text:
Puppy-space and equipment
First and most important- your puppy will need some space of his own. It can be an entire room, crate, cage or just a part of the apartment where you will keep the puppy's bed. It is recommendable for the place to bi big enough, so the dog can stay in it even after he is fully grown. Another thing that is better done before the puppy is brought home is shopping for the puppy's food and water bowls, chew toys, collar and leash, bedding and grooming equipment such as brush and a dog shampoo. You will also need a lot of old newspapers and odor neutralizers if you are planning to potty train your puppy inside.
The first few days are important
One more thing you must keep in mind is that all young dogs form a bond with his family and a previous owner and separating a two months old French Bulldog puppy can be stressful for you and him both. Dogs are animals that are used to living in a pack and they need their parents in order to survive the first few months of their lives. Being removed from the puppy's mom to him equals life danger, so prepare yourself for a night of whining, howling, squealing and general restlessness. Although many people can feel tempted to put the puppy in a basement or some other part of the household where you can't hear the whining, veterinarians agree that it only increases anxiety for the puppy and it can have long term consequences for his mental health. The first few nights might be tough, but try to hold on and put the puppy some place where he will not feel completely isolated. It is best if you make a schedule with your family for the first few days and decide who is going to play with the puppy. Giving the little boy or girl plenty of attention will relieve the separation anxiety and make the housebreaking process much more efficient.
Car ride home
If you are taking the puppy home by a car, it is important for that first ride not to be stressful for the dog. The puppy might be a bit uncomfortable because of the motion, vibration and sound of the car, so it is best for someone other than driver to be there and hold the puppy in a blanket or a towel until you get home. Putting them in a crate during the car ride would only additionally traumatize them, so try to avoid it any way that you can.
Getting a health check
If possible, you should have your own vet examine the puppy while it is still in the kennel, shelter or with previous owner. If you haven't done that already, it is one of the first things you should do when you bring the puppy home. Take it to a veterinarian for general examination and to make sure it is in perfect health. If the previous owner or breeder has not vaccinated the puppy and treated it against worms and fleas, then ask your vet to do it.
Feeding the puppy
You can do some research on the internet or consult your vet on how much, how often and what kind of foods to give the puppy. It also might be useful to ask the breeder about what food has he been feeding the puppy and continue giving him the exactly the same type and brand for at least the first few days, when the puppy arrives to your home. It will help the puppy get through this transition. For the first three to four weeks it is best for puppies to eat almost exclusively mother's milk, if there is enough it, of course. After that period you can start your puppy on commercial food. Since they are still very young and their teeth are sensitive, it is best that you soak the dry food in warm water for a while until it softens and then give it to the puppy. At first he might only stick his nose in it and lick the soft liquid part of the food, but eventually he will eat all of it. Some say you should feed the pups two or three times a day, but if you ask me it should be three to four times a day. As the Frenchie puppy grow and his teeth strengthen, you can slowly decrees the amount of water you put to commercial food and eventually give him only solid food and water, separately.


text:
The Sopar Democrat (Choctaw County, Okla.), Vol. 13, No. 13, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 23, 1923
Description: Weekly newspaper from Soper, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.
Date: August 23, 1923
Creator: Crossett, R. E.
Item Type: Refine your search to only Newspaper
Partner: Oklahoma Historical Society

subset: commoncrawl


text: Artist: Brand Nubian f/ Starr Album: Fire in the Hole Song: Still Livin' in the Ghetto Typed by: OHHLA Webmaster DJ Flash Yeah (yeah..) Yo this goes out (this goes out..) To all the ghettos around the world (all the ghettos around the world..) If you strugglin (you strugglin..) And your surroundings are shitty (surroundings are shitty..) It's a good chance that's where you live [Chorus 2X: Starr] Still livin in the ghetto After all this time, through all the climb Still livin in the ghetto Don't let it take your mind {"raised in the ghetto singin songs called survival"} [Lord Jamar] Yo I was born here, my momma was born here Her momma was born here, my father was born here And his father was born here, and we all here, livin in fear My peers are either dead or in prison for years How many generations, get caught, in a perpetuation of poverty, robbery becomes a occupation Look around, it's pure desolation And desperation, feel the sweat, from the persperation See it's hot in hell's kitchen, a lot fell victim Everyday we in a fight, how can we beat the system? All this time got out mind conditioned We find solace in religion, Muslim or Christian We bow down on our knees and hope somebody listenin But all we promised for narcotics is a drug conviction Every day is like Russian roulette It's the next century and we ain't got shit yet y'all [Chorus] [Grand Puba] Uhh, when will it go away, when will there be a day That we all got paper just to throw away When will the tables turn, when will the devils burn When will the time come when seeds be the main concern A hungry man is a angry man Gotta freak some type of plan to get some {?} up in the hands See life is like a hustle and it's colder than a whore's heart But when you comin from the ghetto that's a rough start By the time you 12, you know the street life very well Stuck in hell, neighborhoods are one big holdin cell The hood life nevertheless been a good life But should life constantly consist of stress and strife They don't play us, cause they know we represent peace And they don't no peace, they want us killin with a piece Or up North with some grease, with a photograph of some peeps Just lettin us slug it out, 'til we all become deceased [Chorus] [Sadat X] Jean the dopefiend who keep all her cars clean And Mr. Mack who smoke cracks on the weekend That music upstairs is comin from the Puerto Ricans Arabs sellin guns in the store Nigerians pump the diesel yo, that's so raw Cornerbound Dominicans play the block in the daytime With names like Jose, Plantano, or Reyes Me and you grow or as a result stay as, a victim of block day, an hour earlier he fought with his fists now the nigga layin twisted Swirlin smoke your girl and coke and guns The Sherling coat, that you bought for you and your suns can be replaced, but you could get laced Oh they hit him in the face, it was awful, terrible for his family to see him laid like that, said he was comin right back It was fast, seen the fire, heard the blast [Chorus] - 2X


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Protesters arrive at State Capitol after marching 65-miles from Milwaukee
On Saturday the marchers arrived in Madison, and are set to rally at the State Capitol building before heading to the Governor's Mansion.
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Over a hundred protesters gathered at the State Capitol in Madison to conclude a 65-mile march between Milwaukee and Madison to call for police reform in Wisconsin.
The "50 Miles More" march began outside Milwaukee City Hall on July 1, where protesters began a 65-mile march over the span of five days to Madison. On Saturday the marchers arrived in Madison, where they rallied at the State Capitol.
"People don't like when you stick up to the status quo and the establishment. We didn't have that much support, so when I came here and saw all these folks it was a lot, and I was emotional," said Tatiana Washington, 50 Miles More Executive Director.
"We experienced a lot. We were being followed by white supremacists, armed militias. We were marching through towns that are notorious for having KKK members," Washington said. "Gov. Evers has yet to comment on our demands or our march, and we're going to hold him accountable... Now it's time for him to act and do his job by being anti racist."
Lorien Carter, a youth advocate and aunt of Tony Robinson, the unarmed 19-year-old shot and killed by police officers in Madison in 2015, said "it's the 4th of July right now, Independence Day for most, and a lot of black and brown people are saying this is a more of are resistance day... It wasn't our independence, but we can make it that day."
The "50 Miles More" march is calling for:
· Gov. Tony Evers to condemn the use of tear gas and rubber bullets
· Lawmakers to hold a special session to discuss gun violence and policing
· More funding to support Black students in schools and to support violence prevention
· The Wisconsin Department of Corrections to release people incarcerated who are suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Copyright 2020 WMTV. All rights reserved.


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Willian and Pedro extend contracts at Chelsea
Frank Lampard will have both wingers available for the rest of the campaign.
Chelsea wingers Willian and Pedro have extended their contracts until the end of the 2019-20 season.
The duo could have departed Stamford Bridge on June 30, but will now be able to feature for Frank Lampard until the campaign eventually concludes.
An official club statement read: "As a result of the global pandemic and the subsequent delayed conclusion to the campaign, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to be allowed to enter into short-term contract extensions with players whose deals were due to expire at the end of this month.
"Willian and Pedro were among those affected, and they and the club have now mutually agreed to extend contracts until the finale of the current season.
"It means they will be available for our remaining Premier League fixtures in 2019/20, as well as any future involvement in the FA Cup and Champions League."
Willian started Sunday's 2-1 win for the Blues at Aston Villa while Pedro was an unused substitute.


text:
...one of the most highly
regarded and expertly designed C++ library projects in the
world. — Herb Sutter and Andrei
Alexandrescu, C++
Coding Standards
An asynchronous agent is a sequential composition of asynchronous operations. Every asynchronous operation is considered to run as a part of an asynchronous agent, even if that agent contains only that single operation. An asynchronous agent is an entity that may perform work concurrently with other agents. Asynchronous agents are to asynchronous operations as threads are to synchronous operations.
However, an asynchronous agent is a purely notional construct that allows us to reason about the context for, and composition of, asynchronous operations in a program. The name "asynchronous agent" does not appear in the library, nor is it important which concrete mechanism[1] is used to compose the asynchronous operations in an agent.
We can visualise an asynchronous agent as follows:
Asynchronous agents alternately wait for an asynchronous operation to complete, and then run a completion handler for that operation. Within the context of an agent, these completion handlers represent indivisible units of schedulable work.
[1] Such as chains of lambdas, coroutines, fibers, state machines, etc.


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President Ekrem Yüce, who examined the ongoing preparations before the Mountain Bike Marathon World Championship to be held in Sakarya between October 23-25, said, "We are preparing the EXPO area where the values of our city will be exhibited, activities will be held and our guests will breathe. I hope we will host the championship in the best way and carry our city to the world stage, "he said. Yüce also stated that more than 30 world-class athletes from 150 different countries will pedal in the championship.
Sakarya Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem Yüce made observations in the Sunflower Bicycle Valley before the Mountain Bike Marathon World Championship, which will be hosted by Sakarya between October 23-25. Mayor Ekrem Yüce, who received information about the preparations from İlhan Şerif Aykaç, Head of the Department of Youth and Sports Services, visited the Sakarya Expo area, which will shed light on the cultural, artistic and historical life of the city and will be open throughout the championship. Expressing their happiness to host the most prestigious bicycle organization in the world, President Ekrem Yüce emphasized that the promotion of the city will be made in the best way with the championship.
We work for the best
Stating that there are few days left for the championship, President Ekrem Yüce said, "We are making our final preparations. At the same time, we are preparing an EXPO area for the championship that will contribute to the promotion of our city. Here, too, there is an intensive work. The area where the values of our city will be exhibited, the sponsor companies will take place, will be a place where our guests coming to the region for the championship will breathe. I hope we will host the championship and carry our city to the world stage ".
Sakarya's name will be heard in the world
Stating that the championship is of great importance for Sakarya's opening to the world, President Ekrem Yüce said, "More than 30 world-class athletes from 150 different countries will be pedaling in the championship. Viewers and media representatives will be in Sakarya. There will be live broadcasts, and I hope the eyes will be in Sakarya on October 23-25. Our city will be remembered in the best way in different cities of the world. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone, especially our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who contributed to the organization of this worldwide organization in our city.
📩 17/10/2020 12:23


text:
Arab activist says CIA notified Norway of threat against him
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Palestinian-born activist living in Norway was reportedly whisked away to a secure location after the CIA informed Norwegian officials of an unspecified threat against him, according to reports Tuesday.
Iyad el-Baghdadi, who is outspoken on Twitter and was researching several issues related to Saudi Arabia, was quoted by Norway's news agency NTB as saying Norwegian officials came to his home on April 25 and told him he may be in danger before taking him to a safe place.
He was quoted as saying it is unclear what the threat was, but that "something came on the radar of the CIA." He said Norwegian security agency PST told him the threat is not imminent.
The Guardian, which first reported the incident, said the CIA had warned Norway that el-Baghdadi faced a potential threat from Saudi Arabia. It quoted el-Baghdadi as saying that after Norwegian authorities took him to a secure location, they warned him he was in possible danger from an unspecified threat emanating from the kingdom.
The CIA declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press, referring any questions to authorities in Norway. El-Baghdadi did not immediately respond to an AP request for comment. The Saudi Embassy in Washington could not be immediately reached for comment.
El-Baghdadi rose to prominence during Arab Spring protests in 2011, using sharp analysis and a steady stream of tweets to amass more than 124,000 followers on Twitter. He was granted political asylum in Norway after his online activism prompted his expulsion without charge from the United Arab Emirates, where he was a resident.
Among the many Arab rulers he's fiercely criticized on Twitter is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose aides were behind a plot that led to the assassination of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul last year. Khashoggi wrote columns critical of the crown prince for The Washington Post and was a friend of el-Baghdadi.
On Twitter, el-Baghdadi also acknowledged there was a threat to his safety.
"Something crazy - concerning my personal safety - happened two weeks ago which I haven't been at liberty to speak about.... The last two weeks have been very stressful, but I hope I've managed well given the pressure," he wrote in a tweet on Tuesday.
The Kawaakibi Foundation, an activist platform which el-Baghdadi is president and co-founder of, issued a statement on a fundraising site saying that the threat posed to him "was linked to the government of Saudi Arabia."
The statement added that the group is working on research related to several issues, including a breach of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' private communication, as well as research on Saudi propaganda efforts on Twitter.
"We may not be the highest profile or best-known, but we're sure as heck effective if the Saudi state is after us," the statement said.
In his comments to the Norwegian news agency, el-Baghdadi said the threat "may be related to six or seven different things I have done lately, including investigating the extortion of Amazon entrepreneur Jeff Bezos."
A cybersecurity expert hired by Bezos, who owns The Washington Post where Khashoggi was a contributing columnist, has alleged that his investigators have concluded with high confidence that the Saudis had access to Bezos' phone, and gained private information.
Bezos had previously accused The National Enquirer magazine in the U.S. of trying to blackmail him by threatening to publish intimate details and text messages showing an extramarital affair he was having.
Saudi Arabia has rejected allegations that it was involved in the dispute between Bezos and the parent company of The National Enquirer.
Associated Press writer Jan Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.


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It is almost always an extremely good idea when you have uncovered flooring within their houses to pay for all of them along with carpets and rugs for example area rugs, however area rug carpets and rugs might not be your best option in the event that you will find a lot of individuals getting into the home, in this instance, polypropylene supplies might be favored. These types of carpets and rugs are created utilizing powerful materials that are created to maintain their very own even if you will find a lot of individuals with them. The actual upkeep associated with polypropylene supplies is simple, the reason being the actual materials may barely consume grime consequently which makes it hard to allow them to shed their own unique colours These people are available in various dimensions, a few could possibly be the dimension of the complete space yet others might be scaled-down within sizing, aside from their own dimensions, additionally they arrive in a number of designs, a few tend to be oblong while some might be rectangle-shaped.
You will find each traditional as well as contemporary kinds when it comes to styles; they likewise have their own colours. All of these include really fantastic structures as well as edges. A number of their own colours might be gentle searching or even other forms associated with colour combos which increase the general elegance from the styles. A few of the colours tend to be so that these people seem like pictures associated with recognized items this particular can make all of them much better for many individuals to become utilized outdoors compared to to become utilized inside.
The actual supplies utilized in the actual manufacturing of those area rugs; for example materials, are available in various measures as well as width, it's this that can make the actual designated distinction within appears once they tend to be lastly completed, the actual shag designs for example varies within appears in the other forms obtainable.
Whenever then you think about obtaining rugs for the house, rather than considering conventional carpets and rugs which soak up unsightly stains and also have a lot of additional drawback, attempt obtaining a polypropylene area rug carpeting and proceed completely having fun.


text:
The article claims that the bomber intended to blow himself up in the nearby Grand Canyon shopping center but the security there made him change his plans to the nearby restaurant filled with Israeli families enjoying their Passover vacation.
From the New York Times:
The Matza restaurant was one of those rare places in Israel where Jews felt they could find refuge in the company of Arabs.
But it turned out, none of them were safe. Although the restaurant's proprietors and many of its staff members are Arabs, a suicide bomber from the Islamic group Hamas walked through the door today and detonated his charge in the middle of the room, blasting screws and other shrapnel into people eating a late lunch.
He killed himself and 14 others, blowing the roof off the restaurant and spraying blood against the chrome table legs and glass out into the parking lot.
Witnesses described a wreckage of burning bodies and jumbled furniture, in which one woman bent over a wounded son, beside the bodies of her husband and another child. The dead included Israeli Arabs, the police said, but the authorities were still trying to identify some of the remains tonight.
The attack shocked both Arabs and Jews, who felt that the restaurant was a haven. ''Everyone knew this was an Arab restaurant, and we were not afraid,'' said Zeghain Amar, an Israeli Arab whose father, the Matza's cashier, was wounded. ''We had excellent relations between Arabs and Jews -- regular customers. I'm very, very upset.''
The victims:
Ron family
Aviel Ron, 54, of Haifa
Anat Ron, 21, of Haifa
Ofer Ron, 18, of Haifa
Koren family
Shimon Koren, 55, of Haifa
Ran Koren, 18, of Haifa
Gal Koren, 15, of Haifa
Shiran family
Adi Shiran, 17, of Haifa
Shimon Shiran, 57, of Haifa – died of his injuries on April 11, 2009 after remaining hospitalized for seven years.
Additional victims
Suheil Adawi, 32, of Turan
Dov Chernobroda, 67, of Haifa
Moshe Levin, 52, of Haifa
Danielle Menchel, 22, of Haifa
Orly Ofir, 16, of Haifa
Ya'akov Shani, 53, of Haifa
Daniel Carlos Wegman, 50, of Haifa
Carlos Yerushalmi, 52, of Karkur – died of his injuries on April 1, 2002
Interestingly, this happened right at the beginning of Israel's Operation Defensive Shield that was meant to stop such attacks. The New York Times quoted Israeli "experts" as to how it is impossible to stop suicide bombings:
Many Israeli commentators are wondering how it will stop suicide attackers, who are now striking almost anywhere, among religious Jews, secular Jews and now even Israeli Arabs. The attackers have been men and women, young and old, Palestinian and even, in one case, an Israeli Arab.We know now that Israel did stop the suicide bombings, with a combination of offensive thrusts into terrorist enclaves, a huge push to improve intelligence, and the building of the security fence.
Nahum Barnea, the respected columnist for the newspaper Yediot Ahronot, wrote today that Palestinian terrorism was becoming ''a popular sport, the grand aspiration of thousands of young Palestinian girls and boys.
''You can kill, deport and deter professionals,'' he added. ''There is no military way to fight suicide bombers.''
The "experts" were wrong, which is a good thing to keep in mind when you read analyses today about how other things are supposedly impossible as well.


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BRIEF: A Glance at Datametrex AI's Share Structure
Datametrex AI Limited (TSXV: DM) had an excellent trading day yesterday. After an early morning news release, the company gapped up a few pennies. It then slowly climbed throughout the day, before closing at an all time high of $0.47. This represented an excellent gain of 36% from the previous days close. In addition to this, it was also the highest volume stock on the Venture, with over 9 million shares trading hands.
Although this was an absolutely exhilarating day for long term investors, it's unlikely that such days will exist for long. As the price of Datametrex continues to rise, it will increasingly be held down as a result of cheap paper. This cheap paper exists as a result of previously poor performance by the company. It was forced to do financing at low price levels, which in turn rapidly diluted the share structure of the company. Until this paper has rotated hands, it will likely prevent upward momentum from occurring.
The Share Structure of Datametrex AI
The data concerning Datametrex's share structure is slightly difficult to compile. Prior to the amalgamation that took place this past summer, the shell company of Everfront had approximately five million shares outstanding. However, due to the transaction being in the form of a reverse takeover, later financials represent the figures related to Datametrex AI during the time period, not the shell that was Everfront. This in turn makes it slightly difficult to determine the initial cost basis of several shares outstanding for the company. Bare with us on this.
Diametrex Financing
To begin our analysis on the share structure of the company, we'll first identify the capital raises that have been performed. We'll also include any shares that have been issued as a result of acquisitions. For this, we are only concerned with what occurred following the amalgamation that took place.
Due to the low share price, raising any funds has caused large dilution. As seen in the chart above, Datametrex has added just under 177 million shares to the float since the amalgamation that took place. Worst of all, is that the majority of this paper is at the $0.15 or below mark. This will provide serious selling pressure as the stock creeps towards a full dollar. It also inhibits the ability for future raises.
In addition to these current financings, there is a letter of intent on the table. This agreement stands to add approximately another forty million shares to the current share count of the company. The one optimistic point about this purchase, is that it is at a price of $0.25. Although this still limits upward momentum, it is much better than previous pricing.
Also of note related to these financings, is that the most recent raise contains a forced conversion clause. Should the price of the security exceed $0.20 for a period of fifteen consecutive days, the company can opt to force the exercise of warrants. The units from this raise are in lockup until March 21, 2018, so it is unclear if the company is able to force the exercise until that point in time. Otherwise, conditions have been met for this clause to be enacted. This could provide a means of income should the company require it for a future acquisition.
Share Structure
Overall, the share structure of Datametrex leaves something to be desired. We're a fan of tight floats that enable companies to grow down the line. For Datametrex, what began as an excellent float quickly ballooned to a much larger size. Yes, the financing was used to acquire assets. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't limit future growth potential.
It is estimated that at the time of writing, Datametrex AI has approximately 159 million shares outstanding. As of the closing price on December 18, this gives it a market capitalization of $74.7 million. Based on our estimate of 248.5 million shares on a fully diluted basis, this would give a fully diluted market cap of $116.8 million.
The figures used for the share count and fully diluted share count were based on information provided in company news releases. We are aware that these numbers do not presently match what is displayed on TMXMoney. We simply used what information was publicly available. Additionally, these figures do not include dilution from the recently announced letter of intent.
Datametrex AI's Insider Activity
When it comes to insider activity, we consulted Sedi.ca. Typically, we use Canadian Insider due to its easier to view format. However, we quickly realized that the numbers didn't add up based on what we read in recent news releases. As such, we had to go to the source which painted a different picture.
Overall, it is estimated that insiders own approximately 47.9 million shares of the company, or approximately 30.18%. Of this, there are a few notable holders. Most significantly, is that of chief executive officer Andrew Ryu, who owns 19.8 million shares which is 12.45% of the company. He previously held an over 20% stake in the company before the latest raise. Another notable stakeholder is Jonathan Hobbs, chief technology officer of Datametrex AI who holds 13.4 million shares in the company.
Also of note, is the snippet seen above. In an attempt to drum up faith in the company, Datametrex publicly stated that insiders are continuously purchasing the equity. This was likely done as a show of strength to investors, who had been beaten down as a result of a declining share price. At the time, it also indicated that the company felt they were worth more than double the current market that the market had given them.
Closing Remarks
Datametrex investors have had an excellent run up on this stock since mid November. Countless investors have likely doubled the value of their investment in this time frame. However, don't expect this run to continue at the rate that it's been going at. With the cheap paper presently available on this stock, the selling pressure will likely become quite heavy in the oncoming days.
One saving grace for investors, is the fact that the latest round of financing has shares locked up until mid March. That prevents over fifty million cheap shares from dragging down the price of the equity for the time being, as well as the associated sixty million warrants. However, expect these to provide a significant pressure once they become available for sale on the open market. If the company elects to force the exercise of warrants, this force could be twice as strong. Until then, best of luck with your investment!
Always inspect the share structure before investing. It can literally make or break a stock. Dive Deep.
Information for this analysis was found via TMXMoney, Sedi, Canadian Insider, and Datametrex AI Limited. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security.
As the founder of The Deep Dive, Jay is focused on all aspects of the firm. This includes operations, as well as acting as the primary writer for The Deep Dive's stock analysis. In addition to The Deep Dive, Jay performs freelance writing for a number of firms and has been published on Stockhouse.com and CannaInvestor Magazine among others.


text:
This post about the 2002 Millennium Challenge war games has sparked such a valuable discussion that it is being moved to the DNI blog (update: it is here). Stay tuned, as this will be worthwhile reading. For a good introduction to the subject of war games — more formally, "military simulations" — see the Wikipedia entry.
Are simulations a competitive edge of conventional forces vs. 4GW foes? A paper by Michael Macedonia (Colonel, USA, retired) from a 2001 Forum describes a problem facing the US military, and how simulations can provide a solution.
The US military is undergoing a major policy shift in its approach to training and education. In essence, it is trying to avoid its version of Christensen's "innovator's dilemma" known as "the Victory Disease."
The victory disease is the subject of the seminal book by Macedonia and war game designer Jim Dunnigan, Getting It Right: American Military Reforms After Vietnam to the Gulf War and Beyond (1993).
"{victory disease is} … the affliction that is caught by most armies and nations after they have won a war. The disease is characterized by arrogance, a tendency to believe myths as to the underlying reasons for victory, and firm conviction that future conflicts should be fought the same way.
For more on "victory disease", see the Wikipedia here describing it, and here describing historical examples. I also recommend reading Major Timothy M. Karcher's 2003 article in Military Review.
4GW is the "world turned upside down", and victory disease prevents us from realizing its implications.
Simulations allow organizations to test themselves in a changing world, against potential enemies — hopefully avoiding the hard and expensive lessons of war. They are an antidote — perhaps the antidote — to victory disease. But only if the designers, operators, and participants allow for the good guys to fail — and decision-makers pay attention.
Please share your comments (brief and relevant, please), or email me at (spam-protected spelling) fabmaximus at hotmail dot com.
Update: Zenpundit's note on this series is (as usual) worth a look. Esp. his comments on the nature and function of gaming, both military and in general.
Other posts on this subject
- Recommended reading: an autopsy of the 2002 Millennium Challenge war games
- Are war games a competitive edge of conventional forces vs. non-state 4GW foes?
- The Achilles' Heel of military simulations
- During Millenium Challenge 2002, by Ed Beakley (Project White Horse blog), posted at the DNI blog
- What we should have learned from MC02, by Dag von Lubitz, posted at the DNI blog


text:
Free Things for the Taking10:35 PM
Hey everyone!
Free things. Yes, this post is about freebies. Except, it's more about what the freebies really mean.
I am a university student. For those of you out there who also attend university, or college, (or whatever you happen to call the academic institution that sucks out money from your pocket like a hungry vacuum) you all understand what I mean when I say that procuring an education really takes a toll on your wallet. University costs so much money, and I find great joy in constantly reminding everyone about this fact.
So, school started fairly recently for me. And the other day, they were having some kind of fair thing going on. There were booths set up where people could sign up for things such as clubs. With that, there were a few booths here and there that gave out free food and drinks.
I personally feel like it's all to bribe us. To make us feel better about all the money that we use for school.
|Everyone is in line. We don't want to miss out on free food. Best way to bribe college kids is to give out free things. The edible kind.
|A cool trampoline machine thing.
|Look, this guy is flipping over backwards!
|Soooo many people in line for freebies.
|All those booths are so crowded. Everyone wants free stuff.
|I felt awkward taking these pictures. People probably thought I was weird. Oh well. I am weird. I embrace it.
|This is what I got. I actually took all of five minutes to stand in line for this stuff, when I could have been watching Netflix in the library instead.
How do you feel about universities? Lemme know in the comments below about your thoughts on freebies and crazy huge college tuitions.
Til next time,
8 comments
I think it's a pretty good thing that university gives its students freebies! ^-^ReplyDelete
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yeah it definitely makes us feel a bit better about having to pay for so much. free food can always cheer people up.Delete
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thank you very much! it took me awhile to find a design that I liked. I'm glad you like it :)Delete
I just followed your blog!
- AnonymousOctober 6, 2015 at 12:40 PM
I'm from Germany and I spent an exchange year abroad in the USA and my biggest dream was to go to college there too but the tuition was just redicilously high so there was no way I could afford it.ReplyDelete
Now I'm going to Uni here in Germany (it's free here you only have to pay an administrative fee with a statewide public transportion ticket included of 270€ each semester).
I really wish america had a free (or at least affordable) college system.
What college were u hoping to go to here in the US? And wow that sounds amazing. Yes, i agree with you. I wish we had a similar system here as in Germany. It really frustrates me how education isnt free, or at the least cheaper. Regardless of whether people want to learn or not, we all still need it to live comfortably in this society.Delete


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Citrus Tower
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
My first trip to Florida was in 1983. Last year, I pulled out my color slides from that trip, digitized them, and returned to the same spots at Walt Disney World for a series of "then and now" articles. (There are links at the end of this article.)
Walt Disney World wasn't the only attraction I visited in 1983. Another was the Citrus Tower. I returned there too in 2011—my first visit since 1983. I paid for the elevator ride to the top and snapped "then and now" photos.
The Citrus Tower is still open for business, but oh how the view has changed in 28 years!
, Curator of Yesterland, June 29, 2012
Paris has the Eiffel Tower. Seattle has the Space Needle. And Clermont, Florida has the Citrus Tower. Sure, the Citrus Tower is less famous than the other two—but it's also much less crowded.
In 2011, I paid $4 (now $6) for the elevator ride to the top. I was loaned a spotting map, which I could have kept for an extra dollar. When the doors opened on the observation level, I discovered I was the only one there. I wanted to match two photos from 1983 with the same views in 2011.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
In 1983, I had a view of orange groves. This time, I had a view of suburbia. Seeing a Publix grocery store, fast food outlets, office buildings, and tract homes from twenty stories up may seem like big yawn, but I enjoyed it. It helped that it was a clear, sunny day.
There was also something rewarding about being in a historic landmark—although not an official, registered historic landmark. As an added bonus, display cases in the lobby are filled with early Citrus Tower souvenirs.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
On the horizon, I could make out some of the taller landmarks at Walt Disney World. Cinderella Castle blurred against Space Mountain, but Spaceship Earth and the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort were distinctly recognizable. There were numerous high-rise hotels that I couldn't identify. I wondered how the fireworks would look from up here.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
I also saw something that I didn't expect to see: an actual citrus grove.
The other surprise was that the vaguely White House-like building next door, which had been there in 1983, was still there and still in business. It's the Presidents Hall of Fame (although the sign in the front says "House of Presidents"), a museum of wax figures, miniatures, and memorabilia devoted to U.S. Presidents.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
A long-time feature of the tower is the coin drop. Writer Michael Browning described it particularly well in the Palm Beach Post on July 9, 2000:
The observation deck at the top is enclosed by glass and has a curious steel tube, which drops down the full height of the structure, and is equipped with two ear-tubes, one on either side. You're supposed to drop a quarter in a slot, put your ear to the ear-tube, and listen to it fall, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, all 226 feet. The coin finishes up with a little bell-like chime at the bottom.
In 1983, I dropped a coin down the coin drop. I didn't do so in 2011, but I was glad to see it was still there.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011 / Historic artwork from the collection of the Citrus Tower
It must have seemed like a great idea for a tourist attraction in 1956.
It would be on U.S. Highway 27, Florida's major north-south highway. (There was no I-75, I-4, I-95, or Florida Turnpike in Central Florida back then.) The location would be about halfway between the two top attractions in Central Florida—Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs. And by building on what passes for a hill in Florida, the top of the 223-foot tower might be the highest point in the whole state.
The observation level at 425 feet above sea level would provide a 360-degree view of the gently rolling land covered with citrus groves and lakes, as far as the eye could see.
From the collection of Werner Weiss
In its early years, the Citrus Tower really was a great idea. Tourists on U.S. Highway 27 made it Central Florida's third major attraction, joining Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs.
The tower's fortunes began to decline in 1964 when the Florida Turnpike was extended north to Wildwood (between Ocala and Clermont). Tourists heading to Southern Florida had a new, fast route. Although, the Turnpike came within three miles of the Citrus Tower, for many tourists it might as well been a hundred miles away.
For some, however, the allure of the green citrus trees, their fragrant blossoms, and their brightly colored fruit was still enough to warrant a detour to the Citrus Tower.
From the collection of Werner Weiss
In 1971, Walt Disney World opened. Magic Kingdom was a one-day park. Tourist attraction companies looked for opportunities to benefit from the surge of new visitors to Central Florida. In 1972, broadcaster Wometco, which also owned the Miami Seaquarium, purchased the Citrus Tower from the entrepreneurs who built it.
The 1980s would be particularly hard on the Citrus Tower. Disney guests no longer had to venture far to find things to do, especially after the opening of EPCOT Center (now Epcot) in 1982. Severe freezes, particularly those of December 1983 and January 1985, devastated the citrus groves of Central Florida. Visitors didn't want to pay for a panoramic view of dead trees. Some growers replanted after each of the killing freezes, but the once-dominant citrus industry of Lake County, Florida was no longer viable.
From the collection of Werner Weiss
Wometco sold the languishing Citrus Tower to a group of Florida investors in 1986. A Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel article on December 15, 1986 reported, "Exterior paint on the 226-foot-high tower has cracked and peeled; pieces of the landmark's decorative glass are missing or broken." The same article explained the buyers "paid at least $1.4 million for the attraction, county records show, compared with the $1 million Wometco paid for the attraction in 1972." Despite grand plans to revive the attraction, it continued to deteriorate. To make matters worse, another killing freeze in 1989 discouraged even the growers who had replanted their citrus after earlier freezes.
Ultimately there would be something even more devastating to the citrus groves than freezing temperatures: the growth of the Orlando metropolitan area, turning Clermont from a small citrus growing town into a thriving sea of homes, office parks, and retail centers.
In 1995, Clermont real estate entrepreneur Greg Homan—a former citrus grower—bought the tower for just $750,000. The tower finally received the maintenance it needed. I spoke with Homan recently. I asked if he enjoyed owning a Florida landmark.
"I absolutely love it," he replied, quickly adding that's not why he bought the tower. "I bought it because it was on 12 acres of prime property." But the tower and its history grew on him. "It's loved by the community. It's Clermont's claim to fame. I feel I'm just the caretaker."
The final photos in this article are three pairs of "then and now" photos.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 1983
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
The most obvious change between 1983 and 2011 is that the tower's signature orange stripe is gone. I asked Greg Homan about it.
"I wanted to be different," Homan explained. "To me, orange represented citrus, but citrus was not here any longer." The tower is about due to be painted again. This time Homan expects to bring back the orange stripe. It could happen as soon as this winter.
Another change is that the outside deck above the enclosed observation level is no longer open to visitors.
"I've got some satellite dishes; it's now commercial lease space." Homan added, "I can't trust the population any longer," citing people throwing things from the top.
I learned from Homan that, in addition to the elevator shaft and stairs, the tower has floors, just like any other tall building. The space is leased out to his radio tenants and communications clients. With those leases, electronic equipment for cellular communications mounted on the sides of the tower, transmission antennas on top, and satellite dishes on the former outside deck, I realized that the tower's telecommunications role is probably much more important than its tourism role.
Still, around 12,000 to 15,000 people buy elevator tickets each year. And others come to the gift shop and banquet facility at the tower's base. So it's not just a telecom tower.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 1983
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
The photos above show the same view in 1983 and 2011. U.S. Highway 27 still serves Florida, entering the state north of Tallahasee and ending in Miami. Even in 1983, it was serving primarily local traffic, having long given up its long-distance traffic to the Interstates and the Turnpike. In some ways, driving on Highway 27 is like driving on Route 66. In some spots, you can be rewarded with the feeling that you've gone back to a different era.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 1983
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2011
At first glance, it's hard to believe that the two photos above are the same view. The 1983 photo shows a tram ride under construction or renovation, with endless citrus orchards behind it.
The history of the tram ride is not well documented. A rare reference to the tram ride was in an Orlando Sentinel article ("Citrus Tower Offers More than a View" by Debbie Manis, June 25, 1988):
A tram ride recently was open to the public. The 20-minute ride takes you through a 4.5-acre grove behind the tower, filled with 30 varities of oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons and limes. "The tram is educational—not just going around looking at trees," said a spokeswoman for the tower.
One of the most interesting trees is the variety tree, "it's the perfect tree for your back yard," the tour guide explains. The tree bears six varieties of citrus—from lemons to oranges, he says. As the tour comes to end there are two apple trees amidst the citrus "just to remind Floridians of the difference between oranges and apples."
Greg Homan could not provide more details. When he bought the facility in 1995, the track was there, but there was no tram ride.
If you look at the lower left corner of the 2011 photo, you'll see that the tram station is still there. Only now it houses L V Jewelry and Anthony's Barber Shop.
I hope to visit Clermont again next year. I'll allow time not only for the Citrus Tower, but also for the Presidents Hall of Fame, the Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards, Historic Downtown Clermont, and the Showcase of Citrus—which dooesn't have a tram tour, but has a "Monster Truck Eco-Tour."
To find Clermont, I'll turn off my GPS and just look for a tall tower with a bright orange vertical stripe on each side.
The Citrus Tower has an official website: Citrus Tower
The view from the Citrus Tower isn't the only thing that changed from 1983 to 2011:
© 2012-2013 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks
Updated March 29, 2013.


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(The Hosting News) – OnApp has certified DedicatedNOW as an OnApp Cloud Service Provider, and announced a new partnership with the company to offer cloud hosting infrastructure as a service to web hosting providers. DedicatedNOW's customized private cloud service includes servers, SAN storage and bandwidth, plus OnApp's cloud management software, for a monthly fee. It offers web hosts a simple and affordable way to launch their own cloud hosting products without the capital investment and running costs associated with building their own cloud infrastructure.
"We're very pleased that DedicatedNOW has received OnApp certification," said Carlos Rego, MD and Chief Architect at OnApp. "There's huge demand for cloud infrastructure among traditional web hosts. By evolving shared and dedicated hosting services to the cloud, they can make significant efficiency savings, generate higher margins and provide the flexibility and convenience their customers expect. With OnApp and DedicatedNOW, any web host can rea
lize these benefits, quickly and at low cost."
DedicatedNOW has more than a decade's experience of successful managed hosting service delivery. The Company's recent merger with SolarVPS has enabled it to expand its virtualization knowledge and capabilities, which underpin its new private cloud service.
"We're delighted to be recognized as a certified OnApp provider," said Jason Silverglate, CEO, DedicatedNOW. "Cloud Hosting and Virtualization are a big part of who we are as a Company at this point and we're thrilled about our new partnership with OnApp."
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About DedicatedNOW.com
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OnApp launched in July 2010 after two years of development. OnApp has offices in the US and Europe, employs more than 45 staff and can be found online at http://www.onapp.com.
Source: OnApp Certifies DedicatedNOW as a Cloud Service Provider


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Is the Corning Museum of Glass Worth It?
YES! I have a new favorite museum, and it's not a traditional one. The Corning Museum of Glass in the Finger Lakes region of New York is the largest display of glass art in the world, smacking you in the face with over 3,500 years of pieces you never thought possible from such a taken-for-granted material. Come with me as we explore the treasures this building holds!
Corning Glass Museum Renovations
Did you know that the Corning Museum of Glass just completed a vast and stunning new wing? As an art and rchitecture lover, I nearly swooned upon entering the fresh addition. Its entire design was created to bring in the light: a luxury that traditional museums cannot have, since sunlight fades paintings and textiles… but makes glass glow!
Glass Art by Chronology of Oldest to Modern
Each section of the museum has a different theme, with big, contemporary pieces up front, then slightly older modern pieces, then historic works dating back to one of the world's oldest known pieces of glass art: the portrait of an Egyptian pharaoh from around 1500 B.C.E.
Corning Glass Museum with Kids
I toured the museum with my dear parents-in-law, husband, and traveling toddler, Devi. Part of the reason we had so many adults with us was it seemed a terrible idea to bring a mischievous and energetic 1.5-year-old into a glass museum! But was it?
Child-Proof Gorilla Glass to the Rescue
I needn't have been worried, though. Rock-hard "Gorilla Glass" protects all the pieces from a little guy's destructive punches, and there's even an entire wing devoted to hands-on play and learning for children!
Artist Education at the Glass Museum
Something I found fascinating is that many of the works of art were created by artists who had never worked with glass before. The Corning Museum of Glass prides itself on being an institute of learning as well as a museum, so many artists come in order to collaborate with and learn from master glassblowers so they can translate their ideas into this miraculous medium.
Global Glass Art as Political Statement
Many of the pieces have political and activist meanings. See the smashed ruby red glass chandelier below? It's a commentary on how much "Venetian Glass" is now actually counterfeit, thus "shattering" the purity of the art!
(Interestingly, when I posted a photo of this piece on my @WorldLillie Instagram account, a reader commented that she'd seen it exhibited several months before in another city. My immediate thought was: "How does one safely transport a giant, shattered glass sculpture?!")
Hidden Symbolism of Glass Art
The piece pictured below has a brilliant message. From far away, it looks like three trees, but upon closer inspection, the trees are made out of hundreds of colored glass cups that the artist found in secondhand stores.
Her message is that glassmaking can take a horrible toll on the environment that few people are aware of, so we should reuse and recycle rather than pouring so many resources into polluting industry.
Largest Traditional Glass Paperweight in the World
Politics aside, many of the thousands of pieces in the museum exist for art and beauty. There is an entire wall dedicated to displaying glass paperweights and how to make them.
At the end of the row sat a hulking orb that I was told is the largest traditionally-made paperweight in the world, measuring over a foot high. Here's the coolest part: The artist's wife is an astronaut, so the piece's theme is outer space!
Brilliant Glass Innovation and Inspiration
Other pieces are just genius. In the one below, the artist sliced up a "perfect rock" he found in Japan and painted each slice on individual glass sheets. This means that if you look at it from the side, all you see is air, but from the front or diagonal, you can see the rock seeming to float in front of you!
Things to Do Near Corning, NY, Finger Lakes
Now, as you browse more of the beauty the museum of glass has to offer, I will intersperse it with suggestions about great Finger Lakes attractions near Corning, New York!
Consider Staying in Elmira, NY
Corning, New York is a DELIGHTFUL town and I highly recommend basing your Finger Lakes exploration there. That said, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option (with fascinating Mark Twain history to boot), consider a hotel in Elmira, NY. Click that article to see why we enjoyed staying in Elmira, ourselves.
Don't Miss Watkins Glen State Park
While the Corning Museum of Glass has become one of my all-time favorite museums, the Finger Lakes have also gifted me my new favorite state park. Watkins Glen State Park is a MARVEL of canyons, waterfalls, and trails. It exceeds all expectations and is a can't miss attraction in the region.
Finger Lakes Wineries for the Win
Hey, wine glasses are made of… glass, right? There's a nice connection between the Corning glass museum and the fact that the Finger Lakes wineries are known far and wide for beverages, as well as the beauty of their vineyards. Pairing the Corning museum with a wine tour is highly recommended.
Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake Beauty
Driving a short distance beyond the Finger Lakes town of Corning, NY you come to a glorious set of, er, finger-shaped lakes. We LOVED the scenery and eateries of Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake and wished we'd had more time to do boating, swimming, and exploring around each.
Beyond Corning, NY: Other Recommended Museums
Since I have so many luscious Corning Museum of Glass photos to show you, I suddenly have some free space for words to recommend other fabulous museums around the United States. As you're inspired by Corning, also take in these other family-friendly art and learning spots…
Related: Chihuly Glass Museum in Seattle, WA
No discussion of glass art is complete without a homage to Dale Chihuly — the famed glass artist who actually has several pieces in the Corning Museum of Glass. The Chihuly glass exhibit, Seattle in Washington state is one of my favorite art installations of all time — in no small part because I could live in rainbow-colored rooms forever!
Other Colorful Art Museums in America
In Western Massachusetts, MASS MoCA boasts giant art installations that need to be seen to be believed. You can spend an entire day there!
Portland, Maine has the delightful Portland Museum of Art which has a range of styles, from impressionists to modern art.
Additional Kid-Friendly Museums in the U.S.
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA has a similar flavor to the Corning Museum of Glass in that it can be enjoyed on multiple levels by all ages of visitors.
Ok, this next exhibit no longer exists, but it was so fun that I need to include it because its vibrance reminds me of Corning glass: Boston's Museum of Fine Arts displayed this massively colorful and moving historic retrospective of quilt patterns in America, and even our baby loved it!
An Artists' Studio Connected to the Corning Museum
In Huntsville, Alabama, I encountered Lowe Mill: a brilliant complex of artist studios where you can wander, wondering at the creative skills abounding around, and even buy items that strike your fancy!
It was there that I met an artist who paints fictional maps on people's skin! I wish I'd had more time to interact with the artists while at the Corning glass museum, but one gets a glimpse of their process and thoughts while gazing at their works in the exhibit halls.
Public Art in Other Cities as Vibrant as Corning
The whimsical nature of the Corning Museum of Glass connects in my noggin to the fish art installations of Fishtown, Philadelphia: a neighborhood of Philly which is decorated high and low with cut-outs and paintings of swimmy animals!
In Central Square of Cambridge, Massachusetts (near my home of Boston), the bright colors of the Corning museum are echoed in the ever-changing public art of Graffiti Alley: a set of walls between buildings which is constantly being re-decorated by street artists.
Though this is more in the architectural range, the Fallingwater house by Frank Lloyd Wright in Pennsylvania is similar to the concept of glass art in that both are functional first and beautiful second — but that function and beauty dance together, and WOW is the beauty strong.
Finally, the public art in Curacao, the Caribbean island I so enjoyed is similar to the Corning Museum of Glass in that it combines old and new elements to beautiful the surroundings, but also convey a message.
Thank you for taking that detour to explore artistic connections around the world. Now let's return back to the Corning glass museum, itself!
Glassmaking Demonstrations and Streaming Online
Not only is the museum itself great, but the Corning Museum of Glass website is second to none. For example, if you can't make it out to the Finger Lakes, you can use the website to watch live streaming videos of glassmaking (!) and browse every art installation in the new wing, replete with films about how they were made.
The Corning Glass Museum Gift Shop
Back to the actual building. Be warned that the giant gift shop is downright dangerous. It's a museum of gorgeous pieces in itself, but the twist is that you can buy any of the objects! Take a gander at this lovely peacock lamp, below.
Make Your Own Glass at the Corning Museum
"Wait!" you may be hollering, "What about these 'Make Your Own Glass' lessons I've been hearing about in the museum? You didn't talk about them here!"
Never fear, chums, there's a whole article dedicated to just that (a.k.a. me making terrified faces as molten glass drips from a tool three inches from my hand) which you can see by clicking that link. Now, I hope you've seen why the Corning Museum of Glass has stolen my heart!
Want more? See my big list of other things to do in the Finger Lakes.
Want more glass art photos, ideas, and tips? Check out my giant list of fabulous decorative glass exhibits around the world!
We were guests of Corning Museum of Glass, but all opinions and desires to eat glass like candy are mine.
The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World "L" Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!


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28 Oct While Consumers Want a More Digital Experience at the Closing Table, the Majority Still Prefer to Close in Person
Solidifi Releases Results from its Consumer Title Survey(1)
BUFFALO, N.Y. & AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–According to a recent national survey(1) commissioned by Solidifi U.S. Inc. ("Solidifi"), 81% of consumers would prefer to close in person – reinforcing the importance of having a professional and qualified closing agent at the table as they proceed through the closing process on a home purchase or refinance. The survey also found that 70% of consumers would like a more digital process at the closing table.
The Solidifi Consumer Title Survey reached 1,000 consumers who bought or refinanced their home in the past two years and asked them about their experience with the mortgage lending process, from initial document gathering through to closing, with an emphasis on the closing process. Of the millennials surveyed, 59.1% had recently purchased a home, whereas 62.9% of the Gen X and baby boomers surveyed went through a recent mortgage refinance.
"Solidifi is leading the charge on meeting today's consumer expectations. Our network management platform leverages technology to create a marketplace where notaries and closing agents compete based on factors such as knowledge, preparedness, efficiency and experience." said Solidifi President Loren Cooke. "As our research indicates, there is tremendous value for lenders in being able to access the right closing agent to perform a mortgage refinance closing – whether that's a standard mobile closing, hybrid or full e-close. Our network management platform gives lenders a competitive advantage by addressing all of these needs while delivering a consistently better consumer experience."
More than two thirds of survey respondents (67.5%) stated their experience with their closing agent made them more likely to work with their lender again.
"Service Level Agreement (SLA) performance with a lender is table stakes today, but the consumer experience via a professional closing agent trumps all other factors at the end of the day," added Cooke. "Providing the highest standards of title and settlement services, and enabling our lender clients to deliver a seamless and professional experience to their customers is absolutely crucial. We view ourselves as the stewards of our clients' reputation. As our survey revealed, a truly extraordinary consumer experience goes beyond digital. In a market where consumers expect an omnichannel banking experience, it's the human touch points that can really make a difference and lead to repeat business and loyal customers," concluded Cooke.
The survey indicated that consumers value closing agents who are knowledgeable and efficient. When thinking of a future transaction, consumers were asked to select the top two attributes that would be most important in a closing agent; 49.3% of respondents selected 'knowledgeable' and 40.1 % selected 'efficient.'
About Solidifi
Solidifi is a leading network management services provider for the residential lending industry. Solidifi's platform combines its proprietary technology and network management capabilities with tens of thousands of independent qualified professionals to create an efficient marketplace for the provision of mortgage lending services. Our clients include approximately 60 of the top 100 mortgage lenders in the U.S. Solidifi is a leading independent provider of residential real estate appraisals to the mortgage market and a leading independent provider of title and mortgage closing services in America. Solidifi has offices in Buffalo (NY), Denver (CO) and Middletown (RI).
Solidifi is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Real Matters Inc. (TSX: REAL). For more information, visit www.solidifi.com.
Allison+Partners Research + Insights surveyed 1,000 individuals 18 years of age or older in the United States who have refinanced (500 individuals) or purchased a new home (500 individuals) within the last two years. The survey was fielded in August 2019 using the Qualtrics Insight Platform, and the panel was sourced from Lucid.
For more information:Lyne Fisher
Vice President Investor Relations and Marketing
[email protected]


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Memorial Day weekend, which begins on Friday, is the unofficial start of the summer travel season in the United States. And it's a pleasant surprise. America is finally, finally available for warm-weather activities after a year and a half of lockdown, quarantines, and limitations. According to Airbnb, everyone is looking forward to a getaway in the great outdoors.
From Whitefish, Montana, to the seaside resorts in Acadia National Park, below you will find the three sought-after wilderness locations and mountain villages. Let the preparations for your summer trip begin.
#1. Whitefish, Montana, Full of Art Galleries and Boutiques
The quaint town of Whitefish, Montana, on the outskirts of Glacier National Park, is full of mom-and-pop businesses, art galleries, and a bevy of boutiques selling lovely oddities. A visit to Imagination Station, a vintage toy store, is a must. If you get hungry, you may always drop by Cafe Kandahar, a restaurant run by Andy Blanton, a James Beard Award-winning chef. After that, stop by Sweet Peaks for a delicious scoop of ice cream. There is also this magnificent log home with over 75 feet of private lakefront or this well-appointed condo close to town for overnight.
#2. Acadia National Park, Maine, a Great Place for Adventure Outdoors
On Maine's Mount Desert Island, the rugged site of Acadia National Park, it's difficult to pick just one town when going outdoors. Some of the people's favorite Airbnbs include this charming, airy home in Seal Harbor that is "seconds" from the park entrance, this glamping tent in Bar Harbor, and this adorable cliffside property with over 50 five-star reviews. Is there anything else worth seeing? Under Canvas has opened a new, magnificent campground on 100 acres with 1,200 feet of shoreline.
#3. Northern Wisconsin, a Popular Summertime Booking Zone
Northern Wisconsin is one of Airbnb's most popular summertime booking zones, particularly around Lake Superior and the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. It's understandable: the stunning, rough landscape is easily accessible from large cities like Minneapolis and Milwaukee. In Ashland, relax in this family-friendly Airbnb that's located on the water. A visit to the Apostle Island National Lakeshore is a must while you're there. Do you want to feel more like you're in the woods? This modern, rural cabin in Comstock is a great place outdoors to find peace deep in the woods. This may be a stretch, but according to Airbnb, this off-grid cabin, located two hours south of the National Forest, is the most wish-listed property in the entire state. Don't forget to order a scoop of Blue Moon ice cream no matter where you are.


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I'm proud to present an article today on Tokyo Ghoul from KnightofCalvary, a graduating seminary student and chaplain candidate in the U.S. Army Reserves and former A.D. Vision partner through Suncoast and Anime Central. If you're interested in submitting a guest post, send us a pitch via email.
It might be cliche to write and talk about Fullmetal Alchemist, one of the most successful manga and anime series to date, but isn't that really only because it's so incredibly well written and executed from a technical aspect? In fact it was so well received that an entire additional series which followed the manga storyline more closely called, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, was commissioned and released. Like most FMA fans, I liked the original, but loved Brotherhood. It's edgy, rough, and messy. Which brings me to the topic of conversation today, the real size and nature of evil.
The world that we live in is ugly, broken, and full of so much mess. Perhaps it will be a school shooting this week or another report of ISIS killing and beheading women and children. There is an abundance of evil in the world and it seems to know no end. So what does this all have to do with FMA: Brotherhood? In what is perhaps the greatest sequence of events on the power of forgiveness and the nature of evil, FMA: Brotherhood episode 54 and Mustang's battle against Envy, offers an unparalleled look into the human soul and it's struggle against the bitterness, anger, and hatred that plague our hearts in world filled with so much evil. Now of course if you've never seen either of the FMA series, this would be a good time to stop reading.
"Is that what you want to be Colonel, another monster?!", Edward Elric screams at the rage filled Roy Mustang as he is finally about to exact his revenge against the homunculus known as Envy for killing his best friend and honestly one of the shows most beloved characters, Maes Hughes. After arguing amongst themselves and convincing Roy to stand down, Envy goes on a rant about how this is the perfect opportunity for them to get revenge for killing their friend, but they still refuse. In fact Edward makes a point of pitying Envy for they way it responds. In the end, the kindness shown to Envy leads Envy to commit suicide and kill itself. There are simply layers upon layers of deep biblical connections and truths to draw from in this scene. There are two major points that I would like to address. The first is the power of actioned forgiveness. The verse for that which stuck out most in my mind was Romans 12:19-21
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
– Romans 12:19-21
The phrase, "heap burning coals on his head," is entirely culture from the time period that Paul is writing Romans and would express something similar to surprise or shock. Based upon the way that Envy responded to the whole thing, I would say that there was just a little bit more than simple shock. You see in a lot of ways, society tells how we should respond to being injured or hurt. We are to either cut off those relationships as unhealthy or confront the person and demand retribution, but Jesus offers another way. Jesus offers a way that nullifies the effects of evil and makes the whole thing powerless. Summarized the teaching would be, "Do good because doing good is always the right thing to do. Don't use someone else's evil behavior to justify sin in your own life. That's just silly. Guard your heart by not giving evil a foothold and do good no matter what's done to you." That is certainly far harder to do than it is to say, but it is none the less what we as followers of Jesus are suppose to striving for in the world.
The second point that I want to briefly touch on because I think it's something that is rarely pointed out, though the biblical narrative makes the point clear enough. God is bigger than the devil and all the evil in the world. So often it seems like we have this gigantic picture of evil in the world because of how destructive its forces are in the world today, but is this reality. Is there really some kinda of supernatural wrestling match going on in the world between two equally powered gods? One good and one evil. No! Not even close. The devil and all of the evil in the world is constantly shown in scripture to be under the complete rule and authority of God. Now, I grant you that brings up a whole host of other questions to be sure. However, we can be comforted at least in some respect that while the monster known as Envy seems to tower over Roy's tiny body at the beginning of the fight scene, Envy is really nothing more than a worm which can be stomped on under his boot. Interestingly enough this is the promise that God gives to Eve in the Garden story in Genesis 3:15, "he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
Don't be afraid. The world is certainly a scary place to live in most days, but the God who made it is bigger than all of our problems and fears and is looking out for us. Even when it doesn't seem like it and evil things happen, remember, "never avenge yourself." God will dispense far more justice to someone that wrongs us in his perfect judgement than we can do with our flawed understanding of situations. So, "Keep Calm, Trust God and Forgive."
KnightofCalvary graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity, and is an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God and a Chaplain Candidate in the United States Army Reserves. He's worked with Disney World and Suncoast, and been a staffer at Anime Central. Through an Independent Study in Film and Theology course, he ran a film review blog as a project.


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Excellent training depends not only on experienced instructors, but also experienced training partners. With the largest fight team in Virginia, MMA Institute provides a rising fighter with numerous training partners to help him/her grow in the sport. Fight Team Training offers the opportunity for a fighter to practice all dimensions of training in a live sparring environment with talented training partners.
" The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights. "


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WebsEdge were in New Orleans, LA producing APCO TV, now in its 9th year, for the APCO International 80th Annual Conference & Exposition – the premier public safety communications technology, education and networking event in the world. Find out more at www.apcointl.org.
Click above to view videos from previous years.
International City/County Management Association


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Commercial Exterminator & Pest Control in Brentwood, CA
Commercial Exterminator Protecting Your Business from Pests
No matter what type of business you operate, you simply can't have roaches, rats, or other pests scampering around your facility. McCauley Agricultural & Pest Service offers commercial pest control services to fit your business size and budget. We are a team of exterminators, locally owned and operated serving companies near the Greater East Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley, CA. We have a deep understanding of the pest issues faced by businesses in our region. Some of the commercial properties we service include county buildings, water districts, restaurants, and commercial office buildings at a reasonable cost.
Backed by more than 35 years of combined industry experience, we are exterminators fully prepared to solve your company's pest problems in CA. We offer commercial pest control services that protect your people, your products, your facility, your employees and your company's reputation.
McCauley Ag & Pest for Commercial Pest Control Services
Free pest inspection of your commercial location
Convenient service times to fit your schedule
Registered Exterminators with Pro Compliance in CA
Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Certified exterminators are specially trained to adopt more ecological control tactics. This greatly reduces the potential for any air or ground water contamination and protects non-target species through the reduced impact of pest management activities.
Log books individually tailored to your needs. This includes SDS and labels used on your site, siting logs, location graphs with equipment locations marked and numbered, and site specific certificates of insurance.
Proven pest audit compliance meeting AIB standards.
Some of Our Satisfied Commercial Clients Include
When you partner with us for Commercial pest control services, we'll focus on protecting your operation from a variety of pests including:
- Rodents: Rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers and more rodent pests
- Bed Bugs: Our system of combining steam and bed bug specific insecticides is highly effective at getting rid of bed bugs.
- Cockroaches: All common species, including German, American and Oriental Cockroaches
- Ants: Argentine, Odorous House Ants, Velvety Tree Ants
- Occasional invaders: Earwigs, Centipedes, Millipedes and many species of beetle
Are you in need of Commercial Services for Pest Control?
McCauley Agricultural & Pest Service strives to deliver exceptional exterminator service while protecting our commercial customers from the harmful effects of pest infestations. Because our commercial pest control services are ongoing, you can count on McCauley in CA to prevent unwanted insects and rodents from returning.
Contact McCauley Agricultural & Pest Control Service
The first step is to request a business evaluation consisting of a thorough assessment of your facility by one of our trained professionals. We'll make recommendations regarding grounds maintenance related to commercial pest control services and food storage. We'll also identify openings for rodents, discuss preventative measures and much more.
Contact Us
What Our Customers Are Saying
OMG! Glen and his crew are THE BEST! I had a rat issue for months, and after Glen came, it was resolved right away. Now we are working on making sure it doesn't happen again. I had a contract service with another reputable company for more than a year, and they really could not do as much as it was...
We found them at the Brentwood harvest festival and hired them immediately! We had black widows and needed their service right away! They just left our place and we will definitely have them back!!! Great service and pet friendly! They even accommodated our schedule and came out at 6:30!
Will Henderson deserves every blessing and good will. He is a true professional and personable person. I called McCauley Ag which is the only way to go when living in Brentwood. Will addressed our black widow and mice problem, as well as provided insight on some preventative measures...


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From a technical perspective, books that try to teach PHP and MySQL tend to be stronger and more accurate than other web development manuals: unlike browsers and HTML, servers are not forgiving of poorly written PHP. The complex nature of server-side languages also makes communicating their technicalities challenging. Obviously I'm trying to do the best I can in this blog, but if you wanted a traditional book, I would recommend that you read one from the list below.
In my experience, books on JavaScript tend to be weaker; they'll often take you through dozens of lines of code to create an effect that is now best left to CSS3, or (alternatively) a few lines of JQuery or another JavaScript framework.
The Peachpit series have been a favourite of mine for a long time; they are somewhat technically competent, well-written, and relatively inexpensive.
For an introduction to PHP I would recommend that you start with PHP for the Web: Visual QuickStart Guide, a well-written and approachable book that steps you through installing Apache and PHP and starts with some simple scripts. If you want something more in-depth (and a book that covers the content of more of my classes, if you are taking them), I would suggest PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide.
For JavaScript, I recommend DOM Scripting: Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model. I have yet to find a book that better explains the role of JavaScript in manipulating the DOM… but as always, if you have suggestions, they are very welcome in the comment section below.
Enjoy this piece? I invite you to follow me at twitter.com/dudleystorey to learn more.


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Unknown assailants shot up the Hamilton home of longtime mobster Pasquale "Pat" Musitano early Tuesday morning. Though no one was injured, the house is riddled with around twelve bullet holes. Pasquale's younger brother Angelo was shot and killed in a gangland hit in front of his Waterdown home on May 2. The attack comes as no surprise. "He has too many enemies."
When police arrived at Musitano's Hamilton home to investigate they found a man beholden to different laws. "I have spoken with Pat and no, he was not co-operative," Staff Sgt. Mike Cunliffe, the lead investigator on this case, told the Hamilton Spectator. Pat Musitano remains loyal to the code of silence, no doubt still believing he can fix things himself, either with a respectable sit down or with brutal violence.
Canadian mob author James Dubro, however, thinks Musitano has no chance. After Angelo Musitano was murdered, Dubro told Gangsters Inc. that he believed Pasquale to be next. "Pat and Ang have always been violent and over the top so Ang's murder has been for some time not a question of 'why' or 'how' but 'when.' The same goes for his brother Pat. They have too many enemies. Too many hits ordered by them."
Their father Domenic Musitano was a powerful mob boss who passed away in 1995, leaving a power vacuum filled by Angelo and Pasquale. The brothers then waged a deadly war against Johnny "Pops" Papalia, the city's most dominant crime boss, resulting in Papalia's murder in 1997 and of Papalia's henchman Niagara Falls mob boss Carmen Barillaro. The Musitanos received a 10-year prison sentence and were released in 2006.
Dubro and other Canadian Mafia experts agree that this latest attack was merely another warning, though. Similar to when Pat Musitano's car was set afire in front of his home in September of 2015. The underworld has had enough of the Musitano brothers. Or, as Dubro tweeted, "Musitano's mob days are numbered!"
- Back to the Organized Crime in Canada section on Gangsters Inc.
- Check out the latest news on organized crime and the Mafia at our news section
- Check out our social media channels
- About Gangsters Inc.
Copyright © Gangsters Inc.


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On June 22, four students from the Kansas Braille Regionals earned top honors at the National Braille Challenge, which was held on the campus of the University of Southern California.
The competition, sponsored by the Braille Institute of America, invited the top fifty students, who read and write braille, to compete in five divisions–ten contestants in each division. They completed tests in spelling, proofreading, reading comprehension, speed and accuracy, and reading charts and graphs. After several hours of grueling reading and writing, the top three contestants in each division received cash and other prizes.
Twelve year old Brooke Petro, won first place in the Sophomore Division. She also won the 2019 Excellence in Charts and Graphs Award! Brooke – a native of Leawood, Kansas – is a very inquisitive, creative and determined person, enjoys singing reading and learning about geography. If she was invisible for a day she would sneak into a concert of one of her favorite singers like Ariana Grande or Billie Eilish. Brooke believes the greatest invention is the white cane because it prevents her from running into things and helps her get around.
Fourteen year old Audrey Bethay, won first place in the Jr. Varsity Division. Audrey – from Prairie Village, Kansas – describes herself as a funny, smart, witty, quiet and shy person. When she grows up she would like to be a lawyer, and if she could time travel she would go into the future 20 years from now. The accomplishment she is most proud of is making it to the national Braille Challenge 8 years in a row.
Eight year old Blue Springs, Missouri native, Salome Cummins, won first place in the Apprentice Division. When Salome grows up she wants to be a braille teacher! Salome is very active and loves to run! She is a very kind, curious, and sensitive 2nd grader. The accomplishment that she is most proud of is making it to the National Braille Challenge! Salome thinks that the greatest invention of all time is Alexa because she can play a lot of music and games on it.
Seven year old Jude Nickson, also competed in the Apprentice Division. Jude is a funny, kind, and creative 1st grader from Overland Park, Kansas. When he grows up he wants to work with animals! Jude is most proud of participating in wrestling and enjoys sports, swimming, listening to Alexa and playing with his siblings. Jude thinks that the greatest invention of all time is the Great Wall of China because it's so massive!
What makes the success of these talented young people even more special is that Alphapointe provides the space for Shawnee Mission vision teacher, Jeri Hile and Alphapointe braille instructor, Helen Hahn, to conduct intensive study sessions to help the students prepare for the day of competition. Everyone works hard to make the most of each 90 minute study session. These students have one thing in common—they love to learn! And they are exhilarated by the competition. Their competence in braille literacy gives them the chance to learn and thrive with their sighted peers!
The Alphapointe team is proud of the accomplishments of Brooke, Audrey, Salome, and Jude! We hope they come back and study with us again next year.


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Factors to Consider When Purchasing Plants on the Online Stores
There are people who depend on agriculture income only. This needs them to find put the ideal plants and crops in the industry. In the line of research you find people going these products online. There is a high possibility that you can find a place where you can buy these form a client's from another nation. AN ideal way to access the plant from a client's from the online company from another nation is by shipping. If this is the only way to access the plants you buy online is by shipping the figure out the best shipping services that can offer Plants Shipped to You. In this case, just like any other products when buying plants there are things that you need to have on mind. Therefore, form the article below you can get more details on the things that you need to have on mind when buying plants online.
You need to begin by identifying the proper plants that you need to buy at that particular time. If you go to the market you can find several plants. It is possible that people invest in different types of plants. Again, different plants are suitable in different areas. Before you can put an order do some investigations and get to know the ideal plants that you need to buy. Only the experienced persons in these roles are confident with the of plants that they need to purchase.
The value of the plants need some deliberations. Different store sells plants at different prices. Do some financial plan and be certain of the total cash that you have to spend on these roles. Then you need to ask different sellers in the store. This is to make sure that you choose the store with an affordable price. Again, if all the stores have unaffordable price on the plants you need to ask for a discount. This is to make sure that you pay the plants without any challenge.
The process of deliverance is normal when buying products online. It is vital to pay some attention to the wage of the delivery firm and the time they can take to deliver. You need to make sure that you hire a firm with an affordable cost on delivery services. It is important to know that some firms have unaffordable delivery fee. You need to check all the delivery firm online and find the one you can manage to pay. You need to know that some companies take a while to deliver and these are the best ones to work within these cases.


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TEMPLE, Texas — Update: The Temple Police Department said the individual found in Tuesday evening's death investigation has been "forensically identified" as Sgt. Elder Fernandes.
Temple police said the preliminary autopsy results are still pending.
Fort Hood confirmed Wednesday that Sgt. Elder Fernandes, 23, was found dead on August 25 in Temple.
A body found in Temple is believed to be that of a Fort Hood soldier who's been missing for more than a week. The Temple Police Department said they received a call after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday about a body seen near the railroad tracks along S. 49th St. When officers arrived, they determined the body had been dead for some period of time, according to police.
Temple police said the body may be that of 23-year-old Sgt. Elder Fernandes, a Fort Hood soldier who has been missing since Aug. 17, but it was not confirmed through a forensics team.
Natalie Khawam, the Fernandes family attorney, told 6 News they received a call and went to the Killeen police station, where they learned a railroad employee found the body hanging from a tree near the railroad. Khawam wrote in a Facebook post early Wednesday morning that said Fernandes was found dead.
"We are sickened by this tragedy that has happened one too many times. We are heartbroken for Elder Fernandes's family," she wrote in the post. "We will not stop until we find out what happened to Elder. We demand a Congressional Investigation of Ft. Hood. We must protect our soldiers!"
Khawam held a press conference at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Tampa where she has her offices. Khawam was joined by 20-year-old Pfc. Vanessa Guillen's sisters.
"I'm sick and tired of this happening over and over again," Guillen's sister Lupe Guillen said at the press conference Wednesday. "How many more must die at fort hood for them to be held accountable, for a congressional investigation. How many more must die? How many more? How many more have to sexually harassed?"
Khawam also represents Guillen's family. She was killed April 22 on post. A criminal complaint said Aaron Robinson killed Guillen with a hammer then, with the help of Cecily Aguilar, dismembered her body and buried the remains near the Leon River in Bell County.
Guillen's death sparked a nationwide movement using #IAmVanessaGuillen to expose sexual abuse and harassment in the military. Her family said she told them she was harassed by a superior but she did not report it for fear of retaliation. Ford Hood said they never found evidence of the harassment claim.
Fort Hood confirmed Aug. 21 Fernandes was part of a sexual abuse investigation.
"The unit sexual assault response coordinator has been working closely with Sgt. Fernandes, ensuring he was aware of all his reporting, care, and victim advocacy options," Lt. Col. Chris Brautigam, Fort Hood public affairs officer, said in a statement.
Khawam said on Facebook Fernandes was assaulted by his sergeant then bullied and hazed for reporting it. Fort Hood had not confirmed those claims.
Police said there's no indication of foul play and the investigation was ongoing. Officials also said Elder's family was notified and an autopsy was ordered.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fernandes family during this challenging time," Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds said.
Fort Hood's press release from August 21 states, "Fernandes was last seen by members of his unit on August 17, 2020, at a residence in Killeen."
Temple PD said they were leading the death investigation while working with the Fort Hood and Killeen Police Department Criminal Investigation Divisions.
Fernandes' death is one of several that have gained national attention over the past several months.
Pfc. Gregory Morales, 24, disappeared in August of 2019. His remains were found behind a neighborhood in Killeen in June 19. Killeen police are the lead agency investigating his death.
Pfc. Brandon Rosecrans, 28, was shot and killed in Harker Heights on May 18. Police said Brandon Michael Olivares, 28, shot Rosecrans four times while the two were in were in Rosecrans' SUV. He then dumped Rosecrans' body by the side of the road in the 2100 block of Fuller Lane.
Private Mejhor Morta, 26, was found dead in Stillhouse Hollow Lake by the Bell County Sheriff's Department July 17. The department said he likely drowned.
Spc. Francisco Gilberto Hernandez, 24, drowned in Stillhouse Hollow Lake Aug. 1 while riding on an inner tube behind a boat.
Spc. Jakob Aton, 22, was killed Aug. 12 while trying to direct traffic around an accident scene on I-14 in Killeen.
Fort Hood held a press conference to discuss Fernandes's death, held by the 1st Cavalry Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Broadwater at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters.
Although Khawam said Fernandes was assaulted by his sergeant, CID said their investigation found the allegation to be unsubstantiated.
CID agent Damon Phelps said, "I can tell you that Sgt. Fernandes did report that he was sexually assaulted when somebody allegedly grabbed his buttocks. CID special agents fully investigated these allegations. Our investigation has been completed and is with the command and their legal team for further action if warranted. I can also share that the subject of the investigation took and passed a polygraph examination and we found no witnesses that could corroborate Sgt. Fernandes' allegations. there was a thorough legal review and the allegations were unsubstantiated."
Fort hood would not say who the subject of their investigation was.
One hour after the press conference, Fort Hood confirmed the death of Fernandes in a press release.
"It is with profound sadness the 1st Cavalry Division confirms Sgt. Elder Fernandes was found deceased Aug. 25 in Temple, Texas. Sgt. Elder Fernandes, 23, whose home of record is listed as Brockton, Mass., was found near Lake Polk in Temple. He entered the Army in September 2016 as a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear specialist and has been assigned to the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division since April 2019," the release said.
Fernandes' awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
"The Wagonmaster Family is heartbroken with the news of Sgt. Fernandes' passing," Col. Patrick Disney, commander of the 1st Cav. Div. Sust. Bde. said. "Since his absence was reported, we have made a significant, concerted effort to search for him throughout Central Texas. We are grateful for the outpouring of support and assistance we received as we worked to find him. We send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family and friends."


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Artificial Intelligence is portrayed as a dominating force that will one day overtake the world in movies like The Matrix, Terminator, and I Robot.
If AI world leaders China and the United States learn to overcome their competitiveness and work together, a future filled with robots could be closer than we think.
"AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order" is a recent book by CEO of Sinovation Ventures, Dr. Kai-Fu Lee.
This book discusses the future of AI and the strengths and weaknesses of China and the U.S. While the U.S. is still the world leader in AI, China is catching up and we have some things we could learn from them.
Dr. Kai-Fu Lee outlines these insights in his book and will also be speaking about this topic at The Collective. While this event is sold out, there will be standby line at the door.
He joined New Day to discuss the ideas in his book and the future of AI if these two superpowers come together.
Watch New Day Northwest 11:00 weekdays on KING-TV Ch.5 or streaming live on KING5.com. Connect with New Day via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.