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The Omega Speedmaster Professional was the first watch on the Moon and therefore enjoys its iconic status as the Moonwatch. It remains one of the most famous chronographs in the world and is still used by NASA for their manned space missions.
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." It's a quote known the world over. Neil Armstrong spoke these famous words on July 20, 1969, as he became the first person to ever set foot on the Moon. He was soon joined by Buzz Aldrin, who hopped across the lunar surface with an Omega Speedmaster Professional on his wrist. Originally designed for motorsports, this chronograph had now transformed into the legendary Moonwatch.
Omega still offers a version of the Speedmaster Professional that is almost identical to the original Moonwatch from 1969. The case size, crystal, and even the movement all remain largely unchanged. However, it is now also available with automatic movements and moon phase displays. The Speedmaster Automatic Holy Grail with the reference number 376.0822 is a coveted and very rare example of a vintage automatic Speedmaster.
This Biel-based manufacturer releases a new, limited edition version of the Speedmaster every year. They are often limited to a few thousand examples and are perfect for watch collectors and fans. Some of these models even make good investments, such as the Omega Snoopy. Prices for these uncommon and desirable timepieces have risen considerably in the last few years.
|Price (approx.)
|Silver Snoopy Award, Ref. 318.104.22.168.04.003
|Limited to 1,970 pieces
|Silver Snoopy Award, Ref. 3578.51
|Limited to 5,441 pieces
|Speedy Tuesday, Ref. 322.214.171.124.01.001
|Limited to 2,012 pieces
|Apollo 11 40th Anniversary, Ref. 3184.108.40.206.01.002
|Limited to 7,969 pieces
|Speedmaster Tintin, Ref. 322.214.171.124.01.004
|Red and white checkered dial edge
|Speedmaster Professional Moonphase, Ref. 3876.50.31
|Moon phase display
|Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, Ref. 318.104.22.168.01.005
|Classic Moonwatch with Hesalite crystal
No other watch combines a legend with functional technology like the "Speedy." If you decide on a Speedmaster Professional, you'll be purchasing a watch with a unique history. Moreover, it's one of the most beloved watches there is among watch enthusiasts and collectors. It also has impressive technical features: Its chronograph function works like a stopwatch, and the tachymeter scale on the fixed bezel helps you determine average speed.
Die-hard Speedy fans prefer the Hesalite version of the watch. Hesalite is what Omega calls plexiglass. The original Speedmasters from the 1960s used this material as it is affordable, easy to replace, and doesn't shatter, which NASA required due to safety concerns. The Hesalite version is still produced today; you can find it under reference number 3220.127.116.11.01.005. This Moonwatch variant is closest to the watch from the 1960s and costs around 3,700 USD new. Pre-owned examples cost a few hundred dollars less.
In terms of the movements, it's important to note the difference between the 1861 and the 1863. While they are identical in technical terms, the 1863 is more ornately decorated. Therefore, models powered by this movement have a transparent case back so you can admire its beauty in action.
The Omega Speedmaster Professional with the reference number 3126.96.36.199.01.006 features one of these sapphire glass case backs in addition to the sapphire glass already protecting the dial. This material is much more scratch resistant than Hesalite, though it is also significantly more expensive to replace should the need arise. Plan to spend about 4,300 USD on an example in mint condition, which makes the sapphire glass version only a few hundred dollars more expensive than the one with plexiglass. Pre-owned watches sell for around 4,000 USD.
With a case diameter of 42 mm, the Moonwatch is certainly an impressive sight. A smaller alternative is the Speedmaster Reduced. Omega produced this watch from 1988 to 2012. Its design is very similar to that of the Professional. However, thanks to its smaller 39-mm case, it complements thinner wrists. A well-maintained model can cost around 2,000 USD.
Two variants of the Speedmaster Professional feature a moon phase indicator. The version with the usual 42-mm case and reference number 3876.50.31 costs around 3,900 USD new. The larger version has a diameter of 44.25 mm and can be identified by its reference number, 322.214.171.124.01.001.
The in-house caliber 9904, an anti-magnetic Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer, ticks away inside this timepiece. If you're interested in this chronograph with a moon phase display, be prepared to spend about 8,000 USD for a mint-condition timepiece or 7,000 USD for a pre-owned example. This Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is also available in ceramic or gold.
If you're on the hunt for an original Speedmaster Professional from the time of the Apollo missions, then you should keep an eye out for the reference numbers 105.012 and 145.012 . Astronaut Buzz Aldrin wore a 105.012 as he took his first steps on the Moon on July 20, 1969, while his colleague Michael Collins wore a 145.012. Neil Armstrong left his Speedmaster on board the lunar module, which had a broken on-board clock. A 105.012 from the mid-1960s is rare. Its value largely depends on its condition and if the accompanying box and papers are still available.
Prices for both models sit well above that of a new Speedmaster Professional. A ref. 145.012 demands a solid 9,100 USD, while you'll need about 12,900 USD to purchase the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch ref. 105.012.
The transition from reference number 145.012 to 145.022 marks the change from the caliber 321 to the 861. According to Omega, caliber 861 is more robust. You can buy a pre-owned Speedmaster Professional 145.022 for around 6,100 USD, making it significantly more affordable than its predecessors. As long as you find its functionality more important than its value as a collector's item, the 145.022 is a good choice for you. It also has potential to increase in value. Omega produced watches with the 861 movement until 1997.
Omega regularly releases limited editions of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. These often make for a good investment, since their prices tend to rise over the years thanks to their limited numbers.
One example is the Snoopy, which first appeared in 2003. This timepiece pays homage to the Apollo 13 mission. The 2003 edition features a black dial and is limited to a run of 5,441 pieces. Be sure to set aside around 11,100 USD for a pre-owned version.
The second 'Snoopy' watch came out in 2015 and had a white dial. Only 1,970 copies of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Silver Snoopy Award were ever made, making them much harder to come by. Prices for models in mint condition regularly come in at over 19,900 USD. Pre-owned Snoopy watches sell for around 16,400 USD. At release, the official list price sat at 7,350 USD.
The platinum Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 40th Anniversary is extremely rare, with a limited run of 69 watches. A solid gold case back and medallion at 9 o'clock characterize this timepiece. Both the case back and medallion also feature the logo of the Apollo 11 mission – an eagle landing on the Moon. At 78,300 USD, it is one of the most expensive Speedmaster watches. However, considering the original list price of 135,000 USD, this platinum watch is almost a bargain today.
If 78,300 USD isn't quite within your budget, you may find the stainless steel version of the Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 40th Anniversary interesting. This timepiece is much heavier than the platinum edition and comes with a silver medallion. The same Apollo 11 logo embellishes the medallion at 9 o'clock and the stainless steel case back. Since 7,969 copies of this timepiece exist, it is much more affordable. Make sure you have about 5,300 USD on hand for this Speedmaster. In the last few years, this price has remained stable.
The Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Speedy Tuesday is yet another coveted model. Omega introduced the first edition of this timepiece in 2017 in honor of #speedytuesday. Before that, Speedmaster fans around the world had already been tagging posts of their Omega chronographs and their stories with this hashtag. The Biel-based manufacturer released the second edition of the Speedy Tuesday in 2018 under the nickname 'Ultraman.' It celebrates the Ultraman Speedmaster from 1968 and, therefore, includes colorful orange accents. Both models are limited to runs of 2,012 pieces, meaning they are relatively rare.
It took only a few months for the price of the 2017 model with a reverse panda dial to skyrocket. What had cost 6,500 USD upon release cost 9,700 USD by mid-2017. Since then, the price has fallen slightly to about 9,100 USD. Pre-owned watches in very good condition are a few hundred dollars more affordable. The Speedy Tuesday 2 Ultraman is expected to increase in price in the near future. It first entered the market listed at 7,100 USD. You can recognize its vintage predecessor from 1968 by its orange stop-seconds hand and the reference number 145.012-67. This chronograph is equally difficult to find and demands prices of around 11,700 USD in good condition.
If you'd like a more colorful Professional, then look for a watch with reference number 3184.108.40.206.01.004. While most Speedmaster models normally keep it subtle with a dark color palette, this watch truly pops. It has a red and white checkered dial edge with a special story behind it. The watch earned the nickname Tintin after the comic book hero created by the Belgian cartoonist Hergé.
In the issue 'Destination Moon' from 1953, a red and white checkered rocket plays an important role. The rocket's checkered pattern inspired this unusual Speedmaster Professional's design. If you decide on this watch, you'll have another interesting origin story to tell in addition to all the others already surrounding the Speedy.
The Speedmaster Tintin is also rare since Omega no longer produces it. Even so, it barely costs more than the standard model: You can find mint-condition pieces for just 5,300 USD. However, it is possible that these prices will climb in coming years.
The remarkable story of the Omega Speedmaster Professional began in the fall of 1964 when NASA commenced their watch selection process. While the rest of the astronauts' equipment was being specially made, NASA decided to use commercial watches. They put watches from various manufacturers to the test, subjecting them to temperatures as high as 93°C (200°F) and as low as -18ºC (0°F). Furthermore, the watches were made to endure conditions with 95% humidity, violent shocks, vibrations, and high pressure, as well as vacuum pressure.
The Omega Speedmaster was the only watch to pass every test, and in early March 1965, NASA decided to use it as their official timepiece for manned missions. The astronauts of the Gemini 3 mission wore the watch during their flight on March 23, 1965. Around two months later, Edward White wore a Speedmaster Professional during his spacewalk. The watch functioned perfectly even in the unusual conditions of space.
Omega added "Professional" to the Speedmaster's title after receiving NASA certification in 1965, four years before the Moon landing. Yet the watch had already made its space premiere in 1962 when astronaut Walter Schirra took his own Speedmaster along on the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission, which orbited the Earth six times.
The 1962 version of the Speedmaster was a chronograph with three subdials. The small seconds dial was at 9 o'clock, and the hour and minute counter subdials were at 3 and 6 o'clock, respectively. Not much has changed since then; the stainless steel case, black dial with white accents, and tachymeter bezel all remain key to the Speedmaster's design. A push-piece on each side of the crown controls the stopwatch function. A long, textile strap suitable for spacesuits replaced the traditional leather or stainless steel band.
Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the Moon on July 20, 1969. However, because the clock on board had failed, he left his Speedmaster behind as a replacement and took his historic step on the Moon's surface without a watch. About fifteen minutes later, fellow astronaut Buzz Aldrin took his first steps on the Moon with his Speedmaster on his wrist. Alrdin sent his watch to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. in 1971, but the package never arrived and it has been missing ever since. The Speedmasters belonging to the other Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins, are on display at the museum.
The Apollo 13 mission was plagued by bad luck. However, it provided the Speedmaster with its first opportunity to shine, even if only for 14 seconds. After an oxygen tank exploded, the astronauts were forced to cancel their planned Moon landing. Commander Jim Lovell reported the incident with the now-famous phrase, "Houston, we've had a problem." From that point on, the mission's goal was to return to Earth safely. In order to do so, the astronauts had to right their course and burn their rockets for exactly 14 seconds. Astronaut Jack Swigert used his Speedmaster to time the 14 seconds, and the maneuver worked. If it had failed, Apollo 13 would have missed the Earth by about 60,000 km and disappeared into the vastness of space.
For its role in saving the Apollo 13 astronauts, the Speedmaster Professional was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award. This award is the highest honor given by NASA for achievements related to flight safety or mission success. The 1995 Hollywood adaptation of the story elevated the Speedmaster Professional's reputation even further. After shooting finished, the lead actor, Tom Hanks, was a dedicated Speedy wearer. In honor of the watch's role in the Apollo 13 mission, Omega introduced two special limited edition models featuring Snoopy on the dial and case back.
The end of the Apollo flights in 1972 didn't mean the end of the Speedmaster Professional as an astronaut's watch, however, as it was also used on space shuttle flights.
Both the inside and outside of the Speedmaster have stayed nearly the same since the days of the Apollo missions. Omega uses the manual calibers 1861 and 1863 for the Speedmaster models. The movements have a 48-hour power reserve and vibrate at 21,600 alternations per hour (A/h). It had previously only had a frequency of 18,000 A/h until the calibers were reworked in 1968. Then the caliber 321 gave way to the 861, which has been continued as the 1861 since 1997.
The modern version of the Moonwatch has its case diameter in its name: the Speedmaster Professional 42 mm. It is waterproof to 50 m (165 ft, 5 bar) and thus can also accompany you while swimming, as long as you aren't waterskiing or diving off any 10-meter diving boards.
Although the Speedmaster Professional is the most prominent space watch, Omega does have a bit of competition. In May 1962, astronaut Scott Carpenter orbited the Earth three times with the Breitling Navitimer, making it the first chronograph wristwatch in space.
The Speedmaster fell short of claiming this title by only a few months when a Speedmaster ref. CK2998 flew into space in October of the same year. It was the personal wristwatch of American astronaut Walter Schirra, who orbited the Earth six times in the Sigma 7 space capsule. Today there is a new edition of the "First Omega in Space." The stainless steel version of this chronograph bears the reference number 322.214.171.124.01.001 and costs around 3,800 USD.
The Russian space agency also appreciated high-quality Swiss watchmaking: They relied on the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph made by Fortis. Breitling's Navitimer is one of the most well-known pilot's watches, and Fortis is one of the most prominent manufacturers of space and pilot's watches. The Speedmaster, however, doesn't have its origins in aviation but rather in motorsport. It first debuted in 1957 as a chronograph designed for timing laps.


