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Texas Hold 'em FREE on Xbox Live Arcade for the Next 48 Hrs only
Posted by Michael Cardiff Categories: Casual, Hot Deals, Release Dates, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade,
Just in case you forgot, starting tonight at 1AM Pacific time and for the next 48 hours, you will be able to download Texas Hold 'em from the Xbox Live Arcade. After that, you have to pay 800 MS points and admit that you were a lame gamer that didn't check Playfeed often enough. 😉
One of the cooler features in this release is the "Persistent Bankroll", a system which should keep the betting fairly realistic:
Your virtual bankroll is tied to your gamertag and keeps a running tally of your chip count. If you lose all of your chips in a poker game, you'll have to play lower stakes buy-in games to make back your stack and earn your way to the big tables.
This should be a great chance for all of those frugal gamers out there to break into the XBLA scene!
Read More | Xbox Official News
Mad Catz Feels Your Pain, Will Release Arcade Stick for Xbox 360
Posted by Michael Cardiff Categories: Fighting, Retro, Rumors, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade,
"Give me your poor retro gamers, your d-pad using masses yearning to breath the freedom of an arcade joystick," says Mad Catz… or at least that's what I thought they said. Responding to the complaints of Pac Man and Frogger fans everywhere, Mad Catz will be releasing the "Xbox Live Arcade Stick", or at least that's what this image - found briefly in EB Games' product listings and then promptly removed - would seem to imply. The design replaces one of the analog sticks on the original 360 controller with a large joystick, alleviating some of the problems gamers have been complaining about with the XBLA titles.
Still, there's a lot about this design that doesn't make sense. For starters, having the joystick in the top left corner of the controller means that you're probably going to have to super-glue this thing to the floor to keep it from banging around. And with Street Fighter II recently released on Live Arcade, one would also wonder why Mad Catz didn't have the foresight to move some of the trigger buttons onto the face of the controller, giving us the old 6-button fighter lovin'. In fact there's no real indication of where the shoulder buttons even went! Frankly, if someone could just work out the wiring to get a SNES Super Advantage working on a 360, I'd be happier.
Rumor is this unit will drop for $49.99 and will be bundled with some Live Arcade games, and more details are expected later this month. Personally, I'll be waiting for some reviews before running out to buy this puppy.
Read More | Joystiq.com
Xbox Live Texas Hold 'Em Free For 48 Hours
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Party Games, Release Dates, Retro, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace,
Microsoft has announced that the upcoming release of their Texas Hold 'em game will be available free of charge for 48 hours. Starting Wednesday, August 23, at 1:00 AM Pacific Time, through Friday, August 25, Xbox Live Gold and Silver members will be able to download the Live game at no cost; after this time, the price goes up to 800 Marketplace points. Microsoft is touting a special "persistent bankroll" for the game; players won't be able to magically reset their chip count, so this should hopefully add more of an incentive for players to play "correctly." Additional features include 8 player online play and three different gameplay modes.
Microsoft also took the opportunity to pimp their future releases, including a Cloning Clyde picture pack for 100 points, and two new classic arcade releases from Konami, Time Pilot and Scramble for 400 points each.
The full press release continues below.
Click to continue reading Xbox Live Texas Hold 'Em Free For 48 Hours
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Xbox Live Marketplace By The Numbers
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace,
As a part of Gamefest 2006, Microsoft has released some of the statistics driving Xbox Live Marketplace and their lessons learned over the past year. 1up reports on the details. Touting the availability of demos as drivers of game sales, Microsoft reported that 40% of the downloaders of the demo version of EA's Fight Night Round 3 eventually purchased the game. It is hard to really judge the success of the demo as a sales driver, though. 60% of the people that downloaded the demo still did not purchase the game; of the remaining 40% one can not really say how many downloaders would have bought the game anyway.
Microsoft also outlined the top download categories on the Marketplace service. Demos lead, with trailers second and Arcade titles third. Not surprisingly, free content seems to be the biggest draw. 80% of Xbox 360 owners have downloaded a file from the Xbox Live Marketplace, but only 25% have used Marketplace Points. This seems to be a shockingly low number. The Points packaging price points may have something to do with this, there may be a lack of interest in the paid content available, or security might be a concern. Certainly, some of the paid content providers like Activision have seen benefits to their bottom line, but bottom line adoption rates need to rise. Microsoft also stressed that the timing of releases will have a lot to do with their success. Overall, for the first year in implementation, Microsoft's Marketplace seems to be gaining adopters. It will be interesting to see if Sony and Nintendo can learn from Microsoft's implementation for their download services.
Read More | 1up
The Perils Of DRM: Xbox Live Arcade
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace,
By this time next year, all the major console manufacturers will have some kind of online marketplace for downloadable content. Both the Playstation 3 and Nintendo's Wii will have something similar to Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace so that gamers can download (and pay for) additional content and games. Microsoft, of course, led the way with the Xbox Live Arcade, where gamers can purchase inexpensive downloadable games for the Xbox 360. Like most digital download services, content comes with some kind of digital rights management (DRM) attached.
The goal of DRM is to allow legitimate users access to their content, but prevent "unauthorized" use, like copying or hacking. However, one gamer recently got bit by this when he had to send his Xbox 360 in for repair, as reported on the Paraesthesia blog. Travis Illig used the Xbox Live Arcade service like many users might. There were two profiles on his machine, one for him and one for a friend. Both would buy different Xbox Live Arcade games, and both could play each other's downloaded content.
Eventually, he had to get his Xbox 360 repaired, and when the new machine came back, Travis could play his downloaded games, but not those purchased with the other profile, unless the other profile was signed in first (we talked about this month's ago on The Bleeding Edge.) Xbox Live Arcade games apparently are tied to both the console and the profile in use when the game was authorized; this wouldn't be that much of a problem in normal use. Since the "repaired" Xbox 360 was effectively a new machine, this changed things. Microsoft also locks people from re-purchasing games through a profile if it detects that the user has played the game before, so a simple repurchase wouldn't fix things. One would guess that this would be in place to prevent duplicating authorized game content, but the net effect is that to re-authorize the content for all users on the machine, a user has to create a new profile and then re-buy the content.
Microsoft was at least willing to give Travis a credit to repurchase the games, but issues like these highlight some of the problems users will encounter as publishers push the consumer to pure downloaded content.
Update: Microsoft's Ben Salem from the Xbox Dev Team discusses the issue here.
Read More | Paraesthesia via Boing Boing
Pac-Man Makes His Way To Xbox Live Arcade
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Namco, Puzzle, Retro, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace,
After 25 years of devouring ghosts on systems incapable of churning out high-definition graphics and surround sound, Pac-Man has finally arrived on the Xbox 360 as part of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays. The download will run you 400 points, and contains over 250 levels, along with orignal music and sound effects. Microsoft is pimping that the game has high definition grahics, but let's not kid ourselves, you won't be blown away here. Leaderboards and acheivements round out this offering. We know - you can play Pac-Man for free just about anywhere else. If you find today's release a bit lackluster, just know that next week you will finally get your hands on Texas Hold'em Poker. Of course, since poker isn't my thang, I am looking straight into next month, awaiting Lumines Live with baited breath…
Future Xbox Live Releases Dated
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Internet, Puzzle, Retro, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Arcade,
The latest issue of the Official Xbox Magazine has the upcoming schedule of game releases on Xbox Live Arcade. According to Ars Technica, the next series of games and their associated release dates will be:
August 9: Pac-Man
August 16: Texas Hold 'em
August 23: Time Pilot
August 30: Scramble
September 6: Lumines Live!
Pac-Man, while popular, probably won't endanger the record set by Street Fighter II' Hyperfighting for sales, but should be a reasonably decent classic game title. At the very least, the conversion should be much less challenging than the Capcom fighter. Texas Hold 'em might be interesting online. It is a little disappointing that Microsoft decided not to offer the game for free, and the ultimate price point has yet to be revealed. A couple of Konami classics in Time Pilot and Scramble hit next. Gamers will get Lumines Live just a couple of months before Lumines 2 for the PSP hits the United States. Depending on the pricing and the implementation of online play, Lumines has the opportunity to be another big seller on Microsoft's Xbox Live service.
Read More | Ars Technica
Street Fighter II Lag
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: CAPCOM, Fighting, Retro, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Arcade,
So, Capcom's Street Fighter II' Hyperfighting has hit Xbox Live, and so far, gamer response could be considered mixed at best. Numerous complaints have hit the Internet both via blog posts and the official Xbox forums. Some gamers have reported horrible lag in the game, while others say that while they have experienced a few problems, most of the time the gameplay is smooth. Others have slammed the insane difficulty of single player mode, singling out the computer AI for Ryu as being particularly cheap. According to some, quarter match has worked sporadically, and some gamers have seen the game crash in quick match and custom match modes.
The hardcore Street Fighter fans are even less pleased. In a post titled "Capcom Screws Everyone Again," gamer Jared Rea slams the game. The version of Hyperfighting that is on Live is not arcade perfect, and with the technology available in the Xbox 360, it should be. Rea blames both Microsoft and Capcom. Microsoft gets blame for passing the game through certification with all of the online bugs present. Capcom's responsibility lies in giving development of the title to Sensory Sweep; while having one of Capcom's in-house development teams work on the game would not necessarily ensure a better experience, the version on Xbox Live apparently has glaring gameplay bugs.
Feedback on the game is still early; there is still hope that a later patch could fix some of the online lag and matching issues. But if the accusations of inaccurate gameplay are correct, this will certainly dissuade the hard core Street Fighter crowd.
Read More | 1up
Street Fighter II Finally Hits Xbox Live Arcade
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: CAPCOM, Internet, Retro, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace,
Rumors of Street Fighter II coming to Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade first hit in January; according to reports at the time, the game was supposed to hit the service early this year. Finally, on August 2, Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting will be available for 800 Microsoft Marketplace Points, approximately $10. The game, of course, will offer a host of online features and achievements, along with the typical leaderboard functionality. Quick match or custom match online game selection will be available, along with a new "quarter match." The quarter match mode will simulate the old days of gaming back when Street Fighter II dominated the arcades; virtual "quarters" are used to determine who will fight the winner of each match. Hopefully, the time spent leading up to the release will have been used effectively to reduce lag and gamers will be transported back to the days when they actually had to be in the same room as their opponent.
Read More | Gamerscoreblog
Microsoft Bundles To Compete with PS3?
Posted by Michael Cardiff Categories: Driving, Rumors, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Arcade,
Microsoft may be happy with the position they're in—current counts have the Xbox 360 at about 5 million consoles sold, and the PlayStation 3 seems to be a bad press magnet recently—but that doesn't mean they're not taking the competition seriously. While up until this point Microsoft has denied that they will drop prices to compete with the PS3, speculation and rumors have been circulating that the 360 might start coming with bundled games and/or Xbox Live credits at the same $299/$399 price point.
Ars Technica, one of the more trustworthy blogs, points to "reliable sources" saying that a new 360 bundle may include Project Gotham Racing 3, a free 3-month Xbox Live Gold account, and 1250 Live Marketplace credits along with the current $399 Xbox 360. The value of the add-ons would total roughly $85 retail, but in the end this probably costs Microsoft very little (especially since PGR 3 is published by MS). If true, it's probably quite a smart move by Microsoft - by introducing more folks to their online features for free, MS stands to make a lot more off of Xbox 360 owners. Plus they'll be able to brag about a > 60% connect rate to Xbox Live.
Read More | Ars Technica
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Valter Filho
Hello! It's OK? I have been a drummer since 1999. This year I do 20 years of study, teaching and practice! In these 20 years I have been able to play with many musicians and to form and contribute with many bands! Today, I join the bands Mensageiros do Vento, a band that presents a unique show that mixes the cinema with live music, and the band PDA – Alta Prediction, which comes with an authorial proposal and music full of energy.
All this time, I was able to work as an event producer, musical director and sound technician with my own studio. You know the coolest of all? My story with the drums begins with an Orion dish. A china Solo Pro. I did not even know what a battery was, but it was the dish that caught my attention in a store here in Salvador. It was the first step, for which to my parents they thought it would only be a phase, but it was always my life. Soon after this dish, he was already with a basic battery kit and harassed the neighbors, as he tried to copy what he saw in videos and on TV. Believe! He played the technique without a minor and down the beat on an acoustic drum, in an apartment on the 10th floor of a building. The years passed and I took lessons with a great drum teacher from the area. In 6 months, I was already taking the first firm steps with a double pedal and discovering my references. I went through the ins and outs of Rock and Progressive Metal quickly, but with the studio I had to learn to play a little bit of everything. I recorded Arrocha / Sertanejo CD, some things from our old MPB and I always tried hard to play with different musicians. Each one helped in my training.
Today, I am a very happy musician in my career. I joined a formidable company that has incredible people and its products owe nothing to anyone! A national company with a cast of super cozy employees and varied products! Today, I can say that I have seen the shirt of a company that represents my feeling and can transmit my identity with the sound and quality of its products! I'm Orion Cymbals!
My Cymbal
The choice of dishes comes from a previous experience with the brand. I chose the Rage 10 series for using the old Rage Bass and for looking for a dish that gave me the ability to control all the power it has. This line makes me very comfortable to play any style. The dishes are very sturdy and I can control the dynamics and intention of my play in every song I perform.
In particular, I chose large-sized plates for more flexibility of the dish. The sound comes fuller when I strike hard or make a stiffer ride, and I get a sound with considerable body when I want a slight accent.
The indispensable dish on a set and that ends up being the basic feature of the drummer's sound is the Hit Hat in my design. I chose the 14-inch Rage 10 model for having this range of possibilities. I can, with it, play from a Reggae or a Pop to a very heavy Metal.
The second dish I chose for my sound is Crash, which, for me, it is indispensable that this dish be very flexible sonorously and that is able to provide volume when I need it. I chose the Power Crash of 18 because it fits perfectly into my kit and my idea of sound. Identity defines this dish.
Since we speak of identity, nothing better than effects, to give a good sauce to the sound. I chose without fear the Splash of 10 of the same series, acquiring 3 units of this model. The sound is very peculiar: it manages to be aggressive and at the same time it sounds like a Splash that covers that void in lighter music, replacing even a Crash. Another effect I chose was the MS Splash Control of 8. A very lightweight, supersensitive and versatile dish. Use it as a stax with one of the 10 Rage splashes. The combination was incredible and I was surprised by its strength and versatility alone and with the Rage. The next dish I chose for a very clear reason: I needed something sharp and at the same time I could drive on it without being too sharp. Fell like a glove! I highly recommend the 18 inch China Type. It caters me perfectly in moments of anger and in the softest moments. Finally, the dish I've always been curious to know. The Mega Bell of 22 of the X10. A difficult dish to master because Ping has well defined throughout your body. With that, I had to know him well enough to be able to play with a certain dexterity. It's a little monster: super sound, definition and power! The feeling when I touch it is like I'm driving one of those Monster Trucks! This dish is definitely the dish that closes the kit with mastery and gives the brightness that was missing to the set, giving it a clear reference of sound identity. I am very happy with this selection of dishes. With it, I was able to attach my heavier side to the more eclectic side in a single kit, both for rehearsals and for shows and recordings. And the most impressive thing is that I do not see any difference between the ORION dishes for ANY brand of the world market. I always believe that we should value the national material. Orion does not owe any brand to any brand in the market. I'm definitely really satisfied with the sound, the quality, and my whole relationship with the people involved with Orion Cymbals.
Setup Orion
Control Splash 08″ MS
Splash 10″ Rage 10
Hi Hat 14″ Rage 10
Power Crash 18″ Rage 10
Mega Bell 22″ X10
China 18″ Rage 10

