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K. K. N. Kutty, National President, Confederation
It is now more than four months that the Government has held out the assurance to the leaders of NJCA that they would revisit the minimum wage determination and the consequent fitment factor of the 7th CPC. The understanding reached on 30th June, 2016 was that the Government would set up a high level committee to examine the complaint made by the employees organizations to the effect that the 7th CPC had not adhered to the norms of the Dr. Aykhroyd formula. The said decision was in the backdrop of the NJCA's strike notice which was served on 9th June, 2016 and its resolve to go ahead with the said decision to organize the indefinite strike action from 11th July, 2016.
The employees had realized that contrary to the impression, the 7th CPC imparted to the leaders during their interaction with it, its final suggestions were extremely nugatory and were the product of pressure exerted by the Government on the Commission .at the fag end of its functioning. They found that the minimum wage determined by the commission was in violation with the agreed principles of wage determination in the case of civil servants, it had recommended the least quantum increase in the wages in comparison with all the earlier Commissions; it had reduced the rates of various allowances without any valid rhyme or reason; it had abolished certain allowances despite the continuance of the extra functions/circumstances for which those allowances were originally granted; had abolished all interest free advances; had withdrawn the existing benefits, perks and privileges which had originally granted to a section of the employees and officers taking into account the peculiarities of the assigned jobs to them etc. Naturally the disappointment that arose from such negative attitude of the Commission paved way for anger and consequent agitation, creating thus an atmosphere of confrontation.
The setting-up of a committee under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary was, therefore, seen as a step in the right direction. After about six months deliberations, the Committee seems to have given a report to the Government content of which was not made public. However, during its inter action with the Staff Side, the Committee had given the impression and indication that it would make changes to the quantum of minimum wage and fitment factor and the Fixed Medical Allowance of the Pensioners would be suitably amended. The Committee intimated the staff Side that the Government would set up separate Committees for allowances and advances to effect a relook into the matter in consultation with various nodal departments of the Government of India. In other words, the Government through the Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary conveyed that it would create a conducive climate for a fruitful negotiation and settlement.
The 29th June proclamation in the form of Notifications was a bolt from the blue . Was it designed to discredit the NJCA leadership or snub the Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary or reflection of the arrogance of the party in power was not discernible. It was in that background the NJCA met on 30th June and decided unanimously to go ahead with the preparation for the indefinite strike action. Undoubtedly the Government's attitude had added fuel to the fire of anger and the leaders especially at the gross root level ,who had hoped that the Government would avert the situation of confrontation welcomed the decision of the NJCA wholeheartedly.
The late night discussions, the group of Ministers had with the NJCA leadership on 30th June, 2016 and the offer of a negotiated settlement of the core issues through the setting up of a high level committee was considered a step in the right direction by the NJCA leadership while accepting the offer of talks, though the State level leadership in quite a number of states felt that the Government was indulging in chicanery.
The time frame of six months for the Committee to complete its deliberations and make suggestions to the government on the core issues was over technically on 6th November, 2016 . The National Secretariat of the Confederation met and rightly decided to chalk out a series of programmes of action, the second phase of which would be carried out on 15th June, 2016 in the form of a massive march to the Parliament house. These programmes are to culminate in a strike action. Isolated action, the Confederation is fully aware is not capable of bringing about compulsion on the Government to revise their decisions promulgated on 29th June, 2016. Confederation is confident that the Defence and Railway organizations who are the predominant partners in the NJCA would realize the gravity of the situation and enliven the NJCA and spearhead the movement to its logical end. Isolated ventures will not be avoidable in certain exigencies, when demarcation in action becomes necessary so as to maintain the character and ideology of the organization and confidence of its members becomes paramount.


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Steve Blackledge
Senior Director, Conservation America Campaign, Environment America
Join us on a tour through Tongass National Forest.
Known as "America's Amazon," the Tongass National Forest is the biggest national forest in the United States at 16.7 million acres — and it's the largest temperate rainforest in the world.
It's a haven for irreplaceable old-growth groves of trees — some over 800 years old — and it's home to Sitka black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and more bears than in the Lower 48 states combined. Forty percent of the Pacific's wild salmon are spawned under its branches, and it's one of the only places in the world where you can witness humpback whales 'bubble net feeding.'
It's an amazing place to visit, though many Americans never get the chance. We wanted to offer the opportunity to join us on a virtual tour of the Tongass so you can experience its beauty for yourself!
Scroll to join us on a virtual trip through the Tongass' most iconic sites.
What a trip! Thank you for joining us on our journey through the Tongass National Forest. We've hardly scratched the surface of its 16.7 million acres, but already we've seen glaciers, mountains, whales, bears, and more.
What we didn't see, but certainly benefitted from, were the areas protected by the Roadless Rule in the Tongass. Environment America has a long history with this rule that protects areas within our nation's forests that have neither logging nor roads.
In 2001, we called on the Forest Service to implement a rule ending road-building in heretofore roadless areas of our national forests. A record 1.6 million public comments were submitted to the Forest Service. Of those, nearly half were the result of our grassroots advocacy.
Our motivation is simple. We want more special places where we can hike among ancient trees and wildflowers; more shoreline where we can sit mesmerized by the ocean and breaching whales; more abundant wildlife, from the brown bear to the bald eagle. We're running short on nature, and we need to protect the Tongass.
Curious about what the Roadless Rule protects in the Tongass? The map below highlights the areas where logging and roads were prohibited in orange.
We're not giving up without a fight, however. Environment America is working with our coalition partners to make sure President Biden acts to protect the Tongass.
If we all work together, we can protect wild places like the Tongass National Forest for generations to come.
Steve directs Environment America's efforts to protect our public lands and waters and the species that depend on them. He led our successful campaign to win full and permanent funding for our nation's best conservation and recreation program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He previously oversaw U.S. PIRG's public health campaigns. Steve lives in Sacramento, California, with his family, where he enjoys biking and exploring Northern California.

subset: commoncrawl


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ToursTravel AgencyWedding & Event Services
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-12:00p
Since the spring of 2005, Budget Charters continues to offer luxury travel at affordable rates. Services include custom charter services using the latest motorcoaches and experienced staff to organize your trip from beginning to end including lodging, ticketing and much more. Budget Charters also offers single and multi-day excursions to local attractions plus destinations throughout the country. Budget Charters owners have a strong commitment to safety and excellence and are active members of the Pennsylvania Bus Association, American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association.


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The Databank from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is a useful resource. Here is a quick look at overall gross voted current expenditure broken in three categories
- Pay and Pensions
- Social Welfare
- Non-Pay
From 1994 to 2011 gross voted current expenditure rose from €14 billion (30.0% of GDP) to €54 billion (34.3% of GDP). Here is the proportion of gross current voted expenditure that went on the three categories.
Pay and pensions as a percentage of current expenditure peaked at 41% in 1998 and had fallen to 37% by 2008. Since then social welfare expenditure has consumed an increasing proportion of current expenditure. If we look at the nominal amounts of expenditure.
We can see that all three categories are lower but the largest falls have been in non-pay current expenditure which has been falling since 2008.


