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When someone mentions diesels around Norfolk, images of smoky, rattly trucks may spring to mind. The fact is that the modern, clean diesel engine is much more refined than in the old days. Sure, diesel engines remain a very popular choice with heavy duty pick-up truck drivers in Norfolk, but they are finding their way into nearly every segment of the VA automotive market. Why is that? Well, it's science.
Diesel fuel contains more energy than the same amount of gasoline. So it takes less diesel fuel to do the same amount of work as gas. so Norfolk diesel drivers get more miles per gallon/kilometers per liter and lower emissions. In Europe, where fuel is very expensive and good fuel economy is very important, around half of passenger vehicles are powered by diesel engines. This goes for small economy cars all the way up to the world's most luxury vehicles.
The driving experience is also very good with diesel engines. In fact Norfolk residents may not even be able to tell the difference between riding in or driving a diesel powered vehicle. So what are the factors to when deciding whether or not to choose a diesel engine?
One consideration is price. Diesel engines cost more to build and are an extra cost option for most vehicles. So Norfolk residents need to do the math to see how long it will take the increased to pay for the extra up-front cost of a diesel engine. The cost of diesel fuel in Norfolk is also a factor. There is no clear correlation between gas prices and diesel prices because the refining and distribution systems are so different. This means that the difference in price per gallon/liter for diesel and gasoline can vary a great deal depending on where you live in VA. Just watch diesel and gas prices for a while (or talk with a diesel owner in Norfolk) so you can get a feel for how much price per gallon/liter figures into your purchase decision.
Also important to know is your expected use of the vehicle. For example, if you tow heavy trailers or haul heavy loads around Norfolk, the extra power many diesel engines offer (while getting better fuel economy than a gas engine) may help you make your decision. Your highway/city driving mix may play into the decision as well. Diesels shine in the highway fuel economy department. And the more you drive in a year, the more attractive diesel engines become.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, remember that it still requires maintenance like your gas powered vehicles always have. Oil changes, cooling system service, power steering, brakes, tires, etc. – all need to be maintained. Some of the schedules may be different because of the unique design of diesel engines. Your friendly and knowledgeable Carmasters Automotive will be able to help you properly maintain your diesel vehicle, helping it last longer and continue to deliver great performance and efficiency.
Give us a call.
Carmasters Automotive 931 E Little Creek Rd. Norfolk, VA 23518 757.456.0722


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Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate who became Egypt's president-elect yesterday, began consultations and moved into the office once held by the deposed Hosni Mubarak.
This was a historic weekend for Egypt: Many feared that the ruling military council would give the elections to Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's last prime minister. But that didn't happen and when Morsi was handed the victory, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians poured into the streets.
From Cairo, NPR's Grant Clark filed this report for our Newscast unit:
"There are still scenes of jubilation in Cairo's Tahrir Square after hundreds of thousands of Egyptians celebrated Morsi's win through the night. Morsi claimed almost 52 percent of the vote, compared with former general Shafiq's 47 percent.
"In his victory speech, Morsi said he intended to build a new inclusive Egypt and appealed for unity. As promised, he has resigned from the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party and will begin working on forming a new administration. Mursi is expected to be inaugurated on June 30th...but with the military still holding significant control, just how much actual power he'll have remains a question."
As the AP writes this morning, Morsi's job is a tough one. The military has handed itself great power and Morsi is an Islamist, who is "feared among youth groups behind the uprising, which campaigned for a secular democratic state."
But in his first speech as president Morsi said he would be a "president for all Egyptians." The BBC reports that the divided country breathed a bit easier after rumblings that Morsi had discussions with Nobel peace-prize laureate Mohamed ElBaradei.
Egypt's Al Ahram reports that this morning Morsi was all business. He meet with Egypt's industrialists and he presented a "renaissance project," that envisioned political reforms and an ambitious economic vision.
"We want Egypt to be a stable country and for people to trust its president and government by making the people feel partner in the country having rights and duties," Morsi said according to Ahram. "The era of the president as institution is over."
To that end, the AP reports that the Egyptian stock market soared. At one point, reports AP, the EGX 100 index "rose more than 5 percent, triggering a 'circuit breaker' designed to prevent drastic market fluctuation."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

subset: commoncrawl


text: It's Friday night. You promised that special someone a romantic date night but you've just sat in an hour of traffic and your back hurts. Getting gussied up to go out is the last thing you want to do. So skip the dinner and movie and head back to your Hot Spring hot tub for … Read More


text: What's black & white and red all over, with a pop of pink? Our Fabulous Herringbone Ankle socks! Classics stripes and zig zags in contrasting black and white, with a pop of polka dots against vibrant red is the perfect combo for all you "kinda" miss-matchers out there! They're fun, yet classic! Cotton blend. Imported.


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Life is like a fire. Sometimes it burns hot and other times it reduces to embers and barely warms the air around it, but it is fire. There is rage, there is warmth, there is beauty. Life is like a fire. Bottle it.
If you haven't thought about entering the contest over at Retro Cafe Art yet, you TOTALLY should! These are a blast to create and the prizes are AMAZING!!! And mine are just samples, so we don't even have to compete! Yay!
Oh! And if you missed the other project I did with these shrines, you can check out my Steampunk Art Doll here!
Supplies used:
Classic Winged Heart Shrine Kit
Classic Brass Charm
Frozen Charlotte
Tim Holtz Corked Vials
Tim Holtz Trinket Pins
Steampunk Parts Collage Sheet
Martha Stewart Fine Glitter
Vintage Lace
Glimmer Mist
Alcohol Ink
One-Step Crackle Medium


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Terminology made easy
A window's insulation value is becoming increasingly important, particularly in light of the ever-more stringent demands of the German Energy Conservation Regulation.By insulation value, we mean the U-value (heat transmission coefficient), which records how much heat the element loses per m² .
In a nutshell, this means:
The lower the U-value, the better the window is at retaining heat.
Ug = Value for the glass (g = glass)
Uf = Value for the frame (f = frame)
Uw = Value for the entire window (w = window)
When you purchase windows from one of our business partners, you don't have to worry about meeting legal requirements: aluplast windows already exceed the heat insulation requirements of Germany's Energy Conservation Regulation.
Find out more today by visiting your local window fabricator.
There are lots of different types of window. They differ depending on their opening mechanism or the number of sashes, e.g. single or multi-sash windows, sliding windows, etc.
When it comes to selecting a window, the opening mechanism can play a decisive role if you're looking to make the most of your space or want to let in as much as air as possible.


text: To test drive this 2020 Nissan Murano in Westbank, please fill-out this form and a specialist from Auto Market Okanagan will contact you shortly. It will be our pleasure to book an appointment at the date and time of your best convenience, when you will have all the necessary time to test drive this 2020 Nissan Murano at Auto Market Okanagan in Westbank. Don't wait any longer, test drive it now!


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50 Corriveau Avenue St. Albert, Alberta T8N 3T5 Telephone (toll-free): 1-877-436-6336 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
SMART Programs' office hours are 8:15 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The office is closed on weekends, statutory holidays, and from Christmas Day through New Year's Day.
If you need help with any of these topics, click on the link(s):
If you don't find what you're looking for or if you need more help, please contact us.