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Heat Pumps Beckenham
Quality brands and installation of Heat Pumps in Beckenham
Home owners in Beckenham and across Australia are taking control of their rising electricity bills by installing a hot water heat pump.
Hot water heat pumps are as efficient as traditional solar hot water without the need for roof thermal panels. Combine your heat pump with solar power however, and you've got the Holy Grail of setups; delivering you up to 100% FREE hot water in Summer AND Winter!
Driving around Beckenham, you'll see just some of the 1.5 million Australian homes that have now installed roof-top solar power. Energy independence and lower utility bills are on top of mind and we've seen enquiries for batteries going through the roof. But battery prices are still prohibitive with no encouragement from the Government.
We've seen a growing trend where home owners are using their heat pump hot water system as a Thermal Battery to their Solar PV. It's a smart move given our range of heat pumps all get hot water rebates, generally worth ~$1000.
The graph below shows typical electricity generation from Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems (yellow) in Beckenham over the course of a year. A traditional solar hot water system still needs to draw on a power-hungry booster for a short period of time (green) during the winter months.
The consistently low power consumption of a heat pump (shown in blue) can easily be covered by Solar PV ensuring your hot water flows free and generously all year round. And still leaves plenty of excess energy from PV generation for other power appliances around the house.
Beckenham averages around 265 days of sunshine each year - more than anywhere else in Australia - which is great news for solar power during warmer months... but what about the other 100 days?
Heat pumps are unique in that they do not need direct sunlight to work. They work on energy-transfer principles, moving energy from the air to the hot water storage tank. Even in air that seems too cold to you and me, heat energy is present. This process can be 5 times more efficient than using a conventional electric hot water system.
The minimal energy it does draw during this process can be covered when timing it to operate when your solar power is producing. The water tank stores hot water for use when you need it (for example, evenings and mornings), hence the term Thermal Battery.
You may have seen our vehicles and plumbers driving around our suburb of Beckenham. We don't just install heat pumps; our other specialist areas include traditional solar hot water
Call the Beckenham Team - 08 6222 6676
iStore Air to Energy - Beckenham
The iStore Hot Water Heat Pumps are designed and supported here in Perth by an expert team of plumbers and electricians. It is available in two sizes; the sleek 180litre unit and the 270litre for higher demands. Each system has an inbuilt timer allowing easy optimisation to your requirements.
EnviroHeat Thermal Batteries - Beckenham
The EnviroHeat is the outcome of significant Research and Development here in Perth. You will be impressed by its robust design, clever fluted heat exchanger coil and excellent 5 year compressor warranty. The EnviroHeat Hot Water Heat Pump is available in two sizes; 200litre and 250litre. Each system has an inbuilt timer allowing easy optimisation to your requirements
Japanese CO2 Heat Pumps - Beckenham
With a Japanese C02 Heat Pump System such as the Reclaim Energy or Sanden Eco Plus Hot Water Heat Pump System, you can save up to 80% of your conventional electric hot water energy costs! These market leading heat pumps feature:
- 6 year warranty on the Japanese made heat pump instead of the typical industry 2 years
- Various tank sizes to meet different requirements
- Highest rebates in class due to its industry leading efficiency (COP=5)
- Uses environmentally friendly CO2 refrigerant
- Only the Japanese heat pumps heat in an instantaneous manner, so its near impossible to run out for large families
- No energy hungry booster supplied/required.
- Ultra-quiet operation
The Reclaim Energy Heat Pump also has a Solar Controller that allows optimisation with water usage, electricity tariffs and/or Solar Power installations. Under the right circumstances you can turn this system into a 'solar thermal battery' offsetting the minimal running cost of the heat pump with solar power.
Call the Beckenham Team - 08 6222 6676
If you are looking to reduce your energy spend on hot water then a heat pump from Perth Heat Pumps is definitely a smart decision. You can order online direct from our site with a professional installation of your heat pump system in Beckenham. Whether you decide on a heat pump system or a solar hot water system for your Beckenham home, know that both will save you significant amount of money versus an electric and gas hot water system.
Local Beckenham and Perth Businesses we like to Support

subset: commoncrawl


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Fairway and AWI Help Minneapolis VeteransJuly 31, 2019 12:00 am
A Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation branch in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area partnered with the American Warrior Initiative (AWI) to honor a local U.S. veterans organization. Along with a donation, the Fairway branch held a residential housing "boot camp" to train real estate professionals and mortgage planners on how to best handle the home-purchase needs of active duty military members and veterans.
Fairway and AWI were able to honor two local veterans with service dogs. One of the recipients was U.S. Army veteran Bryan Bergson, who spoke at the event about the impact of service dogs on combat veterans. Bryan's new service dog, named "Copper," came from Helping Paws. The other recipient was, unfortunately, unable to attend.
Co-founded by Louise Thaxton and Sean Parnell, the American Warrior Initiative is a non-profit organization sponsored by Fairway Independent Mortgage. AWI seeks to ease U.S. veterans' transition from military to civilian life.
I am proud to work for a company that does so much to honor those who sacrifice for our country. If I can help answer any questions about VA loans or any other home loan options, please give me a call.Veterans


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HomeAlcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Task Force
Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Task Force
One EPD investigator is assigned to the ATF Task Force located at the Federal Building and can be contacted through the OCS office.
Phone: (812) 436-7917
Fax: (812) 485-3066
How do I report possible drug activity?
If the situation requires immediate attention, call 911. If reporting suspicious activity weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., call (812) 436-7917. If after hours, call WeTip (1-800-782-7463).
What information do I need when reporting suspicious activity?
Any information is useful, but the type of activities observed or suspected, the location and times of the activity, names, ages, and descriptions of the participants, and descriptions and license plates of any involved vehicles is particularly helpful. The reporter may leave their name for investigators to follow up or remain anonymous.
How do I report vice offenses, such as gambling or prostitution, occurring in Evansville?
If the situation requires immediate attention, call 911. Otherwise, contact the Evansville Police Department's Vice/Intelligence Unit at (812) 436-7917 or (812) 436-7926.
Does the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force make drug presentations?
The task force will conduct drug awareness presentations upon request for civic groups, businesses, and schools within Vanderburgh County. The presentations cover general activities of the task force, drugs and trends common to the area, drug K-9 demonstrations, and common signs of illicit drug use or sales. To request a presentation, call (812) 436-7917.


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As Lawyers USA wraps up its 20-year run at the end of this month, its blogs — including Benchmarks — will also be coming to an end. Readers interested in accessing previous articles for research may purchase a 48 hour pass.
Thanks for reading this blog and for reading Lawyers USA!