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We've written before about the importance of having an inspection performed while a home is being built. There's a good reason why we're returning to this topic. If you're a family making a huge investment in a home, New Construction Phase Inspections can save you money and provide peace of mind—from an unbiased and certified home inspector—that the job is being done right and that you won't have any regrets once you move in.
New Construction Phase Inspections involve an inspector checking the foundation, basement, and crawlspace after the exterior foundation walls are finished (Phase 1); inspecting electrical, plumbing, HVAC, framing, and other systems prior to drywall being hung (Phase 2); and a "walkthrough" of the home once it has been completed (Phase 3).
For this week's blog, we're taking a deeper look at some of the problems an inspector, like those at A-Pro Home Inspection, might find during the critical pre-drywall evaluation. Traditional home inspections are non-invasive, meaning your inspector won't be cutting holes in the drywall to get a better look at a suspected issue. Once the drywall is in place, what's hidden behind it will not be accessible for observation by the inspector. The Pre-Drywall inspection becomes an invaluable tool to assess potential concerns that could be more costly and difficult to correct later on.
Of further value, the Pre-Drywall Inspection report comes with photographs of the home, which can serve as important documentation throughout its life (imagine passing this on to future buyers as evidence of the quality of the construction). Finally, this phase presents a great opportunity to ask your inspector questions about the home as you both get a firsthand look at the bones of the structure. Please note that this inspection phase does come with limitations. For example, the inspector is not required to determine the structural integrity of any component. Here are some of the elements covered during the inspection:
Floor System: The inspector will note any deficiencies in the visible parts of floor joists, trusses, sill, and sole plates, beams, girders, floor sheathing, fasteners, and other components. Cut joists, incorrectly used hangers, and the missing or wrong type of nails are some potential issues.
Wall System: This includes assessing vertical and horizontal structural components, beams, headers, fasteners, permanent wall bracing, vertical load paths, fire-blocking, and other areas.
Roof System: The inspector will observe ceiling joists, rafters, trusses, rafter ties, collar ties, bridging and lateral support members, ridge boards, openings and penetrations in the roof, sheathing, attic access openings, ventilation, roof covering materials, flashing, skylights, and chimney exteriors.
Heating and Cooling: Among other things, the inspector will check distribution ducts and pipes; whether there is a heating and cooling source in habitable rooms; accessibility of HVAC equipment; vents and flues (and adequate clearance); loose or insufficiently elevated equipment; and clearances to combustible materials.
Plumbing System: This entails visually inspecting interior water supply distribution components; interior drain, waste, and vent; interior water supply supports and insulation; vents and flues; fuel storage and distribution; proper component clearances; and backwater valves. The final report may list a number of concerns—everything from a plumbing vent that does not exit the attic to drain lines sloped in the wrong direction.
Electrical System: The inspector will perform a visual check of the service drop; service lateral; service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways; grounding electrodes and grounding electrode conductors; panelboards; branch circuit and feeder conductors; switch boxes; and other components. The inspector will also look for the presence of lighting boxes at stairways, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and other areas.
Electrical Outlets: This is a good time to assess if the contractor has installed a sufficient number of electrical outlets in each room. As you go from room to room, think hard about the number of outlets you will need to plug in your devices. Your inspector will point out if the standard number of outlets have been provided and properly located. It is much easier and more cost-effective to fix this problem now rather than wait until after the drywall has been hung.
Other parts of the inspection include windows and doors, stairways, exterior wall covering, ceiling height, the width of hallways, and exhaust systems for the clothes dryer, kitchen, and bathrooms.


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Clojure is a concise, powerful, and performant general-purpose programming language that runs on the JVM, CLR, Node.js, and modern mobile and desktop web browsers.
New to Clojure and not sure where to start? Here are a few good resources to get you off on the right foot:
There's no denying that Clojure is just so *different* from what most of us are used to (what is up with all those parentheses?!), so it's no surprise that it takes a bit to get your head around it. Stick with it, and you won't be disappointed.
But don't take our word for it, here's what XKCD has to say:
Seems like more than a few these days. Happy coding!
;; Let's define some data using list / map ;; literals: (def scenes [{:subject "Frankie" :action "say" :object "relax"} {:subject "Lucy" :action "❤s" :object "Clojure"} {:subject "Rich" :action "tries" :object "a new conditioner"}]) ;; Define a function (defn people-in-scenes [scenes] (->> scenes (map :subject) (interpose ", ") (reduce str))) ;; Who's in our scenes? (println "People:" (people-in-scenes scenes)) ;;=> People: Frankie, Lucy, Rich
We need your help to make ClojureDocs a great community resource. Here are a couple of ways you can contribute.
Please open a ticket if you have an idea of how we can improve ClojureDocs.
Sharing your knowledge with fellow Clojurists is easy:
First, take a look at the examples style guide, and then add an example for your favorite var (or pick one from the list).
In addition to examples, you also have the ability to add 'see also' references between vars.


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Ben Lookner
May, 2013This week we learn more in the third installment of the Age Group training diaries from Ben Lookner. Ben describes how his tactics have evolved since last season. What changed? What's new? Is he still peeing on his waterbottles?
Improvements in Movements
Note: I feel obligated to warn you that this post is mostly about pee. If you're cool with that, then have at it!
There's a fantastic set of Adidas ads that ran in 1999-2000 that have shots of runners exhibiting behaviors that only come from subjecting oneself to the difficulties/fun of training/racing. These images include runners applying strategic amounts of Vaseline, runners expelling snot rockets, and of course, runners going to the bathroom on trail. All of the ads sport the same quote: "Runners. Yeah, we're different."
I love these ads. I love them as a runner. I love them as a cyclist. I love them as a swimmer. And since I find myself doing all three on certain race days, I love them as a triathlete. Because no matter which way you put it (and as seen in the many YouTube videos of "Stuff cyclists/crossfit girls/you-name-it Says"), if you train and race for whatever poison you pick, you'll at some point find yourself in a situation where you think, "This is not normal behavior!" But if you're like me, you'll smile because you fully embrace the weird.
So, yeah, we triathletes are different.
One of these instances of "different" first arose for me personally at the 2012 Kinetic Half. I had signed up for this race as a punishment to myself for not registering for the Bay Bridge Swim despite having gotten in off the lottery ("Well, I am going to do a long race no matter what, so I might as well do a half-Iron!").
Up to this point, I had stuck with olys. Up to this point I was also terrible with nutrition during race day (and to some extent while training). In my mind, an oly was a two-and-change-hour ordeal to get through as quickly as possible- water and GU would only slow me down. I am certain I did most of my early races with one water bottle in my bike cage that I rarely if ever finished. No GU; no grabbing water at the stations.
With Kinetic rolling around and with some long, wall-hitting bikes and bricks in the bag, I began to realize that this was a different beast: I had to begin putting calories back in me as I trained and as I raced. I began to use Infinit, which I highly recommend, and would substantiate that with GU (I am an Espresso Love kind of guy). Come race day, I felt pretty comfortable with my nutrition and hydration plan, but with an emphasis on hydration came an unexpected evil.
Staying hydrated, or, to be more accurate, the effect of staying hydrated, is actually quite annoying. While I thoroughly enjoy the feeling that I get from drinking copious amounts of water throughout the day, I do not care for having to run to the bathroom every 20 minutes or so (triathlon aside, this is also pretty terrible in my normal life as a teacher). On training runs and rides I have strategically devised routes with bathrooms along the way just in case, but on those days I don't mind stopping.
But when that familiar pang hit at mile 15 on the Kinetic bike course, I did not want to stop.
The start of a triathlon is a beautiful thing because unlike road races, where a massive line generates at the Porta-Potties, triathletes have been blessed with a secret weapon: the wetsuit. Of course, the race needs to be wetsuit legal, but if it is, that neoprene body covering can, if need be, act as a way to relieve oneself without anyone (who isn't staring at your ankles) knowing. Think Ultra-Portable Porta-Potties. Come on, we've all done it. Right? Riiiiight?
I was no stranger to wetsuit urination (the wait for the start of Nation's can be terribly long), and I had heard about peeing on the bike but had never attempted it. They say that race day is not the best time to try out something new, but that day last May I did not really have a choice if I wanted to keep up the momentum I had built on the swim and on the first part of the course. After some awkward attempts and failed positions, I set on slowly riding out of the saddle on a straightaway in order to do my business. Upon seeing me slow down and ride out of my saddle with no hill in sight, many passing racers deduced what was occurring and gave me friendly, joking cheers (Yeah, we're different). I nodded and continued to soak my spandex, gears, and shoes.
I did it! I was a pro! I could now add urinating-while-biking to my Can-Do List. Proud of myself in a way that I am not sure many people other than cyclists or triathletes will ever claim to be, I continued along the course until I hit my first nutrition point. Reaching into my tri top pocket for my first Espresso Love, I noticed that all my GU had popped out. Silly me for making this race my first time in that particular tri-top. My mind raced to avoid freaking out. "It's OK," I thought to myself. "You still have about 400 calories worth of Infinit in your water bottle." My mind eased, but then a little voice started up: "Yes, you still have 400 calories in your water bottle. In your lower cage. Which you just doused in pee."
I will stop there with that bit of nostalgia, but know that I have since made peace with what I did in order to get through my first half-Iron distance race. Pleased to finish and hooked on the half-Iron, I vowed to do better at the 2013 Kinetic. And just as I trained to improve my swim, bike, and run, I also set out to improve my pee-on-the-go plan.
This year at Kinetic, the urge hit me later on, around mile 30, but I was ready. Having already gone through a water bottle of just water in my back cage, I pulled that bottle, put it in my mouth, and then moved the lower-cage Infinit bottle, with its precious calories, to the back cage. With my empty bottle in the lower-cage, I did my business in the saddle (another improvement!) and then afterwards, put the Infinit bottle back into my mouth and made the switch again. I grinned, pleased with having accomplished something that I could rarely brag about unless in the company of other triathletes, and kept on pedaling.
Like anything we train to improve, this delicate dance was one that I planned out and executed in response to past results that I did not, uh, appreciate. Triathlon has so much for us to improve upon- three sports, varying distances, transitions, and even peeing on the go- it's no wonder why this sport never bores me and keeps me coming back for more. And even when you think you have it right, something can always pop up to make you think, "Next time, I will do that better."
Now if only I labeled which water bottle was which…


