meador Park. Children may ride their bikes or tricycles in the parade and after, they can enjoy several activities including face painting and moon walk. Hot dogs and refreshments are also provided.
Date: Wednesday, July 4, 2018Time: 10 a.m. to NoonLocation: Rex L. Meador Park
This is a FREE Community Event.


text:
South Downs Way
The South Downs Way is a classic mountain bike trail that provides a challenge for riders of all abilities. On this trip you will cycle along a chalk ridge from Winchester through the Hampshire and Sussex South Downs to the white cliffs of Eastbourne.
The difficulty of the terrain varies enormously throughout the year. Care should be taken when planning a trip to ensure distances each day are appropriate for the fitness and experience of the group. If you prefer to walk the trail see Walk the South Downs Way for information and advice.
- 96 miles / 155 kms
- 13,200 feet / 4000 metres
- 1-4 days
- Winchester - Eastbourne
Most people cycle from west to east, as the wind is usually behind you. However you can of course start in Eastbourne and finish in Winchester. The wind direction is very important. Cycling into a headwind is exhausting and may prevent you finishing the ride each day.
Winchester to Butser Hill
Shortly after leaving Winchester you climb the first hill on the South Downs Way to Cheesefoot Head with its fine views across the city and south to the coast. The next 6-7 miles are easy cycling to Beacon Hill high above the Meon Valley before you descend to the river and then climb again to the summit of Old Winchester Hill. After Meon Springs there is a stiff climb to Salt Hill and the Sustainability Centre before you reach the top of Butser Hill, the highest point on the South Downs Way.
Bustser Hill to Bignor Hill
The hair-raising ride down the grassy slopes of Butser Hill is followed by a steady climb through Queen Elizabeth Country Park woodland. Above Buriton the trail levels out as you follow the ridge to Harting Down with its fine views to the north. After Harting the South Downs Way threads its way through more woodland before you drop to Cocking and then climb to Graffham Down. The views to the coast from Bignor Hill high above Arundel are magnificent on a clear day.
Bignor Hill to the Adur Valley
Bignor Hill to the Adur ValleyEnjoy fine views across the Arun Valley before you hurtle down Bury Hill to Houghton Bridge. It is a long steady climb out of Amberley before the trail levels out as you pass Storrington and then drop to the A24. Another climb follows, to the tree circle at Chanctonbury Ring. Push on across mostly flat terrain to Steyning Bowl and then descend through the pig farm at Annington Hill to the River Adur. Hotels and inns for the night can be found in nearby Steyning and Bramber.
Adur Valley to the Ouse Valley
A big breakfast is needed to tackle the first of many hills today. From the River Adur there is a long ascent to Truleigh Hill before the trail immediately drops and then climbs again to Devil's Dyke. Try to avoid stopping for a beer and instead push on to Pyecombe. Climb again to the windmills above Clayton before traversing the grassy slopes to Ditchling Beacon. More gentle cycling follows as you descend to the A27 outside of Lewes. The climb to the ridge above Kingston can bite but you are rewarded with more fine views.
Ouse Valley to Eastbourne
Enjoy a break at the Southease hostel cafe before tackling the climb to Firle Beacon. From here the trail descends to the pretty village of Alfriston. Walkers head to the coast but the cycling route is up and over Windover Hill, you pass the chalk Long Man on the way, to Jevington. One final grinding hill out of Jevington takes you to the cliffs at Beachy Head high above Eastbourne. Enjoy a beer in the pub or drop down to Eastbourne seafront for a much deserved ice cream.
We have carefully designed three itineraries for groups cycling the whole trail from Winchester to Eastbourne. The distances shown are a guide only and depend on the accommodation you choose each night. Large groups may need to use hotels and inns in towns nearby, Chichester, Arundel and Brighton for example.
Two Days
Cycling the South Downs Way in two days is tough and requires very good weather conditions during the trip and in the days leading up to it. The second day is slightly shorter but the hills are longer. Plan to be on the bike for 10-12 hours each day.
Day 1 - Winchester to Storrington - 51 miles / 82 kms
Day 2 - Storrington to Eastbourne - 45.5 miles / 73 kms
Three Days
Cycling the trail in three days is an enjoyable challenge and gives you time in the evening to enjoy a meal and a few drinks. There are overnight stops in the West Sussex Downs and Lewes. The shorter final day gives time for the return transfer back to Winchester.
Day 1 - Winchester to Cocking/Graffham - 35-38 miles / 56-61 kms
Day 2 - Cocking/Graffham to Lewes - 38-40 miles / 61-64 kms
Day 3 - Lewes to Eastbourne - 25 miles / 40 kms
Four Days
With cycling distances each day of just over 25 miles and overnight stops in the market town of Petersfield, Amberley and Lewes this is a very pleasant trip to experience the South Downs.
Day 1 - Winchester to Petersfield - 26 miles / 42 kms
Day 2 - Petersfield to Amberley - 25 miles / 41 kms
Day 3 - Amberley to Lewes - 28 miles / 45 kms
Day 4 - Lewes to Eastbourne - 25 miles / 40 kms
Harvey Map
The whole trail on one convenient sheet at a scale of 1:40,000, water refill points are shown
Ordnance Survey Map
Book of maps which shows the route on Ordnance Survey Explorer map tiles (1:25,000)
Trailblazer Guidebook
Advice on hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes, attractions, local history and much more
GPS: Winchester to Amberley
Download GPS points of the cycling trail from Winchester to Amberley
GPS: Amberley to Eastbourne
Download GPS points of the cycling trail from Amberley to Eastbourne
South Downs Cottages
Beautiful holiday cottages perfectly located for walking and cycling the trails of this remarkable national park
Read more...
Hotels & Inns
We have listed some of the better hotels and inns with links to TripAdvisor where you can read customer reviews and check prices and availability.
When booking accommodation ask if there is secure storage for your bikes and the time breakfast is served in the morning. All should be able to provide packed lunches. For those starting late or cycling long distances, check when evening meals end. If you plan to arrive mid afternoon check that the country inns are open as many close between 3 and 6 pm.
There is plenty of choice in Winchester for all budgets although prices tend to fluctuate throughout the year and rooms can be in short supply during public holidays. Some hotels allow you to leave your car in their car park during your trip.
Petersfield at approx. 26 miles from Winchester is 2.5 miles off the trail, follow the Shipwrights Way cycle path from Buriton. South Harting is at the bottom of Harting Down, 27 miles from Winchester.
Many cyclists riding over 3 days stop at Cocking, which is 34.5 miles from Winchester. Cocking has a pub and a tiny shop but little else. An easy 2.5 mile ride north along the busy Causeway (A286) takes you to the pleasant market town of Midhurst, which is worth considering as accommodation options in Cocking are limited. If you continue past Cocking there are country pubs with accommodation at Charlton and East Dean.
Amberley in the Arun Valley at 46 miles from Winchester is a pretty village with a shop and two pubs. A little further along the South Downs Way you can descend to Storrington. This is a busy village with several restaurants, pubs and shops. At 51 miles from Winchester it is half way to Eastbourne. The descent and climb back up to the trail is steep but along a quiet, smooth surfaced country lane. Just before you cross the busy A24 you can follow a bridleway south for 2.5 miles to Findon Village.
Steyning is a pretty village at the foot of the hills. There are shops, pubs and restaurants but the accommodation options are limited. In the neighbouring village of Bramber, 60 miles from Winchester, there is the Old Tollgate Best Western Hotel. Further along the trail is Ditchling, which has two pubs, both with rooms. When you reach Ditchling Beacon if you drop off south you can spend the night in Brighton.
The historic town of Lewes is 3 miles off the trail (safe, easy riding along the Lewes to Brighton cycle path beside the A27) but worth the diversion. There are few other accommodation options in the neighbouring villages so most cyclists find themselves in the town for a night. The best hotels are Pelham House and The Shelleys but room prices for both are high - far too high really. The Dorset pub beside the Harveys Brewery is a popular choice and has a garage for bike storage.
Eastbourne has a huge choice of hotels for all budgets so unless there is a large convention in town you should have no problems finding a room. The View Hotel and the Cavendish Hotel are on the sea-front close to the pier and town centre.
We are often asked the following questions and hope that you will find the answers useful.
Most people cycle from west to east as the prevailing wind is usually - but not always - from behind and the views from the cliff tops at Beachy Head are a lovely end to your holiday. However you can of course start in Eastbourne and finish in Winchester.
The wind direction is very important. Cycling into a headwind is exhausting and may prevent you finishing the ride each day.
The south east of England has warmer temperatures throughout the year compared to all other areas of the UK. Perhaps the best time to visit is in spring and autumn. In April and May the meadows are awash with colour and in October and November the trees are very beautiful. There will be less competition for accommodation at these times too.
Spring, the months of March through to May, is generally a calm, cool and dry season. However, as the sun rises higher in the sky and the days grow longer, temperatures can rise relatively high but then tend to drop off again at night.
Summer, from June to August, is the warmest season and when there is least rainfall. Autumn lasts from September through to November. The season is notorious for being unsettled.
During the winter months of December, January and February the weather is generally cool, wet and windy. On a crisp clear winter morning the views can be terrific. However the days are much shorter.
The South Downs Way is very well signposted and the landscape is full of features so you are unlikely to use your compass.
The Harvey Map of the South Downs Way covers the whole trail on one convenient sheet. It's at a scale of 1:40000. It shows the trail very clearly but it does not cover a large area either side of the path. This means that you can miss many of the villages, places of interest and pubs that are just off the trail. It is also not much use should you become lost.
Ordnance Survey maps are very good but unfortunately you have to purchase lots of them to cover the whole South Downs Way. Landranger Maps are to a scale of 1:50000:
Landranger 185 - Winchester and Basingstoke
Landranger 197 - Chichester & the South Downs
Landranger 198 - Brighton & Lewes
Landranger 199 - Eastbourne & Hastings
We like the South Downs Way Adventure Series book of maps which shows the route on Ordnance Survey Explorer map tiles (1:25000).
As cyclists cover the distance quite quickly a guidebook is not needed really, especially since so much information is available on the web. If you do want to take a book with you we recommend the South Downs Way Trailblazer guidebook. Although written for walkers it is still useful for cyclists.
There are drinking water taps approximately every 10-12 miles along the South Downs Way to refill water bottles. These are shown on the Harvey Map.
Those with sensitive stomachs may want to take purification tablets with them as the taps are usually on farms.
Most people will cycle the trail in 2-4 days - 3 days makes for a pleasant trip.
There are no official records for the fastest times the South Downs Way has been cycled. Completing the 100 miles in a single day is a fantastic achievement and only possible when conditions are perfect.
The very strongest of riders will cover the distance in less than 12 hours. Fit and confident cyclists can ride the trail in 2 days but it is gruelling - expect to be in the saddle for at least 10 hours each day. At the end most cyclists say that the ride was much harder than they had anticiapted.
Conditions make an enormous difference - a muddy trail makes the going really tough. During very wet periods exhausted cyclists often need transport at the end of the day because they have either ran out of energy or daylight (or both), and therefore are unable to reach their accommodation.
Organised events: during the summer there are several large events organised, endurance runs and charity walks for example. When planning your trip it is best to avoid the events as large groups on the path tend to hold you up.
Timings: if you are attempting to ride the South Downs Way over 2 days or less you need to be strict with time keeping as regular stops can add hours to each day. The larger the group the more frequent and longer the stops become. Use a stop watch to limit breaks. For example, stop every hour on the hour for no more than 5 minutes.
Breakfast: for cyclists riding against the clock, check with you accommodation provider the times of breakfast as a late start can prevent you finishing the ride.
Spare gear: there are few bicycle shops near the trail so take spares with you during the day and pay for your bags, spare tyres, repair tools and even a spare bike to be moved by us. Having the parts and equipment on hand may be the difference between finishing the trail or not.
Punctures: the flinty sections around the Hampshire / Sussex border often cause punctures although they can of course occur anywhere along the uneven bridleway. Consider using gel in your tyres and / or lining the tyres with puncture resistant tape. Better still, use the expensive puncture resistant tyres.
Travel light: cycle with as little extra weight on you as possible. The trail is really not suitable for cycling with panniers so either carry a tiny backpack or use a small handlebar bag or saddlebag that hug the bike's frame.
Off-road distances: cycling off-road in the South Downs is a challenge. In dry conditions the effort required to cover a distance is similar to double that on road. For example, cycling 25 miles along the South Downs Way is similar to riding 50 miles on road. In wet conditions it is closer to three or four times more strenuous.