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Ken Norton, the 70s heavyweight powerhouse best known for handing Muhammad Ali one of his few losses, died Wednesday at a veterans medical facility where he had been recovering from a stroke. He was 70.
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Illinois, Norton was introduced to boxing while serving in the Marines between 1963 and 1967. According to a Marines website, he boasted a 24-2 record and earned three All-Marine heavyweight titles before he turned pro. In 1973, he got a shot at the North American Boxing Federation heavyweight title versus Ali. Using a distinctive style, Norton went the distance against Ali, winning a 12-round split decision and breaking Ali's jaw in the process. The defeat was the second of only five in Ali's fighting career.
(MORE: 10 Questions for Manny Pacquiao)
Later that same year, Norton fought Ali again, this time losing in an equally close 12-round bout that also ended in a split decision. He eventually regained the NABF belt in 1975 by defeating Jerry Quarry in a five-round technical knockout.
Norton got one more chance at Ali in 1976 when the two squared off again for the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association heavyweight titles. The 15-round fight ended in a unanimous decision victory for Ali, but is still regarded as one of the most disputed outcomes in boxing history.
However, Norton was given the WBC belt in 1978 when the organization stripped Leon Spinks of the title when Spinks opted to fight Ali, whom he had already beaten, rather than take on Norton. In turn, Norton lost the belt to Larry Holmes, who held the title for seven years.
Norton eventually retired in 1981 with a record of 42-7-1, with 33 knockouts.
Norton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992. His son, Ken Norton, Jr., played linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and is now a linbackers coach with the Seattle Seahawks.
MORE: Joe Frazier, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champ, Dies at 67


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Export 2 results:
Filters: Author is Turcotte, Éric E [Clear All Filters]
"Links Between Metabolic and Structural Changes in the Brain of Cognitively Normal Older Adults: A 4-Year Longitudinal Follow-Up.", Front Aging Neurosci, vol. 11, p. 15, 2019.
, "Ketogenic Medium Chain Triglycerides Increase Brain Energy Metabolism in Alzheimer's Disease.", J Alzheimers Dis, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 551-561, 2018.


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Got a call from a blocked number while I was writing the last post. I get a lot of these, but this one left a weird voicemail. Could be an issue with the digital recording or something at the beginning, but still… weird.
Any clues? Feel free to listen online or to download the MP3.
Also, if you remix it into a song, I at least want a mention in the credits. 🙂
Ninja Edit: On the plus side, this is another reason why I love Google Voice. It took me under a minute from getting this weirdness to posting it on the blog. Seriously, Google Voice is awesome.


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Talulah Dress
Meet the Talulah Dress, a sundress masterpiece named after our founder's daughter, Jesse's little muse. It's no surprise this dress is a top pick with its fairy tale charm, complete with eyelet details and balloon sleeves. Feminine and whimsical, the Talulah is summer's perfect match—because every season deserves a touch of enchantment.
Color - White
Est. Ship Date: Jul 18 (Thu) - Jul 19 (Fri)
Size Chart
We Have The Answers To Your Questions
Will the dress fit me throughout my entire pregnancy?
Yes. Our maternity dresses are designed with stretchable fabrics to accommodate your growing bump throughout all pregnancy stages. To ensure a perfect fit, we recommend referring to our detailed sizing chart!
Can I wear this dress post-pregnancy?
Yes, these maternity dresses can often be worn post-pregnancy. Many of our maternity dresses are designed with features such as adjustable waists, stretchy fabrics, and flowing silhouettes, making them versatile enough to accommodate your body as it changes before and after pregnancy. This adaptability allows for continued wear, ensuring comfort and style even after your baby is born.
Are the fabrics used in your maternity dresses safe for pregnancy?
Our maternity dresses are crafted from a variety of high-quality fabrics designed for comfort, ease, and elegance. Each material is chosen to ensure that it not only looks beautiful but also feels gentle and accommodating on your skin as your body changes.
For specifics on materials for this product, please feel free to contact us!
What is your return policy?
We accept returns up to 7 days after delivery, if the item is unused and in its original condition, and we will refund the full order amount minus the shipping costs for the return.
Where do you ship to?
We are pleased to offer international shipping so that mothers-to-be around the globe can enjoy our maternity dresses. Shipping times and costs may vary depending on the destination, with detailed information provided at checkout. We work diligently to ensure that your beautiful selections are delivered to you no matter where you are in the world.


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and Beginner Yoga Packages.
Two MIO Global Active Watches
fully cushioned Zero Drop™ running shoes
designed to improve form and reduce initial impact.
iFrogz Armbands and Earbuds - Value: $175.00
accessories for your iPods, iPhones, and iPads.
The blogs involved in this giveaway are some of the top fitness, running, book, and Mom blogs on the internet. Have fun checking out their content and entering the fitness giveaway on each of their sites.


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Published: Mar 12, 2020
Directs Californians to follow public health directives including canceling large gatherings more than 250 people
Order removes waiting period for unemployment and disability insurance for Californians who lose work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak
Readies state to commandeer hotels & medical facilities to isolate & treat COVID-19 patients
Allows local and state legislative bodies to hold meetings via conference calls while still meeting state transparency requirements
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a new executive order further enhancing California's ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor's order:
- Waives the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19;
- Delays the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time based on compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19 filings;
- Directs residents to follow public health directives and guidance, including to cancel large non-essential gatherings that do not meet state criteria;
- Readies the state to commandeer property for temporary residences and medical facilities for quarantining, isolating or treating individuals;
- Allows local or state legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference and to make meetings accessible electronically; and
- Allows local and state emergency administrators to act quickly to protect public health
The full executive order can be found here.
Last night, Governor Newsom and state public health officials announced that gatherings should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person. Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines.
"Each of us has extraordinary power to slow the spread of this disease," said Governor Newsom in announcing the state's new policy last night. "Not holding that concert or community event can have cascading effects — saving dozens of lives and preserving critical health care resources that your family may need a month from now. The people in our lives who are most at risk – seniors and those with underlying health conditions — are depending on all of us to make the right choice."
State Efforts to Assist California Workers
California will continue acting swiftly to help workers hurt by COVID-19. Affected workers can visit the Labor & Workforce Development Agency's website to review what benefits are available to them. For instance,
- If you're unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 you may qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL).
- If you're unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness, you may qualify for Disability Insurance. Those who have lost a job or have had their hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19 may be able to partially recover their wages by filing an unemployment insurance claim.
- If a worker or a family member is sick or for preventative care when civil authorities recommend quarantine, workers may use accrued paid sick leave in accordance with the law.
- If workers are unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits. All information and resources can be found at Ca.Gov/Coronavirus2019
All Community Guidance Released from CDPH:
The California Department of Public Health has consolidated state guidance on how to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19 in a single location. This includes guidance for:
- Health care facilities, including long-term care facilities
- Community care facilities, including assisted living facilities and child care
- Schools and institutions of higher education
- First responders, including paramedics and EMTs
- Employers, health care workers and workers in general industry
- Health care plans
- Home cleaning with COVID-19 positive individuals
- Gathering Guidance
- Guidance for Using Disinfectants at Schools and Child Cares
- Laboratories
- Health care facilities from Cal/OSHA
- Homelessness Providers
What to Do if You Think You're Sick:
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
California's Response to COVID-19:
We have been actively and extensively planning with our local public health and health care delivery systems. Here are some of the things we are already doing:
- As in any public health event, the California Department of Public Health's Medical and Health Coordination Center has been activated and is coordinating public health response efforts across the state.
- California continues to prepare and respond in coordination with federal and local partners, hospitals and physicians.
- Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for broader spread of COVID-19.
- Governor Gavin Newsom requested the Legislature make up to $20 million available for state government to respond to the spread of COVID-19.
- California activated the State Operations Center to its highest level to coordinate response efforts across the state.
- 24 million more Californians are now eligible for free medically necessary COVID-19 testing.
- California made available some of its emergency planning reserves of 21 million N95 filtering face piece masks for use in certain health care settings to ease shortages of personal protective equipment.
- The Public Health Department is providing information, guidance documents, and technical support to local health departments, health care facilities, providers, schools, universities, colleges, and childcare facilities across California
- The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is encouraging individuals who are unable to work due to exposure to COVID-19 to file a Disability Insurance claim.
- EDD is also encouraging employers who are experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the Coronavirus impact on the economy to apply for an Unemployment Insurance work sharing program.
- California continues to work in partnership with the federal government to aid in the safe return of 962 Californians from the Grand Princess cruise ship. This mission is centered around protecting the health of the passengers, and ensuring that when the passengers disembark, the public health of the United States, the State of California, and partner communities is protected.
- The Public Health Department is coordinating with federal authorities and local health departments that have implemented screening, monitoring and, in some cases quarantine of returning travelers.
- In coordination with the CDC, state and local health departments, we are actively responding to cases of COVID-19.
- The Public Health Department is supporting hospitals and local public health laboratories in the collection of specimens and testing for COVID-19.
The California Department of Public Health's state laboratory in Richmond and 18 other public health department laboratories now have tests for the virus that causes COVID-19. Eighteen of them are currently conducting tests, with the others coming online soon.
For more the most up to date information on COVID-19 and California's response, visit the CDPH website.