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How to spray paint brass door knobs
April 22, 2020
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How to spray paint metal door knobs...and how do they hold up?
I'm back with a DIY project I've been wanting to tackle for a long time. I mentioned a while back that my house had been finally been debrassified (I replaced all of our interior door knobs), but I was wrong. I had forgotten about a couple in the house.But these were exterior door knobs that we use a key with – so replacing them meant spending more than I wanted on new keyed knobs. I figured I'd try to change them up myself. I've always wondered how spray painted knobs hold up and it's the age old question – some say they do great, some say they do horribly.
We're about to find out. Well…in a few weeks/months anyway. **You can find the link to see how they held up at the end of this post!
I did a couple doors with varying uses/elements so it will be interesting to see how they turn out. But first, the how to.
Use a screwdriver and take the knob off the door:
Ignore the horrible, dirty mud room door. And missing trim. And blinding brass.
Don't be afraid to take the knob off – even I avoided this for years and it's not a big deal. It's two pieces and the screws, that's it. Just remember how they go back together and always remember the access to the screws side goes inside the room!
First up, and I think this is most important part – clean them. I just used my basic cleaning stuff but anything that will get any grime or grease off is what you want:
Thing is, if you don't clean them well the primer and paint won't hold well – you'll get crackles or it will easily wear off those dirty areas.
I took them out in the garage and needed something that would allow them to stand up, so I stuck the one with the long part into a shop towel cardboard box and just laid the other one on top:
I later stuck the screws in there too – they stand up straight so you can spray all sides at once.
So…the primer part. I have some really good (and expensive stuff) called BIN primer in a spray. But it's a pain in the butt to use. I told you more about it here.
I've tried everything to make it spray smoother but it just doesn't work. This time my gloves and the can ended up covered in the primer:
SO frustrating, because it's great primer! The paint sprayed all clumpy and gross too, so I actually had to sand down the knobs a bit to help that. I'm throwing the primer out, which is annoying cause it's not cheap.
I ended up just using a basic black primer instead:
The BIN spray is a stronger, better primer, but I was tired of cussing so there you go. You'll need to let each coat of primer and paint cure for a good amount of time before the next coat.
Don't they already look so much better though? SO. much. better.
I finished up with my BFF…good old ORB (that's oil rubbed bronze for those not tight with it):
Hello my friend. Good to see you again.
When spray painting remember short, light coats – not long, heavy ones. There's really not much to it if you remember that.
I took the knob off the back door too and you can see the wear on the keyed side from being outside:
It will be interesting to see how these hold up – the mud room door is one we use a key on all the time, so that will get lots of wear and tear. The back door we don't use a key on much, but the outside part gets hit with the elements. And we use both doors numerous times a day.
On the back door I took the knob off and did that first:
I didn't want to take both off just in case something went wrong. You know I don't have much luck with that door.
The deadbolt part was a little more tricky – we've been told we need to replace our whole back door (water issues) and every time I get inside there I see why. The insides of that one were rusted so it was hard to get the lock part off the outside part of the door. I just ended up spray painting the inside part.
I also took the strike plate off and sprayed that, but I know it will get scratched up – it already is. Most of it should stay the ORB color though, so we'll see how that holds up:
I decided to makeover that mud room door so I can't show you the after on that one just yet. ;) But here's how it looks on the back door:
So here's the thing about painting doors – this is why you really want to take the knob off before you paint. I didn't and now the knob isn't exactly where it used to be and you can tell. :)
I'll update you in a month or two and let you know how these are holding up! I'm really interested to see. Our coach lights that I spray painted still look fantastic:
They are exposed to the elements for sure, but no one handles them.
Have you ever tried spray painting door knobs? How did it turn out for you? I'd love to hear! I love a good experiment. :)