text:
RIMT University first to be part of Asian University network.MANDI GOBINDGARH, 01 May, 2017
RIMT University is the only university in the region which has been selected to be the part of Asian University network. Dr. A S Chawla vice-chancellor, who participated in the "second high-level roundtable meeting of ACD at Bangkok", disclosed here on monday that, the decission was taken at a meeting attended by representatives of universities from 14 countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, India, Iran, South Korea, Philipines, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Cambodia
Dr. Chawla said that the ACD-University network was working on wider acceptability of higher education in the region by establishing Asian Credit Transfer System (ACTS) and directing Degree/Diploma programmes that would have regional exposure and acceptability.
Such programmes will expose the students to regional challanges and assist them in acquiring knowlwdge from various countries in the region
RIMT University was nominated from india to be part of six-member ACD university network coordination committe that would work out the draft chapter for givinh a go-ahead to the concept of the ACD-UN. Dr. Chawla said the ACD-UN would promote student leadership through corporate camps and the next leadership camp would be held in Surabaya (indonesia)


text:
Phuket346.com : Cafe . Room . Art .
phuket346 © 2011
pfizer viagra free samples
free cialis
cialis usa
best place to buy viagra
buy cheapest viagra
buy now cialis
buy viagra pill
cheap site viagra
viagra for sale
buy now viagra
discount viagra
buy now levitra
buy sale viagra
buy viagra without prescription
buy viagra mesa
buy viagra new york
cheap cialis generic online
buy viagra com
cheapest cialis
cheap viagra free shipping


text:
Futurism, future cars, future aviation, flying cars, watercrafts, future concepts
Designed by Roberto Rodricks, a 2010 Coventry graduate, the RTV (Rapid Tracked Vehicle) concept is a series of three vehicles, including Double R Racer, Double R Response and Double R Weapon, sharing an identical layout and design. The "Double R Racer" is essentially an all terrain race vehicle to set new speed records in the class, and the "Double R Response" is a high-performance search and rescue vehicle that can move on virtually everything, from snowy mountains to deserts, while the "Double R Weapon" is a military vehicle that comes equipped with arms and ammunition. Though all three vehicles present the same design, still they maintain individuality with diversified functions.
Powered by 5.5-liter V12 engine capable of generating 650 horsepower, the RTV Double R runs on bio-diesel to take you from zero to 60 mph in around 4.5 seconds. Finished in a variety of materials, including carbon fiber, fiberglass, aluminum and titanium, the single-seater accommodates the rider in the middle to provide a wide viewing angle. The RTV also includes an advanced heads-up-display to project all the essential navigation and driving information quickly and easily onto the windscreen.
Designer: Roberto Rodricks | Source: The Design Blog
Please Note: All comments will be hand modified by our authors so any unsuitable comments will be removed and you comments will be appreared after approved


text:
About This Lesson
Hit the barre for our signature full body workout designed to give you chiseled abs, toned legs, cut arms, and a high, lifted butt. This ballet inspired, core-centric class focuses on isolated exercises, alignment, flexibility and posture as you work through targeted mindful muscle movements. Push yourself to the limit — and then find balance — as every hard worked muscled is followed by a deep, relaxing stretch. Suitable for all fitness levels.
The Instructor
I personally began practicing Pilates in 1990 to ease sports-related pain and muscular imbalances. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Fitness from Shepherd University in 2000, graduating with honors. I am a PMA certified Pilates Instructor, NETA certified Personal Trainer, NETA Barre instructor, a Yoga Alliance 200-RYT and YACEP, as well as the […]


text:
Brantham: Time travelling shed for wife
PUBLISHED: 12:00 07 January 2012
©2012Eastnews Press Agency/Martin Rose Eastnews Press Agency 267 Straight Road Colchester, Essex England + 44 (0) 7721 528134 +
A GREEN fingered Doctor Who fan was given the perfect present when her husband built her a life-size Tardis to use as her garden shed.
When horticulturist Sandra Gibbons, 46, of Brantham, Suffolk, told her husband Gary that she needed a new shed for all her gardening tools the last thing she was expecting was for him to re-create the famous prop from the television series.
But after months of hard work, she now has a Tardis complete with flashing blue light on top and police sign on the outside.
The mum-of-three who works at a smallholding in Lawford, Essex said the unusual creation in their back garden had been the talk of her street.
She said: "I needed a new shed for all my gardening tools so I could get them into one place and Gary piped up and said 'why don't' I make you a Tardis?'
"I thought he was joking at first and did not think he would actually go through with it, but there it is in our garden."
Gary, 51, who works as a design lecturer started building the sci-fi shed back in October <2011> and completed the project during evenings and weekends.
The royal blue phone box is more than 8ft high and 5ft wide and had to be assembled during two weekends in the garden because the pieces were too big to keep indoors.
Mrs Gibbons said: "I am so pleased with it - it really is very big - too big really.
"All the neighbours have been commenting about how quirky it is and asking what time Doctor Who will be arriving.
"My children absolutely love it - my son Jody, who is a big sci-fi fan, helped Gary to build it.
Mrs Gibbons has been a fan of Doctor Who since back in the 1970s and rates the earlier doctors like Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker as the best.
She is not so keen on the latest incarnation of the famous time lord played by Matt Smith.
She said: "I can't really get into him as much as some as the other doctors - I think that the stories were better back in the 1970s."
The wacky time travelling family are planning to hold a sci-fi party in the summer with the Tardis taking centre stage along with a replica of a Dalek which Mr Gibbons also built.
The couple have three children, Jody, 25, Jaye, 23, and Jet, 20.


text:
Birthday party games are one of the most important parts of the party. While cake, ice cream, and presents are loads of fun; if you don't have a way to entertain the guests the party can quickly turn into a yawn-fest. Even worse would be ensuing chaos when a group of children that has consumed sugary cake and ice cream is left to their own devices for entertainment. We recently took our little boy and girl to a party that took place in a large concrete area and every man and his dog was invited which was sweet but not a good idea and within 5 minutes 3 children had been knocked over and hurt including my little girl she had a bleeding elbow all over her favorite party outfit and it ruined the rest of the party for her and me as I had to carry her around for the entire two hours. I do not like to Criticise other people's parties as I know everyone is trying their best but I do like to reflect on parties to share with my readers on how to make the most out of their children's birthday parties and I honestly think you need to treat a birthday party like an event as that is what it is, you would not invite 30 adults to celebrate a 40th birthday party and have no music, no decorations, no instructions on where the toilets are and no entertainment and expect it to be a memorable fun time for all well the same goes for kids if not even more so as kids unlike adults do not know how to control themselves especially when high on sugar and bored, so you really need to have a arm full of kids party games up your sleeve!! If you feel self conscious with kids party games then why not hire a kids party entertainer have a look around the net ask friends for recommendations or hire a teenager such as a cousin who may be looking for a bit of pocket money. It is fantastic having someone else taking care of the party entertainment as it leaves you free to organise party food, the party cake, any accidents that might need attending to, taking photos etc.
Anyway if you are looking for some fun party games that either yourself or your chosen party entertainer can carry out then you must check out https://onestopkidspartyshop.com.au/?product_cat=kids-party-gamespinatas they have a fantastic selection of party games at great prices and a even better selection of kids party favours that you can use for games such as pass the parcel, treasure hunts, filling the pinata's and the take home party bags.
Thanks for reading and if you have any suggestions on successful kids parties and tips for fun party games then please feel free to share.


