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SAFi's lightweight thermoplastic materials are integrated with a robust valve design for reliable performance, easy installation and low maintenance, reduced operational costs and extended service life.
BMG's Fluid Technology division works closely with the mining sector in sub-Saharan Africa to ensure that all valves, strainers and flow control equipment supplied, meets the exact requirements of every application.
"Fluid Technology installations in arduous mining conditions, demand robust products with very high levels of chemical and corrosion resistance, which can also withstand significant mechanical shocks," says Willie Lamprecht, national product manager, Valves, BMG – exclusive distributors in sub-Saharan Africa for SAFi Thermoplastic Valves. "It is critical in mining operations that the correct valve is selected and properly installed, to ensure efficient operation, maximum safety and extended service life of each system. Failure of a valve and subsequent leaking of corrosive media can have devastating effects on the environment and be detrimental to the safety of personnel and equipment, leading to premature system failure and costly downtime.
"BMG's experienced team, with a thorough understanding of fluid technology processes, keeps abreast with global trends and ensures the local market has access to the latest products, with advanced developments in design, materials and coatings.
"SAFi thermoplastic industrial valves – which were launched locally by BMG approximately 18 months ago – are gaining popularity over traditional alloy metal valves to handle corrosive materials in demanding applications.
"This trend is evident not only in the mining sector, but thermoplastic valves, that are about six times lighter than metallic valves, are also highly-regarded in chemical and petrochemical plants, mining, water treatment, transport and logistics, marine, food production, energy and agriculture.
"SAFi's lightweight polymer materials are integrated with a robust valve design for reliable performance, easy installation and low maintenance, as well as for reducing operational costs and extending service life.
"Critical advantages of thermoplastic materials over conventional alloy metals, are resistance to corrosion of the most aggressive chemicals and high impact resistance. Plastic systems allow the safe transportation of a range of industrial fluids and aggressive chemicals, with no risk of deterioration and environmental pollution.
"The smooth inner-bore of plastic pipework ensures that there is no build-up of limescale, resulting in less frictional losses and ensures that a consistent flow rate is maintained throughout the life of the pipe system.
"Solvent weld plastic systems are also easy to install and do not require any specialist tools or equipment. Quick installation offers cost savings of up to 50% when plastic is compared to steel or copper as alternative materials. Plastic pipework systems also require less maintenance, thus reduced material replacement costs. Energy consumption is lower due to a lack of friction when pumping fluids throughout the piping system."
The trend in the mining sector, to choose thermoplastic industrial valves over standard components, is evident in process applications that include electrowinning, solvent extraction and acid plants, as well as heap and in-situ leaching (ISL).
BMG's SAFi range, which conforms to stringent international quality specifications, incorporates ball, butterfly, diaphragm and non-return valves, as well as strainers and tank fittings – all manufactured from high–quality non-corrosive materials.
SAFI's most commonly used material – Glass Reinforced Polypropylene (GRPP) – has excellent mechanical, chemical and UV resistance, good dimensional stability and it can be easily machined and welded. This material can withstand operation in temperatures from -10˚C to +100˚C.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is a highly resistant thermoplastic, with a smooth surface, which prevents the development of micro-organisms. This material, with excellent UV, chemical and abrasive resistance, offers long-term stability at temperatures from -20˚C to +120˚C.
Polypropylene (PPH) materials, suitable for use in marine applications, have good chemical resistance, particularly to salts, acids and alkali. Other features include excellent mechanical and shock resistance and thermal stability from 0˚C to +90˚C.
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (C-PVC) and PPH thermoplastic with carbon fibres (PP-ATEX materials) are semi-conductive and compliant with ATEX specifications for safe use in hazardous environments and potentially explosive atmospheres. This is particularly important in the mining sector.
Unplasticised PolyVinyl Chloride (U-PVC) materials, with excellent chemical resistance, but low shock and UV resistance, can withstand operation in moderate temperatures, from 0˚C to +60˚C.
A recent SAFi installation in the hydro-metallurgical sector was at a copper mine, where thermoplastic valves provide an efficient solution for the storage and transport of sulphuric acid. The hydro-metallurgical process of copper extraction uses sulphuric acid in large quantities to dissolve the copper-ore on leaching heaps.
SAFi thermoplastic valves, with resistance to the chemical attack of sulphuric acid, large dimensions and excellent abrasion resistance, are ideal for this installation.
BMG specialists recommend SAFi thermoplastic ball valves for use in on/off regulation applications in mining. These thermoplastic ball valves are maintenance-free and have the ability to close faster than conventional valves, also ensuring extended service life.
BMG's extensive range of components for fluid technology systems and general industrial applications, include valves, hydraulic hoses and fittings, accumulators, cylinders, heat exchangers, hydraulic motors and hydraulic plumbing, as well as pumps and reservoir accessories.
The company's 24-hour process support services for production efficiency and reliability-centred maintenance, ensure optimum efficiency and increased service life of every system.


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Find Your Accelerator_
Get the rocket fuel you need to power up your startup.
No two companies are the same. That's why Boomtown Accelerators customizes each of our startup programs to bring you just the mix of resources, mentors, advisors, curriculum, and experiences you need, when you need it most. We include perks and discounts valued over $1.7M from Google, Amazon, SoftLayer, MailChimp and more, to connect your business to the tools it needs to succeed. Over the course of our 12-week programs you'll work your butt off — and you'll leave with a new sense of confidence and clarity about where to go next.
our accelerators – header
Our Accelerators
Which one is right for you?
Our Accelerators
The Sports Tech Accelerator is driven by Comcast NBCUniversal and a stable of well-known partners, brands, and professional sports organizations. SportsTech is designed to help bring your sporting ideas to life, get them to market, and provide players and teams with a competitive edge backed by technology and innovation. Located in The Battery Atlanta.
The Boulder Tech Accelerator works with ideas and technologies across 16 industries and 32 technologies. Alumni include companies in real estate, retail, Internet of Things (IoT), energy, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and many more.
The FARM Accelerator, a Comcast NBCUniversal startup accelerator powered by Boomtown, is a corporate accelerator focused on innovation. Located in The Battery Atlanta — a community of offices, shops, and restaurants next to the Atlanta Braves' SunTrust Park —The Farm also provides co-working spaces, a cutting-edge hardware and 3D design lab, and premium incubator office space.
The Hardware & Connectivity Tech Accelerator is custom-made for early-stage hardware and software startups creating products and services for the connected world. Support from our partners, Comcast and UpRamp, provides startups with business guidance; a testing lab; mentorship; access to customers, manufacturers and industry experts; and support from leading cable and broadband operators nationwide.
The Patient Safety Health Tech Accelerator, sponsored by COPIC Insurance, seeks patient safety and risk management startups focused in areas such as reducing medical errors, improving patient safety and quality of care, and disease management — using tools such as software, devices, analytics, and machine learning /artificial intelligence.
anatomy – header
Anatomy of a Boomtown Program
Here's how you'll spend your time in our accelerators.
Build a Strong Foundation
You'll examine and strengthen the essentials of building your business — from financial fundamentals and fundraising to branding and sales.
- Understand your target customers and markets
- Build your financial modeling, forecasting, and funding strategies
- Connect your vision and mission to your brand, marketing, and fundraising
- Learn new approaches for work on the right things at the right time
Assemble Your Team
Boomtown's experts, advisors, mentors, coaches, fellow alumni, and startup community will be with you every step of the way to challenge, guide, and encourage you.
Hone and Execute Your Core Strategy
Boomtown gives you the time, space, and input you need to build, test, learn, and get traction on your product or service so you leave with greater clarity about what you do and why.
- Identify and articulate your company's key innovations
- Experiment on core assumptions to validate your direction
- Build successful storytelling that engages customers and startup investors

