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Panasonic Lumix ZS30 Compact Long Zoom Digital Camera (Silver)
Product Code: PNDMCZS30S
Availability:Out of stock
Panasonic Lumix ZS30 Compact Long Zoom Digital Camera (Silver)
Product Code: PNDMCZS30S
Availability:Out of stock
High sensitivity MOS sensor of size 1/2.3 producing an effective 18.1 megapixel
Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens containing 12 elements arranged in 10 groups
Focal length range of 4.3mm-86mm (equivalent to 24-480mm on 35mm format)
Hybrid OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) system
Full HD videos
Wi-Fi with NFC ( Near Field Communication) system
- 3 LCD touch screen monitor with 920,000 dots resolution
Lumix ZS30 Compact Long Zoom Digital Camera
Lumix ZS30 compact long zoom digital camera definitely has as its USP, the superzoom capabilities of its built-in lens, which offers a phenomenal 20x optical zoom. It shoots full HD video recording in variable frame rates, has a fast continuous shooting speed of 10 fps (maximum of 6 images can be clicked with AF tracking on) and a DSLR styled PASM mode which also has Intelligent Auto, C1, C2, Panorama Shot, SCN and Creative Control. It has a ISO sensitivity of 100-1600 (expanded up to 6400) and a 3 touchscreen LCD monitor that offers a 920,000 dots display.
Discover shooting flexibility that gives you the freedom to travel with your camera and share your pictures with family and friends back home. The WiFi-enabled LUMIX ZS30 long zoom compact travel camera delivers phenomenal image quality with an incredible 20x Optical Zoom getting you up close and personal. The 24mm Ultra Wide Angle LEICA DC lens delivers superior detail when you are capturing those special moments.
The ability to control, save and share your images is at your fingertips with the new Wi-Fi capability of the ZS30. Take advantage of complete remote control of your camera ensuring you capture that perfect shot every time. Share and save your pictures and movies easier than ever with a simple tap of the camera or click of a button.
The LUMIX ZS30 will inspire and support your creativity on all of your photographic journeys delivering stunning results in every environment. If you find yourself in low light conditions, the new 18.1-megapixel high sensitivity MOS Sensor will capture clear, sharp images. Get as creative as you want with the high-powered zoom. The improved POWER O.I.S and 5 Axis correction capabilities help prevent tilt and movement from handshake even at the highest-powered zoom without a tripod. Let high quality movies tell the story of your life. The ZS30 performs beautifully with 1920x1080 60p Full HD AVCHD video recording and a stereo microphone allowing you to shoot the highest quality movies with ease.
Control It And Share Instantly From Your Smartphone
WiFi with NFC
The advanced WiFi functions of the LUMIX ZS30 give you the ability to control, save and share your images easily.
One Touch Connection
Get connected with NFC (Near Field Communication) and you can easily change your smartphone or tablet into a remote control for your LUMIX camera by simply touching the camera and the smartphone or tablet together.
Remote Shooting
You'll have the ultimate wireless control with the Panasonic Image App. You can use your smartphone or tablet to control the camera's zoom, set the focus, and shoot from a distance.
Video Recording
Getting yourself in the photo has never been easier with remote shooting and now you can even get into the video action too. The ZS30 will start and stop video recording from your smartphone or tablet allowing you to reach new heights in your creativity.
Remote View
Once you've captured your photos and videos remotely, don't worry about running back to the camera to see if you got the shot. You can view images and play back videos right from your smartphone to ensure you got it. You're free to continue shooting right at the spot without moving back to the camera to reset it like you would have to do with the self-timer function.
Touch and Share
Sharing images has never been easier. Simply touch your camera to your friend's smartphone or tablet and an image will be transferred.*
* In 1-thumbnail playback mode.
Panasonic Image App Easy Share
The power of sharing and convenience is in your hands with the free Panasonic Image App for iOS/Android smartphones/tablets. You can instantly upload and share your images on a SNS (Social Networking Service) with the app.
Instant Transfer
Set up your camera to instantly transfer the photos you shoot to your device. Just start shooting and the camera will do the rest for you.
Auto Transfer
Nothing could be easier than automatically transferring the images on your camera to your computer or other device while charging the camera's battery using the wireless access point at home. Simply set the camera to Auto Transfer and you'll be multi-tasking in no time.
Wireless TV playback
Sharing your pictures on your large screen TV has never been easier with the WiFi Direct function. You can display images on a TV that supports the Digital Media Renderer (DMR) function of the DLNA standard (Digital Living Network Alliance) like the Panasonic VIERA HDTV.
Stunning Sharp Full HD Video From An Optically Stabilized 20X Zoom
Powerful 20x Optical Zoom Lens in a Slim Body
The ultimate travel camera has to be small, but we've taken it even further with creating the world's slimmest camera in its class*1. The DMC-ZS30's state-of-the-art optical design keeps it thin while a powerful 20x optical zoom lens*2 brings your subjects up close capturing natural expressions of people and animals along with amazing sports photos.
*1 As a digital camera with the optical zoom lens of 20x or more, as of January 7, 2013.
*2 35mm camera equivalent: 24-480mm.
24mm Ultra Wide-Angle Lens
If you want to make breathtaking landscapes, environmental portraits, cityscapes, or shoot in a tight space, the 24mm ultra wide-angle lens* on the ZS30 is what you've been looking for. It's rare to find a compact camera with such a wide-angle, making this camera stand out among the rest. The lens delivers incredible image quality while giving you a wider range of composition possibilities with approximately 213% larger viewing space compared to that of a 35mm camera. The high-quality LEICA DC lens minimizes distortion at the wide end and delivers spectacular depth and detail.
* Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the wide-end.
40x Intelligent Zoom
If the 20x optical zoom is not long enough for your photographic journey, the Intelligent Zoom uses digital zoom technology with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. The 20x optical zoom virtually extends to a 40x zoom equivalent.
Hybrid O.I.S. + (Hybrid \Optical Image Stabilizer Plus)
Whether you are shooting still pictures or video, the DMC-ZS30's O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) captures clear, sharp images even in low light scenes or when using the camera's powerful zoom. The O.I.S. suppresses vibration and hand-shake that happens when you press the shutter button or when shooting at night with a slow shutter speed. When shooting powerful zoom shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake, the O.I.S. will keep the shots still.
Zoom Shots / Macro Shots
In Dimly Lit Rooms
Night Portraits
Night Scenes
Motion Picture Button
Video recording can be easily started with the press of the Motion Picture Button making it convenient for switching between photo and video shooting instantly.
MP4 Format Recording
If you want to edit your videos on a computer or upload them to a website, the DMC-ZS30 can record full HD 1,920 x 1,080 30p (NTSC) videos in MP4 format.
20x Optical Zoom during Video Recording
The powerful 20x optical zoom with 2-step zoom function is available in video recording to capture subjects in the distance and bring you closer to the action.
Create Your Memories With Built-In Creative Effects
Creative Control/Creative Retouch
Panasonic is ready to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary by fueling your creativity with the Creative Control feature (in the recording mode) and the Creative Retouch feature (in the playback mode). These features take simple or complicated scenes and make them easy to capture in a great photo. Simply set the camera to match your scene and it uses sophisticated presets to optimize the camera settings resulting in photos you'll be proud of.
Creative Panorama
Panasonic has developed the industry's first Creative Panorama functions. Discover 12 filter effects that will take your panorama images to the next level with creative and dramatic results.
Creative Control for Video
The Creative Control feature for video matches the colors to your subject and surroundings. In Miniature Effect Mode, the video you record is played back 10x faster making it more comical and fun to watch*.
* Sound will not be recorded with Miniature Effect in Creative Control Mode and approximately 1/10 of the time period is recorded.
(If you record for 10 minutes, the resulting motion picture recording will be approximately 1 minute long.)
State-Of-The-Art Features And Technologies
18.1-Megapixel MOS Sensor
The new 18.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor utilizes both high quality image recording and high speed signal processing. The Wavelet NR (Noise Reduction) system*1 in the Venus Engine enables deliberate noise reduction without missing low-frequency noise by enlarging its detection area by approximately 64x*². Edge Smoothing NR technology also helps to render smooth edges even in image recording at higher ISO settings.
*1 Works in high sensitivity image recording at ISO 800 or higher.
*2 Panasonic comparison with DMC-ZS20.
10 fps with 18.1-Megapixel Full Resolution
With the newly developed MOS sensor, the DMC-ZS30 will shoot 10 fps* in 18.1-megapixel full resolution with a mechanical shutter, and 5 fps with continuous AF. You can even take a series of shots, choose the ones you like the best, and delete the rest.
* Max. 6 images.
60 fps in 3.5-Megapixel Resolution
When you need even more frames per second with higher-speed burst shooting, you can use the electronic shutter and achieve 60 fps.
Intelligent Burst Mode