text:
Royal Street Veranda is known for its delicious soups in sourdough bowls and specialty coffees. There is a small seating area under the wrought-iron balcony, next to Pirates of the Caribbean, guests can enjoy their food at. On the menu is creamy clam chowder, steak gumbo and vegetarian gumbo. All three are very hearty so you may want to share.
Service: Quick Service
Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Location: New Orleans Square, Disneyland
Hours: 10 am – park closing
Passholder Discount: Premium 15%; Others 10%
Dining Tips
- Grab a bite here before watching Fantasmic!. After the show, the restaurant gets very busy.


text:
Bonjour! I decided to restart the Q&A blog posts. I put them on hold for a long time because of my Street Focus podcast. I answer listener questions in a monthly Q&A segment and thought that redundancy would not make much sense. I'll try to answer different questions here, but they may cross over on occasion as well. I was also busy writing my first street photography ebook :)
So this week, I want to talk about sunbursts!
Recently someone commented on one of my silhouette pics by asking if I used a sunburst filter. I must admit that, being somewhat of a gear minimalist, I had never even heard of a sunburst filter and wondered why anyone would use one when you can achieve sunbursts without a filter. So I investigated further... There are indeed such things are Star Effect Filters that you can put in front of your lens. They even come in 4 point or 6 point options.
But why? First, a sunburst is quite easy to achieve without the added expense of a filter by simply setting your camera to a small aperture (big number ;) ideally start at f/16). And, wouldn't the use of a filter reduce the quality of the lens?
Does a star effect filter make the sunburst more 'perfect'? Again... Why? Is perfection so important that we need to alter everything to try to achieve it? Are we even wired to respond to perfection? Or rather, aren't we more likely to respond emotionally to imperfections. As a street photographer, I certainly don't look for perfection. I photograph everyday life, it's raw, it's not perfect and it's often those imperfections that make the photograph special.
Okay, but people buy those filters so they must be really awesome. I looked further and saw one great example where such a filter would be very useful: Night street photography. I can definitely see its use to create a star effect on street lights.
I usually try to capture a sunburst when I shoot a silhouette. It's an added challenge and it looks cool. I really never even paid attention whether it has 4, 6 or more points... For one thing, the sunburst is never the subject of my photograph. I look at it as an added bonus that makes a good shot a little bit more interesting.
As I was doing a Google search on the filters, I stumbled upon many tutorials on how to add a sunburst to an image that doesn't have one in the first place... Yikes! Don't even get me started... Call me a purist if you wish. I find it much more fun and challenging (and so much faster) to capture it in camera than spend my precious time making one up in PS. But hey, post processing is an art and I know many amazing photographers who enjoy that part of the craft and do it very well. I admire their PS skills, I'm in awe with what they can do with the tools. But it's just not for me, and that's probably one of the reasons why street photography and I are such good friends.
Conclusion: Maybe my first reaction towards using such filters was a bit strong, they are just another way to create 'in camera', no different than using a creative focus lens or even a toy camera. It's all good, especially if it makes the photographer go out with his/her camera more and make pictures! I may just have to try a star effect filter some day :)
Here are a few of my sunburst pics, they are 'au naturel', no filter or PS magic applied.


text:
Dichotomy of Barbarity
"The destruction of culture has become an instrument of terror, in a global strategy to undermine societies, propagate intolerance and erase memories. This cultural cleansing is a war crime that is now used as a tactic of war, to tear humanity from the history it shares. This is why the protection of culture must be an integral part of all humanitarian and security efforts, and cannot be delinked from the protection of human lives and the support we owe to all the victims."
--Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General
From the Taliban's dynamiting of the Colossal Buddha statues at Bamiyan to the exploding and bulldozing of the ancient city of Palmyra by ISIS, the world is witnessing the senseless destruction of cultural heritage sites on a massive scale as an instrument of terror and psychological warfare. The locations in Syria and Iraq of some of the latest of these barbarous attacks come into the crosshairs on the right-hand side of Brian Dailey's Dichotomy of Barbarity, which zooms in on a region coming under intense international scrutiny and eliciting expressions of world outrage for such savage acts by terrorists.
As precious artifacts bequeathed to humanity from past generations are being ripped from beneath us, Dailey entreats the viewer to take stock of the parallel threat to our cultural heritage posed by a nuclear attack on one of any number of major Western cities where significant repositories of art, architecture, and artifacts of incalculable value are housed.
The artist graphically equates these variables of cultural cleansing in his Dichotomy of Barbarity, balancing the Middle East targets on the right with a bird's-eye view of Manhattan on the left with the bead of a nuclear strike being drawn on the Museum of Modern Art at ground zero. Concentric rings demarcating zone levels of destruction and fallout emanating from the blast underscore the instantaneous decimation and catastrophic loss of national and global cultural heritage that a nuclear firestorm would unleash across the city's landscape and surrounding areas.
Tightly framed within bold green and red circles, these twin close-up targets illustrate with dramatic optical effect extreme examples on both ends of the spectrum of barbarity. Indeed, the stark compositional construct of complementary colors—the afterimage of which replicates its opposite—forces the viewer to acknowledge the savagery inherent in both scenarios, each one culminating in the same outcome.


text:
The Secrets of a Great First Spouse
Barbara Bush reminded us how normal American political figures used to act before this garish age.
This is what I thought when I first met her: "She is a strong woman, not ego-driven but protective of kith and kin. Those merry eyes, the warmth, the ability to get the help cracking in a jolly way and then not so jolly. A lack of pretension, a breeziness, but underneath she is Greenwich granite, one of the women who settled the hard gray shores of the East and summoned roses from the rocks."
That's how I saw Barbara Bush 30 years ago and wrote in a book, and though I wouldn't put it in quite those words today—Greenwich, Conn....


text:
On a post on disability acceptance, someone commented that insertion is not the same as inclusion. This means that putting disabled people in mainstream classrooms, in the community, etc., does not automatically lead to them being accepted into that comunity. In this sense, there are parallels to the racial and gender equality movement, but there are also differences. The parallel involves the fact that, just because for example African-Americans were finally legally allowed to sit in the front of the bus in the 1960s, doesn't mean they weren't bullied into the back anymore. The difference, which to soe extent applied to certain groups of ethnic minorities too, is the need for accommodations to be made to fully include disabled people.
There is another word that is frequently used in disability situations and which is commonly used for ethnic minorites: integration. Integration involves not just insertion, but the expectation on the part of the majority that the ethnic minority or disabled person adapt to the majority. In a sense, this is somewhat opposite to inclusion, where the majority makes reasonable accommodations for the minority. It is also contrary to acceptance, because, while the majority tolerate the minority once integrated, they won't accept them the if they don't meet up to the cultural norms of the majority.
I have often struggled with the social model of disability, because it to some extent ignores the fact that disable dpeople aren't just as capable as everybody else – an argument used by the women's and African-American civil rights movements to claim equal rights. With equal rights, after all, come equal responsibilities. To draw a parallel to ethnic minorities again, immigrants to the Netherlands are themselves responsible for making sure they learn Dutch civics and language. I do not personally agree with this, but it is reasonable from a conservative, small government perspective, which is currently holding the majority here. Is it unreasonable then to insist that a person with a disability put every effort into becoming as non-disabled as possible? My heart says it's unreasonable, but my head is having a hard tiem finding arguments for it.


text:
Panther Tracks
Airlines add flights from Charlotte for Super Bowl travelers
To help make it possible for more Carolina Panthers fans get to the Super Bowl Feb. 7, some major airlines have added round-trip flights from Charlotte to California.
Flights go to both San Francisco and San Jose, the latter of which is about five miles from Levi Stadium, where the Panthers will face the Denver Broncos at 3:30 PST (6:30 EST.)
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is the second-biggest hub for American Airlines. Denver and San Francisco are both hubs of United, so the airliner has added flights between those cities as well.
In an effort to beat the rush for Super Bowl airfare after the Panthers' 49-15 win against the Arizona Cardinals, many fans have already booked flights despite not knowing whether they have tickets.
In addition to airlines' normally scheduled weekend flights between Charlotte and the California cities, here are some of their additional flights for Charlotte travelers:
▪ JetBlue added a flight from Charlotte on the morning of Feb. 5 and a return one from San Jose International Airport on the morning of Feb. 8.
▪ United added one flight from Charlotte to San Francisco on Feb. 6 and a return flight from San Francisco after the game on Feb. 7.
▪ American Airlines added two flights from Charlotte to San Francisco on Feb. 5. American also added one direct flight to San Jose on Feb. 5. Spokeswoman Katie Cody said the airliner normally doesn't have direct flights to San Jose those days (Fridays.)
▪ American added three flights back from San Francisco to Charlotte on Feb. 8, and two direct flights back from San Jose Feb. 8.
Delta also has flights between Charlotte and San Francisco and San Jose, but a representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
Katherine Peralta: 704-358-5079, @katieperalta