subset: commoncrawl


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Art and science meet in my adventures in sketching astronomical objects. Here I detail my travels across Australia with my telescopes, and from home, the people I meet and the technical challenges I encounter. From our closest neighbour, the Moon, to the furthest galaxies. From the seemingly trivial to the mind bending complex. All is fair game for my sketch pad. And continuing the tradition of The Mellish Technique.
Monday 6 August 2018
Sunset at the Straight Wall reveals amazing detail
Hi all,
This is my
second lunar sketch done using eyeglasses.
I've adapted a headband magnifier so it can carry a pair of spectacles
suited to my eyes. I'm getting used to
the new way of sketching as there is now an additional step in my
eyepiece-to-sketch-pad routine. But the
difference using these specs makes is well worth any initial discomfort.
I got up
very early on Sunday morning for the chance to sketch something during the ¾ phase
of the Moon. As it turned out, seeing
wasn't the best despite the wee hour and cool temperature, but the occasional
glimpses of remarkable clarity made the effort worthwhile all the same.
With all
the lunar features on view tonight, it was an old favourite that most caught my
attention, Rupes Recta, the Straight Wall.
I've sketch the Straight Wall during the ¼ phase as the Sun rose over
this escarpment (see below), but this particular phase had the Sun setting, and
the wall instead of being a dark shadow, was brilliant white, and the very low
angle the sun was at cast the most remarkable long shadows and revealed a
textured surface and details of this area of Mare Nubium that were jaw-dropping
From the above sketch of the Straight Wall, the
higher angle of the Sun leads one to think that the flooded ghost crater the
Wall sits in is relatively smooth and not particularly textured.
Now, move the phase forward some 14 days, with
the Sun casting its last rays across this same area at a glancing angle, and a
staggering textured and tortured surface is revealed. The Straight Wall and Rima Birt are not the
only geological formations here. Just west
and running parallel to the Straight Wall is a long straight "depression" or
fold that is roughly as long at the Straight Wall itself. This long depression is crossed by Rima Birt,
and continues on straight northward.
Rima Birt itself is remarkable in that its
official selenologic origins are somewhat uncertain. Most likely it is a rift fault that then
allowed lava to erupt up along through the fault. And as m y sketch progressed, I picked up two
volcanic domes (Birt 1 & 2) at the northern end of Rima Birt, the larger of the two sitting
right on top of the rile!
The glancing angle of the fast setting sun also
reveals so many other obscure features.
The oh-so-faint rims of several ghost craters are just barely visible –
one being outlined by the chain of mountains, west of the Straight Wall, that
circumvents and suggest the basin in which the Straight Wall sits in. A highly pock-marked field of craterlets lies
scattered south of Birt. The faded ray
system that extends southward belonging to Birt. Several winding folds of old lava flows form
wrinkles across the moonscape. Long
string-like streaks of light are cast eastward from the northern end of the
Straight Wall across a jet black otherwise invisible plain. And of course the curious twin peaks of dark
shadows cast by the crater Birt across the brilliant white escarpment.
Sunset along the Straight Wall and surrounds.
Scope: 8"
10mm Pentax XW, 200X
Date: 5th
August, 2018
Sydney, Australia
Media: White and grey soft pastels, charcoal and
white gel ink on A5 black paper
This was a remarkable session for me. From starting not wanting to repeat a
feature I had sketched before, a little time spent with it showed an astounding
amount of invisible details revealed only by having the sun at as low an angle
as possible before it dips below the horizon.
Quite superb!
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A criminal conviction in Alabama means the convicted will spend some time behind bars. After the sentence, the individual has theoretically paid his debt to society and ideally makes plans to renew a normal life including becoming gainfully employed.
Except that is not the way it happens. In reality, there are a number of invisible barriers to rejoining society after a prison sentence that work against an individual, no matter how hard he tries.
Barriers to Employment
A 2018 study by the Prison Policy Initiative found an unemployment rate of over 27 percent for the formerly incarcerated. That's the highest unemployment rate in U.S. history including the Great Depression.
According to a Council of State Government report, those once imprisoned earn 40 percent less every year then prior to their incarceration.
That is not surprising since the majority of employers, 92% according to one survey, perform criminal background checks when they are hiring. Many states have legal protections in place so that an employer cannot discriminate due to a criminal record.
Alabama is one of several states that does not afford those protections. Employers can turn you down for a job simply on the basis of your criminal record.
Even a DUI conviction cannot be expunged in Alabama, so employers are free to use criminal records in making hiring decisions.
Federal Protections
Two federal laws may offer some protection to those trying to be gainfully employed after prison.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act – This imposes an obligation on employers conducting criminal background checks to get written consent from the job applicant before requesting the check.
Since there can be many errors in these reports, for example, details about incarceration, charges, exoneration, and misclassification of a crime, the applicant must receive a copy of the report so he can correct any errors. Any third-party firm conducting the background check is also required to make sure the information is accurate.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Under EEOC guidelines, employers must consider the type of offense and the nature of the job in deciding if the offense disqualifies the applicant. EEOC requirements encourage the employer to give the applicant an opportunity to explain the circumstance.
If you are turned down for a job and believe it was because of your criminal past, you have these federal laws to pursue in finding justice.
Darley Law may be able to help you with the legal process called expungement, meaning it is removed from your record. Some non-violent felonies may be expunged if certain conditions are met.
Darley Law understands the charges can be expunged, not convictions, and having those removed from your record will be helpful in pursuit of employment.
Alabama New Statute
Alabama removed some of the barriers to employment for the formerly incarcerated with a new law in 2019.
Under it, an occupational licensing board cannot deny an applicant a license simply based on his or her criminal past. If denied, the application for any job can petition the court for a review. The court then provides a certificate to the licensing board which has the final say.
Prior to this law's passage in 2019, there were 783 sections of Alabama code that essentially restricted former convicts from holding some jobs, even though they had done their time and may have training in that area.
Even though it is taught in prison, cosmetology and hair licenses would not be issued if you spent any time in jail.
Other areas where you would find roadblocks to employment included:
- Interior design
- Utility worker
- Purchasing a beer wholesale business
- Operating a billiard room
- Becoming a private investigator
- Receiving a public school teaching certification
- Owning a recreational vehicle dealership
- Obtaining a commercial motor vehicle license.
Common sense laws remain in place that would prevent a convicted sex offender from working with children or someone convicted of a financial crime from working in a financial institution.
The Alabama Law Institute (ALI) committee helped draft the legislation with the idea that when someone is employed, they are less likely to reoffend and instead become a productive citizen who contributes on the tax base through employment.
Work with an Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyer
A criminal conviction comes with many long-term consequences, including difficulty obtaining employment. If you have been charged with a crime, the best move is to put together a strong defense and do everything possible to avoid a conviction in the first place.
If you are facing a criminal charge in Alabama, attorney Darley Law is here to help. Contact attorney Jason Darley today by calling 251-732-7058 or sending us an online message.


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Bank of America $5 Billion Affordable Home ownership Initiative
December 26, 2019
Bank of America's Community Home Ownership Commitment is a $5 billion affordable-homeownership initiative for low- to moderate-income homebuyers across the country.
Designed to help more than 20,000 individuals and families, the program includes a New Down Payment Grant which offers up to 3 percent of the purchase price of the primary residence (maximum $10,000) to be used for a down payment in select markets. The funds do not require repayment. (Grant program is not available with all mortgage products). Additionally, America's Home Grant program offers a lender credit of up to $7,500 that can be used towards non-recurring closing costs, like title insurance and recording fees, or in certain circumstances, to permanently buy down the interest rate. The funds do not require repayment. Also available is the Affordable Loan Solution mortgage, a fixed-rate loan for modest-income borrowers that offers a competitive rate with a down payment as low as 3 percent and no mortgage insurance. Plus, the Freddie Mac Home Possible mortgage offers a fixed rate with a down pay-ment as low as 3 percent and low-cost mortgage insurance. Learn more about the available resources at bankofamerica.com/firsthome.


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Owning a small company could be a challenge. There is the thrill to be your personal boss and creating jobs for some individuals and creating equity for retirement. There's a lengthy listing of action products you need to complete daily like administrative tasks, networking to maintain your business alive, to be the accountant, project management software, and other great tales as well as on. A small company owner wears many hats and due to too little a group to aid you they finish up selection without professional input using their company experienced business proprietors. Here's the reason why you would consider getting a company coach.
This is where you could utilize advice from the business coach. A small company coach can help you establish personal and professional goals making a plan that you should track how well you're progressing and keep you on track for achieving them. Both you and your coach works together to determine an agenda of what you would like to complete. A SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weakness, Possibilities, Threats) and it is usually performed at first of dealing with your online business coach. It's accustomed to help formulate an advertising and marketing strategy. With small company talking to and also the SWOT Analysis, you'll be able to determine outside your company walls and uncover the other possibilities are open for the company and the way your coach contributes like a sounding board that you should discuss and make the most of your personal strengths.
These are the things that you'll accomplish by getting small company talking to:
How you can manage your time and effort more proficiently
Be visible and retain more clients or customers
Design a far more cohesive strategy regarding growing your company
Produce a system so it's not necessary to work so difficult
Manage your time and effort more proficiently
Keep you on track
Stop feeling overwhelmed
Discover the marketing and business skills you'll need
Be obvious on where you need to opt for your company as well as your projects
Generate a steady flow of earnings
Getting a small company marketing coach can get you from where you stand how to where you need to be. And obtain you there a lot quicker than doing the work alone. Business coaches are trained that will help you grow and find out stuff that you cannot see. But you need to be coachable. Exactly what do I am talking about when i state you need to be coachable, I am talking about you need to be prepared to listen and go ahead and take suggest that your company coach is providing you with. What good could it be to possess a coach and also you don't pay attention to their advice? You hired e-commerce coach to place your self on the tabs on being effective so it might be inside your best benefit to do the things they let you know to complete.