subset: commoncrawl


text: The industry is looking to save lives, reduce injuries, improve mobility equity and convenience, and move people and goods more efficiently. The immense opportunities are being addressed in two ways: existing advanced driver assistance systems are being incrementally improved for privately owned vehicles and highly automated mobility-service vehicle technology is being developed to move both passengers and goods. Major challenges include the need for better approaches to systems engineering, cost reduction, sensor fusion, data processing, artificial intelligence and software development; and education of end consumers. This webcast will look at the major technology trends and challenges of the fast-growing industry and how engineers are developing, simulating, and testing systems for prototype and production.


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Kotaku EastEast is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.
Artist: Spitz | Track: Sarasara | Album: Sarasara/Boku wa kitto tabi ni deru
Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we're listening to - and gaming to - at the moment.


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September 21
I've been in London for about twenty days now. That revelation was quite startling to me – I feel like I only just got here and like I've been here for months. But, I have to remind myself, it's just been twenty days.
Recently I've felt guilty about not taking advantage of more of the history that London has to offer. I'd seen many of my fellow students not only posting pictures of themselves at major London sights, but also talking about trips (present and future) to places outside of London. I felt like I was (and still often feel like I am) falling behind. Adjusting, going to class and figuring out the immediate area have taken up a lot of time. So last week I decided to go to many of the major tourist attractions. Not only was I interested in feeling better about my choices of activities, but I was also genuinely interested in exploring these places.
Wednesday, I set out on my own to see what London had to offer. I went to the Churchill War Rooms first and I must say, it was quite an experience. Seeing the cramped quarters, hearing that the toilets didn't flush and learning about the British perspective on World War II was fascinating. Churchill was quite the boss. He pushed everyone, including himself, very hard, working from 8am to 3am most days.
Next I went to Westminster Abbey, which was beautiful. Having not read much about it, I was delighted to stumble upon the grave of Queen Anne – Richard III's wife. As an admirer of Shakespeare, I had a strong notion of who Anne was based on renditions of Richard III. That surprise, and so many more, made the Abbey worth exploring.
Happily, the rest of my day was spent with other people from the program. I got to wander around the staterooms of Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. One of the most stunning parts of the day was the moat surrounding the towers. In it are thousands of ceramic poppies in remembrance of World War I. The poppies combined with the war rooms reminded me of the much closer connection England had to both wars. Though the US participated, the war was not as immediate in the states.
Most of this weekend has been spent exploring the Harry Potter Studios and Cambridge. I can say that both are lovely to visit. Harry Potter was huge and exciting, while Cambridge was peaceful and lush. Now, though I feel like I've done my part in terms of being more involved in where I'm staying, I am exhausted. I guess the lesson is to take things slowly here. It's just hard to relax knowing there are so many things going on and that I'll only be here for a few months.