text:
Luc Besson has never been known for his restraint. Director of films such as the sci-fi epic 'The Fifth Element', he has gleefully embraced the meaning of excess. The French director has his admirers with his movies turning a profit despite their huge budgets. That's just as well as his latest, 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' is already notorious as being the most expensive French film ever made. It certainly looks spectacular with every penny seen on the silver screen in Besson's typically outlandish style.
Valerian (Dane DeHann) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives from the Ministry of Defence charged with maintaining order. It's the 28th century, where all manner of species converge to trade. Sent to a world called Alpha also known as the City of a Thousand Planets, Valerian and Laureline come across a sinister plot to disrupt its delicate peace. Dealing with shady types such as shapeshifting dancer Bubble (Rihanna) and pimp Jolly (Ethan Hawke), the law-enforcing duo uncover a grand scheme that could destroy the entire universe.
'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' is pure spectacle. It really looks amazing with the only limitations being the film-maker's imaginations. All manner of new creatures are on display as they battle for survival amidst a cosmic mystery. Valerian and Laureline make a quirky couple and neither of their portrayers are known for their heroic roles but gamely go out of their comfort zone. Although their chemistry is miniscule, DeHann and Delevingne almost succeed in embodying their character's traits and remain consistently engaging.
Besson's stylistic flair is seen in abundance and he doesn't hold back in the CGI splendour. Whilst the script is overlong and has several unnecessary scenes adding little to the central plot, the gorgeous scenery provides compensation. The wondrous visions aid in papering over the cracks of a predictable plot as do the energetic and enthusiastic performances which divert attention away from any deficiencies.
'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' is a sci-fi epic on a grand scale. It's an often glorious mess and occasionally drags when it should soar. But its good moments are memorable with its use of 3-D technology adding to its allure. Luc Besson doesn't hold back with his latest with a beguiling mix of genre styles sure to further cement his popular reputation.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 6
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Agree with Patrick's Movie Review? Then please use the comment box.
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at movie releases in Australia.


text:
Colorado State safety Trent Matthews expects surprises in spring game
Colorado State junior Trent Matthews, a returning starter at safety, said he always expects the unexpected during spring games.
The annual "Green and Gold" spring game has an 11 a.m. Saturday kickoff in Hughes Stadium. Other activities include a free 9 a.m. pancake breakfast and a 10 a.m. children's egg hunt.


text:
This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.Opt Out of Cookies
May Promotion - Floral Artwork
Hey everyone,
It is a start to a new month and that means it is time for a new promotion. You can save up to $105 when you buy one of these beautiful floral art prints available through my Fine Art Gallery. Both of these wall art prints are the direct result of my recent 365 Photography Challenge that I started on my photo blog. Have a great night!!


text:
Investor Relations
Entegris (NasdaqGS: ENTG) is a leader in yield-enabling products and materials for semiconductor and other advanced manufacturing environments. Headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, with manufacturing, laboratory, sales, and support facilities around the globe, Entegris is helping to make tomorrow's technology products affordable and available today.
For more information, please call +1 952-556-1844 or email email@example.com.
Five things you should know about Entegris:
1. New mega-technology trends, such as AI, IoT, and Big Data to benefit Entegris
Semiconductor demand is being driven by "The Fourth Industrial Revolution," a new era which extends the impact of digitization in fields such as artificial intelligence, virtual/augmented reality, Internet of Things, and Big Data. The result is a broadening of semiconductor demand beyond PCs and mobile phones. Whether its memory devices or advanced-logic chips, more semiconductor production means more demand for suppliers, such as Entegris.
2. Materials are critical to the next generations of semiconductor
Until recently, the semiconductor industry has kept to Moore's Law by "shrinking" chip features to pack more transistors into a smaller area. For today's most advanced chips, achieving faster, more powerful semiconductors that consume less power is increasingly dependent on new materials. These new high-value engineered materials need to be delivered at an even greater level of purity to achieve desired outcomes. The result is an expanding consumption of materials and an increasing need for more effective contamination control solutions. These trends are making Entegris an even more important part of the industry's value chain.
3. Entegris' unique breadth of technology is expanding its markets
Entegris has one of the broadest portfolio of solutions in the industry, from specialty engineered chemicals and gases to the most-advanced filtration solutions of its kind to the components that move and protect these materials through the supply chain. There is virtually no other company than can provide all these solutions under one roof. This full-spectrum offering allows Entegris to develop highly differentiated solutions, responding to customers' challenges even faster.
4. Profit growth driven by focused execution and financial discipline
2018 was a record year for Entegris in terms of revenue, cash flow, and profits. Delivering profitable growth is a core goal. Entegris is relentless in its focus on operational execution and on being financially disciplined, which will continue to drive's Entegris' profitability.
5. Thoughtful capital allocation creates additional shareholder value.
Over the past 6 years, Entegris has allocated approximately $3 billion in capital allocation including acquisitions, R&D, repaying debt, capital expenditures, share buybacks, and dividends. Entegris strives to be good stewards of its shareholders' capital, and pursues a thoughtful allocation strategy that balances making investments, expanding business, and returning available cash to shareholders in an effective manner.


text:
Tsunami warning sirens have shot back into contention as a major community issue for Tauranga - only six weeks after the city council decided to abandon them.
The devastation inflicted on Japan has ramped up pressure from Mount Maunganui and Papamoa ratepayer organisations, and even from within the ranks of the council where Bill Grainger had been the lone voice for sirens.
A quick poll of the Mayor and some councillors showed a strong preference to relook at sirens as a way to warn the city's vulnerable coastal suburbs.
Mayor Stuart Crosby today said the council needed to find the most effective mechanisms and if that required a rethink of sirens, then that's what would happen.
Leading the charge is the Papamoa Progressive Association which decided this week that sirens should be an important element in a mix of measures to alert people.
Newly elected chairman Steve Morris said more than six years had passed since the Indonesian Boxing Day tsunami of 2004, but still there was no alert system in place for Tauranga's vulnerable coastal suburbs.
"The community must have confidence in the tsunami warning system. Here in Papamoa, people want to hear sirens."
Previous tests using fire station sirens showed they were confusing and not enough people heard them. He favoured new super-loud sirens with their own special tone.
Mr Morris said the most likely source of a tsunami generated near the Bay of Plenty would be from an earthquake along the Kermadec Trench, halfway between East Cape and Tonga. It would give very little warning time.
A tsunami less than half the height of the one which struck Japan has been dubbed a "worst case" tsunami by the Bay's Civil Defence planners.
It would inundate Tauranga's lower-lying areas closest to the dunes or harbour margins, while an "extreme" 6.75m surge would flood the entire coastal strip and the rest of the city's harbour margins - hitting 19,000 homes and forcing 35,000 people to flee for their lives.
The Bay of Plenty Times last August published a map showing this projected devastation and has today reprinted it after the Japan disaster and controversy surrounding sirens in the Bay.
The association intends heeding the advice of Cr David Stewart, who attended Monday's meeting and make a submission to the council's 2011-12 annual plan. Submissions open on March 21.
Cr Stewart said safety was of paramount importance and whatever system gave the widest coverage and alerted the greatest number of people was what the council should aim for.
Sirens were easy to grasp, which was why people focused on them, but he said the council needed to test the advice it received from Civil Defence experts on the best systems to alert people. "People panic when they hear a siren. They jump in their cars and head for the hills."
Mount Maunganui Progressive Association chairman David Burnett said the Japanese experience had shown that Tauranga needed to take tsunamis "a hell of a lot more seriously". He liked the idea of sirens running in tandem with other measures supported by the council six weeks ago, including Readynet - a system which alerts specific areas and groups of people by email and text messages.
Cr Murray Guy originally voted for the new system earlier this year which dropped sirens in favour of a package which included non-rate funded remote controlled household alarms.
He said January's decision had been based on affordability but he now preferred coupling sirens with other technologies.
Judging by his informal talks with other councillors, Cr Guy expected the emphasis to swing back to sirens.
Cr Tony Christiansen said he was starting to change his views on sirens and that going back to the old air raid sirens might be best.
Cr Catherine Stewart said that she said at January's meeting that sirens had a place because they could be widely heard. "I would be happy to revisit it."
Cr Rick Curach was impressed at how loudly the sirens could be heard on the footage from Japan and some investigation needed to happen. "A lot of people who heard the sirens (in Japan) were asking, where are ours?" Cr Curach said.
Cr Wayne Moultrie said sirens were not the sole answer and that the council needed to take expert advice.


text:
Ask Gleam Technologies Community about SUBJECT ID - REW14097744 - QC REPORT NOT RECIEVED
The above project was completed and submitted on 29.10.16 and as per the order placement mentioned to receive QC report on or before 18.11.16. Till now no report received and I had also requested your team to also send me a project for doing as I am free, but they said to wait till QC report of first submission is received. Almost 20 days after completion and yet to hear from your end. Why? What if the QC is delayed but you can at least send a project to keep me occupied. Please confirm why the delay and other reasons? Initially I was told by your team that after depositing the initial amount, I can work as many projects as needed. Now you know the scenario. Please confirm what is happening. Irshad
Leave answer
Please Sign in to Post answer
Answer's (3)
my qc report chec sir
REW15014078 this id qc report checking sir
heloo, if you upload the agre menas they will generate the qc report to you login in publicationsubmituae.com website check there


text:
Re-gripping clubs, especially the putter, is not something many amateurs think about, but it could be one of the most cost effective ways to improve your game the next time you hit the course.
WEAR and TEAR
Golf Pride recommends that grips should be replaced approximately every 30 to 40 rounds. For most weekend warriors, this is about once a year. Consider that the putter is the most used club in any golfer's bag. (Almost every hole!) Therefore, the average golfer is likely years over due on a new putter grip... This means YOU!
Signs of wear include:
- smooth, shiny or hard surfaces
- indented wear spots, likely under the thumbs
- cracks or even peeling
Check out our Limited Offer for a FREE Pistol Putter Grip.
Golf is a feel sport. The grip is the only thing you actually "feel." It is your connection to the shot and provides all of the feedback from your impact with the ball. If your grip is worn out, the wrong size for you hands, the wrong shape for your grip style, or just doesn't feel right, your score will reflect this... and not in a good way.
UPGRADE vs STOCK
So you found the perfect putter with the right balance of heel-to-toe weighting and good visual as you address the ball, but that grip is just wrong. Too hard, too soft, too big, too small...I get it, Goldilocks. Below are some basic guidelines for choosing the right grip for you.
- Rubber - good tack, firm, direct feedback, very durable and easy to care for.
- Foam - Soft/comfort (used for a lot of over-sized grips to keep weight balance from moving too much into the grip)
A thicker grip helps quiet the hands and wrists, which helps some golfers develop a repeatable stroke. One drawback of using a thicker grip is a reduction in the feel or feedback compared to a thinner grip. If you are feel putter, you will be more suited to a thin grip.
You should be re-gripping your clubs, especially your putter! It is simple and extremely cheap, and will make an immediate improvement on your game.
Speaking of cheap! Check out our Limited Offer!