When photographing a fast moving subject, but you're not sure how to set the camera, Intelligent Burst Shooting in the iA Mode will automatically set the frame rate of burst shooting according to the subject's movement making it easy for you to achieve gorgeous photos.
*1 The number of recordable images depends on the memory card size and battery life.
*2 The focus, exposure and white balance are fixed with the first picture for the burst.
*3 The range that can be recorded will become smaller.
Quick Start-Up Time
The DMC-ZS30 is ready to shoot when you are. With its quick start-up time and Light Speed AF the DMC-ZS30 helps you to never miss a moment.
Light Speed AF
Light Speed AF helps catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities. You can quickly focus on moving subjects such as sports, animals or kids.
LEICA DC Lens
The 24mm ultra wide-angle 20x optical zoom LEICA DC lens is outstanding for its exceptional performance, image quality and versatility. This ultra-thin lens works in concert with the camera's slim body. Passing Leica's renowned stringent standards, this lens delivers stunning clarity with minimum distortion and flare.
Nano Surface Coating
Panasonic's black box technology Nano Surface Coating boasts an extremely low reflectance ratio and allows the DMC-ZS30 to deliver exceptional optical performance with stunning clarity by minimizing flaring and ghosts.
1920 x 1080 60p Full HD Video Recording
Reach new heights in speed and creative possibilities with your videos. Capture all the action while recording full HD 1,920 x 1,080 videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format. Featuring 60p (NTSC) full HD recording capability, subjects with fast motion or fine details will be reproduced clearly.
* These are standard times taken at a temperature of 23°C (73.4°F) and a humidity of 50%RH. The time available for recording varies depending on the environment, the interval between recordings, and the manner of use. Actual recordable time is the time available for recording when repeating actions such as switching the power supply [ON]/[OFF], starting/stopping recording, zoom operation, etc.
Twice the Information of Interlace Recording
1080/60p / 1080/50p (progressive) conveys about twice the information of 1080i (interlace) recording. It creates intricate detail and silky smooth motion. Even when subjects move quickly, afterimages are minimized to create more natural videos.
Progressive Scanning
Reproduces all image data in a single picture.
Hybrid O.I.S
The POWER O.I.S. has been upgraded and includes HYBRID O.I.S. + for video recording with new 5-axis correction that detects and compensates for the camera's 5 types of movement horizontal, vertical, axis of rotation, vertical rotation and horizontal rotation.
Shooting While Walking
The 5-Axis Correction let's you move along with your subjects and still achieve clear, sharp images. The camera will automatically compensate for any movement that would have resulted in a blurry photo from walking and shooting at the same time.
Entire Zoom Range
The vertical and horizontal hand-shake that often happens when you shoot handheld in low light scenes is corrected resulting in sharper images.
When Zooming
Even what is known as low-frequency blurring, such as hand-shake caused by breathing or from slight movements of your arm, are corrected to give you a clear image with superior details and sharpness.
Level Shot Function
A new and exciting feature is the Level Shot Function that detects the horizontal line of what you are recording and keeps that line level even when the camera is tilted. The camera delivers stable videos even when recording from the hip or shooting from a higher angle where you can't line up the horizon yourself.
On the left is the unstable one-handed video recording. In the center, the camera detects the horizontal line and makes the correction for you. On the right you'll see the perfectly horizontal video you just shot.
Stereo Microphone
Panasonic has incorporated a stereo zoom microphone resulting in videos with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital. This delivers realistic sound to your videos. Mechanical noise caused by the camera's zooming operation is suppressed to improve the clearness, and the Auto Wind Cut function blocks out most noise from background wind making the voices you are recording stand out.
Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
High Speed Video in MP4 Format
The DMC-ZS30 records high-speed videos at 120 fps (NTSC / HD) / 100 fps (HD) or 240 fps (NTSC / VGA) / 200 fps (VGA) in MP4 format. This allows you to capture scenes that can't be seen with the naked eye, and play them back in dramatically slow motion.
Still Image Recording While Shooting Video
Never miss a moment in your photos, videos or both. While shooting an HD video, simply press the shutter button and the camera will shoot a photo with 13.5-megapixel resolution as it continues to record your video*.
* The picture aspect ratio will be fixed to 16:9
GPS and GLONASS
The GPS (Global Positioning System) in the DMC-ZS30 complies with GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), taking advantage of it's increased number of satellites, giving you better accuracy.
World Map Information
You can copy the map data of designated cities to an SDXC/SDHC/SD Memory Card from the included map DVD. This allows the camera to recognize approximately 90 countries worldwide on a scale of 1/25,000 or better.
You can even retrieve geographic information in places you are unfamiliar with to know where you are and what landmarks are located nearby for photo possibilities.
Playback on Map Information
Your geo-tagged images can be played back on the map, and with the multi-touch screen, the map is scalable by pinching in and out.
GPS Log Recording
A new and exciting feature allows you to log locations for memorizing travel distances that can be displayed on the camera's map. You can also output to Google Earth.
Place Name and Landmark Information
The LUMIX's GPS shows the name of the Country/Region, State/Prov/County, County/Township, City/Town/Village and Landmark using the internal data to give you real-time information on your location when taking photos.
The photos and videos with the location names are automatically sorted in a virtual folder alphabetically in the camera allowing you to quickly find them.
© 2012 NAVTEQ All rights reserved.
On your next photographic journey, use the built-in compass. It's convenient for following maps when travelling or trekking.
"MAPPLE" is a trademark of Shobunsha Publications, Inc.
*GPS may not work in China or in the border regions of countries neighboring China.
*Depending on the locations, it may not be possible to correctly receive the signals from the GPS satellites. In such cases, positioning may not be possible, or significant positioning discrepancy may occur.
Information measured on this unit is only a rough indication. Do not use it for technical purposes.
When using this unit for full-scale mountain climbing, trekking, or underwater, use the measured information (bearing, altitude, depth, atmospheric pressure) only as a rough indication, and always carry a map and purpose-built measurement tools.
Easy Manual Control / Custom Mode
For those looking to take on more creative control, the DMC-ZS30 has easy-to-use manual controls. You can set the aperture to control the depth of field, and adjust the shutter speed to freeze moving subjects or create a motion blur that exaggerates the feeling of movement. There are also 4 custom setting patterns you can program into the camera (1 on C1 and 3 on C2).
Aperture-Priority Mode
Shutter-Priority Mode
1/160 sec
1/8 sec
iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode
In the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode, the camera does all the work, leaving you free to compose your shot and capture the moment. Simply aim, press, and shoot. The detection and correction functions go to work to give you beautiful photos and videos*.
* The applicable iA Mode functions vary with photos and videos.
Intelligent HDR
You will be delighted by the creative possibilities that Intelligent HDR (High Dynamic Range) delivers. Shoot several still pictures consecutively at different exposure levels that are then overlaid to produce a single composite picture without whiteout (over-exposure) or blackout (under-exposure). The results are stunning.
* The applicable iA Mode functions vary with photos and videos.
Intelligent Night Shot
Bright, glamorous night scenery can be recorded without using a tripod when you use the Intelligent Handheld Night Shot. It generates a beautiful night scene with illumination by layering multiple pictures shot consecutively for one outstanding night photo.
920K-Dot Multi-Touch Screen
The camera's big, bright 3.0-inch multi-touch screen makes it easy to frame, shoot and adjust your images. The large 920,000-dot screen shows you clear details of what you're shooting. Easily control the camera with multi-touch gestures such as tap-click to select or pinching to zoom in/out, and enable Touch AF, Touch Zoom or Touch Shutter during recording and various playback functions.
Level Gauge
The Level Gauge lets the camera detect the horizontal and vertical angle of view which is convenient when you want to level your composition.
USB battery Charging
The DMC-ZS30 complies with USB power charging as well as conventional AC power. The energy-saving Venus Engine and efficient, rechargeable lithium-ion battery with 1250 mAh large capacity delivers extended battery life of approximately 300 shots on a single battery charge*.
* Based on the CIPA standard.
3D Shooting Capability
Photos or videos recorded in AVCHD on the SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card slot on a VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc player to playback your photos and videos. You can also use an optional HDMI micro cable to output the photos and videos you took from the camera directly to the TV for VIERA Link. Control many of these features using the TV's remote control.
Combine your pictures taken with the 3D Photo Mode and the 3D VIERA TV and your photos come to life in a way you never thought imaginable.