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With its dusty, labyrinthine alleyways filled with street vendors, tuk-tuks, and the aromatic smell of spices hanging heavily in the air, Delhi is unlike any other city in the world. There are some parts of this fascinating place, which form a living museum of Indian history. In other parts, youll find it to be very modern and more technologically aware than much of the rest of the world; a home to trendy fashion boutiques and world-class contemporary cuisine. Its a capital city that is both true to its roots, and pioneering in spirit, not to mention a delhi-ight to explore.
Wendy Wu is a highly respected travel operator, who specialises in escorted tours of the East. Their all-inclusive luxury packages will take you on a journey across India, more often than not incorporating a few nights in Delhi. This is such an exceptionally unique city that an overnight stay here is common. It also means youll have at least a few hours of leisure time to explore.
Today were going to look at how to make the best use of your time in Delhi, so you dont feel youve missed out as you make your way onwards, towards your next destination.
Connaught Place
The best place to people-watch in Delhi! Connaught Place is a myriad of fashion boutiques, shops, restaurants, cinemas and it has an exceptional underground market. This is the commercial hub of the capital. Relax here with a cup of rainbow-coloured juice, as the evening sun slowly turns down the days heat. When you look up, youll see the biggest national flag in the country, which measures a hefty 90 feet by 60 feet.
This area took 4 years to build, but quickly became a magnet for businesses and financial centres. Its worth coming here to spend your rupees and take a leisurely stroll, especially if you end up in nearby Lodhi Gardens. Here, youll have the chance to wander around an intriguing mix of ancient monuments, 15th century Afghan tombs and a bonsai garden, before catching a rickshaw over to Hauz Khas Village.
Hauz Khas Village
Hauz Khas village is an affluent neighbourhood in South Delhi. Its close to a lake and filled with hipster vintage shops, art galleries, and independent fashion labels. Very on trend, and known as the place to be seen among Delhi youth, youll also find plenty of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Here you can order food from all over the world; American hamburgers, Mediterranean salads and even dishes from Tibet and the Himalayas.
Having stood here since Medieval times, there are plenty of ancient ruins to take in, particularly beside the lake. Here, youll find lots of people jogging and cycling around the picturesque deer park. Why not go for a walk, after your evening meal, to take in the sights before you head back to your hotel.
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in all of India. It can hold 85,000 people in its interior and an additional 25,000 in its courtyard. As one of the most popular attractions of the cities, we recommend you get there early, both to avoid the crowds, and the oppressive heat of the day.
You might have to pay a small charge to leave your shoes outside; and another fee if you have a camera or phone on you; a rule that applies to tourists only. Please bear in mind that, as with any mosque, women are expected to be covered up to enter the building and that you may not be permitted to enter during prayer time.
Chandni Chowk
This is where youll find the citys oldest and largest markets, as well as a dizzying range of street food. The aromatic, heavily spice-laden air is unmistakeable and youll be able to either grab a table at a relaxed fast food restaurant, or buy a snack to walk around with. Karims and Haldirams are both highly-respected restaurants with a great reputation; where you can find delicious meat curries, served with roti, or South Indian snacks.
The streets here are narrow, labyrinthine and busy. Youll find vendors against the walls, markets, tradesmen and plenty of other tourists. Its also worth taking a trip into the spice market itself, not just for the incredible smell, but for the view from upstairs as well.
Red Fort
Once youve refreshed yourself, had a sit down and cooled off with an icy drink, youll be ready to explore more Delhi sights, and there are none more exciting than the infamous Red Fort. Originally built using white sandstone, this iconic fort got its namesake colour when the British painted it. It sits on a colossal site, spread out over 256 acres and took 10 years to build. The gardens here are beautiful, filled as they are with colourful, sweet-smelling flowers.
This was the historical residence of the Mughal emperors for over 200 years and despite being partially destroyed by British forces during the 19th century Indian rebellion, much of its courts and pavilions remain in tact. With its symmetrical archways and architectural influences from Europe, Persia and India, a tour of the private residences here will transport you back in time.
India Gate
India Gate is the famously iconic site of Delhi. Its essentially a war memorial, built to commemorate soldiers of the First World War, but it looks just like the Arc de Triomphe in France. You can get chai and poppadums from the vendors here, if youre still hungry. Its a great spot for a picnic, particularly in the cooler evening sun.
Once youve finished here, youre just a short rickshaw ride away from the parliament buildings of Rajpath and the National Gallery, which is known for its excellent collections of modern and historical Indian art.
Humayuns Tomb
This tomb is significant in Indian history given that it was an influence for the Taj Mahal. Created from red sandstone and marble, this tower is the countrys tallest brick minaret and appeared in its original incarnation in the 11th century. There have been many restorations since. Inside, its so narrow that when a Bollywood director tried to film a music video here, the camera wouldnt fit inside and a replica tower with more space had to be built. Humayuns Tomb is also beautiful to walk around, with its attached mosques, ruins and tombs. There are over 100 graves in total at the complex.
If youd like to book a trip across India, or find out more about Wendy Wus range of escorted tours, please get in touch with our team of experienced, dedicated travel advisors. Well be able to find a trip to suit your holiday budget and preferences.


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Overall a great experience. The site has improved a lot over the past year, they ask for suggestions and take them on board which is a bonus in my book, not to mention keeping us updated and they have very good customer service. Probably explains why they've been around for so long!
Good format, ease of use. Large selection of hosts to choose from.
Contests are biased. Hosts may only receive around 40% (so I'm told) but top girls get regular bonuses in contests which makes that up while others struggle for credits. Maybe introduce a special bonus if a hosts reaches a target in a month? All hosts must have the option to mute basic and guest members from chat. Repeated begging is annoying.


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CCS Home
CCS Photo Gallery
Matt Noellert, MA Student / CCS
Yin Yang Square
Chengdu, Sichuan
In the center of Chengdu, one of the hometowns of Daoism, the new city park is being built in the shape of a yin yang symbol, with modern attachments and flare, and what looks like an underground shopping center and subway station under the yin half. The enormous amount of money flowing into Chengdu can be seen throughout the city, and one focus of investment is in culture, either on display in a museum, or right under your feet as you walk to the shopping mall.
JAlbum 7.4


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Alabama in the American Civil War facts for kids
Quick facts for kids State of Alabama |
Nickname(s): "Yellowhammer State", "Heart of Dixie", "Cotton State" | |||||
Capital | Montgomery | ||||
Largest City | Mobile | ||||
Admission to confederacy | February 4, 1861 (4th) | ||||
Population |
Forces supplied |
Governor | Andrew B. Moore John Gill Shorter Thomas H. Watts |
Senators | Clement Claiborne Clay Richard Wilde Walker William Lowndes Yancey Robert Jemison, Jr. |
Representatives | List | ||||
Restored to the Union | July 13, 1868 |
The State of Alabama declared that it had seceded from the United States of America on January 11, 1861. It then quickly joined the Confederate States during the American Civil War. A slave state, Alabama provided a significant source of troops and leaders, military material, supplies, food, horses and mules; however, very little of the state's cotton crop could be sold, as the main port of Mobile was closed off by the U.S. Navy.
After the election of Abraham Lincoln from the anti-slavery Republican Party in 1860, the State of Alabama decided to declare secession from the United States, in order to oppose the equality and citizenship of African Americans, and in order to prolong and perpetuate the practice of slavery in the state.
Upon declaring its secession from the United States, Alabama adopted a new state constitution. In it, it forbade the emancipation of slaves by the state itself, or by "any other country", such as the United States of America, which the Confederacy was at war against at the time:
No slave in this State shall be emancipated by any act done to take effect in this State, or any other country.
– Article IV, Section 1, Constitution of the State of Alabama, (1861).
Alabama joins the war effort
Antebellum Governor Andrew B. Moore energetically supported the Confederate war effort. Even before hostilities began in April 1861, he seized U.S. facilities, sent agents to buy rifles in the Northeast, and scoured the state for weapons. Despite some resistance in the northern part of the state, Alabama joined the Confederate States of America. Congressman Williamson R. W. Cobb, a Unionist, pleaded for compromise. He ran for the First Confederate Congress, but was soundly defeated (he was subsequently elected in 1863 on a wave of anti-war sentiment, with war-weariness growing in Alabama). The new nation brushed Cobb aside and set up its temporary capital in Montgomery and selected Jefferson Davis as president. In May the Confederate government abandoned Montgomery before the sickly season began and relocated in Richmond once Virginia had declared that it had seceded.
Military endeavors
Alabama was not the scene of any significant military operations, yet the state contributed about 120,000 men to the Confederate service, practically all the white population capable of bearing arms. Most were recruited locally and served with men they knew, which built esprit and strengthened ties to home. Medical conditions were severe; about 15% died of disease, and 10% from battle. Alabama had few well-equipped hospitals, but it had many women who volunteered to nurse the sick and wounded. Soldiers were poorly equipped, especially after 1863, and often resorted to pillaging the dead for boots, belts, canteens, blankets, hats, shirts and pants.
Alabama soldiers fought in hundreds of battles. The state's losses at Gettysburg were 1,750 dead plus even more captured or wounded—the famed "Alabama Brigade" took 781 casualties. In 1863 Federal forces secured a foothold in northern Alabama in spite of spirited opposition from Confederate cavalry under General Nathan B. Forrest.
Mobile Bay
From 1861 the Union blockade shut Mobile Bay, and in 1864 the outer defenses of Mobile were taken by a Federal fleet during the Battle of Mobile Bay. On April 12, 1865, three days after the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, the city of Mobile surrendered to the Union army to avoid destruction following the Union victories at the Battle of Spanish Fort and the Battle of Fort Blakely. The Magee Farm, north of Mobile, was the site of preliminary arrangements for the surrender of the last Confederate States Army east of the Mississippi River. Confederate General Richard Taylor negotiated a ceasefire with Union General Edward Canby at the house on April 29, 1865. Taylor's forces, comprising 47,000 Confederate troops serving in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, were the last remaining Confederate force east of the Mississippi River.
Union occupation of northern Alabama
After the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers were taken, Union forces temporarily occupied Northern Alabama until the fall of Nashville allowed permanent occupation of counties north and west of the Tennessee River, while the Union blockade applied pressure in the southern part of the state.
Unionists in northern Alabama
There was a small loyalist element in northern Alabama; it needed Union military support to survive. On the one hand, with Union troops present, Southern Unionists were finally able to come out of hiding, join the Union Army if desired, and care for their families, who were now protected from Confederate partisans. On the other hand, Union troops doubled the amount of regional foraging compared to the Confederates. Federal foragers in Northern Alabama were, for the most part, an adventurous group that were aided by loyal Unionists, and they took all they needed for their vast forces, often raiding farms and homes previously struck by the Confederates.
Before the arrival of Federal troops, local Unionist resistance networks were based on underground cells that aided pro-Union Loyalists by means of finances, contacts, supplies, and much needed local intelligence.
Union partisans were motivated by a sense of duty and obligation to the Union cause and a need to protect their family and Unionist friends. They were also motivated by a desire for vengeance for all the wrongs they had suffered at Confederate hands throughout the war.
The women of the Alabama Unionists helped with long distance communication networks, and they were able to move freely from town to town because of their gender. When these women lost their husbands, it was often a struggle to survive, and they were completely ostracized by the pro-Confederate women.
According to historian Margaret M. Storey, "Regardless of the Union's ambivalence toward slaves and slavery, black men and women in Alabama" saw the Union occupation as the surest path to freedom. With regard to Union foraging and the practicing of hard war, while some slaves and free blacks "viewed the loss of goods as negligible in light of the security and opportunities", for others "federal occupation brought them loss of even small property [and] meant increased vulnerability to whatever white people won the war."
Confederate partisans
Many of the Confederate guerrillas in northern Alabama were detached cavalry units that were used to great advantage in protecting the home front, as opposed to serving in the main army. The primary mission of the pro-Confederate guerrillas was to attempt to keep intact the Confederate social and political order. They assisted the war effort in their own backyards by hunting down and arresting Unionists, conscripts, and deserters. In addition, they terrorized Unionists by destroying their property and threatening their families. Confederate guerillas were made up of four types of fighters–the first half of these were under Confederate supervision, being either detached cavalry or enlisted men fighting close to home. The other units either fought disguised as noncombatants or were simply outlaws looking for blood-letting opportunities. These men were not under Confederate control and were as interested in profit as helping the Southern cause.
Unionists in southern Alabama
Not all Union partisans were confined to the Union-occupied areas of Alabama. In the southeast Alabama counties of Dale, Coffee and Henry (which included present-day Houston County and Geneva County, as well), for instance, guerrillas led by local Unionist John Ward operated virtually at will during the last two years of the war, finding refuge in the vast pine forests that covered this region. These renegades sometimes worked with regular U.S. forces based in Pensacola, Florida, and their depredations led several leading citizens of these counties to petition the governor, T.H. Watts, for military assistance against them. Local citizens, such as Methodist minister Bill Sketoe of Newton, were even hanged by Home Guard elements for alleged acts of collaboration with these guerrillas.
Battles in Alabama
- Battle of Athens
- Battle of Day's Gap
- Battle of Decatur
- Battle of Fort Blakely
- Battle of Mobile Bay
- Battle of Newton
- Battle of Ebenezer Church
- Battle of Selma
- Battle of Munford
- Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle
- Battle of Spanish Fort
Alabama soldiers fought in hundreds of battles; the state's losses at Gettysburg were 1,750 dead plus even more captured or wounded; the famed "Alabama Brigade" took 781 casualties. Governor Lewis E. Parsons in July 1861 made a preliminary estimate of losses. Nearly all the white men served, some 122,000 he said, of whom 35,000 died in the war and another 30,000 were seriously disabled. The next year Governor Robert M. Patton estimated that 20,000 veterans had returned home permanently disabled, and there were 20,000 widows and 60,000 orphans. With cotton prices low, the value of farms shrank, from $176 million in 1860 to only $64 million in 1870. The livestock supply shrank too, as the number of horses fell from 127,000 to 80,000, and mules 111,000 to 76.000. The overall population remained the same—the growth that might have been expected neutralized by death and emigration.
Selma Burke |
Pauline Powell Burns |
Frederick J. Brown |
Robert Blackburn |