text:
If that bulge in your laptop bag isn't because your computer's pleased to see you but instead the result of having to carry around a big bulky mouse, then Logitech's new Ultrathin Touch Mouse may be of interest.
As its name suggests, it's thin (ultra-thin, actually), with a design aimed at matching the style of Ultrabooks and Apple's laptops.
The look of the brushed aluminum device will remind some of Apple's Magic Mouse, and like the Magic Mouse, it also supports touch gestures – nine different ones, to be precise.
Using Bluetooth with Logitech's Easy-Switch Technology, users need only flip a switch on the underside of the mouse to change connectivity between between a laptop, desktop or tablet.
Powering up the mouse appears to be a straightforward and efficient process, too, with Logitech claiming a one-minute charge via USB will give you an hour's use.
Available in black and white, the striking slim design could appeal to style-conscious cafe-based computer users reluctant to pull their existing jumbo-sized mouse from their bag.
Keen to get your hand(s) on the new wedge-shaped device? Consumers in the US and Europe can pick up a PC-compatible Ultrathin Touch Mouse this month for $70, while Mac users will need to wait till November. You can also pre-order it.
Editors' Recommendations
- The best wireless mice for 2019
- The best keyboard you can buy in 2019
- The best laptop bags for 2019
- Here's everything new about the 16-inch MacBook Pro
- Alienware m15 (2019) review


text:
Musicians from Asian countries to be a part of Padang Indian Ocean Music Festival
December 8 will witness the beginning of Padang Indian Ocean Music Festival 2017 (PIOMFest) in Padang, Indonesia. One of the prime features of this music festival will be the musical performances by various Asian artists from myriad countries like India, Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia. Nikhil Patwardhan and Partha Mukherjee will be representing India at this prestigious 2 days music fest that will take place in Japan.
This is the first PIOMFest that aims at bringing together members of IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) and their partners. This time Padang is chosen as the host city because of its proximity to the Indian Ocean as well as partner countries such as China and France.
Providing more information on the fest, Esthy Reko Astuti, Tourism Ministry's archipelago tourism marketing development deputy said, "Other than Japan and India, Singapore will also bring plenty of musicians such as Tan Su-Hui, Sophy, Tan Su-Min, Clara and Ng Chee Yao."
Prominent artists like Arastra from Bengkulu, Talago Buni from West Sumatra, Riau Rhytm Chambers from Pekanbaru, Taufik Adam from Jakarta, De Tradisi from Medan, Gazal Himpunan Keluarga Muhadan from Padang, Balega from Padangpanjang, Sanggar Seni Dayung Dayung from INS Kayu Tanam and Nan Tumpah Art Community from Padang will also perform in the fest.
Esthy also said, "PIOMFest will become an annual event in Padang."
First day, the event will start at 8 PM and will go on till 10:30 PM while on 9 and 10 Dec, the event will begin from 3:30 PM and will end at 10:30 PM. The festival will be held under the Siti Nurbaya Bridge, which is an icon in Padang and will be open to the public absolutely for free.
Heading out for a vacation? Take your travel expert with you - download World Travel Guide. Explore other Travel Guide Apps.
Join Us On FacebookClose
Share your Asia Trip Experience
Sort By:
Be the first one to review.


text:
Baby Names
From Avery to Zephyr, Nameberry is the complete guide to thousands of amazing baby names.
Here you'll find the world's biggest baby name database, the most creative lists of names for girls and boys, the friendliest forums, and the best ideas and expert advice on naming your baby in 2019.
Top Pages on Nameberry
Browse Unique Baby Names
Unique names are becoming more fashionable for both baby girls and baby boys, with more rare and uncommon names appearing all the time. Find unique nature names and word names, international names, and ancient names that are back in use for the first time in centuries.
Join the Conversation
Talk baby names on our forums with your fellow Berries.
Browse Names by Style
Baby Name News
Search Baby Names by Origin
Top 1000 Names on Nameberry
Baby name popularity changes fast. That's why we update our popularity lists in real time, so you can see which baby names rank highest with Nameberry readers right now. For 2019, we see more unique baby names for boys and girls rising to the top of the list, along with classic names and vintage names back in style.


text:
Bayer-Monsanto Merger Ramps Up Technological Transformation in Africa
Farmers in Africa are on the cusp of benefiting from cutting-edge innovations that will catapult growth of the agricultural sector and contribute significantly to food security.
This is the promise of Eric Bureau, Bayer Managing Director and Country Head East Africa, following the complex acquisition of Monsanto, a deal that cost $63 billion and whose outcome has been the creation of a colossal juggernaut
determined to control the crop protection and seeds market.
"Bayer and Monsanto share the same vision, which is about helping farmers produce more through innovation. This is what farmers in Africa should expect because together we will be in a better position to innovate and bring better technologies to the market and to offer new solutions," he says.
He adds that Bayer Crop Science has mainly concentrated on crop protection and Monsanto on seed, which creates a synergy that will offer farmers a one-stop shop of solutions.
In sub-Saharan Africa, with the exemption of South Africa, the Bayer-Monsanto deal that took two years to conclude did not enlist substantial scrutiny. The majority of regulators opted to back their approval based on decisions by their counterparts in the U.S. and European Union (EU).
Despite the lack of close interrogation, something that has exposed technical limitations facing regulators in Africa particularly when it comes to intricate transactions, the merger has ignited jitters because it is bound to disrupt the configuration of the crop protection and seed markets in the continent.
"The Bayer-Monsanto merger intensifies processes of wealth extraction from Africa and increases the distance of control over economic decisions and production practices from farming communities," Dr. Stephen Greenberg, Research Coordinator at Africa Centre for Biodiversity, says.
He adds that the merger is the latest example of a globally intense corporate concentration and capture of numerous economic spheres, including agriculture and food, coming hot on the heels of other consolidation in the agrichemicals industry.
Notably, the Bayer-Monsanto merger comes at a time when the agricultural sector in Africa is on the runway gearing for takeoff, with farmers being forced to adopt new technological innovations to increase yields and transform agriculture to a profitable enterprise capable of lifting millions out of poverty.
On the flipside, it comes when farmers are facing a delicate balancing dilemma in terms of chemical use amid campaigns to lower concentrations, rising input prices, a shift toward biochemicals, and organic farming, among other emerging trends.
Major Influence
Under the new order, agricultural experts project a future in which Bayer will have a tight grip on the market, giving farmers fewer options, particularly those who use patented products and have little affinity for generics that are widely used mainly by small-holder farmers.
Having operated in Africa for decades, Bayer has managed to build a strong reputation while riding on its rich history of research and development to offer innovative crop protection products, which account for about 75% of its business in Africa.
Although there is not concrete market intelligence data, it is estimated that the merger has resulted in Bayer now controlling about 30% of both the seed and agrichemical markets in Africa, with its main competition now coming from generics.
The company will also be able to easily influence policymakers on any aspects touching on its business interests.
These interests are legion and diverse, cutting across the push for adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), shielding the African market from decisions from other jurisdictions, such as the ban on neonicotinoids in the EU and the verdict on glyphosate in the U.S., favorable tax regimes, and a push for more use of certified seeds, among others.
"Bayer-Monsanto has a large combined share of the commercial agricultural biotech-seed-pesticides market in Africa. As this model spreads, it displaces the farmer seed systems on which agricultural production and biodiversity rely in Africa," Dr. Greenberg says.
He adds that, with government programs supporting the mainstream and highly funded green revolution in the Africa agenda, farmers are compelled toward adopting these production models that benefit multinationals.
For Africa, the merger will also help erase the notorious reputation that Monsanto had acquired of a company that was solely determined to drive the GMO agenda and was using its powerful stature to impose its seeds on the continent's markets.
Bayer has made it clear that it will drop the Monsanto name, a development that will mark the end of a company largely associated more with GMOs than with quality-certified seeds in the continent.
"We are fully convinced biotechnology is a tool available to farmers. Farmers are free to decide if they want to use it or not, and I totally disagree when I hear that Monsanto is forcing farmers to use their seeds," Bureau says.
He adds that, being an innovation company, Bayer intends to upscale biotechnology research, which is gaining traction across the globe and has the potential to redefine agriculture in Africa in terms of reducing pesticide use through offering pest-resistant crops, such as Bt cotton and Bt maize.
"Food security is at the heart of our operations, and that is why we are determined to help farmers increase yields and produce more food. Our innovations have a big role to play to improve food security and farmers income," Bureau says.
For Bayer, a company that believes farmers are entrepreneurs, offering innovative solutions is at the core of agricultural transformation, considering Africa is facing a daunting task to feed its growing population amid dwindling arable land.