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Tom, if and when we have the online party can u please have it on a Friday or Saturday night becuase a lot of us have school or have to work the next morning. Thanks
Tom, if and when we have the online party can u please have it on a Friday or Saturday night becuase a lot of us have school or have to work the next morning. Thanks
Email firstname.lastname@example.com AIM Adio755
The PB Trading List
We will do a poll to determine the best time to have the party. I want this to be HUGE so we want to make it good for everyone.
Last edited by AGD; 02-09-2002 at 04:46 PM.
Can you make the emag give-away like a random drawing type thing? For us that dial up...those "First one to respond to such and such thread" doesn't work too good.
<---Should be banned for circumventing the cuss filter.
Yes we are going to try and make it fair for everyone.
you are a great guy. I want the E-mag though
Tough Times Wont Last Forever...
Tough People Will ~ Darryl Kile R.I.P. 2002
Tom those of us that own an SFL should get a signed photo for our patronage (towards the gun of course)...I'm sure loadsm5, kiluakid, etc... will agree!!!
Pre-BE 12v Revolution w/ W.A.S. Turbo+
(The Real Deal)
***Hasty8... "I think paintball would be better served, at this stage in it development, if paintball products stayed in the paintball store." -couldn't have said it better myself ***
Good Traders
and I had all that fun reading everyones thoughts of what the acronym IFSHE was......
but we got something simple and obvious. lol
We will never die alone
Juggalos will carry on
Swing our hatchets if we must
Each and every one of us
EMAils bounce back. Email say no good. Deal what is you explain....
leave it to a new erson to flame this...forum.... somone with like 14 posts...reallly shows how much they know about this forum...now im not sayin just beacause they only have a limited amount of posts is the bad thing....its that they havent been here long and really dont know the whiole story of this forum or anything of that matterOriginally posted by Gup44
That's it? Some chick is going to "grace" us with her presence on an internet chat room? And that is IF we all take time out of our lives to send her an email. WOW... Glad I held my breath for this one.
This isn't consistant with AGD's persistance on quality. This is garbage. Let's see how many horney dorks we can get to actually send her an email. This does nothing for paintball, but tell the mothers of potential newbies that paintball isn't for thier 13 year old.
If you want to have a contest, then have one. Paintball doesn't need chicks in bakinis. This stuff makes it hard for wives and girlfriends of players to want to be involved in paintball (IMHO).
Stick to paintball and leave sex in people's own personal lives.
Good Traders- obsolete898,jah871,�.C.
AO member 4 life
Member # 268
"Not everyone makes up useless crap about penguins and pastries all the time" - Thordic
i wanna be in on this too. i haven't even seen an e-mag in person.
tom let us have the email I I wanna just be there maybe she can do like a photo gallery WOOT :
and they can wrestle or something.
I've come to chew bubble gum and kick @ss... And I'm all out of bubble gum.


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Tilera, Quanta Bank on Low-Power, High-Density Web Servers
Just when SeaMicro thought it had the market for low-power, high-density Web servers all to itself, Tilera has announced that it's pursuing the same market with its 64-core TILEPro64 processor. The MIT-generated semiconductor startup finally has a partner and a position in the marketplace, one that sounds rather familiar.
Tilera, a startup created by former MIT professors, has been operating in stealth mode for three years since its debut at the Hot Chips conference in 2007, but now it's coming to market with its first OEM partner.
That partner is Quanta Computer, an original design manufacturer (ODM) that builds equipment for other vendors who then put their own name on it. The Quanta S2Q server is targeted specifically to tackle cloud computing workloads in collaboration with cloud data center providers, customers and software partners. The S2Q server is targeted at large-scale datacenters running high performance Web, database, hosting and finance applications, according to Troy Bailey, vice president of marketing for Tilera.
This is essentially the market SeaMicro is targeting with its Atom-powered server. While SeaMicro has very small boards that can hold eight Atom chips, Tilera has a CPU the size of a Xeon with 64 cores, allowing for even greater density. The Quanta 2u server can hold eight CPUs, putting 512 processing cores onto a single rack.
This is done through Tilera's iMesh communications fabric technology, a high-speed link for the cores that enables a high degree of parallel processing. The S2Q server can run up to 1.3 trillion operations per second. iMesh also handles the I/O, PCI Express connectivity and memory controllers.
"Essentially, what SeaMicro integrated onto a board, we integrated onto a chip," Bailey told InternetNews.com.
Each 2u server consumes 35 to 50 watts of energy at the most, and uses shared fans and power supplies to reduce space and power costs. A full rack consumes a total of eight kilowatts of power and delivers the same performance in Web serving as 100 two-socket Xeon-based systems, but with an 80 percent reduction in operating expenses.
Bailey said that in terms of raw performance, the TILEPro64 compares to an ARM Coretex-A9 or Atom processor. He echoed the sentiment of SeaMicro that a Xeon is too much power for serving up PHP pages.
"Many of the tasks in cloud, like looking at a database for a piece of data or serving up some text and images, can be done on a much smaller core than an x86. An x86 for Web serving is overkill. The x86 architecture evolved over the last 20 years to do very large tasks, and there is need for that. But much of what goes on in [the] cloud doesn't need that large core, although you're still burning up processing time on it," he said.
The one thing Tilera doesn't have on SeaMicro is x86 binary compatibility. Whereas SeaMicro touted the fact that the LAMP stack would run on its architecture with no need to change or recompile the code, Tilera hardware will require a recompile.
Quanta isn't Tilera's first win, though. Earlier this month, SGI announced plans to introduce a single supercomputer cabinet capable of a petaflop of performance, and that would be achieved through a hybrid system of x86 and Tilera processors.
Quanta, though, is the first to offer a dedicated Tilera processor server. All told, Bailey said that Tilera has close to 50 design wins to date.
Tilera also has new designs in the works, which include a 36-core processor slated for later this year, a 100-core processor next year and a 200-core chip for 2013.
"Our roadmap gets us back onto a Moore's Law pace," Bailey said. "We can double the number of cores every 18 months. Our architecture is nearly linearly scalable with the lean cores and integration."
The S2Q will be available on a limited basis in September and generally available in the fourth quarter. Pricing will be disclosed when it ships.
Andy Patrizio is a senior editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals.


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Ultimate Chrome Styles 3.0
This is Third Complete edition pack for unique solution simulating clean chrome for big Logos like as classic cars logos etc. Note: All styles are singe-layered.
Fonts used:
Clean Huge Chrome styles for Photoshop now completed with respectable medium chrome styles for text headers. Great solution for shiny silver and chrome metal logos and headers.


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Helpful Tip: Type the letters wx in the search engine next time you need to find us.
The colors are the different echo intensities (reflectivity) measured in dBZ (decibels of Z) during each elevation scan. "Reflectivity" is the amount of transmitted power returned to the radar receiver. Reflectivity (designated by the letter Z) covers a wide range of signals (from very weak to very strong). So, a more convenient number for calculations and comparison, a decibel (or logarithmic) scale (dBZ), is used.
The dBZ values increase as the strength of the signal returned to the radar increases. Each reflectivity image you see includes one of two color scales. One scale (far left) represents dBZ values when the radar is in clear air mode (dBZ values from -28 to +28). The other scale (near left) represents dBZ values when the radar is in precipitation mode (dBZ values from 5 to 75). Notice the color on each scale remains the same in both operational modes, only the values change. The value of the dBZ depends upon the mode the radar is in at the time the image was created.


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If you have an event you would like to submit to our community calendar, you can do that here.
- This event has passed.
F.A.T. City Screening: What You Can Do to Understand Learning Differences
November 28, 2012 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
tPresented by The Literacy Institute at Woodlynde School
tF.A.T. City: What You Can Do to Understand and Alleviate the Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension of Having a Learning Difference
tWe invite you to view Rick Lavoie's landmark video on learning disabilities, F.A.T. City, that we will make meaningful by discussing the impact of each segment's message to your children, your students, and your families.
tFree; Registration required. Email Ashley Ratka at email@example.com to reserve your space.


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The 340H Series offers high efficiency Ultra-Low NOx condensing technology allowing for the use of 3" PVC venting and has 0" clearance to combustibles. Features copper primary and 316L stainless steel heat ex-changers to provide high efficiency operation and excellent corrosion resistance. Outdoor models include a remote controller as a standard feature. Indoor models are certified up to 10,100 ft. altitude. Provides a variety of installation options: indoor, outdoor and direct vent. Complies with Ultra-Low NOx regulations and meets the energy efficiency requirements of ASHRAE 90.1b-1992.
The ATI-240H-N tankless water heater uses up to 160,000 BTU/hr of natural gas to deliver an endless supply of hot water for a 2 bath home in northern climates and up to a 3 bath home in southern climates (one shower head per bath). Utilizing condensing technology, this heater is extremely efficient with a Uniform Energy Factor of 0.94. With an industry leading 15-year limited warranty, the ATI-240H-N tankless water heater provides years of hot water through innovation and quality.
single shower length
at the same time
maximum tub size
time to fill tub
estimated energy cost
Many factors affect the actual performance of a water heater. This represents our closest approximation of your likely experience with this water heater in Ashburn, VA, but actual performance may vary depending on factors beyond our ability to control or estimate. To view or adjust our assumptions of the most common factors that impact this product's performance in Ashburn, VA, please view the advanced settings. *Annual energy costs are estimated from the energy efficiency of each water heater, your household's estimated water usage & set temperature, the average groundwater temperature for your location, and residential energy prices as reported by the Department of Energy.
Nolensville, TN 37135
Power Source
Available Space
84" x 28" x 28"
Shower Flow Rate
2.1 gallons/minute
Bathtub Flow Rate
5 gallons/minute
Tank Set Point
Average Air Temperature
Mix Temperature
Tub Max Fill Level
Average Hot Water Usage
64.3 gallons
Mobile Home
Cold Water (average)
Cold Water (winter)
No Emissions Requirements
Natural Gas
If you want to increase the water heater thermostat(s) setting(s), install thermostatic mixing valves at each point of use. The thermostat(s) on this water heater have been factory set to 120°F to reduce the risk of scald injury. Higher temperatures increase the risk of scalding, but even at 120°F, hot water can scald in a matter of minutes. If you choose a higher temperature, thermostatic mixing valves are particularly important to prevent scalding.
The primary heat exchanger is constructed of commercial-grade copper, which is stronger than standard copper and more resilient against erosion.
Includes freeze, overheat, surge protection and troubleshooting diagnostic codes.
A. O. Smith tankless water heaters take up much less space that your conventional tank-style water heater. With no tank to steal valuable storage space, our wall-mount design allows for additional storage and flexibility.
The comprehensive line of A. O. Smith tankless water heaters are an excellent whole-home water heating solution that supply endless hot water.
• A hot water tap is opened
• The opened tap allows water to flow through the water heater. An internal water flow sensor detects this flow
• Upon flow detection, the flow sensor sends the activation signal to the computer board
• The computer automatically ignites the burner
• As water flows through the heat exchanger, it absorbs heat from the burner
• By the time the water exits the heater, it has reached the designated set temperature
• When the hot water tap is closed, the water heater automatically turns off
limited warranty
Uniform Energy Factor
When it comes to high efficiency tankless water heaters, no one comes close to matching the expertise and innovation of A. O. Smith. With higher efficiency ratings and groundbreaking designs, our tankless water heaters feature non-condensing and condensing technology and are part of a new era in water heating.
Rebate and incentive programs provide cash-back to consumers for the purchase of appliances that meet certain energy efficiency
standards. Often, these standards are tied to the ENERGY STAR® program.
Cash for Appliances is designed to encourage the purchase of energy efficient appliances. Consumers who purchase ENERGY STAR® or
CEE qualified appliances can receive cash rebates. Most states are offering rebates in the $50 to $250 range.
Please click here to download the hi-resolution images.
There's no reason to run out of hot water. If you're not sure that the ATI-240H-N provides enough hot water for your needs, consider these:
©2018, A. O. Smith. All Rights Reserved. 1-877-552-0010A. O. Smith reserves the right to make product changes or improvements at any time without notice.