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Hans Hummel
[Humell, Hommel; Hans, Hannsen]
* about 1570, Nuremberg (Germany)
† 11.2.1630, Levoča
He trained as an organ builder in Germany. In 1608 he opened an organ builder's workshop in Krakow in Poland. On April 22, 1615 he signed a contract with the Levoča magistracy to build an organ for the Church of St. James in Levoča. He began work, however, only in 1624. Because the construction was delayed and became more expensive, tension grew between both sides. Furthermore, on the application of the Church authorities King Sigismund issued a warrant for him, in which he was accused of stealing tin pipes from the Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Krakow. Hans Hummel died in a fall from scaffolding during the building of the Levoča organ (probably he committed suicide). A chronicler reported that an evil spirit flung him down.
In Poland he completed a number of notable instruments, the best-known being the organ in Olkusz (1612 – 1623). In Slovakia we know only of the construction of the two-manual organ in the Roman Catholic Church of St. James in Levoča, which was long regarded as the largest organ in the Hungarian domain.
Text: Marian Alojz Mayer


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If you spot our colleagues in Tallinn in these green vests, then feel free to ask them for advice. Tourist information walks literally around the Old Town area to answer any tourism related questions. You can seek information about the nearest toilets or ask about Tallinn Card or get recommendations on local restaurants and bars.
Our information officers patrol the streets in July and August.
If you happen to have a question right now then fire away in comments or visit our website https://www.visittallinn.ee
Ahead of the Venice Days held in Tallinn in 1984, gondola makers led by master builder Giovanni Giuponi built a gondola which was offered as a gift to the city of Tallinn. Fortunately there's a photo of the occasion, otherwise we wouldn't believe it either!
That very same gondola is now in Seaplane Harbour so after a stroll in the Schnelli Park walk through Kalamaja neighbourhood to the museum and check it out.
Thanks heaps Stuart for outlining some of the nature spots within the city limits of Tallinn that get overlooked in many of the guidebooks, but deserve to be seen! 🙂
Tallinn, as you'll be reminded frequently by locals, is a small city in a small country, and that has huge benefits for you when you pay a visit…
"Yes, may I please speak to pizza?"
Pizza in Tallinn is better than you can imagine. There is so many pizzerias in Tallinn that it's time to list all the best. Save this link!
Another reason to love midsummer – the city is pretty darn empty and it's pretty darn cool like that. Oh and also Heldeke has sauna open, just saying!
Along with Christmas, Jaaniõhtu (Midsummer Eve – 23 June) and Jaanipäev (Midsummer Day, St John's Day – 24 June) are the most important holidays in the #Estonian 🇪🇪 calendar – people 🤩 around the country will gather with their families, or at larger events to celebrate with singing, dancing and lighting the #bonfires 🔥, as #Estonians have done for centuries. 🤟
Fotografiska Tallinn, you won't want to miss that while in town.
The legendary centre for contemporary photography has arrived to Telliskivi Loomelinnak, go check it out now, thank us later.
Tallinn TV Tower (Tallinna Teletorn) is Estonia's highest building, completed in 1980 to broadcast the Moscow Olympic games since the sailing competitions took place in Tallinn at the Pirita harbour. The tower has an impressive history and played an essential role in 1991 when Estonia regained its independence in August. Today the TV-tower is open for visitors as a tourist attraction. You can learn more about the tower's history, enjoy temporary exhibitions (current one explains genealogy), dine in the highest restaurant in the country or get an adrenaline rush from walking on the edge of the tower's viewing platform.
Ticket to the tower is 13 euros. Tallinn Card holders get in for free and from the priority queue.
Greetings to: Jorden Tually, Mark Harrison, Šimon Snopek, Evelina Parkere, Valery Sokolova, Aleksandr Snitovskii, Juhani Särglep, Sam McAllister
© United Backpackers Hostel 2014–2020


text:
One Way to Fix the Hot Mess that Is Debt Collections
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is charging the law firm Frederick J. Hanna & Associates $3.1 million over allegations that it illegally filed debt collection lawsuits against consumers.December 28
Tech startup Global Debt Registry hopes a central, online record of consumer debt will help end abuses in collection practices. But the byzantine world of debt collections is full of challenges.December 29
BBVA Compass is using technology to create a "kinder, gentler" debt collection system that also happens to be far more efficient and cost-effective.July 30
Recent high-profile settlements and a New York Times article have drawn fresh attention to problems in the debt collection industry. Many of these could be resolved with the deployment of a trusted national database for consumer debt.
In December, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau charged the law firm of Frederick J. Hanna & Associates $3.1 million with illegally filing debt collection lawsuits against consumers. The bureau accused the firm of using "deceptive court filings and faulty evidence" to churn out such suits. In July, JPMorgan Chase agreed to pay more than $200 million to settle claims by federal and state regulators that the bank wrongfully collected credit card payments from hundreds of thousands of consumers. The regulators said the bank "subjected consumers to collections activity for accounts that were not theirs and in amounts that were incorrect or uncollectable."
The Times article tells the story of a retired electrician with multiple sclerosis living on Social Security who suddenly realizes a debt collector has garnished his bank account after suing him for an old debt. The victim never knew the lawsuit had been brought against him until the money was gone.
Other, similar examples abound.
American Banker has written about this issue several times, and Jake Halpern's book "Bad Paper" spelled out in detail just what a hot mess the collections industry remains, with lost and missing paperwork, wrongful collections, double collections, harassment, business models based on default judgments against debtors (with no room for actual research on debt cases), mandatory arbitration and little recourse for debtors or former debtors who long since paid off their loans but can't prove it.
There are at least two ways technology could solve or reduce these problems. One is better communication and negotiation with borrowers, perhaps accompanied by a self-service portal through which debtors can adjust their payments, like BBVA Compass has. (Such efforts would help the original creditor get repaid, without feeling compelled to turn the debt over to a collections agency.)
The other is better recordkeeping and documentation, to help eliminate fraud, double-dealing and other forms of abuse.
The Federal Trade Commission, which examined 5,000 debt portfolios purchased by the nation's largest debt buyers in 2013, found that only 12% included documentation.
Many collectors work debts for which they've never seen the charge-off statement or prior statements. They don't know the collections efforts that have already taken place, and they don't even know the terms and conditions of the original paper.
If there were a central place where consumers and collectors could quickly check the records, the process could potentially be smoother and fairer to both parties.
Two centralized databases for consumer debt exist, run by Convoke Systems and Global Debt Registry. Once banks register credit cards and other consumer loans in one of these databases, the registries maintain an audit trail of the debt buyers and collections agencies that trade the paper.
Global Debt Registry also lets consumers look up their own records and receive "extinguishment reports" when they've paid their debt.
"This is a centralized utility for the purposes of clarifying rights that would help facilitate commerce and be better for consumers," said Ben Kahrl, general counsel at Global Debt Registry. "And hopefully avoid a lot of the litigation and confusion that surrounds what should be a basic practice of collecting on small-dollar debt. It would clarify who owns collection rights and make this information available to consumers."
A national registry is one way to make sure that when debt is transferred from owner to buyer, the documentation stays authentic and current, with change of title and appropriate documentation, saidJan Stieger, executive director of DBA International, an association of debt buyers.
"The industry is in full support of making sure there's no degradation of documentation integrity when debt is transferred from an originating creditor to a buyer," she said.
Waiting for the CFPB
The CFPB, several state attorneys general and trade groups have supported the concept of a national debt registry. But, although some debt collectors and banks have signed up for and use the debt registries, most haven't. They're in a holding pattern, frozen by the knowledge that regulators like the CFPB are planning to release guidance.
In November 2013, the CFPB came out with an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking that would update regulations under the 1977 Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
"That was a double-edged sword," said Kahrl. "On one hand, it created a spotlight and an acknowledgement of what we do, and that this is a possible means of solving debt collection problems. But the flip side has been that because there's an expectation that this rulemaking is coming, a lot of the feedback we've gotten from the big banks is that while they're interested in this, they're not ready to adopt anything until they know what comes out of that rulemaking."
Banks especially don't want to adopt a new solution before being told it will be acceptable or sufficient to meet the regulatory requirements, Kahrl said. Yet, he said, "much of what the CFPB has been concerned about would be solved by adopting what we do."
One question the CFPB needs to answer in its new rules, one that would affect how a national registry would operate, is this: what is appropriate documentation of debt?
"The purpose of the documentation for an account is to make sure you're collecting the right amount and that you have the right person and that you have the authority to collect that debt," Stieger noted. "Is that 11 bank statements, or 16, or 18 as the Chase order says, or 12 as the OCC says? Those are the kinds of things we're waiting for the CFPB to come out and say."
Stieger doesn't expect the CFPB to issue its new debt collection rules until 2017, partly because the bureau is focused for now on arbitration and payday lenders.
"It's caused the industry to be in a holding pattern and a paralysis," she said. "Nobody wants to sell debt because they don't know what the rules are around documentation, phone messages, etc. I would do anything to have clear rules."
In addition to the CFPB, the Uniform Law Commission, which created the uniform commercial code, is looking at state debt collection laws, which vary greatly. It's formed a study committee on the transfer and recording of consumer debt, and one of the ideas the committee is studying is of a national debt registry.
Logistical Questions
One drawback to the idea of a national registry is the industry already has two, run by Global Debt Registry and Convoke, and more may be in development.
"Do you run into the problem where this debt is registered with Convoke, but that debt is registered with GDR?" Stieger noted. "Is it one system or multiple systems? Is it a government-run system?"
Either way, she noted, a lot of sensitive, personally identifiable information would be stored in multiple places where hackers could try to steal it.
Another issue is cost. When banks register debt with Global Debt Registry or Convoke, they pay a fee, a cost that inevitably gets passed down the chain.
Some skeptics of the idea of a national registry point to MERS, the mortgage registry that came under fire during the financial crisis for muddying the ownership of distressed loans.
Global Debt Registry is talking to regulators, consumer advocates, banking lawyers and others, "so the result would be something everybody could live with," Kahrl said.
Will It Hold Up in Court?
Debts are sometimes pursued by unscrupulous or misinformed collectors long after they have been charged off, sold, or released. Consumers can be intimidated into paying.
Therefore the biggest benefit to debtors of a national registry would be proof that would convince a court they paid off their loan or credit card outstandings, or that the amount is less than they're being dunned for.
Global Debt Registry's extinguishment report, which is offered free to consumers, is a statement by the last owner of record that a debt has been resolved, by settlement, payoff, by being discharged to bankruptcy, or being deemed uncollectable because it's so old.
It would be hard for anybody to repudiate that document once it's in the consumer's hands, Kahrl said.
"Debt collection is a volume business, there's not a lot of money made on any particular case," he noted. So it wouldn't be worth the time and resources to fight a case where the debtor has such documentation.
An extinguishment report would overcome the problem of the consumer who paid a debt, but doesn't remember the name of the company it paid.
Kahrl described a typical consumer's predicament: "All I remember is that I had that old Home Depot or Amex card and I paid off somebody, but I never chose the debt collection agency, and it's probably the only time in my life I've been called by that company. Some of us don't have the greatest recordkeeping and it's hard to keep track of what we did two years ago."
The extinguishment report does not have the same legal significance as a recorded lien release and it has not been tested in court.
"But as a practical matter, it is physical evidence, it is a sworn statement, it is a record the registry could come forward and testify to," Kahrl said. "That record is admissible as a matter of law." For a legal stamp of approval, all transactions in Global Debt Registry are electronically signed by the buyer and seller. Some courts have accepted the firm's records as evidence, he said.
Debt collection affects more than just deadbeats. A layoff, a serious medical condition, an accident, a family crisis, fraud or theft can quickly turn a conscientious bill payer into someone who can't make ends meet.
The idea of a national registry isn't flawless and a lot will depend on execution. But it seems a lot better than what we have today, which is no way for consumers to verify whether a debt collector is telling the truth.
Editor at Large Penny Crosman welcomes feedback at email@example.com.