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Bish Lawson entered our April Fool's Contest as Pinkie Pie from the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic series! While she did not use one of our wigs we recommend that you take a look at our Pinkie Pie character specific wig (discontinued). Check out her story below!
Name of cosplayers: Bish Lawson
Series that you are cosplaying from: My Little Pony : Friendship is Magic
Characters you are cosplaying as: Pinkie Pie (Gala dress)
Did you use an EpicCosplay wig? If so, what style? Nope
What inspired you to do these cosplays? Pinkie Pie is so random and fun, and I adored the lolita-esqe style of her gala dress so much 🙂
What got you into cosplay? Going to an anime con in 2002 and seeing how much fun everyone was having in costume
Why do you love cosplay? Because who doesn't love to dress up?
Describe what prank you are completing or what is going on in the photograph. (In other words, what makes your submission qualified for this contest).
If your photo does not demonstrate a prank, hat prank(s) have you done in this costume? I'm not much of a prankster myself, but Pinkie Pie is! She will do anything to get a laugh out of her friends like using sneezing powder on Rarity, invisible ink with Twilight, or using a well place storm cloud to scare Spike into a hiccup fit. But she knows when not to cross the line- she would never prank shy, sensitive Fluttershy.


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Substantial progress has been made in the five years since McLean County began an overhaul of community mental health, but some of the toughest work lies ahead, according to two McLean County Board members who served as architects for the ambitious Mental Health Action Plan.
A National Institute of Corrections study requested by former county sheriff Mike Emery of the mental health care at the jail proved a tipping point for more detailed scrutiny of not only the care inmates received but how mental health care was delivered outside the detention center.
Board chairman John McIntyre worked with member Susan Schafer to form two committees in 2014 comprised of stakeholders who spent months looking at mental health needs and best practices to deliver them.
The 92-page plan released in May 2015 laid out five priorities for improving mental health care: collaboration between providers, medication and medical management, juvenile services, housing and crisis services. As part of mental health reform, the county board moved forward with a $39 million jail expansion, which includes a mental health unit staffed with counselors.
But treatment within the justice system "goes for naught, as detainees return to unstructured and untreated environments," the plan concluded. The board- sponsored report noted that without a better coordinated effort outside the jail to manage crisis calls and divert people from expensive emergency room visits and jail, no progress would be made.
The situation at the jail where inmates cycled in and out of the criminal justice system for lack of care in the community needed to be addressed on a larger scale, said Schafer. "The system wasn't working. Something had to be done and no one was doing it. I thought, "let's do it. Let's get it done."
The NIC report was an eyeopener for many people, said Schafer. "This was an outside group saying, 'you've got a problem here.'"
Seventy-two people were invited to the first meeting to discuss the research needed for the mental health plan.
For McIntyre, his post-retirement work counseling and coaching high school students provided insight into the struggles families often face with confronted with mental illness.
"It's a helpless feeling sometimes, if you can't do much for people," said McIntyre.
A chairman's roundtable started by McIntyre brought stakeholders together to talk about gaps in services and solutions to fill them.
"When you get people to the same table, they learn more about each other and what they're doing. We brought the social service agencies, first responders and hospitals together and others for those important discussions," said McIntyre.
Crisis services were expanded as local providers improved their collaboration with each other and law enforcement. A new crisis stabilization center for short-term residential mental health needs opened at Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington.
The McLean County Board of Health also made major changes to its funding process to better monitor how taxpayer money was spent for community mental health programs. New funding was allocated to boost counseling programs in schools and address youth suicides in the county.
In March, the county opened the McLean County Triage Center in downtown Bloomington for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Although only about 20 people have visited the center during the months of the pandemic, the county is confident those numbers will increase in the coming months.
Still to be tackled is the issue of mental health services for children, a challenge facing many communities.
"Services for kids is a high priority item," said McIntyre.
The county recently had no applicants for funding for an intensive outpatient program for children. But Schafer and McIntyre said they intend to continue efforts to start a program designed to keep children out of the hospital and help transition them back into school after a hospitalization.
A shortage of psychiatrists for children and adults is also a challenge McLean County shares with many communities.
The mental health reforms in McLean County, like improvements to most community-based services, requires money. A sales tax increase approved by voters in 2016 provides about $4 million annually that is directed towards mental health programs, including the triage center. About $1.73 million has been budgeted this year for mental health work,
The tax funding has also helped provide housing for five people through the FUSE (Frequent User System Engagement) program. A stable residence is a key factor in helping people reduce hospital visits but convincing some homeless people to accept housing can be challenging.
The benefit of housing for mental ill people goes beyond their well-being, said McIntyre.
"For every person you help, you save $350,000 in services," said the board chairman. Those savings, he said, can be channeled into community programs.
Hospitals remain a source of help for people facing mental health challenges.
"I think the coronavirus has presented a challenge for us as a society and has impacted mental health in a negative way," said Chandler Brooks, nursing supervisor of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center's emergency department.
The hospital has seen an uptick in behavioral and mental health visits during the pandemic. The increase includes adolescents who are coming to the emergency room, said Brooks.
Carle BroMenn Medical Center started the year with a seven percent increase in mental health-related visits to the emergency room, said hospital spokeswoman Lynn Hutley, then saw a significant decrease during April and May.
The numbers have gone up since June but remain below 2019, said Hutley.
The inpatient mental health unit at Carle BroMenn "has stayed at near capacity even when most all other hospital services experienced decreases," said Hutley.
Carle BroMenn will boost its inpatient capacity in the coming weeks when the facility opens its renovated behavioral health services area. Inpatient capacity will move from 13 to 19.
Here's a link to Short-changed: Unjailing the mentally ill, a documentary I helped produce in 2014 with Pantagraph photo editor David Proeber. We documented the crisis in McLean County's mental health services and the work to make things better :


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2002 Reports
The Roots of Latin American Protectionism: Looking Before the Great Depression
This paper uncovers a fact that has not been well appreciated: tariffs in Latin America were far higher than anywhere else in the century before the Great Depression. This is a surprising fact given that this region has been said to have exploited globalization forces better than most during the pre-1914 belle epoque and for which the Great Depression has always been viewed as a critical policy turning point towards protection and de-linking from the world economy. This paper shows that the explanation cannot lie with output gains from protection, since, while such gains were present in Europe and its non-Latin offshoots, they were not present in Latin America. The paper then explores Latin American tariffs as a revenue source, as a protective device for special interests, and as the result of other political economy struggles. We conclude by asking whether the same pro-protection conditions exist today as those which existed more than a century ago.
Geographic Areas
- w8999.pdf application/pdf 437 KB Download File
More About This Work
- Academic Units
- Office of the Provost
- Series
- NBER Working Paper, 8999
- Published Here
- June 8, 2015