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Changing times
New plant employing 2,000 workers only one of new wrinkles in the region
News about American investment and jobs going to China has become routine. That's why a June announcement put the Richmond region in the international spotlight.
China's Shandong Tranlin Paper Co. Ltd., a pulp and paper company, plans to invest $2 billion in building an advanced manufacturing plant in Chesterfield County, its first in the U.S. The factory will employ 2,000 people.
At a news conference, Gov. Terry McAuliffe characterized the move as "transformational" for the region's economy.
Economic change, in fact, already is taking place throughout the Richmond region, despite its longstanding reputation for stodginess.
Downtown Richmond is attracting millennials like a magnet; retail and residential development is booming in Henrico County's Short Pump area; and Hanover County has become a home for massive distribution centers. This time next year the region will host a nine-day international cycling competition that is expected to attract 450,000 spectators.
Some things in the Richmond area, however, never seem to change. After more than a decade of haggling, there still is no agreement on where to put a new minor-league baseball stadium.
Corn stalks to paper
The ripple effects from the new Chesterfield paper plant could be profound. In addition to creating thousands of jobs — with average annual salaries of $45,000 — the company will buy agricultural "residuals," corn stalks and wheat straw typically left in the field by farmers. This material will be used to produce paper products ranging from napkins to paper bowls.
Virginia agricultural officials project that the purchase of the residuals could provide $50 million a year for farmers in the Richmond region alone.
Additionally, the spinoff of jobs for suppliers and other small businesses is expected to create a mini-boom.
Chesterfield County Administrator Jay Stegmaier hopes the deal opens the door for more investment. He wants Chesterfield and Virginia to become "trusted partners" for Asian businesses seeking to invest on the East Coast.
Millennials move in
While a Chinese company is helping to drive change in Chesterfield, millennials — people born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s — are redefining downtown Richmond.
RealtyTrac lists Richmond as one of the nation's top 50 rental markets for this generation. People in their 20s and 30s make up nearly one-third (32.2 percent) of Richmond's population.
They are giving the old capital city a youthful vibe and, as RealtyTrac observes, they also are fueling an apartment boom.
According to Venture Richmond, a downtown promotion booster group, the downtown area has seen the construction of 2,400 apartments during the past four years.
Lucy Meade, director of marketing and development for Venture Richmond, says the growth trend continues.
"Manchester is on fire," Meade says, referring to the former independent city on the south bank of the James River, which has been part of Richmond for more than a century.
Tara Carter, the owner and managing member of Luxe Residential Services, a consulting and asset management company, says Manchester is an eclectic area that has great appeal for people involved in the arts and design.
"There's a lot of buzz in Manchester. People are going there for the energy," Carter says.
Robin Miller of Miller & Associates in Richmond has been involved in the development of more than 600 residential housing units over the years.
"What keeps the motor running is the demand for quality residential apartments and condos," he says. "The demand is high in Manchester because it's such a unique neighborhood … lots of trees and sidewalks, a true historic neighborhood."
Miller is involved in projects worth more than $50 million — from apartments to midrise towers — in the downtown area.
Another big player in downtown development is Genesis Properties. It has four apartment complexes either under construction, being leased or planned in various parts of the downtown area. Together, they total more than 500 apartments.
VCU art institute
In addition to apartments, a new cultural site also is in the works. Virginia Commonwealth University begun construction on its Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA), a $35 million building at the corner of Broad and Belvidere streets.
At the request of director Lisa Freiman, the thoroughly modern structure also will have a basement.
"You always run out of space. It was a practical consideration," Freiman says with a laugh, noting that basements often are an overlooked item in a building's planning, even a building like the ICA, which was designed by Steven Holl, one of the world's most famous living architects.
The VCU School of the Arts is the No. 1 public art and design school in the nation as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Its master's in fine arts sculpture program also is ranked No. 1.
Freiman and others believe the center will evolve into one of Richmond's most spectacular gateways and a cultural linchpin for the city's Arts & Culture District.
"I think the ICA is going to be the public face of the School of the Arts in many ways," Freiman says.
Children's hospital
Just as the ICA is expected to bolster Richmond's arts community, backers of a proposed, free-standing children's hospital believe it will add a much-needed new dimension to medical care in the region.
The hospital would be independent of the area's health systems.
Richmond philanthropists Bill and Alice Goodwin have offered to pay as much as a third of the hospital's cost, an estimated $150 million.
In addition to the Goodwins, the partners in planning the hospital include Bon Secours Virginia Health System, VCU Health System and a physicians group organized as Pediatricians Associated to Care for Kids.
Katherine Busser, a former Capital One Financial Corp. executive, has been hired as the hospital's CEO. She says she accepted the position to help get the project off the ground.
"There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the community broadly," Busser says.
Supporters believe that the hospital will become a focal point for regional medical treatment for children. Busser says the facility also will have an economic impact.
"This children's hospital could be really important in the economic development landscape, not just in the region but in Virginia," she says. "It will create jobs, and other businesses will be located around it."
Short Pump thrives
In western Henrico County, one institution changing the economic landscape is the sprawling Short Pump Town Center, which serves not only the county's 320,000 residents but shoppers throughout Central Virginia.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Short Pump's total sales in 2012, the last year for which numbers were available, totaled $352 million, more than double the sales of any of the area's other malls.
"We lead the state in per-capita taxable sales, and we're only behind Fairfax [County] in actual taxable sales," says Gary McLaren, executive director of the Henrico Economic Development Authority.
New residential, retail and office developments continue to spring up in the Short Pump area, facilitated by the web of major highways, including Interstates 64 and 295, as well as state Route 288.
One new development, West Broad Marketplace, is planned for 62 acres between West Broad Street and I-64. Its tenants will include a Wegmans, a sought-after high-end grocery store, and Cabela's, a well-known outdoor sports retailer, along with at least 10 other shops.
McLaren points out that Henrico is not all about retail. He says it has a mix of other job-producing companies and industries. Altogether, 25,000 businesses call Henrico home.
He notes that the county provides 180,000 jobs, the most in Central Virginia, and is second only to Fairfax County in the commonwealth.
"We're able to recruit companies from all over the world," McLaren says. "We have a high quality of life, great schools and great services."
Distribution centers
Nearby Hanover County has had difficulty with one of its biggest development projects, the Winding Brook property off Interstate 95, but it has been very successful in attracting new distribution centers.
Until the recession hit, there were big plans for Winding Brook, a 185-acre development anchored by Bass Pro Shop. To help the project get back on track, the Hanover Board of Supervisors recently agreed to restructure $37.6 million in bonds that were in default.
Better news for Hanover has come from its growing reputation as a distribution site.
Owens & Minor, a Fortune 500 company based in the Mechanicsville area, is acquiring New York-based Medical Action Industries Inc. in a $208 million deal. Medical Action makes custom procedure trays and minor procedure kits. Owens & Minor is a health-care logistics company that distributes a wide range of medical supplies.
Ashland, which is the only incorporated town in Hanover, has landed its second large distribution center in recent years. Republic National Distributing Co., the nation's second-largest distributor of premium wines and spirits, plans to open a 260,000-square-foot distribution center.
It will be located next to The Vitamin Shoppe's nearly 312,000-square-foot distribution center that began making shipments to company stores last fall.
Big bike race
Next September, however, the region will be focused on bicycles whizzing down city streets rather than trucks loading up at distribution centers. Richmond will be the host of the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships.
A study by Richmond-based Chmura Economics & Analytics says the economic impact of the international competition on the region could be $129 million.
In addition to drawing 450,000 spectators and a thousand athletes, the event, scheduled for Sept. 19-27, is expected to have a worldwide television audience that could top 300 million.
The organizers of Richmond 2015 warmed up for the big race with the USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships in May.
Lee Kallman, vice president of marketing and development of Richmond 2015, says response to the collegiate races from businesses, participants and spectators has been overwhelmingly positive.
But he acknowledges that "a couple of businesses were not happy about things," because the event failed to attract as many customers as they had hoped.
Some local companies also have expressed concerns about road closures along the routes of the upcoming World Championship races.
Richmond 2015 officials, however, believe businesses will make up in foot traffic what they might lose in vehicular traffic.
Nancy Thomas, president/CEO of the Richmond-based Retail Merchants Association, says its members encountered "no real effect on their businesses" from street closures during the collegiate races.
"Now, we're helping educate businesses on how to take advantage of the large numbers on the way," Thomas says.
One goal in hosting the international competition is to promote cycling in the Richmond region.
One example of growing interest in the sport is the construction of the Virginia Capital Trail, a path connecting Richmond and Jamestown.
"It's like a 52-mile sidewalk," says Beth Weisbrod, executive director of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation.
The Capital Trail, which is supported by donations and grants, is scheduled to open Sept. 1.
Ballpark squabble
Although Richmond successfully bid on an international cycling competition, its leaders repeatedly have failed to reach consensus on a location for a new baseball stadium.
Mayor Dwight Jones has proposed an ambitious project involving new development at the site of the existing stadium in North Richmond while building a new stadium plus a hotel, grocery store and apartments in the city's Shockoe Bottom area. Plans for Shockoe Bottom also include a pavilion commemorating the area's history as a major slave trading center before the Civil War. The city share of the project would total $79.6 million.
The mayor withdrew the proposal from consideration by City Council where it likely faced defeat because of many concerns about its cost and location.
Jones, however, has not given up on the plan and has dismissed as second-rate an alternative proposal advanced by private developers to build a new stadium near its current site on the Boulevard.
Adding to the debate was the announcement that the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Shockoe Bottom to its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places because of the stadium proposal.
The controversy looks like a replay of the tug of war over a stadium site that began more than 10 years ago. The Richmond Braves, the city's AAA minor league team for more than 40 years, pulled up stakes and moved to Gwinnett County, Ga., in 2008 when no decision was made about replacing The Diamond, the current stadium, which was built in 1985.
The team that replaced the Braves — the Flying Squirrels, a farm team of the San Francisco Giants — quickly came to the same conclusion, the stadium needs to be replaced.
The team owner has backed the mayor's proposal but has said he will support "a consensus of the community" in finding a solution.


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Infiniti today confirmed that its first production hybrid vehicle will be part of the recently announced line of 2011 Infiniti M luxury performance sedans, which are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2010 at Infiniti dealers nationwide. The Infiniti M35 hybrid is expected to arrive about 12 months later as a 2012 model. It is Infiniti's first hybrid in its 20-year existence, as well as the cleanest and most economical car in Infiniti's history.
Realizing the high performance/low emissions promise of the recent Infiniti Essence concept car, the M35 Hybrid has been designed and engineered to add to, not take away from, the driving experience, a key part of any Infiniti's appeal. The M35 Hybrid is based on the all-new M, which itself picks up styling cues from Essence, the show-stopper that made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show early in 2009.
The M35 Hybrid maintains a high performance luxury sedan profile, overlaying it with the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of a smaller car, while delivering driving flair to please any enthusiast – complete with charismatic V6 and rear-wheel drive handling.
Infiniti's hybrid system, developed solely within Infiniti's parent group, is a single electric motor/twin clutch arrangement. Innovatively, the first clutch is installed between the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and the electric motor. The result of this configuration, where all components act on a single prop shaft to the rear differential, is a consistent driving feel under all conditions with linear performance and the "direct responses" that the engineers sought.
The electric motor acts as both propulsion unit, boosting the V6 in "power assist" mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also as a generator. Along with charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking.
The M Hybrid can also run solely on its electric motor in certain driving conditions, furthering fuel efficiency and optimizing energy usage across the widest possible range of driving conditions. Details of driving range, performance and transmission will be released later.
As expected of Infiniti, several new technologies are introduced in the new M35 Hybrid, including a "laminated" lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack that is the same size as conventional batteries but offers twice the power. Lamination enhances the pack's cooling performance, while temperature stability is further improved by the use of manganese positive electrodes. An end result of this is exceptional battery reliability.
The M35 Hybrid joins conventional engine-equipped 2011 M versions – including a new high-performance diesel V6 for Western Europe – as the first Ms to be sold across all of Infiniti's world markets, currently 33 countries. All of the new-generation Infiniti M models are on target to beat their predecessors on fuel consumption and emissions – despite across-the-board performance improvements – thanks to a range of efficiency-enhancing measures.