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Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2006
- Messages
- 16,344
- Website
- www.google.com
A quite odd lawsuit, especially given the attention it draws
Trump campaign staffers get into public screaming match | Page Six... a public spat between the then campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and press secretary Hope Hicks. The two reportedly engaged in a public argument on a weekday night in midtown Manhattan, with Hicks screaming: Im done with you.
... a denial by Nunberg that he provided the New York Post with a story about what he described as a lovers quarrel and describes Lewandowski and Hicks engaging in a sordid and apparently illicit affair.
Will Trump use such legal tactics throughout the campaign... if elected?Onlookers were stunned to see Hicks, 27, hollering at Lewandowski, 42, in plain view of passersby on 61st Street near Park Avenue.


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Broyhill Forest is a family-friendly neighborhood located in Arlington, Virginia. The neighborhood which was built in the 1950s is two minutes away from Chain Bridge Road and a quick commute to Washington DC.
Broyhill Forest/Hills: A Community Of Residences In Arlington, Virginia
Sprawling House Asking $1,824,999 in Arlington, Virginia
Will Nesbitt has experience working in Arlington, Virginia and can help real estate shoppers.
Will Nesbitt tells clients, "Thanks much for giving my family-run business a chance to work for you." When a property hunter is thinking about a 5-bedroom colonials in Broyhill Forest/Hills, Will Nesbitt can assist in Arlington County VA.
Broyhill Forest/Hills Highlights and Listings
Big Tudor-Home For Sale Like 4357 26th St N
Maybe, you're wondering what a Tudor-style home is.
Formula For Home Purchasing Happiness In Arlington, Virginia
This (amazing house) + (outstanding location) – $1,999,999 list price = 1 satisfied new homeowner.
Work out the gain on this house.


text:
Just in time for Black Friday shopping, Flipp introduced a new Deals feature to the award-winning Flipp app, making it even easier to find the hottest deals on items near you.
Access the Deals feature in the bottom navigation bar by tapping the [Deals] icon and Flipp will instantly show you the hottest deals in your area.
Always finding new ways to help users easily save money and plan their shop, Flipp's new Deals feature also lets you:
- Browse deals by category using the category options located in the top toolbar
- Quickly view the top discounted items in your area
- See if items are trending near you
Want to win at Black Friday shopping? Follow Flipp for tips and tricks to help you save more on everything on your Black Friday list.


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Hiking Inn to Inn
This is a challenging 41.6 mile hike that crosses the Sierra Nevada from east to west. It passes through some of the most breathtaking parts of these majestic mountains, traveling along the trail of the pony express and in the footsteps of adventurers who once sought fortune in the gold rush of the mid-1800s.
There are three days of hiking, each ending at a beautiful…Continue
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Charlie Parker
(b. 8/29/20 - Kansas City, KS d. 3/12/55 - New York, NY)
|Title: Yardbird Suite - The Ultimate Charlie Parker
Personnel: various jazz giants from the '40's-'50's.
Recorded: various
Label: Rhino
Comments: The father of modern jazz, Charlie Parker's genius was unparalleled during his lifetime and continues to amaze into the 21st century. His rhythmic sophistication is just simply flabbergasting, and his playing has influenced every single musician who has attempted to play jazz since. Along with Dizzy Gillespie, Parker invented the new music of his day (1942) - bebop. Characterized through the use of "extensions" (notes related to the chords of the song that had never been used before), bebop was a complete revolution following the big band era of the 20's, 30's and early 40's. Together with Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy, Kenny Clark and Max Roach (on drums), Parker created the new music that could only be played by the most advanced technicians of the day, as the music was complicated, difficult, and far advanced. This compilation CD comes from various labels and is simply the best introduction to Bird's music on the shelf today.
|Title: Bird & Diz
Personnel: Charlie Parker (alto sax), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Thelonious Monk, (piano), Buddy Rich (drums). Curly Russell (bass).
Recorded: 6/6/50
Label: Verve
Comments: A terrific CD recorded some eight years into the be-bop era, Bird & Diz is a great document of these masters of be-bop. Unfortunately, the greatness of Charlie Parker was to only last five more years, as Bird died at the young age of 35 in 1955. Perhaps his candle was burning faster than normal, as the coroner estimated his age at 65 the night he died. Incredible...
|Title: Bird at St. Nicks (Live)
Personnel: Charlie Parker (alto sax), Red Rodney (trumpet), Al Haig (piano), Roy Haynes (drums), Tommy Potter (bass).
Recorded: 1950
Label: Fantasy
Comments: Nearly all of Bird's CD's are worth getting, but some stick out from the rest. This CD is important because it is a live recording, where Bird gets into some ideas that you don't find anywhere else. In particular, his playing on "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," is remarkable with respect to the intervals that he plays in one part of his solo. Just as his playing was easily a decade or two ahead of his time, Bird always had one foot grounded to the history that came before him. Listen as he quotes Louis Armstrong's introduction to "West End Blues," which was recorded 22 years earlier in 1928.
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This is really hard to admit, but I am obsessed with something. I cannot get it out of my mind. I think about it, rolling it over and over again, like a shiny stone, trying to fully comprehend its essence.
What is my little shiny obsession? It's Trump. Playing golf.
I know WTF, right? It's crazy, but everything that happens, every news snippet, every slight or injustice, every crazy political scheme, and I think about him playing golf. And it annoys the crap out of me. He orders bombings in Syria, in a room likely overlooking his golf course. He shakes the hands of foreign leaders with the tiny hands that will swing a club at a tiny ball a few short hours later. He's likely quite distracted by the thought of hitting the course all the while discussing important issues like global warming and human rights. With a man and an administration showing so much instability, the only stabilizing force appears to be, surprisingly, golf.
My analytical mind wants to make connections, discover the true meaning behind the actions. Why Trump? Why golf? What is it about golf that draws someone like him to it for introspection and enlightenment like some kind of weekly church service?
I wish I knew from personal experience, but golf never really interested me. I've played miniature golf before — in fact, it's a family tradition when we go on vacation to Myrtle Beach. It's tacky and touristy and we love it, but I certainly wouldn't turn to it in times of great turmoil. Wine, maybe, but not golf. My husband has a set of clubs in the garage, covered with cobwebs, and I'm pretty sure he bought them at Walmart, so that's kind of embarrassing. Especially because golf is for the rich. If he showed up with those clubs at Mar-A-Lago, well, the banjo theme from Deliverance would play.
The fact that Trump loves golf shows the separation of us from them. Golf costs a lot of money. Regular middle-class golfers can play, but certainly not the poor. And certainly not at a fancy shmancy golf course. And certainly not every single weekend. Golf is a status symbol. The richer you are, the more golf you can play. Trump likes that.
I think his love of golf may have something to do with the clubs. I see his form, hands gripped one on top of the other on the shaft of the club, his legs just slightly spread for stability, and that club poised in between his thighs. The follow through with his swing, showing the club straight up in the air like a giant, hard, erect … well, you get the picture. For what he may lack in gifts from mother nature, he surely makes up with a long, hard golf club swinging through the air.
(Did my Freudian slip just show? Let me adjust my skirt.)
Poor Trump. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Having all that money must be such a burden. Being the POTUS is hard! A man just needs a way to blow off a little steam. Hitting a tiny ball with an instrument reminiscent of a phallus is not hurting anybody! Spending hard-earned tax payer money (the government has been working so hard on our behalf to earn it from us!) on something as important as the president's mental health and well-being is really such a small price to pay. I'd prefer to pay for him to see a psychiatrist, but if golf is keeping us from entering World War III, then I guess I have no choice. I guess I'm going to have to accept it and let it go, the leader of the free world likes to play with his long, hard, erect golf clubs every single weekend.