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BENEFITING: No Kid Hungry
EVENT: Pure Gratitude
November 20th - Pure Gratitude Give-a-Thon
Pure Barre has always been more than just a workout; it's a lifestyle. We strive to make each of our 400+ studios an inviting and welcoming community where clients feel supported both in their fitness and lifestyle goals. We make each client feel important and help them to feel healthier, stronger and more confident in themselves. At Pure Barre, we have a history of extending this network of support outside of our studio walls.
This year our entire Pure Barre Family of is banding together for a Holiday Give-a-Thon on Sunday November 20th, 2016 supporting Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign. We will be hosting donation classes in your local studio with 100% of the profits going to No Kid Hungry. Here's how the Give-a-Thon will work:
- Visit crowdrise.com/puregratitude and click "Sign up for a class"
- Find your local studio
- Sign up for a donation class on Sunday 11/20/16 with all proceeds going to No Kid Hungry.
- Every $15 dollars you give can provide up to 150 meals for a child who is still facing hunger.
- Share your Give-a-Thon photos on social media using #PureGratitude
About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America, but nearly 1 in 5 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org.
The Team: $150 TOTAL RAISED SO FARJOIN THE TEAM
Want to help Fundraise or Volunteer for this amazing Fundraiser? Join the Team


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Hi everyone! What have you been up to this weekend? Gosh, I had big plans in the house-we were going to general clean the dining room. You know, wash the walls, wipe down everything that hangs on the walls, blinds, windows, baseboard-the works. Guess what? Didn't do it! I have had no get up and go this weekend at all! While writing this I am on my bed watching old Alfred Hitchcock shows on TV. Oh well, the world won't end, right?
Of course, I am sure we are all excited about Halloween falling smack dab in the middle of the week. ;)
This week in class we are going to start keeping track of our read aloud's and whether they fall into the storybook or informational text category.
|Click here to download and print
I also want to thank those of you that have popped over to my other blog to pick up the free Christmas printable featuring clip art from Melonheadz and enter the ETSY giveaway!
Have a good week!


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Bruce Davison stars in this rural thriller about a pair of police officers pursuing a dangerous maniac who may have murdered four teens as their small town prepares for its annual Scarecrow Festival. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2020 FANDANGO MOVIES.


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Click here to visit site
|Short review: These lassies are going to have a very difficult time sitting down for quite some time! Their arses are ideal, so perfectly rounded and so ready to gobble up all thats offered, which comes in the form of mother's little helpers, enema tubing, hard swords, fingers, linguae and more. The quality will be a pleasure from all material offered, and they are keeping up with freshness, all around well done website for sure.


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Celebrate Groundhog Day–Shadow or Spring?
On February 2, 1886, a hibernating woodchuck crawled out of his burrow near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, didn't see his shadow—granting an early Spring—and Groundhog Day was born! A year later Clymer H. Freas, editor of The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper and member of a group of local hunters and businessmen known as the "Punxsutawney Groundhog Club," dubbed this furry little fellow "Punxsutawney Phil." Little did Phil know he would be carrying on a tradition known as Imbolc that was started long ago by ancient Celts in Europe.
Nowadays, locals and visitors still flock to Gobbler's Knob near Punxsutawney, site of the annual ceremony to catch a glimpse of Phil, the now-famous groundhog to see whether or not he will see his shadow. Attendance at the event skyrocketed after the release of the 1993 film Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray as a TV weatherman assigned to cover the event. As anyone who has seen the film knows, he ends up reliving Groundhog Day over and over and over again.
Groundhog Day film trivia:
- The film was shot in Woodstock, Illinois, not Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
- Tom Hanks, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and John Travolta were all considered for the lead before Bill Murray was cast.
- Bill Murray was bitten twice by the groundhog during filming and needed anti-rabies injections due to the severity of the bites.
- Director Haroldn Ramis states that Bill Murray's character, Phil, lives Groundhog Day over and over for approximately 10 years in the film.
- The American Film Institute ranked it #8 in the 10 Greatest Films of the Fantasy genre.
- The film received fairly warm critical reception upon release, which only grew over time, with religious groups and others eventually calling it "transcendental."


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OLYMPIA—As temperatures rise across our state this season, the Department of Licensing (DOL) would like to remind drivers to watch out for an increasing number of motorcycles on our streets and highways.Riders can be difficult to see on busy roads because of their smaller size and profile. Motorists should take an extra second to be aware of what's around them. An extra look could save a life.
DOL will continue the agency's "Look Twice, Save a Life" public information campaign this summer to work on increasing motorist awareness of motorcycles.
Since 2008, the number of other drivers failing to yield the right of way to motorcyclists has dropped by approximately 20 percent, according to collision data compiled by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Gov. Chris Gregoire issued a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month and called on motorcyclists and drivers alike to work on improving motorcycle safety this year.
The top three rider-causes of motorcycle crashes are alcohol or drug impairment, improper lane position and speeding. To legally operate a motorcycle on Washington roads, riders must have a driver license endorsement—or they could see their bike impounded even after a simple traffic stop.
DOL Director Alan Haight encourages all riders to take advantage of our state's excellent network of motorcycle training schools.
"There are motorcycle safety classes out there for riders of all abilities," Haight said. "These classes are critical for beginners, but also can help more experienced riders shake the rust off after a long winter and introduce new skills to increase riders' safety and fun."
Motorcycle training and endorsement info on the web: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motorcycles.html


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Careers.org has assembled a collection of career resources to assist military veterans in their transition to civilian life. As finding a new career after military service can be a difficult process, Careers.org strives to provide military veterans the necessary tools to secure successful careers outside of the armed forces.
The listing below is comprised of a variety of topics ranging from programs offered by the government-based Veterans Administration to descriptions of prominent non-profit veterans aid organizations focused in housing, healthcare and job placement. Each topic includes a series of web resources that have been hand-selected by Careers.org to provide transitioning military personnel with a meaningful tool in their career search.


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Home ENTERTAINMENT Bladder is FULL TILT BOOGIE… Wanna pee in public…!!!
Bladder is FULL TILT BOOGIE… Wanna pee in public…!!!
ByRajneesh friend
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Cargo Movie Review: Vikrant Massey & Shweta Tripathi Present An Interesting...
Debutante director Arati Kadav's homegrown science-fiction film Cargo, picked up by Netflix after playing at SXSW and MAMI, is an innovative but...
29 Indian States And Their Dress Codes!
India is an diverse country with so many states and all of them have different cultures. Habits like food clothing language everything changes with the borders. There can be so many colors seen in our country when it comes to culture.


text: Article | 14 October 2015 | Søren Rode, CEO. Nearshoring in Polen When ProData Consult A/S acquired a controlling interest in ProData Consult Sp. z o.o. (Poland) just under four years ago, the motivation was primarily servicing the local Polish market. I was of the opinion that both offshoring and nearshoring were oversold, and that this market segment was over-consolidated. But I couldn't have been more wrong, and it's become clear that an alternative to the traditional offshore destinations is in demand among Scandinavian companies. An alternative that's closer to Northern Europe – organisationally, geographically and culturally – and that resembles our flat, non-hierarchical corporate structure, which requires a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative on the part of the individual employee and consultant. Our clients are always surprised by how easy it is to nearshore in Poland, by how good the consultants are and how smoothly they integrate into the local IT organisation. Our model in Poland isn't based on the lowest price, but rather on high quality and accessibility – and not least a high degree of scalability. Bottlenecks occur very rapidly on the Scandinavian IT market, and companies constantly risk not being able to recruit qualified labor. A nearshore operation in Poland reduces that risk significantly. At a price that's still very attractive. Even though Scandinavian clients constitute a large proportion of our activities in Poland today, we think it's important to avoid becoming a 'nearshore satellite' that's out of touch with Polish reality. We work constantly with major Polish clients, and we've just concluded framework agreements with the largest power company in Poland as well as one of the largest insurance providers in the country. We will continue to have a strong presence and commitment in relation to Poland and the local Polish market. In this edition of the magazine, four of our valued clients – large and small – share their experiences with nearshoring in Poland. And it's important to emphasize that nearshoring in Poland is so relatively easy and uncomplicated that even small companies without highly developed business process systems can benefit from it. No matter what, we're available to answer questions and to do our best to help you and your company with a nearshoring solution. And remember: we're just as happy to provide the best onshore consultants as the best Polish nearshore consultants in Warsaw! Søren RodeCEO < Back to newsroom Latest news CC: Migrating Mainframe Source Code to Git 23 September 2020 Consultant's Corner: Freelance is freedom 09 September 2020 Consultant's Corner: Robotic Process Automation 25 August 2020 ProData Consult wins DSB tender 01 July 2020