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10 Top Tourist Attractions in the Philippines
Located at the very eastern edge of Asia, the Philippines are home to more than 7,000 islands, which are inhabited by friendly locals and many indigenous tribes. From pristine beaches and marvelous natural wonders to interesting historic sites and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the Philippines pack many exciting things to see and do. Check out the following top tourist attractions in the Philippines.
10. Tubbataha Reef
Tubbataha Reefflickr/q phia
The Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea is a marine sanctuary protected as the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is made up of two atolls, North Atoll and South Atoll, separated by a deep channel of approximately 5 miles (8 km) wide. It has become one of the most popular dive sites in the Philippines because of its coral walls where the shallow coral reef abruptly ends giving way to great depths. The marine park is open to live-aboard diving excursions between the months of April to June when the waves are most calm.
9. San Agustin Church, Manila Where to Stay
San Agustin Church, Manilaflickr/benjieordonez
Located in Manila, a visit to the San Agustin Church is a must see. Built in 1589, this beautiful church has survived seven earthquakes and two fires over the centuries and now remains as the oldest stone church in the Philippines. At the main entrance, there are exquisite carvings on the wooden doors. Inside the lovely, Mexican-influenced interior is designed in the shape of a Latin cross. The gorgeous ceiling was painted in the 1800s by Italian artists, Giovanni Dibella and Cesare Alberoni.
8. Mayon Volcano
Mayon Volcanoflickr/Storm Crypt
Rising more than 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level, Mayon Volcano is significant for its perfectly symmetrical cone shape. Visitors can enjoy a number of activities here such as camping, climbing, hiking, bird watching and photography. A picturesque spot in which to admire Mayon Volcano is from the nearby Cagsawa ruins. Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted over 49 times in the past 400 years. The most destructive eruption of Mayon occurred on February 1, 1814 bombarding the nearby towns with volcanic rocks. The belfry and what is left of the baroque church that was destroyed by the 1814 eruption can still be seen.
7. Malapascua Island
A small island made up of quiet fishing villages, Malapascua Island is popular for its ideal diving spots and for being the only place in the world to see thresher sharks on a regular basis as well as manta rays and hammerheads. The other hidden gems here are the beautiful, sandy white beaches, crystal clear waters bordered by coconut trees and colorful coral gardens.
6. Puerto Galera
Just south of Manila is the charming coastal town of Puerto Galera, well-favored for its gorgeous beaches, excellent diving spots and wide diversity of marine species. The most popular beaches are White Beach and Sabang Beach, which also offer nearby shopping, dining, nightlife and hotel accommodation. Another popular attraction is the natural harbor of Muelle Bay with its rows of shops, restaurants and bars. Visitors can also go snorkeling to see some of Asia's best coral reefs or dive among old shipwrecks and hundreds of fish species.
5. Puerto Princesa Underground River Tours & Activities
Puerto Princesa Underground Riverflickr/Storm Crypt
Located on the northern coast of the island of Palawa, Puerto Princesa is a nature lover's paradise. Home to unspoiled landscapes rich in wildlife, this lovely town also lays claim to one of the world's most unique natural phenomena, an underground river known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Protected within a national park, this natural wonder is the world's longest navigable underground river. Guided paddle boat tours show intriguing rock formations and fluttering bats.
4. Donsol
Located in the province of Sorsogon, a place of pristine beaches, stunning waterfalls and unexplored caves, the sleepy fishing village of Donsol is the place in the Philippines to see whale sharks. The ocean's gentle giants can be seen between November and June, with the numbers peaking between February and May. Tourists can also take a boat cruise along the Donsol River through mangrove and palm trees, and watch the night light up with millions of sparkling fireflies. If that's not enough, a traditional shrimp-catching expedition with bamboos and nets, followed by a tasty dinner of the cooked catch is also available.
3. Chocolate Hills
Chocolate Hills
One of the top tourist attractions in the Philippines, The Chocolate Hills are unusual geological formations that consists of at least 1,268 individual mounds scattered throughout the interior of the island of Bohol. The almost symmetrical and same-sized formations range from 98 to 164 feet (30 to 50 meters) high and are covered in green grass. During the dry season the grass turns brow, hence the name. There is no consensus on how these giant mole hills were formed. One theory holds that the Chocolate Hills are the weathered rock formations of a kind of marine limestone on top of an impermeable layer of clay.
2. Boracay
Boracay may be a small island, but it packs great features such as award-winning beaches, beautiful resorts and great adventures like cliff diving, parasailing, motorbiking, horse riding, snorkeling, kite surfing and scuba diving. If that is not enough, boat tours allow visitors to watch stunning sunsets, explore volcanic caves and remote coves of turquoise lagoons. When the sun sets, Boracay night-life pulsates with many bars and restaurants serving food, drinks and fun until dawn.
1. 1. Banaue Rice Terraces Where to Stay
No trip to the Philippines could be complete without seeing the spectacular Banaue Rice Terraces. Carved from the mountain ranges about 2,000 years ago without modern tools by the Ifugao tribes, these magnificent farm terraces resemble giant steps reaching up to the sky. Locals to this day still plant rice and vegetables on the terraces, although more and more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing and emigrate to the cities.
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#philipppines , #jeepney , #tricycle , #durterte , #aquino , #marcus , #naia , #lapu lapu , #cheap flights , #martial law , #ukraine , #train strike , #lgbtq , #gay ,


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Rosetta Code
Rosetta Code is a programming chrestomathy site. The idea is to present solutions to the same task in as many different languages as possible, to demonstrate how languages are similar and different, and to aid a person with a grounding in one approach to a problem in learning another. Rosetta Code currently has 1,277 tasks, 400 draft tasks, and is aware of 949 languages, though we do not (and cannot) have solutions to every task in every language.
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Village Pump/Suggest a language |
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Tolec speaks about Comet Ison, Xanterexx biosphere. This report is based on recent information, secured by me within the past few days, regarding specific additional details provided by my contacts, executive management board members of the Andromeda Council, including Tania the Vice-Chairwoman of the Council, and the commander of the primary Andromeda Council biosphere regarding - what the media is calling: "Comet Ison".
My contacts on the Andromeda Council call this celestial object - the biosphere: "Xanterexx". And it is headed toward Earth space.
"As the day of freedom approaches, much is getting into gear now. We hear you all draw a collective intake of breath at the mention of the concept "day of freedom", so let us just hasten to add that as usual, we do not give any details, nor will we give you any set date to focus on, but let us just say that this day is indeed fast approaching. And with it, so much is already getting into gear, as we just mentioned. You will see many examples of this on all sides, and even amongst the highest echelons of your governments, the sense that the tide has turned will in many ways become apparent now. Not necessarily in outwardly noticeable actions, but more as a sense of impending change that will make many a heart flutter. And as you have already seen, the much prophesied Armageddon in that hot spot you prefer to refer to as the Middle East has not come about either. Is it not interesting to see how they are all frantically scampering about trying to find a peaceful solution there?
The defusing of the situation in that current hotspot has nothing to do with chance, and everything to do with the massive injection of light that has been pouring into that area for quite some time now. And if some of you start to think that perhaps you had something to do with this process, the answer is simply a resounding YES. For you are all working oh so hard on behalf of All of creation in all sorts of ways, and so in addition to all of the personal issues you have been clearing out lately, you have been true multitaskers in every sense of the word. For what you bring to this world, is first and foremost the light, and massive amounts of it. For you are transponders of such a magnitude now, each and every one of you are like a veritable fountain of light, whether you rest or work, sleep or walk about doing your everyday chores.
For you are all working non stop now, and as you do so, you are also literally having a hand in everything that is happening now. For this is indeed a magnificent teamwork, and as we all are giving all that we have to this process, so are indeed the likes of you. And what you bring to the table, is nothing short of breathtaking. For you are working so hard not only to complete any unsolved pieces in your own life, you are also heavy into the heavy stuff as it were. In other words, the light that you help to anchor and transmit into this beautiful planet of yours, is being sent where it is needed the most. So every time you look upon the current news, think that your light is almost certain to be a part of this story in one way or the other. For now, nothing is left to chance, and anything volatile that is being prodded into action by those less in favor of the light, is bound to attract a whole lot of extra light because of it. For whatever shies away from the light now, will only succeed in opening the valves even further, and as such, the more they struggle against it, the more they will become exposed to the rays of change being beamed in from up above as well as below. For your whole planet is sending out these beatific waves now, and no thing and no one can hide from them.
To you, it will be a marvel to behold, but for many others, it will feel as if they are being ripped asunder by all of this light coming at them from all directions. But remember, the light will never destroy, it only seeks to impart balance where none has been before, and as such, it will feel very on the heavy side for all of those still bent on swaying to the shadow side of everything. For they will feel the push the most, and for them, trying to dig their feet in will only serve to increase the pressure from the light. For this time, it will not take no as an answer, for no is no longer an option. You will all be pushed, and pushed hard, in the direction of the light. And for those already heading that way, you will certainly feel this as a mighty push in the back. A push that at times might seem to bring you too off balance, but never doubt, you will not fall and you will not fail. For you have already chosen, and you have chosen well, and as such, the only way from here is indeed up."


