text:
The previous post was a bit too emotional. That's what you get from a sleep-deprived, clueless mom, trying to balance career and family. That night, I went home during my 1 hour lunch break. That was just enough time to give Mila her medicine and breastfeed for a few minutes. I had to leave before she's back to sleep, but I left her happy albeit still burning up. I'm appreciating now how close my work is from home. I asked for a 2 day leave so I can take care of the little girl. I'm claiming that by Thursday, Mila is A-Ok. I tell her we still have Halloween parties to go to and Dad's friends want to meet her soon.
Mila is doing a lot better as of last night. No more fever but her cough gives her the hardest time. She vomits during the worst fit. I think that's ok since she's able to get all the phlegm out. I just make sure she eats a lot and my milk supply is up. She loves water and askes for it all the time so dehydration is not a problem.
Sick Mila is not all gloomy. We even get to play dress up again. At 5 am earlier, I woke her up for another dose of her medicine. Then I saw Hubs' Viber message asking for a photo of Mila's baptism gown to show a potential buyer. When Mila saw me hanging the gown so I can take a picture, she couldn't stop doing her excited, crazy shout and her eyes are glowing with delight. Oh, my fashionista baby. She already knows clothes. I'm not sure if I'll be happy or worried. I know Hubs wallet is panicking already.
So after a couple of quick shots to send to Hubs, it's
mom's Mila's time to play!


text:
previous video
Since Europe is facing a major financial and economical crisis we were thinking about Argentina which went bankrupt in 2001. Many people in Argentina lost everything and economy had to start all over again. Since we will find ourselves soon in a similar situation, we wanted to know from our friends in Argentina: How was the impact of state bankruptcy on their lives? Please Argentinians give me advices, I am not experienced with the crisis. Part of after the crisis
starring: agustina ferrer, ruben zarrizuela, anita montecucco, orilo blandini, jochi labourt, octavio garabello, florencina ordones, maria julia iglesias, mariano cassisi.
video: graw böckler, music & song: donna regina, lyrics: graw böckler & paulina jeziorek, spanish adaption: regina janssen & carlos alberto ulloa uribe, track available on the record "donna regina: holding the mirror for sophia loren", label: karaoke kalk.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The average NFL kicker makes nearly 85 percent of his kicks, and five kickers have made more than 90 percent of their kicks. After lengthy drives that embrace the game clock, CSU must convert for touchdowns, not field goals, if they want november 23 some games in brand-new year. One of essentially the most renowned sports worldwide is football. Rodgers looked poised and steady on his way together with 24 to 19 victory over the division rival Minnesota Vikings at the storied Lambeau field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Your pet's safety and luxury are 2 most important considerations you must be concerned about when choosing nfl dog clothes. The subsequent […]
Southeast Asia Report 30: Air China from Bangkok to Beijing
Unexpected visit to China. At last, I boarded the airplane to Beijing at midnight. Then, it happened. My flight to Japan was full.
Southeast Asia Report 1: Beijing Capital International Airport
My flight took off at 2 pm. I'm heading for Beijing. At this midnight, I will be in Bangkok in Thailand. Just 2 days ago, I went back from New Zealand to Japan and stayed at shabby accommodation near the Kansai Airport before leaving for Beijing.


text:
Parts of the online communications community have been abuzz the last couple of days over reports that Ben & Jerry's ice crean is dropping its email marketing program in favor of Facebook and Twitter. Turns out, the change only affects the company's fans in the United Kingdom; U.S. ice cream addicts can still get their inbox sugar fix (for now, at least). But the announcement drew attention in part because it goes against the conventional wisdom that social media marketing and email marketing complement one another and in fact work better in concert.
Ben & Jerry's claims to be dropping email because of cost and the preferences of its customers, but those rationales seem sketchy. If people aren't happy with the emails, for instance, why drop the list entirely? The company could have put resources into finding out why the emails weren't delivering value, then turn around and revamp their campaign in response. As it is, they're effectively abandoning tens or hundreds of thousands of customers, many of whom AREN'T on Facebook or Twitter and will hence lose any online connection with the brand.
The cost question is even weirder, since an email database is still dirt-cheap to host and to use, even if you're maintaining a million-strong list. The real question should be the cost-per-contact, and it's important to realize that social media AREN'T free (those accounts are managed by paid staff) and almost always have a lower response rate per-message than email. For instance, most people will miss a given Tweet or Facebook Wall post because it's pushed out of site quickly by newer content, meaning that customers need to be paying attention to the channel at a time near when the company contacts them for the message to have any chance of doing its job.
By contrast, email waits patiently in your inbox until you open it, which may be hours or days after it arrives. Yes, Facebook Page administrators can send an "Update" to all of their fans, but these messages drop into a dedicated inbox that many people don't even know exists, and you DON'T get an email notification when one arrives. In practice, a given email message can have a response rate ten or more times higher than a given Tweet or Facebook post, making email more cost-competitive than the raw numbers would suggest. The long-time rule of thumb for political communicators, at least, has been to fish for new supporters in social spaces but move them onto an email list as soon as possible, at least if you want to get actual work or real donations out of them.
The Ben & Jerry's decision, unless (as my NMS colleague Soren Dayton pointed out) it's being driven by some kind of U.K.-specific restrictions that make email marketing less effective, seems to reflect one of two things: either a bean-counter followed the instinct to cut costs in the short term regardless of the long-term consequences, or a marketing executive took a big drink of the social media Kool Aid. Either way, I suspect that it's a decision the company will come to regret.
– cpd


text:
Autism Society Philippines invites Daddies and their families who live with autism to a DADvocates Dance Mixxedfit for the Fam on 17 June 2017, Saturday at 10:00 AM at the Sportsloop Level 3, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Ave, Pasig City.
|Digital poster for the DADvocates Dance
MixxedFit is a people-inspired dance fitness program that is a mix of explosive dancing and bootcamp training techniques. Certified Mixxedfit Instructor Miss Donna Lim will lead this innovative dance-fitness incorporates different elements, all of which are designed to tone, strengthen, and increase endurance. MixxedFit will feel you energized, combining fun-loving dance moves with interval training and cardio workouts, individuals will enjoy an inspirational full body workout.
It also offers opportunities for parents of children with autism to socialize and meet co-parents. This is open for all parents and family members of children with autism and the individuals with autism. Attendees will wear comfortable workout clothes, such as leggings, workout pants, or shorts, wear appropriate footwear, do NOT wear sandals, flip flops, ballet shoes, hiking boots, or running shoes and bring water and towel.
To register, simply sign up here http://bit.ly/2rmlYQZ