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Sonic Boom, creator of the excellent Redneck Fishin', Kill All Bugs! and iZombie: Death March, have briefly toned down their addicting and violent games to focus on a unique twist to the puzzle genre. Perhaps, I should call it Mr. Puzzle Potato. Anyway, this new game is quite the mélange of genres that is sure to be an addictive twist for puzzle fans. Follow the jump for the press release.
Sonic Boom, Puzzlings, 2.99$, 17.1 MB

subset: commoncrawl


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Move over Andre Agassi! My tennis hero is ... Manny Hershkowitz – the oldest ball boy in a major tennis tournament. In September, 1999, Manny worked the court at the U.S. Open -- at age 82!
Okay, true. In my research, I generally found that while Jewish parents may be machers in Little League a future career choice, these games aren't. Listen to Melanie Strug, mother of Olympic hero and gold medalist Kerry Strug: "To me school was most important. I thought you can't make a career out of athletics." (Kerry has a Masters Degree from Stanford.)
My tennis hero is Manny Hershkowitz – the oldest ball boy in tennis at age 82!
Ah, but when we did choose sports, we tended to make a splash (in Olympic water, home runs, touchdowns, knock outs .... whatever). Think Sandy Koufax, Hank Greenberg, Mark Spitz, Howard Cosell, and of course, Kerri Strug. Ah, but have you heard of these lesser known athletes!
From This, We Can Make a Living? Lipman "Lip" Pike
The very fist pro baseball player, was an MOT! Lipman "Lip" Pike accepted $20 a week to play third base for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1866. Not only was Pike the first paid player, but for his $20, he became baseball's first home run champion! When at his "peak," Pike made management pay, Gentile colleagues followed suit. Within three years, Cincinnati became the first all pro baseball team. Meanwhile, "Lip," a southpaw, shlepped from position to position, and managed many teams during his 20-year career, including the original New York Mets.
The Clown Prince of Baseball! Al Schacht
The title goes to Al Schacht, born in 1892. By 1914, as a pitcher for the Newark Bears, he spent so much time joking rather than throwing, that he was tossed out of games — then teams. So, he quit with the stick and stuck to the shtick. (He brought down the house at the 1922 World Series with a take-off on Valentino.) Shacht, the Clown Prince of Baseball, performed in virtually every ball park until 1968.
Are We the Best in World? Yes! Barney Dreyfuss,
In 1903, a lover of competition, Barney Dreyfuss, Jewish owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1900-1932) challenged the AL champions, the Boston Pilgrims (later the Red Sox), to a post-season tournament. Ok, true, Pittsburgh lost in a 5-3 upset, but on October 1, this Jewish creation called "The World Series" was born! Never one to give up, Dreyfuss led his team to victory in 1902 and 1925 during his 32-year reign as Prez and GM. To showcase his team, Dreyfuss also built the first steel-frame triple-tier stadium, Forbes Field, in 1909.
Major League Baseball's first unanimous selection as Most Valuable Player (1953) was a Jew, Al "Flip" Rosen, third baseman for the Cleveland Indians.
The Greatest Hoop Skirt? Senda Berenson
Her name? Senda Berenson. Her game? Basketball! Not to be outdone, only month after basketball had been invented by James Naismith in 1891, Senda, a 23-year-old, Lithuanian-born, Jewish PE instructor, got the gals involved. She organized the first women's collegiate basketball game at Smith College, edited A. G. Spalding's first Women's Basketball Guide, and, in 1899, adapted and published new women's rules. The legendary Berenson, who, long before "women's lib" got women "their day in 'court,'" was one of the first two women (with Margaret Wade) elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
In 1918, Eddie Gottlieb started the first All-Jewish basketball team: The South Philadelphia Hebrew Association (American Basketball League). "SPHAS" was written in Hebrew on their uniforms. But alas, the team bit the dust in 1949.
The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters were founded in Chicago by London-born Jew, Abe Saperstein, in 1927.
A Reverent Game?
We Jews don't eat ... or usually throw pro pigskin. Alan Veingrad is a notable exception as not only a player, but a Jewish player! One became even more committed to Judaism with the years. During his NFL days (Green Bay Packers from 1986 to 1990, the Dallas Cowboys from1991 to 1992 where he won a Super Bowl ring), Veingrad, was a "lite" Jew. But, after a fateful meeting with a rabbi at his cousin's Torah class, he studied and became observant. He's said that his years with the NFL provided a great forum to encourage others, especially children, to learn their Torah and Judaism.
Ice Breakers! Louis Rubenstein &Alain Calmat
Where would a Scott Hamilton be if it weren't for Canadian Jew Louis Rubenstein who introduced figure skating to North America in the late 1870s? Among his titles, he won the world championship in Russia (1890). Since, there have been many pro Jewish skaters, such as France's Alain Calmat, who was awarded the Legion d'Honneur by Charles de Gaulle in 1965!
She Left Her Stamp!
By day, Russian-born Canadian Fanny "Bobbie" Rosenfeld worked in an Ontario chocolate factory. By night (and weekends), she was the world's finest female athlete, breaking track records or leading an ice hockey or basketball team to victory. At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, Rosenfeld scored more points than any other athlete, leading the team to gold and silver. Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1950, Rosenfeld was voted Canada's Female Athlete of the Half-Century. But more -- during rain, sleet or snow, she speeds up the mail, as a Canadian postage stamp bears her likeness.
Bar None: Agnes Keleti
While there have been a number of Jewish gymnasts (like Kerri Strug), perhaps the greatest was Hungarian-born Agnes Keleti. Despite an early lung problem, she won 11 Olympic medals, including five Gold during the 1940s and 1950s. Her father, murdered at Auschwitz, never got to see his daughter's victories, but her mother and sister survived thanks to Raoul Wallenberg. In 1957, Keleti emigrated to Israel, and, like her husband, became a P.E. teacher, and coach. She's been inducted into both the Hungarian and Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
A cantor-weigh-lifter? You bet!
Even His Voice Was Uplifting! Isaac "Ike" Berger
A cantor-weigh-lifter? You bet! The first featherweight to lift over 800 pounds and press double his body weight was a cantor, and rabbi's son! Jerusalem-born (1936) Isaac "Ike" Berger, came to America in 1955, and took Olympic Gold in 1956, the silver in 1960 and 1964. In 1964, he set a nine-year record of 336 pounds in the jerk at a body weight of 130 making him the strongest man in the world!
Heroic Mother and Daughter! Eva Szekely and Andrea Gyarmati
Sixteen years before Mark Spitz, who not only put Jews out front in the Olympics, but challenged the Jewish male stereotype, a heroic Jewish female made a huge splash – at great personal sacrifice. Hungarian swimmer Eva Szekely arriving at the Melbourne Games in 1956, the start of the Hungarian revolt against Communism, said: "We had no word of our two-year old daughter. I didn't get any real sleep and lost over 12 pounds." The gold and silver medalist passed on the swim-gene. Twelve years later, her daughter, Andrea Gyarmati, became an Olympic swimmer at age 14 (at the 1968 Mexico City games), and took the silver and bronze in the 1972 Munich games.
Proud to Be a Jewish Mama: Irena Kirszenstein-Szewinska
With seven Olympic medals, three of them gold, Irena Kirszenstein-Szewinska, born in 1945 in Russia, then moved to Poland, was the first woman to hold world records in the 100, 200 and 400-meter at the same time. At 19, she was Poland's Athlete of the Year. Ten years later, at almost 30, she was the first woman to break 50 seconds in the 400-meter and was named Woman Athlete of the Year by "Track and Field News." But ... despite her gold, her most treasured moment was the birth of her son, saying, "No medals gave me as much pleasure!"
In 1984, Doug Beal and Israel's Arie Selinger coached the U.S. Olympic men's and women's volleyball teams – and "netted" gold and silver medals. They were the first medals ever won by American teams in Olympic competition.
1,000 And Still Counting --Larry Brown
It was a fairy tale for the coach of the underdog Detroit Pistons --Larry Brown – when his team won the championship in 2004. Brown, whose father died young, leaving his widow to support her sons, went on to be an All-American basketball player, an Olympic Gold medal winner, the coach of the 1988 University of Kansas NCAA championship team, and coach of the U.S. team in the Maccabiah games. He was also head coach for the US men's basketball team, when, at the 2004 Summer Olympics, they took home the bronze. On January 13, 2006, The New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks to give Brown his 1,000th NBA win! He went on to be head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats. Larry's older brother, Herb Brown also made his career in basketball – proving that We Jews needn't "jump through hoops."


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|High Tide Dry Suits, Inc. is a Pacific Northwest scuba diving drysuit manufacturing company. Based in Olalla, Washington,
High Tide makes custom scuba diving dry suits for cold water diving. High Tide is the warmest and the best quality scuba
diving drysuit, dry suit out there. This drysuit is the best for cold-water scuba diving; including but not limited to Alaska,
Alaskan scuba diving, The Great Lakes diving, the Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Bremerton, Poulsbo,
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boots, scuba hoods, 5.0mm Sea-Scale gloves, Pro Boots, Ranger Boots, 3.5mm Sea-Scale gloves, Kevlar, Armortex, zippered
dry hoods, hoods. We have four High Tide Dry Suit Systems. Some divers earn their living from working beneath the sea.
Mike Kesl (shown here in his High Tide suit) is one of those. For over forty years Mike has done salvage work, dam inspection,
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For these people High Tide designed the PRO dry suit. Made from 5.0 mm compressed neoprene made to withstand repeated
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that will prevent your feet from being bruised. We even include extra wide suspenders so you can cool down between dives.
Every suit is custom made for the owner – included in the price. This assures a quality fit in critical areas such as leg and torso
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Each system comes with a custom made 100 gram fleece jumpsuit which not only adds warmth but wicks away sweat and
condensation to keep you warm. There is no warmer suit on the market. A layering vest is also included for deep dives or long
immersion times.
Transporting your system is easy since it comes packed in an awesome wet/dry cargo bag with dry pockets inside for paperwork.
You even get a special wide hanger for storing your suit between dives.
Everything about this suit is top quality and made to last. Definitely not an "off the shelf experience". Scuba Supplies, Washington
Divers, TLSea Diving, Capital Divers Underwater Sports, Seattle, Tacoma Scuba, Olympia, The Scuba Connection, Seattle Scuba
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Travel, Scuba Outfitters, Horizon Water Sports, Adventure Sports, Dive Magic, Underwater Works, Mar-vel International, Inc.,
wholesale scuba, custom-made scuba drysuits. Each High Tide PRO system includes the following:
Then High Tide has the SE scuba diving drysuit, or rather, the Special Edition. This suit is our most popular dry suit. We also have the Ti
drysuit system which was originally designed with women in mind as the armor on the outside of the suit is not as tough, constraining and
heavy. The Ti dry suit system name comes from the fact that there are two layers of titanium foil underneath the nylon of the suit. The
Sport drysuit is our most economical.
|Welcome to High Tide Dry Suits
"We don't water down our dry suits"
|Phone: 253.857.0755 High Tide Dry Suits, Inc. 11233 Bowe Lane SE, Port Orchard, Wa. 98367 Fax: (253) 857-0755


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Executive Branch Ethics Act
Responsibilities of Designated Ethics Supervisors for Boards and Commissions
Boards and commissions subject to the Ethics Act have designated ethics supervisors. The chair serves as the designated ethics supervisor for board or commission members and the executive director. The executive director is the designated ethics supervisor for staff. The designated ethics supervisor for a chair is the governor, who has delegated this responsibility to Guy Bell, Administrative Director of the Office of the Governor.
Designated ethics supervisors should refer to the 2019 Designated Ethics Supervisors Handbook (503KB PDF), available from the state ethics attorney, regarding their responsibilities under the Ethics Act. Briefly, as designated ethics supervisor, you must --
- Ensure that members and employees are provided copies of the guides, Ethics Information for Members of Boards and Commissions and Ethics Act Procedures for Boards and Commissions -- and keep a supply of disclosure forms.
- These guides, other educational materials, disclosure forms, statutes and regulations are available for review and copying on the Department of Law ethics web site. If access to this page is not available, please contact the Attorney General's office at 269-5275.
- Review all disclosures, investigate potential ethics violations, make determinations regarding conduct, and take action.
- Keep member or employee disclosure statements (of potential violations, receipt of gifts, and interests in grants/contracts/leases/loans) on file in your office. Disclosure of a gift received from another government must be forwarded to the Office of the Governor.
- Submit an ethics report to the Department of Law in April, July, October and January for the preceding quarter. You will receive a reminder. There is a sample report on the ethics web page.
- Mail, email or fax to Jennifer L. Williams, Paralegal, Department of Law, Opinions, Appeals & Ethics Section, 1031 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK, 99501, email@example.com, fax no. 907-258-4978.
You may request ethics advice from your agency's Assistant Attorney General or from the State Ethics Attorney, Maria Bahr, at 269-5285 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Please direct questions about reporting procedures to Jennifer L. Williams at 269-5275 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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A collection of scholarly works about individual liberty and free markets. A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.
The History of Rome by Titus Livius. Translated from the Original with Notes and Illustrations by George Baker, A.M.. First American, from the Last London Edition, in Six Volumes (New York: Peter A. Mesier et al., 1823). https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/170,
Livy's History of Rome begins with its founding and continues up to the reign of Augustus.
The text is in the public domain.
This material is put online to further the educational goals of Liberty Fund, Inc. Unless otherwise stated in the Copyright Information section above, this material may be used freely for educational and academic purposes. It may not be used in any way for profit.