text:
About Andrea Diamond
I was first drawn to the idea of becoming a midwife in my mid-twenties when I began exploring Eastern and Western healing modalities through my work as a licensed massage therapist and yoga instructor. In 2002 I decided the time was right for me to pursue midwifery, as I consistently felt my passion growing stronger over the years. I received my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SUNY Downstate in 2004, graduating Summa Cum Laude. I continued my studies at SUNY Downstate and received my Master of Science in Nurse Midwifery in 2007.
While home birth was always my ultimate destination, I first wanted to absorb as much knowledge and experience as I could from a group practice. After a brief stint as a staff midwife in a hospital, I accepted a position at the Brooklyn Birthing Center, where I delivered hundreds of babies in a home-like environment. It was there that I gained experience with water births, and have been blessed to work with many remarkable families who have returned to me for subsequent pregnancies.
I am continually seeking to further my academic, clinical and intuitive knowledge and wisdom. In 2012 I became a Certified Lactation Counselor, and in 2013 a HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, offering both group and private childbirth education classes. Over the years, I've incorporated more and more techniques for optimal fetal positioning in pregnancy and labor, which help to facilitate quicker, easier births. In May of 2016, I studied Spinning Babies techniques with Tammy Ryan. I am currently working towards my certification as a Perinatal Havening practitioner.
I am a strong believer that birth unfolds naturally when one is in an environment where they feel safe, calm and supported.


text:
A new two-page document entitled "Law Enforcement Cyber Incident Reporting: A Unified Message for State, Local, Tribal and Territorial (SLTT) Law Enforcement" has been posted on the Secret Service's website, and succinctly addresses the important issue of how these SLTT law enforcement agencies should report cyber incidents to the federal government, a key challenge given the multiplicity of actors at the federal level.
What is notable about the document is that it reflects the consensus opinion of these federal law enforcement agencies (the seals of DHS, DOJ, the FBI, ICE and the Secret Service are included on the document) as well as many of the major organizations representing SLTT law enforcement (IACP, Major City Chiefs, National Sheriffs' Association, IALEIA). This "Unified Message" document is similar to a 2012 Unified Message on Suspicious Activity Reporting that was supported by many of the same agencies and organizations. The seal of the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment is also included on both documents, consistent with their well-established role in convening federal and SLTT entities to address issues such as this.
The document describes when SLTT agencies should report cyber incidents to the federal level, what they should report, and how they should report it. A chart on the second page identifies "key contacts for cyber incident reporting," helping to clarify lanes in the road between FBI, ICE, Secret Service and DHS/NPPD on what should be reported to whom. A final section recommends additional resources for SLTT law enforcement personnel.
You can review the full document at this link.


text:
New here? Then join us our Newcomer Pub Lunch! These happen at a local family-friendly pub, and are a great way to meet others and connect with us.
Pay for your own drink and bring a fiver towards the cost of your food (or pay it up front when you book), and we'll pay the rest.
Sign up here if you're thinking about coming along - as there's usually a good number of us so we need to book ahead.
Once you've signed up, just meet our friendly hosts at the church's welcome desk straight after the 11.30am service. They'll be able to direct you to the pub, or offer you a lift if you need one.