text:
Well, you knew it was coming, right? I'm giving someone a signed ENDANGERED galley a full month before the book hits shelves. You know the drill. Contest starts on 01/10/2015 and runs through 03/10/2015. 3 ways to enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
It's been a long time coming, folks. My novel, FAKE ID, is now available all over. Click HERE to purchase a copy from your preferred bookseller.
Many of you have asked how you can show your support, and I want to thank you for that. Below, you'll find a few things you can do to help the book (and me) succeed:
1) Buy a copy of FAKE ID (http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Fake-Id-Lamar-Giles/?isbn=9780062121844): This is the best way you can help. Good sales numbers prove to my publisher that I am a good investment, so they will continue to invest. Awesome sales numbers open up the possibility for bestseller lists, which increases visibility, which…well, it goes back to the return on investment thing. Sales keep writers employed.
2) Encourage a friend to buy a copy of FAKE ID: See point 1…
3) Post a review of FAKE ID: FAKE ID has a page on Amazon, B&N.com, Goodreads, or wherever books are sold or reviewed. More reviews increase visibility on those sites. More visibility leads to more sales.
4) Come out to a FAKE ID event: For those in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area, I'll be doing several events over the next few weeks. Come out and say hi. The first event will be Saturday, Jan. 25th from Noon to 3 at the Greenbrier Barnes & Noble (1212 Greenbrier Pkwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320). The second event will be on Saturday, Feb. 1st from 2PM – 4PM at the Hopewell branch of the Appomattox Regional Library (209 E. Cawson Street, Hopewell, VA 23320). Books will be on sale at the events, so if you'd like to wait and purchase your book on those days, me and the booksellers would greatly appreciate it.
5) Promote Literacy: When I was growing up, I often heard the term "RIF"—Reading is Fundamental. It was true then, it's still true now. Let's make sure no one forgets.
Thanks everyone. I'm going for the win in 2014 and I hope you join the team. I will see you on the other side of this crazy and exciting season! Take care.
I know I've been MIA for roughly a thousand years, but for good reason. I sold another book (cue airhorns, confetti, balloon drop). Thing is, I sold this book on proposal, meaning my publisher (HarperCollins, again) only saw a summary, and some sample chapters before ponying up some cash. Also meaning I had to produce an entire manuscript based on that summary and sample chapters. In six months. While working a brutally demanding day job. And preparing for the 1/21/2014 release of FAKE ID.
These are what we call "good" problems, I suppose. But, boy, did I have to hustle.
So, yeah, I descended into the WriterCave for many moons. Had to climb out. When I did, I emerged with…
It's called ENDANGERED (for now, titles change and I'm almost positive this one will, too). The short description goes like this: Lauren "Panda" Daniels wants to photograph wildlife for National Geographic someday. In the meantime she settles for snapping shots of her cruel classmates in compromising positions and posting them anonymously on the web. When Panda receives a photo of herself—caught red-handed in her voyeuristic revenge act—she expects the mystery photographer to bust her. Instead, she receives a series of dangerous photos from the shutterbug she dubs "The Admirer," and along with the photos, a dare: top the death-defying snapshots. Panda meets every challenge, until the little game turns deadly. Now Panda must save the classmates she once exposed—their lives, and hers, are at stake.
That's my latest baby, delivered to my editor at 12:22 PM yesterday. There's still plenty of work to do here, but it's a heck of a relief anytime you can call Draft 1 (or, if this was an Apple product, iDraft 1.04) done.
Now, I must switch gears, as FAKE ID's release is right around the corner. I'm busy talking to folks about the book (librarians, booksellers, journalists), attempting to make arrangements for a book release party, and generally getting comfortable with the idea of being the front man for a roadshow starting early next year. Is it scary? Hell yeah! In the best way possible? You know it.
In coming posts, I'll let you know how the lead up is going. My very next post will be about some of the lessons I've learned as a pre-debut author. I think you'll find it interesting and eye-opening if you have any illusions that a writer's work is glamorous in any way. Getting a book deal is just one of many hurdles, folks. Come back and I'll tell you about it.
Book sales matter, particularly the sales in the first few weeks of a book's release. It would mean a lot if you would either pre-order FAKE ID from your preferred bookseller, or make plans to order it on the release day, 1/21/2014. I'd like to keep doing this for a long time, but ultimately, it's you who makes that decision.
Every little bit helps, and I appreciate you supporting my work. Thanks.
'Til next time…
Hey Gang,
Hafsah at IceyBooks just gave the world its first look at the cover for my upcoming Young Adult debut, FAKE ID, which is out in January. Get thee over to IceyBooks for a glimpse of what's coming, and enter to win an Advanced Reader Copy of the book (Yes, that means you get to read it before most of the world…NICE!)
In case you missed the other two links in this post, here's another: http://www.iceybooks.com/2013/06/fake-id-by-lamar-giles-cover-reveal-and.html
Take a look and help spread the word!
Hey gang, just doing my usual drive-by posting. News and updates are going to be coming faster and furious(er?) since FAKE ID debuts in LESS THAN A YEAR!!! It's been such a long journey that it's hard to believe we're so close now. HOWEVER, this post is not about my current project. It's about my NEXT project.
Can't give you details yet because it's still in the classified phase (black bars and all), but here's a glimpse at how things are progressing.
BTW – Everything's not blacked out.
More soon…
Hey, there. I know it's been awhile. But look, I bought you flowers.
Now, listen. I know I haven't been around much, I understand if you don't want to take my gift, and you're tired of my disappearing acts. Just…just give me a chance to explain.
See, first, the good news: I've been in my cave, producing a bunch of new stuff. Now, the bad news: I can't really show you any of it yet.
Here's the sitch: I used to be an independent author. Solely. That meant I could write as fast as possible, publish just as fast, and, generally, keep $*&# moving. That was fun, and kept me in close contact with you. But, the downside involved me being a one-man band. Writer/Cover Designer/Marketer/Editor (well, editorial isn't necessarily a strong suit, so I did farm that out when I could, but I had to make corrections based on feedback myself, which has resulted in the thing all indie authors fear the most…typos).
As you know, I signed a publishing contract with HarperCollins, one of the largest publishers in America, last August. Harpers will publish my debut YA mystery novel sometime soon (the dates aren't nailed down). This is something I've been working for my whole life, and I'm looking forward to being in bookstores all over the country. BUT, seeing this lifelong dream fulfilled doesn't come without hiccups.
Harpers is huge, and I'm not even a small cog in their machine. I'm more like lubricant (slosh that around in your head for a minute). I'll have to work my butt off to be even a low priority there. I'm not complaining, I just want to explain why you, the loyal readers who have supported LIVE AGAIN, THE DARKNESS KEPT, and THE SHADOWS GALLERY, haven't seen a new book from me in over a year.
There are new books. I've finished drafts of 2 novels that aren't contracted to Harpers. And, though not in their final states, the books are kick-ass. My band has expanded, though. I now have really good beta-readers (for those unfamiliar with the lingo, these are people who aren't necessarily editors, but who give pro-level critiques) to help make the books better than I ever could on my own. I've got two agents (lit and film) who want to see clean versions of the books before anyone else. Then, finally, I've got my editor at Harpers, who took a chance on me, and deserves first dibs on these books if she decides they'd fit her list. Bottom line: for those books, I no longer have the ability to hand them directly to you, to be read on your Kindles or Nooks the way I used to. I'm sorry about that.
I don't mean to neglect you. I should never have neglected you. I've come up with something that might help.
I just released a new suspense story, "When Scary People Know Your Name", to Kindle (A Nook version is coming in a few days). It's only .99 cents and I think you'll like it.
I'll continue to release short, inexpensive stories. Maybe as often as once a month. For you.
Also, since my representatives are focused on my Young Adult work, I'm going to brainstorm something outside of that realm–something longer than a short story–that will please you, too.
See, I haven't forgotten you, or where I came from.
Please forgive me. Take the flowers. Check out the new story. And be on the lookout for other gifts, coming soon.
I've been having trouble keeping up with the blog…surprise, surprise. Ever since I started a blog many years ago, I've gone through spurts of white-hot intensity where I'm dropping posts 3 times a week, responding to comments, and just being That Guy. Then, the inevitable drop-off comes. I don't have much to say. I'm distracted by a writing project. I just lose track of time. Then I happen to notice the date of my last entry and succumb to guilt akin to a dieter blacking out and waking up in a bakery, having massacred all the cupcakes. Like now.
It's been a pretty busy month, and I'd like to catch you up on a couple of things. So, see, this is how I apologize, by overcompensating. That's healthy, right?
Because I'm so great about timely blog entries here on my own site, it only made sense that I'd agree to write for TWO OTHER blogs as well. I'm now a regular contributor at Sleuths, Spies, and Alibis – a group of YA Adult Mystery writers who blog on all topics related to crime, literature, and kids (what a combo). I also contribute to The Lucky 13s – a group of debut YA authors across many genres who all have pub dates in 2013.
There's a lot of good stuff at both of these blogs, so be sure to check them out.
In case you missed them, I participated in a couple of fun blogs/interviews for Aimee Salter and Daisy Whitney.
I've finished a draft of a YA Urban Fantasy novel and hope to get that revised soon so I can tell you more about it. And I'm halfway through a YA Paranormal novel (really it's Horror, but I've been told the P-word in more aesthetically pleasing than the H-word nowadays). Again, more on that soon.
That's all, folks. For now.
I've been waiting a lot of years to say this.
It's official! Summer 2013…look for my debut Young Adult Thriller (working title: WHISPERTOWN) in bookstores nationwide courtesy of my new publishing family, HarperCollins. It took 3 months to finalize everything and it's been AGONIZING to not speak publicly about it all. But, I've just been given the green light and speak I will.
I'd like to give a special shout out to my incomparable super agent Jamie Weiss Chilton for all her hard work brokering this deal, and I'd like to say thank you to my new editor Phoebe Yeh who I can't wait to work with. There are a ton of others I owe thanks to because this has been a long, long road, but I'm going to save all that for the acknowledgements page. 😉
Look for more news soon. In the meantime, here's a little taste of what's coming…
Nick Pearson is pretending to be someone he isn't. Not high school pretending. Witness Protection pretending. And the #1 rule is "stay low-key". But, when his sole friend Eli dies in the school's journalism room under mysterious circumstances, and Nick stumbles upon the conspiracy Eli planned on exposing, staying low-key takes a backseat to staying alive.
Newspaper Nerd Eli had a secret, an in-the-works story codenamed "Whispertown". And it's got a lot of folks interested. Like corrupt cops, the town's shady mayor, and certain high-ranking government officials. Teaming with Eli's estranged (and gorgeous) sister, Nick sets out to unravel the mystery and still maintain his cover. He'll have to use all the deviant skills he's gained from his racketeering dad, assassin godfather, and their Serbian gangster boss to find the truth. However, each clue brings him closer to answers he may not want. Whispertown is bigger than he could have ever imagined, and in its shadow stands a killer…a killer Nick fears may be his own father.
I'm off to celebrate…later, gang!


text:
Where are you now? Take a quick shot with your smartphone — let us know its make, model and specs — your subject matter and how you enhanced the pic. Today, Annika Bergström of Västerås, Sweden, takes the prize. She says she snapped this image with her Samsung Galaxy 5 mega-pixel camera. "There's a little blue sky today," Annika told me, explaining why she turned her lens straight up. Västerås, she says, is known for its gray skies and rainy weather. Nice job, Annika.
Image credit: Annika Bergström
Where are YOU right now? Send me you stuff — I'm firstname.lastname@example.com. Good luck!


text:
Fusion surgery is a last resort for work-related cervical or neck injury. After fusion, most injured workers are given permanent work restrictions from their surgeon. If the work restrictions prevent a return to work in the same type of job that contributed to the workers compensation injury, there may be additional workers compensation benefits available – loss of earning capacity and/or vocational retraining benefits. A fusion surgery joins two or more bones into one solid bone. The purpose for doing spinal fusion is to increase the space between the vertebrae and to keep the sore joint from moving. This is usually done by placing a small block of bone graft in the space where a disc was removed. Opening up space enlarges the neural foramen, takes pressure off the nerve roots, and eases tension on the facet joints. Cervical fusion is used to treat neck problems such as cervical radiculopathy, disc herniations, fractures, and spinal instability.
Anterior Discectomy and Fusion: Anterior discectomy and fusion is done through the front of the neck. After taking out the disc (discectomy), the disc space is filled with a small graft of bone. The bone is allowed to heal, fusing the two vertebrae into one solid bone.
Posterior Fusion: In posterior fusion, the surgeon lays small grafts of bone over the back of the spine. When these bones heal together, they fuse the two vertebrae into one solid bone. Posterior fusions in the cervical spine are primarily used to treat fractures of the neck.
The bone graft needs time to heal in order for the fusion to succeed. This requires the neck to be held still. After cervical fusion surgery, patients usually have to wear a special neck brace for several months. These neck braces are often bulky and restrictive. Recently, surgeons have begun using metal plates and screws (often referred to as instrumentation) to lock the bones in place. The instrumentation is fastened to the vertebrae, where it holds the bones still while the graft heals.
There is often a months long period of rest, rehabilitation and therapy following work-related fusion surgery. During this recovery period workers comp benefits called temporary total disability benefits are due the injured worker if they are off work.
McCormick Law Office attorneys in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have provided successful legal representation for thousands of employees with a work-related cervical or neck injury over the last 37 years of practice. Back and neck injuries are what we do. But make no mistake, every client's case is unique and has its own specific facts upon which the case can turn. The key is knowing what those issues are and being able to deal with them successfully for the injured worker.