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By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance
It's said that laughter is the best medicine, and as a practicing veterinarian and pet insurance enthusiast, I know this this true! So here's a dose of laughter that is sure to keep you healthy. I've always been amused by the funny names people choose for their cats. Here are some of the best that I've come across in my time as a vet.
1. Bird Dog
It's what the owner really wanted to get, but a cat fit his lifestyle better. The poor kitty has to bear the brunt of the owner's wishful thinking.
2. Mousetrap
Technically that's what a cat is, so I can't argue with this one.
3. Dog Food
A cat could be this too, I suppose. But I hope not! Unfortunately, we've seen our share of cats that have been chewed on or bitten by dogs. It's instances like these where cat insurance can come in handy.
4. Boogyman
My colleague examined this cat. But his demeanor wasn't as scary as his name implies.
5. Albus Percival Peanut
He started out as just Peanut, but that was too plain and his owners thought his name needed more bling! I'd say they achieved this goal.
6. Buttsey Wiggle
This is one of my all time favorites! It's descriptive and cute. I always laugh when I see my own cats do their impression of "buttsey wiggle" when they're about to pounce on an object.
7. Chunky Butt
There's just something about those big, fluffy, kitty posteriors that captures owners' imaginations!
8. Monk E. Buht
Of course, a guy came up with this one! Need I say more?
9. Skimbleshanks and Grizabella
They're both from the T. S. Eliot poem and Broadway play "CATS", but the first one is much harder to roll off the tongue.
10. Leonardo DiCatrio
There' s plenty of famous people to play off their names.
11. Harley Davidson
If you have a cool last name, why not take advantage of it?
Or Call 877-738-7237 to Add a Pet to Your Current Policy
12. Nickat Knight
Another last name you can work with. This refers to Nick at Night on the Nickelodeon channel, I belileve.
Also known as "Not Bill's Cat." When this stray was found, Bill said "This is not going to be my cat." The cat had other ideas. Sorry Bill.
14. Very Delicious Omelet
This wins my category of most bizarre. This kitty suddenly appeared on the back deck one morning when the owners were cooking an omelet. Apparently they were good cooks, too. So what else could they call her, right?
For more information about cat health, behavior and cat insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.


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Bat Removal & Control in HillsboroughBats are usually considered as a pest by most people - few people actually "like" bats. We especially do not want bats in our house. The most common complaints:
- Bats in the attic
- Bats in the chimney
- Odors due to bat droppings
- Swarms of bats around building
How to Remove Bats from a Building in Hillsborough
Inspect the building to find out how the bats are gaining access to the building. Anytime you need to remove wildlife the final step is to animal-proof the building.
Do not try to trap bats!
Just get the bats to fly out, then seal the building so they cannot enter again. This is THE most important part of bat removal - the control part - keeping the bats from gaining entrance again. You just need to make sure that you get ALL the bats out first. This is another reason for getting a professional like Animals Be Gone to do the job.
The females form colonies, often in buildings...like your attic! Baby bats are usually born in the summer and can fly by the end of August. Bats hibernate in the winter months. When active during the summer, bats are nocturnal, feeding on insects at night. After they eat, they head back to their "home" to rest. After a rest, they fly back into the night to eat some more flying insects, like moths. During their rest times, they poop and urinate, just like all animals. They sleep during the daytime which is why you can have an extreme bat infestation before you realize it.
Bats in the Hillsborough area are most often found in the attic louvered vents which provide easy access, fresh air, and shade them during the heat of the day. You can have dozens of bats living in the louvered vents of your attic. They will chew through the mesh screen to gain access.
The primary health concern involves large colonies of bats. They can be noisy, but the health problems caused by bat droppings and urine can be serious. Bat feces and urine is acidic and corrodes wood and metal. The combined corrosion with the weight of these droppings can actually cause the ceiling below the attic to collapse. Bat feces and urine typically has fungal spores - THIS IS WHY YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL to deal with bat removal and control - you could breathe in these fungal spores which can lead to a deadly lung disease called Histoplasmosis.
In addition to Histoplasmosis, rabies transmission in the United States can come from bats. If you see a bat lying on the ground, don't pick it up, because it might be rabid and it could bite you.
Bat removal is not easy. You must get rid of these bats and then you must seal off your attic or building to prevent reentry. If you attempt a DIY project you could end up with dead bats stuck in your attic or bats getting INSIDE your house - a bat can squeeze through a very small opening. DO NOT attempt to poison bats - again, dead bats in your attic could be a worse nightmare.
Bat Species in North Carolina
There are three species of bats common in North Carolina: the Big Brown Bat, the Small Brown Bat, and the Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat. There are other species found in NC from time to time, but these three are the most common bats that can get into your attic or house. It is actually illegal to kill some bat species, so you should call a professional for bat exclusion and removal.
Big Brown Bat Removal in Hillsborough NC
This bat is common in North Carolina. The Big Brown Bat mates in the fall, winter or spring. These bats very commonly colonize in human buildings, although they can inhabit large tree hollows or even a cave.
Bat Removal from the Attic in Hillsborough
The big brown bat can be found hanging in your attic, within the slates of your eaves, louvered vents or even burrowing down into the attic insulation.
The main diet of the big brown bat are various insects that tend to be pests to the farmer, thus bats are a predator that our environment needs. The average bat will consume up to 3,000 insects every night! Whoa! Having said that, bats in your attic are not fun. For all the reasons we have already mentioned above, these bats need to be removed.
A large colony of big brown bats can reach up to 500+ individuals. A bat colony this large would often be found in a fairly large building, like a barn or even in a storage facility with partially hidden roofing sections.
Small brown
The danger of the small brown bat is mainly the size of the average colony, which will number in the hundreds. Thus if bats have access to your attic, you could have a BIG problem with small bats.
Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat
The Brazilian free-tailed bat is also known as the Mexican free-tailed bat and is common in in this particular part of North Carolina. It is a small species - the length of this bat is from 5 to 6 inches. This is a very persistent species and difficult to get rid of. Due to the small size, the Brazilian bat is able to penetrate smallest opening. Even after ridding your attic of a small colony, this species will come right back if you fail to seal off the entry point.
This bat mates from February to March. The young will typically be born in June, thus it is critical to make sure your attic or barn has been sealed during February or March - the best way to do bat removal is to keep them out of your attic!
The Brazilian bat hibernates during winter, but if we have a mild winter in our area, this bat can become active a bit earlier. The point is that this bat does not tend to migrate. This bat species will typically fly throughout the night feeding on a variety of small insects. They especially like moths, ants and beetles. These bats can live up to 18 years. The natural predator of the Brazilian bat is the hawk and various owl species. So if you notice owls hanging around your house, look in the attic to make sure you are not housing a colony of these bats!
According to the State Public Health Department, only 4% of all bats in North Carolina have rabies. Compare this to racoons which typically have a 45% positive test for rabies. Thus, bat removal is not for fear of rabies - it is more about some of the other issues that arise from fecal matter and urine in human habitats.
Bat Removal by a Professional in Hillsborough NC
If you have had a bat infestation in your attic, you need to do a thorough clean up once you have successfully excluded them. Bats have a good sense of smell and will be able to smell old feces and urine - a prior habitat - they will be attracted to your attic again. Clean up should be done by a professional as well to make sure it is done correctly. Humans can contract a respiratory infection from fungal spores that originate in bat waste.
Many bat species are protected. You cannot perform bat removal on your own - you need a licensed professional who understands how to deal with protected species. Animals Be Gone will safely remove bats and release them into a safe and natural environment.
Bat Removal Cary NC
Bats in Attic Chapel Hill
Bat Removal in Durham
Bat Removal Garner NC
Bats in Attic Hillsborough
Bat Removal in Morrisville
Bat Removal Raleigh NC
Bats in Attic Wake Forest
Bats in Attic Burlington NC