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MIT Sloan CIO Symposium
Symposium Roles
Speaker/Panel Team Member 2012, 2013, 2015Advisory Board 2013
Sponsorship Team Member 2013
Chair of Event 2014, 2015
CIO Award Judge 2014, 2015
Speaker/Panelist 2014, 2015
Program Team Member 2014
As the Chair and General Manager of the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, Lindsey Anderson is responsible for ensuring that attendees, sponsors, speakers, and volunteers all have the best possible experience at the Symposium. Anderson leads a team of 40 volunteers as well as media agencies and partners. His mission is to bring together the academic thought leadership of MIT with the hands-on experience of leading, global CIOs.
Prior to chairing the Symposium, Anderson worked in eCommerce and digital marketing for UL (Underwriter's Laboratories), Monster, PUMA, and Sybase. He also served on the Board of Directors of the MIT Sloan Boston Alumni Association where he organized numerous events and volunteered for the Symposium, including serving two years on the Symposium's Board of Advisors. He was also involved with the Symposium's predecessor, the MIT Sloan Software Symposium.
Anderson earned an MS in Management from the MIT Sloan School and a BS from Cornell University. He enhanced his graduate education at the Harvard Extension School with coursework in computer science and continues to learn daily from the MIT community, CIOs, Award finalists, business executives, start-ups, and volunteers involved with the Symposium.
Press Coverage
- Will the role of the chief data officer eclipse that of the CIO?
- The Morning Download: Internet of Things Opens Way for New Business Models
- Exploring the Evolving Role of CIOs
- 2015 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium to Help CIOs Invent the Future and Accelerate Success through Technology
- Lack of urgency and speed hamstring digital transformation
- Movers and Shakers: Lindsey Anderson, Chair of The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium
- 5 Questions With… Lindsey Anderson


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Do you mean voltage which is effected directly, or Direct Current as distinct from Alternating Current? Transformers "transform" voltage from one level to another by means of electromagnetic inductance, but to change from alternating current to direct one uses a device termed a rectifier.
Transformers can "step up" voltage from lower to higher power, or the other way around. Electric circuits generate magnetic fields, and when such a field changes voltage is produced. If voltage runs through one wire and another wire is close enough, current flows into the second wire as the field changes. Voltage and current are not the same thing, of course. Voltage is the pressure of electrons moving from one atom to another, current is the rate of flow of those electrons. It's like water in a hose, the voltage would be like the pressure pushing the water, current as the rate of flow of the water. Direct current is the flow running in one direction always. In alternating current the flow changes back and forth, which involves a process called inductance, and introduces time concepts such as frequency and angle changes, which are not relevant to this explanation.
A transformer is a passive device consisting of a ferromagnetic core and two (or more) coils of wire called "windings." Changing the current in the primary winding creates an alternating magnetic field in that core, which multiplies the field and couples the flux (or most of it) through the secondary winding(s). By means of this device voltage is stepped down (or up) from the input of the transformer to the output. Outside your house on power poles transformers step down the (in the US usually) 7,200 volts in the residential lines to 220-240 volts to your house. This is broken down into 110 to 120 in your house, all AC.
Inside most electrical devices, such as a stereo or whatever, the 110 volts (or so) is stepped down with a transformer and then rectified into direct current at 12 volts. Transformers are used to transform the level of alternating current voltage, not current. Modern rectifiers tend to consist of diodes and resistors, although tubes used to be used and still are in some applications. A rectifier shuttles half of the AC power signal to ground and passes the other half on as DC, which is then conditioned by other components called capacitors.
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Indi Shirred Short
No reviews
The Indi Shirred Short is cut from a soft linen/viscose blend and features a curved hem, pockets, and a shirred waistband that will sit comfortably across and under your bump - depending on your stage of pregnancy. After your little one arrives, these shorts will continue to be on high rotation as you recover post pregnancy.
- Relaxed fit
- Woven Linen Viscose
- Smocked waistband
- Curved at side seam
- 55% Linen & 45% Viscose
- Cold gentle machine wash with like colors
- Do not bleach, soak, rub or tumble dry
- Gently pull to shape
- Dry in shade
- Warm iron on reverse side
- May be dry cleaned (P)
- Length: 5 inches in leg
- Front rise: 9 inches
- Leg opening: 24.5 inches