text:
CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has put the kibosh on the condiments.
Receiver Chad Ochocinco tweeted this week that he was going to send mustard to the Pittsburgh Steelers before their game Sunday at Heinz Field, a way of whipping up interest in the AFC North showdown.
On Wednesday, the receiver backed down. No mustard will be headed up the Ohio River.
"Unfortunately, I wasn't able to send anything this week, thanks to Marvin Lewis," Ochocinco said. "That's the way to spoil the fun, boss man. I guess I have to talk trash to motivate myself this week."
One of Ochocinco's most publicized stunts was in 2004, when he sent Pepto-Bismol to some of the Cleveland Browns' defensive backs before a game, warning them they would need the stomach medicine when they got done trying to cover him. Lewis didn't like it. The Browns won 34-17.
The flamboyant receiver had been on good behavior this season while the Bengals (6-2) moved into a first-place tie with the Steelers (6-2). He kept the trash talk to a minimum and didn't do anything that could incite an opponent.
Most of his free time was spent communicating with fans through Twitter, his iPhone application and his Ustream shows. He did nothing out of the ordinary leading up to games -- until last week.
Ochocinco sent deodorant to some of the Baltimore Ravens, who came to Cincinnati and lost 17-7 on Sunday. He planned to make another shipment this week to Heinz Field that played off the condiment theme.
"I got a nice present for the Steelers---sending them some mustard since they'll never ketchup when we play Sunday," he tweeted earlier this week.
The Steelers were looking forward to it.
"He'd better send us something," safety Ryan Clark said Wednesday in Pittsburgh. "He sent something to the Ravens, so that shows he respects them. So he'd better send something to us.
"I hope he does because I've got three kids to feed. That's one less trip to the grocery store I need to make," Clark said.
Instead, Ochocinco had to limit himself to putting up a laminated sign in his locker on Wednesday that proclaimed him "still the most uncoverable receiver in the league."
Just no condiments.


text:
6/6/2017 Updated with a new listing from a new seller – click HERE!
The Mk.3 Volkswagen GTI is in a pretty tough spot right now. For many, they're too new to consider a classic in the making. But let's take a breath on this one right now – the first VR6 powered GTIs can legally be registered as a vintage car in some states. Now that your mind is blown, move on to the next step – when was the last time you saw a really nice, clean and original VR6? Right, what was it – 2002? Sure, the Mk.3 didn't have the best interior quality or the best build quality. But then, neither did the Mk.1 or Mk.2, and the GTI versions of those are firmly into collector status. The third generation may suffer from not being a Corrado and looking a little less special overall than the first two, but the addition of the VR6 into the chassis made for one thrilling driving experience. This might be the perfect time, then, to snap up a nice VR6 and get ready to rock some antique


text:
North Cascades Canoeing & Rock Climbing offers teens the opportunity to explore one of Washington State's most beautiful recreation areas. You can expect to learn how to travel and camp in the backcountry, paddle canoes, set up tarps, rock climb and navigate using a map and compass.
At Outward Bound, we are crew, not passengers. We support each other and share in our challenges and our victories. Your crew becomes a critical piece of your experience while on course, and beyond! While all our courses are inclusive for all gender identities, we understand the value of affinity spaces, too. During this time of development, when young people need a safe and supportive space, this course builds self-esteem and community, and creates opportunities to make lifelong friends.
This is a traditional Outward Bound course, specially designed for girls and gender-expansive students who are looking for this kind of community on their course. And when we say "for girls," we mean we believe trans-girls are girls. You are welcome here – let's adventure together!
Students can expect a progression of activities to initiate personal growth and conversation about our unique and shared experiences. We will spend time having guided discussions on a variety of topics, as well as opportunities for individual reflection, while embracing the affirming and healing powers of nature.
Outward Bound's affinity courses are designed to build community and cultivate self-efficacy. Expeditions are led by trained Instructors and aim to create a safe space for those who have experienced being marginalized due to their identity, and/or are exploring their gender identity. Outward Bound is a place for all people to learn, grow, make friends, and have fun! We encourage you to talk with one of our course advisors if you have questions about which course is the best fit for you.
NOTE: Outward Bound strongly recommends that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date as defined by the CDC prior to arriving to their course start. For all open enrollment courses beginning on or after April 15, 2023, Outward Bound will no longer require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For questions regarding this policy please see this page or call us at 866-467-7651.
This course is closed for the season.
APPLY NOWThis means a course has several open spots and is actively processing applications.
APPLY NOW – Almost FullThis means there are three or fewer currently available spots left on a course. To secure your spot click Apply Now to begin an application!
JOIN WAITLIST Once a course has reached capacity, three waitlist positions become available. To join a course's waitlist, click "Join Waitlist" to begin the application process. A $500 deposit is required. This $500 deposit includes a $150 non-refundable application fee and a $350 tuition payment. The $350 tuition payment is refundable only if you cancel your waitlist application or if an open position does not become available. If a position does become available, the applicant will be applied to the open position and the Application and Cancellation Policies of the Regional Outward Bound School will be followed, including forfeiture of the $500 deposit if you cancel 90 days or less prior to the course start date.
Waitlist applicants are encouraged to complete all required admissions documents while awaiting an open position. Positions may become available up to two weeks prior to the course start date. Applicants may only apply to one course. We recommend applying to a course with open positions instead of a course that is accepting waitlist applications. If you have questions, please call 866-467-7651 to speak with one of our Admissions Advisors.
CALL TO APPLYThis means a course is very close to its start date. Although it is unlikely to secure a spot this late, you can call the National Admissions office at 866-467-7651 to discuss your options.
COURSE IS FULLWhen a course has reached maximum capacity, meaning all spots and the three waitlist spots are occupied, a course will read "Course Is Full." This means applications are no longer being accepted.
CLOSEDAs a course nears its start date, the availability status may read "Closed." In this event, a course roster has been finalized and applications are no longer being accepted or processed.
It's time to make your own adventure. Outward Bound's Classic expeditions for middle and high school students are built with you in mind. Make new friends, sleep under the stars, and learn skills like backcountry navigation and how to cook a delicious meal no matter where you are. You've got this! Whether you're in a raft or on a mountainside, you'll learn what you're made of – and you'll see first-hand how far teamwork can take you. Join us for an unforgettable challenge and discover a whole new way to get outside.
What you'll learn: Your connections matter – working together to navigate challenges will quickly turn your crewmates into friends. Together, you'll find opportunities to carry more weight (literally and figuratively) and make impactful decisions with accompanying consequences. It's all about confidence, communication, and independence.
After you come home, many of the character, leadership and service traits you uncovered on your expedition stay with you, helping you navigate your daily life with more resilience and success.
During the canoeing expedition, students will travel between campsites along the lake. At camp, students will work as a team with their Instructors to learn the art of setting up a backcountry camp. Camp skills include setting up shelters, cooking meals and helping plan for the days ahead. Along the way, they will encounter the natural wonders of lake travel, including access to waterfalls, wildlife sighting and miraculously clear blue waters.
Students learn the basics of climbing technique, belaying, rappelling and knots. Rock climbing is physically, mentally, and sometimes emotionally demanding. For many students, rock climbing is the high point of the course. For others, it's a major mental challenge to face. Courses generally include 1-2 days of rock climbing, depending upon individual course itineraries and student groups.
Since its inception, Outward Bound has taught an ethic of service on courses and sent students into our local communities for service projects. Students may do impromptu trail service or campsite service in the Roosevelt Lake Recreation Area. This might include breaking apart illegal fire rings or covering up social trails. Lastly and perhaps the most important of all, students learn that by offering compassion to each other and supporting the crew through their daily chores, service can be given freely and daily in small acts of kindness. Students see the impact of their actions firsthand, and develop an appreciation of service and desire to serve their communities back home.
Solo is an opportunity for students to reflect on their experience, rest from the rigors of course, and think how their new insight and awareness can be transferred back home. Every Solo experience is unique and can range from a few hours to 72 hours, with age being a consideration for determining the appropriate length. Solo is not a survival test. Students have the necessary equipment, food, and water. Solo campsites are chosen to offer as much solitude as possible but are within emergency whistle-signaling distance from other group members. Safety is always a top priority, and instructors check on each participant at regular intervals.
Courses typically end with a Personal Challenge Event—an individual physical push. This typically takes the form of an endurance run or triathlon-style challenge.
Outward Bound promotes character development, leadership and service in the most engaging classroom possible, the wilderness. In real time, students experience the effects of their decisions on themselves and the other members of their group as they work together to complete difficult tasks necessary for wilderness travel. Instructors challenge students to try new things and step outside their comfort zones. They also provide feedback that students implement on course and when they return to their communities.
Washington Lakes
Depending on weather, snow melt and other conditions, the canoeing portion will take place at one of two Washington lakes. Both lakes offer the unique opportunity to explore a region of Washington by boat.
Ross Lake, Washington
Accessible only by boat or trail, this 25 mile long glacier-fed lake is nestled in the North Cascades National Park and the Pasayten Wilderness Area. This part of the park is known for the surrounding 8,000 ft. mountain peaks, deep glacially carved valleys, and clear blue-green water. Waterfalls flow into the lake from the glaciers above, and eagles soar overhead in search of trout. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Nłeʔkepmx Tmíxʷ (Nlaka'pamux) and Syilx tmixʷ (Okanagan) nations.
Lake Roosevelt, Washington
This lake, which sits behind the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River, is 130 miles long and is nestled in the beautiful forested hills of Northeastern Washington. Lake Roosevelt features calm, turquoise water and gorgeous fir and pine-forested shores. There are nearby waterfalls and hiking trails to explore along the lake, as well as a myriad of wildflowers and wildlife on the shoreline. These regions are the ancestral lands of the Syilx tmixʷ (Okanagan), Ktunaxa ɁamakɁis, Colville, Ktunaxa, San Poil and Spokane nations.
If you are ready to enroll on a course click the enroll button next to the course you wish to select or you can enroll over the phone by speaking with one of our Admissions Advisors (toll-free) at 866-467-7651.
To secure your spot on a course you must submit an enrollment form and $500 deposit that is applied toward the total cost of the course and includes a $150 non-refundable enrollment processing fee.