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The American Farm Bureau's chief economist isn't shocked
that the number of farmers filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy has risen again.
Between September 2018 and 2019, 580 farmers filed for Chapter 12 bankruptcy,
data from U.S. Courts says. That number is the highest since 2011, when 676
farmers filed for bankruptcy.
Given America's ag economics, seeing these bankruptcy
figures rise makes sense, said John Newton.
"We've had a tough time in the farm economy the last
few years," he told Farms.com. "It's not an alarming trend, but it's
one that is moving in the wrong direction."
Low commodity prices play a key factor in a farm's financial
stability. Almost 50 farms in Wisconsin, for example, filed for Chapter 12
between September 2018 and 2019.
"I think that's primarily due to the low milk prices
we've seen since 2014 and 2015," Newton said. "The trade war lowered
commodity prices and increased (market) variability."
In November 2014, U.S. dairy producers could earn around
US$23 per hundredweight. As of September 2019, that price had dropped to around
US$19.30 per hundredweight.
Multiple factors could help the bankruptcy figures decline.
The financial assistance packages the Trump administration
announced for the past two years helps some, "but not all farmers were
eligible for trade aid," Newton said.
Creating more opportunities for U.S. farm products is a
surefire way to ensure farm finances are stable.


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OmniMount Launches New Web Site
OmniMount announced this week that it has launched a new consumer Web site, at www.omnimount.com.
The new site includes the MountFinder feature, clearer navigation and in-depth content and images for each product, and a Live Chat feature for customer support. The site is also mobile-capable.
"Our goal for this redesign was to create a website that users can easily navigate and find everything they need to ensure the best product choice," Alex Robertson, OmniMount's senior vice president of sales and marketing, said as part of the announcement. "Customer service has always been a top priority for OmniMount, and this new site is just a part of that ongoing commitment."
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I purchased a session with her and have been going back weekly to her ever since.
I was unfamiliar with hypnosis, but intrigued to learn and try to heal things that I felt needed to be addressed from my past. I am learning how powerful our subconscious really is. We so often forget the power of our minds since we usually are not aware of this subconscious level. I have been to therapy in the past, but nothing like this. I believe Rochelle is able to help me more than any other person I have found.
Rochelle's hypnotherapy sessions are very effective. I tell her my life story, what bothers me, what I struggle with, and we spend our sessions repairing and envisioning the life that I want and actually have (if I let go of all the hurt, pain, and fears I have carried for so many years). I thank Rochelle for her insight, her ability to say exactly what I need to hear. My mind is humbled by her words. After each session I feel so happy. I have been raving about her since I met her. I HIGHLY recommend trying this out. She has a gift, and I am lucky I found her. My life seems to be happier already. Thank you!
— Elian A. Los angeles


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January 6, 2015
My ISP doesn't allow me to access the modem/router. So, I call them so they can change the port forwarding rules. They said they changed all 3. (88- I changed from 80. 37777, and 37778) gave them my nvr's IP.
When I go to canyouseeme.org , it says error: the connection timed out. Any Ideas?
I'm ultimately trying to connect via android phone with techpross plus.
I have been able to connect within my network.
September 16, 2014
January 6, 2015
Do you know exactly to what IP address they forward those ports to? Normally port forwarding have 2 steps, One is the port you are opening then who's going to be listening to that port in your internal network. An example will be if the port your ISP open is 88 but they forward this port to a random IP address inside your network then whatever device with that IP address in your network will be listening through that port. So it is very important that the ports are forward to the IP address of the DVR, you will need to give that info to the ISP in order for then to properly port forward the ports correctly. if your DVR IP address is 192.168.1.108 then the port need to be forward to that IP address. PLEase make sure your ISP know this.
January 6, 2015
Yes, they already know this. I told them which IP to use for all 3 ports. My gateway is 192.168.0.1 , my NVR IP is 192.168.0.108 (this is the IP that I gave them) Its frustrating not to be able to control it myself. They give you a motorola surfboard sbg6580 , but wont give me the password to control it. Could it be some kind of firewall on there end. I'm still learning, If I should call them, what should I have them look for?
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Games with funny puns (oxymoron warning!) in the title, games rife with perverse sexual content and a few genius gameplay ideas peppered the Pitch Your Game Idea panel at PAX East 2010.
The format for this panel came about when Jeff Kalles started hanging out with Krahulik and Holkins of Penny Arcade. Kalles' job at Nintendo was to hear game pitches and decide which were the best ones to move forward with development, and the PA crew thought it was funny to spend hours pitching him their own ludicrous concepts. Krahulik pitched Amish Butter Churning, while the more management-oriented Robert Khoo, of course, pitched a business RPG, and Porkfry thought Backyard Rock Fight would be a great game. It was so much fun that Kalles ran the process as a panel at the first PAX in 2004 where attendees offered their ideas and got either viciously shot down or had their creativity rewarded with a prize or two. He's been doing it at every PAX since, and Kalles said it's his favorite event at each show.
For PAX East 2010, the panel consisted of Kalles, Scott Kurtz from PvP, and Tim Train, president of Big Huge Games. Kalles apologized in advance for any possible meanness saying, "If this is like American Idol, then we're all Simon."
There were a slew of ideas that were just silly like Transformers Volleyball (rejected for licensing problems) and a game about a group of badass female commandos which the panel dubbed Cooch Force Five. Some had a great initial pitch but the gameplay didn't hold up after questions from the panel. The best of these was a game based on ex-governor of New York Elliot Spitzer and it would only contain escort missions. Ba dum crash.
If the above examples are any indication, games with sexual innuendos were the norm. There was Celebrity Sex Tape Hero which "mated the modern rhythm game with the original rhythm game." In response, Kalles said, "That niche has been filled. Repeatedly."
Another game idea was called Just the Tip: See How It Feels which got an immediate yes, and seemed to have an interesting Heavy Rain-like concept which investigated the male experience of temptation and frustration, but was actually just a vehicle for massive puns. You'd go to a restaurant on a date, and the meal is free but you have to pay the tip. At a basketball game for another date, you'd only get to watch the opening tip. "On the way home, they get mugged and he's got a sword on him, but it turns out he can only get the tip into the mugger," said the gamer. "There's also flashback scene, some of his relatives were on the Titanic. You're playing the iceberg, in this case, and just the tip of the iceberg gets into the Titanic." The crowd laughed uproariously, including me. But it didn't win.
The top three games were decided by the panel. Third place went to a Moonwalker homage featuring Lady Gaga. Kurtz thought this idea would be commercially viable, and might even be fun. "I can think of a billion things for it, I can see her power up being Costume Change!," he said. "The sad thing is that this game would really sell."
"Virtually regardless of what the gameplay mechanics were," said Train. "I could see the first level in a women's prison."
Second place went to Don't Fall Out, an iPhone or DS game which had the very simple mechanic of keeping the protagonist from falling out of various objects like cars, trains or planes. You would touch the screen on structures to hold on to them and have to move to others when those structures start to break. "I love how the concept is so distilled, right down to its core essence," said Kalles. "What's my game about? You try not to fall out."
The winner was a potentially really dangerous game called iDrag, which is combination iPhone app and real life drag race. You put the iPhone on your dash when you are driving somewhere and it will ping you if someone driving near you also has iDrag running. Then the race starts to, say, the third traffic light from this one. "I'm driving to work and I turn on iDrag," Kurtz summed it up. "So then when I'm driving next to someone who also has iDrag on, they connect, and it's like 'You have a challenger!' But instead of two guys in nice cars, it's a guy in a Chevy and another in a Sebring."
"There's addons you can get," the gamer pitching it said. "After a while, it knows your way to work so you can link up with different people over time. You can take the seatbelt off and you get extra points." He went on: "You can actually turn on the phone and talk to people, perhaps the person you're racing against, and get 'star power' for talking while driving."
"It's like FarmVille but with car accidents."


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Hashtag plays a significant role in targeting the audience on social media. Use hashtags to ensure engagement on posts and get your content in the top search of social media platforms. Read through the article and get the right tips to ace your social-media strategy. Read more
Social outreaching is a laborious strategy, one that requires individual to undertake days of work to see a little nudge in their brand's popularity. It might not work if you don't have any direction in your mind but you need not worry because this blog will guide you in right direction. Read more
Social media has formed a monopoly over other platforms. Sow the seeds of your success by designing out-of-the-box content. Follow these simple six steps and get ready to be successful by plucking the most fruitful leads. This article will guide you in the planning and initiation of your social media content. Read more
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- Forum posts: 2
Sep 6, 2017, 8:37:53 AM via Website
Sep 6, 2017 8:37:53 AM via Website
If you are looking for an app to Customize and Enhance your phone's Navigation Bar without having to Root or install Xposed, you have got a right app to do it. Pixel Navigation Bar offers several unique features and beautiful animations to add some life to your boring old navigation bar.
Download now from Google Play, Pixel Navigation Bar
— modified on Sep 6, 2017, 8:42:26 AM


