text:
Latest news on psi events and research. Volume 4, Issue 1, 2013
Even among serious students of the paranormal there are selective doubts about what is credible. Some people believe in psi but not survival. Some accept the reality of telepathy but balk at the idea of precognition. Some might accept PK in the form of dice-throwing experiments but recoil before the prospect of more dramatic reports of macro-PK. Levitation is certainly a dramatic form of PK likely to hit the nerve of one's boggle threshold.
By chance, on a trip to Italy some years ago I acquired a 1722 biography of St. Joseph of Copertino.
I had read accounts of St. Joseph's levitations in a scholarly essay by Eric Dingwall and also in Herbert Thurston's book, The Physical Phenomena of Mysticism. Eventually I began to read Domenico Bernini's biography of Joseph, which Dingwall had cited as being rich in sworn eyewitness testimonies of the saint's phenomena, which included more than levitation. I delved into the critical literature and assembled my own thoughts on the subject in a forthcoming book, The Strange Case of St. Joseph of Copertino: Ecstasy and the Mind-Body Problem (Oxford University Press).
One might wonder: why bother with such a phenomenon, so extreme, so apparently rare, and so incredible on the face of it? In the first place, I believe the extreme – most intense and fully developed – expression of a phenomenon is likely to be the most interesting and revealing. If I want to understand the scope and nature of language I should use Shakespeare as an example. If I want to fathom the nature of evil I should study the Nazi inflicted Holocaust. The wheel will tell me something about technology but the Hubble telescope will take me much further.
It turns out that levitation is not that rare. The annals of Christian mysticism alone contain about 150 different cases with decent testimony. Moreover, levitation is only one dramatic form of PK among many that are spontaneous (e.g., poltergeists) or experimental (e.g., placebo effects). And if we think of ordinary voluntary control of one's own body as a form of "endosomatic" PK, levitation would be just a spectacular form of a common type of influence of mind on body.
Levitation, because of its direct impact on one of the four forces of nature, seems to be telling us something about the potential outreach and power of the human mind. One thing can be said about the cases of levitation for which we have good evidence; they always evolve from an altered state of consciousness, in particular, ecstasy. Why this should be so is a challenge to science, a challenge to students of the mind-body problem. In the context of levitation, certain mental states seem to acquire vastly increased causal power. And we should add: cases of levitation are usually associated with mystical and sometimes with demonically possessed states of consciousness.
J.B. Rhine once remarked that what people call 'miracles' are simply psi in action. So if we want to understand the empirical roots of some religious beliefs, levitation would be as good a place to begin as any. Levitation may be a sign of deeply latent and not understood powers of mind in nature, and not necessarily of God providing a charism or "gift" to the saint or mystic. The strange godlike power may reside in the depths of our subliminal minds. Perhaps flying dreams indicate a secret affinity between our subliminal minds and gravity-bending levitation. Flying dreams are usually quite exhilarating and provide a sense, a vivid taste of this latent inner capacity to transcend the gravity of physical existence. Something that can counter the force of gravity suggests a power – a level or extension of mind – whereby we are destined as a species to transcend the planet. Are flying dreams and the odd ecstatic levitation symptoms of our evolutionary future?
But let us return to Earth. In my study of Joseph and his reported flights I was obliged to assess the value of the evidence. Let me summarize in brief what I came up with. The first thing to notice is that it's easy to produce evidence for levitation – if and when it occurs. In contrast to assessing whether or not a claim for paranormal healing is true or a claim that so and so survived bodily death, making a claim for levitation is a simple matter: anybody with good eyesight can see whether an entire body is lifted off the ground or not. Of course, there are many cases where there may be confounding variables – inadequate lighting, reasons to suspect fraud, exaggeration, and so forth.
Although Joseph began to have trance or ecstatic episodes when he was eight years old, it was not until he became a priest at 28 that he first levitated – while gazing at a portrait of the Madonna. He was alone when this happened. But thereafter he began to rise up in full public view, and in various circumstances. Most common at first were the levitations during Mass. In broad daylight, he would while saying Mass often float a few inches off the ground; but at special moments of the rite such as the consecration of the host the ecstasy would become more profound and he would rise into the air much higher and sometimes move back and forth or hover above the altar, his feet and robe lapped by long candle flames, without pain or catching fire. This sort of thing was plainly visible and began to occur regularly, and in fact for Joseph is was entirely involuntary and unwanted. Unwanted because it called invidious attention to him, and in the end caused him no end of trouble with the Inquisition. Joseph's performances were never dubious sightings; they were show-stoppers, and his reputation as miracle mystic man spread all over Italy and then Europe.
The records show at least 150 sworn depositions of witnesses of high credentials: cardinals, bishops, surgeons, craftsmen, princes and princesses who personally lived by his word, popes, inquisitors, and countless variety of ordinary citizens and pilgrims. There are letters, diaries and biographies written by his superiors while living with him. Arcangelo di Rosmi recorded 70 incidents of levitation; and then decided it was enough. Streams of inexplicable events surrounded the black-bearded friar. Driven by malicious curiosity, even Joseph's inquisitors observed him in ecstatic levitation during Mass. Their objection to him was not the fact that he levitated; they were concerned with where the power was coming from, God or the Devil?
It is impossible to suppose that all the stories about levitation were part of a Church plot to use miracles to control the mind of the masses. It wasn't like that at all. The only way to make sense of the Church's treatment of Joseph is to assume that he possessed these strange abilities in such abundance that there was talk of a new messiah arising. Joseph's response to his Inquisitor's was humble and honest. He had to explain that he enjoyed these "consolations" but that he was not proud or pleased with himself for having them. Nevertheless, the Church progressively tried to make him retreat to the most obscure corners of the Adriatic coast, ending finally under virtual house arrest in a small monastic community at Osimo. There was no decline effect in Joseph's strange aerial behaviors; during his last six years in Osimo he was left alone to plunge into his interior life; the records are unanimous in saying that the ratti (raptures) were in abundance right up until his dying days. The cleric in charge of the community swore that he witnessed Joseph levitate to the ceiling of his cell thousands of times. The surgeon Pierpaolo was cauterizing Joseph's leg shortly before his death when he realized the friar was insensible and floating in the air. He and his assistant both deposed that they bent down and looked beneath Joseph's horizontal body, to be sure they weren't dreaming.
To repudiate the evidence for Joseph's levitations would be to repudiate thirty-five years of history because the records of his life are quite detailed and entangled with other lives and documented historical events. We would have to assume colossal mendacity and unbelievable stupidity on the part of thousands of people, if we chose to reject this evidence. We would be forced to believe that when the duchess of Parma wrote in a letter that Joseph was the "prodigy of the century", she was romancing or totally deluded.
For me the interesting question is not the evidence for levitation (that I consider a slam-dunk); it's what the evidence – and a whole family of interrelated forms of PK – means for understanding the human mind and personality. One is forced to reflect on what kind of a power is involved here. Jule Eisenbud once remarked that Joseph's levitations strike at the heart of the human enigma in a way that Freud and Darwin do not. There is an unknown physics of levitation that could be the gateway into a new epoch of human evolution.
Why levitation? Well, surely it is a powerful item that would have to figure into what J.B. Rhine called "the parapsychology of religion". Parapsychology is an instrument for mediating between science and religion in a possibly very useful way. Much of the so-called debate between science and religion has revolved around discrepancies between Bible-based cosmology and modern scientific cosmology. Is the Earth the center of the Universe or a Speck in Infinifty? Are we God's darling creation or super-smart monkeys? Question like these don't touch on the reality of inner life, the values and practices and beliefs associated with different 'religious' traditions. They are questions that deal with religion in a remote and abstract way.
There are more basic questions that deal with the range of subjective human experience covered by the world of religion. Questions like, Is there a greater mind or spirit at large in the world? And if yes, can we interact with that greater mind? When I am sick or in danger or in need of guidance, am I all alone in a nonresponsive universe? Or are there some secret avenues of communication open to me in my hour of need or perplexity? Is death the end of my adventure on earth or does the story get picked up again on a different channel at a different wavelength? Are all my thoughts impotent echoes that sink into oblivion or are they as William Blake said "filling immensity"? Is all the mystery, every marvel and miracle in the history of the world part of a gigantic illusion? Questions like these touch more closely on what most people think and feel when they ruminate on these questions that center around religion. And questions like these are at least open to conversation in light of what we know about consciousness, psi, and even quantum mechanics. In my opinion, with the full panoply of extraordinary phenomena garnered from parapsychology and consciousness studies, it is possible to start a completely different kind of conversation about religion, spirituality, and the natural sciences.
A conversation of the sort I have in mind will not take place on a sufficiently large scale that is needed until two things happen: concessions, one from science and one from religion. Science needs to give up its blinkered attachment to an old-fashioned and stultifying reductive materialism. Religion has to renounce with a loving smile its pretensions to immutable and absolute truth; above all, it must lay aside its violent contention that one or another dogma must rule on pain of death.
To summarize this brief statement and answer the question: why levitation? First of all, however outrageous the notion, there is solid evidence for it, and the evidence should be confronted. Second, levitation is a rare and spectacular demonstration of a latent power that manifests in many different forms. What we call 'psychokinesis' — in its full potential – needs to be included in any complete account of the human personality. A third reason we should attend to the phenomenon of levitation is that it provides excellent fodder for discussion in the parapsychology of religion.
Infinitely interesting and unbeknownst to me. Thanks!
I am catholic but have doubts…Home, the medium levitator of XIX century, was a fraud…