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eBay Store
Boost your sales by showcasing your eBay products within your Wix site. eBay eCommerce allows you to setup an eBay store on your Wix website, then let customers browse your product range without distractions from competing eBay sellers.
Easily integrate your store by entering your eBay username only - no uploading
Get an automatically branded store to match your Wix site and customize as you wish
Enjoy full mobile optimization so customers can bid and purchase on the go
Include a live countdown for auction products so customers can see when it will end
Shipping cost calculator included for all products
- Wix store mirrors your eBay store - so all changes are auto-updated on your site


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UPDATE: As per Steve said in the comments below, there is an examination for Professional Engineers in US for computer engineers.
'No Board Exam' ReasonThe usual reason why Computer Engineers don't have board exam was because the said course is technology dependent.
As we all know, technology changes so fast right now that creating an exam based on its theories and laws (if there's such thing) would normally change as time passes by. This means that the facts and ideas 6 months ago maybe considered obsolete for the next examination. In order to resolve this, CoE (now declared as CpE) usually takes exam for certifications such as CCNA and Microsoft related certificates. But it doesn't mean nor guarantee that we can be called as Engineers.
Though, I am not yet sure, a trusted source informed me that we are allowed to take ECE's board exam in order for us to gain the license but I haven't confirmed it yet.
'Engr' TitleI can remember that my professors who took up and graduated as Computer Engineer uses the title Engr./Engineer on their names. Based on wikipedia, the said title are only allowed or permitted when you are registered or licensed. Following this idea, having a doctor who uses his title even if he is not registered is strictly not allowed by the law.
Now the question again is, "Are we Engineers?".
Nationally Recognized SocietyLet's narrow down this issue on the Philippines right now. Based from what I know (as of this writing), there is no registered and nationally recognized society or association for CoE. Usually we are tagged up to ECE's association known as IECEP (Institute of Electronics and Communications Engineers of the Philippines).
ECE vs EE vs CoE, which is which?Being tied up to ECE, it is always an issue whether the CoE are actually under the ECE.
Based on the book, early before computers and mobile devices where born, there is no such thing as ECE nor CoE. The closest profession under engineering related to the two profession is EE (Electrical Engineering).
Reading the history further, ECE and CoE are sub-branches of EE and so, that makes it ECE and CoE only on the same level. That means that CoE is not under ECE nor vice versa.
Based on the description above, we can state that though connected to each other, the said profession are different based on their field of expertise.
Now, are we entitled to be called engineers? What can you say?


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Late last eve marked the launch of Vetted by graphic designer Antonio Carusone of AisleOne fame (he also designed the 39 Longboard previously featured on Needs/Wants). The shop features a great selection of hard to find designer magazines, creative tools, and more. All products are 'hand-picked for their superb level of design, function, style, craft and content' and we like it like that. Check 'em out.
You can use discount code
SHOPIFY70URPTIW for 15% off!


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Dialog Box
Getting involved in an event is great way to support and help fund brain cancer research in Australia. Cure Brain Cancer events are not only about raising funds for research but raising awareness of brain cancer and giving hope to patients and their families. See a full listing of our upcoming events and those in which we participate below. Together we can succeed.
for all the latest research, events and fundraising news


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When the Giants lose 8-0 to the rival Dodgers, it's never good. Even in spring training. When Matt Cain doesn't look sharp and Cody Ross suffers a strained right calf muscle, well, that's just a downright bad day.
Ross, the MVP of the National League Championship Series, has been mashing the ball thus far in Cactus League play (.295/.367/.591, 3 HR, 7 RBI) but pulled up lame on Wednesday while chasing down an Alberto Callaspo fly ball in the first inning.
He left the game and his status is still MRI-dependent, but with just a week before the season opener, it's clearly not good news.
"You hate to see it at this time of the spring," manager Bruce Bochy said.
Cain, meanwhile, apparently felt a "little bit out of rhythm," and lasted just three innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs, including a three-run jack to Bobby Abreu in the first. He did strike out three (and walk one batter) in the short outing, however.
The combination of the bad day with the recent setback suffered by closer Brian Wilson in a Wednesday throwing session equates to a pretty ominous outing for the World Series champs and, at the moment, it's perfectly reasonable to feel a little freaked out at the close proximity to Opening Day.
That being said, though, there's always a little bit of a silver lining to these things. First, it's spring training, and there's no real need to get too concerned about Cain not throwing darts just yet.
Secondly, the MRI on Ross could come back fine. Or maybe it doesn't, but even that doesn't mean it's the end of the world. There's still options to replace Ross in right field: Nate Schierholtz, who stepped in on Wednesday; Andres Torres, whose move would lessen the need to dump Aaron Rowand; and Aubrey Huff, who's currently slotted for first base.
Huff is probably the most palatable option for fans, because it would mean uber-prospect Brandon Belt could step in at first base, rather than return to the minor leagues.
But from a long-term and/or business perspective, shifting Torres and Rowand probably makes the most sense. So maybe that lining's not so silver after all.


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U.S. economic data, including Friday's positive consumer sentiment reading, has been bringing a bit of early holiday cheer to the stock market, which has been rallying steadily since Thanksgiving. But how is the economy trending longer-term?
For a big-picture view of the economy, AdvisorOne spoke with Milken Institute senior economist Armen Bedroussian (left) about risks and opportunities in the U.S. economy and the job market particularly, where he offers some ideas that could create 6 million jobs when they are totaled up.
Could you suggest some policy changes that would boost employment in America?
We need to modernize export controls. The U.S. has a competitive advantage when it comes to high tech goods, but [in too many cases] the U.S. isn't allowed to export dual-use tech products. We need to rethink and prioritize the true national security risks out there. We can add 340,000 jobs if we capitalize on this.
The R&D tax credit is critical in attracting foreign investment. We propose to make it permanent and increase it by 25% [from its current 8%]. This would add 510,000 jobs and would have no impact on the budget deficit.
Our corporate tax system influences [corporate decisions about] where to locate their headquarters and production facilities. Our tax rate is now 35%–the second highest among OECD countries after Japan. Compare that to the OECD average of 22%. If we go down to the OECD average, that would create roughly 2 million jobs.
Another idea is an infrastructure investment bank–this was part of President Barack Obama's jobs act. The bank would provide loan guarantees to private investors to fund projects such as a smart grid, improving roads, bridges, ports, waterways and renewable energy projects. Our analysis shows that would create 3.4 million jobs.
Any other ideas?
We should expand the size of SBA loan program. And we should lift the cap on [employment based immigrant] visas, which is currently limited to 140,000. We need to provide foreign students with a pathway to residency status to keep that talent here, and without increasing the deficit. We also need to explore how we grow our own talent here at home and encourage our students to go into STEM fields [science, technology, engineering and mathematics]. In China, [South] Korea and Singapore, they've been increasing the numbers of students going into STEM fields.
Negativity about the economy has reigned over the past several years. Is that attitude still justified?
There's a lot of cause for optimism, contrary to many people's beliefs out there. Despite low consumer sentiment and the debt crisis in Europe, there is a resurgence in business investment in equipment and software, purchases of servers and routers, communications equipment. These purchases are being made very aggressively. Natural gas is seeing increased productivity. Exports have remained a big source for growth; they grew 18% compared to a year ago. Exports of high tech products, computers and peripherals should enjoy rapid growth in the next 5 years.
What is currently the biggest risk to the economy?
The principal source of risk is no longer housing. The ongoing sovereign debt crisis is the big elephant in the room. Not only Greece, Portugal and Ireland, but now Italy and Spain are exposed to that. The biggest risk would be a possible recession in the eurozone which would likely have an effect on U.S. exports to the region.
But we're no longer as dependent on the EU anymore. A 10% decline in exports would result in just a 0.2% hit to GDP growth and a 2% decline in our total exports.
What are you seeing on the jobs front?
We've added 115,000 jobs per month on average–not the amount needed to have a meaningful impact on the unemployment rate. In the last report, 315,000 workers dropped out of the labor force–that was the main cause of the unemployment rate going down to 8.6% in November from 9%.
What's holding back employment gains?
One of the key areas to accelerate job growth is small business. Corporate balance sheets are in pretty good shape. Large companies are doing well, but small and medium companies have difficulty accessing credit. Entrepreneurs have become uncharacterisicially risk averse. There has been a 68% decline in small business hiring in this recession vs. 26% in the previous recession.
Banks are being told to start lending, but regulators are looking over their shoulders telling them to build their capital reserves. Banks are constricted by inconsistent oversight.
Friday's consumer sentiment report was positive, but has been depressed for several years. What's happening with consumers?
Consumer markets have actually been bright spot in the economy. We've seen U.S. households cut down their debt-servicing burdens. And with record low interest rates, we've had pretty healthy consumer spending over the past few months.
One of the main factors contributing to the sentiment index is people's attitude toward Washington and their disdain for Congress. This feeds into these sentiment indices. So it's watch what we do, not what we say.
How's housing?
There's still shadow inventory out there. Existing sales have remained flat, but the good news is the rate at which new housing units are being built is half the rate of family formation. That will restore supply demand balance.