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Commercial Roofing
Full-Service Commercial Roofing
We are a full-service commercial roofer. We have the tools, equipment, and personnel to take on any job—no matter how big or small—from start to finish. Businesses can depend on us for all their roofing needs.
We boast years of experience with a great variety of commercial roofing systems. We keep up-to-date with all new developments in our industry, consistently reinvesting in our services to deliver better results. Our commitment to continual development helps us offer the latest in materials, products, and technology. It's how we give our clients more for their money's worth.
We can help with the following types of roofs:
- Shingle
- Flat
- Metal
- Slate
- …and more
We tailor our services according to each client's needs, wants, and specifications. We work closely with you to develop a comprehensive solution that ticks all the boxes. We offer flexible scheduling, thoughtful guidance, and transparent quotes. It's a personalized experience we provide, and it's what ensures our clients' complete satisfaction.
Fast Commercial Roof Repairs
Stay productive and maintain success with our fast repair services. As a roofing company, we utilize high-efficiency work practices to perform our repairs in record time. We work hard, and we work smart, to drive down costs, limit disruptions, and keep you at peak productivity. Whether your roof has a leak or needs refinishing, you can trust us to get the job done right.
Quality Roof Construction
Commercial roof construction is a big job, requiring effective management, expert craftsmanship, and efficient labor. K & H General Contracting And Roofing combines all three qualities to deliver best-in-class results every time. We are renowned for the quality, value, and durability of our roofs, regularly exceeding our clients' expectations.
We rely on lean business principles to manage the construction process more effectively. By maintaining a small but reliable team of professionals, we're able to minimize project bloat, reduce the costs of our services, and finish the job sooner.
Commercial Roof Maintenance
Extend the Life of Your Roof
Businesses near and far have trusted us with the maintenance of their roof. Now you can too.
Our maintenance services are preventive, protective, and cost-effective. They extend the life of your roof by dealing with the little problems before they grow in size. Plus, they help improve the efficiency of your roof and keep it looking great too.


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Cognitive and social traits
- Intelligence
- Autistic-like traits
- Autism-Spectrum Quotient
- Systemizing Quotient
- Empathy Quotient
- The Five Factor Model of Personality: a scale consisting of five broad personality dimensions: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Memory systems
- Procedural memory
- Tower of London: The task involves moving stacked balls around on pegs from a starting arrangement to a target goal arrangement. The balls are moved one at a time, and there are three pegs and three balls; as the test progresses, the minimum number of moves required to get from start to goal increases. Participants are told to think through their moves before using a computer mouse to manipulate the balls on the screen. To measure procedural learning, the same start-goal sequences are repeated later on in the test. Improvement in performance over time on these repeated sequences of moves is reflective of procedural learning.
- Declarative memory:
- The visual-auditory learning subtest of the Woodcock–Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Ability, a widely used assessment of cognitive abilities normed on a sample of 1,165 college and university students, is an assessment of declarative memory and involves learning picture-word associations.
- Working memory
Executive systems
- The Simon task is based on stimulus–response compatibility and assesses the extent to which the prepotent association to irrelevant spatial information affects participants' response to task relevant nonspatial information.
- The Flanker task is a response inhibition test for assessing the ability to suppress responses that are inappropriate in a particular context.
- The Stroop Task


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ACCURA® gas management is an Internet-based service that helps you follow up and monitor your gas consumption.
The service gives you full control over your gas administration. Access to fresh information on the web brings you
- An overview and control of your gas usage
- More efficient gas usage
- Increased safety
- Less administrative work
Choose between ACCURA cylinder management, focusing on your use of cylinder gas, and ACCURA® liquid management, focusing on your use of liquid gas in tanks, or combine them. Together, these will give you accurate information on your total gas usage.


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UPDATE [21st Nov 2008] – Apple have released iPhone 2.2 software update which appears to fix all known issues with BMW bluetooth and iPhones. If you had no contacts syncing or bluetooth kept dropping the connection every 20 or 30 seconds then update to 2.2 and you should find it's all fixed.
Continue reading "Fix for iPhone and BMW iDrive address book not synchronising"


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Local government leaders in Michigan report that their employees' unions made concessions in negotiations this year more frequently than the jurisdictions did on pay, benefits, staffing and work rules, according to a University of Michigan survey.
By far, the biggest giveback according to the poll by the U-M's Ford School of Public Policy was on fringe benefits: 69 percent of local leaders report their employees' unions made concessions in this area, while just 5 percent report the jurisdiction made concessions. Another 5 percent say each side made concessions, while 17 percent say neither side made concessions.
Due in part to declining local government revenue and pressures to cut costs, many public sector labor unions came to the table ready to make concessions. In addition, new state policies may have driven some of the reductions in employee benefits. Public Act 152 of 2011 limits how much jurisdictions can contribute toward the health care costs of their employees, and the state's new Economic Vitality Incentive Program uses revenue sharing incentives to encourage limits on both health care and retirement benefits.
The poll, part of the Michigan Public Policy Survey series at the Ford School's Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, reports that:
- According to local leaders, the overall relationship with their employees' unions is positive: 16 percent say the relationship is excellent, while 50 percent say it is good. By contrast, 29 percent say relations are fair, and just 5 percent say they are poor.
- Statewide, only 27 percent of local governments have a public sector labor union. Among them, 78 percent negotiated with their unions in the past 12 months.
- Looking ahead, 60 percent of jurisdictions with unions expect to seek new concessions in negotiations in the coming year.
"The unions came to the bargaining table this year ready to make concessions because they understood that their employers, these local government units, are in fiscal distress," Thomas Ivacko, CLOSUP program manager, said.
The study, conducted April 9 to June 18, involved surveys sent via hardcopy and the Internet to top elected and appointed officials in all counties, cities, villages and townships in Michigan. A total of 1,329 jurisdictions returned valid surveys, resulting in a 72 percent response rate. The survey had a margin of error of 1.43 percentage points either way.


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An improved method for calculating tumor growth
When treating cancer, it is an advantage to know the rate of growth of the cancer tumour. The standard method currently used to determine tumour growth, however, is erroneous. This is the conclusion of scientists at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, who have developed a new model.
The principal reason that patients die of cancer is the spread of cancer cells through the body to form new tumours known as metastases. These metastases are initially so small that they cannot be detected by modern diagnostic methods. The healthcare system must therefore, when treatment begins, rely on mathematical models to calculate the growth of a tumour.
The standard method for describing tumour growth uses a parameter known as "doubling time" (DT), which specifies the time it takes for a tumour to double in volume. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have now shown that this widely applied calculation method is erroneous.
Scientist Esmaeil Mehrara and his colleagues at the Department of Radiation Physics, University of Gothenburg, have developed a new method that calculates the rate of tumour growth more accurately. The new method uses a parameter known as the specific growth rate (SGR), which measures the percentage growth of the tumour per day.
The new method improves the possibility of determining the effects of various treatment alternatives.
"The standard method used to determine the effect of therapy does not take the rate of tumour growth into account, while our new model does. This means that we can measure more accurately even small effects of treatment", says Esmaeil Mehrara.
It is hoped that the new method using SGR will be valuable in determining whether a treatment is having an effect or not in a particular patient. This means that the best treatment for a patient can be found more rapidly than is the case today.


