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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 10, 2007
American Chemical Society comment on award of 2007 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2007 —Catherine T. ("Katie") Hunt, Ph.D., president of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, comments on today's award of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Gerhard Ertl. Surface science, the topic of the prize, was fundamental to Hunt's initial scientific research.
"Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Gerhard! What a fabulous birthday present for a spectacular scientist. I am delighted that the prize recognizes a field of chemistry that often receives little public attention, and yet has transformed lives in so many ways. Research in surface chemistry already has underpinned innovations ranging from air pollution control technology to modern electronics products. In the future, this research will help us tap new sources of renewable fuels, for instance, and produce smaller, more powerful electronics products. On behalf of the ACS's 160,000 members I congratulate the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for recognizing surface chemistry and Gerhard Ertl."
News media may arrange telephone interviews with Hunt and ACS members who work in the field of chemistry recognized with this year's prize, and other scientists, through Michael Bernstein. The Sept. 23, 2004 issue of ACS's Journal of Physical Chemistry B, carried articles honoring Gehard Ertl on his retirement. Copies are available upon request.
— Michael Woods


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I have this board that I've had for a while now, some number of years, I've gradually added to it. It started out as something to remind me of who I am (I don't know why I thought I needed reminding, my personality is pretty strong lol) but has quickly turned into a board of things past, good and bad, but the past none the less. I recently rediscovered this beautiful journal I used to keep, with a polaroid and a journal entry, but all its filled with is stories of my pain and how I've tried to overcome it. The truth is I never got over any of the pain written down in there until way after, until I stopped writing about it.
Looking back now I cant imagine why I'd ever want to write it down, to memorialize all the heartache I've endured over my short 25 years. I already lived it, why write it down? Its not like I'll ever forget what I lived through, its ingrained in my memory forever and so are the lessons I've learned.
Lately I've really been struggling to go the next step in my life. I have a general idea of where I want to go but I've been stuck in the same place for a couple months now, and I don't like it. Sure I've taken baby steps and have been trying new things, but its not enough for me. I need to think bigger, dream bigger. I want to redirect my old journals filled with horrible times in my life I went through and fill those pages with everything I want to do, my hopes, my dreams, and my plans to help get me to them. I want to look into the future, not reflect on the past. I think that's whats been holding me back for so long, honestly.
The board has got to go. I used to think it was an inspiration board but its the exact opposite. I want to fill it with the things I want to accomplish, motivational things to help me keep at it. Tonight (last night by the time you read this) I started on the board, taking things down and sorting them into 2 piles: Trash the Past and Inspiration.
Now that I'm starting out with a pretty much blank slate, I have to ask myself, what now? Where do I go from here? And how am I going to get there? We shall see. All I know for sure is today, I'm leaving the past where it is and not looking back anymore, its only holding me back.

subset: commoncrawl


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Trigger Warning
The Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra will be holding rolling auditions for the Lone Star Youth Orchestra's Spring 2017 Season weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-6:30pm at the Irving Arts Center in Irving, TX. Based in Irving, TX, the Lone Star Youth Orchestra is the only tuition-free youth orchestra in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Lone Star Youth Orchestra is open to all middle and high school students residing in the Dallas Metroplex. These talented youths are given the opportunity to supplement and enhance their music education by learning symphonic literature through high-quality orchestral and ensemble training with the very best in the field. Students have the opportunity to perform with the Garland Symphony Orchestra and the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra through our side-by-side concerts, and students may also compete for scholarship opportunities and guest artist spots through our annual concerto competition. Auditions are by appointment only. All audition information can be found at www.lascolinassymphony.org/lsyo. Students can expect to perform two scales and one solo of their choice. Rolling auditions can be scheduled weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-6:30pm. For more information, please email [email protected].
March 28, 2017
Irving Arts Center
3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, Texas, United States
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It started one day, out of the blue, from the corner of my eyes. I'm getting ahead of myself. My name is Alex. I've worn glasses for as long as I can remember, but a week ago I had fallen down a flight of stares in my apartment and had broken my glasses. That's where, and when it started. I'm near-sighted by the way so anything farther than a foot or two is a blur to me. I had ordered new glasses but they wouldn't be ready to pick up for another week.
So I was technically blind for 7 days, the worst 7 days of my life, 7 fucking days. My luck was shit, and it got worse. It started the day I broke my glasses, that night to be exact. I was reading a book in my fairly small room. The lamp beside my bed was on and I was really into my book until I noticed it. It came from the corner of my eyes, from my peripheral vision to be exact. A figure standing to the far right side of my bed next to the wall. Just staring back at me.
I couldn't make out much of the body but it's head was the more noticeable feature, it was twice maybe even three times as large as its small body. I was to petrified to turn my head to the right, I didn't want to stare at it. It's head seemed perfectly spherical and it was all white. Not Caucasian white like me, but more white-out white. There was only a straight, thin black line for what seemed to be it's mouth, and two small dots, one above the other, for it's unique set of eyes. The spacing between the dots were very small...thinking back on it, its' eyes were basically a colon mark.
I sat there in silence for a few moments. I didn't hear anything in the room to indicate something else was in there with me but I could see it's presence, barely. Then a small movement from my peripheral caused me to jump up and out to the other side of my bed. As I stared at the wall where 'it' was suppose to be, there was nothing there. I didn't want to stay in that room after that so I called a friend of mine and slept at her place, I didn't mention what had happened because I figured I imagined the entire situation. Which I found out later I didn't.


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The Hate U Give Shines: A Movie Review
The Hate U Give (2018) opens with a family around their dining table. Starr, played by Amandla Stenberg, tells the audience, "I was nine years old the first time I got the talk." When her father (Russell Hornsby) explains to elementary school age Starr and her brother Seven (Lamar Johnson) to always put your hands on the dashboard when you are pulled over by a cop, it becomes clear that "the talk" is about how Black Americans must act when interacting with law enforcement to try to avoid being killed. It is clear through Starr's voiceover and her father's tone that this talk is a crucial coming-of-age conversation for their family and for all Black Americans. In this opening scene, we see not just the ever-presence of police brutality in the lives of Starr's family members, but also the strength and connection within the five-person household. These two themes support this groundbreaking, heart-shattering blockbuster, directed by George Tillman Jr.
Twenty minutes into the film, Starr, now a high school junior, is riding in a car with her lifelong friend Khalil when a cop pulls them over and fatally shoots Khalil. The film follows Starr and her surrounding communities as she recovers from bearing witness to Khalil's murder and as she navigates how to bring about justice for this crime. Starr lives in Garden Heights, a predominantly Black and low-income neighborhood, and goes to school across town at Williamson Prep, which is largely white and wealthy. Before Khalil's death, Starr speaks about code-switching between these spaces, and how she doesn't feel fully herself in Garden Heights or at Williamson Prep. In the wake of Khalil's murder, her tension increases as she navigates reactions and responses from her and Khalil's families, her school friends, a local gang lord, the media, and more.
The film largely stays true to Angie Thomas's 2017 novel of the same name. Billed as a young adult novel, both the book and its adaptation are strong Black Lives Matter beacons for people of all ages. Only a few lesser storylines are cut through the adaptation, and Thomas's strong characters and sense of community are strong backbones for the movie. The joy Starr's family experiences together radiates on the screen. The morning after Khalil's death, Starr wakes up to her father sitting next to her bed ready for whatever she needs, and when her younger brother Sekani steals her bacon, the whole family erupts in laughter. The Carters experience violence from police and gang members, and as a counterbalance, the film depicts one of the strongest families on film.
Amandla Stenberg and Russell Hornsby shine as the two brightest performances among a brilliant cast. Amandla flawlessly captures Starr's navigation of her communities and her road to finding her voice. Amandla has been through a similar journey. After first attracting attention for their role as Rue in The Hunger Games, they received both praise for their performance as well as bigotry from those who refused to accept Rue's Blackness. From there, Amandla has been a vocal intersectional feminist, speaking up about gender identity, the commodification of Black hair, and movie roles for Black girls.
Amandla saw The Hate U Give as not just an opportunity to tell a story, but as a political and educational campaign. They recently spoke with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, who mentioned that he saw people crying in the theater. Amandla, laughing, stated that "White people crying was actually the goal!" They went on to say that, "We wanted to make sure that those who have been affected by the ways the media misconstrues these events actually have a real sense of empathy and are able to place themselves into the shoes of our communities." The film roots itself in one girls' narrative, through which it explores themes such as police brutality and code-switching that all Black Americans face. As Collider pointed out, just like there is no universal 'white narrative', the film "doesn't attempt to encapsulate the 'black experience' in one individual, or even one family. Instead, in telling the coming-of-age story of a young black teenager The Hate U Give offers a diverse view of what it's like to grow up black in America."
The title for the book and film, The Hate U Give, draws from Tupac's T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E message which stands for "The Hate U Give Little Infants F***s Everybody." Starr learns about Tupac's acronym from Khalil just minutes before he is murdered. It serves as Starr's basis for understanding that racism is embedded into American institutions. She witnesses the effect of police racism on young Black boys such as her brother. She speaks about how men from her neighborhood turn to drugs and gang activity after not being able to obtain jobs. She participates in protests that escalate when police create barricades and throw tear gas. She knows that the racism deeply rooted in American systems devastates all Americans. With this understanding, Starr learns that speaking up about Khalil's murder is about "more than just Khalil. It is about black people, poor people, everybody at the bottom."
With a beautifully realized world surrounding our protagonist Starr, George Tillman Jr. and the entire cast and crew breathe life into Angie Thomas's phenomenal book. Don't miss The Hate U Give, now playing across Boston.