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Norwich sixth-graders sipped vodka on field trip to corn maze
Norwich - A recent sixth-grade trip to the Preston Farm corn maze went awry when three girls found a small 3-ounce bottle of vodka, sampled the alcohol and were transported to The William W. Backus Hospital as a precaution after another student told a teacher, school officials said.
The incident occurred Oct. 25, when about 70 sixth-graders accompanied by six teachers took a field trip to the popular corn maze on Route 2.
Kelly Middle School Principal William Peckrul said he received a call from one of the teachers on the field trip alleging that some students had been drinking. Peckrul's investigation revealed that three girls found the small "nip" bottle in the corn field and took sips.
Emergency response crews were called from Poquetanuck and Preston City volunteer fire departments and American Ambulance. Preston Resident State Trooper Timothy Paige, town Fire Chief Tom Casey, and Kelly Middle School Resource Officer Anthony Gomes also went to the scene.
The three students were transported by ambulance to Backus and were released. Peckrul said none of the students became ill from the incident. All three students were disciplined, but Peckrul declined to comment on specifics of the discipline.
He said he contacted all parents of students who went to the corn maze.
A second sixth-grade group had been scheduled to visit the Preston Farm corn maze the following week but went instead to a corn maze at Buttonwood Farms in Griswold, Peckrul said.
Superintendent Abby Dolliver said she received some calls from concerned parents and dispelled rumors that the incident was more serious or that the students had brought the liquor to the field trip.
Dolliver said she was satisfied with the actions of the principal, teachers and the school resource officer to the incident.
Jerry Grabarek, owner of Preston Farm, said he has been running a corn maze for the past 14 years, and this was the first incident involving a school field trip. He said he inspects the maze, but it would be impossible to traverse the entire elaborate design, designed to mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
He said the liquor bottle was not in a path, but had been thrown into the corn field. It was concealed by the green stalks until recently, when the stalks dried out and withered.
Grabarek attributed the incident to too many students and too few teachers or chaperones. He said students raced into the maze before he could give instructions about staying on the paths and following the design.
He said he doesn't mind student exuberance and said he never had a problem in the past.
"It was an unfortunate incident," Grabarek said. "Those girls were just not thinking. There were too many kids, not enough chaperones. That's the bottom line."
Stories that may interest you
In the Times: It's a new day in Norwich
It is a unique privilege to be premiering a new newspaper in the midst of a pandemic and a time of social change and political controversy.
Literary Types: John Manuel Andriote a well respected storyteller
Author of "Stonewell Strong," Andriote has been a source of inspiration and consolation for people with HIV.
Memories: Norwich in the 1800s
This photograph, taken in the late 1800s, is from the front steps of City Hall.
NFA News: New head of school and honors all around
As we continue to adapt to the environment we are in, the new school year at Norwich Free Academy has already provided a number of highlights.
In New London, Arrow Paper closed, preparing for Oct. 20 auction
Norwich and state officials to address COVID-19 spike Thursday
Trump administration won't block abortions for immigrant teens in custody


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Newer, friendlier: Prince Michel uncorks new image
Founded 20 years ago by Jean Leducq, the once stately Prince Michel Vineyard is ready to reveal a fresh, more informal visage. Located on Route 29 North between Madison and Culpeper (about a 40-minute drive from Charlottesville), the sizeable winery with its visitor's center, tasting room, and restaurant has just emerged from an extensive, year-long renovation.
Even a 60 mph drive-by glance reveals the enhanced curb appeal of the formerly uninspiring building– a tastefully Tuscan-looking peach-colored watchtower is flanked by a welcoming patio with white columns and an arbor awaiting new vines.
A circular driveway makes drop-offs and pick-ups easier than sipping chardonnay on a sunny day; a kinetic wineglass sculpture should sprout this Spring; and bold and brightly colored purple and green signage entices travelers to stop in for a taste.
This is all part of a friendlier image that began taking shape in August 2002 under a new management team headed by COO Vance Rose of Glen Ellen, California and GM Jim Eason from Houston.
"We're going for a more casual, relaxed atmosphere here at Prince Michel. You should have fun when you visit our winery," marketing director Laura Thoreson says.
So how does "fun" translate into wine and food? In addition to its original, French-style line, Prince Michel recently expanded to include the less expensive, easy-to-drink Madison line as well as the German-style Rapidan River line.
Prince Michel's new lunch and dinner restaurant, The Grille, might give you more than one reason to make a rest stop on your next drive to D.C. With its ceramic floors, patio-gazing windows, wood-beamed ceilings, and furniture crafted in part out of wine barrels (not as cheesy as it sounds), the dining room is a destination in itself.
Chef Bob Heck was plucked from a position at the Farmington Country Club to create the fresh, seasonal, wine-friendly new menu. A native of Baltimore and graduate of the Baltimore Culinary School, Heck worked for five years at restaurants in Napa and Sonoma in the '90s and also started One Fish, Two Fish in Virginia Beach and the Blue Moose Café in Kitty Hawk, N.C.
"I'm trying to help establish a Virginia wine country cuisine using the freshest ingredients possible," he says. Heck describes his style as "new American on the side of eclectic," and that translates into appetizers like a "roasted butternut squash soup with cashews and sage oil," lunch selections like a "prosciutto and asparagus wrap" and a "fire-grilled portobello sandwich" and dinner entrees like "cedar-planked salmon" and "Georgetown Farm bison rib-eye with a cabernet glaze."
Prices are reasonable given the quality– under $10 for lunch options and under (or slightly above) $20 for dinner. "For 12 years this has been a classic French white tablecloth restaurant," Heck says. "We want to dispel that."
In case you have too much fun at the new Prince Michel Vineyard, suites are available for overnight stays.
Story Two: Darden students opt for local chips
Last week Dish reported on the closing of Our Daily Bread in Barracks Road. Well, this week brings the story of small bakeries beating out the big, national chains. The Darden Brand Challenge is an annual event where students prepare consumer product showcases and test various, usually-name-brand products in "blind tests."
Assigned to chocolate chip cookies or pizza for this year's challenge (which happens on Friday, January 16, 5-7pm), one Darden team opted to study three local bakeries (Albermarle Baking Co., The Baker's Palate, Breadworks) instead of Chips A'Hoy and Papa Johns.
MBA student Monika Spencer, a former Our Daily Bread regular, made the choice. "I've seen so many bakeries close down due to rising rents," she says. "A good bakery 'gels' a neighborhood, and many retail real estate owners do not unfortunately think of their properties as community gathering places."
Next week: Awful Arthur's and Liquid go under for the last time.