text:
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United States District Court, D. Maryland
May 21, 2018
LAMAR A. WILLIAMS Plaintiffv.BALTIMORE COUNTY GOVERNMENT Defendant
Procedural Background
Lamar A. Williams, proceeding pro se, filed a
complaint against his former employer, Baltimore County
Government (the "County"), and, using a form
complaint, checked boxes indicating his suit included causes
of action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, various federal
statutes (42 U.S.C. §§ 1981, 1983, 1985, and 12203;
5 U.S.C. § 9701; and 2 U.S.C. § 1831), the Maryland
Fair Employment Practices Act, and Baltimore County Charter
Article 4, Title 5, Subtitle 3 4-5-315(a)(2). (Compl. 3, ECF
No. 1.) He also checked boxes indicating the County
discriminated against him through termination of his
employment, failure to accommodate his disability, unequal
terms and conditions of his employment, retaliation, and
other acts, which he described as "Coercion, not
allowed to have attorney present during conversation, Denial
of Equal Rights Under The Law, Deprivation of Civil Rights
and Conspiricy [sic] to Interfere with Civil
Rights." (Id. p. 4.) The bases of the
County's discrimination were alleged to be Williams's
race (African-American), his color (black), his national
origin ("United States"), and his disabilities of
"Anxiety Disorder, ADHD & Spinal Stenosis."
later filed an "Amended Statement of Claims, "
which the Court deemed his amended complaint.[1] (ECF Nos. 13,
15.) In his amended complaint, Williams focused entirely upon
alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act
("ADA"), and he alleged the County failed
"to engage in a positive flexible interactive dialogue,
. . . subjected [him] to multiple adverse actions, never
accepted his request to file an ADA discrimination complaint
in the Office of Human Resources, placed him on mandatory
paid leave, never allowed him to build on his improvement,
retaliated, attempted to coerce him into changing his request
for accommodations, ignored his request to be transferred to
the Department of Public Works and forced a narrative
validating their termination of the plaintiff without just
cause." (Am. Compl. ¶ 36.)
his amended complaint suggests he is contesting his
termination, since his filing of that document, he has
clearly disavowed any intent to litigate in this case the
reason for his termination. See Plaintiff's
Memorandum in Support of Concurrently Filed Motions &
Leave to File a Post February 9, 2018 Hearing Brief 3, ECF
No. 124 ("[I]t has never been my intent to argue in
this U.S. District Court of Maryland why I was terminated. .
. . this proceeding is [only] regarding the defendant's
violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act . . .
." (second alteration in original)); Plaintiff's
Response to the Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment
Request for Hearing on the Defendant's Motion 4, ECF No.
127 ("the plaintiff is not litigating why he was
terminated [after] the defendant violated the ADA in this
Court because the issue of the plaintiff's termination is
being litigated in the MD Court of Appeals, the MD Court of
Appeals [sic] and the Circuit Court of Baltimore
County" (first alteration in original)). Consequently,
the Court will not consider Williams's termination to be
an issue in the case. Instead, the Court will focus on
whether the County violated the ADA based upon its response
to his request for accommodation of his disabilities.
pending before the Court is Baltimore County's motion for
summary judgment. (ECF No. 104.) No. hearing is necessary.
Local Rule 105.6 (D. Md. 2016). The motion will be granted.
Standard for Summary Judgment
court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that
there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the
movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law."
Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477
U.S. 317, 322 (1986) (citing predecessor to current Rule
56(a)). The burden is on the moving party to demonstrate the
absence of any genuine dispute of material fact. Adickes
v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144, 157 (1970). If
sufficient evidence exists for a reasonable jury to render a
verdict in favor of the party opposing the motion, then a
genuine dispute of material fact is presented and summary
judgment should be denied. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby,
Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). However, the "mere
existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the
[opposing party's] position" is insufficient to
defeat a motion for summary judgment. Id. at 252.
The facts themselves, and the inferences to be drawn from the
underlying facts, must be viewed in the light most favorable
to the opposing party, Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S.
372, 378 (2007); Iko v. Shreve, 535 F.3d 225, 230
(4th Cir. 2008), who may not rest upon the mere allegations
or denials of his pleading but instead must, by affidavit or
other evidentiary showing, set out specific facts showing a
genuine dispute for trial, Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(1). Supporting
and opposing affidavits are to be made on personal knowledge,
contain such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and
show affirmatively the competence of the affiant to testify
to the matters stated in the affidavit. Fed.R.Civ.P.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities under the
12112(b)(5)(A) of Title 42, United States Code, bars
discrimination against a qualified individual on the basis of
disability by "not making reasonable accommodations to
the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise
qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or
employee, unless such covered entity can demonstrate that the
accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation
of the business of such covered entity." Under
governing regulations, "[t]he term 'qualified,
' with respect to an individual with a disability, means
that the individual satisfies the requisite skill,
experience, education and other job-related requirements of
the employment position such individual holds or desires and,
with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the
essential functions of such position." 29 C.F.R. §
1630.2(m). What constitutes an essential function is not
subject to a hard and fast definition; "[a] job
function may be considered essential for any of several
reasons, " such as, "the reason the position
exists is to perform that function, " or "because
of the limited number of employees available among whom the
performance of that job function can be distributed."
29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n)(2)(i), (ii). Relevant to this
case, factors to be considered in determining whether a job
function is essential include "[t]he employer's
judgment as to which functions are essential, "
"[t]he amount of time spent on the job performing the
function, " "[t]he consequences of not requiring
the incumbent to perform the function, " or
"[t]he current work experience of incumbents in similar
jobs." 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n)(3)(i), (iii), (iv),
pertinent here, reasonable accommodation includes
"[m]odifications or adjustments to the work
environment, or to the manner or circumstances under which
the position held or desired is customarily performed, that
enable an individual with a disability who is qualified to
perform the essential functions of that position." 29
C.F.R. § 1630.2(o)(1)(ii). As applicable to the instant
case, reasonable accommodation might include such things as
"[j]ob restructuring; part-time or modified work
schedules; reassignment to a vacant position; [or]
acquisition or modifications of equipment or devices."
29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(o)(2)(ii). "To determine the
appropriate reasonable accommodation it may be necessary for
the covered entity to initiate an informal, interactive
process with the individual with a disability in need of the
accommodation. This process should identify the precise
limitations resulting from the disability and potential
reasonable accommodations that could overcome those
limitations." 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(o)(3).
In the
absence of undue hardship, an employer must provide a
reasonable accommodation "to an otherwise qualified
individual" who either has an actual disability or a
record of disability. 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(o)(4). The term
undue hardship means significant difficulty or expense
incurred by an employer in providing an accommodation. 29
C.F.R. § 1630.2(p). Whether an undue hardship exists for
the employer depends upon various factors, including
"[t]he overall financial resources of the facility or
facilities involved in the provision of the reasonable
accommodation, the number of persons employed at such
facility, and the effect on expenses and resources" and
"[t]he impact of the accommodation upon the operation
of the facility, including the impact on the ability of other
employees to perform their duties and the impact on the
facility's ability to conduct business." 29 C.F.R.
§ 1630.2(p)(2)(ii), (v).
chief contention is that the County did not engage in a
flexible, interactive process in response to his request for
reasonable accommodations and that he thereby suffered
damage, for which he claims an entitlement to an award of
back pay, front pay, and consequential damages. While it is
clear from his various filings that Williams believes, and
claims, much of the County's evidence is false, the Court
has thoroughly reviewed the record evidence and has found no
genuine dispute of material fact on his contention regarding
an alleged failure to engage in the interactive process for
the purpose of providing him with reasonable accommodations
for his stated disabilities. The County has not disputed
Williams has the disabilities of attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder ("ADHD"), anxiety
disorder, or back and knee pain. Thus, the only factual
question is whether the County met its responsibility to seek
ways to accommodate Williams's disabilities.
It is
undisputed that Williams was hired by the County as an
Engineer II in the Department of Environmental Protection and
Sustainability ("DEPS") in February 2009. He
worked in the Storm Water Management division as a reviewer
of plans designed to address storm water runoff and surface
water runoff from private developments and public projects.
(Def.'s Mot. Summ. J. Ex. 2, Gardina Dep. 13:1-16, Dec.
13, 2017, ECF No. 104-4.) It is also undisputed that for
several years, Williams was rated as "successful"
on performance evaluations. However, the director of DEPS,
Vincent J. Gardina, explained in his deposition that
"successful" means "the minimum requirement
to meet the standards of the job." (Id.
immediate supervisor from September 2013 until November 2015
was James Markle. (Def.'s Mot. Summ. J. Ex. 3, Markle
Aff. ¶ 2, ECF No. 104-5.) During that period of time,
Williams was one of five employees in the plans review
section of the Storm Water Management division.
(Id.) As Markle described it,
The primary function of the plans review section is to review
private and public development plans to make sure that the
proposed project, as built, is in conformance with law. The
Stormwater management review is just one step in the overall
Baltimore County development review process, which involves
many other County agencies. Our work is extremely time
sensitive and deadline driven . . . .
(Id. ¶ 3.) Markle explained that DEPS has a
Master Log system maintained by the County's Office of
Information Technology ("OIT"). (Id.
¶ 4.) Each plans reviewer is responsible for documenting
inflow and outflow of their assignments in the Master Log.
(Id.) Further, a plans reviewer must submit a
"blue slip, " indicating a project's
completion, to Markle's administrative assistant so she