text:
Printed From:
FAQs: The Dragonlance FAQ
by Matt & Trampas Whiteman
This document is intended to bring Dragonlance fans new to the Internet up to speed on anything and everything they need to know about the Dragonlance setting. It incorporates many of the common questions from other Dragonlance FAQs available online, and addresses topics that are not covered elsewhere.
General Dragonlance Questions
This section attempts to answer common questions and misconceptions about the Dragonlance setting, products and some of the events that commonly are asked about in the storyline.
1.1) What is Dragonlance, and how did it start?
Dragonlance is a high-fantasy setting developed by TSR, Inc. during the mid-1980s to support its Advanced Dungeons & Dragons product line. In addition to gaming modules which players and dungeon masters could purchase from the story and play using the AD&D rules, the Dragonlance line also featured a series of novels about characters that appeared in the modules. Today, the Dragonlance product line features over 100 novels and numerous gaming products, as well as comic books, a board game, video games, and other items that have been released over the years.
The story of how Dragonlance was developed has been recounted many times in various products, most notably in The Annotated Dragonlance Chronicles. Briefly, Tracy Hickman came up with the vision for a world of dragons while driving cross-country to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. With the help of numerous other TSR designers, and borrowing heavily from Jeff Grubb's home-grown campaign world, Dragonlance was born. To accompany the modules being created by the game designers, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman began writing the Chronicles series of novels. Since that time, over 100 novels and various other modules and supplementary products have been created.
TSR published the line using the D&D rule set until the mid-1990s, when it converted Dragonlance to the SAGA card-game format. TSR nearly went bankrupt in the late 1990s, and was purchased by Wizards of the Coast, who took over control of the D&D and Dragonlance properties, and moved the headquarters to Seattle, Washington. Wizards discontinued the SAGA line of products, but continued to publish the novel line. In 2002, a company called Sovereign Press, owned by Margaret Weis, licensed the rights to publish Dragonlance gaming products for the D&D 3.5 system from Wizards, while Wizards continues to publish the novel line.
1.2) Is Dragonlance a game? Can I play online?
As previously noted, Dragonlance is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons game. The novels are based on the game world, but have become much more popular than the game world over the years. In order to 'play' D&D in the traditional sense you need to obtain copies of the D&D core books—the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide, and Monster Manual, and find several friends to play with. Once you understand the basic D&D rules, you can begin your Dragonlance campaign using the gaming products and modules that have been specifically created for the setting.
If you don't have friends locally to play with, there are a variety of online games and campaigns, such as play-by-email (PBEM) and multi-user-dungeon games (MUD) that are set in the Dragonlance setting. In addition, several fan-created Dragonlance-themed modules and persistent world servers are available for the Neverwinter Nights (NWN) game. A search engine should turn up numerous hits for any of these.
1.3) Will there be a Dragonlance movie?
Yes. In 2006, it was announced that an animated version of Dragons of Autumn Twilight was being produced. More information is available on the official movie site, Dragonlance-Movie.com.
1.4) What is Taladas?
Taladas is the second continent of Krynn. Virtually all published Dragonlance products are set on the continent of Ansalon, but like Earth, Krynn has more than one continent. Taladas is located to the northeast of Ansalon. In the past there have been several gaming products specific to Taladas, and some of the other regions of Krynn, such as Otherlands and Time of the Dragon Lords. More recently, a Taladas novel trilogy series is being published by Wizards of the Coast.
1.5) Is there another continent called Adlatum?
The continent of Adlatum is a fan project being worked on by a group of fans and is hosted on the Dragonlance Nexus. Adlatum is mentioned officially in Tasslehoff's Map Pouch: The Age of Mortals on the map of Ansalon. Adlatum lies to the north and west of Ansalon.
1.6) Did Lord Soth go to Ravenloft?
Lord Soth appeared in two Ravenloft novels, and in 2nd edition Ravenloft gaming materials put out by Wizards of the Coast. Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, however, maintain that Soth didn't go to Ravenloft. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to make his or her own determination.
1.7) Is there a Dragonlance videogame?
There are several. There was a Dragonlance game published for the original Nintendo Entertainment System in the late 1980s. There were also two strategy games published around the same time, called "Heroes of the Lance" and "War of the Lance" by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). In 1990, SSI published two more games: "Champions of Krynn" and "Death Knights of Krynn." These were parts one and two in a trilogy of games set in the Dragonlance world. Both of these games were released for the IBM/PC. The third part in the trilogy, "The Dark Queen of Krynn," was released in 1992 for the IBM/PC and Macintosh. You can find most of these games online using a search engine, or through eBay. More information is also available on the Dragonlance Nexus.
There are no current Dragonlance video games in production, although there are several Dragonlance modules and persistent worlds for Neverwinter Nights that are in various stages of completion.
1.8) Why there are so many inconsistencies?
Dragonlance is a shared world—in other words, many authors have written novels about the world over the past twenty years. As a result, some authors are not as familiar with previously published materials as those that created those materials, and some errors have crept in that way. It's also possible that some authors simply took creative license with their work and as a result there are discrepancies between various sources. This has lead to a debate on various message boards, newsgroups, mailing lists, etc. about what is "canon" or "true" versus what is simply incorrect.
1.9) I want to suggest a product or a book. How do I do it?
You should contact Wizards of the Coast if you want to suggest a novel, or Sovereign Press if you have a suggestion for a game product.
1.10) Is there music about Dragonlance?
In addition to the sheet music published in the Leaves from the Inn of the Last Home sourcebook, several bands have written songs. Two notable are "Raistlin and the Rose," by a Swedish band called Lake of Tears, and "The Soulforged" by Blind Guardian.
1.11) How do the other TSR campaign worlds (Forgotten Realms, Eberron, Greyhawk, Ravenloft, Planescape, Spelljammer) work with Dragonlance?
Depending on your view of the D&D cosmology, there are two possible answers. The first is that Krynn is in its own unique universe. If you accept the D&D multiverse explanation, however, Krynn is accessible by all the other worlds through magical means—there are published products that connect Spelljammer and Planescape to Krynn.
1.12) What was the Chaos War? The Second Cataclsym? The Fifth Age? The War of Souls?
Please read the novels titled The Second Generation, and Dragons of Summer Flame, followed by the War of Souls trilogy for a complete explanation and understanding of these topics.
1.13) Where did the gods go after the Summer of Chaos and where did the dragon overlords come from?
The appendix of the hardcover Dragons of a Vanished Moon does an excellent job explaining this. Essentially, Takhisis steals the world of Krynn from its place in the universe to a place that the other gods could not find. The Dragon Overlords come from an alien world of dragons and found their way to Krynn. The events in the War of Souls trilogy reveal how Krynn was rediscovered, the fates of three of the overlords, and the return of the gods to the world.
Novel Questions
This section deals solely with the novel line, including where to find information about the various novels in print and upcoming novels.
2.1) How many novels are in the series?
Well over 100 at the time of this writing.
2.2) Is there a complete list of all novels?
Yes. You can find a list of novels and other products on the Dragonlance Nexus.
2.3) What order should I read the books in?
Many people express an interest in reading the novels chronologically; however, there is much debate among various fans as to what the "best" order is. One suggested reading list is available here, although a chronological listing and a listing by date printed are also available.
2.4) I want to write a Dragonlance novel. How do I go about doing so?
You have to submit your work to Wizards of the Coast and follow their writers' guidelines. If you're an unpublished author, your chances of having them pick up your story are probably not very good. More details are available on their web site.
2.5) When will the third Raistlin novel come out?
There is no planned third novel in the Raistlin Chronicles. In an email in May 2002, Don Perrin noted: "There is no 3rd book in the Raistlin Chronicles, I'm afraid. Or, more accurately, Dragons of Autumn Twilight could be argued to be the 3rd book."
2.6) Will there be another novel in the Kang's Regiment series?
It is highly unlikely. Don Perrin and Margaret Weis co-wrote The Doom Brigade and Draconian Measures, but are no longer collaborating.
2.7) Will there be a novel series about Taladas?
Chris Pierson is writing the Taladas trilogy.
2.8) What new books are coming out?
Please see the new and upcoming product list on the Nexus.
Gaming Questions
Gaming questions specifically related to issues about the D&D implementation of Dragonlance are addressed here.
3.1) Do wizards who take the Wizard of High Sorcery prestige class have to specialize?
Wizards who take the Wizard of High Sorcery prestige class may elect to be "generalist wizards." The Age of Mortals sourcebook has a sidebar on this, explaining that you do not have to specialize, but you don't gain the benefit of enhanced specialization at 1st level. Towers of High Sorcery contains a revised version of the Wizards of High Sorcery prestige class, which clarifies this issue.
3.2) Will there be gnomish invention rules?
Originally, there was a section on gnomish invention rules in the Dragonlance Campaign Setting sourcebook. The editors felt that this was too much space spent on one race. The gnomish invention rules will most likely be seen in a later supplement, presumably Races of Ansalon.
3.3) Are sorcerers considered renegades by the Wizards of High Sorcery?
According to Margaret Weis, sorcerers are considered renegades.
3.4) Do psionics exist on Krynn?
According to Jamie Chambers, Sovereign Press will not be addressing psionics in Krynn one way or the other. The existence of psionics in Krynn will be left up to the DM.
Some products from AD&D 2nd edition, such as Unsung Heroes, state that psionics do not exist on Krynn. Dungeon Masters are encouraged to decide for themselves.
3.5) Can draconians reproduce?
Prior to the events of the Chaos War, no. However, as described in the novel Draconian Measures, female draconians have been discovered and the race is now able to reproduce.
3.6) Is a dark elf a drow?
In the Dragonlance setting a "drow" or "dark elf" is not a member of a purple-skinned, white-haired, underground race of evil elves. The term "dark elf" refers to an elf that has been exiled from one of the elven nations. Most dark elves are evil, since practicing evil acts is a crime punishable by exile in the elven nations; however, any elf that is exiled is termed a "dark elf" whether or not they are truly evil.
3.7) How are Kender, Gnomes, and Dwarves related?
While there is some debate over their actual origin, two of the three races were created when the Graystone passed over Krynn thousands of years prior to the Cataclysm. One explanation is that gnomes were the first race and that the curious ones became kender and the greedy ones became dwarves. There are other theories on their relationship as well, including an erroneous theory that kender descended from elves. This theory has since been disproved.
3.8) Which races don't exist on Krynn?
There are several races common to the other D&D worlds that don't exist on Krynn. This includes drow (of the dark-skinned variety), gem dragons, orcs, halflings and lycanthropes (werewolves and other were-creatures.) While there have been references to many of them in older gaming products and novels, this is generally attributed to the inconsistency problem inherent in a shared world like Krynn rather than their presence in the setting.
Message Board, Newsgroup & Mailing list Questions
There are a number of ways for fans to participate in discussions abou the Dragonlance setting. This section details those various forums and some of the common rules.
4.1) What are the various message boards, newsgroups and mailing lists?
There are numerous Dragonlance message boards, newsgroups and mailing lists, but the focus here will be on the most popular.
4.2) Are newbies welcome?
Newbies are welcome on all of the groups listed above. New perspectives on old issues keep the discussion interesting.
4.3) How do I get started? What should I do?
Find the posting rules for each particular group you subscribe to in order to familiarize yourself with the proper protocol of posting new messages and interacting with other members. Also, take a moment to read over some of the past posts so that you can get a feeling for what type of people you'll be interacting with. In other words, once you jump in, take a moment to get used to the water temperature before you start swimming! Once you've done that, though, then jump right into an existing discussion or feel free to start your own.
4.4) I see that the message boards are moderated. Who's moderating them and why?
The moderators are a team of volunteers who are there to make sure the rules are enforced and that things on the boards run smoothly. They are there to ensure that everyone has a good experience and to make sure discussions stay on topic, among other things. Any concerns or issues you may have can be raised with them either in an email or via a private message. Posts that you are concerned about can also be reported to a moderator to handle.
4.5) What are all the abbreviations people are using stand for?
Rather than type out the name of every product or author, many fans use short abbreviations instead. Some of the most common include the following:
4.6) Did I see an author on the message boards / newsgroup / mailing list?!
A number of authors do visit and post to the various fan forums. They give their time freely and willingly to contribute to the fan community. On the Dragonlance Message Boards, authors typically have the title "Sage of Krynn," and should be treated with the utmost respect.
4.7) Are there rules I should follow?
Each forum has its own specific rules. The code of conduct for the Dragonlance Message Boards can be found here, and directions and rules for the Dragonlance Mailing list can be found here. Additionally, there is a very long FAQ for the alt.fan.dragonlance newsgroup, although the rules are nearly identical to the other groups.
4.8) What is "canon"?
Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines canon as "an authoritative list of books accepted as Holy Scripture" and "the authentic works of a writer." In the case of Dragonlance, it is intended to mean what is "true" to the setting versus what is simply an inconsistency. As noted previously, in a shared world like the Dragonlance setting, there are sometimes inconsistencies between facts presented in one product and another.
By looking at the various sources of a piece of conflicting information and weighting them relative to their importance to the setting (i.e. Chronicles is deemed to be an authoritative work while Tales of Uncle Trapspringer would be less so), fans try to determine what is really true or "canon" and what is not. However, this is a highly inexact science, and there have been many debates over the years about what facts are and are not considered "canon."
4.9) What are spoilers?
Spoilers are a necessary warning that someone posting to a forum is about to give something away about a novel or gaming product. The idea behind their necessity can best be illustrated by an actual event that occurred many years ago at GenCon.
Like many other products, Dragons of Winter Night debuted on the first day of GenCon. Enthusiasm for the novel was very high, and many people waited in line to get their hands on the sequel to Dragons of Autumn Twilight. One enterprising fan bought his copy of the book, found a quiet corner and proceeded to read it cover to cover within a day's time. The next evening, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman held a question and answer to talk with fans about their first novel, and the just-released Dragons of Winter Night, which most of the audience had not had the chance to read yet. Our enterprising fan raised his hand, was called on, and blurted out: "Why did you kill Sturm at the end of the book?" You can probably imagine the crowd's irate reaction.
The moral of the story illustrates the need for spoilers: an explicit warning in a message board thread or an email conversation on the DL-L that the poster is going to reveal the ending or a key detail about a product that other community members may not have had the chance to finish yet (e.g. "Dragons of Autumn Twilight *spoilers* Pax Tharkas"). As a rule of thumb, when posting a new thread or email, you should make sure to include the title of the product and the word "spoilers" in the subject line of the post. You should also make sure not to give it away in the title, so that those who are intentionally ignoring posts about things they haven't read yet don't have the experience ruined by reading the title. In the actual post, the words "spoiler space" followed by 5-15 blank lines is also considered courteous just in case someone accidentally opens the thread.
It is considered common courtesy to use spoiler warnings for at least 3 months after a product is first released. In the case of a novel, this should be 3 months after the paperback release.
4.10) Are there any controversial topics I should avoid?
In addition to keeping things pleasant, the following topics have been discussed hundreds of times, and most of the "old guard" on the various message boards, newsgroups, etc., are sick to death of them. In no particular order, the following topics should be avoided:
Website Questions
Specific questions about the official and fan web sites and their content are addressed here.
5.1) Is there an official website?
Dragonlance.com serves as Sovereign Press' official d20 Dragonlance website. Wizards of the Coast does not have an official Dragonlance web site per se, although you could argue that the books home page is the official site, even though they do point visitors to Dragonlance.com.
5.2) What is the Dragonlance Nexus? Didn't Tracy Hickman have something to do with it?
The Dragonlance Nexus is an unofficial fan site dedicated to Dragonlance and Dragonlance fans. Tracy Hickman came up with the original design, and with the Whitestone Council, the Nexus became the official Dragonlance fan site (prior to Sovereign Press gaining the gaming license) and a haven for Dragonlance fans on the web.
5.3) Did you write all those books?
Every Dragonlance novel was written by authors employed by Wizards of the Coast, formerly TSR. People who have written books are Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, Jean Rabe, Richard Knaak, Douglas Niles, Chris Pierson, and Don Perrin, to name a few.
5.4) I don't see any of the art that's on the books in your art gallery. Where can I find it?
We're not allowed to publish that artwork, which is why you don't see it. Most of the artists whose art is featured on the various products have web sites where they display their artwork; you can find links to all of their home pages here.
5.5) I want to email Margaret Weis or Tracy Hickman. Do you have their email addresses?
They have contact information on their web sites that specifically states how you can get in touch with them. Their web sites are www.margaretweis.com and www.trhickman.com.
5.6) I want to join your staff! How do I apply?
The short answer is that you don't—people on the staff are usually people who have been very active in the Message Boards and have been noticed by one of the existing staff people at a time when we're looking for some help with moderation on the boards. We don't accept applications for staff members to work directly on the site unless we have a need for your help, in which case we'll post a notice on the site.
5.7) Where did all the fan fiction on the Nexus go?
As some of you may be aware, much of the information on the Nexus has come courtesy of the old Dragonlance.com site. Some of the material that was not transferred included the fan fiction originally posted there. The reason for not bringing the fan fiction over is really two-fold. First, the Nexus is a gaming-focused site, and it made the most sense from a site focus perspective to focus on gaming and related items. Secondly, the fiction part of the site simply didn't have the level of interest that the rules and artwork sections of the site did relative to the amount of material. Finally, the amount of work required to get many of the submissions into even a semblance of being presentable had started to take way too much of our volunteer staff's time, so that was the determining factor.
This item has been published here with permission from the author(s) and may not be reproduced without permission. This is a fan submission and its contents are completely unofficial. Some characters, places, likenesses and other names may be copyright Wizards of the Coast.