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Best Western Hotels Showcases Phuket's Stunning South Coast with Media Fam Trip
Phuket (Thailand) – September 10, 2019 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has hosted an exclusive familiarization (fam) trip to Phuket, giving members of the media the opportunity to experience this popular Thai island's tranquil south coast and stay at its brand new resort, Best Western Plus The Beachfront, Rawai.
The three-day, two-night fam trip invited leading editors, journalists and bloggers to discover the "real" Phuket, away from the bright lights and lively streets of the west coast. While Phuket is one of the world's most popular beach resort destinations, the south coast retains an authentic and enchanting ambience that sets it apart from other parts of the island.
Nestled directly on Rawai Beach, overlooking the azure Andaman Sea, this stunning seafront hotel comprises 179 rooms and suites, all featuring modern amenities, kitchenettes, and private balconies or terraces, and some with direct access to the resort's outdoor swimming pool. Other facilities include The Quest, an all-day dining restaurant, a stylish beachfront bar, children's pool and fitness center.
On the first day, the guests were given the chance to experience the amazing flavors of southern Phuket. Firstly, a cooking class was hosted by the hotel's expert chef to introduce the fresh local ingredients, followed by lunch at The Quest, which demonstrated the area's most delectable dishes. Having enjoyed an afternoon at leisure, the group was treated to a memorable evening meal at a nearby seafood restaurant.
Day two allowed the guests to learn more about the landscape and attractions of southern Phuket. Following lunch at another excellent local eatery, the media delegates were taken to two of southern Phuket's most picturesque places: Karon viewpoint, which offers spectacular vistas of the west coast, and Promthep Cape, the southern peninsula which is reputed to provide the most dramatic sunrise and sunset views.
The group was then able to explore the area's rich Buddhist traditions at Wat Chalong, one of Phuket's most important and impressive temples, which is only 5-minute drive away from the hotel, before returning to Best Western Plus The Beachfront for an unforgettable beachfront dinner at The Beach.
On the third and final day, the guests enjoyed a city tour of Phuket's Old Town, a charming destination where colorful 19th Century shophouses and distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture sits side-by-side with bustling markets and street food stalls before being transferred to the airport for their departure flight back to Bangkok.
"Phuket is visited by more than nine million* international visitors each year, and many more domestic guests, but how many travelers gain a real insight into the cultural heritage of the island? With its unique location on Phuket's peaceful south coast, Best Western Plus The Beachfront surrounds guests with local treasures, including fishing villages, seafood markets and secluded stretches of sandy beach. This fam trip provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase this idyllic area of the island to our media friends. I look forward to presenting the wonders of southern Phuket to even more guests in the future," said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western's Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.
Best Western Plus The Beachfront is one of four Best Western hotels in Phuket, along with Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa, Best Western Patong Beach, and Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort.
Journalists, bloggers and other members of the media who wish to experience Best Western's hotels and resorts in Asia can contact our Marketing Communications Department by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com or dialing +66 (0) 2 656 1260.
About Best Western Hotels and Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of approximately 4,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide*. Best Western offers 16 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market. Best Western branded hotels include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature Collection®. Through recent acquisition, Best Western now also offers WorldHotels® Luxury, WorldHotels Elite and WorldHotels Distinctive brands. Completing its portfolio, Best Western offers SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, and SureStay Collection® franchises**. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to set industry records regarding awards and accolades, including 66 percent of the brand's North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2018, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-midscale and midscale hotel brands respectively for two consecutive years, and Fast Company honoring Best Western Hotels & Resorts with a spot in the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality category. Best Western has also won 10 consecutive AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brand's commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAA/CAA's nearly 60 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in breakfast (food and beverage category) by J.D. Power's 2018 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first for midscale; and second for upper midscale. Nearly 40 million travelers are members of the brand's award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western-branded hotel worldwide. Best Western's partnerships with AAA/CAA and Google® Street View provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. Through its partnership with Google Street View, Best Western is the first major company of its size and scale to launch a virtual reality experience for customers, setting a new industry standard and reinventing how guests view hotels.
* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.
Contact information:
Sirimanas Maungrod (Cake) | Senior Regional Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Phanintorn Tangtrongjit (Dream) | Assistant Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Best Western Hotels and Resorts
BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd.|Unit 5A-2 | 5th Floor Gaysorn Place Office Building
999 Ploenchit Road Lumpini Phatumwan | Bangkok | 10330 | Thailand
Phone: +662.656.1260 | Fax +662.656.1252| www.bestwesternasia.com


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Pastor Maldonado has once again dismissed persistent speculation he might move from struggling Williams to Lotus for the 2014 season.
It has been rumoured the Venezuelan, whose major backers PDVSA have sponsored Williams since his F1 debut in 2011, is a leading contender to replace Kimi Raikkonen should the Finn move to Red Bull next year. Speed Week quoted the 28-year-old as initially dismissing the speculation on Thursday, insisting: "I have other problems to think about than next year. "We need to be competitive again, and that's all that matters right now."
Speed Week claims there are two details that speak against a move to the more-competitive Lotus for Maldonado. The first is that the PDVSA deal is actually between the Venezuelan oil giant and Williams, rather than between Maldonado and PDVSA. And the second hurdle is that Lotus is substantially backed by Total, a French oil company that would not share space on the 2014 livery with PDVSA. Maldonado said: "I will continue here (Williams). "Especially since the fabulous news that Pat Symonds is coming. His achievements speak for themselves. "You'll see, soon Williams will be back (competitive) again."
Maldonado was at the Silverstone test to try Pirelli's new Hungary-spec tyres, but he sounded critical of the limits put on race drivers this week. "We couldn't change anything on the car. Nothing," he told Brazil's Agencia Estado. "Will the new tyres help me go back to my old driving style? I hope so, but we don't know. "Honestly, we have bigger problems (than tyres) with this car."
Info: GMM, Image: Williams F1 Team