text:
|Related articles
|implementation of optimization phase? Books? Papers? email@example.com (Jeffrey Vetter) (1997-08-28)
|Re: implementation of optimization phase? Books? Papers? email@example.com (1997-08-30)
|Re: implementation of optimization phase? Books? Papers? firstname.lastname@example.com (Daniel Wang) (1997-08-30)
|Re: implementation of optimization phase? Books? Papers? email@example.com (1997-09-03)
|Re: implementation of optimization phase? Books? Papers? firstname.lastname@example.com (1997-09-23)
|firstname.lastname@example.com (Bob Morgan)
|23 Sep 1997 23:39:15 -0400
|Compilers Central
|optimize, books
Jeffrey Vetter <firstname.lastname@example.com> wrote:
>Can you tell me a nice textbook that describes heuristic methods for
>compiler optimization? ...
Books on a particular topic seem to come out at similar times. I am
just finishing a book called: Building an Optimizing Compiler to be
published by Digital Press. It is scheduled for printing on November
20. The book covers local optimizations, partial redundancy
elimination, static single assignment optimization techniques,
instruction scheduling, and an organization of register allocation
that people might find interesting: it combines both the graph
coloring ideas now current with work on bin-packing based register
allocation. It will be somewhere in the $30-$40 price range I think.
Anyone that wants more information can contact me.
Bob Morgan
Return to the
comp.compilers page.
Search the comp.compilers archives again.


text:
The vast majority of cyber breaches leverage compromised credentials. Multi-factor (MFA) is a critical security measure for verifying a user's identity, and yet many sensitive systems don't use MFA. Why is that?
At this year's RSA Conference in San Franciso, I went about looking for an answer to that very question.
One of the companies I spoke with was Silverfort. Silverfort was named a Gartner Cool Vendor in Identity and Access Management, so I was particularly interested in their perspective on this subject.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Hed Kovetz Co-Founder & CEO and Dana Tamir VP Market Strategy at Silverfort. They describe Silverfort as an RBA (Risk-Based Authentication) vendor.
We talked about the dangers inherent in today's work from home culture. In light of all that's happened since my conversation with Hed and Dana, their comments are even more relevant.
At the time of the RSA Conference, late February 2020, the Coronavirus was still in its infancy, at least in the U.S. While China and Europe were in a severe struggle, there were only 35 confirmed cases in America.
How different the picture is now. As of this writing, commerce and industry across the entire globe have ground to a halt. Outside of emergency services and other critical sectors, those fortunate enough to still be working are doing so from home.
The threats associated with keeping systems and data safe by protecting user credentials have skyrocketed right along with the spread of the virus.
Hed addressed the question of why many sensitive systems remain unprotect by explaining that, "Current MFA solutions are intended to protect individual assets or gateways. They are often challenging to deploy because they require software agents, proxies, or complex integrations with each system.
"Also, many systems don't support MFA at all. Cloud IoT and personal devices are transforming corporate networks and erasing their traditional perimeters with many connected systems and devices. Protecting them one by one is no longer possible.
"Silverfort introduced the first next-generation authentication platform seamlessly, delivering adaptive MFA across all sensitive assets without requiring any agents, proxies, or local configurations. Thanks to its unique agentless technology, Silverfort monitors and analyzes all access requests to any system and resource both in the cloud and on-premise, enforcing adaptive authentication policies on top of existing authentication protocols."
Silverfort's AI-driven risk engine monitors 20 to 50 times more access requests than any other authentication solution. It analyzes the behavior of all users and machine accounts, stepping up authentication to block threats in real-time. Silverfort enables enterprises to use identity as their new perimeter, paving the road towards zero trust security without modifying their networks. Silverfort's platform protects any sensitive system, including those considered unprotectable until today. From homegrown applications and critical IT infrastructure to financial and healthcare systems, databases, file shares, even IoT devices.
Dana built on Hed's comments, saying, "Having MFA only on your VPN today is not enough. Many employees are now connecting from home, some of them using corporate devices like laptops or maybe even desktops, but many of them use personal devices to connect to the network. You can't know for sure that these devices are clean from malware and safe.
"The question becomes, what happens after the employee connects to your network? Do you have a way to trace the access that that employee is obtaining? Do you have a way to validate if those are legitimate access requests or if something malicious is taking off?
"What we see today is that many organizations rely only on perimeter security. What Siverfort does is enable you to extend your multi-factor authentication beyond the perimeter to any access, whether it's on-premise or whether it's in the cloud. No matter the application, whether it is a homegrown application or an IoT device."
So, why are too many sensitive systems still not using MFA? Traditional MFA solutions are difficult to deploy. They require software agents or proxies. They often require a custom integration with legacy systems. Our work environments and IT infrastructures have evolved.
Our world is changing at breakneck speed. New ways of looking at security are needed. Allowing for the realities of remote workers with BYOD and addressing these new paradigms from an MFA perspective is essential for protecting digital assets.
This sixteen-minute Youtube video does an excellent job of explaining Silverfort's value proposition. Take a look!
Steven Bowcut is an award-winning journalist covering cyber and physical security. He is an editor and writer for Brilliance Security Magazine as well as other security and non-security online publications. Follow and connect with Steve on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.


text:
|Approved substances
|Written by DPR Biocides - Anses
When the examination of the dossiers is completed, the active substances will or will not be approved in the framework of the regulations in force.
An approval regulation is specific to an active substance/ product type ( PT) combination. In addition to specific conditions on the use and possible restrictions of use, the approval regulation indicated gives the approval date of the active substance (AS), which corresponds to the deadline for submitting MA applications for existing biocidal products containing the AS/PT combination.
List of approved active substances (new active substances are shown in bold)
|Last Updated on Friday, 28 July 2023 10:07


text:
Eater has a clip of last night's episode of Treme — Eric Ripert makes another appearance, but the best part is the excessive fawning over the fictional Momofuku restaurant Lucky Peach ("I work in the best restaurant in New York City," crows one of David Chang's chefs, "I am at the forefront of a new age of dining — the new paradigm") followed by a cameo in which Chang half quips, "I'm not fucking happy — who's happy? I don't even know what that is." And speaking of irascible chefs on HBO, tonight is the premiere of A Matter of Taste, the Paul Liebrandt documentary we showed you a clip from earlier. Doing press for the movie, Liebrandt tells Eatocracy that the chef's life is "a 24 hour a day blessing and curse," and tells Eater that HBO predicts 5 million people will see the flick. Meanwhile, the film's director Sally Rowe talks about what changed during the ten years it took to make: For one thing, "The first five years it took [Liebrandt] awhile to warm up, but after that he was, like, 'Oh yeah, that's my shadow.'" And also: "When I started the film, the whole food business wasn't happening."
Paul Liebrandt: Portrait of the chef as a young artist [Eatocracy/CNN]
Paul Liebrandt on A Matter of Taste, His Chihuahua Spencer, and How Everyone Is a Critic [Eater]
A Matter of Taste's Sally Rowe Reflects on the Distinctive Flavors of Paul Liebrandt [Fork in the Road/VV]


text:
Choosing the BEST Paint Products for Your Nashville Home
If you know us at Nash Painting, whether through our blog posts, social media, or maybe through direct experience, you know that we are known for our quality work more than for our low prices. After all, you can always find a painter who will do a job cheaper just for the sake of winning a contract, but what are you sacrificing? What allows that price point to be possible and their doors to still stay open?
Just like a high-end restaurant will never try to compete with a fast food chain, we work hard to offer an exemplary product and experience that is uniquely ours, and of an undeniably higher quality.
We will never be your cheapest option, but we are your best option.
With that said, let's take a closer look at the products we use. And, even more specifically, the exterior paint we choose. After all, with spring here and summer around the corner, this is prime time for exterior house painting in Nashville!
Picking Premium Exterior Paint Products That We Know Will Perform
We choose paints first and foremost based on how we know they will perform. This is informed by our own, direct experience, as we paint, repaint, and maintain local homes.
And, while many other painting companies choose "good" products that are undeniably a cut above the average in quality, we like to reach a little higher up the shelf. The cost is substantially more, sometimes over double the next option down, but we feel comfortable with these products.
After all, exterior paint is more than just a couple of coats of fresh style. The right paint also provides:
Surface protection
Defense against moisture and pest intrusion
A UV barrier
Increases the lifespan of your exterior surfaces
Inhibits wood rot, decay, and mildew
Offers one of the highest returns on investment for your home improvement dollar
Our exterior projects come with a 10-year warranty (and many of our paint jobs last substantially longer)!
The key to confident (and confidence-inspiring) exterior painting is certainly found in the quality of preparation and craftsmanship, but also in the very best exterior paint.
So, What Kind of Exterior Paint Do We Choose?
We use Sherwin-Williams' Emerald exterior paint for the majority of our projects. As we mentioned above, the cost is substantially higher than the lower-end "good" options, even from Sherwin-Williams, but the value this high-end formula offers is equally undeniable.
And, when you compare the value that comes from longer-lasting, more protective paint finishes, the scale begins to tip in favor of the higher initial investment.
Exceptional House Painting Services in Nashville
We are completely transparent about our processes, products of choice, and our price points. And, if you're ready to discuss YOUR house painting needs, interior or exterior, we would invite you to contact us at Nash Painting! It would truly be our pleasure to put together a customized recipe for total painting success, enhancing and protecting your greatest investment.