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Hi! I have been using Prowl to keep track of various automated workflows (downloads, uploads, backups and transcoding) and am now at a point where they generate too many notifications for the single list shown in Prowl to be useful.
So it would be great if there was a way to group notifications based on the application that sent it. That way I could see all my 'HandBrake' notifications together and separate from my 'Backup' ones. I know there are other apps around that can accomplish this, but I wanted to ask if it is on the roadmap for the app I already use
Hope this is clear, and thanks for the great app!
[Feature Request] Grouped List View
An iPhone client for Growl available on the App Store.
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| Convenient classes reservations
Unlimited calendars and events
Hourly bookings
Daily bookings
Export to Google Calendar/iCal/Outlook
Recurring Events
Flexible availability management
Integrated PayPal payments
Offline payments
Manage taxes and currency
Multilingual support
Automatic Booking Reminders
Events color-coding
| printable PDF schedule
Discount Coupons
Customizable mini-calendar widget
to place anywhere on your site
Manual event, hourly or recurring booking
Manage date and time formats
Social share for events
Adjustable booking threshold
Editable e-mail templates
Accept credit card payments
Easy WordPress integration
SMS Reminders
Custom Event Tickets
– Add-ons required
|I installed everything and it all working great. I absolutely love this. Thank you so much. I will
definitely be buying the extended license in the future.
– ddstudio
|I have just purchased a copy of this reservation system and I really like it.
|Just to let you know.. I purchased this once and I had never used it until now.. I have to admit that this
is an awesome script!! Works wonders!!!!!
– imediagraphix
|Great plugin, Serves me well for bookings in my photo studio.
– huba
|… and many more.
Please note that if demo doesn't work (username/password) – check back in 10 – 15 minutes, demo will refresh itself from any user inputs each 15 minutes.
http://www.convergine.com/scripts/booking – front part
http://www.convergine.com/scripts/booking/admin.php – admin area
username admin
password pass
Need product support?
Support for any of our products is offered ONLY through our support forum. Please do not post support questions here
under the item comments. This is reserved for pre-sales questions. If you have purchased this product and now have
questions, please follow the link below.
View Support
Policy | Visit Our Support Forum Now »
New in version 5.5
– added support for BookingWizz Event Tickets addon
– added responsive front-end functionality in all BookingWizz products
– added maximum days for multi-day calendar
– fixed issue with wrong checkout summary numbers display
– fixed cron issue with booking notifications to customers
– fixed duplicate entries bug in schedule and print pdf sections
– fixed manual booking time bug
– fixed default events font color not visible issue
– fixed multi-day calendar "days before booking" defaulting to "1" issue
– fixed language switching
– fixed "from" email issue when customer cancels booking
– adjusted "back to list" admin link throughout the system, now brings to the same service which
was selected
– fixed timezone issue with saving incorrect dates to database
– fixed google calendar export timezone issue (UTC now)
– fixed issue with multi-day booking form in IE
– fixed issue with reports on dashboard and in reports section
– fixed issues with event sharing on facebook / other social media
– added canonical URL and nofollow attribute for calendar months (next / prev) (seo purposes)
– plugins are now grouped in 1 menu
– fixed issue with availability saving
– fixed issue with non standard bookingwizz folder naming
– fixed issue with non-existent css file reference
– fixed issue with facebook button disappearance after 1 click
New in version 5.4
– new documentation (PDF and in Help section of your bookingWizz)
– added support for new plugin: BookingWizz SMS Reminders
– added option to set auto-confirm setting for multi-day calendars
– added new setting to multi-day calendars: "allow users to cancel confirmed/paid bookings"
– added new setting (per calendar) which allows to hide prices on the calendars (both single-day and multi-day)
– added additional validations for image uploading in administration area
– added setting for multi-day calendars which allows selecting monday/sunday as starting day for the calendar grid
– added language switching on the front end. Now your customers can switch between languages (in bookingwizz standalone only, at this time)
– added comments field to admin/client confirmation email
– added new setting which allows to specify "days before booking" threshold for pre-booking multiday calendars
– added option to set % as deposit for event/multi-day/single-day bookings
– added option to export manual bookings to ICS
– added coupons for multi-day calendars
– added additional validations against spam
– added option to select background color for events on calendar
– added functionality which detects if language file was reset and fixes it
– added option to set any calendar as "default" and automatic detection if it was deleted which fixes the issue
– improved check-in / check-out logic for multi-day calendars (now possible to check-in/out on same day)
– moved booking summary (and many other) text/strings to language files
– payment not required now does not set event to "free"
– removed old reference to "eregi" function throughout the application
– fixed bug which prevented displaying customer phone number in schedule for multi-day bookings
– fixed issue with time in ICS exported file
– fixed issue with December 31
– fixed issue with disabling lightbox popup for small "include" calendar
– fixed events display in schedule
– fixed issue with multi-day calendars which prevented "days before booking" to be saved.
– fixed "string standards" error for admin_header.php file
– fixed facebook button error
– fixed issue with status confirmation emails
– fixed text on checkout page which appeared twice
– fixed issues with custom currency symbol
– fixed multi-day currency issues
– fixed issues with small calendar (paths to css/js/images)
– fixed issue with timezone not saving
– several other bug fixes (minor) & typo fixes
New in version 5.3
– new design, overall layout improvements
– added option to export all bookings to an .ics file, which then can be used for import into Google Calendar, iCal or Microsoft Outlook (or any other software which allows to import .ics files)
– added automatic .ics file attachment to website bookings, which is attached to customers booking confirmation email
– added option to create MULTI-DAY services(calendars) which can now accommodate guest houses, summer houses, bed and breakfast businesses etc.
– added option to export attendees to a printable PDF file (from schedule page)
– added option to auto-confirm free bookings / events on per calendar basis (on/off setting)
– added option to set "from name" and "from email" for notifications sent to customer/admin on per calendar basis
– added option to create discount coupons, with various options
– added option to allow/disallow coupons usage on single day services (per service) and individually per event
– added option to create recurring events
– added option to use HTML in event descriptions
– added support for utf8 customer entries
– added option to turn on/off display of available seats for event
– added new datatable grids for data display (instant search, paging, sorting)
– added timezone selection in admin settings
– added option to define booking threshold (time before booking can be made)
– added location name and map link for events
– added price in emails if offline reservation is the method of payment
– added dropdown with calendars to full event list page
– added incompatibility fixes for jQuery 1.9.1
– fixed issue with username which allowed to use any username with correct admin password
– fixed issue with adjusting count of available slots on calendar, when time passes.
– fixed issue with not showing website bookings for calendars other than default in "bookings" section
– fixed "collect payment" email notice for admin in case of free event booking
– fixed duplicate email issues when confirming appointments / event bookings
– fixed issue with book button not hiding after event is fully booked
– fixed issue with credit card payment plugin seding email after payment made
– fixed issue with not confirmed bookings showing up as confirmed in admin
– fixed issue with incorrect date in customer's booking management section
– fixed issue with .info emails not passing validation
– fixed issue with call_user_func_array() function error
– fixed issue with payment_x error
– moved system emails to emailTemplates folder for easy management
– fixed schedule links for manual reservations
– fixed 'MAIN_PATH' undefined variable error
– fixed issue with displaying (1 space) available next to time slots if multiple spaces are turned off
– fixed issue with offline invoice and auto confirmation of booking combination
– improved fresh install.php process, as well as upgrade.php
– fixed inconsistent colorbox references
– selecting number of tickets in event booking window now adjusts the price for event
– fixed various typos
New in version 5.2.1
1) fixed schedule page – now has selector if day is marked as day off
2) added auto price calculation upon ticket number change for events
3) added payment options in manage reservation email / page, in case somebody forgot to pay at once
4) adjusted upgrade.php file – now will update properly
5) fixed issue with 0 bookings available, yet still had option to book
6) fixed manual bookings conflict with regular customer bookings
7) fixed cancellation link in email issue
New in version 5.2
1) added support for bookingwizz wordpress plugin (Please note, BookingWizz WordPress requires separate purchase, as stated few times above.)
2) improved admin internal pages design
3) added option to book time slot from schedule view
4) bookings section now displays both bookings: timed and event bookings
5) manual bookings section now displays both manual booking types: timed and event bookings
6) fixed bug for manual bookings addition
7) fixed bug for paypal payments not updating database
8 ) adjusted booking form time slot checkboxes alignment
9) added additional validations for paths during install
10) fixed extra slashes issue in bookingwizz install path
11) adjusted reservation management link in confirmation email
New in version 5.1.2
1) added option to define currency symbol placement (before/after amount)
2) fixed bugs with paths for email templates
3) fixed bugs for different servers and language paths
4) fixed bug with schedule and manual bookings display
5) fixed bug with manual bookings (when trying to add different manual bookings)
6) fixed bug related to paypal error "Error detected, shopping cart empty" when payment is set to not required
7) fixed bug when payment not required and offline payment selected – booking didn't show
8 ) added lightbox functionality on/off switch for eventList.php
9) added default> 10) fixed issue with default quantity and event booking (payment summary)
11) added password retrieval email template into emailTemplates folder, for easy translation
New in version 5.1
1) languages support (easy translation, through modifying 1 file, plug-n-play for all other languages)
2) plugin system (wordpress like)
3) simple taxation editable through admin
4) added option to enable / disable lightbox for booking form
5) added option to set various time intervals for regular bookings (lets say from 9am to 11am, then you have a break, then you work again from 1pm to 6pm, this will be possible in v5.1)
6) added option to add manual event booking from within event management section
7) added option to add recurring manual booked time periods
8 ) MINI calendar for easy integration into any site section
9) improved backend design
10) added option to set date format from administration
11) added option to set currency symbol from administration
12) added option to easily change outgoing email content (seprate PHP files in emailTemplates folder)
13) installer now has envato license checker, your server must support cURL.
14) various bug fixes brought to our attention by our loyal customers.
15) various small improvements both product on front end and back end.
16) it is now possible to have both events and regular bookings at the same day.
17) events now have separate personal "landing" page.
New in version 5
1) Added option for multiple same interval booking spots ( set available "seats" per each interval from within admin)
2) Added option to show/hide "X spots available" on the calendar from admin.
3) Past time intervals now will not be available for booking (in booking form, for the same day)
4) Added option for user to cancel his bookings
5) Added option to show/hide event titles on the calendar grid
6) Added option to show/hide event image on calendar grid
7) Added option to edit customer event booking information from admin
8 ) User entered booking form data will now be saved in case user enters wrong captcha code
9) Fixed bookings for events via events list page
10) Small fix for clean installs with two Thursday
11) Fixed images display on event list
12) Fixed issue with 0 spot bookings
13) Added date to events list page
+several other minor bugs found and fixed.
New in version 4
1) Option to create multiple calendars (services) added. Each calendar has its own independent set of settings.
2) Added option to easily switch between 24h and 12h format
3) Added option to edit months and days names through settings
4) Added option for offline payments
5) Fixed several bugs
6) Added installation wizard
7) Re-designed booking form.
8 ) Added new page containing only events (event list for current month)
9) Implemented google +1, tweet and facebook like social share buttons for each event.
10) Added option to book multiple seats when event is free (before was 1 seat only)
11) Added forgot password functionality for administrator account
12) Comment field is optional now
13) Event image will now be removed upon event deletion
14) "delete image" next to image preview in event edit mode
New in version 3
1) We finally added intervals. Default intervals are 15m, 30m, 1h, 2h, 3h, 4h.
2) We have added option to set minimum bookings requirement
3) PayPal is now integrated with regular bookings as well.
4) Added option to set Monday as first day in the calendar through settings in admin.
5) Past calendar dates are now "turned off"
6) Administrator can now reserve unlimited time through manual booking – a week, two, month or more.
7) Both paid and confirmed statuses will now reserve required spot number
8 ) We have added functionality to upload image per each event.
9) Added option to allow multiple ticket purchases for same event per customer.
10) Administrator can now set maximum ticket amount per transaction per customer.
11) Added option to create 00-24 booking spots (before it was 00-23 only).
New since version 1.2: Events functionality (with paypal integration) Administrator can setup as many events as he needs for any day. You can use this functionality for events, meetings, seminars, hotel rooms, etc. When creating event you have option to set spaces for event, cost for entry and required or not required payment. When somebody reserves a spot in event and pays for the entry – admin will receive notice. Paypal currency and paypal email can be changed in settings. If you want to accept credit cards on paypal payment page – you need premium or business account from paypal (free) We have also added captcha's to all forms (no-js and js). Cancellation email was also added for customers.