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Inside Metal: Pioneers Of L.A. Hard Rock And Metal (DVD)
Inside Metal: Pioneers Of L.A. Hard Rock And Metal (DVD)
Inside Metal is an original documentary series dedicated to Heavy Metal
Inside Metal is an original documentary series dedicated to Heavy Metal music and its diverse array of musical styles and genres. Inside Metal delivers quintessential, candid interviews with Metal and Rock icons as well as many pivotal players: musicians, managers, concert promoters and the utmost devoted practitioners. Inside Metal is about giving fans the real inside story from the behind the scenes world of Heavy Metal and Hard Rock with in-depth interviews, ultra-rare concert footage and photographs, original music and no-holds-barred recollections of untold stories. MetalRock Films takes you on a transcendental journey into heavy metal yesteryear in this utterly unique and compelling film series with the initial 2-volume title Inside Metal: Pioneers of L.A. Hard Rock and Metal. This is the first of a trilogy on the Los Angeles Metal Scene featuring interviews with the bands and artists that literally set the blueprint for the Glam, Power, and Thrash Metal bands that would soon follow and then go on to gain worldwide attention throughout the �80s and beyond. Inside Metal: Pioneers of L.A. Hard Rock and Metal features Lars Ulrich (Metallica), Stephen Pearcy (Ratt), Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot, Ratt, Snow), Jack Russell (Great White, Dante Fox), Don Dokken (Dokken), Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Joey Vera (Armored Saint), Roger Romeo (Legs Diamond), Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Frank Dimino (Angel), Ann Boleyn (Hellion), Michael DesBarres (Silverhead, Detective), Steve Plunkett (Autograph, Wolfgang) and many others in this compelling tale about the golden years of Hollywood hard rock and metal!
Cast & Crew
Actors:- Lars Ulrich (Metallica) Stephen Pearcy (Ratt)
- Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot
- Ratt
- Snow)
- Jack Russell (Great White
- Dante Fox)
- Don Dokken (Dokken)
- Dave Meniketti (Y&T)
- Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.)
Director: Bob Nalbandian
Additional Details
Label: Metalrock
Genre: Metal
Language: English
Run Time: 80 mins
Region: 0
Release Date: 04/07/15


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Key Takeaways:
- Curb appeal is an important part of selling your home
- You can improve your home's curb appeal without a professional
- Contact us to see how improving your home's curb appeal can help it sell
Despite what the phrase suggests, you don't actually need to have a curb to improve your home's "curb appeal." Curb appeal is the overall exterior allure of your home, and has nothing to do with the concrete edge it's named after. So, if you're looking to sell your home in 2023–whether it's a townhome, condo, or single-family residence–you should be evaluating your home's curb appeal since it's the first thing prospective buyers see. If you follow these simple tips and apply them appropriately to your property, you can make a good first impression on local homebuyers before anyone even steps through the front door.
If You Have a Lawn, Manicure It
Manicure may sound like a silly word to use in this instance, but it's accurate as you're ultimately tending to your lawn's cosmetics. Spruce up your lawn before showings by cutting overgrown grass and shrubbery to uniform heights and removing all weeds..
Of course, manicuring also includes getting rid of those patches of dried, brown, dead grass. Reseeding for new growth is optimal, but you can use lawn-safe paint to cover brown spots in a pinch if there's no time to grow new grass. A real, natural look should be your goal as a clean lawn gives the entire property a more elegant appearance.
Tend to Your Garden Beds
Even if you don't have a lawn and grass to worry about, you may have garden beds that need tending. Mulch fades and decorative rocks can get lost over time. Fill in any bare spots; replace your current mulch with a fresh, brightly colored option; and remove dead plants as needed.
Even if it's just a windowsill flowerbed, the extra care and attention can go a long way to sprucing up your home's curb appeal.
Give Your Door a Pop of Color
The front door is a surprising focal point of your home and can be one of the first things buyers notice. Unless there's heavy damage to the door, you don't need to replace it. Simply add a coat or two of paint, using a color that accentuates the scheme of your home. Be mindful of any HOA regulations regarding exterior paint colors as you may have to choose from a specific set of shades.
While you're painting the door, replace the hardware to match the new color. If your old hardware does match and can be cleaned to look brand new, certainly use it. While you're replacing the hardware, you might as well swap out any street numbers if you can find a good match.
Upgrade Your Lighting Fixtures
Light fixtures can be a pretty big part of your home's curb appeal. No matter how many you have, these fixtures should look updated and new. In many cases, you can clean up the ones already installed and maybe even hit them with a can of spray paint. However, it can be necessary to replace them entirely if they're damaged or beyond repair.
If you aren't sure if fixtures need to be repaired, don't tackle the project alone. We can recommend local experts who can tackle any needed updates.
Install Outdoor Path Lighting
Townhomes, condos, or single-family homes typically come with a walkway leading up to your front door. Even if you have a motion sensor flood light, path lighting can really enhance your space, give it a luxurious look, and even improve safety. Path lighting comes in all shapes and sizes, and, for the most part, is solar-powered.
Additional to path lighting, you may consider adding uplighting to illuminate a lone tree, a planter you're quite proud of, or to showcase the exterior facade of your home. Uplighting really adds a touch of class to any exterior, leaning even further into the lavished home look with minimal effort needed.
Add Simple Accents
A home without anything out front to fill the empty space can seem vacant, cold, and dull. Even if you just add potted plants, a welcome mat, or a seasonal wreath, it can go a long way to give a welcoming look and feel. One thing to consider is symmetry. Potted plants look so much better in pairs when they're symmetrical.
Try not to crowd your porch or any other area you're filling in. Just add enough to boost your home's curb appeal.
Clean It All Up
Everything that can be seen from the road should be scrubbed, swept, wiped down, and cleared out. Gutters, stairs, windows, driveways, porches—try to make things as spotless as possible. A clean-looking home is going to be more attractive to buyers because they'll know it's been in good hands all these years. A high level of cleanliness shows you really cared about the space, and will certainly get buyers excited to see the rest of your home.
Put Your New Curb Appeal to Use
If you're putting in all this work to improve your home's curb appeal, then it must mean you're getting ready to sell your home in 2023. Reach out to our team today to start discussing how we can leverage your new curb appeal to build a sales strategy that will attract new homebuyers. Our local sales experts use the latest market data for your neighborhood to ensure you're getting the best return on your home.


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In California, the prison phone service provider paid for the new equipment because of massive lost revenue from unused pay phones, and the new technology supposedly has turned that dynamic around:
Efforts to curb cellphone smuggling into prisons have come up short, even though the state has spent millions of dollars on screening devices, surveillance cameras, detection devices and even phone-sniffing dogs.
[TDCJ spokesman Jason] Clark said Texas prison employees last year seized 904 cellphones in prisons or headed there, down from 1,480 three years ago. Prison officials attribute the decline to $60 million in security upgrades.
By contrast, California last year confiscated 15,000 cellphones at its 33 prisons. That's up from just 1,200 five years ago, according to officials.
Dana Simas, an information officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said that under a new contract, Global Tel Link has agreed to spend as much as $35 million to install new equipment at each prison within the next three years. The first California unit is to get the gear by October, she said.
The company will pay all costs, Simas said, because it will get the revenue from the pay phones inside prisons that will once again be in demand.
The way the new system works: Each prison will get its own cell tower that will allow prison officials to control all incoming and outgoing calls. All others will not go through.
"After this system goes in, smuggled cellphones will be nothing more than glorified paperweights," Simas said. "A couple of years ago, there were long lines at the pay phones — hours long. By this year, no one was using them, there were so many smuggled cellphones."