text:
Just about a month after opening its South Street Seaport shop, Van Leeuwen is rolling into the Lower East Side with another $1 scoop deal. The artisan ice cream chain's 10th location is at 172 Ludlow Street, which was occupied by Ludlow Guitars for 17 years before it packed up its guitar cases last July.
Since then, the storefront has gotten a cheerful, minimalist makeover courtesy of Brooklyn-based


text:
A people's vote on Brexit was a distant hope. Last week changed that
In the generally dismal year of 2018, one of the most cheering spectacles has been the transformation of the People's Vote movement from a campaign that could plausibly be presented as the liberal elite demanding its job back, to a grassroots insurgency driven by young people that rallied 700,000 people on to the streets of London in October.
Its true faces are not political figures from the past, but tribunes of the future like Femi Oluwole, Lara Spirit and Will Dry. To quote that astute political observer Mr Zimmerman: "Your old road is/ Rapidly agin' / Please get out of the new one / If you can't lend your hand."
It would be a serious exaggeration to say that Westminster has embraced this generational moment – but it is undeniable that the notion of a fresh referendum has moved, in the past 12 months, from the periphery of political discourse to the point where it is being seriously discussed in No 10. In response to a Sunday Times report that he was preparing for such a vote, Gavin Barwell, the prime minister's chief of staff, tweeted this morning that he did not "want" and was not "planning" a second referendum – not quite an absolute denial, I would suggest.
David Lidington, Theresa May's de facto deputy, is also said to be in talks with Labour MPs on how to break the impasse. He and his fellow cabinet members Amber Rudd, Philip Hammond, David Gauke and Greg Clark, are certainly open to the idea of second referendum. I am cautious when any such groupings are instantly characterised as a disciplined caucus – in this case the "gang of five" – since the alignments in this extraordinary constitutional crisis are constantly changing, not least as individual cabinet ministers weigh up their leadership prospects: one might call it agenda fluidity.
The point, however, is that senior Tories are now discussing the option of a people's vote. Their change of heart is not driven by principle or enthusiasm – none of them wants to go through the root-canal treatment of 2016 again – but practicality and empiricism.
As ignominious for May as Wednesday's confidence vote undoubtedly was, her treatment in Brussels on Thursday was much worse. Having assured her cabinet colleagues on the phone that she would bring home the legal assurances to make her 585-deal acceptable to the Commons, she came back with nothing to offer except a debate about the correct use of the word "nebulous".
Her agreement with Brussels is fit only for the political mortuary, and everyone knows this. Whether the "meaningful vote" in the Commons is held this week or on January 21 (the deadline), it is not coming back to life. None of the alternatives – "Norway-plus", "Canada-plus-plus", or variants thereupon – command a parliamentary majority. So the cabinet and MPs must now consider how they feel about a second referendum and a no-deal exit.
I say "and" rather than "or" because the options are by no means mutually exclusive. Those cabinet ministers who have come round to a "managed no deal" – an oxymoron if ever there was one – know perfectly well that they have to do much more than run out the clock and march forth to glory on 29 March.
For them, the worst outcome is a binary referendum in which the voters are offered a choice between May's deal and remain. In such circumstances, remain would win by a mile. The Brexiteers would argue – for once, with some justice – that they had been shoddily treated. Hence, those ministers who believe no deal would be merely bumpy rather than completely catastrophic need urgently to persuade the public that it is eminently deliverable, true to the spirit of the 2016 referendum result, and (crucially) a lot better than the status quo of EU membership.
In a Sunday Telegraph interview, foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, confirming that he would indeed like a "crack" at the Tory leadership, also asserted "we'll find a way to flourish and prosper [in a no-deal situation]. We've faced much bigger challenges in our history." Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, is also expected to explain this week how such an exit would be viable.
Meanwhile, Liz Truss, the able chief secretary to the Treasury, is busily allocating a £2bn pot to deal with the challenges of a no-deal exit. That strikes me as a conservative figure, given what we already know about the implications of crashing out of the EU for healthcare, trade, haulage and transport.
It seems to me that there would be a refreshing honesty in a referendum that offered voters a straightforward choice between remain and a no-deal exit. Nobody, on either side, could subsequently complain that the public had not known what it was choosing between.
But I doubt that such a clarity of choice will be easily achieved.
There are plenty of senior Tories and Labour figures who would only accept deal v no deal, on the grounds that a second referendum can only clarify rather than reverse the 2016 decision. Others favour a three-option ballot paper (deal, no deal, remain) with an "alternative vote" mechanism to determine the most acceptable option.
The official Brexit date is little more than 100 days away. Yet in less than a week we have been whisked from "will May go ahead with the meaningful vote?" to "what should appear on the ballot paper in a second referendum?"
So there is a festive whisper of hope that we might yet escape this mess. But only a whisper. It would be highly irresponsible to suggest that anyone is yet safe from – whatever is claimed to the contrary – the appalling risk of a no-deal tumble into the abyss. Because nobody is.


text:
Every time there's a particularly-nasty shooting, one that makes the national as opposed to just the local news, you can count on our elected officials, or at least a couple of our elected officials, to respond by filing yet another new bill that will do this or do that in response to the simple problem that there are people out there who shouldn't be able to get their hands on guns.
A case in point? A new bill introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday by Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) called the Keeping Guns From Criminals Act, which would make it a felony for anyone to sell a gun to a buyer who could not pass a NICS check. Under current Federal law, someone who buys a gun knowing he will then give it or re-sell it to someone else can be charged with lying on the 4473 form that is used to conduct the NICS check, but conducting a private transaction without NICS is legal in most states. And if the person who buys the gun turns out to be a felon, or a nut, or someone else who shouldn't have a gun, as long as the transaction occurred in a state that doesn't require NICS checks for private sales, the seller hasn't done anything wrong at all.
So Beyer's bill would de facto extend NICS checks to private transactions, even though a seller could still decide that he wasn't interested in conducting a NICS check with the particular purchaser of his gun. The press release accompanying Beyer's bill makes the point of noting that most FFL-dealers will perform a NICS check for a "nominal fee" of $30, and that there are "nearly 130,000 FFLs nationwide" so there's little cost or inconvenience in running a background check before selling a gun.
I only wish there were 130,000 FFL-holders who could conduct a NICS check. Because if there were, I could have a lot more fun driving around this weekend and going into all those gun shops looking for that one gun which I just have to have. In fact, although Congressman Beyer claims to have gotten his FFL information from the ATF, which regulates all federal firearms licenses, not surprisingly what the ATF told him isn't true. After all, why should the federal agency that regulates firearms transactions know what it's talking about?
In fact, as of May 10, 2015, there were 140,313 active federal firearms licenses, but only 55,873 are 01 dealer licenses, which happen to be the only FFL-holders who can run NICS checks. Ooops, I forgot; there are also 8,153 federally-licensed pawnbrokers, and they can also run NICS checks. In the interest of full disclosure, it should also be noted that many of those 01 license-holders don't actually engage in any kind of retail sales – they use the FFL to purchase guns for themselves and they're not interested in running NICS background checks for anyone else.
You would think that a Member of Congress intent on curbing gun violence by asking gun owners to conduct NICS checks on private transactions would at least get his facts straight about what a gun owner would be facing in order to comply with this law. You would also think that the ATF, which would love to see an increase in NICS activity because it would give the agency more work and hence, more of a reason to justify its own existence, would give a Member of Congress valid information in order to help him craft a realistic bill. The result of Beyer's honest and heartfelt response to Charleston will be one thing and one thing only; namely, that the NRA will send something out to its membership warning them of another knee-jerk, insidious effort to grab all their guns. And in this case are they wrong?


text:
Senators want FCC to repeal media ownership rules
Two Republican senators — Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Roy Blunt of Missouri — have asked the FCC to repeal its radio and TV station ownership rules.
The rules governing newspaper/broadcast and radio/TV cross-ownership, mandated by both the courts and Congress, are being rewritten by the commission and are expected to be made public next year. The senators wrote the FCC, arguing that the broadcasters should not be forced to try to compete in the digital age while "strapped with regulations that do not apply to other competitors."
In a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, the lawmakers said that an "honest assessment" in the FCC's ongoing media ownership review requires repeal, or modification, given the growth of new media — such as the Internet — that competes with broadcasters. Broadcasters have used this same argument for years.
The ownership rules, the senators argued, maintain a structural imbalance that has the practical effect of picking winners and losers rather than providing an unbiased competitive media environment.
"The commission should act proactively now to ensure that legacy audio, print and video voices are not specifically disadvantaged," the senators wrote.
The last time the FCC tried to change the ownership rules was in 2007. Various parties took the changes to court. In the summer of 2010, the Third Circuit sent the rules back to the FCC for another try. The new attempt coincides with a review also mandated by Congress.
Get the TV Tech Newsletter
The professional video industry's #1 source for news, trends and product and tech information. Sign up below.