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French fashion's governing body changes its name
French's fashion governing body, for decades colloquially known as the Chambre Syndicale has changed its name. From Thursday on, it will be known as the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), confirming information reported by FashionNetwork in February.
"This new name emphasizes Haute Couture, a remarkable French singularity and "Fashion" in its most creative forms. It celebrates both creation and innovation, know-how in all its facets, art and technology," explained Pascal Morand, who has been executive president of the organization since 2016.
Previously, this powerful industry organization had the inordinately long title of Fédération Française de la Couture du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et Créateurs de Mode. However, everyone always referred to it as the Chambre Syndicale.
Among its multiple roles, the Fédération controls the fashion schedules of six fashion weeks a year in Paris: two menswear, two women's ready-to-wear and two haute couture. The latter begins this Sunday for five days.
"This name change also seeks to better define the Fédération's scope of intervention, as the Fédération has a key role in fashion's ecosystem on a national and international scale. Promoting its past and with an eye for the future, the Federation prioritizes in all circumstances creation, the intrinsic link between culture and industry, and the flourishing of talents," Morand added.
Besides being the most prestigious fashion week, primus inter pares, the Paris seasons are the most multinational, with the couture season attracting two of American's hottest houses – Proenza Schouler and Rodarte – to show in Paris on the opening day of couture.
"Openness on an international scale and respect for diversity are integral to all its endeavors," added Morand.
Besides the catwalk shows, the Fédération controls the Designer's Apartment showroom, supporting fledgling fashion brands, and has developed a digital platform New Now. Moreover, it also is a founding member of the Ecole de la chambre syndicale de la couture parisienne – probably the best school for pattern makers in the world - and of the Institut Français de la Mode, Europe's top fashion management school.
On Thursday afternoon, the organization will reveal a new logo, designed by Philippe Apeloig. And, the Fédération will roll out a new website over the next few months. The group's application Paris Fashion Week®, launched in January 2016, will also see new functions appear in the next months.
Copyright © 2023 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.


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Outcast Radio w/ Don Campbell is Moving
October 15, 2015 in News, RBN Updates by RBN Staff
Starting Monday, October 19, OCD can be heard from 9pm-11pm CT, Mon. – Fri., on RBN.
His last broadcast, in the 2pm-4pm slot, will be Friday, October 16.
Stay aware of all schedule changes by visiting:


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Guest blog by: Will Coley Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8 With so much news and information bombarding us each day, it's good to take time to reflect on […]Continue Reading →
Something Strange Happened in Birmingham
On June 1, 2011 By Guest-Contributor
Guest Blog by Dr. Carl Ruby I'm a lifelong Republican working at a conservative evangelical university. Voted for Reagan. Voted for Bush. Voted for Dole. Voted for Bush again – twice. Voted for Mc… okay, so I didn't vote for McCain, let's not go there. My issues are supposed to be low taxes, strong […]Continue Reading →
A First-Person Account from a "Poster Child"
On February 1, 2011 By Guest-Contributor
Guest Blog by Bernard Pastor Many of you prayed for me; others don't know me. I was at the forefront of the immigration debate during the last month. On November 16, 2010, I was involved in a minor traffic accident. I was driving without a driver's license, delivering Bibles. My father is a minister in […]Continue Reading →


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With such films as Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and One Night In Miami, 2020 has given us some expert adaptations of plays. Add The Father alongside these titles as a case study in making something so stage-bound feel so beautifully cinematic. It also rises to the top of the heap of another trend, the dementia narrative, easily eclipsing Supernova, Falling, and Relic. Florian Zeller, who wrote the play and makes his feature directing debut, co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher Hampton, and delivers an emotional wallop of a movie.
At the outset, Anne (Olivia Colman) pays a visit to her father Anthony (Anthony Hopkins), a man living with advancing dementia, to press the point he can no longer care for himself. Initially defiant, he allows her to bring in Laura (Imogen Poots) as a potential caregiver. Hitting it off immediately, Laura says to Anne, "I must say, he's charming." With her impeccable timing, Colman responds, "Yeah, not always," giving us the first hint that all is not what it seems.
In lesser hands, what follows could have amounted to little more than a standard issue drama laced with a treacly score and well-intentioned performances. Zeller's genius, however, lies in giving us this story from Anthony's point of view. As our unreliable narrator, perceptions of time, situations, and even people shift and play out in a complicated, circuitous form. We've seen incredible performances from other actors portraying this condition, such as Julianne Moore in Still Alice, but Zeller has crafted something far more experiential, putting us inside Anthony's ever-shifting mindset. Composer Ludovico Einaudi, whose music adds immeasurably to Nomadland's tone, provides a grand, operatic, percussive harpsichord-filled score here, further putting us inside Anthony's head.
With the main storyline concerning itself with what will become of our title character, Zeller slyly swaps out sets and actors or he moves forward or backwards in time at a moment's notice to heighten the terror Anthony experiences. You feel him pushing back against it by either lashing out or by covering it up with a smile, a laugh, or a jaunty skip in his step. Hopkins, at 83, gives one of the best performances of his career, stripping away the bravado he had as Hannibal Lecter to show us a lost man who appears to regress back to early childhood before our eyes.
Don't get me wrong. This film belongs to Hopkins, but the supporting cast, while more quiet and subdued, have miraculous moments. The aforementioned Colman feels ready to erupt, but bravely quells her impatience in every scene. It's not a showy role, but you feel her crumbling. Poots has the most comical role, laughing inappropriately sometimes, but when she catches herself doing so, it proves wonderfully uncomfortable. Rufus Sewell and Mark Gatiss act as Anthony's antagonists, bringing a scary amount of anger directed at him. It's as if the film is saying that how we respond to disability reveals our truest selves. Finally, Olivia Williams, in a deceptively simple role, goes toe to toe with Hopkins with a lovely display of empathy. I don't think I would have burst into tears as I did were it not for Williams' soothing, maternal touch in her scenes. Yes, the closing minutes of this film had me reduced to a blubbering mess each of the three times I've watched it. Hopkins, usually the most controlled of actors, seems to surrender to his character in such a raw, heartbreaking manner. It's possible I'm crying as I write this, but I will neither confirm nor deny.
With its muted tones, stark production design and composed cinematography, The Father lulls you into a false sense of security only to pull the rug out from below and thrust you into an unsettling confusion. That it seems to do so without any big bells and whistles may reveal its theatrical roots, making it easy to see how this was staged in a theater, but Zeller and company manage to give us a movie experience nonetheless. After much austerity, I loved the vibrant sculpture of a severed head Colman walks by late in the film. The cutting between timelines, well-realized by editor Yorgos Lamprinos, elevates this way beyond a filmed play. The final image, which Zeller settles on for a substantial amount of time, underscores the lines spoken moments before, allowing us to ride a wave of feelings over the course of this perfectly executed film. We may have seen this all before, but not in this way.
By Glenn Gaylord, Senior Film Critic
The Father opens in theaters February 26th 2021.


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What This Meeting Needs is More Cowbell
For the Pitch Slam event, organizer Bethany Brookshire delivered more than just a panel of six editors from The Washington Post, Undark, Nature and other top-notch publications for participants to pitch live in real-time.
She also injected some true Swiss culture into the event. Before the meeting, Brookshire asked if it was possible to have an "authentic Swiss cowbell" as a timer for the event, in which participants have 1 minute to pitch their best story to the panel.
The SwissTech Convention Center's head of marketing and sales, Christophe Leyvraz, not only brought a very special cowbell for the event, but also timed it himself with Swiss precision. The bell belongs to his family, which owns a vineyard in the Lavaux region.
It was cast as a special edition to commemorate the Fêtes des Vignerons 2019, a once-in-a-generation festival that celebrates the region's winemaking. Christophe showed us that the bell was the first to be cast in this series and the bell's belt depicts a cluster of grapes and the vineyard-dwelling starling bird. He also shared pictures of the enormous stadium, complete with an LED stage floor, which was built for the festival happening a few weeks later in July.
Pitch slam audience members learned what editors look for in a well-crafted pitch, including a simple, clear subject line, a quick writer bio, and a pitch tailored for their publication's audience. Writers should do their homework on the publication's history on the topic, should pitch stories rather than topics, and should include a short list of the types of experts or sources that the piece is likely to include (specific names are great, but not necessary at the pitch stage). And, as one editor put it, there's no excuse not to Google your idea beforehand to see what might have already been written. Also, winning pitches often involved surprises, unintended consequences, counterintuitive ideas, or science that answers burning questions or solves problems.
As Laura Helmuth of The Washington Post said, "If there's an important question in your pitch and you know the answer, tell me the answer in the pitch. Don't just give me the question."
As for the ringing of the dreaded cowbell, most participants avoided it, but the bell gave the event a particularly Swiss flair.
Opinions expressed in the blog posts are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of WCSJ2019


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Machu Picchu Vacations
Why Visit Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu vacations take travelers to the most famous archaeological site in South America, a natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and undoubtedly the greatest artistic and architectural vestige of the great Incan civilization. Spectacularly nestled among the lofty peaks of the Peruvian Andes, the Inca emperor Pachacuti's palatial estate perches timelessly above the snaking Urubamba River below as bewitching clouds of mist cushion the iconic sanctuary's sprawling temples and steep stone terraces.
Take the famous Inca Trail, part of the ancient Incan Qhapac Ñan road system, and follow in the famous footsteps of American explorer Hiram Bingham (or take his namesake train) to discover the remarkable ruins' hidden history and celestial secrets. Those not faint of heart may hike Huayna Picchu to see the mystical Temple of The Moon. It's not all terraces and temples though – the sacred citadel shelters many microclimates and rare flora and fauna, like the Andean cock-of-the-rock (Peru's national bird), puma, ocelot, and endangered spectacled bear. You may not spot them all, but one thing is for certain – a Machu Picchu vacation package is a must for any travelers planning to visit Peru.
Machu Picchu Tour Packages
Our custom Machu Picchu tours have been carefully crafted with enriching private excursions and thoughtful routes honed with years of in-destination experience. Browse our best-selling travel packages below and begin an unforgettable journey tailored uniquely to you.
Machu Picchu Experiences
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Travel Guide
Want to know more about how to visit Machu Picchu? Our destination specialists have compiled the definitive Machu Picchu travel guide to help you plan your trip. Find out when and where to go, what to see and do, where to eat and sleep, and more below.
What Our Customers are Saying
Do I Need A Visa To Travel To Machu Picchu?
Visitors from most countries, including the US, Canada, European countries and Australia do not need a visa to enter Peru where Machu Picchu is located. A valid passport (at least 6 months after your trip) is sufficient and you will be permitted to stay in the country for up to 90 days.
Do I Need To Get Any Vaccinations Or Malaria Tablets Ahead Of Travel?
We recommend visiting your clinician at least six weeks before you travel to receive the latest advice. Peru recommends (but does not require proof of) vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. Yellow fever and antimalarials are are not necessary for trips to Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca or Machu Picchu (including the Inca Trail).
What Is One Thing I Shouldn't Miss In Machu Picchu?
Of all the Machu Picchu sights, the Intihuatana is a must. This stone monument was used in the Incan religion as an astronomical device. The Inca believed that the stone helped guide the sun through the sky. Now, the vantage point from Intihuatana offers a breathtaking view.
What Is The Local Cuisine Like?
Andean cuisine is heavily based around the abundant potato varieties, corn, quinoa, trout, alpaca and even guinea pig of the Andes. Popular regional dishes to try are the Pachamanca, a traditional meat and vegetable medley cooked in an earthen stove, and the cuy chactado, deep-fried guinea pig.
Many of the Andean staples and exotic ingredients can be seen and tried in the San Pedro Market in Cusco. Guests staying in Aguas Calientes below Machu Picchu may like to visit the Chullpi restaurant famed for its contemporary and innovative dishes using local products.
Is Machu Picchu Safe?
Machu Picchu itself is a very safe site that is visited by travelers from all around the world on a daily basis. The nearby city of Cusco does have high rates of petty theft, and visitors should watch out for pickpockets and sham cab services that exist to steal their money.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Go To Machu Picchu?
The best time of year to visit Machu Picchu is between September and October. During this time, temperatures are cool and pleasant at about 21°C (70°F) in the daytime and 12°C (54°F) at night. This is also the less busy season, making it easier to avoid the crowds.
Is Machu Picchu A Good Family Destination?
Going to Machu Picchu with kids is a great option for a family vacation, offering the chance to learn about different cultures and history and see beautiful sights. Bear in mind that the steep steps and optional hikes can be strenuous, so it may be a challenge for young children or the elderly.
Is Machu Picchu A Good Honeymoon Destination?
If you and your spouse are adventurous, a Machu Picchu honeymoon makes an excellent choice. It offers the chance to enjoy the outdoors, with unforgettable sights. The nearby Sacred Valley and city of Cuzco, also have amazing opportunities to experience Andean culture and cuisine.
Can I Get To Machu Picchu Without Trekking?
Yes, don't worry. Whilst hiking the Inca Trail is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience, it's not for the faint-hearted and many who want to do it cannot because the number of permits are limited. Besides, a 4-day hike may not fit in with your timescales or the idea of a relaxing vacation for many.
The most common way to reach Macchu Picchu is by train, with several departure stations and train services to choose from. The most popular trains depart from Ollantaytambo, the finishing point for popular Sacred Valley tours, located a couple hours' drive northwest of Cusco. You can also take the train from Poroy, located about 25 minutes outside of Cusco.
How Far Is Machu Picchu From The Amazon?
Many travelers want to visit both destinations whilst in Peru, and wonder if Machu Picchu is in the Amazon jungle, or how far it is from the Amazon. Machu Picchu sits in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba mountain range where the Peruvian Andes meet the Amazon, which lies 160 km (100 miles) to the East.
However if you are planning to do an Amazon river cruise you will need to travel some 1,050 km (652 miles) to Iquitos. The good news is that travelers can visit both easily with our dedicated Amazon Rainforest and Machu Picchu tour.


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First Year Communities
The First Year Experience program at Stetson University is housed in Carson/Hollis, Gordis, Smith & Nemec Halls. This program aims to assist first-year students with a successful transition to Stetson University and to help students find meaningful and intentional connections on campus. Through purposeful educational and social programming and initiatives, students will benefit from having a resident assistant (student leader) on their floor that is eager to assist them with finding resources on campus, making new friends, teaching life and everyday skills (such as, doing laundry and effective time management!), making smart and healthy choices, and helping to develop meaningful relationships with not just their roommate but the whole community. Students in this community will also benefit from strong university partnerships and programming that takes place in the halls and will have the opportunity to live and learn together through various events and programs throughout the year.
Students will also benefit from the service and work from residential community fellow leaders, whose main purpose is to provide a seamless and smooth transition for residents to the institution and community. The buildings vary in size and layouts, but the experience is just as meaningful no matter which community you live in. We are so excited to help you #LiveTheDreamAtSU!


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I posted about this project back in 2011, I remember how thrilled I was that Lebanon would have its own Zaha Hadid designed building. Finally it has come to life. Below details from her website.
'The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) building by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) continues the on-going implementation of the 2002 AUB Campus Master Plan by Sasaki Associates (in colaboration with Machado and Silvetti, MGT of America, and Dar Al-Handasa, Shair and Partners) to advance the university's academic mission in the 21st Century with facilities of the highest international standards.
The IFI was established as a neutral, dynamic, civil, and open space where people representing all viewpoints in society can gather and discuss significant issues, anchored in a long-standing commitment to mutual understanding and high quality research. The institute aims to harness, develop and initiate research of the Arab world to enhance and broaden debate on public policy and international relations. It currently works on several programs addressing the region's issues including the refugee crisis, climate change, food security, and water scarcity, youth, social justice and development, urbanism, and the UN in the Arab world.
Relocating the infirmary closer to the new university hospital presented AUB with the opportunity to build the institute on the constrained site with a 7 metre drop in elevation between its south and north boundaries. The existing AUB campus combines buildings constructed in concrete throughout the 20th Century in a variety of revivalist and modernist styles with different cladding and rendering treatments.
In 2006, the competition jury selected ZHA's proposal to build the new institute. The design significantly reduces the building's footprint by 'floating' much of the IFI's facilities above the entrance courtyard to preserve the existing landscape integral to the 2002 master-plan, create a new public space for the campus, and establish links from the university's Central Oval to the Middle Campus and Mediterranean Sea to the north.
The 3,000 sq. m. Issam Fares Institute building is defined by the many routes and connections within AUB; interweaving the pathways and views within the campus to create a forum for the exchange of ideas – a centre of interaction and dialogue – at the heart of the university.
The IFI design introduces new links between the Central Oval with the forested area of the Middle Campus and sea beyond. Existing Ficus and Cypress trees on the IFI site (aged between 120 and 180 years old) are integral to the design. The building emerges from the geometries of intersecting routes as a series of interlocking platforms and spaces for research, engagement and discourse.
The institute invites the community inside via the many connections and paths that converge at its double-height entrance courtyard. This new civic space for the university is a covered outdoor terrace and extension of the shaded area beneath the existing trees – a place for chance meetings and informal discussion – located at the nexus of pathways that traverse the site.
A ramp leads between the trees to connect the research lounges on the second floor directly with the campus, while the first floor seminar room and offices are accessed at grade from the east and public courtyard to the west. These routes meet within the IFI to describe the atrium hall; establishing the institute as a crossroads – a central hub for students, faculty, researchers and visitors.
The IFI's reading room, conference workshops and research rooms 'float' above the exterior courtyard. The 100-seat auditorium is on the lowest level with its own entrance to the north, enabling the institute to host larger conferences and presentations without disrupting students, fellows and researchers working throughout the building. Internal partitions are in ink-pigmented glass to enable communication and interaction.
The building takes full advantage of the region's tradition and expertise of working with in-situ concrete. Passive design measures, high efficiency active systems and recycled water technologies minimise the building's impact on the local and wider environment.
The IFI's design builds upon the institute's mission as a catalyst and connector between AUB, researchers and the global community. Routes, views and links within the campus converge to define the IFI as a three-dimensional intersection; a space for university's students, fellows and visitors to meet, connect and engage with each other and the wider world.'
Project details:
- Beirut, Lebanon
- 2006 – 2014
- American University of Beirut
- Built
- 7,000 m2m2
- Total site area: 7,000 m2
- New exterior spaces: 4,000 m2
- Total floor area: 3,000 m2
- Auditorium capacity: 100 seats
- Floors: 6
- Maximum height: 22 m
- Length of cantilever: 21 m


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Friday, July 28, 2006
Why Blog?
I read this article recently and it renewed my desire to blog more regularly. It is a good write up on the reasons that people should write blogs and it counters all of the objections that people normally have about doing it.
Posted by Tauren Mills at 2:54 PM
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The sight of a burning candle with the flame dancing gracefully is powerful enough to send you into a trance. Does candle gazing awaken something deep within you? If so, you're in for some candle magic. The glow of fire can be so comforting to the extent that it can teach you how to focus […]Continue reading
Mercury rules your mind and directly impacts the ability to communicate and express yourself. The energy shift during Mercury retrograde may slow down all activities that the planet governs. Your conscious mind becomes less available and the subconscious takes over during the three-week astrological cycle. As Mercury naps, your awareness fails to take charge, and […]Continue reading
Learning to tune in to higher inner wisdom or spiritual guidance can be a useful tool. Your connection to the divine spirit is your inheritance as a divine being. How often have you asked for an answer or to be shown a way to resolve a situation? Did you see your problem resolved within […]Continue reading


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Tempo Accounts are great to link issues to an external system and to group issues from multiple JIRA projects under a common entity. Accounts can be useful for billing or budgetary purposes, and with accounts it is easy to keep track of identities such as customer, contact information, category, and budget. Accounts in Tempo have been extremely powerful in the last few years.
1. Account PDF Generator
Not only can you produce one PDF, you also produce reports for all accounts for a given period or time frame. The Account PDF generator can produce a PDF for a single account or produce them in a batch as a zip file -- perfect for one of month reporting or billing.
2. Flexible Reporting
You can slice and dice your reporting based on your search, such as by customer or category, then make adjustments in line print or export to Excel.
3. Budget
Setting a budget allows you to track monthly budget costs against an account, such as a time and material agreement, or for budgetary purposes.
4. Account Report Approval
Accounts can be reviewed and approved by the account lead in an easy and simple process, providing a quick overview for account managers and team leads.
Time management and timesheet reporting have never been so easy!


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Q: Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?
A: No. There is no evidence that companion animals or pets such as cats and dogs have been infected or could spread the virus that causes COVID-19.
With the recent concerns about the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, we at Middletown Vet want to share accurate information with you from AVMA, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and WHO, the World Health Organization.
Information regarding 'social distancing' or the possibilities of quarantines if you or a loved one tests positive for COVID-19, raises many concerns, including worries about our pets.
As responsible pet owners, remember preparing in advance is key. Make sure you have an emergency kit prepared, with at least two weeks' worth of your pet's food and any needed medications. Usually we think about emergency kits like this in terms of what might be needed for an evacuation, but it's also good to have one prepared in the case of quarantine or self-isolation when you cannot leave your home.
*Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19 or that they spread it to other animals, including people.*
Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals (other than source bats) becoming sick with COVID-19, out of an abundance of caution, it is recommended that those who do become ill with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus. If you become ill with COVID-19, be sure to tell your physician and public health official that you have a pet or other animal in your home. Have another member of your household take care of walking, feeding, and playing with your pet. If you have a service animal or you must care for your pet, then wear a facemask; don't share food, kiss, or hug them; and wash your hands before and after any contact with your pet or service animal. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. Additional guidance on managing pets in homes where people are sick with COVID-19 is available from the CDC.
Please call us with any concerns and know our cleaning and sanitization processes are frequent and thorough. We have ammended sick leave policies in place in case any staff feels unwell. As always, our veterinary team is here for you and your pets to ensure the good health of our community and all of our MVHfamily!


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Hi, it's Matthew Pryke, Notary Public based in London. I just thought I'd send you a quick message at this very unusual time and with everything which is going on with the safety measures being put in place for the Coronavirus, I just wanted to update my Notary clients on my availability. As many of you know, we're based on Regents street, in W1 a high volume area and therefore from tomorrow, our Notaries offices will be closed. We will be working remotely and we will have the ability to provide all of our Notarisation services remotely, but our offices will not be taking any new Notary client appointments and we won't be available to receive documents at our London offices either.
If you do want to send us anything then please send it by the post, not recorded delivery, not special delivery but by first-class post. We will then receive the documents for many of my clients who I'm used to dealing with remotely, this won't actually involve any changes to the way in which we deliver the Notarisation services.
We will remain able to deal with most Notarisation and Legalisation requirements remotely via email and my team will be there to assist. However, for new clients and people who want appointments at short notice, this is a very unusual period, we won't actually be able to assist you. But do feel free to get in touch with our Notaries Office by email and we'll see if we can help you in a different way. So our thoughts and best wishes are with all of our clients. We very much hope your businesses, your people, your friends and family all remain safe and well, and this is the most important priority during this period. So best wishes from everybody at our offices.


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Read what some of our satisfied insurance customers have to say! If you'd like to provide your feedback, please submit your online review.
- 5 Stars!
- Five stars!
- Five stars!
- Would highly recommend. 5 stars.
"Been with them about 2 years now and they have been amazing to deal with. Up to this point ive only dealt with Tish and Kara but if the rest of the staff are anything like them then they are a top notch group. Very helpful and professional as well as an upbeat and kind demeanor. Would highly recommend. 5 stars."


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An election without winners: Swedish politics faces an uncertain future
Emanuel Örtengren // 05.09.2018
When Jimmie Åkesson, leader of the nationalist Sweden Democrats, entered the stage at the party's summer festival in early August he exuded confidence: "Now we are approaching the finishing line – but not just as contenders… we are about to win", Åkesson declared.
But with the Swedish election on September 9 drawing near, it is unclear what exactly 'winning' would entail. Certainly, the Sweden Democrats' ascent in the polls has been nothing but meteoric: after increasing their vote share from 5.7 percent in the elections in 2010 to 12.9 percent in 2014, the latest 'poll of polls' show the party at nearly 20 percent today. However, the party remains isolated in parliament, and even Åkesson himself doesn't expect the Sweden Democrats to be part of the next government.
However, that does not mean that any of the traditional coalitions will win either. Due to the Sweden Democrats' explosive growth, neither the leftist bloc (the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Left Party) nor the centre-right coalition (the Moderates, the Centre Party, the Liberals and the Christian Democrats) is likely to win a majority of seats in parliament.
Furthermore, Sweden's shifting political landscape is putting the stability of these coalitions to the test. Due to the large influx of refugees and a sharp rise in shootings in recent years, immigration and law and order have become two of the most important issues to voters. And the new fault lines run within coalitions as much as between them.
For example, the Green Party's former leader Åsa Romson famously cried when announcing the Social Democratic-Green coalition government's new, tougher immigration policy during the refugee crisis in 2015. Likewise, the Centre Party controversially supported the government's amnesty proposal for 9,000 Afghan immigrants this spring, which sparked conflict within the centre-right coalition.
The Social Democrats, Sweden's traditional governing party, have found it particularly challenging to reinvent themselves in this new political landscape. The Social Democrats are trying to frame this election as a 'referendum' on what kind of welfare services Swedes want, but this message is not as resonant as it has been in the past. Much like their sister parties in other parts of Europe, the Swedish Social Democrats' support has plummeted. The party has lost more than one in three voters since 2002 and is now at 25 percent in the polls, which would be their worst election result since the introduction of universal suffrage in Sweden.
All of this makes Ulf Kristersson, leader of the Moderates, the strongest candidate to become Prime Minister. However, since Kristersson's centre-right coalition most likely won't win a majority in parliament, the Moderates have to pick their poison:
1. They can they break the Sweden Democrats' isolation and rule with their support. This is similar to the situation in Denmark, where the nationalist Danish People's Party has had a confidence and supply agreement with liberal-conservative governments.
2. Alternatively, they can form a grand coalition which includes the Social Democrats, much like the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats have done in Germany.
If Kristersson chooses the first option, there could be a significant backlash from more liberal centre-right voters, and both the Centre Party and the Liberals have refused such an arrangement. If he forms a grand coalition, the disenchantment with the political establishment might grow even further, bolstering the Sweden Democrats.
A third option for the Moderates might be to form a government by themselves and broker deals with the other parties in different constellations depending on the issue. Such a government would be weak and find it hard to enact the major liberal reforms of the rigid housing and labour markets that Sweden sorely needs.
Thus, it is hard to claim that there will be any real winners emerging from the 2018 Swedish elections. Most of all, the election provides an illustration of two pan-European phenomena: the rise of nationalism and the demise of social democracy. While Sweden is not the first European country to experience such an upset of the traditional party system, the Swedish case is especially striking given that nationalism has long been outside the political mainstream and because of the Social Democrats' historical dominance in Swedish politics. After September 9, that era will definitely draw to a close.
Emanuel Örtengren is a Project Coordinator working with economic policy at Timbro, the largest free market think tank in the Nordics.
EPICENTER publications and contributions from our member think tanks are designed to promote the discussion of economic issues and the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. As with all EPICENTER publications, the views expressed here are those of the author and not EPICENTER or its member think tanks (which have no corporate view).


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Region 5 News Release: 11-926-CHI
July 6, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
Email: email@example.com email@example.com
US Department of Labor files complaint against Niles Family Dentistry,
owner in Niles, Ohio, for violating whistleblower provision of the OSH Act
CLEVELAND – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has filed a complaint in federal court against Niles Family Dentistry and owner Dr. A. Scott Santucci for allegedly violating the whistleblower provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act by creating a hostile work environment for two employees and forcing them to resign. Santucci harassed the two employees because he suspected them of reporting mercury spills at the dental practice to OSHA on June 6, 2010. The spills occurred on June 2 and 4.
"Failing to protect workers from known hazardous substances such as mercury is inexcusable," said Michael Connors, OSHA's regional administrator in Chicago. "Taking retaliatory action against employees for reporting safety concerns is a clear violation of the law."
Santucci is alleged to have reduced working hours and created a hostile work environment by repeatedly cursing and threatening a dental auxiliary employee who had refused to work until the mercury spills were adequately cleaned by qualified personnel. The employee worked at the dental practice from August 2007 until she resigned on June 24, 2010, citing a hostile work environment.
Santucci also is alleged to have reduced working hours and created a hostile work environment by repeatedly cursing and threatening a second worker after she refused to clean the spilled mercury. The second worker was employed by the dental practice from April 2005 until she resigned on June 21, 2010, also citing a hostile work environment.
The Labor Department is seeking reinstatement of both employees to their positions; payment of lost wages and benefits, including interest and punitive damages; and expunction of any mention of that protected activity from their employment records. OSHA also is seeking to require the dental office to post a notice to employees stating they it will not discriminate against employees for engaging in protected activities such as OSHA notification. The suit further seeks to enjoin Niles Family Dentistry and Santucci from violating the Occupational and Safety Health Act in the future.
OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of 21 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health care reform, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime and securities laws. Under these laws enacted by Congress, employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who raise various protected concerns or provide protected information to the employer or to the government. Employees who believe that they have been retaliated against for engaging in protected conduct may file a complaint with the secretary of labor for an investigation by OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program. Detailed information on employee whistleblower rights, including fact sheets, is available online at http://www.whistleblowers.gov.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.


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Discover more from Asia Sentinel
Indonesia Graft Probe Bars Subject From Leaving Country
A late December decision by Indonesia's feared Anti-Corruption Commission to bar Robert Tantular (above), the man at the epicenter of Indonesia's long-running Bank Century scandal, from leaving the country is an indication that the organization's probe into corruption in the 10-year-old affair isn't going away.
Tantular was quietly freed from his cell in Jakarta's Cipinang prison last July by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights after 10 years in prison – 11 years early – over the objections of the commission, known by its Indonesian initials KPK. Laode Anies, the deputy chairman of the commission, questioned why the ministry had paroled the former banker, who already was rumored to be imprisoned under extremely lenient terms.
The bank has long been the subject of controversy over its political connections. It was widely believed in Indonesia to have been the repository of hundreds of millions of dollars of slush funds tied to the Democrat Party. More than US$850 million disappeared during the global financial crisis of 2008, according to authorities.
The KPK, known as an incorruptible graft watchdog, over recent months has been the subject of a disturbing series of intimidation attempts although there is no evidence that those incidents are tied to any particular entity the commission is investigating. On Jan. 9, the chairman, Agus Rahardjo and his deputy, Laode, were targeted when an unknown culprit hooked a bag containing an object looking like a bomb to the fence of Agus's home. At the same time, two motorcyclists hurled Molotov cocktails at Laode's home, one of which exploded. The other didn't. In 2017, senior investigator Novel Baswedan was partly blinded when assailants threw hydrochloric acid in his face.
Other attacks have included bomb threats to the KPK building, bombings to the houses of investigators, acid attacks into vehicles belonging to investigators and employees, death threats, seizure of equipment belonging to investigators, kidnapping of KPK officers on duty and attempted murder of investigators.
Despite those threats and incidents, as Asia Sentinel reported last week, at least 40 government and private officials connected to Bank Century and its successors Bank Mutiara and Bank JTrust Indonesia have been questioned by the KPK since the agency resumed its investigation in June 2018. Former Deputy President Boediono, who also served as the governor of Bank Sentral Republik, Indonesia's central bank, and Kartika Wirjowatmodjo, the former head of the Indonesian Bank Insurance Corporation and current president director of Bank Mandiri, the country's biggest bank, are among individuals said to be under investigation along with Tantular.
More than US$1 billion is said to have disappeared from Indonesia's treasury since 1989, according to a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court of Mauritius, including the equivalent of US$245.2 million paid and forgiven to the Japanese financial concern J Trust Co. to take over the bank, with the potential for criminal action against officials all the way up to the top of the government.
In 2009, the bank, recapitalized and renamed Bank Mutiara, came under the administration of the Indonesian Bank Insurance Corporation, a quasi-autonomous government organization more widely known by its Indonesian acronym LPS. Indonesian sources say concern was growing about the rat's nest that would be found inside the bank once a new administration came into office, and they were determined to get it off the books of the agency before President Joko Widodo took office.
The LPS went in search of buyers in 2014. Although it was offered to 18 would-be purchasers, it found few takers and the bank was eventually sold to J Trust Co. in a transaction that appears to have been anything but arms-length and transparent.
The sale in fact appeared to be structured so that J Trust was the onlay bidder, with preferential, predetermined terms. The Japanese concern renamed it Bank J Trust after supposedly agreeing to pay the equivalent of US$368.0 million in cash under Indonesian Financial Services Authority law.
But the records make it look like J Trust actually paid only 6.8 percent of that amount, or US$24.14 million upfront, and that was 33 days after the alleged sale date despite LPS regulations that said the money had to be paid upfront in cash. According to an exhaustive examination of both J Trust's books and LPS records, it appears that the LPS, the central bank and several other government agencies were complicit in the transaction.
As Asia Sentinel reported on April 10, 2017, it was publicly announced by the Indonesian government that J Trust had bought Bank Mutiara and paid the equivalent of US$368 million for 99.996 percent of it. But no mention of a cash payment of that amount has appeared in any of J Trust's financial statements over the past four years. Under Financial Services Authority and LPS law, J Trust was required to pay the US$368 million in cash in full at the time of purchase. However, LPS records show that J Trust paid only the equivalent of US$24.14 million down with a promise to cover future losses for a set period of time.
Bank Indonesia then arranged for a sharia loan promissory note through the Deposit Insurance Corporation for the remainder. In 2016, according to LPS records, the insurance corporation wrote down Rp3.065 trillion (US$246.06 million) on the sharia promissory note. That means the note was never paid and J Trust was virtually given Bank Mutiara in exchange for covering the flailing bank's losses from Nov. 20, 2014 onward, up to a capped amount within three to five years. Those losses amounted to US$151.8 million as of November 30, 2018.
No record of the payment
There is no record, either in J Trust's annual reports, or in the LPS's records, that the sharia loan or the upfront US$368 Conditional Share Purchase Agreement ("CPSA") purchase price proceeds have ever been paid by J Trust in cash. In fact, funds deposited into a trust account a Bank Negara Indonesia appear to have been paid directly by the PS allegedly from the Rp3 trillion leveraged buyout Shariah loan note issued in January 2014 to J Trust.
Asia Sentinel has repeatedly asked the LPS in a series of emails for the details of the sale, without ever receiving an adequate explanation of what happened. After the emails produced no substantive responses, the editors of Asia Sentinel decided to go ahead with the story.
Asia Sentinel has also repeatedly sought to get J Trust to provide details of its payment for the bank. After three emails to J Trust's international public relations representative Keiko Nishihara, J Trust's lawyers Nishimura and Asahi of Tokyo, were told that J Trust had no intention to answer enquiries. A later enquiry to the LPS with detailed questions concerning the sale of Bank Mutiara to J Trust has also gone unanswered.
On Jan. 18, Bank J Trust's board of commissioners temporarily suspended the former president director and Ritsuo Ando and Haryanti Budi Purnomo, director and risk management compliance officer respectively, in what appears to be a Japanese executive-led attempt to lay the blame on the Indonesians for more than US$300 million of bad loans written off by Bank J Trust since 2015.
CFO Helmi Hidayat and new director Rio Lanasier signed the decree and notice of temporary dismissal of directors, leaving only three directors on J Trust's books attempting to stave off the insolvency of the bank yet again, prior to its upcoming sale of 40 percent to new owners that was promised by Fujisawa in his J Trust webcast of Nov. 15, 2018.


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Portland and Beaverton Paintless Dent Repair
Available services:
- Removal of minor door dings. Small dents in doors, fenders, and quarter panels can be removed without using filler or paint.
- Removal of creases and major dents. Most larger (2″ and larger) dents and creases can be improved or completely removed with paintless dent repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can all dents be removed? Not all. Some dents have simply stretched the metal too far. Others are not accessible with PDR tools. Some are along double-stamped steel, and some dents are along contours and factory-created creases that cannot be duplicated. Bring your car to our Beaverton shop or send us clear photos of your dent and we can advise you on the repairability of your dent.
- My dent has some paint damage as well. Can you repair it? Yes. For a perfect finish, we will have to repaint the entire panel, but in most cases we can greatly improve the paint damage with color-matched touchup paint.
- How long will my appointment take? Usually we'll need your car for 4 hours.
- By estimate. Visit our Beaverton shop or email clear digital photos.
Remove crease and 3 other dents in Volvo XC90. $225. 4 hours.
Remove dent and 4 other dents on Porsche 911. $250. 4 hours.
Remove dent in RAV4. $175. 4 hours.


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Mercuriall's painstaking recreation of a classic Mesa guitar preamp offers more than just rock nostalgia.
Guitar rig modelling is now a well-established part of the computer-based studio. While most such modellers go for the 'more is more' philosophy, with a single package offering the user a take on every classic amp, cab and effect known to man, Mercuriall offer a more niche approach. For example, their Spark plug-in emulates four very specific flavours of Marshall, while the Tube Amp U530 (reviewed by Sam Inglis in the November 2016 issue) pays homage to the rackmounted Engl E530 preamp which is very much a tool for seven-string, down-tuned metal players.
If you are beginning to suspect that Mercuriall favour rock and metal guitar tones, their latest offering won't change your mind. ReAxis is a detailed, component-level, recreation of the classic Mesa TriAxis, a rackmounted preamp launched in the early 1990s and boasting some very high-profile users including John Petrucci and James Hetfield. The originals are still sought-after items, with a second-hand unit likely to cost you somewhere north of £800.
Tri Star
The original TriAxis offered eight different analogue preamp circuits derived from a number of classic Mesa amps, including various channels from the Mark I, Mark IV and Mark IIC, plus a 'British' circuit for some added variety. The novelty of the TriAxis was that all this analogue sonic goodness was digitally controlled, such that any of the 90 presets could be recalled instantly via MIDI.
ReAxis delivers exactly the same preamp feature set in a virtual format, but adds power amp modelling with three different tube configurations, cabinet modelling with dual virtual microphones in front of four virtual cabs, and a compact selection of both pre- and post-amp effects. This makes it, in effect, a complete guitar rig modelling plug-in, albeit one based squarely on a single product.
The ReAxis UI will be instantly familiar to any TriAxis user, as the hardware's front panel control set is pretty faithfully reproduced, but with a more user-friendly preset system located on the left. The rather novel (for a guitar amp) digital parameter controls dominate the central section, and Mode buttons on the right allow you to switch between the eight different preamp models.
The lower half of the user interface contains three tabs to access the Pre-FX, Amp & Cab and Post-FX options. A gate, wah-wah and choice of three different overdrive pedals are found in the Pre-FX, while the Post-FX palette offers stereo chorus, reverb and delay. The Amp & Cab tab is also quite flexible, with variants of four cab models, detailed options for mixing and matching between two mic models with mic positioning, and different tube model options for the power-amp stage. The topmost control strip of the plug-in allows you to switch individual components of the modelling on or off and set input and output levels.
Rock Of Ages
The ReAxis plug-in behaved very well in my system, and a side-by-side comparison with Line6's Helix Native suggested a not dissimilar CPU load. ReAxis ships with a modest selection of presets but there are also plenty of examples to be found online based upon the original hardware.
Mesa is a brand that is closely associated with rock and metal tones, so it is perhaps not surprising that this is where ReAxis excels, and that the presets are dominated by these styles. It recreates the scooped metal sound very convincingly — the D Voice control adds to the standard Bass, Mid and High EQ in this regard, providing extra scoop — but it is also possible to craft more modern, mid-dominated tones when required. The different preamp models offer both different tonalities and different capacities for gain. Oh, and the latter is not in short supply, even before you add in anything from the overdrive models in the Pre-FX section.
That's not to say ReAxis can't also do cleans. It can but, just as with a real Mesa amp, I'm not sure it would be my first choice for country or funk. In particular, I struggled to dial in a bluesy 'just breaking up' tone that I really liked. However, you can roll from high gain to somewhat lower gain quite convincingly using your guitar, so if rock and metal is where you spend most of your time, and you just need the occasional clean tone for those quieter moments, you probably could get by with just what ReAxis has to offer. Preamp modelling aside, the modest effects selection is pretty well done, and the microphone modelling options give you plenty of additional scope to dial in the subtleties of your tone.
Axis Of Good
The original TriAxis has a cult following amongst rock and metal players, and the plug-in emulation is going to appeal to those who have heard the legend on a multitude of classic recordings, but have never been in a position to own the hardware. Equally, I'm sure it will also be attractive to those who perhaps owned, and then parted company with, an original TriAxis, as a means of revisiting the sound — and operational quirkiness — that that unit delivered. And even if you're not set on recreating vintage Mesa tones, ReAxis is a great source of rock and metal guitar sounds in its own right, and much more than just an exercise in nostalgia.
Usefully, Mercuriall offer a demo version so you can try before you buy; with a niche product aimed at a niche audience, that's a sensible approach. However, given the relatively modest cost, I suspect real metalheads will find ReAxis a tempting avenue into a bit of classic metal guitar tone history.
- An inexpensive way to experience the world of Mesa's TriAxis.
- Impressive array of rock and metal tones available.
- The quirky interface, although faithful to the original hardware, takes a little getting used to.
- Not so flexible for cleaner tones.
ReAxis offers a slice of classic rock and metal guitar tone history with the convenience and price of a plug-in. It's a niche product, but very good at what it does.


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Snell & Wilcox to showcase Alchemist Ph.C-HD TX
Snell & Wilcox will feature its new Alchemist Ph.C-HD TX motion-compensated frame-rate standards converter for teleports, earth stations and telcos at IBC2008.
By providing simultaneous SD and HD conversion in one compact 3RU mainframe, the Alchemist Ph.C-HD TX enables facilities to enter the international HD program exchange market.
The Alchemist Ph.C-HD TX leverages Snell & Wilcox's proprietary Ph.C motion compensation technology to provide transparent, HD frame-rate conversion between 50Hz and 60Hz HD standards for both 1080i and 720p formats as well as SD frame-rate conversion between 50Hz and 60Hz material.
The Alchemist Ph.C-HD TX can be set up and configured easily and requires no control adjustment during use.
See Snell & Wilcox at IBC Stand 8.B77, or visit www.snellwilcox.com.
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Aspect Ventures, a female-founded VC firm, has appointed Kendra Ragatz as COO and general partner. Ragatz is stepping into a two-fold role: In addition to making investments, she's in charge of growth and development for the firm itself.
(Read post on PitchBook)
Theresia Guow and Jennifer Fonstad founded Aspect in 2014 and closed its debut vehicle on $150 million the next year. The firm, which is currently raising a second fund with a $175 million target, is focused on early-stage investments in several industries, including security, digital health, AI and autonomous vehicle software. It writes seed and Series A checks.
As of now, Aspect has backed more than 30 startups, including travel booking platform HotelTonight and Chime, the provider of a savings app.
A unique role: venture capital COO
The COO position is relatively unique among investment firms. Because of the nature of the business, private equity and venture capital investors tend to devote their time, energy and finances to helping other companies grow.
"Today, more and more VC firms are focusing on running their own businesses to the same degree they focus on helping their portfolio companies," said Ragatz (pictured) in an interview with PitchBook.
In her new role, Ragatz will do just that: She'll help develop Aspect Ventures by focusing on recruiting, finance and operations, in addition to mentoring the firm's investors. Before joining the Bay Area-based VC firm as an operating partner at the end of 2016, Ragatz held more traditional roles at investment firms including DAG Ventures and Steamboat Ventures, Disney's venture capital arm.
In addition to her COO duties, Ragatz will have a more traditional partner role. She'll seek out new investment opportunities for Aspect, some of which will likely be in the health and wellness sector.
Women in VC: 'Diversity generates better outcomes'
A VC firm founded and run by two women is something of a rarity in Silicon Valley. Ragatz said the firm's co-founders, Guow and Fonstad, are some of the only female investment professionals she's ever worked with. While the firm doesn't necessarily make a point of investing in female-founded startups, its portfolio does include a fair number of them.
The percentage of global VC deals for companies with at least one female founder sits at about 17%, per PitchBook data. Here's a closer look at VC investment in female-founded companies over the last decade, as of March 2017:
*The chart above is from a datagraphic PitchBook produced in March.
Ragatz said Aspect's portfolio tends to be more diverse than average.
"It's not our strategy to invest solely in female founders, but I do think Aspect being founded by two female general partners and having further diversity amongst our investing team creates a strategic advantage for our firm in attracting top-notch entrepreneurs," she told PitchBook. "At the end of the day, and there is a lot of data to support this, we do believe that diversity generates better outcomes."
Aspect backs TheRealReal, the online consignment company founded by Julie Wainwright that reached a $450 million valuation in June. Other notable female-founded startups in the firm's portfolio include subscription beauty company Birchbox and career guidance platform The Muse.
Firms like Aspect are at the forefront of building diversity in the tech community. "I'm hopeful that as the industry attracts and promotes more female VCs, and there are more female entrepreneurs starting businesses, it will create a cycle of opportunity for even more women to enter into tech and succeed."


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World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization publishing the world's most-read history encyclopedia. Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.
The organization is run by a small group of core staff and many volunteers from all over the world, driven by the belief that history is exciting and it should be told not in expensive books, but for free on the internet.
Join us and help over 30 million people learn about history every year, all across the globe. Your work will help students, teachers and members of the public appreciate cultural heritage, widen their horizons and enable them to better understand the globalized world we live in today.
We're always looking for volunteers to help us. Whether you're an academic, a retiree, a student, or a professional; whether you work in a library, in a marketing agency, or in a university... everyone has skills that can help us!
At the moment we are particularly looking for:
Both volunteers and employees get a variety of benefits, dependent on their role at World History Encyclopedia. Once a volunteer has shown regular commitment, we provide them with all the materials they need, including:
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Posts Tagged As: Nachum Shifren
December 10th, 2008
We've been predicting that somebody, somewhere would compare the peaceful, First Amendment-protected protests against the passage of California's Proposition 8 to the Nazis and the Holocaust. Well, here it is:
We are dealing with the equivalent of a moral takeover of the country that has as its bedrock a belief in G-d and His promise for humanity. They don't want civil rights! What they desire is quasi Gay/Lesbian hegemony, where a huge "bookburning," reminiscent of the Nazis, will purge any remnants of the "Christian, White, mainstream America" that has given ALL AMERICANS the most profound scope of freedom, liberty, and justice that Mankind has yet to experience.
People have perhaps wondered: why the Mormons? Answer: they are a small, yet vocal Christian minority. They have been selected by the mobs as vulnerable, a group that might not have such massive support among America's Christians.
We who are friends of the Mormons, their patriotism, their family values, will not falter in our continued support of these dear Americans. Let us recall the Christian minister Niemoller, whose admonition during those dark years of Nazi Germany moved us to our core:
"When they came for the gypsies, I said nothing, because I wasn't a gypsy. When they came for the homosexuals, I said nothing, because I wasn't a homosexual. When they came for the Jews, I said nothing, because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I said nothing, because I wasn't a Catholic……then they came for me, and there was no one left to defend me."
That was penned by Rabbi Nachum Shifren in a piece he titled "We are all Mormons." Jeremy Hooper was especially puzzled by Rabbi Shifren's recognition in the last quoted paragraph that gays have, in fact, been persecuted:
But the really interesting thing for us? That Niemöller poem that Rabbi Shifren quotes did not, in its original form, even mention gays, yet here he has made a point of including homosexuals as one of the persecuted groups. Does he not see anything odd about that? Here he is going ballistic about the "immoral" gays and their "licentiousness," yet he fully admits they have been (/still are) a persecuted minority? It just seems odd.
Very odd indeed. And it's that strangeness which makes Rabbi Shifren a perfect candidate for the LaBarbera Award.
[Hat tip: Good As You]
Featured Reports
In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for "cross-gender disturbance" in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.
When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation's embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.
In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that "[Paul] Cameron's 'science' echoes Nazi Germany." What the SPLC didn"t know was Cameron doesn't just "echo" Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution's architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a "plausible idea" in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.
On February 10, I attended an all-day "Love Won Out" ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.
Prologue: Why I Went To "Love Won Out"
Part 1: What's Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With "No Exceptions"
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"
At last, the truth can now be told.
Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!
And don't miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.
Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.
Anti-gay activists often cite the "Dutch Study" to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.
Tony Perkins' Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family "Research" Council.
The FBI's annual Hate Crime Statistics aren't as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.


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Ceramic Mountain Brush Rest (crackle glaze)
Surface: gloss; crackle[d] glaze
White Kaolin Clay Kaolin or "Gaoling" clay (高岭土) is the original China clay from Jingdezhen (景德镇) in southeastern China's Jiangxi Province.
|Recommend to
|Suitable for
|Shipping: Standard
|Standard shipping.
|Product Size
|21 × 4.5 × 3.5 cm
|Product Weight
|Shipping weight
|400 g
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Ceramic Mountain Brush RestSurface: gloss $81.19 (USD)
Brand: inkston
Maker: Ya Nan 亚男
Materials: White Kaolin Clay
Recommend to: Advanced Level, Beginners, Medium Level, Professionals
Suitable for: Calligraphy, Chinese Painting
Product Size: 21 × 4.5 × 3.5 cm
Product Weight: 192
Ceramic Mountain Brush Rest$81.19 (USD) Add
Classic Ceramic Brush Rest (mountain)Size: 9 * 4.5 * 1.5 cm Green gloss glaze; made at inkston Jing De Zhen ceramic workshop. It can rest 4 brushes.$3.81 (USD)
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Shipping size: 9 × 4.5 × 1.5 cm
Shipping weight: 100 g
Classic Ceramic Brush Rest (mountain)$3.81 (USD) Add
Ceramic White Mountain Brush RestDesigner: Ji Xiang Handmade Piece; ready to ship. Weight: 120 grams Size: 19.5 * 3 * 7 cm$25.18 (USD)
Shipping size: 19.5 × 3 × 7 cm
Shipping weight: 120 g
Ceramic White Mountain Brush Rest$25.18 (USD) Add
Classic Ceramic Brush RestDesigned and made by: Yan Song Bin 严宋赟 Handmade; available to ship worldwide immediately. Weight: 117 grams Size: 11cm * 2.3 cm * 4cm$44.34 (USD)
Shipping size: 11 × 2.3 × 4 cm
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Classic Ceramic Brush Rest$44.34 (USD) Add
Recent discussions in: 笔架 (BiJia) Brush Rest
A brush rest, does what it says on the tin!
5 stars.
What a beautiful set. I purchased these to use as brush rests but at the moment they are on display.. Lovely product and incredible service. The pieces arrived in Australia in perfect condition. Cant recommend enough. Thank you Yan!
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CROSSFIT SUFFOLK *** Forging Elite Fitness
For time:
1 mile Run
100 Pull-ups
200 Push-ups
300 Squats
1 mile Run
Partition the pull-ups, push-ups, and squats as needed. Start and finish with a mile run. If you've got a twenty pound vest or body armor, wear it.
Post time to comments.
Compare to 090317.
While all the Hero workouts are special "Murph" has the most special place in our heart. "Murph" is named after Navy SEAL, Lt. Michael Murphy who grew up not far from where we train. Last year we had the honor of meeting Lt. Murphy's father and we spoke about his son. We feel fortunate that there are men like Lt. Michael Murphy who serve and have served in our military. We are proud that he is from Suffolk County.
Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, 29, from Patchogue, NY taken in Afghanistan. Murphy was killed by enemy forces during a reconnaissance mission, Operation Redwing, June 28, 2005. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit's location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds. (Courtesy of www.navy.mil)
"Murph," as others called him, was "a warrior and [was devoted] to his men," -fellow Naval Special Warfare member-
Slain Patchogue SEAL Receives Highest Honor
Recognizing The Honor Of A Son
Natural Movement Doesn't Come Naturally: You Weren't Born Perfect


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The 17th Century French, Large
Burgundian Limestone
Width: 1606 mm
Depth: 244 mm
Width: 1194 mm
1606 mm x 600 mm x 50 mm
Available in matching stone, honed black slate or polished black granite and can be cut to size.
A warm beige Burgundian limestone from a small family quarry in France is used to carve the "A" size 17th-century French fireplace. With strong bolection detailing, a generous mantel shelf and a fireplace opening of 1194 mm wide by 1014 mm high makes this fireplace ideally suited for the more substantial open fireplaces or to surround openings in which the bigger wood burners are set.
The fireplace surround can come with a matching Burgundian limestone outer hearth, as shown, which measures 1606mm long by 600 mm wide and by 50 mm thick. (Please just tick the " Include Hearth " box if required.) Different sized outer hearths, inner hearths and wall cladding can all be supplied in matching stone, honed black slate or polished black granite and quoted for if required. Matching slips can also be provided to reduce the opening dimensions if needed.
This fire surround is prepared for fitting before it leaves our workshops and will have all the fixing holes pre-drilled so it is easier to assemble on site.Please call if you would like to discuss delivery dates.
Our sister company, the Bedingfeld Arms is just 2 miles away and if any of our customers are coming up to see us here and would like to stay up in Norfolk overnight we are always happy to provide a complimentary room for the night. (Subject to availalbilty so a good idea to arrange in advance).
This then gives you a real chance to make the most of a visit to After the Antique and to the many other delights and skilled crafts people of Norfolk.
Visit the Bedingfeld Arms website
|Fireplace Opening
|1606 mm mm
|1194 mm mm
|244 mm mm
|1234 mm mm
|1014 mm mm
Please note: delivery typically takes two weeks which includes prepatation time, boxing, drilling and transportation. Delivery is to the kerbside, please see our more detailed terms and conditions here


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This is our official list in search of the best organic chemistry model kit on the market today. Scroll further down for full details on each product and a beginners guide to organic chemistry model kits.
Quick Look:
- 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Organic Chemistry Molecular Model Student Set by Duluth Labs
- 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Molymod MMS-008 Organic Chemistry Molecular Model
- 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Students Modeling Set for Organic Chemistry by Hensah
- 4.5 out of 5.0 stars Organic Chemistry Model Kit with Instructional Guide
- 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Molecular Model Kit for Organic & Inorganic Chemistry by University Chemistry Co.
We know time is of the essence, so the above is a cheat sheet of what's ahead, just in case your're in a hurry. Otherwise, keep scrolling down for more detailed and constructive info on each item.
5 Highest Reviewed Organic Chemistry Model Kits
Whether you're new to chemistry or a serious student or scientist, there's an organic chemistry model kit perfect for your needs. We have searched the web and have found some of the best out there.
The kits featured here range from introductory kits for young investigative students to advanced kits ready to build chemicals models of all types.
Learn to make models of many organic molecules and also to illustrate various forms of isomerism in organic systems. These kits are the best on the market so you can buy with confidence.
1.) Organic Chemistry Molecular Model Student Set by Duluth Labs
Duluth Labs Organic Chemistry Molecular Model Set gives students an excellent visual and physical illustrative of molecules. Contains 54 atoms to provide hands-on experience for learning chemistry functional groups and molecular structures.
Improve learning and memorization by conveying functional atomic groups using color-coded model representations of atomic units. The simple yet durable design provides students with an enjoyable learning experience.
You can visually create common functional groups such as ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, thiols, amines, aromatics and most other families of organic compounds. This kit is one of the top selling ones on the market.
Easy assembly and quick disassembly help make it easy to explore and practice what is being learned through play. Productive learning is provided with practice and exploring with this set.
- Containing 54 atoms helps to provide a better visualization of atomic structure for students
- Made from high-quality durable plastic that will handle years of use
- Instructions are detailed and easy to use and include a color identification list
- Some pieces may not be as flexible as others
- Parts are made and inspected in China
2.) Molymod MMS-008 Organic Chemistry Molecular Model
Molymod's Organic Chemistry Molecular Model MMS-008 provides a set of color-coded atomic parts that gives students a physical representative of atomic structure.
This model helps to promote memorization and understanding of chemical compounds. 50 plastic color-coded atom parts and 64 links. These provide ample material for compound construction.
Atom parts range from 17mm to 23mm in diameter and represent carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, halogen, and metal. The Molymod Organic Chemistry Molecular Model set encourages an enhanced learning experience for grades 7-12.
Pieces are color coded to national standards for identifying ease. This helps to visually exhibit practical atomic groups. It comes with 26 medium length gray links, 12 flexible long gray links, 26 short white links, one link remover tool, and instructions.
A thoughtful plastic container is included with four compartments for easy storage and transport. This organic chemistry model kit certainly delivers and would be a great learning tool to have in your library.
- 50 plastic color-coded atom parts and 64 links provide ample material for compound construction
- Includes plastic container with four compartments for easy storage and transport
- For grades 7-12
- Pieces may be hard to connect at times
- Contains small pieces that could easily be lost if not looked after
3.) Molecular Model Kit – Students Modeling Set for Organic Chemistry by Hensah
The Organic Chemistry Model kit from Hensah is an excellent medium for students to learn the basic, as well as more advanced chemical structures. A fun and interactive way of teaching and displaying molecular structure for students of all ages.
This model has pieces color-coded to CPK standard, making differentiating atoms from one another easier. This kit also presents atoms and bond pieces are suited well to be connected and disconnected with ease.
A multi-purpose model kit is great for representing 3D models of basic, and even complex chemical compounds. With 123 total pieces to work with, many different chemical combinations await.
Atoms and bonds come with an elegant box with compartments for easy and convenient storage. This is a smart choice to meet your needs.
- 123 high-quality plastic pieces foretell extended use
- We include an elegant box containing compartments for convenience of storage
- Order today 100% RISK-FREE, satisfaction guaranteed
- Small pieces may have a chance of becoming
- Can be flimsy between sticks and carbon balls
4.) Organic Chemistry Model Kit with Instructional Guide
Organic Chemistry Model Kit by Old Nobby is a 239-total piece set used for aid in visualizing, studying, and understanding molecular structures and their bonding.
Allowing students and teachers to present a 3D model of a variety of organic chemical bonds and structure. This set can help to offer a more physical representation of chemical bonds and their respective reactions.
Teachers and students alike can find aid and support in the flexibility in creation with this kit. Allows for simple modeling activities that can be extended into more complex examples.
- 86 atom pieces and 153 make simple and complex models possible
- Link remover tool provides an ease of link removal for model disassembly
- Quality pieces assure for well-fitted connections
- Smaller pieces could become lost with improper storage
- Case doesn't close well once all the pieces are put back after use
5.) Molecular Model Kit for Organic & Inorganic Chemistry by University Chemistry Co.
This spectacular 140-piece Molecular Model Kit for Organic & Inorganic Chemistry by University Chemistry Co. gives students a fun and interactive way to learn about chemical compounds.
In total 50 atom pieces made up of 10 different elements along with 70 links serve to yield many different chemical structures.
This kit serves to give a hands-on experience for aspiring chemistry enthusiasts or students studying in a formal class. This kit is constructed of durable plastic, serving a student long through their studies.
- A variety of color-coded pieces provide essential element representation
- Slim carrying case provided for ease of travel and organization
- An included remover tool and well-fitted pieces make for easy usage
- A guide for construction is not included
Brief Guide to Organic Chemistry Model Kits
Organic chemistry is the study of compounds that contain carbon. Study includes the structure of the compounds, their properties, how they react and how they are prepared. It not only includes naturally found compounds, but also synthetic compounds made by humans. Branches of organic chemistry include pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, food and paint among others.
What Are They?
Molecular model kits are used to help visualise the structure of these compounds. Some are just for organic chemistry but others are for inorganic chemistry too, which is the study of the compounds that are left after all the organic ones are taken out. These kits tend to be used frequently for 7th to 12th grade students of chemistry, and also for college students who are studying organic chemistry.
Organic chemistry is central to a lot of the US economy and it is found in fuel, plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dyes, rubber, and more. Organic chemists work in many different fields, and spend most of their time developing new compounds. There are also organic chemists who spend time researching the properties of existing compounds.
Typical kits include atoms and elements which are color coded plastic balls, and then plastic links to connect them together. They usually come in a storage box with compartments to keep everything in order, and should also have instructions to help you get started. The elements that are commonly included in a kit like this are carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen, chlorine.
Carbon has specific angles that atoms can be arranged at around it, and a model kit can help you visualise these. It shows you how to draw them and gives you a better idea of what the tetrahedral, trigonal planar and linear geometry looks like.
Who Can Benefit?
If you are an organic chemistry student, or have someone in your family who is, a kit like this will really help you to visualise the structure in 3D and rotate it around to see it from different angles. Often with organic chemistry problems, pulling out a model like this can help you to solve it.
Why is it needed? One of the most important skills in organic chemistry is being able to think in 3 dimensions because the reason that these compounds do what they do is because of their shape. Even professors will use molecular model kits to understand molecular structure.
A model kit is a great hands on way of learning, which will make it fun for your kids when they are studying something that otherwise might be hard to get their head around.
If you are a tactile or kinaesthetic learner, then you should definitely buy one of these, as you may be able to understand molecular structure in a way that you can't just from looking at books, computer screens and diagrams.
Maybe you are a chemist and you sometimes need to explain things to colleagues who don't have the same background in chemistry that you do. You might want to buy one of these kits just to help you explain what you're talking about.
Or you might be a teacher who needs some visual aids to help you teach – again this is the perfect kit if you're teaching molecular structure in organic chemistry.
What To Look For?
Ball and stick model kits are very easy to use as they make sense and are simple to put together. For these the atoms and elements are pictured as balls, and the bonds as sticks. The bonds usually come in different sizes and often the smaller bonds are stiff and the longer ones flexible so that you can bend them into whatever shape results from the molecular structure.
On the other hand some colleges will want you to get the type of kit that illustrates a carbon atom as a tetrahedral shape with four sticks, since it has four bonds. The bonds are already arranged at the correct angle of 109.5 degrees, and many professional chemists use this type of kit for research.
Kits come in different sizes – the smaller ones would be fine for 7th to 12th grade, but you might want to pick a larger one if you are studying organic chemistry at college or teach it. Also if you plan to build larger molecules then you may need a larger kit.
What To Avoid?
If you are studying organic chemistry, then don't get the type of kit that is for both organic and inorganic chemistry as these kits usually have fewer carbon atoms, which you will need more of.
Avoid buying a kit that doesn't come with instructions or charts, as you will probably need these to help you get started with building molecules. It is also wise to get a good brand with positive reviews, as otherwise you may end up with a kit that is hard to assemble or pull apart.
There are also space-filling model kits available – here the atoms are large and they stick closely together so that it's hard to see the angle of the attachments. They tend to fall apart and are really only good for display.
What kind of problems might these kits help me with?
Examples of problems you might encounter in organic chemistry that you could use a kit for are a Newman Projection, chair conformations, stereochemistry and chiral centers.
Are there alternatives to buying a model kit?
You could make your own with toothpicks or spaghetti and marshmallows, but they wouldn't be color coded! You can also draw diagrams, but these would be 2 dimensional.
Can you use model kits in exams?
Often professors at college will let students bring their model kits with them to exams. However many students say they don't use them because it's quicker just to draw the model. But they are a good crutch and fall back to have if your brain goes blank.
How should I use the kit?
It is a good idea if you are studying organic chemistry at college, to use it to practice building key molecular structures following the instructions that come with it. Use it to learn functional groups, conformational analysis and stereochemistry.
Wrapping Up
The very best organic chemistry model kits reviewed here make it hard to choose just one. They all represent the highest-rated you can find. The best kits for beginners will have a money back guarantees or detailed instructions.
Hands on experience provide an interactive way to learn about compounds. Look for what meets your needs and skill level. Enjoy the benefits of learning through play.


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