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Ancient temples, rock-cut tombs and Roman villas with elaborate mosaic floors all reflect the highly sophisticated societies which inhabited Pafos in the past. With a history dating back more than eight thousand years, the town offers a wealth of treasures to the visitor.
From the Stone Age, through Hellenistic and Roman times to the Byzantine era, many of Pafos' ancient monuments are included in UNESCO's Global Heritage List.
Make your visit even more exciting! Download our free, user-friendly smart apps and enjoy an amazing experience. Our innovative apps provide a personalised and enhanced exploration of the destination whether you are a culture lover or an explorer. Enjoy!
Pafos Archaeological Park (UNESCO)
Kato Pafos, near Pafos harbor
Tel: +357 26306217
Open Daily:
Winter hours (16th September – 15th April): 8.30 – 17.00
Summer hours (16th April – 15th September): 8.30 – 19.30
Entrance: €4.50
Partly accessible to wheelchairs following the directions given by the site´s staff.
(route not marked).
The inclusion of the Kato Pafos archaeological site in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1980 was the catalyst for a far-reaching plan, the aim of which was to protect and maintain the town's archaeological remains, as well as to promote them and provide comprehensive information for visitors. Kato Pafos Archaeological Park includes sites and monuments from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, while most date from the Roman period. The marvellous mosaic floors of four Roman villas form the impressive epicentre of the Park, but the complex also includes other important monuments, such as the Asklipieion, the Odeon, the Agora, the "Saranta Kolones" (Forty Columns) fortress, the basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa (Our Lady of the Harbour) and the "Tombs of the Kings".
Ancient Odeon
The Pafos Odeon lies in Kato Pafos, in the heart of the tourist area. It is a small 2nd-century amphitheatre built of well-hewn limestone blocks. Today it is used in the summer for musical and theatrical performances.
Nearby are the remains of the ancient city walls, the Roman Agora and a building dedicated to Asklipeios, god of medicine.
The Agora
The Agora, situated in front of the Odeon, dates from the middle of the 2nd century A.D. It formed a square courtyard measuring 95 x 95 metres, with colonnaded porticos. The columns of the colonnade have Corinthian capitals but no flutes.
The Asklepieion
A sanctuary dedicated to the god of medicine, Asklepeios, it was also used as a healing centre. It is situated to the south of the Odeon and southwest of the Agora. It is a large building complex with several rooms and a square courtyard.
Saranta Kolones
This ruined medieval fortress, situated near the harbour, was built by the Lusignans at the beginning of the 13th century on the site of a previous Byzantine castle. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1222.
The name Saranta Kolones (forty columns) derives from the large number of granite columns spread across this archaeological site.
Pafos Mosaics
Kato Pafos, near Pafos harbour
Tel: +357 26306217
Open daily:
Winter hours (16th September – 15th April): 8.30 – 17.00
Summer hours (16th April – 15th September): 8.30 – 19.30
Entrance: €4.50(Paid at the entrance of the Archaeological Park and includes all sites within the Park)
The House of Dionysos
The mosaic floors depicting mythological scenes are the main characteristics of this restored Roman villa, dating back to the second century A.D. The house is named "House of Dionysos" thanks to the many depictions of Dionysos, the god of wine. The house most probably belonged to a member of the ruling Roman class or to a wealthy citizen of Pafos.
The House of Theseus
The House of Theseus lies close to the House of Dionysus and also dates back to the second century A.D. The mosaics in this villa feature interesting geometrical patterns as well as mythological representations. Noteworthy are the mosaics of "Theseus killing the Minotaur" and the "Birth of Achilles".
The House of Aion
The mosaics in the House of Aion date to the fourth century A.D and lie close to the mosaics of Dionysus and Theseus. Five mythological scenes worth seeing are: "The bath of Dionysus", "Leda and the Swan", "Beauty contest between Cassiopeia and the Nereids", "Apollo and Marsyas", and the "Triumphant procession of Dionysus".
The House of Orpheus
The floors of this villa belong to the third century A.D and lie to the west of the House of Theseus. Three notable mosaic depictions of mythology here are "Orpheus and his Lyre", "Hercules and the Lion of Nemea" and "the Amazon".
The House of Four Seasons
This house lies to the north of the House of Orpheus. It was named after the mosaic that represents the personification of the four seasons, which dates back to the first half of the third century A.D.
Medieval Castle of Pafos
Harbour, Kato Pafos
Tel: +357 26306217
Open daily:
Winter hours (16th September – 15th April): 8.30 – 17.00
Summer hours (16th April – 15th September): 8.30 – 19.30
Entrance: € 2.50
Non-accessible wheelchair
Pafos castle was originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour. It was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 during the Ottoman invasion and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the 16th century. Originally, this role was served by the Saranta Kolones fort, the ruins of which lie a few hundred metres to the north. During its long history, Pafos Castle has also been used as a prison, and even as a storage area for salt when the island was a British colony. In 1935 it was declared an ancient monument and today it is considered one of the hallmarks of the Pafos region.
Many cultural events take place in the square just in front of the castle, and every September the Pafos Aphrodite Festival presents a different opera staged here by world-famous artists using the castle as a backdrop and part of the scenery.
The Hellenistic –Roman Theatre of Pafos
The site of the ancient theatre of Nea Paphos is in the modern town of Kato Paphos. The theatre was built by the Ptolemies of Alexandria around 300 BC, on the southern slope of a hill to the north-east of the ancient walled city. It survived until the late 4th century AD. It is possible to identify at least five major phases of building and renovation during the theatre's history, representing the changing nature of performances during the Greek and Roman periods as well as restorations after earthquake damage.
Tombs of the Kings
Kato Pafos, Tombs of the kings Ave
Tel: +357 26306295
Open daily:
Winter hours (16th September – 15th April): 8.30 – 17.00
Summer hours (16th April – 15th September): 8.30 – 19.30
Entrance: €2.50
Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock and some are decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.
Panagia Chrysopolitissa
Kato Pafos
Tel: +357 26306217
Open daily:
Winter hours (16th September – 15th April): 8.30 – 17.00
Summer hours (16th April – 15th September): 8.30 – 19.30
Entrance: Free
The Panagia Chrysopolitissa church was built in the 13th century over the ruins of the largest early Byzantine basilica on the island. Within the compound is St. Paul's Pillar, where tradition has it that Saint Paul was flogged before the Roman Governor, Sergius Paulus, was converted to Christianity. Originally the church was seven–aisled, but was later reduced to five aisles. The floor of the basilica was covered with colourful mosaics, some of which are still preserved.
St Paul's Pillar
Saint Paul visited Pafos in 45 AD in an attempt to convert the ruler of the time to Christianity.
Saint Paul visited Pafos in 45 AD and tried to convert the ruler of the time to Christianity.
He was eventually successful in his efforts, but not before being tied to this otherwise unremarkable lump of stone and whipped. He received 40 lashes for evangelising on the island.
Saint Paul's Pillar is one of several popular stops for pilgrims who come to visit the religious sites of this early bastion of the Christian faith.
Royal Manor of Kouklia
Kouklia Village
Tel: +357 26432155
Open daily:
Winter hours (16th September – 15th Apri )
Monday – Sunday: 8.30 – 17.00
Summer hours (16th April – 15th September)
Monday – Sunday: 8.30 – 19.30
Entrance: €4.50 (the price includes entry to the local Museum of Palaipafos-Kouklia)
The Royal Manor House at Kouklia was the nucleus of the feudal estate of the area which, among other things, supervised sugar production. It is a big building complex dating to the 13th century with some later extensions renovated in modern times. Today it houses the local archaeological museum.
Christian Basilicas at Pegeia
All over Cyprus there are many fine Christian basilicas which were constructed during the early Byzantine period. Today in Pafos, the remains of two such basilicas are preserved, that of Panagia Chrysopolitissa and Panayia Limeniotissa.
The basilica of Panagia Chrysopolitissa is situated in the eastern part of the town. It is the largest basilica excavated so far in Cyprus and once it was the cathedral of the town and the seat of its bishop. It was built at the end of the 4th century and destroyed in the middle of the 7th century, during the Arab raids. This was originally a seven-aisled basilica, which was rebuilt and modified several times. The Medieval church of Agia Kyriaki stands nearby.
The basilica of Panagia Limeniotissa is situated a short distance from Pafos harbour. This is a three-aisled basilica, built at the beginning of the 5th century. Very few sections of its mosaic floors with geometric patterns have survived.
Three other basilicas, next door to each other, have been excavated in the Cape Drepano area, about 15 kilometres northwest of Pafos. They are known as the basilicas of Agios Georghios tis Pegeias. The largest of them, with three aisles, was built in the middle of the 6th century, the second one a few years later and the third at the end of the 6th or the beginning of the 7th century
Ancient city of Marion
Following the example of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies founded several new cities. After its total destruction by Ptolemy I, the city of Marion was rebuilt at the beginning of the 3rd century B.C. and was re-named Arsinoe in honour of the sister and wife of Ptolemy Philadelphos. Two other cities were also founded with the name Arsinoe, one in the east of Cyprus at Salamis, and the second in the district of Pafos, between New and Old Pafos. This town which, according to Strabo, had anchorage (προσόρμιον), a sanctuary (ιερό), and a sacred grove (άλσος), has not been identified. Its sanctuary was probably dedicated to queen Arsinoe who, on her death (in 270 B.C.) was deified and worshipped in Pafos on a par with Aphrodite, as were many other Ptolemaic kings and queens
Kings of Marion
The ancient kingdom of Marion with its capital of the same name (present day "Polis tis Chrysochous") was also situated in the Pafos district. From inscriptive and numismatic evidence we know the names of only 5 kings of Marion:


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The following are the films in competition, WifiBody6 Uncensored Bodies Dance Video Competition:
A multi-layered dramatic narrative in the form of dance music presentations, Ang Pakiramdam Ng Puso Kapag Iniiwan offers an intimate view of two hearts that are to be broken by the intricacies of love and
its fall thereafter.
Writer/Director/Producer: Mark Shandii Bacolod
Choreographer: Gerald Manangan
Co-Producer: Jazmin Trinidad
Editor: Dos Ocampo
Scorer: Francis Salazar
Featuring: Gee Canlas, Gerald Manangan, Cara Eriguel, Wes Traje, Ava Jugueta, Filogram, Kinection
A woman finds herself in a dreamscape she created and enjoys the kind of freedom she may not find in the married life. In the end, she has to understand that in married life, a lot of sacrifices has to be offered.
Director/Choreographer: Roger Basco
Producer: aeiou productions
Cinematographer: Stib Cardona
Sound: Ten Eleven Ten, Explosions in the Sky
Featuring: Keina Ray Sabay, Ross Dimaculangan
Liza plays the game of thorns. Will she be the only one left to endure the pain when she falls? Or, willthe men grimace in pain while holding on to her?
Director: Rosswil H Hilario
Choreographer: Timothy Tabulao II
Producers: Julius Lumiqued, Rosswil H. Hilario
Editor: Lawrence Fajardo
Cinematographer: Paolo Demetrio Correa
Concept by: Rosswil H. Hilario, Julius Lumiqued
Dancers: Paul Richard Francisco, Timothy Tabulao II, Jaemie Lopez
A study in movement.
Director/Producer/Concept: Jan Parangat
Cinematographers: Domingo Olayon, Jorge Xy-ril Teopengco
Editors: Joey Renz Laraño, Philip Marcial Pascual
Music: Lilies in the valley, Jun Miyake
Featuring: Al Garcia, Jm Cabling, Jeiel Hernandez, Dingdong Selga, Michael Que, Joshua Pinca
Like the CDNM page to cast your vote. To vote, just click the "like" button of the video. The winner will be determined by the most number of combined votes from Facebook and the UP screening. Voting period is from July 7 to July 11, 2012.
The first and the second place winners of the Uncensored Bodies Dance Video Competition will be chosen by the board of judges. All winners will be announced during the IndepenDance show on July 13, 2012 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Little Theater.


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Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman says his side 'treated the game properly' following this afternoon's 3-0 win against Bolton at The City Ground.
The Reds were faced with opposition scrapping for their lives at the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship.
But a ferocious Forest start, including a red card for opposition keeper Ben Amos, kept Bolton at arm's length on a crisp afternoon on Trentside.
Freedman said: "I'm very happy. It was a fantastic performance. I thought we moved the ball with great intensity and put on a very encouraging display.
"It was always going to be a difficult match but I think we treated the game properly and got the job done."
Jamie Ward rounded off a Man of the Match display by scoring Forest's third goal.
And Freedman says the reason he signed Ward was because he knew the player was capable of performances like today's.
The manager said: "Jamie Ward for me is the best free transfer out there. He gets goals, he's infectious, he's bubbly - and he showed today why he was one of the first signings I made in the summer. He's all about the team.
"I think he's a typical Nottingham Forest player - dropping into holes, getting it, giving it. I think the crowd appreciated his energy levels and the way he played the game today."


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"Are we rolling, Bob?"
Rest in peace, Mr. Johnston.
Labels: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, obituaries
Musings on the convergence of baseball and politics...because, "What is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?" Surely, Madison would have said the same of baseball.
Labels: Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, obituaries


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...of putting labels on anything quilted that I make.
Yesterday I got this awesome hand stitched quilt top. So awesome, that I had to drive back to the store today to buy 2 more. I washed it yesterday, hung it out to dry, and today am working on pin basting it to this sheet so I can quilt it to have when we go places this summer and need a blanket to sit on.
It's not particularly pretty - but very unique in it's own way.
And as I'm pinning it, I can't help but wonder when it was made, who made it, and what it's intended use was for. I'm also discovering the fabrics don't line up perfectly, there are some waves in it (I had to cut 6" or so off of 1 corner to make it sort of square), but I'm really liking it more and more.
The other 2 (above and below) I washed today - and I goofed on tossing 1 in the wash - a block or 2 totally fell apart - the remains of the fabric lead me to believe the fabric is the culprit why one of the blocks fell apart. But I will cut out a row, cut it down to size, and another picnic blanket will be in the works. Some seams also fell apart on me in the washing process - guess I should have quilted them before washing them to sturdy them up a little (or looked a little more closely before buying) - but I will do this one last, and make sure all seams are secure.
I'm not going to quilt any of these very fancy - I think just a straight line grid, or maybe wavy lines going across the quilt in both directions. I'll have to do some thinking on this.
But I do know 1 thing - I certainly don't want my kids to scrap a quilt that I put hours into - and for someone to have it 60 years down the road wondering who made it and for what purpose. So I will be making a bunch of labels like these, so I can attach them to quilts - or really anything - I have made and things I will make.


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The adventure of insurance liberalization manner in India is now over seven years old. The first important milestone on this journey has been the passing of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. This alongside amendments to the Insurance Act 1983, LIC and GIC Acts paves the manner for the access of personal gamers and in all likelihood the privatization of the hitherto public monopolies LIC and GIC. Opening up of coverage to a non-public zone which includes overseas participation has resulted in various opportunities and challenges.
Concept of Insurance
In our daily lifestyles, every time there is uncertainly there's an involvement of chance. The instinct of safety in opposition to such danger is one of the simple motivating forces for determining human attitudes. As a sequel to this quest for safety, the idea of insurance have to were born. The urge to offer insurance or safety towards the loss of life and assets ought to have promoted people to make a few kinds of sacrifice willingly on the way to acquire security through collective co-operation. In this feel, the tale of coverage is probably as old as the tale of mankind.
Life coverage especially presents protection to family towards the risk of untimely death of its earnings incomes member. Life coverage nowadays additionally affords safety towards different lifestyles associated risks which include that of longevity (i.E. Threat of outliving of the source of income) and danger of disabled and illness (medical insurance). The merchandise provides for durability are pensions and annuities (coverage in opposition to antique age). Non-lifestyles insurance gives safety against injuries, property damage, robbery and other liabilities. Non-lifestyles coverage contracts are typically shorter in the period compared to existing insurance contracts. The bundling together of danger coverage and saving is ordinary of existence insurance. Life coverage gives each safety and investment.
Insurance is a boon to enterprise issues. Insurance presents brief range and lengthy range remedy. The brief-time period alleviation is aimed at shielding the insured from lack of property and lifestyles by using dispensing the loss among a huge range of humans through the medium of professional threat bearers which include insurers. It allows a businessman to stand an unexpected loss and, consequently, he want not fear approximately the feasible loss. The long-variety item being the economic and business increase of the USA by using making an investment of huge finances available with insurers in the organized enterprise and trade.
General Insurance
Prior to nationalizations of General insurance enterprise in 1973, the GIC Act was handed inside the Parliament in 1971, however it came into impact in 1973. There turned into 107 General insurance corporations along with branches of overseas organizations running in the united states of America upon nationalization, these organizations were amalgamated and grouped into the following four subsidiaries of GIC which includes National Insurance Co.Ltd., Calcutta; The New India Assurance Co. Ltd., Mumbai; The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., New Delhi and United India Insurance Co. Ltd., Chennai and Now delinked.
General insurance commercial enterprise in India is broadly divided into the fireplace, marine and miscellaneous GIC other than without delay handling Aviation and Reinsurance business administer the Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme, Personal Accident Insurance, Social Security Scheme and so forth. The GIC and its subsidiaries in step with the goal of nationalization to spread the message of insurance a ways and extensive and to offer insurance safety to a weaker segment of the society are making efforts to layout new covers and additionally to popularize other non-conventional commercial enterprises.
Liberalization of Insurance
The comprehensive regulation of insurance business in India became introduced into impact with the enactment of the Insurance Act, 1983. It tried to create a robust and effective supervision and regulatory authority in the Controller of Insurance with powers to direct, suggest, look at, sign up and liquidate coverage corporations etc. However, consequent upon the nationalization of insurance commercial enterprise, most of the regulatory features had been taken far away from the Controller of Insurance and vested inside the insurers themselves. The Government of India in 1993 had set up a high powered committee via R.N.Malhotra, former Governor, Reserve Bank of India, to examine the shape of the coverage industry and propose adjustments to make it more green and aggressive preserving in view the structural adjustments in other components of the economic system at us of a.
Malhotra Committee's Recommendations
The committee submitted its report in January 1994 recommending that private insurers be allowed to co-exist together with government corporations like LIC and GIC businesses. This advice had been prompted with the aid of numerous elements which includes wanting for extra deeper coverage insurance within the economic system, and miles an extra scale of mobilization of funds from the financial system, and a far an extra scale of mobilization of price range from the economic system for infrastructural development. Liberalization of the insurance zone is as a minimum partially driven with the aid of fiscal necessity of tapping the massive reserve of savings inside the financial system. Committee's hints had been as follows:
Government groups have now to stand competition to personal sector insurance corporations no longer handiest in issuing numerous variety of insurance merchandise but additionally in numerous components in terms of customer support, channels of distribution, effective strategies of selling the goods etc. Privatization of the insurance quarter has opened the doors to improvements inside the manner commercial enterprise may be transacted.
New age coverage agencies are embarking on new principles and greater value effective way of transacting commercial enterprise. The idea is clear to cater to the most business on the lest cost. And slowly with time, the age-vintage norm familiar with government groups to make bigger via putting in place branches appears getting misplaced. Among the techniques that appear to catch up speedy as an opportunity to cater to the rural and social sector coverage is the hub and spoke association. These at the side of the individuals of NGOs and Self Help Group (SHGs) have performed with a maximum of the promoting of the agricultural and social area guidelines.
The fundamental demanding situations are from the commercial banks which have a substantial community of branches. In this regard, it is vital to mention right here that LIC has entered into an arrangement with Mangalore based Corporations Bank to leverage their infrastructure for mutual gain with the coverage monolith obtaining a strategic stake 27 percent, Corporation Bank has decided to abandon its plans of selling an existence insurance company. The bank will act as a company agent for LIC in future and get hold of fee on guidelines bought through its branches. LIC with its department community of close to 2100 workplaces will permit Corporation Bank to installation extension centers. ATMs or branches within its premises. Corporation Bank might in flip implement an effective Cash Flow Management System for LIC.


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40th Birthday Cake Surprise!
A 40th birthday cake surprise…. A 5.5" tall, rich Green & Blacks milk chocolate cake covered in ganache and sugar paste and bespoke hand made tools including, hammer, nails, spirit level hand saw, measuring tape, photo frame, iPad and iPhone…. Enjoy! :) www.insanelycakes.co.uk
birthday retirement fathers day brown yellow gold black red orange cake chocolate


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Hey everybody this is Craig here once again and I'm releasing another composition of mine. This is the first movement of a five movement piece called The Odyssey, a tone poem for symphonic band that's based on Homer's Odyssey I finished little over a year ago.
Annnywayz, the piece has saxes in it but they're not in this demo since GPOA ain't out yet.
Anyway, it still sounds fine though even without the saxes. I swear that ensemble building sure as HECK made a lot of EXCELLENT use in setting up a symphonic band as there are more clarinets and trumpets playing. I got that completely authentic band sound because of it. I could make that big 'ol horn section that them real good symphonic bands got, I could make a larger clarinet section, too. I have a whole lot more appreciation for such a feature in GPO. I want y'all to take a listen at it. Everything's GPO.
http://www.vipstudiosonline.com/mp3/I. Odysseus.mp3


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BEIJING — The world is growing used to reports of aggressive diplomatic and military behavior by China over ownership of the South China Sea and the East China Sea, resulting in regular standoffs mostly with Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, some of the other claimants to disputed seas and islands there.
But a recent quarrel between Taiwan (which has historical claims to the same sea and land territories as China) and the Philippines has come as something of a surprise, and has led to allegations of "Han chauvinism" in a region where Taiwan is more normally viewed as a victim of China's "one China policy." China claims Taiwan as a breakaway province and in recent decades has squeezed Taiwan out of most international institutions, leading to international isolation for the state.
Others say the fracas, which turned ugly with attacks on Filipino workers in Taiwan and anti-Filipino demonstrations, as well as economic sanctions by Taiwan, is more a sign of domestic Taiwanese politics than Han chauvinism (the Han are the majority ethnic group in China and Taiwan and are closely associated with the identities of both places.)
On Tuesday, a senior Philippine official responsible for Taiwan affairs, Amadeo Perez, said that the Philippines was doing everything to protect Filipino workers in Taiwan, who number nearly 90,000, Rappler, a Filipino Web site, reported, saying the falling-out had caused "so much" damage and tension.
The facts: on May 9, a Taiwanese fishing boat, the Kuang Ta Hsing no. 28, was fired on by a Filipino coast guard vessel in disputed waters southeast of Taiwan, killing Hung Shih-cheng, a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman. The Filipino authorities said the boat tried to ram its Coast Guard vessel; Mr. Hung's son, who was on the boat, reportedly denies that. Investigations are under way by both sides.
Mr. Perez traveled to Taipei to meet top politicians and convey his "deep regret and apology over the unfortunate and unintended loss of life," according to multiple media reports, but Taiwan refused to accept an apology "to the people of Taiwan" from the envoy of President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines. Other reports said Taiwanese leaders wanted a state-to-state apology, something the Philippines said it could not do because it followed the "one China policy" and does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Writing in the South China Morning Post, the respected commentator Philip Bowring said, "Now it's Taiwan's turn to show some nationalist anger, and its target is the Philippines."
"Taipei's reaction seems more than just local political pressures on a weak President Ma Ying-jeou but linked to the desire to show that the island's Kuomintang government is at least as eager to pursue Chinese maritime claims as Beijing," Mr. Bowring wrote. "The same has been seen in respect of the Diaoyu islands," he wrote, referring to the islands in the East China Sea claimed by Japan, China and Taiwan.
"Taiwan's consequent higher profile in the South China Sea issues makes peaceful accommodation in the region more difficult and shows the Taipei government placing more emphasis on old nationalist doctrines than strengthening relations with its non-Chinese neighbors," Mr. Bowring wrote. "For the Han chauvinists, an apology from the president of the Philippines is not enough. The Filipinos must grovel, be reminded that they, like Malays generally, are the serfs of the region."
Writing in The Diplomat, J. Michael Cole, an equally respected commentator, disagreed, saying that Taiwan had mishandled the incident.
The principal reason for the standoff was that "Taipei allowed itself to be carried away by the domestic indignation over the slaying of an unarmed Taiwanese (we should furthermore note that a similar incident in 2006 remains unresolved)," Mr. Cole wrote, saying that Taiwan's president, Ma Ying-jeou, who has low popularity ratings, was seeking to "ride the wave of nationalism that, almost spontaneously, had taken over the whole of Taiwan."
However, Mr. Cole wrote, Taiwanese official intransigence "is unlikely the product, as some commentators have suggested, of 'Han chauvinism.' It is instead the result of something much more granular, such as local legislators' political ambitions in fishermen's constituencies, as well as by opposition parties' efforts to criticize Ma no matter what he does, especially at a time when he is vulnerable."
Mr. Cole concluded: "A lack of worldliness, of understanding Taiwan's position within the international community, and of how its actions will be interpreted abroad, better explain what happened. Depicting Taiwan's actions as a plan by a secret cabal of 'Han Chinese' chauvinists to take over the region simply doesn't help us understand what ultimately went wrong with Taiwan's handling of the situation."
Some grass-roots efforts are under way in Taiwan to reduce the tensions, which have led to military exercises in the region.


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Find below the full program for this Monday's Expo, AGM and Public Meeting with special guests, Federal MP Mal Brough, State MP Mark McArdle and Division 1 Councillor, Rick Baberowski. Feel free to enjoy any part of the night with your family.
At the foot of this piece is a list of generous people, organisations and local businesses who, without their support, this event would not have been possible.
Monday Nov 2nd, 5.00pm – 6.45pm Family Event.
Canavan Gracie Recreational Reserve, Bellvista Meeting Place
Emergency Services Display/Demonstration – Canavan Gracie Park.
1. QFES Display.
Fire Trucks in the park
Blazer Bear for the kids
Free Raffle – Emergency Kit Valued $150 donated by Sunshine Coast Council.
Tickets available at the trucks.
2. SES Display.
1 SES vehicle
Flood Boat or other appliance
Recruitment display
3. Red Cross Display
4. Lions Club Caloundra West
Free Sausage sizzle
Drinks available for purchase
Recruitment display
Lions Christmas Cakes available for purchase.
5. Qld Police Service
Crime Prevention display
6. Sunshine Coast Council Disaster Hub display & information.
5.30pm – 6.15pm on the Deck & inside Bellvista Meeting Place, QFES "Get Ready" presentation & display.
BeCA AGM Agenda, 6:45pm to 8:30pm
6.45pm – 7.15pm – Federal Minister for Fisher – Mal Brough.
7.15pm – 7.30pm Official AGM Business & Stockland Q & A session.
7.30pm – 8.00pm – Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle.
8.00pm – 8.30pm – Cr. Rick Baberowski.
Sponsors For This Event, Thank You.
Bellvista & Bells Reach Community Association(BeCA) would like to sincerely thank the following organisations for their wonderful donations of time and goods that made this event possible in such a short period of time.
Emergency Services Staff and Volunteers, who generously donate their time to educate and keep our communities safe, a huge thank you. Qld Fire & Emergency Service – Julie Bruynius & crew, SES Volunteers, Red Cross Volunteers, Qld Police Service – Snr. Constable. Peter Dickens.
Sausage Sizzle and food for the Annual General Meeting.
Thank you to the following businesses and service clubs for your generous donations of food supplies, bbq and volunteers.
Lions Club of Lake Currimundi-Kawana – Caloundra West Branch – Lorraine Hendy, Penny Nulty, Tony & Barbara Smith, Norm Jensen.
BeCA Management Committee & their families.
Positive Property People Bellvista – Lani, Dave, Joan, Noelene, Michael, Emily & Zoe.
PieVista Bakery Bellvista – Brent & Tanya Duncombe.
Luke's IGA Bellvista – Zack Hamilton & Staff.
Raffle Sponsors.
Thank you to all of the wonderful local business who donated goods and services for our AGM Raffles.
Paul's Body Engineering – Bellvista Bootcamps – Paul Hooper.
Bellvista Tavern – Sarah Bliesner & Staff.
Bella Hair Bellvista – Narelle Ayers.
Smooth Spa & Beauty Bellvista – Peta Hyde- Duncombe.
Retro's Pizza Bellvista
Bellvista Chemmart Pharmacy –Jodi & Staff.
Topaz Property – Rowan & Debra Barber.
Battery Hill Vet's – Ernie Young & Annette Cochrane.
And …… Thank you must also go to Sunshine Coast Council staff & Stockland for their cooperation in organising all relevant permits for the event.


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Greenwood Community Park
Greenwood Community Park is a 390-acre facility designed for all ages. The site includes an 18-acre lake, walking trail, modern playground, seasonal "sprayground" and more. Located 15 minutes north of downtown Baton Rouge in the city of Baker, Greenwood is one of 11 large community parks in East Baton Rouge Parish.
The park features the 18-hole 6,600-yard Dumas Memorial Golf Course and pro shop with five golf tournaments taking place at the course each year.
Greenwood's additional amenities include:
New and long-term residents share why they choose to live, work and play in Louisiana's Capital Region.