text:
Yakuza 6 may look like a game about punching faces and throwing bikes and eating pudding and Beat Takeshi, but it's actually a game about Haruto, a very good little baby.
This squishy dude is at the very centre of the events of Yakuza 6, as criminal secrets and intrigue swirl around his obliviously fat cheeks, but I'm not here to talk about how Haruto fits into the story. I just want to talk about how he's the best video game baby.
Think about babies in video games. How often do you see them? Not often. And when you do, how often do you see them painstakingly animated and portrayed as actual babies, and not just props that you need to protect or see in cutscenes? Almost never. Video game stories are for angry people with guns, not tiny humans with squishy fingers.
Haruto, though, is a true video game baby. As often as he's an inanimate burden (there's a section of the game where you literally have to lug him around) he's portrayed as the embodiment of potential. For every time you comically hand him off to a stranger before a streetfight—which happens—there are tender scenes where he's being laid down for a nap, or nursed gently on someone's lap.
For a series that's made its name with bar brawls and flying scooters, it's a hell of a sight to see grown Yakuza speaking in hushed tones so they don't wake up a baby.
What really makes Haruto stand out, though, is just how "real" he is. I know Yakuza does this to everyone, it's one of the reasons the game's stories and characters resonate so deeply with fans, but it's almost shocking how detailed and nuanced Haruto's animations are. "Hot damn", I thought the first time I saw his little hands grasping at an adults, his chunky legs flailing about in the air, "that is actually a baby".
Look at that pic! The fat neck, the soft hair, the tiny lips, all Very Baby Things. When he's like this, asleep and peaceful, he's a cute little man. When he's awake, well...
The quality of his animation, and his "goos" and "aahhhs" and tiny flailing limbs aren't just for realism's sake, either; they also got me a lot more inspired to protect him from his enemies than I would have been were he just some inanimate lump of polygons.
Yakuza 6 may feature Kazuma Kiryu and Beat Takeshi, but Haruto is the star of this game. The game is subtitled Song of Life for a reason, and the way his lineage and helplessness gets the normally stone-faced Kiryu pondering his place in the universe (and changing diapers, and trying to find baby formula) is one of the deftest narrative turns this series has ever pulled.
Kiryu's heart is melted by this little guy, and I have to say that mine was as well. For a series about crime drama and brutal combat, it's a welcome change to walk away from a Yakuza game remembering a cute baby as much as an epic fight scene.


text:
2009 Boston Marathon winner aims for 10K World Record in Ottawa
$100,000 incentive to break the 10K world record is attracting some of the world's fastest runners this year. The world record is 27:01 by Kenya's Micah Kogo set in March of this year in Holland.
Deriba Merga, this year's Boston Marathon winner, is setting his sights on the MDS Nordion 10K at this year's Ottawa Race Weekend.
"I love to race and I love competition. When my manager told me about the opportunity to compete in Ottawa
and attempt the 10K world record, I was very excited,Û¢bCrLf said Merga, "I have heard a lot about this great event. I am happy and ready to come to Ottawa and run a new world record.Û¢bCrLf
Merga has already had a great year. He won and set a new Houston Marathon course record in January. He tied the 15K world record while en route to placing 3rd in a half-marathon in February. And in April, he decisively won the Boston Marathon.
Patrick Makau, the first place winner in the half-marathon in February will be providing stiff competition for the 10K world record. Makau is the second fastest half-marathoner in history. He was 1 second behind when Deriba tied the 15K world record.
"Our fast and scenic 10K has extremely enthusiastic spectator support,Û¢bCrLf says Manny Rodrigues, Elite Athlete Coordinator, Run Ottawa. "When combined with this year's great competitors, it is a formula for a world record.Û¢bCrLf
Returning as a credible contender this year is Julius Kiptoo, last year's MDS Nordion 10K winner. Hillary Kimaiyo, who has run the fastest ever 10K (26:01), albeit on a very downhill course also strongly believes he can take this world record.
Women at the MDS Nordion 10K are given a head start and the first athlete across the line wins an additional $5,000. Last year, 18 year-old female Emebet Bacha lost the challenge to Julius Kiptoo by mere inches.
Bacha is returning this year to be challenged by two runners have personal bests of more than a minute faster than Bacha's 2008 winning time: Tebya Erkesso and Marina Ivanonva.
Other female runners expected to be in the lead pack include the 2008 3rd place finisher Hyvon Ngetich, Jane Murage, Jane Kibii and Canadian Tara Quinn-Smith.
The list of elites participating this year as well as prize purse numbers are available in the backgrounder posted at http://www.runottawa.ca/index.php/en/media/2009-elite-10k
About Ottawa Race Weekend
Ottawa Race Weekend is Canada's premier running festival. It combines competition, participation and fundraising to make a distinctive contribution to the health of the community. The 2008 Ottawa Race Weekend welcomed over 32,800 participants in seven races, including the ING Ottawa Marathon and the MDS Nordion 10K. Ottawa Race Weekend is run by a volunteer Board of Directors. The 2009 event is scheduled for the weekend of May 23-24.


text:
TRANSFORM: A 90-Day Holy Spirit Prayer Challenge With Jennifer LeClaire:
A Prophetic Word
"[The Lord says], pray in My Spirit and I will do a work on the inside of you that will birth miracles in you and miracles through you. Pray in the Spirit. That is the master key that so many of My children are missing. For they read the Word, read the Word, read the Word, read the Word which does so much good in their soul, but when they begin to pray in the Spirit in conjunction with reading the Word a revival begins to break out in their heart that spills over into their words into their cities and churches and the lost begin to take notice.
I'm supercharging you even now as you pray in the Spirit. So do not delay by putting off this vital aspect of your life in Christ any longer. But begin to walk like He walked, as you talk like He talked, think like He thinks, and pray like He prayed, going off to secret places early in the morning, waiting on Me for direction, only doing what He saw Me do.
Do it my way. I won't do it your way, but I'll help you do it My way. I have a life of power, of prophetic wonder for you. So stand firm in My promises and do not budge from the place that I've called you to stand, and pray in the Spirit and speak the Word only and watch what happens when you combine this with that, the Word with the Spirit. Watch the revival that breaks out in your heart and in your mind, in your soul, in your emotions, every bit of you. You will begin to burn and shine for Me and the world will stand up and take notice.
Over the next 90 days if you will commit yourself to praying in the Spirit full on, I will do miracles on the inside of you and I will even change circumstances on the outside. If you'll just pray in the Spirit, you'll see that some of those circumstances on the outside won't bother you on the inside and some of those things on the inside will have to come out and go to the outside because they don't belong in you. And if you'll let Me mortify that inner life, the part that is warring against My Spirit, those places that are infiltrated by the enemies lies, you will see new life will spring forth. 90 days to better you." (Jennifer LeClaire)
Jennifer LeClaire's 90-Day Spirit Prayer Challenge is a series of teachings and pray-along sessions that will encourage you to stay on track with what God said He wants to do in this prophetic word. Please join me in this prayer challenge. I am building up my spiritual stamina to pray earnestly in the Holy Spirit. — Kenyetta"


text:
The gold, copper, lead and arsenic grades of raw ore sample are respectively 4.89g/t, 0.02%, 0.01% and 0.23%. The test aimed to recycle Au comprehensively.
Gravity concentration process flow on rawore: After raw ores were ground to -200 meshes (80%), gravity concentrates wereretrieved with a yield of 0.16%, gold grade of 536.83g/t and gold recovery rateof 18.36%. There was no visible gold particles in gravity concentrates.Therefore, the Au in raw ore cannot be effectively recovered through gravityconcentration.
All-slime cyanide leaching process flow onraw ore: After raw ores were ground to -325 meshes (90%), lime (protectivealkali) and sodium cyanide (leaching agent) were added successively, and thenagitation and leaching were conducted. Under conditions of slurry concentrationof 40%, lime dosage of 6kg/t, sodium cyanide dosage of 3kg/t and leaching timeof 48h, the recovery rate of gold was 91.62%-91.82%.
After carbon adsorptionand electrolysis, the recovery rate of Au was 91.31-91.61%. If the washing rate* smelting recovery rate = 97.0% * 99.5%, the total recovery rate of Au was88.13-88.33%.


text:
Velopalooza Wrap Up BBQ
Sunday, June 26, 2016, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
By: VelopaloozaCelebrate the end of Velopalooza at our wrap up BBQ! We're having a feast! This ain't no "frozen burgers and hot dogs" event; come sample some of Velopalooza's very own BBQ master's smoked deliciousness. Chicken? Ribs? Baked Mac'n'Cheese? Baked Potatoes? Vegie options too! We've got it all, by donation. BBQ starts at 3PM; we'll be serving till the food runs out or 7PM, whichever comes first.
Meet At:
Clark Park
Contact Info:
Velopalooza would like to thank the sponsors that helped make this year's festival possible: CCEC Credit Union, the Bike Doctor, the Georgia Straight, Union Street Cycle, and Reckless Bike Stores.