text:
Most of Interstate 80 in Indiana runs along with I-90; together the two freeways comprise the Indiana Toll Road, which stretches more than 150 miles across northern Indiana, joining the Ohio Turnpike in the east. I-80 separates from the Indiana Toll Road and I-90 just east of Gary in northwestern Indiana. While I-90 continues into Illinois and Chicago, I-80 serves Indiana cities as Angola, South Bend and Gary as well as nearby Michigan.
There are about 20 RV parks in northern Indiana and along I-80, including four Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts and two Shipshewana Campground and Log Cabin sites. The Yogi Bear's campgrounds are located in Fremont and Portage, which are just off I-80; Plymouth, which is 30 minutes south of I-80; and Pierceton, which is an hour south of I-80. Shipshewana north and south campgrounds can both be found in Shipshewana, about a 15-minute drive south of I-80. The Twin Mills Camping Resort in Howe lies about 10 minutes south of I-80, and the Manapogo Park in Orland, about five minutes south of I-80 near Angola.
The Yogi Bear's campground at Barton Lake in Fremont offers a wide range of amenities, including 540 camp sites,18 cabins and 18 cottages, four pools, a water splash park, three theme park-style water slides, kiddie train rides and playgrounds. The campgrounds at the Yogi Bear facilities and Shipshewana sites offer cabin rentals as an alternative to tent and RV camping. At Twin Mills, you can find ponds for swimming and fishing, three playgrounds, a pavilion for large gatherings, a game room and recreation hall. Manapogo Park offers picnic tables and fire rings at all sites, along with a 425-acre lake for fishing, biking and hiking paths and access to a nearby golf course. Wireless Internet service is available at all the campgrounds, along with basketball courts, horseshoes, sand volleyball courts and golf cart rentals.
Rates for these campgrounds can run travelers from $35 to $50 for daily stays and $250 to $350 for weekly stays. The Yogi Bear campgrounds require minimum holiday stays. For example, you are required to have a minimum three-day stay for Labor Day weekend and other major holidays. The cabin rentals at these campgrounds begin at roughly $65 nightly. Additional charges apply for golf cart rentals and other amenities.
I-80 Attractions
I-80 will bring you to several important sites and attractions, including South Bend and the University of Notre Dame, and the Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market, one of the largest flea markets in the Midwest with hundreds of vendors, activities and home-style Amish cooking. Gary is the home of the Gary Railcats, the city's Single-A minor league baseball team. The Indiana Dunes State Park, which meets Lake Michigan in Chesterton, consists of 2,182 acres beach, wooded area, sandy hills and diverse flora.
I-80 and the Indiana Toll Road offer easy access to Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. The Indiana Toll Road is no longer operated by the Indiana Department of Transportation; rates have increased since the Cintra company took over the toll road operations. If you plan on traveling I-80 frequently, consider purchasing a prepaid I-Zoom pass, which will save time and help you avoid lines on the toll road exchanges, especially during holidays.
Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images


text:
Welcome to the NJ Tech Council. Our staff is dedicated to serving the technology and life science companies of the state and region with a host of educational events/programs, networking opportunities and recognition celebrations. We look forward to collaborating with you to create a even stronger ecosystem.
- Home
- Membership
- Events
- News
- Resources
- Talent
- About


text:
Leeds United 0-1 Cardiff City: Bluebirds maintain 10 point gap
Leeds United manager Neil Warnock paid Cardiff City a back-handed compliment ahead of this game by claiming they had learned the ultimate Championship trick of how to win ugly and the no-nonsense Yorkshireman was certainly proved right.
It's true, Cardiff City again were lacking fluency, lacking the cavalier charm of earlier in the campaign, but who cares really at this point in the season?
All that really matters to be honest is that they reestablished their ten point cushion at the top of the table thanks to an impressive fifth away win on the bounce.
In truth, things could have not gone much better for manager Malky Mackay.
On 62 minutes of a scrappy hard-fought battle that looked to be heading towards deadlock, the Cardiff boss brought new-signing Fraizer Campbell on from the bench and within two minutes the 25-year-old was already paying back part of his £600,000 transfer fee by poking home what proved to be the winner.
Whilst hardly against the run of play it was in some ways harsh on the hosts who are the form team in front of their supporters having won their last six league games on the bounce at Elland Road.
That Leeds did not extend that run was down to more stout defending on the road from the Bluebirds and particularly again vital work by goalkeeper David Marshall.
The Scottish international saving brilliantly in each half, first from a Ross Barkley shot and then a Tom Lees header. Mackay recently claimed Marshall was the best in the Championship an no one is going to be arguing after this display.Gallery: The pick of the images from Elland Road
Click here for our player ratings and to give the players your ratings
Click here to see how the action unfolded
This was a victory for Cardiff which will reinforce the belief that after near misses in recent seasons this is finally the time they will fulfill their Premier League dreams. On an afternoon when those chasing them mostly picked up good results this will have sent out a clear message to that chasing pack that Cardiff are in no mood to be caught now.
Next page: Bright start
The Bluebirds started the brighter in fact, Craig Bellamy, back in after his stomach bug, looked lively with Tommy Smith adding able support, but it was not really to last. The home side started seeing more of the ball even if they were not doing anything particularly dangerous with it.
It was a sedate affair in its way, lacking any real quality, until controversy burst forth on 23 minutes. Referee Mike Dean, who proved to be in erratic form, adjudged Aron Gunnarsson had passed the ball back to his goalkeeper David Marshall and awarded the home side a very dangerous free-kick just 12 yards out.
The Bluebirds were furious, insisting their Icelandic international had not meant it as a back pass. In the ensuing protests Marshall was booked for furiously kicking the ball down the other end of the pitch and Bellamy too went in to Mr Dean's book for making his displeasure extremely clear to the official.
It was almost an anti-climax after all the drama when from the set-piece, former Bluebird, Ross McCormack's shot deflected away for a corner which came to nothing.
Marshall though was about to cover himself in glory, on 34 minutes he showing just why he's so highly-rated.
Diouf crossed in a free-kick from the left, McCormack flicked it on and it broke to Barkley at the back post. The midfielder, on loan from Everton, seemed to have the goal gaping, but somehow Marshall got across goal to make the block. It was bravura stuff from the Scottish international.
Minutes later Barkley went for goal again, but his snapshot was well wide this time. The Bluebirds were far from fluent. The supply line to Bellamy seemed to have dried up a bit and forward momentum was at a premium. Peter Whittingham once more was missing his mark. The Bluebirds were not quite firing once more, but, as they have so often this campaign, they kept persevering.
Craig Conway's shot from distance was wildly over and then just before the break Bellamy put the ball in the net from close range following a flick-on by Kim, but it was ruled off-side. A decision to the naked eye which looked marginal.
Early Leeds pressure in the second period was weathered by a Cardiff back-line which is looking more and more assured, particularly on the road, as the season goes on. Mark Hudson is leading a solid back-four, but the will not to allow the opposition through extends right from the front to the back and is heartening to see from a Bluebirds' perspective.
And suddenly the Bluebirds got the reward for hanging in there and scrapping away as they grabbed what proved to be an incredibly valuable winner. As we say, Campbell had only just come on the pitch for his debut after signing from Sunderland and had only touched the ball a couple of times before he struck.
It was a rare mistake at the back from Leeds which presented the chance. Full-back Sam Byram made the fatal error of hooking his clearance straight to Bellamy who was lurking just outside the box. He fired for goal and the predatory Campbell was on hand to get the touch to guide it past Paddy Kenny in the home goal. You sensed it was a big moment and that Cardiff still had plenty of work to do if they were to hold onto the points. That they did though was again down to brilliant play from Marshall.
On 78 minutes, a Leeds corner bounced in the box, young defender Lees was on it, heading goal-ward and the Bluebirds' 'keeper somehow managed to push the goal-bound effort away through a maze of anxious bodies. Cardiff had to absorb more pressure naturally and survived a late hand-ball shout when the ball appeared to strike captain Hudson's arm, but they did it.
It was never pretty, it was never comfortable, but it was brave and packed with character. Warnock at the end called it 'cruel' and in a way it was, but football and the Championship min particular is a cruel place just ask the Bluebirds all about that.