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Presently, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office of India lacks sufficient powers to initiate investigations and prosecute. The Central Bureau of Intelligence isn't independent due to which politicians escape prosecution for corruption and money laundering. Indian police force Economic Crime wing doesn't have expertise in dealing with electronic and financial frauds. The legal system is pathetic and takes a long time to prosecute white-collar criminals. India has a shortfall of trained fraud investigators as it hardly has any courses for students in this line.
All these aspects may make you think that Indians are new to the concept of fraud risk management. This is far from the truth. Kautilya addressed financial fraud risks in 4th century BC and most of the concepts are still used presently. Let me narrate you some of the concepts he formulated in earlier times.
1. Formation of a Central Investigation Agency
Kautilya proposed a central investigation agency for a kingdom to do espionage work. A network of spies located in different parts of the kingdom reported information to their handlers. The handlers in turn checked the authenticity of the information from three sources and if correct reported to the agency. The spies did not have direct contact with the agency to conceal true identities..
Spy selection depended on character and social position. Spies were recruited from all sections of society. Spies were positioned in all the departments and commercial ventures of the king to ensure that the head of the departments do not abuse their power or cheat the king. Women were considered particularly useful to penetrate wealthy households to get the inside story. In current India, there is a scarcity of female fraud investigators as it now considered a masculine job. However, in ancient India, women investigators and spies were quite common.
2. Types of Financial Frauds
Kautilya identified 40 ways of embezzlement. Some of them are mentioned below:
- Overpricing and under-pricing of goods
- Incorrect recording of quantity of raw material and other stocks
- Misappropriation of funds
- Teaming and lading
- Misrepresentation of sources of income
- Incorrect recording of debtors and creditors
- Incorrect valuing and distribution of gifts
- Inconsistency in donations and distributions for charity
- Misappropriating goods during barter exchange
- Manipulating weights and tools for measurement
- Misrepresentation of test marks or the standard of fineness (of gold and silver)
It is interesting to note that Kautilya mentioned most of the frauds that occur in accounting and preparation of financial statements. It shows human psychology has remained the same. However, in India the value system has deteriorated that has resulted in increased fraud and corruption. In olden times, the value of honour was held high. For example, the prime thought in Hindi was – "prann jiye pur vachan na jiye." (meaning – it is better to lose one's life rather than go back on a verbal promise given)
3. Mechanism for Investigation and Punishment
The investigation process was quite similar to the current process followed. Information was initially gathered regarding the fraud from informants, spies, whistle blowers and audits. Background information of the suspects was gathered by sending spies to their residence and business premises.
Subsequently, the people involved, the suspects and witnesses were interrogated. Kautilya suggested separately examining " the treasurer (nidháyaka), the prescriber (nibandhaka), the receiver (pratigráhaka), the payer (dáyaka), the person who caused the payment (dápaka), the ministerial servants of the officer (mantri-vaiyávrityakara)" for financial frauds. If any person lied, s/he received the same punishment as the main culprit.
Another fascinating aspect is that India doesn't not have any law similar to the whistle blower provisions of Dodd Frank Act. However, Kautilya proposed – "Any informant (súchaka) who supplies information about embezzlement just under perpetration shall, if he succeeds in proving it, get as reward one-sixth of the amount in question; if he happens to be a government servant (bhritaka), he shall get for the same act one-twelfth of the amount."
The punishment for fraud depended on the nature and value of fraud. It ranged from nominal fines to death penalty. The victim was compensated for the losses suffered.
Closing Thoughts
The processes proposed by Kautilya for fraud detection were followed even until the Moghul rule. However, these were dismantled during the time of British Rule as the Indian Penal Code was formulated. The difference between Mogul rule was that Moguls settled in India, marriages took place between Indian royalty and Mogul rulers and the culture got integrated over time.
The British came to rule for economic purposes. They wished to take advantage of India's natural resources and vibrant economy. They levied their own rules and did not integrate them with the Indian culture. Hence, over time the Indian value system was lost or kept for namesake only. Overtime, as even after independence the British education system was used, a split ethical value system developed between personal values and business ethics. Therefore, corruption increased in the business environment till it became all-pervasive in the society. It is going to take a lot of effort to change the system now. No short-term solutions will work.


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CHICO — Chico police have determined the driver was at fault in a crash that critically injured a Chico State student walking home from the bars in December, Sgt. George Laver said Friday.
The case is being forwarded to the Butte County district attorney to consider charging Butte College student Matthew Lambert, 20, with felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury.
Lambert, 20, was arrested at the scene of the accident Dec. 8 on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence.
The victim in the crash, Brandon Fisher, 21, emerged from a coma at Enloe Medical Center on Dec. 23 and was transported Wednesday to a rehabilitation center near Sacramento. He suffered a shattered pelvis, skull fractures and severe brain trauma in the accident.
Though Fisher was also intoxicated at the time of the accident, with a .25 blood alcohol level, his mother, Juline Hobbs, has been confident he was not at fault, she said Friday.
"I just want people to know the truth, that's all," she said. "I don't want people to think Brandon is an irresponsible person. He is not, and he did everything right."
It was Hobbs who located a video from a nearby gas station that provided additional evidence for the Police Department's investigation.
Until the department saw the video, crash details included misinformation from witnesses, who indicated wrong directions of travel for both Fisher and the truck that struck him, said Laver, who heads the major accident investigation team.
Before the pickup came into view, Fisher was walking west on the north side of First Street and after pausing to check traffic, he jogged through the intersection to cross Walnut Street, police said.
Lambert was driving south on Nord Avenue and continued onto Walnut, striking Fisher in the street as the pedestrian moved southwest, possibly to avoid being hit, police said.
Lambert was driving 5 to 15 mph more than the posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour, and would have had ample time to observe and react to a pedestrian in the road, police said. It appears the crash was caused by Lambert driving under the influence in combination with speeding and/or being distracted to some degree.
Drunken driving has long been a topic in Fisher's family, Hobbs said. She is an organizer of their high school's sober graduation night and on the committee of last year's Every 15 Minutes program.
"That's why he was walking. He was making the right choice," she said.
Lambert is scheduled for arraignment in Butte County Superior Court on the original charge Jan. 18.
The investigation into the accident continues.
Connect with Ashley Gebb at 896-7768, firstname.lastname@example.com or on Twitter @AshleyGebb.


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Kay, well, the name's A so you should call me that. I've got a lot of fics/ficlets and such and those that I'm too lazy to post on here are either on my writing journal (link above) or on Marauders-Map Fanfiction. At the moment, I've only got three of my 2938740928734923 ficlets on here, but I'll be adding the others at some point, as well as my full-length fic, Moonshadow, once I get back in the swing of actually writing it.
Go ahead and contact me if you want a new friend thing. But you should know some shizz.
I am a Harry/Hermione shipper and I will be forever, so don't even start with me.
I hate Ron. He should die.
Ginny-Sue is a piece of poo. That rhymes!
I have an obsession with Remus, but I'm not a freak newb who's all, "lyke omg remus iz MINE!!!!!"
Yeah. Unless you want me to eat your brain, you should probably not argue with me on those things. But if you don't I'll love you forever and we can go have lovely snogfests and be happy and squee.


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History: 1991 – 1993
Status: Inactive
Style: Death, Doom Metal
What Dana did not know was that the journey was going to be better than expected because he found Derkéta about to disappear as a band. Since then, Dana, Mary and Terri decided to stablish the groundwork for Mythic, a band whose style can be framed between doom and death metal.
Once settled in the city of Pennsylvania, the trio began writing material, Dana added his lyrics and his possessed voice possessed. In one month they had created "The Destroyer", "Scarred For Life" and "Grind Grimoire", recorded on tape, with just 250 copies released.
They had few material recorded but started playing in the American East Coast, whose concerts were used to release the live demo "The Immortal Realm", which contained six items and had a certain impact.
Only a year after its formation, and because Relapse Records were located in their native Pennsylvania, Mythic signed a contract to release their EP, "Mourning In The Winter Solstice", published in various formats.
The album received good reviews, and predicted a good career for the deathmetaler trio. However, the problems came immediately. The drummer Terri Heggen leaves the formation, and after the Milwaukee Metalfest VI Dana Duffey creates her Black Metal act "Demonich Christ," still active nowadays.
The reasons for their split are not clear. What is clear is that it wasn't an amicable separation, because years later, in 2004, they didn't agree in the release of a compilation record that almost didn's see the light, with all the parts of the conflict facing the court. It must be added the rumor about Dana Duffey' xenophobia, fueled by her former colleagues in various interviews where they called her racist.
There's no doubt that the origin of these allegations is the interview in which Dana replied to the question: "If there's one thing you could change about the world, right now, what would it be and why?" with the controversial "I'd get rid of all the niggers and spics. It would have the domino effect of removing many of the world's problems."
Dana has also defended the artists right to freely express what they think in the interviews, even the opinions are racist or fascist.
The bassist Mary Bielich continued active in groups such as November's Doom, Em Sinfonia and the current Penance.
Dana Duffey – Guitar, vocals
Terri Heggen – Drums
1992, "The Immortal Realm" (live demo)
1993, "Mourning in the Winter Solstice" (EP)
2004, "Anthology" (compilation)
Wasserstein A, says Tadalafil Deutsch NHS Choices. Other similar photos can be found on Reddit and Yelp, and Det basta.


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A nuclear plant shuts down when high temperatures overheat its reactor. A drought-stricken city bans the use of its increasingly scarce water in hydraulic fracturing. More than 8 million customers lose power when winds topple utility poles and a storm surge floods transformers and underground power lines.
Extreme weather and a changing climate are disrupting the ways we generate, distribute, and consume energy, according to a report released Thursday by the US Department of Energy (DOE).
That's not exactly breaking news to anyone who's ever suffered through a blackout in the midst of a storm, but the government report details the extent of energy's vulnerability to weather, from the light bulbs in your kitchen all the way to rigs drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico. It's part of a growing recognition among local, state, and federal officials for a need to plan for and adapt to the planet's changing climate.
"When you think about any individual circumstance, it's not a surprise," Jonathan Pershing, who led the development of the DOE report, said in a phone interview. "What was a surprise was putting it all together and seeing how large and pervasive the damage is."
Higher air and water temperatures, scarcer water resources, and more intense and frequent storms routinely disrupt modern energy infrastructure, according to the report. That includes high-profile failures like the outages in the wake of superstorm Sandy, but the report also points to less-visible, more pervasive ways in which energy is vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change.
Last summer's drought, for example, lowered river water levels, disrupting the shipment of petroleum and coal delivered by barges. In 2010, unusually low precipitation in the Columbia River basin deprived hydroelectric dams of water flow needed to meet electricity demand. In the Arctic, thawing permafrost and melting ice can damage oil pipelines and restrict access to resources.
"Climate change is not the only risk, but it piles on a couple of different problems going in the same direction," James Newcomb, program director at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit focused on resource efficiency, said in a phone interview. "Solar storms, cyberattacks, extreme weather all pose the risk of cascading blackouts that can have extraordinary consequences for the economy."
President Obama highlighted these threats in a speech on climate change at Georgetown University last month. With Congress unable to pass a broad climate policy, Mr. Obama directed the Environmental Protection Agency to impose carbon limits on both new and existing coal power plants. He called on other federal agencies to take a hard look at their own contribution and vulnerability to a volatile climate.
State and local governments are also looking at ways they can mitigate extreme weather threats to infrastructure. Motivated largely by the devastation from superstorm Sandy, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled last month a $20 billion plan to protect New Yorkers from storm surges. Four counties in southern Florida have collaborated on a plan to manage the regions ecosystems and slow the flow of seawater into freshwater.
"[The DOE report} is another indication of the recognition among key actors that climate change is a significant risk to what they're responsible for taking care of," Jennifer Morgan, director of the climate and energy program at the World Resources Institute, said in a phone interview. She added that the evidence of threats to the traditional, carbon-based energy system should play a significant role in the broader debate over America's energy future.
The challenges aren't without solutions. The DOE calls for improved efficiency across the grid and the strengthening of transmission lines, power plants, oil and gas refineries, and other energy equipment. Greater coordination is needed between governments, industry, and civilians to identify risks and vulnerabilities, and protect against them, according to the report.
"This is not an issue that can't be addressed. It is going to be bad, but we can do something about this," said Mr. Pershing, who is deputy assistant secretary for climate change policy and technology at the Department of Energy. "It will cost us tens of billions of dollars to fix the problems, or at least address them, but if we don't, it will cost us hundreds of billions in damage."