text:
Microsoft's baffling "I'm a PC" campaign
Clearly, they got under Microsoft's skin, because the crack Seattle Rapid Response team has leapt into action (what, three years later?) with an expensive riposte: the "I'm a PC" campaign.
The result is wrong in so many ways, I can't summarise them all in a blog post. Hitting the lowlights:
- It's needlessly defensive – Microsoft owns the PC market. Why the hell are they stooping down to swat at a niche player? Real leaders should never look back, down or to the side. They only look ahead.
- It's over-produced – This one spot cost more than fifteen of the Mac commercials. Which kind of proves Apple's point. Guerrilla marketing will always be cooler than Madison Avenue marketing (or wherever Big Agency lives these days).
- It backfires – Microsoft is not content with market share, mega-profits and virtual ubiquity. It desperately craves the one thing it can't have: coolness. So instead of letting go of cool (the only cool thing to do), they concoct this shrill howl. It isn't just not cool. It's watching your Dad dance.
- It proves the opposition's case – They want to say, "We're creative and interesting too!". But by assembling this cast of PC-people (in both senses), Microsoft sends the message, 'We are everyperson.' And everyone is no one. Bland. Boring. Even though some have beards and some scuba dive and some don't even comb their hair.
The whole exercise reminds me of an embarrassing bit of greenwashing that Ford did a few years ago. The CEO barked, "Make us look green!" and the hapless marketing department was caught without a plan. They cranked out a glossy insert packed with every mini-credential they could muster. One was, "The roof on this factory is covered in grass!" (neglecting to mention that the factory belched out 200,000 F150 trucks at about 18 miles per gallon each). Another said, "our design team has four vegetarians." (I'm not joking).
I'm sure Microsofties are enjoying their foray into "I know you are but what am I?" marketing. Turning the other cheek can be excruciating when you know you could kill your enemy with one blow. But internal morale-boosting and good marketing are two very different things. And Microsoft now looks like the kid who discovered bell-bottoms about three parties after they went out of fashion. Blush.
Enjoyed this article?
Take part in the discussion
Related blog/content
Killed by the buzz: Why we're losing words to the buzz effect (and what to do about it)
Here's a question for you: What do buzzwords and That One Guy You Hate™ have in common? You guessed it. They both sneak into every conversation…
Nur Caplin | 20. 09. 2023
How to break free from the benchmark trap
If you're turning to industry benchmarks to set your performance goals – make sure you're asking these two questions.
Agustin Rejon | 06. 09. 2023
The B2B generative AI design shootout: Part 2
We put different models of generative AI to a heftier task in Part 2 of our three-part design test shootout.
Brian Terry | 29. 08. 2023
Microsoft sells PCs? Cool. I want one.
…and the crack team at Apple responded in a matter of days in the US with the 'Bean Counter' Ad which makes fun of the marketing spend. PC piles money into two groups 'marketing' and 'fix vista'. The latter pile is almost empty.
http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/ – Title: "Bean Counter".
Nice one, Paul. Skateboard meets super-tanker.
You are absolutely right. It is firstly a very poor piece of work and has not even been re-written for a UK audience. Secondly it has taken an Apple idea which shows an incredible lack of creativity and imagination by the Microsoft marketing managers and the ad agency they use. All this ad does is remind you how good the Apple ads are. It does not give you any compelling reason to either use a microsoft product or swap to them or upgrade. It is is just a very poor piece of work that does not connect with any audience.
I have been in advertising for 20 years and I really believe that Microsoft is a great company who have changed the world, probably more so than any other business in the last 20 years, they don't need to do this. They obviously have a massive confidence issues at the moment. We all need Microsof to do well and offer competition to Google. How can we help?
Hear! Hear! Well said. I thought I was the only marketing geek out there who yells at the tv during bad commercials as much as insane political rhetoric! These lame PC spots encapsulate everything wrong with Microsoft. They rip off other people's good ideas, turn them into behemoths – with no sense of urgency, and then proceed to shove their ill-conceived, poorly developed concepts down the public's throat. I'm not sure whether I should laugh or scream at the irony that these commercials do a fair job at delivering expectations about their products. This campaign is the equivalent of a bad comb-over.
I respectfully disagree. I found Microsoft's ads to be witty, entertaining, and down-to-earth, and they accomplished exactly what Microsoft wanted: they resonated with people. Do a search for "I'm a PC" and you'll find thousands of videos of people who were motivated to make their own video. Sure it's a blatant rebuttal. Big deal.
I disagree – I like the campaign and think it is a good example of whit in advertising. Far from being poor work I think it is quite a good move.
Having read your posting a asked a small random sample of people what they thought and only two out of eight didn't get it! (I do realise that my sample of eight is insignificantly small and also skewed – but it was just a quick sanity check!).
Clearly some will miss the point and it will go over their heads – but that will always be the case 🙂
As someone who's moved over from PC to Mac in the last year (and also spent nearly 4 years at Microsoft) I've been on both sides. Mac users are overly smug and have an inflated view of the "power & experience" of the Mac platform. Yes, I love my Mac, but its not THAT good guys. Shock horror – it does crash and sometimes things don't work! And Microsoft is completely obsessed with being as cool as Apple and desperately falls short of the mark.
What Apple has in its favour is its been focussed on building an emotional and in the main, clear, message over decades. MSFT loves to launch a new campaign every 6-12 months. Plus at the end of the day Apple controls the entire supply chain so can deliver a complete experience. MSFT currently can't do that, when their hardware partners are churning out cheaper and cheaper PCs with dubious build quality.
You can't compare the two and MSFT should fight on their own ground, work out their own identity and deliver a message consistently over more than a year. Remember a marketing campaign, like a dog, is for life, not just for christmas.
Doug – you loving the power of Linkedin?!!
This post generated a mini-storm over on the LinkedIn Pro Marketers group:
It's amazing how polarised the Mac/PC thing is — like red and blue states.
Whichever side you're on, the question is whether or not this was a good strategy for Microsoft. I think it was a howler.
They could have celebrated the diversity of the PC base (much more diverse than Mac's) without starting from a defensive posture. Instead, they're spending a fortune telling the world how much their feelings were hurt by Apple's teasing — and how they ARE really cool.


text:
The Best Weighted Blankets for People Who Are Always Cold
Wrap yourself in one of these snuggly weighted blankets for the ultimate in cozy comfort.
Why Are You Always So Cold?
1 of 9 – Photo: Dominique Goodrich / EyeEm / Getty Images
Cold AF all the time and wondering why? Turns out, there are plenty of health-related reasons you might be shivering. If you've recently lost weight (not as much insulation!), you're deficient in iron or B12, or your thyroid is out of whack, you could be feeling colder than usual.
But the most likely scenario? It's cold outside, your office is drafty, and your heater hasn't quite caught up with the dropping temps yet. Regardless of the reason for your chills, there's a convenient solution that doesn't require cranking up the heat everywhere you go: weighted blankets.
Touted for their anxiety-calming qualities, these heavy blankets (usually filled with plastic or glass pellets), are also amazing for those who just can't seem to warm up no matter what they do. Here, eight of the best weighted blankets that'll warm you right up.
Brookstone Nap Weighted Blanket
Photo: Brookstone – 2 of 9
This plush weighted blanket weighs 12 pounds, perfect for keeping your temperature regulated without being difficult to lug around the house.
Sheltered Co. Weighted Blanket
3 of 9
Most weighted blankets are pretty standard looking, but if you're searching for something that fits in with the decor of your home, this one could vibe with your aesthetic.