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Displaying items by tag: Wolf Guy
Wishmaster Collection, Arrow's Donnie Darko, 5 Centimeters Per Second & Harry Potter films coming to 4K UHD BD?
All right, we've had family visiting for a couple weeks but things have finally started to get back to normal here, so we're back to our usual daily updates. And we have a bunch of new release news to report today...
First up though, our own Russell Hammond has just posted the weekly Release Dates & Artwork update with all the latest Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K cover artwork and Amazon.com pre-order links. Don't forget, anytime you order titles through our links you're helping to support our work here at The Bits and we appreciate it!
Now then, in announcement news today, Lionsgate has just revealed that their next Vestron Video Collector's Series release will include the Wishmaster Collection: 4-Film Set on 3/28 (SRP $49.99). Wishmaster will include audio commentary (with director Robert Kurtzman and screenwriter Peter Atkins), audio commentary (with Kurtzman and stars Andrew Divoff and Tammy Lauren), an isolated score selections track with an audio interview of composer Harry Manfredini, 6 featurettes (Out of the Bottle, The Magic Words, The Djinn and Alexandra, Captured Visions, Wish List, and Making of Wishmaster), trailers, TV spots, image galleries & more. Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies will include audio commentary (with writer/director Jack Sholder), a trailer, and a still gallery. Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell will include audio commentary (with director Chris Angel and cast members John Novak, Jason Connery, and Louisette Geiss), the Making of Wishmaster 3: Beyond the Gates of Hell featurette, and the trailer. And Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy will include audio commentary (with director Chris Angel and cast members Michael Trucco and Jason Thompson), audio commentary (with Angel and actor John Novak), the Wishmasterpiece Theatre featurette, and the trailer. [Read on here…]
- Your Name
- Miss Sloane
- Bluray
- My Two Cents
- The Digital Bits
- Bill Hunt
- Bluray Disc
- Wishmaster Collection: 4 Film Set
- Vestron Video Collector's Series
- The Thing
- Arrow Video
- Arrow Academy
- Three Brothers
- Wolf Guy
- Donnie Darko: 4 Disc Limited Edition
- The Witness for the Prosecution
- Return of Kung Fu: Trailers of Fury
- Drive In Massacre
- 5 Centimeters Per Second
- Makoto Shinkai
- FUNimation
- Wolf Children: Hosoda Collector's Edition
- The Boyfriend
- Visit to a Small Planet
- Kino Lorber Studio Classics
- Live by Night 4K
- Underworld: Blood Wars 4K
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 4K
- Savage Pampas 4K
- Django Prepare a Coffin
- Jackie
- Fire at Sea
- When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth
- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 4K
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 4K
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 4k


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FieldStrength MRI magazine
User experiences - July 2015
The musculoskeletal imaging department at Lille University Hospital (CHRU, Lille, France) manages to get more information in the same time slot after integrating mDIXON TSE in many exams. mDIXON can provide four different contrasts from a single acquisition and its fat suppression is robust, helping us reduce additional scans.
The Hospital's musculoskeletal imaging department, led by Prof. Anne Cotten, scans patients referred from various departments including emergency, orthopedics, neurosurgery and rheumatology using its Ingenia 3.0T system. According to Guillaume Lefebvre, MD, the MRI team has recently changed its way of working by integrating mDIXON TSE into most MR exams of peripheral joints and spine. Using mDIXON TSE has contributed to detailed diagnoses and diagnostic confidence, he says.
Guillaume Lefebvre, MD is an MSK Radiologist at Lille University Hospital (Pr. A. Cotten 's Department). Dr. Lefebvre is a member of French Society of Radiology (SFR), Society of Musculoskeletal Imaging (SIMS), European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR), European Society of Radiology (ESR), and Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
"In MSK imaging, we generally need T1-, T2-, PD-weighted, and sometimes post-contrast sequences, with or without fat suppression, in different orientations. The goal is to have enough information to see abnormalities in signal and morphology, but we can't fit all orientations, all weightings and all contrasts into an exam, so we must make a choice." "With previous exam protocols, we sometimes missed information because we didn't choose the right acquisitions, with or without fat suppression for example. Adding sequences in our exam could help, but lengthens the examination time and thus reduces the availability of MRI. A long exam is also a source of patient motion, which degrades the image quality." "mDIXON TSE helped us find a solution here, as it provides four different contrasts in just one acquisition – an important reason why we prefer using it. mDIXON TSE is now added to most joint MRI protocols at our hospital."
"For bone assessment near joints, mDIXON TSE provides the visualization and multiple contrasts to describe abnormalities within a limited number of acquisitions. Bone marrow signal abnormalities are common MRI findings that can represent various underlying causes, from normal variance to malignancy. So, it is important for us to notice and characterize these findings. With different contrasts, both with and without fat signal as mDIXON TSE efficiently provides, we can make a confident diagnosis." "Other examples in bone are the signal description of a necrotic fragment in osteonecrosis, the signal description of tumoral matrix that has different components (necrosis, hemorrhage, cartilage, bone formation). These are all possible thanks to in-phase and water images from a single mDIXON acquisition."
"In peripheral joints, mDIXON TSE imaging aids in diagnosing injuries in ligaments or tendons, for imaging degenerative and inflammatory pathologies such as osteoarthritis and rheumatologic disorders and for oncological exploration." "For tendon and ligament assessment around knee, ankle, hip and elbow, mDIXON TSE contributes to diagnostic confidence thanks to having images both with and without fat suppression – and without time penalty. This is possible because 2-point mDIXON is faster than the common 3-point Dixon method. It can also increase efficiency as it helps avoid having to add scans during the exam."
"In peripheral joints, we get good image quality in difficult areas with mDIXON TSE.
Fat suppressed images appear homogeneous over the entire image, even with large coverage at 3.0T – for instance in scapular or hip girdles – or in the bearing areas or around metal prostheses, where fat suppression is often deficient with STIR or spectral fat suppression, causing diagnostic difficulties. If a diagnostic image is right the first time, we don't need to repeat or add a sequence." "mDIXON TSE sequences allow simultaneous characterization of morphological changes from the in-phase T2-weighted images and visualization of edematous changes, thanks to the water T2-weighted images from the same acquisition. Anatomical and morphological considerations could be a partial or complete ligament tear, a bony avulsion or hematoma." "For soft tissue assessment mDIXON brings similar benefits. For example in one T2-weighted mDIXON TSE acquisition, having the multiple contrasts helps us assess abnormalities in peripheral nerves fascicles, which may be due to anatomical or inflammatory changes.."
Dr. Lefebvre appreciates the efficiency of mDIXON TSE. "Using mDIXON TSE we can reduce the number of sequences scanned, without reducing the number of contrast types provided. In addition, we also value the reduction we see in repeats because of artifacts (as frequently found in other fat suppressed sequences as SPAIR and SPIR), making the acquisition non-diagnostic. Imaging right the first time is the most efficient way for us, and also for the patient." "Using mDIXON TSE gives us homogeneous fat suppression in a reduced scan time, as well as good correlation between different images. In addition, we have a direct match between different contrasts because they are obtained from the same acquisition."
"In our spine cases, we use mDIXON TSE for patients with degenerative and inflammatory spine issues, vertebral fractures and vertebral and paravertebral tumor characterization," says Dr. Lefebvre. "It provides, in a single acquisition, different contrasts so we can both visualize and characterize spinal, focal or diffuse spine lesions."
"mDIXON TSE makes real a difference in cases of acute and traumatic spinal injuries, where it allows us to reduce the scan time by only using a limited number of sequences. For patients in pain, who come from the emergency unit and need surgery, for example, MRI must be very fast. With a single T2-weighted acquisition we can assess spinal cord, vertebral disc and ligament wholeness with in-phase images, as well as trabecular fracture and edematous changes with water images." Dr. Lefebvre cites other frequent examples of spinal diseases that benefit from the mDIXON technique. "In cases of vertebral disc herniation or degenerative discs, for example, we don't have to choose between fat or no fat images. We can assess morphological changes in the endplate with in-phase images from T2-weighted sequences and in the water image from the same acquisition we will see inflammatory changes into endplates."
Dr. Lefebvre says, "Our radiologists no longer need to choose between fat suppression or not during the examination; they have both. In addition they appreciate mDIXON TSE for exceptional image quality and homogeneous fat suppression. Using mDIXON TSE can even help make diagnoses that were difficult or not possible with our older fat suppression methods. In joints, for example, we get better image quality in difficult areas where the fat removal used to be usually deficient." "Our referring physicians also appreciate the high quality images for confident diagnosis and optimal care.
For technologists, using mDIXON TSE helps reduce errors related to the positioning of fat saturation bands, normally used with fat sat acquisitions. Our department managers like to see short scan times, which lead to increased MRI availability.
Overall, Dr. Lefebvre reports, "I would definitely recommend mDIXON TSE for MSK imaging. It's an easy way to get a major improvement of an MRI examination, with simultaneous images for visualization and characterization without time penalty."
1. Del Grande F, Santini F, Herzka DA, Aro MR, Dean CW, Gold GE, et al. Fat-suppression techniques for 3-T MR imaging of the musculoskeletal system. Radiographics, Feb 2014;34(1):217-233.
* Metal implants are a contraindication for MRI, unless the MR compatibility for the implant is stated by the implant manufacturer. Results from case studies are not predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary. Results obtained by facilities described in this issue may not be typical for all facilities.
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