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7 Recommended Online Mattress Reviews
There are so many bed mattress models readily available today that it can be really hard to decide on your most ideal choice. With this article we have picked the most recommended mattresses that you may be trying to find. Nectar Mattress Queen Dimensions
We have sorted through a number of the popular brand names and have listed the 7 top mattresses:
1. Best Mattress for Side Sleepers: DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid
2. Best Mattress for Neck and Back Pain: Bear Pro
3. Best Mattress for Stomach Sleepers: Nectar
4. Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers: Layla Hybrid
5. Best Latex Mattress: Idle Latex Hybrid
6. Best Memory Foam Mattress: Puffy Lux
7. Best Mattress for the Money: Layla Memory Foam
DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid
Best Mattress for side sleepers
Coupling memory foam and individually wrapped coils, furnishes this luxury 15-inch hybrid contouring comfort with great stability and more bounce than an all foam mattress. It is constructed of numerous layers of the softest and most supportive premium fabrics.
The DreamCloud mattress has a cashmere blend outside cover that is breathable and provides it a regal feel. It has premium high-loft memory foam quilted straight into the cover that makes it very cozy and comfy.
$599 Special Offer! $200 off Mattress PLUS Free Pillows, Free Luxury Sheets & Free Mattress Protector - ($399 VALUE)
Layers of high density gel memory foam and low-motion transfer foam work together to keep you sleeping cool, eliminate pressure points and decrease motion transfer from your spouse's motions.
A layer of heavy duty individually wrapped coils extend from one edge to the other for remarkable edge support.
The bottom base layer is made from a porous foam which really helps to increase the air flow as well as decrease vibrations from the coils.
All the foams satisfy extensive safety standards and are CertiPUR-US approved.
Best for sleepers that want a supportive bed with a memory foam feel to it. Suitable for all sleeping positions, but excellent for side and stomach sleepers.
This specific mattress has a firmness rating of medium-firm (6.5 out of 10).
Why we like it:
- 365 sleep trial
- Life time warranty
- Great for couples (limits motion transfer and has good edge support)
- More bounce and less sinkage than all memory foam
- Free shipping and totally free returns
$599 Special Offer! $200 off Mattress PLUS Free Pillows, Free Luxury Sheets & Free Mattress Protector - ($399 VALUE)
Bear Pro
Best Mattress for Back Pain
The Bear Pro measures 12″ in height and is comprised of 4 layers. The Celliant material in the cover has been shown to aid in healing for your tissues and muscles.
Some advantages of the copper infused foam top layer are that it keeps you sleeping cooler, helps keep the mattress fresh and adds in some extra cushioning that benefits side sleepers.
Given that copper naturally hinders the development of bacteria and allergens it can help sleepers with allergic reactions breath easier.
The next layer is gel memory foam, underneath that is a layer of responsive transition foam and finally a high density support foam base layer.
All the foams used in this specific mattress are Certi-PUR US authenticated for non-toxic chemicals.
This mattress has a firmness score of medium-firm. (6.5 out of 10).
Why we like it:
- 100 night risk free trial
- ten years warranty
- Eco-friendly components
- Free shipping and complimentary returns
Best mattress for stomach sleepers
This five layer memory foam mattress is close to a medium firm (6.5 on a firmness scale of 1 to 10) so it's firm enough for a strict stomach sleeper however it's likewise got enough softness to contour around your body and provide calming pressure relief to back or side sleepers too.
All the foams used in this specific mattress are CertiPUR-US approved and are medical grade visco elastic memory foams which guarantees that you will not be inhaling any toxic chemicals.
The quilted memory foam cover is made from Tencel material which is breathable and helps with air circulation.
The gel memory foam layer also helps you sleep cool and distributes your weight throughout the mattress.
The adaptive hi core memory foam layer supplies additional support so you do not get that "sinking into quicksand" sensation.
The Bottom base layer supports the above layers and gives more durability. Nectar Mattress Queen Dimensions
Why we like it:
- Great for sleepers who favor memory foam
- Very affordable
- No motion transfer
- Excellent air circulation
- Supportive and pressure relieving
- 365 night sleep trial
- Free shipping and complimentary returns
- Forever warranty
Layla Hybrid Mattress
Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers
The Layla Hybrid sleeps cooler than an all foam mattress due to the fact that the layer of springs permit optimum air flow. The copper infused memory foam and Thermogel cover also have heat reducing properties.
Copper really helps you sleep cooler because copper particles are very conductive and they serve to help pull additional heat off you, keeping your body a consistent temperature level while you sleep. Copper provides natural heat circulation which is why copper is used in high-end cookware.
Considering that copper is antimicrobial it also helps keep your mattress smelling fresh.
This type of mattress is also flippable which means that you can turn it over so it resembles getting 2 beds in one; a firm side and a soft side.
The handgrips on the sides of the mattress are a huge help in flipping it over.
The cover on the soft side is created with a really soft breathable fabric. It has a zipper for simple removal and cleaning.
Next is a 2.5 inch layer of copper gel memory foam. The copper gel in the foam reacts to increased pressure with a firming reaction so it remains soft and comfortable overall but supplies support around deep compression spots where it is needed probably the most.
A 2-inch layer of Max Airflow Support foam adds in cooling and support.
Click Here to Save $200 Off Layla Hybrid + 2 Free Pillows!
In the center of the mattress is the 6-inch layer of individually wrapped coils with 14 gauge coils in the center and 16 gauge coils in a double row at the edge for excellent edge support.
Next is a 1.5 inch layer of Max Airflow Support Foam for added cooling and support.
Then, a 1 inch layer of copper gel memory foam provides more cooling.
The cover on the firm side is also made of the exact same soft, breathable material.
All foams are CertiPUR-US approved and are American Made open cell polyurethane which are checked and identified to be safe.
Stomach, side and back sleepers will find this mattress model comfy.
This hybrid has some bounce because it does have coils at its core however it simultaneously provides outstanding motion isolation.
Unlike an all foam memory foam mattress that has a large amount of sink, this Layla hybrid has some sink from the top memory foam layers.
Why we like it:
- More bounce and less sink than an all foam mattress model
- Superior edge support with a double row of 16 gauge edge coils
- Outstanding for couples
- 120 night sleep trial
- Free shipping and complimentary returns
- Lifetime manufacturer's warranty
- Made in the U.S.A.
Click Here to Save $200 Off Layla Hybrid + 2 Free Pillows!
Idle Latex Hybrid
Best Latex Mattress
Idle Sleep offers you a choice of two different latex mattresses; Dunlop or Talalay. They are both natural latex foam that come from the sap of a rubber tree.
The Dunlop latex is naturally more dense than the Talalay which is naturally airier. The Dunlop is cooler than memory foam but not as cool as the Talalay.
Because the Dunlop is more dense it gives more support and is a better option for back and stomach sleepers whereas the Talalay is much better for side sleepers because it gives more pressure relief.
The Idle Latex Hybrid is furthermore a 2-sided mattress. You can decide upon to have both sides luxury firm (9-9.5), both sides medium (6-7) or medium on one side and firm on the other side.
The flippable style allows the your bed to last longer simply because when you regularly turn and rotate your mattress it doesn't require to be replaced as frequently because of wear and drooping.
The natural organic cotton cover is breathable, environment-friendly and allows for great air circulation. There is additionally 1-inch of natural wool woven into the cover to increase softness and it at the same time functions as a natural fire barrier.
The next layer is your choice of either Dunlop or Talalay latex; both are anti-microbial and hypoallergenic. This layer is 3-inches thick.
Then, a next layer of 6 inches of pocketed coils for exceptional support all the way to the edge of the bed.
The layers on the other side are the same, since it is a flippable mattress.
The mattress includes handgrips on the sides to assist you in flipping or rotating it.
All the foams are CertiPur-US certified or natural foams so you can be assured of a safe sleeping environment.
Why we like it:
- Sleeps cooler than standard memory foam
- 18 month sleep trial
- Does a great job of managing temperature
- Made of natural and organically produced fabrics: cotton, latex and wool
- Life time warranty
- Free shipping and complimentary returns
Puffy Lux
Best Memory Foam Mattress
Puffy makes a 12-inch premium mattress that has a classic memory foam feel with exceptional pressure relief making it a great option for a lot of sleepers.
The top layer is made from a cooling gel cloud foam that is created to be cool to the touch and breathable.
The next layer is a body adapting dual foam that adapts to your shape and offers support to your back as you change positions. At the same time cushioning pressure points.
Underneath that layer is a climate comfort foam that creates even more cushioning to your pressure points in addition to reducing temperature variations.
The base is a layer of firm core support foam that adds durability and support.
>>Save $300 on Puffy Lux + 2 Free Pillows<<
The machine washable cover has a zipper for simple removal and is additionally stain resistant.
All the foams are CertiPUR-US verified for the best quality and safety. They are made without unhealthy chemicals and contaminants.
Puffy furthermore sells a more economical choice, the Puffy, which doesn't have the body adapting dual foam layer however it is still a really comfy bed though it is 2 inches thinner than the Lux.
They also offer a more luxurious version, the Puffy Royal, which is 2-inches thicker than the Puffy Lux with a 5-zone support system.
When you purchase a mattress, Puffy will donate beds to children in need. Nectar Mattress Queen Dimensions
Why we like it:
- 101 night sleep trial
- Can be put on any surface or frame
- Made in the USA 100%
- Easy to switch positions
- Life time manufacturer's warranty
>>Save $300 on Puffy Lux + 2 Free Pillows<<
Layla Memory Foam
Best Mattress for the Money
The Layla memory foam mattress is a 10-inch high double-sided mattress which signifies you essentially get two beds for the cost of one. Because you can flip it over every so often it won't wear out or droop as easily as a one sided mattress.
You have the choice of a soft side or a firm side. The soft side of the mattress is a 4 out of 10 and the firm side is a 7 out of 10. The soft side offers you a little bit more body contouring and hug while the firm side has increased support with less sink.
Another plus for this mattress is the copper gel infused layers which furnish you with all the advantages of copper such as natural heat distribution (to keep you cool), antimicrobial properties (to keep your mattress smelling fresh & help in reducing allergens), plus the copper gel in the foam also adds extra support.
Save $200 Off Layla Memory Foam Mattress + 2 Free Pillows Now!
The cover zips off for easy washing and it is made with thermo-gel cooling technology on both sides.
The copper gel memory foam layer is 3 inches thick and imparts support for deep compression spots, rapid cooling and is naturally antimicrobial.
Underneath that is a 2″ layer of Max Airflow Support Foam that supplies extra air flow and support.
In the center is a 4 inch layer of Support Core foam for minimal bounce and maximum motion isolation.
Then, a 1 inch layer of copper gel memory foam.
The cover on the firm side is identical to the cover on the soft side.
Layla gives you a lot of worth for the money. Not simply are you getting a comfy, good quality memory foam bed but it is additionally double-sided and has copper gel-infused layers for cooling.
Why we like it:
- Budget friendly – most value
- 120 night sleep trial
- Free shipping and totally free returns
- Lifetime manufacturer's warranty
- Made in the U.S.A.
Save $200 Off Layla Memory Foam Mattress + 2 Free Pillows Now!
Buying Guide
Memory foam mattresses offer body hugging contouring and cradling of your pressure points.
They keep motion isolated which substantially minimizes motion transfer and helps keep people who are sleeping in the same bed from waking each other when moving. Memory foam mattresses have more sink and less bounce to them.
Latex mattresses that are made from natural latex are produced from the sap of the rubber tree and are an environment-friendly, natural choice. The latex is allergen-free and sleeps a fair bit cooler than memory foam. It is furthermore a little bit more bouncy than memory foam so some individuals might discover it much easier to change positions while sleeping because you do not "sink" into the bed as much.
Innerspring or coil type of mattresses are firmer than memory foam and much more bouncy.
They offer little to no motion isolation, so you will be aware of your partner or family pet changing positions during the course of the night.
Hybrid mattresses are the best of both worlds due to the fact that they integrate the body hugging comfort of memory foam with the stability and bouncy aspect of traditional coil spring beds. The separately encased coils of the hybrid under the memory foam layers decrease a great deal of the motion transfer that you feel with an innerspring mattress. So the final result is more bounce and less sinking in than an all foam mattress.
After Purchasing Your Mattress Online
A mattress-in-a-box or bed-in-a-box, is compressed and rolled or folded prior to shipping. The majority of companies suggest unboxing a brand-new mattress within a month or two after it's delivered. If you're setting it up yourself, follow the guidelines detailed by the manufacturer. If you purchased a base for your brand-new mattress that needs to be put together, do that before anything else.
Then bring package with the mattress in it to the bedroom considering that it can be really heavy and tough to deal with if removed from the shipping box initially.
You can then position the mattress on the base or box spring before the plastic is cut off.
The plastic can be cut off the mattress with a pair of scissors or a knife however be extremely careful not to harm it. Be aware that some mattresses are shipped with several layers of plastic while some may have only one layer to remove.
After the plastic wrapping is removed, it can take just a few minutes to a several hours for the mattress to decompress and recapture its full volume and shape.
The components in a new mattress can release a smell, some of which is caused by the breakdown of volatile organic substances in the foam. It can take anywhere from a several hours to a couple of days for the smell to go away. You should most likely wait till then before you sleep on the mattress. Letting in some fresh air through a window or door will most likely speed up the process.
Be Aware of the Mattress Return Policy
A number of the online mattress brands that you will buy from provide a complete refund to you during the trial period along with helping discover a charity to come take the mattress away. On the occasion that there isn't a charity or group to take the mattress away they will arrange a time for it to be picked up.
Given that return policies do differ from business to company, it is a good idea to be knowledgeable about what the policy of the firm that you are purchasing from really covers.
Likewise, it's not a bad strategy to keep your old mattress till you make sure that you are wanting to keep the new one.
In summary, don't buy a mattress online unless you know the following:
1) Delivery Choices:
Some companies send you the mattresses in a shipping box which you then set up yourself. Some businesses have an option where you can set up a delivery time and they will have a person actually set-up your mattress and eliminate the old one too. This is known as a White Glove Service and there is usually a small additional fee.
2) Return Policy:
Be sure that there is at least a 30 day trial period where you can see if you are comfortable sleeping on the mattress. The majority of the companies will pick up the mattress and contribute it to charity if you don't care for it.
3) Non-Toxic Materials:
Considering that much of these mattresses are made with foam, make sure that their certifications are genuine. The CertiPUR-US certified foams have been analyzed by independent, accredited testing labs and meet their requirements. GreenGuard is another quality accreditation.
4) The base for your bed:
Make sure that you measure your bed frame to make sure that the mattress will fit.
Materials like foam typically feel best on a hard, flat surface. If your base has slats, you want them to be spaced close enough to make sure that the mattress will not droop.