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sakshidwivedi - April- Floral Blossom
Posted on April 13 2019
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Posted on April 13 2019


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Giving Back!
8,000 Rochester Shelter Pets Fed Free of Charge!
PetSaver Healthy Pet Superstore has committed to donating all of the dog and cat food fed at Lollypop Farm and Rochester Animal Services.
"It's been a long time dream of ours to be able to provide this program to Lollypop Farm and Rochester Animal Services," said Russ Herman, owner and CEO of PetSaver, a locally owned chain of pet stores in Rochester. "This helps free up resources for all of the services that they provide."
Every year, these two shelters care for and find homes for more than 10,000 pets, which consume over 50,000 pounds of food per year.
Store Locations:
Greece 1596 Ridge Rd W.
Brighton 2947 Monroe Ave.
Webster 980 Ridge Rd.
Victor 48 Square Dr.


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The novel is very enjoyable, with Gaiman playfully and effectively bringing the old deities into the modern world, and conjuring new ones with a keen eye on modern life. It is by no means realistic, but like his other works, exists in a fascinating world where high technology, seedy characters, dark underworlds, the mundane and magic all intermingle.
American Gods is a supremely fun read with many interesting turns, twists, and reinventions.


text: https://cdn.earthdata.nasa.gov/conduit/upload/5182/KeywordsCommunityGuide_Baseline_v1_SIGNED_FINAL.pdf9.1.52020-09-22 18:04:33 GLOBEC GLOBEC (Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics) is one of the core projects of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and was initiated by SCOR and the IOC of UNESCO in 1991, to understand how global change will affect the abundance, diversity and productivity of marine populations comprising a major component of oceanic ecosystems. The aim of GLOBEC is to advance our understanding of the structure and functioning of the global ocean ecosystem, its major subsystems, and its response to physical forcing so that a capability can be developed to forecast the responses of the marine ecosystem to global change. GLOBEC considers global change in the broad sense, encompassing the gradual processes of climate change and its impacts on marine systems, as well as those shorter-term changes resulting from anthropogenic pressures, such as population growth in coastal areas, increased pollution, overfishing, changing fishing practices and changing human use of the seas. GLOBEC has four primary objectives: 1) To better understand how multiscale physical environmental processes force large-scale changes in marine ecosystems. 2) To determine the relationships between structure and dynamics in a variety of oceanic systems which typify significant components of the global ocean ecosystem, with emphasis on trophodynamic pathways, their variability and the role of nutrition quality in the food web. 3) To determine the impacts of global change on stock dynamics using coupled physical, biological and chemical models linked to appropriate observation systems and to develop the capability to predict future impacts. 4) To determine how changing marine ecosystems will affect the global earth system by identifying and quantifying feedback mechanisms. GLOBEC Homepage: http://www.pml.ac.uk/globec/ A listing of all GLOBEC National and Regional Programmes can be found at http://www.pml.ac.uk/globec/links/glob_prog.htm [This information was adapted from the GLOBEC web pages.]


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The fiscal challenges facing future taxpayers involve effectively managing MPSERS' and MSERS' unfunded liabilities, where the benefits have been overpromised and underfunded. Granted, as recently as 2001, following the stock market gains of the 1990s, MPSERS defined-benefit pension plan was 96.5 percent (or almost fully) funded, while MSERS defined-benefit pension plan was 98.7 percent funded in 2002.[*]
But these benefit plans, including the "pay-as-you-go" health plans, now operate within a state experiencing a significant net outflow of population, where the prospects for economic growth are already uncertain due to the decline of the private sector. Mounting federal deficits and the likelihood of higher federal taxes on personal income, investments and business income will only compound the problems at the state and local levels.[†] Interwoven into all this are federal health care reforms and unfunded liabilities associated with federal entitlement plans like Social Security and Medicare. Cumulatively, funding any deficits for these federal programs will reduce available investment capital and disposable income for many years to come.
The fundamental problem is that MPSERS and MSERS involve major long-term commitments, and state officials have historically chosen through public policy, both directly and indirectly, not to pay the necessary costs to keep the programs current with their liabilities. Rather than amend the programs' benefits to make the costs affordable, the reaction has been to further defer paying these costs.
Part of this is prompted by pension and retiree medical plan provisions that are, as illustrated later, generous by Michigan marketplace standards. The problem has been further exacerbated by the economic downturns in 2001-2003 and 2007-2008, which have adversely impacted asset values within the major pension systems, where investment growth is relied on to fund future benefit obligations. As of Sept. 30, 2009, MPSERS' and MSERS' defined-benefit pension plans were 78.9 percent and 78.0 percent funded, respectively.
The actuarial calculations involved in financing these two major pension systems are based upon an annual 8 percent asset return assumption. Achieving and sustaining this 8 percent standard is all the more likely to prove a significant challenge due to the mounting federal, state and local deficits, which will consume private-sector investment capital and disposable income and thereby reduce business growth and gains in the stock market and other classes of assets.
Major statewide public pension systems, such as those in California and New York, are considering revising their investment assumptions to levels as low as 6 percent.[8] The federal Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires private-sector defined-benefit plans to use a lower funding assumption based upon an index that is currently at or about the 6 percent level.[9] Reducing MPSERS and MSERS assumptions to a similar 6 percent rate would increase the projected liabilities of their defined-benefit pension plans by billions of dollars.
The Pension Protection Act also requires private-sector plans to fully amortize (or "pay off") any unfunded pension liabilities over shorter periods than those currently being used in MPSERS and MSERS. Combined with an assumption of a 6 percent investment return, this shorter amortization period would cause MPSERS and MSERS pension liabilities and required employer contributions — and therefore taxpayer contributions — to rise even further than they would under a 6 percent assumption alone.
In contrast, MPSERS and MSERS have shifted significant costs beyond the expected retirement age of the average active employee, meaning that in the aggregate, benefits are not fully "paid-up" when the employees retire. For example, in the 2009 actuarial reports, the unfunded liabilities for MPSERS and MSERS defined-benefit pension plans were scheduled to be paid off during the next 27 years, even as the average age of MPSERS and MSERS members in the plans was 45.4 and 52.1, respectively — far less than 27 years from retirement age.[10]
While all this is invisible to the retiree, funding deficits will result in significant deferred costs for the next generation of employees and taxpayers. Since prefunding the costs so they are paid up as they are earned is deemed not affordable (given the actions taken by policymakers), it is hard to imagine how it will be considered affordable in the future.
[*] "Michigan State Employees' Retirement System 2009 Annual Actuarial Valuation Report" (Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company, 2010), B-5; "Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System 2009 Annual Actuarial Valuation Report" (Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company, 2010), B-5. MPSERS and MSERS retiree health plans, which are financed on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, are not prefunded and have almost no assets. See "Michigan Public School Employees' Retiree Health Benefits 2009 Annual Actuarial Valuation Report" (Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company, 2010), A-2; "Michigan State Employees' Retiree Health Benefits 2009 Annual Actuarial Valuation Report" (Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company, 2010), A-2.
[†] Prospective federal tax increases include the sunset of tax cuts in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. See "The Budget and Economic Outlook: An Update" (Congressional Budget Office, 2010), http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/117xx/doc11705/08-18-Update.pdf (accessed Sept. 6, 2010).


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Virtual women reveal more skin, regardless of body proportions
In the virtual world of Second Life, female avatars expose substantially more skin than males, independent of their virtual body proportions, according to research published December 26 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Matthieu Guitton and colleagues from Laval University, Canada.
The human tendency to cover up stems from climatic, environmental, physical and cultural constraints, so measuring people's propensity to reveal skin can be difficult in the real world. To study human behavior free of at least some of these constraints, the researchers analyzed how male and female avatars in the virtual, 3- dimensional world of Second Life dressed. Second Life offers users options to choose the gender, appearance and attire of their virtual avatars, and users can select clothing from several items created in this virtual world, rather than being restricted to a predefined costume.
They found that out of over 400 virtual people studied, 71% of male avatars covered between 75-100% of their skin, while only 5% of females did. In contrast, 47% of the virtual females they studied covered between 25-49% of their skin, compared to 9% of males. The amount of skin covered was independent of traditional gender-specific measures of physical attractiveness for virtual avatars, such as waist-chest ratios for females. According to the study, "These findings have implications for understanding how sex specific aspects of skin disclosure influence human social interactions in both virtual and real settings."
Guitton adds, "Virtual settings provide a unique tool to study human behavior unhindered by physical and environmental constraints.This tool enabled us to find a dramatic gender difference in the propensity to disclose naked skin."


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rocket, any vehicle propelled by ejection of the gases produced by combustion of self-contained propellants. Rockets are used in fireworks, as military weapons, and in scientific applications such as space exploration.
Sections in this article:
- Introduction
- Development of Rockets
- Rocket Design
- Bibliography
- Rocket Propulsion
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Space Exploration