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Simi supporting German elite sport
Joint efforts for the success: two-year cooperation with the Olympic training centers Germany (OSP) and the Institute for Applied Training Science (IAT).
After a long standing partnership with the Olympic Training Center Bavaria (Olympiastützpunkt Bayern) we are pleased to extend our support of German top-level sport facilities.
Our top-notch markerless 3D Motion Capture and Analysis technology will be used in various lighthouse projects all over the country. Combined with Simi experience and know-how we hope these will contribute to the success on the Road to Tokyo.
More info on the cooperation here. (German language)


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As a taxpayer, were you disappointed by your 2018 tax return? Perhaps you found out that you owed taxes because your paycheck withholdings were insufficient. Or maybe your refund was smaller than you anticipated. Due to changes in tax withholding rates and limited deductions, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created surprises like these for many taxpayers. Prior to the new law, taxpayers frequently received a refund due to excess withholding.
In response to taxpayer concerns, the IRS released the new Tax Withholding Estimator (Estimator). This tool lets you review your withholding amounts to see if they're on the right track or if you should consider making changes. The Estimator can be accessed through the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator. Before using the Estimator, be sure to gather the information listed below. You'll be able to see your results in minutes and can then decide whether to make changes to your current withholding allowance with your employer.
Please Note: The Estimator will take you through some questions that will vary depending on whether you itemize or claim the standard deduction. To find out which items can be deducted, review IRS Topic No. 500 at https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc500. If you plan on itemizing deductions, gather information on the following expenses:
What You Will Need
The IRS recommends gathering the following information before using the Estimator.
• Recent pay stubs
• Most recent income tax return
Be ready to answer questions about your tax filing status, dependents, pretax contributions (such as retirement or medical accounts), other sources of income, and tax credits.
The Estimator will take you through some questions that will vary depending on whether you itemize or claim the standard deduction. To find out which items can be deducted, review IRS Topic No. 500 at https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc500. If you plan on itemizing deductions, gather information on the following expenses:
• Medical and dental expenses
• Taxes paid
• Qualified mortgage interest paid
• Gifts to charity
• Casualty losses
• Other expenses that could be deducted
The Estimator will not ask for personal identification information, such as name, date of birth, social security number, or bank account numbers. Regarding the information you do enter, the Estimator will not save anything. It is a single-use calculator.
Results Provided
Once you've completed the questions, the Estimator will calculate whether you're estimated to owe money or receive a refund for the 2019 tax year. In addition to this information, the Estimator will give two options for adjusting your withholding:
1. Get My Balance Close to Zero
2. I'd Like to Get a Refund
Based on your selection, the Estimator will explain how to fill out a new Form W-4 and provide a link to the form. Once you download and complete the Form W-4, print it out and give it to your employer. Your paycheck withholdings will be adjusted accordingly.
If you make changes to your withholding, the IRS recommends reviewing your selections again in 2020. As always, before making any decisions, a best practice is to consult your tax professional.
This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer.


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"Systematic Development of an Operational BIM Utilising Simulation and Performance Data in Building Operation." IBPSA Building Simulation 2011. Sydney, Australia, 2011.
. "Multi-Criteria Optimisation using Past, Real Time and Predictive Performance Benchmarks." Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory 19.4 (2011) 1258-1265.
. "Multi-criteria optimisation using past, historical, real time and predictive performance benchmarks." SEEP 2009: 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection. 2009.
. "Key Factors - Methodology for Enhancement and Support of Building Energy Performance." Building Simulation 2009. Glasgow, Scotland, 2009.
. "Energy Monitoring Systems value, issues and recommendations based on five case studies." Clima 2010 conference. Antalya, Turkey, 2010.
. BuildWise Final Report. 2010.