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Take a video tour of our Loring Home Model:
This home is approximately 2630 square feet on the top two floors and approximately 1200 square feet of finished lower level. But, we can design this home to any size you wish.
Call 301-370-6463 for a price of this home on your lot or ours.
- Phone Number: 301-370-6463
- 1st Floor Master Suite: Yes
- 3rd Floor Option: Yes
- Home Style: Arts and Crafts
- Plan Name: Loring


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If you are in IT and responsible for your company's data warehouse and reporting capabilities, chances are you will identify with at least one of these statements:
If you are in IT and responsible for your company's data warehouse and reporting capabilities, chances are you will identify with at least one of these statements:
- "We are too buried with maintaining our existing database to take on new initiatives"
- "We need to get out of the report writing business"
- "We cannot give you that information from the data warehouse without a lot of development"
- "It's too hard to make changes to our existing process because it breaks too easily"
- "That new data source doesn't fit in our existing data model and we can't extend it"
If so, then you may be an ideal candidate for Data Warehouse Automation (DWA). Companies realize that data warehouses are not going to be replaced by Hadoop or in-memory solutions. A 2014 Gartner survey found that only 3% of IT leaders believe that big data or in-memory systems can replace their existing data warehouse infrastructure. That's a dramatic drop over recent years. As such, DWA is getting a fresh look as a better way to build and manage a data warehouse.
Until recently, DWA was associated mostly with automating ETL development – such as generating SSIS packages in the Microsoft environment. Today, however, it covers all the major components of data warehousing from design, development and testing to deployment, operations and change management. It also covers advanced functionality like support for slowly changing dimensions and change data capture.
In our experience, DWA delivers up to 80% improvements in the cost-effectiveness of building and running a data warehouse. And, just as important, DWA is far better aligned with modern agile development practices because it encourages a rapid, iterative approach to design.
The benefits of automation are profound for IT organizations. Developers and DevOps teams see greater efficiency in the development and maintenance phases of the data warehouse lifecycle through a number of advantages:
Data Warehouse Development | Data Warehouse Operations |
DWA is commonly criticized by vendor competitors as being either 1) "the wrong approach" compared to in-memory; or 2) not as effective as hand-crafted, custom database development approaches. Both arguments are purist and too simplistic. In-memory has tremendous analytical benefits but is lacking in support for data governance, single source of truth, and performance. Customization is almost always needed for business critical tasks – but not for the more common routine and repetitive uses. Custom development is more error prone than DWA, and much harder to maintain over the long run.
Automation does not mean excluding in-memory analytical tools or precluding customization. It means blending the best of the best to create a scalable, high performing solution at lower time and development cost.
Next Generation Data Warehouse
To deliver on your company's future demands for data and insights, you will need to maintain your existing data warehouse – and add the great new capabilities available with big data management and in-memory analytics. The real opportunity is in making those technologies work together smoothly with minimum effort and risk. That means continuing to automate the rote and routine parts of your developer's daily task so they can focus on moving your organization to a higher level of development and value, and ultimately provide better access to the data that is valuable to the company.


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Ohio State Reformatory
Mansfield, Ohio
The prison, defunct since 1990, was the setting for the movie The Shawshank Redemption. It has been used as a setting or featured on many other movies, music videos and TV programs, including Ghost Adventures. Witnesses have experienced shadow figures, slamming cell doors and yelling voices, and female witnesses claim ...
Malabar Farm
Lucas, Ohio
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield built Malabar Farm in 1939, and the historic homesite is open for tours and wagon rides. It is said to be haunted by Ceely Rose. According to her story, she was in love with a boy who didn't feel the same. In order to spare ...
Bissman Building
Mansfield, Ohio
The Bissman Building, once a grocery warehouse built in 1886, is said to be very haunted; ghost hunts and tours are offered here. Many apparitions are seen here, including a man in a long coat and top hat and a young girl; footsteps have been heard on empty floors above, ...
Mansfield Women's Club
Mansfield, Ohio
Remaining as one of Mansfield, Ohio's largest and oldest homes, the estate of Mr & Mrs. Henry C. Hedges, is known for its near original 1800's interior and stunning Victorian charm. The home now is the official Club House to the Mansfield Federation of Women's Clubs, was left by widow ...
Mount Olive Cemetery
Bellville, Ohio
Mount Olive Cemetery, or Lucas Cemetery, has a ghost named Mary Jane. One legend has it that she was burned at the stake in the 1800s after being accused of witchcraft. Another says she was a Native-American medicine woman, and some folks thought her profession was a mite too close ...
Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Lucas, Ohio
Pleasant Valley Cemetery is haunted by the Rose Family buried here. Legend has it that Ceely Rose murdered her mother, father and brother in 1896 over her love for Guy Berry. Guy lied and told Ceely they couldn't marry because her family didn't approve of him rather than tell her ...


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E-Gift Card - Multiple Values Listed in Options
Gift card instructions: Upon ordering your E-gift card will be emailed to you within 24 hours. Can NOT be purchased with a discount code - you will be refunded
Gift cards are used towards the total purchase and must be used in full. If you would like to split up the amount of your gift card between separate purchases you must contact us first.
Gift cards can not be used towards shipping costs. Shipping must be paid separately.
Gift cards are only good for www.rocknhorror.com and the big cartel site. They are not redeemable for cash or for use at any convention or in person sales.
Further details and instructions will be provided with your emailed gift card.
Not combinable with any other promo or discount card


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It's definitely #JCOonCloud9 this month! Let the treats come with J.CO's special 2 Dozen Promo for only P550, available via GrabFood and J.CO FB Messenger from March 15-17, 2021!
1.) Create your kind of happiness with any two pre-assorted dozen combination of your choice for only P550. (SAVE P200). Maximum of 2 dozens per transaction.
2.) Each dozen contains these flavors:
Choco-ful set: 2 pcs Alcapone, 1 pc Oreology, 1 pc Caramello Crunch, 1 pc Mr. Green T., 1 pc Sweetheart, 1 pc Berry Lovely, 1 pc Mylosaurus, 1 pc Choco Caviar, 1 pc Cheesecakelicious, 1 pc Coco Loco and 1 pc Don Mochino.
Fruitilicious set: 2 pcs Alcapone, 1 pc Katy Berry, 1 pc Avocado Di Caprio, 1 pc Mr. Green T., 1 pc Sweetheart, 1 pc Berry Lovely, 1pc Berry Spears, 1 pc Caviar Strawberry, 1 pc Jacky Chunk, 1 pc White Desert and 1 pc Tiramisu.
3.) This promo is available via Grab Food delivery & J.CO's Facebook Bot Messenger (for delivery or pick up) from 10am to 7pm starting March 15 until March 17, 2021.
4.) The promo cannot be exchanged for other items or discounts and cannot be used in conjunction with other promos and discounts. In the purchase of goods and services which are on promotional discount, the senior citizen can avail of the promotional discount or the discount provided under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, whichever is higher.


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Volunteer Monica Atim has spent the past three years making sure that young people in some of the most remote and marginalised communities of Zambia have access to essential sexual and reproductive health information and services.
Around the world, young women and girls suffer from a severe lack of access to the basic information and resources that would protect their sexual reproductive health (SRH).
In Zambia, 29% of girls fall pregnant while in their teens, according to the country's Gender Minister, Victoria Kalima. Child marriages are common too – the prevalence rate is 31%.
On the remote island of Mbabala in Luapula province's Lake Bangweulu, with its lack of education, work and leisure opportunities, the average age of sexual debut for girls is just 13 years. For boys, it's 15.
VSO volunteer Monica Atim has been working in communities like this for almost three years on the Adolescent TALK! project, which is designed to share life-saving sexual reproductive health knowledge.
"In our African culture, families do not talk about sex or puberty. It's a taboo", says Monica, who is Ugandan. "So there is nobody to tell these young people what is happening as their bodies are changing, what to do."
"That makes these young people very gullible to misinformation. For example, when a boy's voice starts breaking and becomes deep, people may believe he has been to a witch doctor and that spirits are entering him. It might sound unusual, but if all you have is imagination these things become real."
Overcoming barriers
It's vital to make young people knowledgeable about sexual reproductive health issues and aware of their rights, but it's in no way easy. Two of the biggest barriers are geography and culture.
To support young people, you first need to reach them. Zambia is a vast country – driving non-stop from the northern border with the Democratic Republic of Congo to the southern-most point at the mighty Victoria Falls would take 24 hours. Much of Zambia is remote, with almost 60% of people (about 10.5 million) living in rural areas.
By embedding volunteers like Monica into the most isolated and marginalised communities, we were able to bring information into areas that had never been reached before with information like this.
For Monica, that meant living and working in places like Mbabala Island, which she could only reach via an old ambulance boat loaned by the Ministry of Health: "The island is very, very remote. For the most part there's no power. At some points it's so sandy not even a motorbike can get across. Boat is the only option."
"It was about a 45 minute journey on the water - if the weather was good," says Monica. "Many times you set off, the weather is nice but all of a sudden you're in the middle of the lake, there is a lot of wind and it all goes haywire."
Leaving no one behind
Mbabala Island has a basic health centre with a single, overwhelmed nurse working to serve the medical needs of a population of 2,000, which rises up to 5,000 during fishing season.
Through Adolescent TALK!, we established a 'youth-friendly corner' at Mbabala Health Centre, providing confidential advice and counselling to young people on issues such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), family planning and the dangers of teenage pregnancy. Condoms were provided, along with guidance on using and storing them safely.
"Access to sexual health commodities is a serious issue," says Monica. "At the start of the project, we did an outreach exercise, where we went into communities with two large boxes of condoms - we're talking 7,200 condoms per box. At the end there were none left, but people were still demanding more."
"At the beginning of the project, young people really lacked available information and services. Because of that lack, young people would reach out to traditional healers to treat an STI for example. That wasn't right. They were risking the disease getting worse and causing further complications - it could even cause infertility.
Opening the youth-friendly corner has boosted the number of people who are accessing sexual health services from the facility. The number of cases of STIs recorded at the clinic has also greatly reduced.
The power of peer educators
Even being embedded in communities, it was going to be a challenge to reach out to entire populations with sexual health issues, often for the first time.
Monica helped recruit 90 peer educators: young people trained to share information on these topics with their peers in schools and communities.
"It felt really nice working with them. Although, at the start they were sometimes difficult to work with! They would challenge me on the information I was sharing, because they were misinformed," says Monica.
"I didn't argue with them. I just said to myself, 'this is my catch, raw as they are. Let me do my best to help them get the right information that will help them better their lives'."
Reaching further
Monica has also supported the peer educators to produce and present radio programmes on local station Radio Bangweulu. Monica would write the scripts and arrange for the young presenters to be joined by experts to discuss a broad range of sexual health issues and hold radio phone-ins from listeners.
"In these rural communities, radio is the most popular medium, so it helped us spread information a lot further. We also formed 42 radio listening clubs, where young people could listen to the radio programmes together and discuss the content of the programme and raise any questions."
People-powered change
The project wasn't always plain sailing. After all, the topics being discussed are still taboo in many communities.
"In the beginning, they said 'you're going to teach our children about sex… you are encouraging promiscuity'," remembers Monica. "There was resistance."
"We were bringing in this project from a rights point of view. Zambia has policies that explain the rights of young people to access sexual health information and services. But at the community level, there is low awareness of policy. The project was not going to work unless the community understood what we were doing.
"It was very frustrating in the beginning but you have to sit down with them and consider it from their point of view. We had a meeting and we asked the elders, 'Are there girls who fall pregnant while they are still at school?' They said, 'Yes, a lot of them.'
"So then we asked, 'do young people get a lot of STIs?' They said, 'oh, yes they do'. Then we asked, 'so, has anyone been teaching them ways to avoid these things?'
"They finally saw we had a point and that's when they asked us to come and help! We had to get around it in a very innovative way, to show them they had a choice between continuing as they were, letting their children contract diseases and dying, or to work with us, because you can't stop them having sex but at least you can make sure they are safe."
Making an impact
To bring the community fully on-board, the project trained some of the same elders, traditional and religious leaders who'd initially resisted the project to become part of it. Some became 'change champions', to share information with parents of young people, who also lacked sexual health information, and 'community-based distributors', who shared contraceptives and condoms from their homes in a discrete and confidential way.
I feel proud. I feel like a champion.Monica Atim
"Being a part of this has been really great because we've worked at all levels. Working with the young people, working with the whole community. We wouldn't have made it without them all," says Monica.
"When you come into a community as a VSO volunteer, a lot is expected of you. It triggers you to go beyond what you know already, to research and consult with people. The project has had a big impact, and I have grown a lot as well".
Find out more about our work in:
We've worked in Zambia since 1958, building healthy communities and supporting people to develop sustainable and resilient livelihoods.
Improving young people's sexual and reproductive health and rights in rural Zambian communities.