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This is one of Happy Joe's most important core values. When Lawrence Joseph Whitty, "Happy Joe," opened the first Happy Joe's in 1972 in the Village of East Davenport, Iowa, he was committed from day one to giving back to his community.
Now that Happy Joe's is successful with over 60 locations in 6 different states, we remain dedicated and committed to giving back to the communities who have helped make us successful.
We have won numerous awards for our good works and involvement in community programs. We have also created a variety of programs for schools and organized groups.
If you have a special group or cause, we ask that you send us your information in writing for our consideration to become a sponsor or donor. We may not be able to fulfill your entire request, but we will always try to do something to help support your cause.
Download Donation Request Form Contact the nearest Happy Joe's
A non-profit organization founded by Happy Joe Whitty and his family to help meet the needs of special needs kids wherever they may be.
Happy Joe's has many opportunities available to help your group with fundraising. Our most popular way to raise funds is by selling the Happy Cards.Read More
Happy cards are about the size of a credit card and hold 8 coupons on the back. The coupons peel off and can be used at any Happy Joe's location. The total value of the card exceeds $35. We sell the cards to your group for $1 each and your group or organization resells them for $5, making a $4 profit per card. It's a wonderful and easy way to raise funds and offer some great discounts at Happy Joe's. To order your Happy Cards, call the Happy Joe's nearest you.
Another popular fundraiser is the 5-Hour Fundraiser. Your group creates a flyer that says "Order from Happy Joe's for dine-in, carryout or delivery on a specific date between 4-9 pm and 10% of your purchase will go towards your chosen cause." Guests must present the flyer when playing for their meal. At the end of the 5 hours all receipts are tallied and within 2 weeks you will receive a check for 10% of the revenues.
This can be a great fundraiser for any group. However, the trick is you need to ensure that the flyers go to many people. Do the math and find out how much your group needs to make and ensure that many orders are coming in. The more we sell, the more you get. Some of our locations will extend this fundraising offer beyond 5 hours. Contact the store nearest you and discuss your event with one of our head coaches or owners.
Many of Happy Joe's locations have buffets or smorgasbords at lunchtime. However, if you have a special group, we may be able to set up a buffet just for you. Call your local Happy Joe's and ask them about a buffet fundraiser where you keep a portion of the per-head price. Most stores will need to have 40 or more people to make this a viable option.
If your local group has an idea for a fundraiser, we're happy to listen. Customize your own fundraiser utilizing Happy Joe's products and services and submit it in writing to the store nearest you. We are happy to review it and let you know of we can help.
Happy is our mascot. He's a big, fluffy black and white Dalmatian and kids love him. Happy loves to dance, give hugs and entertain the kids. Contact your local Happy Joe's about having Happy attend your event. He can also be part of your next birthday party. Not all Happy Joe's locations have a Happy costume. Contact the store nearest you for details.
Happy Joe's Happy Reader Club is designed to help educators stress the importance of reading to their students. Students are encouraged to reach agreed-upon monthly reading goals and, in return, receive Happy Joe's pizza certificates as rewards.Read More
Teachers may set goals with students individually, in small groups or as a class. This program is flexible and can be adjusted to fit the needs of your classroom or teaching style. As long as the agreed-upon goals are met, the students are rewarded.
The Happy Reader Club is geared toward K through 8 students and can be used for any three-month period during the school year that best coincides with your reading schedule.
Please call or stop by your local Happy Joe's to pick up your Happy Reader certificates, tracking sheet or poster. Your Happy Joe's head coach (manager) will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
We've been having Special Needs parties for 42 years, and have hosted over 150,000 children with special needs at parties throughout our chain.Read More
Before opening his first Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor, founder Joe Whitty was nearly let go from another pizza chain for sponsoring a party for a group of children with special needs without first checking with his boss.
The night before opening his first restaurant in the Village of East Davenport, IA, Happy Joe invited the local priest to bless his business and he made a promise that if he could make enough money to feed his family, he would give something back to the community.
As it turned out, business was so good that Joe thought maybe he shouldn't have prayed so hard.
After just a few weeks in business, people were waiting out the door. I wanted to be true to my word, so I shut the restaurant down one day a year to have a party for those less fortunate, and I require my franchisees to do the same. We've been having these Special Needs parties for over 42 years, and have hosted over 150,000 children with special needs at parties throughout our chain.
~ Happy Joe Whitty
Contact your local Happy Joe's
A non-profit organization founded by Happy Joe Whitty and his family to help meet the needs of special needs kids wherever they may be.
Learn more about our mission, our programs and how you can participate - whether you want to help support our efforts or have a request for us to consider.
All are welcome here.
Hey, Teachers or Group Leaders, how about a fun trip to Happy Joe's?Read More
Your class or group can:
Tours are available between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please book seven days ahead. Contact your local Happy Joe's for more information.


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If you run both the master and the slave on the same account on Windows, the "taskkill" step will kill python hence the master. You can fix that by using multiple account or just keep sane and use a linux machine as the server.
If you have set up buildbot.tac, you can just run "make restart". If not, you will run something like this instead:
Is that working?
Once you have started both the master and a slave, browse to the waterfall: http://localhost:9010/waterfall?show_events=true&reload=30 (replacing localhost with the hostname of the master if your browsing on another computer and the port with the appropriate port number. The port number can be found in site_config/config_default.py or master_site_config.py by looking for the appropriate class definition for your master). If you see one idle slave and two offline slaves they you've configured them correctly! You can start it building by clicking on the name of the idle slave (probably Chromium Linux Experimental) and then clicking the "Force Build" button. If the Update and Compile steps succeed, congratulations you're all set!
Please feel free to update this part of the doc with other problems you have run into.
Try server functionality
The try server listens to a http port and also polls a subversion repository. See config.py and config_default.py for the server-side settings, mainly
config.Master.TryServer.try_job_port and
See trychange.py or git-try for the client code. Both demonstrate both ways of sending a job to the try server. Most of users will run:
or whatever port you are using. The port is configured on the server in chromium_config.Master.TryServer.try_job_port.. You can configure your codereview.settings file accordingly.
Fork it
You can now fork your build infrastructure.
Maintain it
Look for maintenance page.
For Developers > Testing and infrastructure > Chromium build infrastructure > Getting the buildbot source >


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Brain Spa - Stress Relief Workshop 3 - Event Details
This event has concluded and is no longer current.
This event has concluded and is no longer current.
Brain Spa - Stress Relief Workshop 3
Location: Campus Center 306
Learn more about how stress affects your brain and body, assess your stress level, learn ways to manage stress, and find some stress relief with breathing and mindfulness exercises. Topics: Worry or Anger Management / Communication Skills
For more information, contact: firstname.lastname@example.com 8089327466
What's also happening?
Week of May 3, 2015Next →
Brain Spa - Stress Relief Workshop 3
Complete Withdrawal Deadline w/W
Last Day of Instruction, Spring 2015
TBD UH Hilo Jazz Orchestra presents Funk It Up!
Introduction to Adobe InDesign CS6 - Day 2 of 2
- Vulcan Ohana Scavenger Hunt
- Welcome Back Vulcans! We hope you all had a good summer and want to welcome our new and returning students to the UH Hilo campus. ...
- Student Impact Scholarship
- Apply now for a $5,000 scholarship! Wells Fargo is proud to announce the Student Impact Scholarship with $1 million in scholarship funds available to help support students on their educational journey. ...
- Freshman 'Eleu (Fall 2020)
- Freshmen, it's time to meet with your advisor for your Freshman ʻEleu appointment. Meet with your advisor between September 14 and October 6. ...
- AANAPISI Scholarship
- Apply for an AANAPISI scholarship from the Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars! Scholarship awards range from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $5,000 awards for the Spring 2021 semester. Deadline to apply: November 11. ...
- Kanilehua Submissions Are Open
- Kanilehua, UH Hilo's art and literary magazine, is now accepting submissions for its Spring 2021 issue. We are accepting submissions of literature, visual art, sheet music, and mixed medium pieces. Visit our website to submit: https://hilo. ...
- Walk-in Wednesdays
- Counseling services will now be offering 30 minutes walk-in sessions, every Wednesday from 1-4 pm. We know things happen and you may need to talk with someone immediately. This service is open to all UH Hilo students. ...
- APIA Scholarship
- Apply for a scholarship from the Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars! Scholarship awards range from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $20,000 awards for the 2021-2022 school year. Deadline to apply: January 14, 2021. ...
- Hohonu Submissions are Open!
- Every year, Hohonu publishes an academic journal filled with papers submitted by students. Submissions are accessed by the Hohonu staff and from there are either accepted into the editing process or denied. ...
- RISO Registration for 2020-2021 is now open
- The 2020-2021 academic year UH Hilo Registered Independent Student Organization (RISO) registration period is now open. The final day to register is March 26, 2021 at 4:30pm. ...
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Episode 2.15 - What's Past is Prologue
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Gia (Rumer Willis) encourages Adrianna (Jessica Lowndes) to audition for a new band and admits she has a crush on Adrianna. Dixon's (Tristan Wilds) birthmother, Dana (guest star April Parker Jones, "Jericho") drops by for a surprise visit and tries to develop a relationship with her son. Silver (Jessica Stroup) and Teddy (Trevor Donovan) go on their first official date but Silver finds it difficult to deal with Teddy's playboy past and enlists Naomi's (AnnaLynne McCord) help to track his whereabouts. Navid (Michael Steger) returns from his suspension to find that Naomi has started a gossip segment during Blaze News, which he adamantly opposes. Navid decides to get back into he dating scene by asking Lila (guest star Amber Wallace, "The Vampire Diaries") out on a date, his first since breaking up with Adrianna. Annie (Shenae Grimes) realizes that Jasper (Zach Sherman) has started following her around town. Debbie (Lori Loughlin) confides in Kai (guest star Greg Vaughan, "General Hospital"), her yoga instructor, about the arrival of Dixon's birthmother. Rob Estes also stars.
Source: The CW


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Tagged: Hunter Pence
The Big Puma Goes To The Big Apple
*Sorry I forgot to post this a few days ago.
After 1,648 hits, 326 home runs,
1,090 runs batted in, 1,592 games, and parts of twelve seasons, Lance "The Big
Puma" Berkman is leaving Houston to play with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez,
Mariano Rivera and the rest of the New York Yankees in the Big Apple.
It's a bittersweet day in Houston.
On one side, the team is starting over and getting younger. On the other side,
you are losing a franchise player who played his college career (with the Rice
Owls) and pro career in Houston. Berkman has given the city of Houston so many
memories, good ones and bad ones.
Personally, I have two distinct
memories about Lance Berkman. The first autographed baseball I ever got was
Lance Berkman's on my ninth birthday. However, In spring training of 2008,
while I was trying to get autographs, he went off the field, in a golf cart,
into the clubhouse, (the Astros clubhouse at their spring training park,
Osceola County Stadium, is on the other side of the left field fence) totally
ignoring the fans.
That day, Miguel Tejada, Jose
Valverde, Hunter Pence, and Wesley Wright, among others came a signed for the
me and the rest of the fans. I understand that fans do get a little crazy
sometimes. Ex-Astro Roy Oswalt use to only sign to small groups of fans while
with the Astros but spring training is different. Which, I understand.
Anyway, it has been a gradual
decline in power since 2006 when "Fat Elvis" hit 45 home runs. Since then, he
has hit 34, 29, 25 and 13 (in 85 games this year). And with the exception of
2008 when he drove in 106 runs his RBI totals have gone done every year since
2006 when he had 136 of them.
Now, I expect his power numbers to
increase with the dimensions of Yankees stadium and not having to face Josh
Johnson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Roy Hallady, or Mat Latos (who has a 0.99 WHIP) along
with the rest of the National League pitchers. However, the one thing that
could make his disappointing season even more disappointing would be if he
can't play ball in the spotlight of New York City.
Fantasy Baseball- Outfielders- Andre Ethier
22 .345 .533 .878
I'm Back . . . . . Again!
Man camp was awesome again. It just always seems to go by waaaaaaaay to fast. Anyway I was hoping to make baseball all-stars and made it! Along with basketball and archery all-stars.
The Roster Game- Outfielders
l Pay roll so far- $16,202,162