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One of my favorite things about having a baby in the house is watching a new personality emerge. Will he be shy or outgoing? Athletic or intellectual? What personality traits will he get from his father? Will he be like me?
In a way I have always loved uncovering pieces of people's personalities, even my own. I love taking those quizes in magazines that promise to break down your personality traits and tell you how to do everything better. Mostly I like seeing if who I think I am matches up with the results.
I once had a friend do a handwriting analysis and I was pretty impressed with the results. One of the conclusions was that I was a procrastinator, determined by the fact that I would go back and cross my 't's after I had finished writing the entire sentence. I do like to wait until the last minute to get things done. I am sure my husband would like me to find a test that would explain why I won't ever pick out a restaurant, but will veto all of his ideas.
In college, during one of my education courses, we studied personality types and how they corresponded with learning in a classroom. What I took away from that study was that all personality types have positive and negative aspects to them. So we should never try to hide who we really are, we should just search out the positive in our personalities and use them to help us succeed.
With the start of a new year, it is always a good time to take a little introspective look at who we are and what we are doing. ArchetypeMe offers a fun challenge to do just that. To discover who you are in order to better understand your interests and connect with others. Their quiz is intended to help you uncover your archetype and the rest of the site is dedicated to curated self-expression and personal discovery, all based on your personality results. You get a personalized website featuring all the stories that interest you and all of the stuff you love. Then you get a forum to share your favorite things with friends.
I am taking the quiz to find out my archetype and will share my results with you.
Leave me a comment and let me know why you think it's important to really know who you are and you will be entered to win a $50 Visa Giftcard and a copy of the book Archetypes: Who Are you? signed by author! Then head over to www.ArchetypeMe.com and take their quiz to discover your own archetype.
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Grafton Lakes State Park, on the forested plateau between the Taconic and Hudson Valleys, includes six ponds and nearly 2500 acres. Long Pond has a large, sandy beach, which is a popular summer attraction. Anglers can go after rainbow and brown trout in Long, Second and Shaver Pond. Pickerel, perch, and bass are abundant in all ponds including Mill Pond and walleye are found at the Martin-Durham Reservoir. All ponds have launch facilities for canoes, sailboats and rowboats, electric boat are allowed. Visitors also picnic, walk the nature trails, and hike, bike or ride horses along the 25 miles of park trails (No ATV use allowed).
In winter, the trails are groomed for snowmobilers, and visitors may also snowshoe, cross-country ski, ice skate or ice fish when conditions permit, call for details.
Interested in volunteering? Grafton Lakes has a robust volunteer program and we are always looking for new faces. We have lots of opportunities from trail work, to education assistants, to gardening, to customer service. Join our community of volunteers today, email firstname.lastname@example.com for more info!
Pavilion Information
Grafton Lakes has six pavilions/tents available. Prices Range from $50 to $100 and can accommodate 40 to 150 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com.
Current Water Quality - Beach Results
Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).
The park is open year-round, 8 am until sunset
Welcome Center/Office: Open Wednesday - Monday from 9am - 4pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Hours: Thursday - Sunday renting 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, boats must be returned by 6:00 PM
Price: $20 for 1 hour, $30 for 2 hours per each boat (CREDIT CARD ONLY, no cash)
They are offering sit on top single kayaks, sit on top tandem kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and rowboats.
You must be 18 or older to rent. People under the age of 18 must be in a boat with an adult. To be in a tandem kayak with an adult, the minimum age is 6. To go in a rowboat with an adult, you must be at least 30 pounds to me weight requirements for life vests.
For additional questions, please call LLBean at 1-888-552-3261
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.
Highlights of Grafton Lakes State Park:
• Grafton Lakes State Park comprises nearly 2500 acres of land within the surrounding landscape of the Rensselaer Plateau, whose extensive forests are home to black bear, river otter, and even moose. Located only 20 minutes from Troy, New York, the park provides excellent wildlife watching opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Look for tracks and animal signs along the trails, or better yet come snowshoeing in winter with the Park Naturalist for a guided tour of who's been active in the woods.
• Shaver Pond is an example of an "oligotrophic" lake, low in nutrient levels with clean, clear oxygen-rich water. When you take a paddle, you may think the lake bottom is just a few feet down, but dip your paddle in some spots and you'll discover just how crystal clear the lake truly is!
• The rocks in the forests in Grafton, once called Roxborough, have had a big impact on its cultural history. They are largely Rensselaer Greywackle, a type of sandstone that is very slow to degrade into poorly drained acidic soil. Imagine the perils of plowing this landscape for early settlers, and the many hours of back-breaking labor that would have gone into it. Grafton's rocks and soils did not encourage farming, and by the late 1800s the farm fields and pastures had begun to return to the forest, just 100 years after the area was first inhabited by early American settlers. Look along the trails for old stone walls from this bygone era.
• Located off the Fire Tower Trail, the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower gives views of Massachusetts Berkshire Mountains, Vermont's Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks. The Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park restored this fire tower in recent years, so climb its eighty steps to enjoy the spectacular view.
• Beavers have been active in the park since the 1930's, when their numbers began to increase thanks to conservation efforts. They are responsible for many of the open wetlands in the park, and you will see signs of them along the shores of every pond in the park. They play a powerful role as engineers of the natural environment through the construction of dams. The dams help raise water levels to protect their lodges, and in turn provide more wetland habitat for other wildlife.
What will you see? Plan your visit today!
Look and Listen for these birds at our Park:
The many types of bird species in Grafton Lakes State Park, along with the surrounding forest lands of the Rensselaer Forest Tract resulted in the area being named an Important Bird Area by Audubon.
Everyone is a Steward: Be a Grafton Lakes State Park Hero!
For more information, please read our Trail Tips!
Ask a Naturalist!
Q: What kinds of fish are found in Grafton Lakes State Park?
A: I hear this question nearly as often as some little person asks me if Grafton has sharks in the water! No sharks, but plenty of fish. Grafton has many members of the sunfish family, including small and large mouth bass, pumpkinseeds, blue gill, and rock bass. The sleek chain pickerel, the "whiskered" brown bullhead, yellow perch, and varieties of trout also live in the park's ponds. Want to see for yourself? We offer free fishing clinics for young people on request, and also host a fishing clinic annually on the last weekend of June as part of Free Fishing Weekend, when no license is required.
Q: "Who made that?"
A: This is one of the questions I receive most from all sorts of people in response to all sorts of mysteries. It may come up when we're looking at a pile of a pine cone remains under a spruce tree, or a pair of round tracks with five toes and claws digging into the snow. Or perhaps even after a bird makes a sudden alarm call from the tree tops. The best part is the excitement that comes from figuring the answer out together! We have our detective skills, binoculars, field guides, and lots of other tools to help us track down answers to the wild's fascinating mysteries.
Q: Where should you take a hike with your family when visiting Grafton Lakes State Park?
A: One of the popular trail loops is the Shaver Pond Trail. Less than 2 miles in length, it brings you past wetlands, hemlock and maples, lakeshore and vistas, and is very doable for young hikers. In winter, you'll see signs of mink and deer aplenty, while in spring there is a chorus of little frogs, called Spring peepers, serenading all passersby. If you want some big views, take the hike up the Fire Tower Trail, which is 3 miles round trip. Along the way, there are some wet spots great for spotting animal tracks and some very busy beaver activity. Make sure to pick up a trail map at the park office before you head out!
Did You Know?
- DID YOU KNOW? Many of the exposed rocks you see in Grafton Lakes State Park were formed a mile down deep in the ocean below an ancient arc of volcanic islands, over 500 million years ago. Today they are sitting atop a Plateau at 1600 feet! A lot can change in 500 million years!
- LISTEN UP! Literally... you may hear the call of a Broad-Winged Hawk when you are hiking the trails at Grafton Lakes State Park. They are easier to hear above your head than to see in their forest home.
- DID YOU KNOW? Fast-flying Dragonflies start out their lives swimming in the water, as nymphs. While they lack wings during this stage, they are still fearsome predators of other aquatic creatures, even tadpoles.
Environmental Educators
518-279-1155 or email@example.com
Programs Offered in Fall and Spring:
Busy Beaver:
Nature explorers will find beaver on all six lakes at Grafton Lakes State Park. How are beaver like us and how are they different from us? What is happening inside of a beaver lodge? We'll engage First graders' natural curiosity about wild creatures through this program of discovery. Students will also make a very quiet visit to an active beaver lodge.(ELA W 1.8, NGSS 1-LS1)
Cycles of Nature:
Cycles of nature are all around us! If your students have just learned about them in the classroom, then let us show them actively underway in our beautiful setting. We'll start with the story of the water cycle and weave it into the cycles of some of our local plants and animals through games, a scavenger hunt, and a pond explore. (ELA W.2.3, NGSS 2-ESS2)
"Go Fish" at Grafton lakes!:
The park is known for its lakes and abundant wildlife, but which fish actually live in our underwater world? Come meet them by the pond! In collaboration with the I Fish NY program, the park brings students to Long Pond for this program about our local fish ecology, their life cycles and habitat needs. Kids will design their own fish suited to a pond habitat, play tag as a sunfish, and perhaps catch one off of Long Pond dam! (ELA W 3.8, NGSS 3-LS1, 3-LS2, 3-LS4-2&3)
Geology Trek
What better way to discover the story hidden within the rocks than in person at a park! Rock within Grafton Lakes dates to the Cambrian Era when this part of North America was submerged, below the equator, and off the coast lay a volcanic island arc. The program will cover plate tectonics, types of rocks, and geologic time. (HS-ESS2-1)
We are also available for in-school programs or can fashion a new program around a topic that suits your curriculum in our outdoor classroom. Additional winter snowshoe programs are available for schools with classes of 20 students.
Our programs are interdisciplinary and address both Common Core and Next Generation Science Standard in an outdoor setting. Students will explore, imagine, play and interpret the natural world around them. Programs typically run for about two hours, and the fee is $2-3 per student depending upon resources required. Pre and post-program activities are generally available for all programs. Additional programs can be designed around other topics of interest. For large classes with older students, rotation programs may be designed that give students a multi-disciplinary experience in an outdoor setting for a half day at a rate of $3/student.
State Parks has launched a grant program to provide transportation funding assistance to schools for field trips to State Parks. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.
K-8 tools and activities to spark curious minds through outdoor investigation
Thanks to a generous grant from the USDA Forest Service, the following kits are available for loan to all Rensselaer County teachers. Please contact our Environmental Educator at the Grafton Welcome Center at 518-279-1155 or email@example.com for more information:
TREES: Schoolyard trees and plants are wonderful catalysts to investigating the natural world! The trees we walk by every day can transform into fascinating, year-round outdoor labs! The activities and materials in these kits give teachers tools and ideas to take students into the schoolyard and beyond to study trees, the organisms that cool our homes and transform our breath into clean, freshly oxygenated air. Most of the lessons require just a few simple materials that are probably already in your classroom. In this kit, you will find a few additional materials that you might not have, including tree identification guides, hand lenses, tree cross sections and measuring tapes. We've also included a few non-fiction books to spark learning and inspire more investigation. Have fun exploring the outdoors!
BIRDS: Unlike many other types of wildlife, we can often observe birds just by looking out our windows. By learning about birds outside the classroom and in the local community, students can acquire an increased understanding about the lives of birds, as well as the animal kingdom, in general. This kit focuses on basic observation skills with binoculars, and on learning about the fascinating 'backyard birds' that share our neighborhood habitats. The curricula in this kit are borrowed from Mass Audubon and the Taconic Education Center. We've included most of the materials you will need to complete the activities, including kid friendly bird guides, feathers, binoculars and a few fiction and non-fiction books to spark further learning. Happy birding!!
INSECTS: From the tiniest sidewalk crack to the slightly overgrown lawn, it's hard to find a place where insect life doesn't abound! These fascinating, often misunderstood creatures are right outside (and sometimes inside) our doors, waiting to be studied! The lesson plans in this kit were obtained from a variety of sources, including the Cayuga Nature Center, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science's, Hands on Nature and the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center. We 've included some background information on insects and most of the materials you will need to complete the activities, including bug boxes, bug nets, common insect identification guides and a few fiction and non-fiction books to spark further learning.
THE PRIVATE EYE CURRICULUM: From the Private Eye Website: The Private Eye is a program about the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, changing scale and theorizing. Designed to develop critical thinking skills, creativity and scientific literacy - across subjects - it's based on a simple set of tools that produce "gifted" results. Hands on, investigative, The Private Eye - using everyday objects, a jeweler's loupe, and simple questions - accelerates science, writing, art, math and social studies, as well as vocational and technological education.
Key BCA Criteria:
-Migratory concentration site
-Diverse species concentration site
-Species at risk site
The Grafton Lakes BCA is within Grafton Lakes State Park. The forest community consists primarily of beech-maple mesic, hemlock-northern hardwood, and spruce-northern hardwood forests but also boasts over 70 acres of wetlands as well as over 300 acres of lakes and associated shorelines. Grafton Lakes BCA is a stopover site for Neotropical migratory songbirds especially forest dwelling migrants during both spring and fall migrations. The site supports a diversity of birds associated with upland forest. It is also a significant site for forest breeding raptors such as the state species of special concern Cooper's Hawk (possible breeder) and Red-shouldered Hawk (probable breeder).
Download a copy of the BCA map.
Deer and small game hunting are allowed in season. Park hunting permit dates are September 1st to August 31st to cover the NYS DEC hunting permit dates.