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AT&T, Fox Strike STELAR-Related Carriage Deal
Keeps Fox network programming for truckers, RVs, others
AT&T has struck a multi-year deal with Fox to continue to deliver its TV stations via DirecTV after the sunset of the blanket license.
AT&T said it has been negotiating with all the networks to continue to deliver signals to truckers, RVs and others after Congress passed a bill, the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act, that ended the blanket license June 1, requiring AT&T to negotiate individual deals if it wanted to continue to import distant network TV signals to markets and subs who lacked a local version.
Related: AT&T Faces Renewed Pressure to Sell DirecTV
Fox is the first deal to get done.
"It is critical for our customers to be able to access network TV programming, especially during this global pandemic," said AT&T EVP Federal Relations Tim McKone. "With this agreement, essential workers, like those on oil rigs and long-haul truckers, can stay connected with news and information. We appreciate FOX for putting the interests of consumers first and we hope the other networks follow suit."
AT&T has been asking for an extension of that deadline until Jan. 1, 2021, rather than having to cut off the signals during the pandemic.
AT&T could also have preserved the blanket license by agreeing to deliver local signals to a dozen small markets.
Unlike cable operators, satellite operators have no must-carry requirement, though if they carry any local stations they must carry them all. AT&T has chosen not to deliver stations in a dozen of the smallest markets via DirecTV, instead importing distant network signals and offering an over-the-air option for local stations alongside its satellite service.
Late last year, STELAR, which allowed satellite operators to import distant network TV station signals to viewers who lacked them, including truckers, RV users and tailgaters on the go, short markets lacking one or more affiliate, and viewers whose market had an affiliate but who could not get a viewable signal. It got those signals at a blanket license rate, and did not have to negotiate with TV stations for them, which it now must do, and has been trying to do.
Related: Deal Struck on STELAR Successor Bills
The legislation extended the compulsory license for truckers, RV users and tailgaters and those in short markets, until May 31, 2020.
Broadcasters, when they were pushing for a STELAR sunset, did express their their willingness to provide a glide path for the sunset. But they also said that AT&T could solve the issue and get a permanent blanket license by serving the last dozen or so markets with local signals as Dish does.
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Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.


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Entertainment. This word is often associated with movies. Uplifting. That's a word you don't usually associate with a movie. And it's not often you associate that word with prison movies, either. But 'The Shawshank Redemption' is a different kind of movie in a lot of ways. A lot of great ways. Whenever, I think about 'The Shawshank Redemption' I think about hope. It's a dark tale to be sure; of a wrongly convicted man, some nasty prison guards, an even nastier warden, institutionalization, prison rape. At its core, however, this is a story of friendship. And the one between Red and Andy is one of the great friendships in movie history.
This is not a review. It's just a analysis, about the greatness of Shawshank Redemption. But, why Shawshank Redemption is considered to be the greatest movie. It even has a top spot in the Imdb top 250 list, and also remains as the best movie in many critics list. So, what makes something the best? How do you define 'best'? Do you as describe 'best' as it is your favorite thing. Or does 'best' simply mean an acknowledgment of status by the greatest amount of people?
The Imdb top 250 list is mostly based upon the votes of a young movie-goer. Movies like 'Dark Knight was placed above 'Godfather II' initially at the time of dark knight's release. So, keeping aside these great lists, and critics opinion. let's see what makes 'Shawshank Redemption' great.
The Shawshank Redemption is a story carefully constructed around its dramatic purpose. The full effect of this is demonstrated by the fact that nothing can be removed from this story without changing it in some way. In loosely, badly written or constructed stories, one can make wholesale changes in everything and not really affect the outcome of the story and the destination of its plot. Here, everything is finely detailed around its purpose, everything works to achieve an effect, to deepen the impact of the story. The movie starts formally and specifically, and you think you know where it's all going, but it surprises you, the way the story unfolds.
We all find darkness in our life. In the movie, years pass by, characters come and go, but there is always darkness, which looms over the characters. Humor and light-heartedness exist, but everyone inside their rooms, are feeling the loneliness. A loneliness, which is eating their lives. Yes, there are a lot of bad men in Shawshank prison, but within those grim walls and the corroding corridors there is no more evil a villain than that of despair.
Institutionalization. This is another important theme beautifully explored in this movie, with the help of 'Brooks' character. You could take the entire premise of a prison theme as a metaphor. Most of us, obey the institution then depend on it, scared to change our life-style. The human society is developing in institutionalized environment. However, we can choose redemption if we want. As Andy's choosing, nothing can prevent our right to choose redemption even it's so huge like the Shawshank prison.
Shawshank is quiet, slow-paced, filmed well but without post-modern flourishes. It strives for (and achieves) a very naturalistic feel using many techniques, from the extremely well-made prison set to the low-key acting, invisible lighting and editing, and a tendency to cover scenes in wider shots than normal. The film is structured in sequences, not scenes, creating a series of "short stories" during Andy's stay in prison.
In a harsh and corrupt system, it is good to see a character reaffirm his hope and regain his sense of self-determination. The Shawshank Redemption also works because it has an intelligence to it. It doesn't explain every little thing to the viewer which means that as we watch it stimulates the brain and enters your consciousness. As a consequence it becomes more of an experience than a movie. When I think of this movie, I'm reminded of how classical storytelling and working with archetypes can be just as vibrant and powerful as revolutionary techniques or realistic, understated portrayals. I'm reminded of the level most movies should aspire to; that success can be defined by building around story and character.
The movie shows friendship between two men that isn't based in crude jokes or chasing girls. Shawshank Redemption is also blessed with Morgan Freeman's narration, and Tim Robbins acting; his measured silences, and subtle facial expressions.
This is also a story that earns its impact, that doesn't cheapen itself by offering an easy, feel-good path to redemption. Here, redemption is carved out of the stone walls of the prison, just as in life people must struggle to find and give meaning to their lives. Through internalizing the journey promised by this story, its viewers can experience that even the darkest abyss can be survived. That sometimes it's through surviving the abyss that we grow and discover who we really are.
Shawshank Redemption is not a movie about hope. It is 'Hope.'
The Shawhsank Redemption - Imdb


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The connected vehicle solution start-up Eloy has launched an industry survey to help it understand which services it should develop as a priority.
The company is a finalist in the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund 150 year competition, with a proposal to build a connected vehicle software platform that would enable various levels of government and organisations to develop their own connected vehicle solutions at a lower cost.
This is aided by the existing Eloy app, which has sat nav, voice controls, in-vehicle messaging, and more.
It's seeking the industry's feedback to help it prioritise what services and tools it should develop.
"Given that this is an award from a charitable organisation, these services do not necessarily have to be immediately financially viable," explained co-founder Damian Horton. "You can consider other factors such as improvement of our roads, the environment, and better road safety."
To fill in the short survey, click here.
(Picture – Eloy)