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The Vermont Independent believes America needs a "political revolution"
White House
Keystone XL Pipeline Protestors Create 'Human Oil Spill'
Scores of protestors rallied in Washington D.C. to demonstrate against the Keystone XL pipeline Sunday, laying on the ground outside the White House
Clinton Library Releases Trove of Documents
Will be closely watched for impact on Hillary Clinton's potential 2016 candidacy
Attorney General Eric Holder Hospitalized
He became faint and short of breath during a morning meeting
Obama Looks to Boost Young Minorities
My Brother's Keeper initiative will partner with businesses and nonprofits to provide greater opportunity for young minority men
Obama To Propose $302 Billion Highway Repair Program
White House says tax reform could help fund it
At White House, Jindal Will Lead GOP Governors' Call For Action On Jobs
Republican Governors Association Vice Chair Bobby Jindal will take the lead when GOP governors visit the White House Monday morning for a business meeting with President Barack Obama.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the …
The Dalai Lama Will Meet With Obama at the White House
The pair's last meeting led to an angry condemnation from the Chinese government
Obama Drops 'Good Faith' Offer From Budget
Administration blames Republican intransigence after pulling back an offer meant to entice GOP into negotiations
Obama Plays Water-Guzzling Desert Golf Courses Amid California Drought
After preaching shared sacrifice to assuage the California water shortage, Obama has played some of the country's thirstiest golf courses
Obama Invites Donors, Celebrities To Hollande State Dinner
Bradley Cooper and Mindy Kaling among guests at dinner hosting President François Hollande
What Gene Sperling Learned in the White House
Veteran economic adviser looks back on 20 years
Administration Delays Another Obamacare Mandate
Employers given more time to provide workers with health insurance


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Books & Materials
Newsletter Archive
Home, Garden, and DIY
March 2018
Recent Releases
The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from...
Natalie Chanin; illustrated by Sun Young Park
What it is
: a well-organized spiral-bound book that teaches 100 embroidery stitches via a new grid-system method (templates are included); clear photos show both the front and back of the stitches.
Who it's for:
fans of embroidery
who appreciate detailed instructions and books that address more complicated stitches.
Chinese Soul Food: A Friendly Guide for Homemade Dumplings, Stir-fries...
Hsiao-Ching Chou
What it is:
a cookbook that just might replace your take-out menus. Written by a talented chef whose parents ran a Chinese restaurant in Missouri and taught her traditional Chinese homecooking,
Chinese Soul Food
covers key ingredients, techniques, equipment and more.
Recipes include:
Pork and Chinese Cabbage Dumplings, Green Onion Pancakes, Spring Rolls, Hot and Sour Soup, Mongolian Beef, Mu Shu Pork, Cashew Chicken, and Chou's famous Pot Stickers.
Niki Jabbour's Veggie Garden Remix: 238 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and...
Niki Jabbour
Who it's for:
gardeners who want to branch out and grow unusual vegetables. Using a "Like this? Then try this!" approach, Jabbour describes all sorts of veggies that readers may never had heard of -- and gives growing instructions. Lovely, colorful photos enhance the friendly writing style.
Want a taste?
If you like cherry tomatoes, Jabbour recommends you try ground cherries, Cape gooseberries, tomatillas, and less familiar varieties of cherry tomatoes, such as the sweet Snow White.
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from...
Margareta Magnusson
What it is:
a charming (really!) look at decluttering from a Swedish point of view that's especially helpful if you are downsizing or have reached a certain period of life.
Read it for:
commonsense musings and advice from a pleasant guide who's "somewhere between 80 and 100 years old."
Want a taste?
"Death clearning is not about dusting or mopping up; it is about a permanent form of organization that makes your everyday life run more smoothly."
Focus on: Hygge
Hygge's a word of Norwegian origin that's used by the Danish to mean cozy, content, comfortable, companionable, and such. Want more hygge in your life? Check out the books below!
The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Contentment, Comfort, and Connection
Louisa Thomsen Brits
What it is:
a quiet, thoughtful guide with color photos and inspiring quotations that explains all the things hygge can be and encourages readers to embrace it in their own way. Half-Danish author Louisa Brits shares practical advice, too.
Want a taste?
"Hygge is a feeling that most of us know but can't quite define. To give a name to an experience is to pay attention to it."
How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life
Signe Johansen
home advice, lifestyle tips, lovely photos, and a wide variety of recipes (both sweet and savory). This engaging book by a Norwegian chef and writer uses the concept of hygge to demonstrate how readers can embrace cozy in all areas of their lives.
Chapters include:
Outdoor Pursuits, The Nordic Kitchen, Healthy Hedonism, Design & Home, and Kinship, Conviviality & Openness.
Scandinavian Classic Baking
Pat Sinclair
What it is:
a way to get more Danishes (and cakes, cookies, tarts, etc.) into your life. Part of creating hygge is enjoying (preferably homemade) Scandinavian treats, and this
cookbook will help you do that
Recipes include:
Swedish Limpa, St. Lucia Buns, Strawberry Cream Cake, Norwegian Toscakake, Danish Almond Cookies, Danish Pastry, Swedish Kringle, and Finnish Browned Butter Teaspoon Cookies.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living
Meik Wiking
What it is:
a cheerful
look at how to be happy by bringing more hygge into your life. Offering practical advice (lighting a candle equals instant hygge) and thoughtful ideas, this little book can help readers find big pleasures in small comforts.
Author alert:
Meik Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen (where they light candles in the office every day); he wrote this book to explore hygge's connection to happiness. If you like his style, check out his latest,
The Little Book of Lykke
Contact your librarian for more great books!
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102


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Weather Blog: Measuring up March snow and cold
Thank you for stopping by the Weather Watch 12 Blog! Measuring up the snow and cold this month shows that March is truly a winter month in Wisconsin.
A snowpack remains in the place across southeastern Wisconsin. Milwaukee's snow depth is currently 2". While that is not a lot, much deeper snow is just to our northwest. The Midwest Regional Climate Center snow depth map below shows a depth of 6"+ still present in Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties.
Several feet of snow are in place in parts of northern Minnesota and the U.P. of Michigan. The expansive snowpack is leading to shots of cold air being even colder. The chilly temperatures typically moderate moving over a snowfree(bare ground) surface. When snow is on the ground and particularly deep, the air can stay colder as it drifts in from Canada.
This is one reason our cold snaps recently have packed a punch. The snow will quickly erode over southeast Wisconsin once surface winds turn south and draw in milder temperatures. The problem is this does not look to occur until possibly the start of April. Even a warm-up in the current pattern may not have staying power.
The cold temperatures have led to average monthly temperatures running over 6 degrees below average in southern Wisconsin. The average temperature map below is valid from March 1 to March 20.
With a storm system traveling just south of our area this weekend cold temperatures will remain locked in place. The only question is will snow lift far enough north to provide accumulation Sunday.
The NAM computer model forecast below is valid at 7am Sunday. This keep the moisture south. This is just one model we look at for guidance. Another model does bring some snow showers into southeast Wisconsin. We will keep an eye on the Sunday forecast as a slight drift north would bring snow into southern Wisconsin.
Snow or no snow cool/cold temperatures will remain locked in place very likely through the end of March.
For the latest weather information watch WISN 12 News, and for weather updates throughout the day follow me on Twitter @jnelsonweather
Have a great day!
Jeremy Nelson


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Shootout at the OK Galaxy
Published by
Developed by
Not an American user?
DescriptionWith billions of defenseless Federation citizens behind you and a horde of barbarian starships in front of you, Patrol Zone O/K 2.7345-9.02 is your OK Corral. Instead of a Colt 45 Peacemaker, your weapon is the FSS Demona, perhaps the best starship in the depleted Federation fleet.
The Demona has shields, hyperspace drive, and deadly lasers which can blast a barbarian raider out of existence with a single shot. Their hits, by contrast, will just scratch her shields, which you can easily reinforce with more energy. Energy is the catch, though. Every shot and hyperspace jump consumes an appreciable amount, while life support drains the ship as steadily as a clock ticks. More than their lasers, the barbarians' maneuverability is their deadliest weapon. Get a little too eager with your rapid-fire lasers and you'll have nothing left for that pesky life support system. Take too long to destroy all the enemies in your patrol zone, and they'll slip through to lay waste to the Federation's most populous planets.
A single supply ship exists, which you can visit as often as you need. Just make sure you don't run out of gas getting there or lining up with its fuel pod. Hyperspace jumps also take a certain deftness. While dogfights within a sector range across unlimited three-dimensional space, hyperspace is flat and there'll be no jumping with the Demona's nose pointing off the galactic plane. Heading and azimuth are on the main screen, which is dominated by a view of the starry void, complete with crosshairs. When you do jump successfully, those stars disappear, then slowly expand from a thin, horizontal line as you enter the new sector. Energy, shields, and sensor readings are packed into the main screen, too. Separately, a map is available showing enemy presence in the sectors you have scanned, along with the location of that vital supply ship.
Dogfights rest on interpreting the trajectory of the barbarian raiders in order to draw them into your crosshairs and meet them there with a slightly anticipatory laser blast. Fifteen levels of difficulty are available; at higher levels an occasional second raider in the sector can make their shots a genuine hazard. Nonetheless, the primary challenge of higher difficulty is life support's rate of energy consumption. With the energy level ticking down faster, each dogfight becomes a race to target the enemy raider and return to the supply ship while there's still air in your lungs.
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Apple II Credits (14 people)
Game Concept and Design:
William J. Sheppard (Will Sheppard)Production Coordinator:
Colonial CompositioPrinting:
Monarch ServicesCamera Production:
Darien Okanda (Captain FSS Demona)


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Castleford, a town in Yorkshire. Castleford has many business opportunities for a business seeker looking to buy a business for sale in Castleford. In Castleford you will find many independently owned and franchised businesses including cafes, retail outlets, pubs, and hotels. There are many franchised outlets operating in and around Castleford.
Finding the Best Businesses for Sale in Castleford
There are a whole range of businesses available to buy in Castleford. You may have a solid idea of the type of business that will best suit your skills and experience or you may want to check businesses for sale in Castleford to see if you can find a business for sale in Castleford that is just waiting to be developed. Location is essential to any business, Castleford is a popular town attracting many locals, shoppers and visitors. If your business type would benefit from a high level of visitors as well as the local community, a business for sale in Castleford could be the right choice.
There are many businesses for sale in Castleford to choose from many are long standing existing businesses to exciting franchise opportunities, finding the right business is all about research and planning. Think about the location of the business for sale in Castleford, is it in the right part of town for the product or service you intend to supply? Will you need to take over an expensive lease? Is any existing stock valued at a fair price? What is the extent of the assets and liabilities of the business. Are the figures what you were expecting? Can any dip in profits be explained? Are the staff ready to embrace the changes you may need to make?
If you are comfortable that all the boxes are ticked then you will need to negotiate the best possible purchase price for the business for sale in Castleford. Once an agreement is reached and you are in a period of 'due diligence' it is highly recommended that you employ the professional services of a solicitor and accountant, to review both agreement and the figures, this will ensure a smooth sale. Soon you will be running your new business in Castleford.