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Well, time marches on and it is an inescapable fact that Wallace and Gromit have been delighting film and television audiences for two decades.
This event is being celebrated with a multi-media exhibition at The Illustration Cupboard (opening tomorrow and running until 24 October) devoted to Wallace and Gromit's creator Nick Park and his original Wallace and Gromit artwork as well as a selection of the original Plasticine props used in the making of their films.
Also on show - and for sale - are several new pieces of colour artwork produced especially for this exhibition...
Pluto's Republic! Great gag! And note the penguin on the book spine.
And a limited edition anniversary full-colour silk screen print, signed and numbered by Nick showing the intrepid duo with their famous motorbike and sidecar...
The gallery is also offering signed first edition copies of the new book published by Egmont entitled The Art of Wallace and Gromit...
And it here that I come - tangentially - into the story.
It only feels like yesterday - certainly not almost twenty years ago - that I read in my morning paper that a young Bristol animator had received Oscar nominations for two films.
At the time I was one of the presenters of the BBC Radio 4 arts programme, Kaleidoscope, and I immediately suggested we ought to interview this British film phenomenon! The idea fell on deaf editorial ears, probably because the films were only animated movies: Creature Comforts and the first Wallace & Gromit adventure, A Grand Day Out.
A couple of months later, however, when Creature Comforts won the Oscar for animated short subject, the Beeb realised it had missed a scoop and I was dispatched, post-haste, to the Bristol studio of Aardman Animation to interview the shy, modest Mr Park...
Within a few months I was working with Nick on the script for what would be the next Wallace & Gromit caper, The Wrong Trousers. Our collaboration was huge fun and I have memories of crazy sessions in which we concocted elements for the storyboard what would never finally be seen on screen.
One such episode was the film's planned finale in which Wallace's house was surrounded by police, following the theft of the gem from the museum, so that they had to make their getaway in the moon rocket from A Grand Day Out - only to crash land on a ice floe in the Antarctic in the midst of vast flock of penguins!
My abiding memory of those scripting sessions is of Nick sitting with a sketchbook, filling it from margin to margin with wonderfully inventive doodlings.
Our partnership, unfortunately, didn't result in a filmable screenplay (though some scenes in the eventual film - such as the train chase ending with the Penguin in the milk bottle - were well on the way to their final form) and so we amicably parted company and the project was, if you'll pardon the pun, temporarily parked.
Nick later returned to the story with former Dr Who scriptwriter, Bob Baker, who has continued as his collaborator on the subsequent Wallace & Gromit films from The Wrong Trousers (1993), via A Close Shave (1995) and the feature length Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) to last year's A Matter of Loaf and Death.
I remained on great personal terms with Nick and Aardman and produced two books based on the storyboard for The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave, as well as collaborating with Aardman's founder Peter Lord (creator of their first Plasticine superstar, Morph), on Cracking Animation, a book about the art and craft of stop-frame model animation.
I also got to tell the behind-the-scenes story of the making of Aardman's first feature-length film in Chicken Run: Hatching the Movie.
Then, a few months back, I was invited to write an introduction to the aforementioned new book celebrating the 20 years of the Wallace & Gromit double-act.
Now available from all good literary emporia (and signed from The Illustration Cupboard), The Art of Wallace and Gromit is stuffed with amazing drawings from Nick's sketchbooks...
Along with inspirational and storyboard art and pictures from film's storyboards...
There's also an opportunity to get a closer peep at the various cracking contraptions devised by Wallace and so often employed with disastrous results...
There are several surprises, such as discovering that Wallace started out life with a moustache and that Gromit began as an enormous dog with huge gnashers!
As well as tracing how the characters have developed over the years, the book catalogues all the friends and foes that they have acquired along the way including Penguin (aka Feathers McGraw), Wendolene Ramsbottom, Shaun the Sheep and Preston the Cybodog, Lady Tottington, Piella Bakewell and Fluffles.
Readers get a chance to scrutinise the amazing detail that goes into the creation of any Wallace and Gromit film but which often passes too quickly to be taken in on first viewing - like the paintings hung on the walls of Tottington Hall in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, one of which appears to be a portrait of Lady Campanula painted by Picasso...
It is also a testimony to the huge affection which we feel for these characters. As I note in my introduction:
Of course, we laugh at the heroic (or, perhaps, I should say, 'dogged') dedication, unsinkable optimism and utter seriousness with which Wallace and Gromit approach their various outlandish endeavours and confront the perils that, inevitably, follow.
But we also admire the indestructible nature of their relationship and their knack for co-existing in comparative peace and harmony, tolerating each other's faults and foibles with a loyalty and patience that are, surely, the hallmarks of true affection.
And since they clearly love one another - albeit in their reserved, British way - it's hardly surprising that we love them...
Check out the Official, Wallace & Gromit Website; and visit The Illustration Cupboard blogspot
The Illustration Cupboard is at 22 Bury St, London, SW1Y 6AL.
Gallery Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10am to 6pm; Saturday: 12pm to 5pm
Closed Sunday and Bank Holidays
For map click here
All images © Aardman Animations


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Samsung Electronics America has elevated its gaming monitor offerings with the introduction of three new Odyssey OLED models at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. The lineup includes the Odyssey OLED G9, G8, and G6, each featuring cutting-edge OLED Glare-Free Technology and other advanced features, catering to the diverse needs of over 212 million gamers in the United States.
The Odyssey OLED G9 stands out as a 49″ curved ultra-wide monitor with Dual Quad High-Definition (DQHD) resolution and a 32:9 aspect ratio, boasting enhanced features for an immersive gaming experience. The Odyssey OLED G8, Samsung's first flat 32-inch OLED gaming monitor, offers 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution and a standard 16:9 aspect ratio. Both models feature a 240Hz refresh rate and an exceptionally fast 0.03ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time.
The Odyssey OLED G6, a 27″ Quad High Definition (QHD) monitor, supports a 16:9 aspect ratio, a remarkable 360Hz refresh rate, and the same rapid response time. David Phelps, Head of the Display Division at Samsung Electronics America, emphasizes the significance of these monitors in enhancing the gaming experience. The monitors' OLED Glare-Free technology reduces reflections, allowing gamers to enjoy consistent brightness and color in various lighting conditions.
VESA DisplayHDR™ True Black 400 and AMD FreeSync™ Premium Pro support ensure an ultra-smooth, low-latency High Dynamic Range (HDR) gaming experience. The monitors also boast comprehensive physical connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB hub, and DisplayPort 1.4 input. Comfort and convenience are further enhanced with VESA mount compatibility and a height-adjustable stand featuring tilt, swivel, and pivot control points for select models.
A key innovation in the Odyssey OLED G9 and G8 is the introduction of Multi Control, allowing seamless image and text transfer between compatible Samsung devices for an efficient multi-device experience. These models also incorporate the Samsung SmartThings Hub, enabling control over various Internet of Things (IoT) devices compatible with Matter and the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA).
Transitioning from work to play, the Odyssey OLED G9 and G8 transform into all-in-one entertainment hubs, featuring the Samsung Smart TV platform and Samsung Gaming Hub for access to streaming and cloud gaming services. The sleek design of the new Odyssey OLED G8 and G6 models, with their slim metal bezels and Core Lighting+, add aesthetic appeal to any gaming setup.
The lighting system immerses users in their gaming environments, complementing the slim design of the monitors. Samsung's latest unveiling solidifies its position as a leader in the gaming monitor market, expanding its OLED lineup and complementing the advancements in the Odyssey Neo series. The combination of innovative features and performance in these new models underscores Samsung's commitment to shaping the future of gaming.