text:
Coffee Drinkers Should Consider Investing in a Milk Frother
If you love making coffee at home, consider investing in one of the best milk frothers.
Making coffee at home has gone from drinking flavorless, watery coffee to creating the perfect creamy latte in your kitchen. It's easy to find espresso machines, coffee grinders, and even milk frothers to help you create your ideal cup of joe.
Are you a cappuccino lover or a latte aficionado? If so, a milk frother is one of the tools you need for your kitchen.
Here are the top 5 best milk frothers to make your homemade coffee dreams come true.
Editor's Choice: Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk Frother
The Breville Milke Cafe is the milk frother for the self-proclaimed baristas and coffee lovers. You know exactly how you want your coffee, and you are willing to pay big bucks for it.
If you're looking for a premium, top-quality automatic milk frother, the Breville won't disappoint.
The Breville milk cafe is a stainless steel designed automatic milk frother that gives you the most customizable options in a milk frother. If you know the temperature, the amount of foam, and the type of foam you want, this design is perfect for you.
The best part about this device is that it's easy to use and easy to clean design. Pop the container in a dishwasher when you're ready to clean it.
Breville Milk Cafe Pros
- Automatic heating: Unlike other milk frothers, the Breville heats milk automatically using induction heating.
- Dishwasher safe: Get a thorough cleaning with the detachable and dishwasher-safe canister.
- Large capacity: This milk frother can make up to three cups of frothed milk. It's perfect for those who love a lot of milk or a big family.
Breville Milk Cafe Cons
- 1 cup minimum: The minimum amount of milk required for the machine to function is one cup. If you don't drink a lot of milk, that requirement may be inconvenient for you.
- Expensive model: It's a premium model, so the cost is over $100. That's a lot more than some of our other top picks.
- Large size: This machine is as large as a blender. If you're not working with a lot of counter space, it may be too much.
Best Value: Bodum Latteo Manual Milk Frother
If you're going to get a milk frother, why not choose one from a trusted brand?
The makers of the Bodum are well-known for their premium french press coffee makers and high-end coffee makers.
The milk frother is stylish, functional, and froths milk perfectly for an affordable price. You're getting the best bang for your buck with the Bodum Latteo.
The Bodum doesn't automatically heat the milk, but the glass design allows you to pop it in the microwave. Pour the coffee in, froth it manually for about two minutes, and let it sit for a minute. Then, if you prefer, heat it in the microwave. Enjoy creamy, frothy milk for your cappuccino or latte.
It's quick, easy to clean, and easy to use.
Bodum Latteo Pros
- Affordable price: This milk frother comes at the best value with an excellent price.
- Microwavable dish: Pop the glass container in a microwave after frothing the milk. The milk starts to get creamier as it heats.
- Manual design: Because it has a manual design, you don't have to worry about a motor or batteries. This design also tends to last longer.
Bodum Latteo Cons
- Fragile materials: The glass makes this milk frother easy on the eyes and microwavable, but you'll have to be more careful with it.
Best for Latte: Nespresso Aeroccino 4 Milk Frother
For those of you who prefer a creamy latte over a cappuccino, there is the perfect milk frother out there for you.
You need a milk frother that will make a creamy and subtle consistency to pour into your coffee. The Nespresso Aeroccino is your best bet.
While this Aeroccino 4 does have multiple settings for frothing milk, we think its better for lattes. Nespresso is well-known for its creamy lattes.
Just like the Breville, the Aeroccino uses heat induction and frothing discs to create your milk foam automatically. If you prefer it cold, you can select the cold setting as well.
Overall, this stylish milk frother will be a helpful addition to your kitchen.
Nespresso Aeroccino Pros
- Many options: You can choose between more or less foam and between hot and cold milk
- Stainless steel: The stainless steel design is easy on the eyes and extremely sturdy.
Nespresso Aeroccino Cons
- Harder to clean: This frother is much harder to clean than the Breville piece. Scrub the milk residue after every use.
Best for Cappuccino: Epica Automatic Electric Milk Frother
There are coffee people, and then there are cappuccino people. If you favor foamy espresso drinks, you need a specific kind of milk frother.
The Epica Automatic is perfect for those who prefer a delicious cappuccino drink in the mornings.
The best part about the Epica milk frother? You can get a self-heating, milk frother for a lot less than you would pay for an Aeroccino or a Breville.
The Epica uses its discs to froth the milk and heat induction. The reviews tell us that this device makes the best foamy milk on the market.
Epica Automatic Pros
- Affordable price: For an automatic electric heated milk frother, the price is extremely affordable.
- Self-heating frother: This milk frother uses induction heating to automatically heat up so that you don't have an extra step.
Epica Automatic Cons
- Cooler milk: While it does have automatic heating, it only goes up to 140 degrees. This may not be hot enough for some users.
Best for Bulletproof Coffee: Aerolatte To-Go
There are milk frothers out there for people who drink alternative types of coffee, whether its coffee with nondairy milk or bulletproof coffee.
Bulletproof coffee is a type of coffee popular among those who do intermittent fasting or other types of diets. It consists of coffee blended with ghee and MCT oil. The result is a frothy, creamy drink that sharpens your mind and keeps you full for the morning.
Many Bulletproof Bloggers claim the consistency is better when you use a handheld milk frother instead of a blender. The Aerolatte To-Go is perfect because you can blend the ingredients directly in a cup. If you tend to use nondairy styles of milk, the Aerolatte is equally as good.
Aerolatte To Go Pros
- Alternate coffee options: This handheld frother is bulletproof approved. It's also perfect for coconut milk, almond milk, and other nondairy alternatives.
- Portable frother: The portable design can go with you anywhere. Put in two AA batteries, and you'll get frothy milk on the go.
Aerolatte To Go Cons
- Battery power: This milk frother relies on batteries. You'll go through batteries quickly if you use the frother daily.
Milk Frother Buyer's Guide
Before you become your own barista, get to know the different types of milk frothers out there.
The ideal milk frother for you depends on your level of expertise, the price point, and how much milk you want to make at once.
Here are other things to consider while you shop.
Milk Types
Here's the truth about most milk frothers: most milk frothers are created to froth and steam cow's milk.
The fat in cow's milk is what creates the creamy, silky-smooth froth that we love in our lattes. Unfortunately, many of the milk frothers on the market are not vegan or nondairy milk-friendly.
Before you buy a fancy milk frother, make sure you see how it fairs with dairy alternatives like soy, almond, or coconut milk.
Some milk frothers steam and froth the milk alternatives, but it's tedious. It either won't produce froth at all or will create bubbles. That's because many plant-based milk products have a high amount of water. Water doesn't break down the same way cow's milk does.
If you like different options, check the reviews of various types of milk frothers to see how it works with dairy alternatives.
The best type of nondairy milk to steam for coffee is oat milk. Oat milk will get you the creamy, frothy consistency without the dairy fat.
Temperature Settings
"Steamed milk, please!"
If that's you, you may be interested in a milk frother that heats and steams at the same time.
In this case, your best bet is choosing an electric milk frother because of the various temperature settings.
Milk frothers like the Breville and Aeroccino 4 have a few different temperature settings. This feature comes in handy for coffee gurus who may know the exact temperature they want their milk to be.
Note: Not all electric milk frothers come with temperature settings. Some heat the milk to one temperature, so check before you buy.
Type of Milk Frother
Milk frothers come in a few varieties. Get to know the options to determine which you'd prefer.
Handheld Wand
A handheld wand milk frother makes frothing milk convenient and straightforward. It's a wand with a whisk on the end that is used to froth milk.
Instead of steaming large amounts of milk at once, you can froth as much as you want to use.
Most people who use handheld wands prefer to froth their milk directly in the glass that they are going to use.
Most of the time, these are battery-powered, which also means they are an excellent option for on-the-go or travel.
Hand Pump
Also known as a manual milk frother, these milk frothers are a canister, a top with a film, and a metal disc attached to a handle. They look similar to a french press.
The film is there to stop the milk from spilling while you pump it, which creates the milk foam. You have to manually pump the wand to create the desired level of foam or frothed milk.
The downside to using the manual frothers is that the milk has to be cold when you froth it. If you get one that is a microwavable material, you can warm it in the microwave. Otherwise, you're stuck with an extra, tedious step.
Steam Frother
Steam frothers are the ones that you find on espresso machines.
The steam wand is usually on the side of the espresso machine, and it steams and froths the milk simultaneously.
The biggest obstacle to steam frothers is that they only come on fancy, usually expensive espresso machines.
They also require technique, so beginner milk frothers may find it hard to get the steam timing right.
Electric Frother
Most of the milk frothers on our list are electric frothers, the innovative and fast milk frothers that do all of the work for you.
Usually, an electric frother consists of a canister and a whisking disc at the bottom. They are easy to use and offer several customizable options for temperature and steam.
The electric frothers are convenient because they heat the milk for you, eliminating an extra step from your process.
Many of them also can steam and froth large quantities of milk at the same time. Need to heat milk for tea and a latte? With electric frothers, you can do it all at once.
Like all household and kitchen appliances, the warranty offered by a manufacturer can be a deal-breaker.
A company that offers little or no warranty may not be reputable. On the other hand, a company that provides more coverage on several parts will cooperate if anything goes wrong.
A good rule of thumb is to read user reviews and the product descriptions to know how much coverage you have on your electric milk frother.
Use our buying guide and our top picks to help you pick the best milk frother for you. Once you have made your purchase, you can enjoy delicious, foamy milk whenever you want.


text:
Local Businesses Demonstrate Safe Reopening in Project Rebound Videos
Preparing Your Business to Reopen
Sober Pierre, Co-owner of Pearl Island Cafe, shares 7 steps in preparing your physical space to reopen during COVID-19.
Watch how Pierre and his team complete their daily safety procedures.
How to Disinfect Properly
Jackson Lindsay, Owner of SERVPRO of Charlottesville, shares how to disinfect properly during COVID-19.
Watch how Jackson and his team disinfect a work space.
Protecting Your Employees On Site
Erika Robinson, Safety Director for Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Central Virginia, shares 7 steps for protecting your employees on site during COVID-19.
Watch how Erika and her team deploy health & safety measures.
Preparing Employees to Return to Work
Gordon Sutton, President of Tiger Fuel, shares 6 steps to ensure operational requirements and prepare your employees to return to work during COVID-19.
Watch how Gordon and his team plan and follow safe operations.
Protecting Your Real Estate Customers
Eddie K, Owner and Principal Broker of Four Corners Real Estate Solutions, shares 3 steps in protecting your customers in the real estate industry during COVID-19.
Watch how Eddie implements safe practices for potential and current tenants.
Project Rebound, a local economic recovery initiative led by the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and local economic development partners, today released five short videos featuring local businesses demonstrating COVID-19 safety practices.
The videos, produced by Lifeview Marketing & Visuals and supported by grant funding from GO Virginia, show business owners and employees demonstrating their daily routines to prevent COVID-19 infections during Virginia's gradual reopening.
"Our business community has told us loud and clear they want to reopen carefully and safely," said Chamber President & CEO Elizabeth Cromwell. "By following these standard safety procedures consistently across the community, we can help keep employees and customers healthy."
The videos show local businesses carrying out safety measures such as maintaining social distance, using PPE, disinfecting work spaces, and screening employee health in real-life situations.
Chamber members Pearl Island Café, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Central Virginia, Four Corners Real Estate Solutions, Tiger Fuel Company, and SERVPRO of Charlottesville participated in the videos.
Project Rebound produced the videos in response to input received during multiple meetings with the business community in May 2020. More than 300 stakeholders contributed ideas, concerns and solutions.
On June 25, Project Rebound released "A Blueprint for Economic Resiliency and Reinvention in the Greater Charlottesville Region," a report produced by KPMG LLP, which maps out action steps and envisions pathways to an inclusive economic recovery.
An overarching theme that emerged from local conversations was the need to rebuild consumer, business and workforce confidence. Participants identified health & safety concerns, an uncertain business environment, and confusion over guidelines as some of the confidence barriers to economic recovery.
The Blueprint identifies six priority areas for immediate action to bolster confidence and boost the economy, while appropriately reflecting current public health realities:
(1) authoritative safety protocols
(2) trustworthy information sharing and ways to access resources
(3) facilitating access to testing
(4) working with government on emergency policies
(5) continued inclusive conversation
(6) a buy-local initiative
The full Blueprint report is available at www.CvilleChamber.com/blueprint.
Project Rebound is led by the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with economic development partners at the University of Virginia, Albemarle County, and the City of Charlottesville and supported by volunteers and funding from the City, County and GO Virginia.


text:
A Randomized Trial of Interleukin-2 With or Without a Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonist in Patients With HIV-1 Infection
In the initial phase of this study, HIV-infected patients with CD4 counts between 200 and
500 were randomized to receive either IL-2 alone by continuous IV infusion for 5 days every
8 weeks, IL-2 plus anti-TNF antibody, or IL-2 plus thalidomide. The primary endpoints of
this study are safety and tolerability of the IL-2/TNF inhibitor combination. Secondary
endpoints will include changes in CD4 counts, frequency and severity of IL-2 related side
effects, changes in serum TNF levels, and plasma viral load changes. The study period is
one year, with an optional extension period to follow. Enrollment was for up to forty-five
IL-2-naive patients.
In the amended phase of this study, up to 60 patients with HIV infection and CD4 counts
equal to or greater than 350 will be studied to determine the ability of prednisone to
ameliorate IL-2 related toxicity. Patients will be randomized to one of four groups: IL-2
alone; IL-2 plus prednisone; prednisone alone; no treatment. All four groups will be
treated with a combination regimen of antiretrovirals to include at least one protease
inhibitor. IL-2 will be dosed SQ at a starting dosage of 7.5 mlU bid x 5 days every 8
weeks, and prednisone (or placebo) will be dosed at 0.5 mg/kg/day during IL-2 cycles.
Primary endpoints are frequency of IL-2 associated fatigue and fever, CD4 count changes, and
viral load changes. Secondary endpoints include frequency of other IL-2 side effects,
concomitant medication use, steroid associated side effects, cytokine changes during IL-2,
and IL-2 total exposure in the IL-2 plus steroid vs. IL-2 plus placebo arms. The study
period is one year with an optional extension period to follow.
Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Primary Purpose: Treatment
United States: Federal Government
June 1995
June 2002
|National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
|Bethesda, Maryland 20892