can update the Master Log. (Id.) Markle stated,
"Under departmental protocols even the most complex
review is supposed to be completed within 45 days for the
initial review and 30 days for successive reviews when the
plan is resubmitted." (Id. ¶ 5.)
further stated that Williams "was habitually slow in
reviewing his assigned projects and he regularly missed the
30 and 45 day target review deadlines . . . [and he] also
repeatedly failed to submit the blue slip upon completion of
a review." (Id. ¶ 6.) Markle said he
addressed the situation by frequently assisting Williams in
completing his reviews and by assigning Williams fewer and
less complex reviews than his peers in the plans review
section. (Id.) In December 2014, when Markle had
supervised Williams for a little over a year, Markle drafted
Williams's annual performance evaluation. (Id.
¶ 7.) Markle said he gave Williams an overall
"successful" rating, but noted Williams needed
improvement in completing his tasks fully and in a timely
manner. (Id.) Markle set two "development
goals" for Williams to "improve timeliness of
reviews of projects" and to "keep project status
reports up to date." (Id.) Williams
acknowledged in his self-evaluation he needed to "work
on completing reviews in a more timely manner."
(Def.'s Mot. Summ. J. Ex. 5, Dec. 2014 Evaluation, ECF
No. 104-7.) In May 2015, when Williams continued to have
subpar performance, Markle gave him an oral reprimand.
(Markle Aff. ¶ 7; Def.'s Mot. Summ. J. Ex. 6,
Documentation of Oral Reprimand, ECF No. 104-8.) Markle
suggested Williams use a spreadsheet to track his projects
"so that he can be better organized."
(Id.) Markle's stated objective was "to
make Mr. Williams more organized and efficient so that he can
perform an acceptable number of reviews and the Department
can track projects." (Id.)
noted in his affidavit that, by October 2015, the plans
review section "started receiving more and more
complaints from other County agencies about the delays caused
by [Williams's] untimely reviews." (Id.
¶ 10.) The result was that Markle gave Williams an
"unsuccessful" performance evaluation in October
2015. (Id.; Def.'s Mot. Summ. J. Ex. 10, Oct.
21, 2015, Employee Performance Evaluation Form, ECF No.
104-12.) Markle noted in a memorandum to file that from
January 1, 2015, to May 8, 2015, Williams had reviewed 26
projects, which represents an average of 1.4 projects per
week, and from May 12 to October 16, 2016, he had reviewed 35
projects or 1.5 projects per week. (Def.'s Mot. Summ. J.
Ex. 9, Oct. 16, 2016, Memo to File, ECF No. 104-11.) Further,
Williams's average project turnaround time was 5.3 weeks.
(Id.) In contrast, other plan reviewers in that
section averaged four to five project reviews per week and a
project turnaround time of 2.5 weeks. (Id.)
Court notes Williams submitted an unsigned affidavit in
support of other motions, and in the affidavit he stated,
"between the dates of May 12, 2015 until [sic]
I was subjected to an involuntary transfer per the
requirements in the MOU, I had completed well over 100
projects in my que [sic], not a measly 35 projects
per Mr. Markle's October 16, 2015 memo . . . ."
(Williams Aff. ¶ 34, ECF No. 124-6.) This statement,
even if it can be regarded as part of a proper affidavit, is
somewhat different from Williams's allegation in his
unsworn, amended complaint: "[B]etween the dates of May
12, 2015 through October 16, 2015 Mr. Williams had completed
a total of 97 SWM reviews, GRA reviews, processed permits,
mylars for signatures, environmental agreements and deeds of
declaration and easement using his new spreadsheet as
compared to only 38 between the dates of January 1, 2015
through May 12, 2015." (Am. Compl. ¶ 6.)
most reliable figures for completion of plans reviews appear
to be those generated by OIT from the Master Log for the time
period January 2, 2015, through October 31, 2015, for
Williams and his peers; the summary also includes numbers for
Williams's replacement, Mike Doyle, for the time period
of January 1, 2017, through October 31, 2017. (Def.'s
Mot. Summ. J. Ex. 11, SWM Plans Review Summary, ECF No.
104-13.) To get a true apples-to-apples comparison, the Court
will exclude the figures pertaining to Doyle. The summary
displays figures for five categories of reviews.
In the
category of Concept Stormwater Management Plans, the total
number of plans reviewed by Williams and the other four
reviewers was 78. Williams reviewed 3, and the average number
of days per each of his reviews was 112. In contrast, the
average number of days for review by the other reviewers
ranged from 12 to 50.
In the
category of Grading Plans, the total number of plans reviewed
within the section was 484. Williams reviewed 58, and the
average number of days for each of his reviews was 42. For
the other four reviewers, the average number of days for
review ranged from 7 to 24.
In the
category of Stormwater Management Plans, the total number of
plans reviewed by the five reviewers was 407. Williams
reviewed 44, and the average number of days for his reviews
was 37. For the other four reviewers, the average number of
days for review ranged from 8 to 31.
In the
category of Minor Subdivision Plans, the total number of
plans reviewed by the five reviewers was 76. Williams
reviewed 11, and he took an average 22 days per review. The
other four reviewers averaged between 11 and 15 days for
their reviews.
In the
category of Stormwater Management Variance Requests, the
total number of plans reviewed by the section was 36.
Williams reviewed 4, and he averaged 72 days per review. The
other four reviewers averaged between 8 and 67 days for their
total, the number of plans reviewed by the five reviewers
from January 2, 2015, to October 31, 2015, was 1, 081. Out of
that number, Williams reviewed 120. It is evident from the
Master Log figures that Williams was not pulling a fair share
of the load. It is also evident that he regularly took
considerably longer than the other reviewers to accomplish
his reviews.
the unsuccessful October 2015 performance evaluation, Markle
talked with DEPS's Deputy Director, Dave Lykens, and the
Director, Vince Gardina, about Williams's lack of
productivity, which was causing a workload problem in the
plans review section.[2] (Markle Aff. ¶ 11.) The three of them
decided Williams would be reassigned to a field inspector
position within the Storm Water Management division; the new
position would not have the pressures and time constraints of
the plans review section, and Williams would keep his job
classification with the same pay and benefits. (Id.)
When informed of the reassignment, Williams "was not
happy." Markle further stated, "Apparently he
went to [Human Resources] that same or the next day and
claimed, for the first time, that he had been diagnosed with
ADHD and that he also had problems with his knee and his back
that would make the inspector job untenable."
(Id. ¶ 12.)
disputes the County's evidence that he did not inform the
County of his disabilities until October 2015, but that
dispute is not critical to resolution of the case because he
has provided no evidence that he suffered damage because of a
lack of a response to any earlier request he might have made.
The record does not disclose an adverse employment action,
within the meaning of employment discrimination ...
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text:
Jase Thirlwall interview
To start with, how have your musical viewpoint and ideologies changed over time? Are certain aspects of music more important to you now than they were 6 years ago?
I think as time goes you become more knowledgeable and your musical taste matures more, but on a whole I think if anything I've become a little more fussy towards certain aspects, but I still maintain a broad horizon across all genres, whether it be house, techno or trance, I still spend a lot of my time weekly sifting through either promos, Beatport & YouTube for new music, sounds & inspiration!
I have just seen the official video for your remix of Armin's Strong ones; I must say that it is such a great video! Are there any remixes in the way that we should look out for soon?
Haha yes it was great video, and by far my biggest achievement to date, I can clearly remember the morning the remix request landed in my email inbox, I had to check it about ten times, so surreal to be asked by Armin personally! Remix wise not just yet I've been concentrating on originals for the remainder of 2016, I have nearly three originals to let loose over coming shows!
Where do you find your inspiration for music and who are your biggest musical influences?
Inspirational influences I guess come from old and new, I tend to play a lot of older "forgotten" tracks in my sets and I also take on board newer current production techniques! I love the tech trance sound from 2006 era; I try and incorporate this sound into my music! Musically my biggest influences are Sasha, Askew, Will Atkinson, Mauro Picotto, I could go on for ages but I think all these guys are so far ahead of their game!
What is your favorite track of all time?
I'll pick two because I'm greedy
Oxia - Domino
Will Atkinson - Numb The pain
What are currently your main challenges as a producer?
I'd like to keep learning more, there's always more to get, new techniques to learn, new tools to master new sounds to make and play with!
I would like to ask you about your collaboration with Will Atkinson back in July- Squelcher. What inspired the track and name of the track?
Haha. I love working with Will, crazy talent, Emm Tough one but I'm sure we came up with the name from the crazy squelch noise we used at the first break in the track, one of these track titles that's initially quite strange but once you listen to the track it all makes sense, well kinda! One of these names that stuck though! I'm pretty sure I came up with it and Will turned and looked at me in a real strange and worrying way haha but it worked, I guess!
If you could play at any festival or show in the world, what would it be?
I would LOVE to play the slam tent at Scotland's T In The Park festival, I've raved in that tent to the worlds best techno acts for the last 15 years, it would be an absolute honour to grace that stage!
Fuck it; can I throw in Creamfields as well? Lol.
What do you usually start with when preparing for a set?
Hmmm, I take into consideration the audience I'm playing too, I'll then make a substantial folder with music I think will be fitting for the crowd, country, club I'm playing! I'll always try to read the crowd and build my set accordingly!
Are there any plans to make your sound more experimental?
I think just now between the uplifting tracks and the tech trance tracks I bring out I am quite experimental, as I said above I take a lot of influence from a variety or genres and try to bring something fresh to the table, try to make sounds that haven't been done before, and yes I'll continue to do so! I'd really like to make a full on techno track, like the older techno though a higher BPM face melter type track haha!
What's your musical guilty pleasure?
Hmm tough one, I listen to a lot of acoustic solo stuff, I also listen to a lot of Hans Zimmer and vocalists like Lisa Gerrard, I don't mind a bit of Elton John too but don't tell anyone that! It's our wee secret!
Which is your preferred social media platform when connecting with fans?
Facebook mainly but I enjoy and have a good following on Instagram & Twitter, I always try and put an hour aside every day to communicate with those who support me, it's them who got me where I am!
Do you have any tips for aspiring producers?
Don't give up, it's a long slog, frustrating and lots to take in, be experimental but at the same time produce what you want to produce not what others want to hear, be YOURSELF! Use the help that's available to get the level you need to be at!
Lastly, in a sentence, can you tell us what we can expect from your upcoming WinterParty2016 set
This is a huge opportunity for me and on a massive stage…I will be releasing absolute hell fire, goodnight Deirdre!


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The exact schedule of the conference is issued one week before the conference for those who are registered.
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Jason Day's first attempts to drive the 12th green at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass didn't meet with much success.
In fact, he went 0 for 10 at the reconfigured par-4 during the 12th Hole Charity Shootout on Tuesday, a variation on the annual event that usually had area charities picking a PGA Tour player or other celebrity to take a shot at the 17th hole's Island green to earn a $10,000 donation from The Players Championship.
This year, to highlight one of the major changes made to the Stadium Course, the event moved to No. 12 and players designated by charities hit the second shots after Day's drives, with the closest to the pin earning the donation. The winner was former Tour player Jeff Klauk, who secured the $10,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation for pitching the ball within 7 inches of the hole. Former Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee, playing for Wolfson Children's Hospital, chipped to within 14 inches to finish second and former LPGA star and Sawgrass Country Club teaching pro Laura Baugh, who was playing for True Blue Navy, was third with a shot to within 7 feet, 8 inches.
But Day, the defending Players champion, made it right for giving his partners all manners of shots from bunkers, off banks, from the back of the green and in one case, from 40 yards in front. After Klauk was presented with the over-sized check for his charity, Day announced that he would donate $5,000 to each of the 10 charities involved.
"I didn't drive it that well for everyone," Day said.
But Day wasn't left out, either. The Players made a $5,000 donation to his Brighter Day Foundation, so everyone went home happy.
It was literally a sunny Day as he made his first appearance since his victory in 2016, a week in which Day matched the course record of 63 in the first round and went on to become the first wire-to-wire Players champion since Hal Sutton in 2000.
"It was quite a special week last year," Day said. "I had not played too well around here but I was coming off a tremendous run, winning at Bay Hill [the Arnold Palmer Invitational] and the [Dell] Match Play and I was playing really great golf."
Day ascended to No. 1 on the world golf rankings, where he remained until Dustin Johnson won the Genesis Open last month. During a 29-tournament period in 2015 and 2016, Day won seven times, had 16 top-10s, with seven of the top-10s coming in majors and The Players.
Changing the 12th hole to a driveable par-4, aesthetic changes made between the sixth and seventh holes, renovations made to the practice areas and a new entrance to the course that dramatizes the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse are just some of the new wrinkles that fans at The Players will see.
Day said the 12th hole will be a key element for any back-nine rally and predicted that many of the pros will attempt to get to the green via the risk-reward tee shot.
"The changes at Nos, 12, 6 and 7 make it more exciting," he said. "Leads can change quickly. It's what the fans want to see … not so much what the players want but it's what they want to see."
Day hasn't won since The Players but he went on to post top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open and the PGA. Later in the season he had to withdraw from the final two FedEx Cup playoffs with a back injury, and after tying for fifth at Pebble Beach earlier this year, he was unable to play in last week's World Golf Championship in Mexico City because of an ear infection and flu he caught from his children.
However, Day will be ready to defend his title at Bay Hill next week and at the Match Play in Austin, Texas the week after.
Players Championship 12th Hole Shootout results
1. Epilepsy Foundation of Florida: Jeff Klauk, former member of the PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour – 7 inches
2. Wolfson Children's Hospital: Josh Scobee, former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker – 1 foot, 2 inches
3. True Blue Navy Benefactors: Laura Baugh, former member of the LPGA Tour, current golf instructor at Sawgrass Country Club – 7 feet, 8 inches
4. North Florida Junior Golf Foundation: Todd Bork, Head Golf Professional at San Jose Country Club – 9 feet, 11 inches
5. St. Vincent's HealthCare Foundation: Clint Avret, Head Golf Professional at Timuquana Country Club 17 feet, 3 inches
6. The Boselli Foundation: Tony Boselli, former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle – 27 feet, 6 inches
7. The First Tee of North Florida: Spencer Schindler, alumnus of The First Tee program, played on Flagler College's golf team – 30 feet, 7 inches
8. Tom Coughlin Jay Fund: Curtis Dvorak, co-host of "First Coast Living" morning show, formally served as Jaguars mascot (Jaxson de Ville) – 32 feet, 9 inches
9. Angelwood: Jeff Lageman, former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end, co-host of "Jaguars This Week" radio show – 50 feet
10. K9s for Warriors (2016 Charity Challenge Winner): Bob Duval, past PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions winner – 52 feet.


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Event overview
Hazel Davidson, Technical Marketing Manager, Derwentside Environmental Testing Services (DETS), will discuss total petroleum hydrocabons in this 1 hour webinar. The webinar is free for premium members of our Development + Infrastructure Service and corporate members of our Market Intelligence Service.
In the webinar Hazel will discuss:
- The composition of TPH
- Refinery products
- Analysis using gas chromatography (VPH and EPH)
- Example chromatograms
- Ageing (weathering and biodegradation)
- Summary of most effective analytical options
Hazel joined DETS in 2012, but has worked in


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How You Can Trade Like a Pro
How You Can Trade Like a Pro will show how anyone can learn to trade options and futures. The book provides the foundation to begin trading in options and strategies that go from beginner to beyond.
The book includes real-life stories of transitioning from a part-time to full-time trader and Sarah's signature "Trading Tip" comics, this book discusses a wide range of trading strategies, explaining how to trade options, the basics of technical analysis and chart reading. This book teaches how to trade using an account size that most people can relate to, making it a great read for anyone who is trading options or wants to trade options.
- Options Strategies you can use right away
- Learn how to analyse the markets
- Technical Analysis for options traders
- How to set up your charts
Book Outline:
How You Can Trade Like a Pro explains how to trade options in a clear and easy to understand manner. Readers will learn how to analyse the market and create a trading strategy using technical analysis, see actual trading strategies that Sarah uses, and learn how to create a trading plan. The trading strategies in this book are detailed strategies used by Sarah and designed for real people like you who lead busy lives. This book is for anyone who wants to be better educated about the markets, and make more informed trading and investment decisions.
How You Can Trade Like a Pro is different than other trading books, it explains options trading and market analysis, and shows specific trading strategies that you can use. The book breaks down barriers and myths that usually stop people from understanding how to trade. This is a book written for real people who want to understand how they can trade for themselves. How You Can Trade Like a Pro explains the skills of trading that you need to know to trade better and understand the market.
If you want to contact Sarah Potter for any book related media requests, go here Contact Sarah Potter
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On Sunday there was a lovely little ceremony in a corner of Streatham Cemetery. Broadwater Gate, spectacularly garlanded in wildflowers for the occasion, was officially opened again for business after twenty years of closure. Now, if you are heading from Tooting to Summerstown or beyond, you can avoid a noisy tract of Garratt Lane by dipping into the cemetery and enjoying a slice of rustic tranquility that is one of SW17's best kept secrets. The event was a great opportunity to sip elderflower cordial, admire the honey bees and chat with the Friends of Streatham Cemetery who made it all happen. All that was needed to complete the perfect summer idyll was a little bit of music and resting nearby was a man who could have provided it. I first came across Edgar John Brown when I was looking for the Maces in April. It was the day I walked into the cemetery and immediately spotted two green woodpeckers – straight off the cider bottle. I took that as a sign that I would find the wooden peg which the gravedigger had put down for me to identify the location of William Mace's unmarked grave. Indeed there was one in Plot D, right under a pink cherry blossom tree in full bloom. But it wasn't him. I went over to check on Arthur Mace's grassy mound and noticed for the first time that three CWGC graves were right in front of him, almost as if standing in protection. One of them, on the left, intruiged me for a number of reasons. The service number was the lowest I've ever come across. Number 38. Was Edgar John Brown really the 38th person to join-up after the outbreak of war? Secondly his age, sixty four. I knew there was a shortage of manpower, but could a man of that age feasibly have been fighting the Germans in 1915? Thirdly his regiment, the 3rd County of London Yeomanry, known as The Sharpshooters. Who on earth were they? Sergeant Edgar John Brown died on 14th October 1915, apparently 'at home'. Home would appear to have been 2 Berwick Street, Victoria where he lived with his wife Ellen. A soldier's son, his father was in the 1st Regiment of Life Guards, one of the oldest and most prestigious regiments in the British Army. Edgar was born in St Pancras in 1851, the year of The Great Exhibition. It would appear that he followed his Dad into the same regiment and joined the Guards shortly after his fifteenth birthday as a 'boy musician' and trumpet-player. By the age of 20 he was stationed at Hyde Park Barracks. On 21st February 1880 he married Ellen Elizabeth Lovell at St Mark's Church, Regent's Park. His address was 2, Alma Terrace, near Wandsworth Prison, in fact so close, that had Ronnie Biggs come bounding over the wall, he might very well have made his escape through Edgar's back garden. This is the nearest he would seem to come to Summerstown. By the 1881 census he was living in Windsor, seemingly with relatives of his wife. His occupation was army bandsman but whether Edgar was engaged in any of the Victorian conflicts in Egypt, Sudan or Afghanistan isn't clear. He was discharged from the army after 22 years and 306 days service in 1889 and his character was noted as exemplary. By 1891 there were three children, Margaret, Mildred and a son Edgar and the family were back in London in the area of Regent's Park. In 1901 Edgar Brown and family were continuing their tour of grand London localities and had moved to Belgravia where he was a Professor of Music at Hanover Square. By 1911 they were in Victoria and Edgar's occupation was now noted as 'Army Pensioner Musician'. Edgar's later regiment, the 3rd County of London Yeomanry, The Sharpshooters' was formed in 1899 by a well-known hunter, explorer and 'damn good rifle-shot' Sir Henry Seton-Karr MP. He suggested a force of volunteers who could ride and shoot well to take on the Boers. Another big-noise was Lord Dunraven who was once in the 1st Life Guards. Given his military pedigree its easy to see that Edgar may have got involved. Age appeared to be no barrier, indeed Colonel Alexander Weston Jarvis commanding The Sharpshooters at Gallipoli was in his sixties. Edgar almost certainly re-enlisted voluntarily because of the war but it seems likely that he only served on the home front. It was not unusual for older retired soldiers to do this and he would have been useful for such tasks as recruiting, drilling and showing new soldiers the ropes. A clue to his character is in the inscription at the bottom of the grave 'The work he loved was done, you called him to his rest'. Clearly an enthusiast and a man with a mission. His death at home suggests illness or natural causes, but as a serving soldier he would be automatically entitled to CWGC commemoration. There is an E Brown on the war memorial and he remains one of the nine who we can't be certain about. Could it be Edgar? I'm not so sure. He doesn't quite fit the profile and apart from him being buried in Streatham Cemetery and once residing in Alma Terrace, there seems to be no other local connection. There were 4271 'E Browns' on the CWGC database when I last checked and until someone more definite comes along, we are proud to welcome Edgar John Brown into the Summerstown182. We look forward to paying respects to him again on the occasion of the Friends' Bat Walk on 17th July.
Many thanks to Sheila Hill, Marion Gower and members of the Great War Forum for their research, wisdom and advice on Edgar Brown.


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Iran's Currency Continues Downward Spiral As U.S. Sanctions Loom
Iran's currency hit a new low on July 29 amid a deepening economic crisis and the imminent return of U.S. sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
The Iranian rial fell to 112,000 to the dollar on the black market exchange from 98,000 to $1 the previous day, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Meanwhile, the official exchange rate was 44,070 to the dollar, compared to 35,186 at the beginning of the year.
The drop of the rial has accelerated following the U.S. decision to pull out of the nuclear deal in May and the announcement of increased sanctions beginning next month.
The government last week replaced the country's central bank Governor Valiollah Seif, who has been sharply criticized for his handling of the currency crisis.
The United States is set to reimpose its full range of sanctions in two stages on August 6 and November 4, forcing many foreign firms to cut off business with Iran.
Copyright (c) 2015. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.


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Since 1880! Kanda Yabu-soba is a famous Japanese restaurant with traditional soba buckwheat noodles. Eat buckwheat noodles: simple (seiro), with duck (kamo) or deep-fried shrimps (tempura)…
A few prices:
* Saké: 650 yens
* Seiro soba: 670 yens
* Kamo-namban: 1720 yens
* Tempura soba: 1720 yens
Open: Every day (11:30-21:00) except Wednesday.
Phone: 03-3251-0287
かんだやぶそば in Japanese language.
Yes in Japan news about Kanda Yabu-soba (read more):
- Akihabara/Kanda area in Tokyo: Made in Japan, food, statue, bicycle rental {24 November 2014} - Enter two parallel worlds in Tokyo near Akihabara and Kanda JR stations! Modern and traditional "Made in Japan"… Foreign and Japanese food… Shinto and anime design… This autumn and winter, the Yes in Japan team particularly recommends: Akihabara UDX bicycle rental. Laox Akihabara main store, duty free store to buy a camera, cosmetics, etc. Kanda […]
Access in Tokyo
Kanda Yabu-soba is the spot 31 on the Yes in Japan map of Tokyo Chiyoda North of autumn/winter 2014:


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Printer shot dead at girlfriend's house
The second deadly incident occurred around eight-thirty last night while the victim was at his girlfriend's house on Lavender Street in the Saint Martin de Porres area. Twenty-one year old Travis Westby, a printer with the Amandala Newspaper, was riddled with bullets when his lifeless body arrived at the K.H.M.H. Police have no clues to this murder.
Georgia Nicholson, Aunt of Travis Westby
"As he come from work he go dah my mom and after that he go dah ih girlfriend. All I know, ih mi deh dah ih girlfriend. I don't know if he was leaving, I don't know he just reach, I don't know because I wasn't there when the message came in. I only received the message like after nine last night. We're just hoping that the individual who did that who did that know that Travis have a family and he has people that loves him and we hope God hep this person himself to get through what he did. And also, I hope that he repent to God for forgiveness fi weh ih do."
Marion Ali
"how is the family holding up?"
Georgia Nicholson
"We have to be strong because Travis has other siblings. My mom took Travis from he was born he lived with my mom. After his mother passes in 2000 from illness, my mom adopted him. So Travis is like my nephew and my brother. My mom also has his other siblings there with her. The family is holding up, being strong for them. We just recently had a loss with my Granduncle, Smokey Joe, whom we buried on Monday. It's a tragedy to the family to have to do this within a week, you understand."
Inspector Julio Valdez
"Travis Westby of number eighteen Cumberbatch street was seen with five apparent gunshot wounds to the abdomen area, one to the left eye, one to the chin, one on the right arm and two on his leg. Investigation into the matter has revealed that on the same date at eight-thirty p.m., Westby was sitting at his girlfriend's house located at Lavender Street when suddenly several shots were heard, those shots causing the injuries to Westby. That matter is still undergoing investigation."


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David Weaver, Esq.
David Weaver is a graduate of Lafayette College, Easton, PA. He received his J. D. in 1995 from West Virginia University College of Law where he was Law Clerk to General Counsel for the University. In 1996, Mr. Weaver served as Law Clerk for the Honorable Dennis M. Sweeney, Circuit Court for Howard County.
Mr. Weaver's expertise includes construction law, commercial landlord-tenant, employment, transactions, small business and business litigation. Mr. Weaver serves as a mediator to the Circuit Court for Frederick and Howard Counties, as well as Maryland Association of Realtors.
Active in the Maryland Bar Association Mr. Weaver served as Leadership Academy Fellow and as a member of its Committee on Ethics. Mr. Weaver is active with the Frederick County Bar Association, serving as President from 2005-2006. Mr. Weaver is currently on the Board of Directors for both United Way of Frederick County and Rotary Club of Carroll Creek.
Mr. Weaver has received numerous accolades during his career including a four year appointment by Governor Robert Erlich to serve as Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Committee. He has also been named one of Frederick Magazine's Top Lawyers (issues 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009): being rated in the top three of Frederick County Attorney in the areas of construction, employment, and education by his peers. In 2011, Mr. Weaver has was recognised by Superlawyer as one of the top Attornies in business litigations. In 2006, he was honored with the James McSherry Award for his service by the Frederick County Bar Association. In 2016 Mr. Weaver was rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, meaning that his peers and members of the judiciary rate him at the highest level of ethics and professional competence. Mr. Weaver has also received Merheron Paul Harris Award for his work in Rotary.
Mr. Weaver is a member of the Maryland Court of Appeals and the United States District Court.
Business Organization and Planning
Commercial and Civil Litigation
Commercial Transactions
Construction Law
Real Estate Law
Employment Law
Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Judicial Nominating Commission, Distict Ten, Chairman (2010-2014)
Judicial Nominating Commission, District Ten, Member (2006-2010)
Judicial Nominating Commission, District Ten, Chairman (2002-2006)
Bar Association of Frederick County, President (2005-2006)
Circuit Court for Frederick County, Mediator
Circuit Court for Howard County, Mediator
Maryland Association of Realtors, Mediator
Section of Delivery of Legal Services, MSBA (2000-2001)
Leadership Academy Fellow, MSBA (2001-2002)
Committee on Ethics, MSBA (2003-2005)
Pro Bono Committee for Frederick County (2005-2006)
Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, President 2011-2012, Next Big Project Committee Chairman
($400,000 renovation to Baker Park Band Shell) (member 1999-2013)
United Way of Frederick County, Chairman, Board of Directors
(2004 - 2010)
United Way of Frederick County, Campaign Chair
Frederick Community College Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors
Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc., Board of Directors
(2006 -2008)
Alzheimer's Association, Western Maryland Chapter, Board of Directors
Frederick Magazine's 2009 Attorney Poll — rated one of the top three attorneys in the following practice areas: employment and education
Frederick Magazine's 2007 Attorney Poll — rated one of the top three attorneys in the following practice areas: construction, employment and education
2006 James McSherry Award — recipient for contribution to the Frederick County Bar Association
Frederick Magazine's 2005 Attorney Poll — rated one of the top three attorneys in the following practice areas: construction, employment and education
Frederick Magazine's People to Watch, 2005
Frederick Magazine's 2003 Attorney Poll — rated one of the top three attorneys in the following practice areas: employment and education


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By Kevin Koczwara
The next stage in Champions League play has been set today. Teams have been told who will face in the next round, and who their potential opponents could be.
This year's quarter-finals and semi-finals have potential to be great match-ups. These next rounds could also become major coming out parties to the smaller clubs involved. With the likes of CSKA Moscow, Bordeaux and Lyon all making it further than expected.
So let's break down each pairing and each route to the finals in Madrid.
Manchester United v Bayern Munich – This is the most star-studded draw of all, in my humble opinion. Two giants of Europe and their respected leagues. United and Munich can both grind out wins or show as little flash of brilliance, whatever is needed to win.
Munich has no shortage of attacking power. They chose to loan out Luca Toni–an Italian International striker– this year to Roma because he was far down their striking pecking order and deemed a surplus to their needs. They have a plethora of attacking players with skillon the wings with Ribery and Robben, both dynamic and game changers. Their attack power and recent form, going atop the Bundesliga table, should give Man United's much traveled defense a hard time, and should be a fair warning to all of Europe that this side means business. Munich is a side running on all cylinders at the right time. United will be sorry if they take them lightly.
As for United, they have one striker currently vying for the Ballon d'Or, the World's Best Player, and they tend to be a stingy side during the Champions League, especially at home. They just ousted Italian giants AC Milan handily and are atop their league table because they don't give in to opponents attack and use their deadly counter perfectly. United will use a few of the same players that lifted the UEFA Champions League Tropy in '99 when the defeated Bayern. And Sir Alex will have plenty of experienced players from their last two trips to the finals (2008 winners, 2009 runner-ups) to hopefully seal his way into yet another semi-final.
This is a difficult draw for the Red Devils as they rely on their wingers to get forward with their pace and power, and with Bayern's extremely skilled and creative wingers on fire right now, they could be forced to change tactics. This match-up reminds me of last year's Champions League Final where United had a hard time controlling the midfield and couldn't get any pressure on Barcelona from the wings because their midfielders were forced to cover the attacking wide players of Barca.
Untied do hold the advantage with the scheduling draw, they will play the return leg at home, which could prove pivotal if they eek out a goal or two in Germany.
Lyon v Bordeaux – An all french match-up should be a delight. Both teams are difficult to score against, and both use set-pieces very well. The big draw here is that Lyon are catching up to reigning champs Bordeux in the Ligue 1 table, so this match-up could have league and title implications as they meet not only in the Champions League but also in the league between the European matches. As for Bordeux, they are at the top of the table and would like to keep it that way.
What really makes this match intriguing is that both teams have players who are coming into their own right now. Borduex's Yoann Gourcuff has had a relatively quiet season, compared to last, but he was strong against Olympiakos int he last round, and looks to be coming into full-stride again. He is one of the future talents in France and this could be the stage he needs for his coming out party.
Gourcuff is joined in the Boudeux attack by Marouane Chamakh and Wendel. The three attack minded players all get the job done in different ways, but each is deadly. Gourcouff supplies Wendel's left-foot on the flank and Chamkh in the box. And when either rising star gets the ball, look out, dangerous things happen.
As for Lyon, they have the hottest goalkeeper on the planet right now in Hugo Lloris. Lloris shutdown the potent Real Madrid this round to move through, and he looks to try and stay on the same form for this round.
If Lyon hope to move on, Lloris will have to get help from his center-backs, Cris and Jean-Alain Boumsong. Both were stellar against the giants from Madrid. The two center-halves will need to be strong on set-pieces because Bordeaux scores the majority of their goals from well calculated sets and great pouching ability in the box.
As for Lyon's attack, they rely heavily on their striker, Lisandro López, to carry the brunt of their hold-up play and counter-attack. The Argentinian is a great passer and will roam into the midfield and create for other players who fill into his vacated space. He is a hard-working an intelligent striker who has that bravado every top-striker should have. He was a major part of Porto's success last year in this competition, and he has been huge for Lyon.
The other player to watch for Lyon is Miralem Pjanic. He has come into his own in the last few months. He is a creative force already in the World at 19, and he is only getting better. He has become Lyon's link in recent months, and with the more playing time he has received, the better he has gotten. I will even put Lyon's chances of moving on past their Ligue 1 rivals on his shoulders. It is no secret that this team can defend, but if he can link up play in the attack, then they can score the goals necessary to move on.
The winner of Lyon v Bordeaux will play the winner of Manchester United v Bayern Munich in the semifinals.
Barcelona v Arsenal – The perfect pairing. These two sides play ball-control soccer with a mix of flair and passion. This is the match to watch if you can only chose one.There sre so many underlying stories here– will Cesc move on from Arsenal to Barcelona this summer? who will be the next growing star will Arsene Wenger pouch from the Nou Camp academy?
Arsenal are contending for the Premier League title and have looked great at home as of late, but they have struggled outside of the Emirates, which could be deadly if Lionel Messi continues his recent run of form when the two sides meet. Aresenal's big advantage in this tie is that they have an easier league schedule surrounding these games. Barcelona on the other hand have to face Real Madrid in a decisive game in between the home and away affair with their English foes. Barcelona's game against Real Madrid will determine the La Liga title, and this could be a major distraction for the Spanish club.
This should be the most entertaining pairing because both sides play beautiful soccer. But, Arsenal won't be able to pull through because they lack depth in the striker department and that will be their demise.
Inter Milan v CSKA Moscow
The "Special One's" side just fended off Chelsea with guts, hard work, and a little bit of skill. Now Jose Mourinho's side needs to win in Russia, no easy task, ask Seville. Many Inter fans will be happy with this draw, but they should be weary of CSKA Moscow, a club on the rise with a HUGE home-field advantage.
After Inter's emotional win at Stamford Bridge this week they must have been relieved to have avoided Barcelano or another English side for at least one round. They have had some tough draws thus far, but they keep proving themselves and I see this test being no different. Mourinho's men are ticking the Champions League, and he has his strategies down pat.
the key for Inter is how Wesley Sneijder plays, as it is every week. he is the man that sets up their attack and links play all over the field with his pinpoint passing. If he is on his game Moscow will be on their heels hoping he doesn't break their back or will with a blistering strike or a magical pass.
As for CSKA Moscow, they need to get a comfortable lead at home on their frozen turf field, then go to Milan and survive the Italians onslaught. If they don;t concede an away goal, or two, then they should be int he running to win this round and keep moving on. They will need to shutdown Samuel Eto'o and Wesley Sneijder and use their secret weapon from last round again, the long bomb. They hit in some thunderous strikes last round to beat Seville, but this time they have to go up against a world class keeper in Julio Cesar.
I am picking Inter here to move on and meet Barcelona in the next stage, which would be one great match-up of contrasting styles.
The Winner of Arsenal v Barcelona will face the winner of CSKA Moscow v Inter in the Semi-finals.
Kevin Koczwara can be reached at email@example.com. Don't forget to follow The Soccer Guys on Twitter for all of your soccer updates.


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Do you know in how many countries in the world there is no existing data protection regulation? Access to personal data yes, but how about access to internet – what the net neutrality has to do with MyData? Even if we live in globally connected world the cultural differences are real and they do affect on the way how personal data technologies and policies are spreading.
In this session we explore the MyData topics from the global perspective with experts from three international organisations IEEE Standards Association, World Bank and Open Knowledge International.
Data and Development – The Global Landscape
Aki Enkenberg, Senior ICT policy specialist at World Bank
The presentation will outline the significance of data as a development issue, a source of innovation for solving development problems and a new field for policymaking for developing countries, drawing on World Bank analysis and knowledge, as well as practical examples of projects and partnerships around the world. Key World Bank initiatives such as the Identification for Development Program (ID4D) and the principles they operate by will be discussed.
Private Data and Open Data
Karin Christiansen, Executive Director of Open Knowledge International
We believe that there are shared principles underlying both the 'open' and 'mydata' movements. A strongly open society does not have to be at odds with strong privacy regulation, but rather that the society we strive for is one that takes both of these perspectives very seriously.
Session is moderated by: John Havens, IEEE


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Earlier this month the Quad City Times shared the story of an Illinois medical malpractice lawyer that has filed suit on behalf of a patient who was blinded after a back surgery. The victim sought representation to file the medical malpractice lawsuit against the surgeon who performed the operation, ORA Joint & Bone Centers, and Trinity Regional Health System.
According to reports, the victim had back surgery last May. The surgery was prompted by a back injury that the man incurred while at work for Union Pacific Railroad. The lumbar spine surgery involved the extraction of some bone material by the surgeon. The patient, who suffers from Type 2 diabetes, was placed on his stomach and face during the procedure. The surgery was originally scheduled to last two and half hours. However, the operation went over-totaling over four hours and ten minutes. Even with the length of the operation, the surgeon wrote that there were no complications in his post-surgical report.
However, following the operation, the victim was found to have dangerously low blood pressure, and had swelling around his eyes and face. The unsuspecting patient also could not move his upper extremities and was blind after the operation. The blindness has subsequently been determined permanent. The man's size and diabetes placed him a high risk for complications, necessitating changes in procedure to guard against them. However, the medical professionals failed to take those precautions.
Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti sympathize with the injured victim in this case. Far too often patients leave surgery with unexpected complications that should have been prevented. Worse, many doctors fail to take responsibility for the surgical mistakes made. It is important for those innocent victims to find an Illinois injury lawyer to fight for their rights.
See Our Related Blog Posts:
Illinois Medical Errors Likely Remain Prevalent Problem


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A baby in Queensland was miraculously unharmed after she was flung from her mother's arms when the pair were involved in a horrifying car accident.
Four-week-old Rosie was being held by her mother, Stace Lee, as they dropped off the baby's older brother, Ari, to school in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast on May 15.
In a split second, a vehicle slammed into Ms Lee's car, pinning her to the kerb in an incident the school's Principal, Neil Jenkins, described to Yahoo7 News as a "freak accident".
While Rosie was unharmed, her 30-year-old mother's feet were obliterated by the impact and she was left trapped under her vehicle. Horrified bystanders rushed to her aid, lifting the car off her.
She was rushed to Sunshine Coast Hospital but later transferred to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital for specialised surgery and treatment. She has since undergone three surgeries on her injuries, the Sunshine Coast Daily reported.
On Tuesday, Ms Lee's mother, Wendy York, took to Facebook to thank those who helped her daughter through her ordeal.
"We would like to thank the amazing staff and community of Buderim Mountain State School and the hero passers-by who lifted the vehicle off Stace," she wrote.
"Also many thanks to the emergency services for the fabulous care and assistance provided at the time of the accident."
Ms York also singled out her grandson, Ari, for his bravery after accompanying his baby sister in the ambulance.
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- Man's final moments before falling to death
An "army of friends and family" are continuing to support Ms Lee and her children, who are in the care of relatives while Ms Lee continues to recover in hospital.
Ms Lee's employers, Sunshine Sunshine Espresso in Currimundi labelled her "a fighter" as she now embarks on a long road to recovery. The company has since started a GoFundMe page to help with the costs of her lengthy rehabilitation while she is off work.


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If you follow me on Instagram (@savannah_blythe) then you probably saw that my boyfriend and I took a weekend road trop across West Texas! Our destination was Marfa, TX but we made some fun detours along the way. If you are planning a trip to Marfa or hope to in the future I hope this post can be helpful for you. I planned a few months in advance and read countless articles about Marfa so I think I can offer y'all some super helpful tips including : where to stay, what to eat and bring & where to get the best Instagram photos!
Stop 1: Monahans Sandhills State Park
Dress: Forever 21 Bracelet: Gold X Tan Wrap Necklace: Bexley Necklace
Our first stop was at the sand dunes it was only like 45 minutes out of our way and it was well worth it. Once you drive in it is sand dunes as far as you can see. It looks like a beautiful white sand beach but without the ocean! We did not however account for how hot it would be in the middle of the dunes, our car thermostat was reading 109+ degrees. We didn't stay for too long just enough time to take in the beautiful views and take some photos.
Next Stop.... Marfa, TX
El Cosmico:
Bandana Top: ASOS
Texas Choker: Wrapped. By Sav
Multi Color Top: ASOS
Blue Layered Necklace: Wrapped. By Sav
El Cosmico is a cute and trendy campground right on the edge of town in Marfa, chances are you've seen it on Instagram before.
They have tons of bright colored trailers, teepees and hammocks scattered across the campgrounds. We didn't stay here but it was the perfect location for some fun photos!
They have tons of bright colored trailers, teepees and hammocks scattered across the campgrounds. We didn't stay here but it was the perfect location for some fun photos!
Where to stay:
Night 1 @ Hotel Saint George: We had an amazing experience at Hotel Saint George. It was a cool, clean and a fun escape from the desert heat. They also have a pool that we wished we had time to check out.
Night 2 @ Thunderbird Motel: This was the cutest vintage desert inspired hotel. It had charming details and cactus everywhere. We enjoyed sitting outside in the courtyard by the pool while the sun went down.
Where to Eat:
Dinner Night 1: We went for a chill dinner at Pizza Foundation. It was a chill & open family owned pizza restaurant. We enjoyed beer & rose and one of the tastiest pizzas we have ever had!
Lunch Day 2: We had a very light lunch at the bar at El Paisano Hotel in Marfa. Trevor and I shared a Chicken Cesar Salad and Chips + Salsa And Guac. I of course had to get the Pink Prickly Pear Margarita & Trevor got a spicy margarita. The decor was beautiful inside & out.
Dinner Night 2: We went back to Hotel Saint George to have dinner at La Venture. It has a great atmosphere and was relaxing and enjoyable. The food and drinks were delicious!!
Breakfast Day 3: After we checked out of our hotel before getting on the road heading home we stopped into Squeeze Marfa for some breakfast. I had waffles and Trevor had an açaí bowl & both were great!
Places to see & take photos:
Ballroom Marfa
Graphic Tee: Levi's Jean Shorts: Nordstrom Bracelet: White X Pale Pink
Besides being an eye-catching, beautiful building Ballroom Marfa is a dancehall turned art display. Definitely stop in if you find yourself in Marfa.
Prada Marfa
We of course had to make the 30 min drive to Valentine,TX where the famous Prada store is in the middle of the desert. If you don't know the history about the art installation, definitely google it because it is worth the read. We saw about 5 people come and go while we were there but, we wanted to take a lot of photos so we waiting in our car for a lull in people so that we didn't feel rushed. One thing most people do not know is that there is a fence full of love locks behind Prada. We brought one & also had fun looking around at all of the locks people have left behind there.
Final Stop... Tiny Target in Marathon,TX
White Pom Pom Top: J Crew
Bracelet: White X Red Wrap
This tiny target is literally off the side of the highway in the middle of nowhere. Marathon, TX is actually one of the most unpopulated places in the state. Just like Prada this Target is not a real store and the only thing inside was trash and graffiti. When we were at the Tiny Target we didn't see anyone for miles.
Out & About In Marfa Tips:
1. Pack a cooler with waters + any other drinks you want. It is very hot and dry out in the desert so it is very important to stay hydrated and places to stop can be scarce so having what you want already with you so you don't have to stop is very helpful.
2. Listen to a podcast on the drive to keep you entertained. We listened to the podcast "SERIAL" and the drive seriously flew by!
3 .Plan ahead booking your hotel because at different times of the year they get booked up far in advance.
2. Listen to a podcast on the drive to keep you entertained. We listened to the podcast "SERIAL" and the drive seriously flew by!
3 .Plan ahead booking your hotel because at different times of the year they get booked up far in advance.
I hope this post was helpful for you babes headed out West! We truly had the best time exploring the fun little town of Marfa and its surroundings. If you go and use these tips send me a message or a photo I would love to see/ hear about it!!


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I can't remember when I did, but for some reason I remembered it this morning. Probably because my brain is a soup of conflicting projects and is endlessly thinking in several directions at the moment.
SOCNOC is flying on up in a months time. I have two novel ideas, but nothing fixed yet. I still have Huia to sort out, and chances are they'll only get the one short story from me this time around. AP is still pickling away in the background. There's a few pointless short stories I'm writing at the moment for self amusement. Then there's Card Fighters which I'm puzzling away at, and still testing with Cassie. That programming part of my brain is hungry to write more, and whenever my programming part of my brain gets too fired up, I think of interactive fiction.
(Hello to any IFmud readers who might be checking out my stuff right now as I post)
Somewhere in the dredge of all that is my want to find a good book. Right now I'm reading First Man of Rome, which a friend recommended to me. I'm playing in an online game called Republic of Rome, an 8 player game of simple, yet horrible cunning that represents Rome through the ages, with a whole lot of backstabbing and dealing. The book does a good job of explaining the mechanics of the Rome represented rather well in the game.
The books big, very big. I think about how I want to read something simple, and adventurous like the old Dragonlance books I read as a kid. A few people banding together, while the realms go to heck. Typical quest fantasy.
That's where my dream comes in. Dreaming of maps. Making a map and a few characters and just letting them walk from one end to the next. Stick that in your SOCNOC, my dream tells me. But I find myself unconvinced.
Sunday morning ticks on, and is quickly becoming Sunday afternoon. I think today, if nothing else, I'd like to get a decent cup of Earl Grey. The air is changing, and it smells like the last few days of summer …


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We offer comprehensive advice with respect to the protection of industrial designs. Industrial designs are what make an article attractive and appealing: hence, they add to the commercial value of a product and increase its marketability.
We are experienced in all aspects of design law, both on national and European level. We provide strategy development services, file and prosecute design applications and manage registration portfolios. We regularly advise clients in relation to both their proposed designs and third party rights.
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"A hard labourer who knows IP matters extremely well"
WTR 1000 – World Trademark Review, 2016
- Expertise


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SLFP presidential candidate decided next week
August 13, 2019 10:48 pm
The decision whether the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would work together with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will be taken by the SLFP Central Committee, stated United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary MP Mahinda Amaraweera.
He mentioned this responding to questions posed by journalists following a function held at the SLFP headquarters, today (13).
Amaraweera further said that the Central Committee would take the decision on the Presidential candidate in the coming week.
However, MP Dr. Sarath Amunugama said today that the SLFP has decided to support Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential election.


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30 students of Velammal Matric. Higher Secondary School in Panchetti, Tamil Nadu, India created a mosaic measuring 7.5 m x 11.25 m portraying Swami Vivekananda. To form the portrait, the students used paper cups containing coloured solutions prepared from traditional ingredients like sandal, vermillion powder, sendur, coal powder and milk. The record attempt took place on 11 January 2013, commemorating the 150 birthday of Swami Vivekananda.
66 girls lit up 15,200 earthern lamps within 6 minutes 1 second and 29 milliseconds represents outer horizon of Indian Map


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A twilight walk along a wet and drizzly Mavoor Road is one trip down nostalgia lane… mixing memories with desire. The rain, the vapour lamps and the lights filtering though the haze make the place every bit surreal.
It's not yet a hundred years since the place that was once marshy saw development and got transformed into the hard land that it today is. Mavoor Road is considerably younger than most of the other roads in Kozhikode. Amble along and you can see the Kairali theatre and the KSRTC bus stand. To know the changes brought about by development, a walk along the road is inevitable. The town's life used to be one long stretch from Kallayi to Palayam, Mananchira, and Nadakkavu. But with the laying of Mavoor road, life began spreading out to the sides, finding roots to hang on to.
The late evening jaunt takes you to the Indian Coffee House where you halt as if by sheer instinct. There's something inexorably lusty that draws you in. Call it the pull of a cup of hot filter coffee or the whiff of masala dosas or vegetable cutlets. You cannot possibly find anyone who has not had a bite or two of the Coffee House specials.
For some, life is measured by the hours in a day, to others like T S Eliot, life and the days are made of things other than hours. "I have measured out my life with coffee spoons," said Eliot. Was the poet counting out his days and hours by the number of times he must have halted at wayside inns or coffee houses? To yet others, life and coffee bear a spiritual bonding.
The coffee house spread conjures up visions aplenty before the human eye. The masala dosa is an eye-candy, as delightful as love. The sauce looks as if it's straight from the heart of the beetroot, red, and robust and the waiters with their long top hats are images as large as life.
The history of Indian Coffee House is an oft repeated tale of how honest and hard working workers successfully found their way into the Indian Coffee House concern from the Mysore Coffee Board with its hoary history.
Though old and almost worn out, the Coffee House on Mavoor Road stands in regal splendour, bearing a rich legacy. It still holds forth despite the mushroom growth of hotels and eateries all around it. It still serves what it used to years ago, without experimenting with new flavours and upstart cuisines. The menu is the same… then and now. It's only once in a blue moon that that the Coffee Board Cooperative Society administration meets to fix or change the rates of items served.
There are about five coffee houses in the city; but the maximum crowd is always at the coffee house adjacent to Aradhana Tourist Home and the one on Mavoor Road. More than a thousand people come to the joint on Mavoor Road alone for lunch.
There was once a lone coffee house on the beach in Kozhikode, the second one was opened at the Western Tourist Home on Mavoor Road. It was that coffee house that found its new pad in 1992 in the present building.
There's the aroma of coffee all around… of freshly ground beans. And there's a plate of hot, spicy and crisp cutlets ready to be dipped in crimson sauce.