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Also, the weather was threatening around that pit stop window as well and we weren't sure if we should go a bit longer there and put a set of inters on if it rained or whatever. But Nico went for it, went early with the undercut, so obviously a few people had to react to his first chess move, and then the next phase of the race was very strange. It was very hard to get the Soft tyre warmed up, the harder tyres in terms of Prime tyre, and Seb, obviously, had his in and it wasn't wearing down that much. So he was then coming back into the picture with his strategy. We were all trying to get temperature and at the start of the stint I had very, very low front grip and I had to manage that and move the brake balance around and things like that trying to get everything organised, and [I was] managing Nico and everyone else. But also, Seb's going 'Hmmm, this is interesting', so I didn't want him to get the magic 21 seconds, to make sure he couldn't do the stop and get the victory - that wasn't part of the plan. I managed to sort that out and I could concentrate on Nico again and then get the car to the end. But the rain - as Fernando said coming across in the car, there were times when he was praying for rain, saying 'good, come on, rain, rain', and then when it started he was saying, 'no, no, I don't want it to rain'. I think it was like that for everybody, except for me, because the first guy there is always tricky. So, amazing day for the team and myself. Yeah, so I'm really, really happy to have won here again. A great memory for me. Fantastic.
Q: Nico, so close at the end - 0.6 seconds behind Mark. You tried a number of different things and you probably hoped for the rain as well but in the end I guess it wasn't to be.
Nico Rosberg: Yeah, in general. At the beginning it was pretty straightforward. I was hoping for a good start, I had a good start, but Mark had a pretty good start too. That was it then. And then, it was just a matter of tyre management and everything and I must say I was a bit surprised by how strong we were not only in qualifying but also in the race. I think, at the end of day, for the weekend, we probably had the fastest car out there, in qualifying and the race, which is great to see, because we're just making progress all the time, so that's fantastic. Unfortunately, it didn't come together perfectly, so P2, it could have been P1 I think this weekend but there we are. No, I'm very happy with second place of course. It got a bit difficult there in the end, with the rain and the warm- up of the harder tyres but I'm very pleased.
Q: Fernando, fifth on the grid, third at the finish, you now have sole control of the World Championship lead. Does this feel like a win to you?
Fernando Alonso: Well, our target obviously was to try to finish in front of Sebastian, in front of Lewis - they were with us in the World Championship. And if you go race by race you concentrate on different drivers. The next one will be Mark, now he's second in the championship. So, it will be interesting also this season with constant development of the car and the constant surprises we are having every race - you never know which one will be on pole or take the race win. Everything went smooth after the start, but I had a contact with Grosjean. At that point I thought maybe the car was damaged or something but the car was perfectly fine so I keep running. I felt good, I felt competitive but in Monaco it's difficult with the traffic, to manage the traffic. We overtook Hamilton at the stop, with a perfect time, a perfect pit stop again. Thanks to the team I think we are in a privileged position and well done to all of them.
Q: Mark, back to you. The start, obviously, was decisive and as you say, you got a good one. It's not always been your strength. Tell us about today's.
MW: Yeah, it went well. The first initial getaway was very good and control after that was good, but I knew straight away it was enough to get to turn one in good shape, so that was important. The next thing was the pit stop. When Nico went two laps short - aggressive underneath me in terms of pit stop, I thought 'I hope he can't get the tyres in'. But I was happy. Obviously I have full trust in the guys doing the strategy that he wasn't doing much more than me or in traffic or whatever. So that was the next key phase and then obviously down to the driver in terms of concentration to the maximum.
Q: Nico, tell us about how the strategies here this afternoon, because the way this race unfolded wasn't really the way it was predicted. There were expectations of two stops. Tell us how things changed during the race.
NR: Well, it was pretty straightforward. You know, there's two way to beat Mark. One is to go really long and hope that I'm that much faster in the end, which is even more difficult. The better chance was to go short and hope that I could put in some really good lap times straight away out the pits. But with the one lap it was just difficult and that's why I couldn't go fast enough to beat him on the track.
Q: Fernando, you mentioned avoiding the spinning Romain Grosjean in the Lotus. Just tell us in a bit more detail what it was like to see that car go through 90 degrees and work out what to do next.
FA: Well, I had a fantastic start and in the first 10 metres I was side by side with Romain and I was passing Lewis as well but it was fair. They went close to each other and I put the car in the middle I think I touched Romain with my rear left and his right front and after that touch he spun. We were lucky that nothing was damaged on the car. After that spin of Romain, positions mixed a little bit. I think I saw Vettel like position five or six after the start. So some people were hurt and some people gained some advantage.
Q: Back to you Mark, you're the sixth different winner in the first six grands prix of the season - never happened before in Formula One. What's it like to be part of this amazing season?
MW: Pretty good. I think we're a little bit… like Fernando said, it's up and down quali and the races are hard to predict so even for us, how we judge how the grand prix is going to unfold is not particularly straightforward. That is sometimes frustrating for us, because we'd like to push the limit and get the most out of everything we have, but we have to leave margin in not only strategy but also in driving and all that sort of stuff. So it's different to how it was in the past. So maybe we'll have seven different winners after Montreal, you never know. But hopefully we can get a bit of routine now. I think we got the maximum; we absolutely got the maximum out of this weekend. We were very, very fortunate to get pole. I was very, very happy with my lap. Then we knew that he race was our, not to lose, but it was a very, very special victory for us today. So, more to come hopefully.
Q: Well done Mark. Was it any easier the second time? I don't suppose it was.
MW: This one was harder. Obviously the strategy was very different but we knew that from the start of the race that it was going to be different to the 2010 victory if I managed to try to win here. The start of the grand prix was reasonably going to plan on the supersoft. Pretty happy with how long that tyre went but we still couldn't quite get the gaps that we were after in terms of the mid- pack. Obviously Nico went for it, a bit shorter, and I was a little surprised that he went then because the tyres were still going not too bad - but it was worth a go. And then the race started to take a little bit of a different phase because then we had… going to the prime tyre - the soft - wasn't our ideal. We had to run it, obviously, but it was a very tricky tyre to get started. Obviously Seb was in the groove and underway and he was doing some very quick lap times in that part of the grand prix. And it was hard for us to get going, so I had to keep an eye on the Sebastian gap but also manage the… we needed to finish the grand prix on those tyres. So when Seb pitted, then I could revert my concentration back to Nico. It was pretty good after that. I must say that there were a lot of marbles on the track. Marbles are tricky, especially at Turn Three, the track was incredibly narrow there, it was just one car width wide, and then the rain. And it's always tricky when you're the first guy arriving into corners when it's sprinkling. So, again, on other tracks and in different conditions, a little bit of rain like that, you wouldn't really have to back off so much for it but all of a sudden the car is wheel spinning, the front's not biting, and around this place that's not very encouraging. Particularly when you're in the lead with only ten minutes to go in the race. So it required me then to really, really control the race and get the car home. The start was key, the pitstop was key, both of them went well. I did a little bit of work in between and we got an incredible victory that I'm very, very happy with. It's great memories for me to win here twice, fair and square off the pole positions. So I'm happy. Nico kept me honest. I had him under control but he drove well as well, and after that I didn't see what else happened - but yeah, it was good grand prix.
Q: Nico, at the start was there anything you could have done any better?
NR: No! My engineer and my team gave me a great start - but the problem was Mark had a great start too. I got away really well but he did too. We were miles clear of everybody else but not enough to get him. And from then on Mark drove a really, really good race, very controlled and at all times in control of what he was doing and in control of me also. So there was not much I could do. But in general it's been a really good weekend for me, for the team and I have to say that I think I had the best car out there today, that was my feeling, so that's really cool and lets me home for a lot more in the next few races. It's really nice to see how we're progressing so quickly.
Q: You got a lot closer in the rain, in the wet conditions, did you have any plans how you were going to get past?
NR: No - I was hoping I might get a chance or something but my tyres were really struggling too and also I had Fernando behind me and at times it was very difficult, just front and rear warm up, tyres lost temperature and then they picked up again towards the end. So it was a little bit easier in the end but very much on the limit.
Q: What does it mean to be standing here on the podium here in your home town, as it were, your home country?
NR: It's very special, having grown up here. It's great. The way through the tunnel is my way to school, so it was fantastic and I'm very happy.
Q: Fernando, I guess the crucial thing was jumping Hamilton at the pit stop?
FA: Yes. I think the start was the first point where we had the opportunity to gain some places, we did a great start again. We had to lift off because there was no space between Lewis and Grosjean, if not we could also overtake Lewis at the start and maybe the race was different. It was good being fourth in the first corner and then Lewis had quite big degradation because he was so slow and before the pit stop we get close and then with one extra lap it was enough to jump him at the stop. I think the tyres were surprisingly good, surprisingly consistent, so with the warm- up problems and the pace that we had after the pit stop, I think if we run longer with that tyre maybe there was the chance to win even more positions, as Sebastian tried to do. So, that was close but it is always difficult to predict. I think it was surprisingly good, the supersoft, and maybe surprisingly difficult to warm up the softs. You never know - only after the race.
Q: Did you have any plans at the end? You were all so close…
FA: If rain, then yes. I think at 20 laps to the end they said 'maybe rain is coming'. And I said, if rain is coming we have to attack. We would put on intermediate tyres and there is always a better chance to overtake in the wet than in the dry. We were out there ready to risk, because victory in Monaco means a lot. So, we were optimistic on that, but then five or six laps to the end with the drops of rain that we had, I think we were all praying 'no more rain' because it was so difficult. As Mark explained, the difficulty of being the first two or three cars, you don't know how the next corner will be. You have a little snap, a little bit of front problem in the corner before, you see all the drops on the visor on the straight and when you approach the next corner at 250kph, how wet will be that corner? You never know. At that point, five laps to the end, we all, I think, want to keep positions and finish the race as we were.
Q: (Frederic Ferret - L'Equipe) Mark, were your settings very different from Seb's? And is it one of the keys to your victory today?
MW: I think, in general, qualifying has gone very well for me this year. Seb got me once in Bahrain, the rest have gone for well for me. Set- up- wise, we've always been pretty close, we always work very well as a team, to get the most out of both cars. He made some changes before qualifying, which - it looks in hindsight he wasn't particularly happy with. That's how it is sometimes for us drivers. Obviously we get it wrong and we get it right. Round here, if you haven't got the confidence, then you're not quick, which happened with Seb. He didn't have the confidence in qualifying and he couldn't produce the times, so that can happen at any venue. If you want to look at the battle between us then it was key that obviously qualifying went well for me but then I had my own battle with these guys, so if I just relaxed and tried to bed in by one tenth, I would have qualified eighth, so I need to keep my finger out and keep going.
Q: (Dan Knutson - Honorary) Mark, you and Seb are tied three points behind Fernando. You've said before that wins are what you really need for a championship; you got 25 points today. How much does that boost your championship bid?
MW: It's timely off the back of a difficult weekend for us in Barcelona, through a few small things that we got wrong, and ultimately we paid for that with no points in Barcelona. Up until then, generally, we've got the maximum out of most weekends, and that was the case this weekend. So that's all we can keep doing, Dan, is getting the most out of each weekend. In Shanghai, Nico was untouchable, Barcelona the Williams was quick. So we need to be scoring all the time and then when days like this come along you just cannot let them go at all. You have to grab them with both hands and feet and hang on to them like hell. That was the plan today but consistency is nice, but wins are what wins championships - well, DNFs can shag championships as well, but you need to win and then keep consistent.
Q: (Jaime Rodriguez - El Mundo) Fernando, you seemed extremely happy on the podium. What does it mean for you to be leading the championship, and what is the secret of this change in the team?
FA: I was happy all weekend. Yesterday there was some disappointment in the atmosphere around the result in qualifying, because we had been strong in free practice and then maybe people expected us to be fighting for better positions in qualifying, but inside the team we were extremely happy. We were fifth and seventh for the first time in 2012, both in Q3 after fighting to get through in some of the races one month ago, so this was definitely a very strong weekend with a good qualifying position and I think a good race position as well. In fact we overtook some other teams in the Constructors' championship today with some good points, finally, so I was happy for that, happy for the direction or happy for the momentum that we seemed to have kept from the Mugello test so that we brought some updates for the car. Everything seems to work, not as at the start of the championship when some of the updates were negative and we were a little bit lost, so now we are happy not for the result, not for the pace which we understand that we need to improve - we are not the fastest out there - but happy for the direction that it seems we are in. Everything that we put on the car seems positive, so the next couple of weeks will be important.
Q: (Vincent Marre - Sports Zeitung) Mark, at what stage did you think you had the race won?
MW: Lap 78, out of turn 19. That's Monaco. I watched the 1983 or '82 Monaco Grand Prix. Prost was leading with two laps to go and he crashed. So you never get ahead of yourself around here, because you'll get bitten in the arse really hard. So after the last corner was when I thought I was going to win.
Q: (Michael Schmidt - Auto, Motor und Sport) Fernando, the lap before your pit stop, you had two purple sectors. Was the set of tyres good enough to do again the next but one lap and could you have possibly jumped Nico or even Mark?
FA: Yeah, definitely I think so, but as I explained before, nobody predicted the problems with the soft tyre warm- up today. The temperature, the track conditions, whatever it was, the soft was not very quick at the beginning, so when the people around us stopped, you need to make a decision. At the same time, nobody predicted that on lap 30, the supersoft would do pink sectors every lap. Knowing now what Sebastian tried to do and how our in lap was and the tyre state on that lap, with a few more laps, for sure we could jump Nico and Mark.
Q: (Livio Oricchio - O Estado de Sao Paulo) Mark, last year, at the same Grand Prix, you had a completely different situation than you have today, mainly compared to your teammate. He had won several races, you nothing, even inside the team it was different. Can you tell us what is the big difference between last year and this year?
MW: Yeah, last year was a little bit of a mystery to be honest. The gap sometimes was really really extreme and it was hard for me to understand why it was like that sometimes. I think there was also a factor of me getting on top of the tyres but it wasn't all of it. I didn't feel that I had lost that much form but as the season went on, obviously things got a bit closer and a little bit better. But you're correct in your question, the first five months was very tough and I was in a different category to the other car, whereas this year it's much much more like 2009 or 2010, which is nice.
Q: (Leonid Novozhilov - F1 Life) Mark, Red Bull Racing won today and the last two Grands Prix in Monaco. How do you do it?
MW: Well, we've been on pole position for the last three years here as well, which is a big help. 2010 was a similar race - actually the last three have been similar. I think they've all been one stop races, obviously different safety cars. Sebastian had a red flag to help him a little bit to get him over the line last year, but generally I think that we've had a very very good car every time we've come here. I think this year is probably the weakest car we've had here in the three years that we've come here, but it was still enough to win, so the other years were a little bit more straightforward, this one was much much more difficult. I don't know, maybe the guys are drinking a lot of Red Bull and it gets them in the zone for the special weekend, but they're very fortunate we've won three in row here and it's a brilliant effort from the team.


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