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Mammals have all sorts of interesting and novel defense tactics: sharp quills, stinky spray, and clever camouflage, among others. Some mammals even produce poison to deter predators looking for a meal. Now, scientists have identified the first mammal that uses poison—but gets it from another species. Last week's issue of Proc B reports that the African crested rat chews bark from a particular plant, then smears the slimy paste onto specialized hairs that can deliver the toxin to a hungry predator's mouth.
The African crested rat is a large gray rodent that lives in (wait for it...) Africa. It resembles a porcupine at first glance. In general, these rats are pretty sluggish and inconspicuous but, when threatened, they fluff up a row of hairs along their backs, exposing a bright black and white pattern. They also turn away from the predator, pointing their hairy mohawks and brightly patterned flanks toward the threat. Until recently, scientists weren't sure why such a slow-moving animal would seemingly invite an attack with this bold display.
But an in-depth study of the African crested rat shows that this display, as well as the morphology of the rat, is a highly evolved method to deter predators. First, the rats chew up bark from the a particular type of East African tree, called Acokanthera schimperi. Once the bark softens, the rats smear the paste on the specialized hairs along its back. If the rat drops any of the chewed bark, he carefully picks it up and smears these pieces on as well. The rats perform this behavior regularly; a wild-caught rat in captivity prepped himself with poison three times over five days.
Using an scanning electron microscope, the scientists found that these particular hairs are structured to store and deliver poison. The toxin in the bark is absorbed into the hair through capillary action and stored inside the hair shaft. Once this process is complete, touching the hairs will deliver a large dose of strong toxin.
The toxin found in the bark of in A. schimperi is called ouabain, and has long been used in offensive weaponry: poison-tipped arrows made by humans. Ouabain increases the force of muscle contractions in the heart, leading to a loss of coordination, collapse, and sometimes death.
Here is where the rat's strange defensive behavior comes in: to maximize the chance of a predator's delicate mouth coming into contact with the toxin, the rat turns its back and fluffs up these particular poison-holding hairs. If the predator hasn't come into contact with the rat before, it will probably bite, getting a large dose of toxin delivered directly into its mouth. If it survives the ordeal, the next time the predator sees the memorable black and white pattern, it will probably think twice about taking the bait.
There are still many unanswered questions about this defense tactic, including one that should be obvious: why don't the rats poison themselves while chewing the bark? This is the first known example of a non-human mammal acquiring a poisonous compound from another species and using it for its own defense. The entire suite of adaptations, from bark-chewing to specialized hairs to defensive behavior, is an elegant solution to nearly every animal's task of defending itself against predators.
Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2011. DOI: (About DOIs).


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Yoga Trapeze® - Orange with Free DVD Tutorials
Achieve Deeper Backbends & Instant Back Pain Relief w/The Yoga Trapeze®!The Yoga Trapeze® is the most powerful, at-home yoga inversion tool ever created. Hang it from the inside on your doorway; or outside from a beam, bar or swing set. Setup is fast and simple, results are immediate. Heal Your Spine at HomeOur students report that the Yoga Trapeze® is more effective than an 1-hour deep tissue massage or a multiple series of chiropractic adjustments.
Read More


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Protesters Call for GMO Labeling in Nationwide Rallies
While in Montpelier, Vermont, recently, I spotted an anti-GMO (genetically-modified organism) protest outside City Hall. I thought the small rally was just a local event until I heard about the nationwide effort that brought similar rallies to 20 locations across the U.S. on Saturday, March 26. The rallies were organized by the Organic Consumers Association, a non-profit that seeks to increase the prevalence of organic and sustainable agriculture. Millions Against Monsanto, a subset of the OCA, staged these anti-GMO protests.
The main protest took place outside the White House. Nineteen other groups gathered in New York City, Maui, Tampa Bay, Austin, Seattle, and many other cities.
So what did these protesters want?
The primary outcry is for labeling of products that contain genetically-engineered crops. USDA standards do not allow for organic products to contain GMOs, but there is no regulation requiring GMO labeling on non-organic items. Protesters at these Rallies for the Right to Know want consumers to be more informed about what ingredients are in the foods they're buying and eating every day.
There have been no significant scientific findings that prove that genetically-modified foods result in negative health effects for humans but many worry that it's too soon to know how GMO consumption will affect us down the road.
Corn, soybeans, and multiple other pervasive crops have been manipulated for higher yields, pesticide resistance, and faster growth. It's estimated that more than 75% of non-organic items purchased at supermarkets contain some sort of GMO.
Monsanto, an enormously powerful agricultural and biotechnology corporation, has produced nearly 90% of all GMO seeds now on the market and in our fields. They are known for controlling this market and committing farmers to buying only their seeds each season. Many of the company's past and present executives hold positions in the USDA, Congress, and the Supreme Court. Millions Against Monsanto is pushing back against Monsanto's unparalleled influence, and not without support from the top.
At the D.C. rally on Saturday, a letter from congressman Dennis Kucinich was read. Kucinich has introduced several anti-GMO bills in Congress, and intends to continue calling for labeling reform at the federal level.
While the science on GMOs is nowhere near conclusive, there is a heated debate about labeling genetically-modified foods. A recent and oft-cited poll on MSNBC.com revealed that 96% of respondents believe that GMOs should be labeled, so that consumers can make an informed choice about what they eat. The rallies this past weekend received little media attention, but this debate is happening even at the highest levels of Congress.
Should we label GMOs on non-organic foods? Would labeling influence your purchasing decisions?
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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A well targeted attack against a small power grid subnetwork might result in a cascading failure across the entire US West Coast electricity grid, according to a Chinese academic.
A team led by Jian-Wei Wang, a network analyst at China's Dalian University of Technology, discovered the potential weakness after using publicly available data to model the West Coast US electricity supply networks and its components. Cascading failures led to the August 2003 blackout in the north-east US.
The Chinese team expected to discover that attacks against highly loaded networks carried the greater damage potential. The group analysed the power loading and the connections of each grid sub-network to work out the conditions under which they would trip-out under a variety of failure scenarios.
If backbone systems were taken out, conventional thinking suggests, demand would swamp smaller networks. However the team actually found that, in the right circumstances, taking out a lightly used sub-network first might have a greater effect, the New Scientist reports.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reportedly poring over the report, released last November but overlooked (by the media, at least) until last week.
John Verrico, a DHS technology spokesman, told the New Scientist that countermeasures are already in development. "Our engineers are working on a self-limiting, high-temperature superconductor technology which would stop and prevent power surges generated anywhere in the system from spreading to other substations. Pilot tests in New York City may be ready as soon as 2010."
The Chinese study comes at a time of heightened concern about the robustness of power distribution networks. Reports in April suggested that spies from China and Russia had infiltrated the US electrical grid and planted malware that could sabotage key components.
Recent generations of SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems - used by utilities and manufacturing plants to control systems - are internet enabled, creating additional attack scenarios against power-distribution systems outside of physical sabotage. For example, exploit code against a particular SCADA vulnerability was published as a module within the Metasploit penetration testing tool kit last September. Network worms also pose a risk.
Reports of cyber attacks on utility systems that actually cause any damage are infrequent but not unprecedented.
In Russia, malicious hackers reportedly managed to hijack the controls of a gas pipeline back in 1999. Elsewhere, the Slammer worm disrupted the corporate network at Ohio's inactive Davis-Besse nuclear plant and borked a safety monitoring system for nearly five hours in January 2003.
Problems can also arise as the result of IT equipment failure. A malfunctioning control device forced operators to manually shut down the reactor at Browns Ferry nuclear power plant after two water recirculation pumps failed in August 2006, for example. ®


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During a normal monthly cycle, one of a woman's ovaries will produce a mature egg that will travel through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If sperm fertilizes this egg, the egg will attach itself to the uterine wall and begin developing into a fetus.
Barrier methods of birth control prevent pregnancy by making sure that sperm and egg do not meet.
The cervical cap is made of soft rubber and is designed to fit completely over the cervix. Spermicide is placed on the outer rim of the cap and in the portion of the cap facing the vagina. The cervical cap prevents pregnancy by blocking the sperm from entering the uterus.
The diaphragm is available by prescription only and must be fitted by a physician. Once the diaphragm is fitted, a woman can insert and remove it by herself. This dome-shaped rubber disk protects from pregnancy in two ways. The diaphragm blocks sperm from entering the cervix. Spermicide jelly placed inside the rubber dome before insertion will kill any sperm it comes in contact with. Once inserted, the diaphragm is effective for up to six hours.
The female condom is a lubricated polyurethane sheath, similar in appearance to a male condom. It is inserted into the vagina. The closed end covers the cervix. Like the male condom, it is intended for one-time use and then discarded.
The sponge is inserted by the woman into the vagina and covers the cervix blocking sperm from entering the cervix. The sponge also contains a spermicide that kills sperm. It is available without a prescription.
This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM