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SUCCESS AT LAST! RMT members have overwhelmingly accepted a pay and conditions deal for a 24 hr service in London, the union has announced…meaning that the night Tube could finally get the go ahead! A major hurdle in the long running dispute over plans for this has now been cleared after 84 per cent of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union voted in favour.
RMT members on the tube vote yes to accept Pay and Night Tube deal by 84%.
— RMT London Calling (@RMTLondon) 1 March 2016
General secretary Mick Cash paid tribute to RMT members, who "have stood rock solid throughout the long campaign of industrial pressure to secure a fair deal from the company over pay and night Tube operation." He added: "Those members have now voted to accept the most recent offer from the company – an offer that was only made after the hard work by union reps in the negotiations backed up by the loyalty, determination and militancy of the workforce right across the Tube network."
The service was due to start last September but was held up after a failure to reach a deal on pay and conditions. Tube workers staged industrial action but, after months of talks, a new deal on pay and other issues was proposed. Now, members of the drivers union Aslef are currently voting on the offer…so watch this space!
Featured Image Credit: Migreat


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Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Owen likes my new Buddha and he took him from where I'd set him on a table in the hallway to the top of the piano and then raced to the library where the little Buddha has always stood on a stone on the mantelpiece and said, "I take you to your daddy!" and so he did.
Before he did that, though, he brought Daddy Buddha out to the back porch where he was eating watermelon and he thoughtfully gave bites to Buddha and after each bite, carefully wiped his mouth.
After awhile he said, "Buddha, I no give you any more watermelon. Your tummy gonna explode."
You can't make this shit up.
Oh, it's Wednesday morning and if yesterday I felt full of energy and good and happy, today I feel sore and tired and muggy in the brain. And I have no more explanation for why than I had yesterday for my feeling so good. It's all just a mystery to me.
Last night Mr. Moon witnessed a milestone in B.B.'s life. Baby had been taking her into a little box-shelter in the coop every night to sleep but last night, she flew up onto the perch in the coop and called to her chick to join her. Now that baby barely has feathers but she can fly for short flutter-flights. Mr. Moon said she flew to the top of the box and called to her mother and her mother called back and then B.B. flew up to join Mama on the perch and Baby tucked the child as best she could under her wing.
I find it fascinating that the mother bird knows when the baby is ready for a new developmental step. Chickens just fascinate me altogether. I wonder if we'll know when it's time to let the pair out of the coop? I feel quite certain that my own instincts are not as honed as Baby's are.
I need to get moving. Owen's getting a filling today and I'm going with them to watch Gibson in the spaceship pod of a pediatric dental office waiting room while this happens. I'm probably going to be there more to give Lily moral support than anything. HER baby is going to have to go through something which may be a bit traumatic for him and although he's our big, brave boy, he's still our baby too. I'm sure we'll all survive.
There's a lot going on in the world but I neither understand any of it nor care to participate. It seems to me that the older I get, the less I care to engage with it all. I don't give a shit what happened on various awards shows and I can't do a thing about what's going on in Syria. All I want to do is to tend to my own tiny corner of the universe and that is almost more than I can handle on some days. Today, for instance. And so let me tend to that. Keep my plants and chickens alive, do my best to keep my husband healthy, love my grandsons for all they're worth (all their worth?), be there if my kids need me, keep the home fires burning.
Owen asked me yesterday what my work was. We were discussing that Mama was at work and Daddy was at work and Boppy was at work. "Where you work, MerMer?"
It was hard to explain. He's pretty sure that all I do is play with him and his brother.
And so it should be.
Off to play. You play too, if you get the chance.
Love...Ms. Moon
8 comments:
I never thought of chickens as fascinating until I read your blog. The more I read, the more fascinated I become!
Yikes about the filling. Hope that goes OK. I was blessed enough not to need a filling until I was an adult. It must be freaky for a child.
As for Syria, I think your attitude is probably the healthiest. I can't help worrying about it, but like you, there's nothing I can do.- AnonymousAugust 28, 2013 at 9:33 PM
I love Owen and Gibson and the way Owen talks and basically everything Hank said. And I am falling in love with Baby and BB too. All this love is good. Sweet Jo
ReplyDelete Mr. Downtown- I know. I know.
Birdie- Why are some of us so content to do just that and others have such a need to sweep such a larger doorstep? I will never understand that.
Angella- He makes me laugh and he gives me joy.
Steve Reed- And it is that very sense of helplessness about any of it which can be so scary. And yet, at the same time... we must accept that we are. I guess.
Elizabeth- It astounds me, somehow, how much I enjoy my talks with Owen.
Syd- Me too. I swear.
Sweet Jo- All this love is good. And yours, too. Thank you. Always.

subset: commoncrawl


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J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015 Sep;73(3):429-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.023. Epub 2015 Jul 15.
Increased risk of arrhythmia in patients with psoriatic disease: A nationwide population-based matched cohort study.
Chiu HY1, Chang WL2, Huang WF2, Wen YW3, Tsai YW2, Tsai TF4.
Psoriasis is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the association between psoriasis and arrhythmia has not been adequately studied.
We sought to investigate whether patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of arrhythmia.
This population-based cohort study identified 40,637 patients with psoriasis and 162,548 subjects without psoriasis matched by age, sex, history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2004 through 2006.
After adjusting for medical history and medication use, patients with psoriasis were at increased risk of overall arrhythmia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-1.39). The risks of arrhythmia were higher in all subgroups, including patients with severe (aHR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12-1.39) and mild (aHR 1.35; 95% CI 1.30-1.41) psoriasis, and in patients with (aHR 1.46; 95% CI 1.22-1.74) and without (aHR 1.33; 95% CI 1.28-1.39) psoriatic arthritis.
The National Health Insurance Research Database did not contain information regarding Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, cigarette smoking, or alcohol consumption.
Patients with psoriasis were at higher risk of developing arrhythmia, particularly for those with psoriatic arthritis, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
National Health Insurance Research Database; arrhythmia; cardiovascular diseases; ischemic heart disease; psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis;


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Pharmos Corporation Reports 2006 Second Quarter Results
CB2-Selective Compounds and Pending Vela Acquisition Driving Pipeline
Iselin NJ, August 10, 2006 – – Pharmos Corporation (Nasdaq: PARS) today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2006. Cash and short-term investments totaled $39.4 million at June 30, 2006. The Company recorded a net loss of $4.1 million, or $0.21 per share, for the second quarter 2006 compared to a net loss of $3.3 million, or $0.18 per share, in the second quarter 2005.
The increase in net loss is due primarily to a 26% increase in operating expenses to $4.6 million compared to $3.7 million in the 2005 second quarter. This was partially offset by a 53% increase in other income to $0.5 million from $0.3 million in the 2005 second quarter. Operating expenses increased due primarily to a 44% increase in selling, general and administrative expenses to $2.5 million compared to $1.7 million in the 2005 second quarter. Despite lower salary expenses in the 2006 second quarter, selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to expenses of $0.5 million incurred for the Company's forthcoming shareholder meeting including an ongoing proxy contest as well as expenses of $0.4 million in severance payments. Net of the shareholder meeting and severance expenses, the amounts of which significantly exceed historical spending in these categories and are expected to return to more normal levels in the future, selling, general and administrative expenses would be 11% lower than in the second quarter 2005. The adoption by the Company in January 2006 of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R (SFAS 123R), under which stock-based compensation cost is recognized as an expense, unfavorably affected selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in operating expenses was also impacted by a 10% increase in net research and development costs to $2.0 million from $1.8 million as a result of decreased eligible grant expenses. Gross research and development costs decreased 6% to $2.4 million from $2.5 million due to lower clinical trial costs.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, Pharmos recorded a net loss of $7.1 million, or $0.37 per share. For the same period in the prior year, Pharmos recorded net income of $3.3 million, or $0.18 per share, primarily due to the receipt in the 2005 first quarter of a $10.7 million non-recurring milestone payment from a former marketing partner. Total operating expenses were flat at $8.1 million. Year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses increased 22% due to the 2006 second quarter costs for the shareholder meeting and severance and the adoption in January 2006 of SFAS 123R, which more than offset lower year-to-date research and development expenses.
Alan Rubino, President and COO of Pharmos, said, "The advancing status of cannabinor, a promising CB2-selective compound from Pharmos' robust synthetic cannabinoid library, and the potential Vela pipeline assets place Pharmos in a very attractive position for partnership opportunities. Our initiatives to expedite business growth are focused on the goal of increasing shareholder value."
During the quarter, Pharmos advanced its lead drug, cannabinor, a CB2-selective synthetic cannabinoid drug candidate, into Phase 2 clinical testing in acute pain. The Phase 2a proof-of-concept test, which commenced in June, is evaluating the analgesic activity and safety of cannabinor in healthy subjects experiencing pain following third molar dental extraction. The study will include 100 male subjects, 20 of whom have been enrolled to date, and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2006. While the current clinical testing of cannabinor uses an intravenous formulation, Pharmos is also developing an oral formulation for chronic pain conditions that it expects to move into Phase 1 testing in late 2006 or early 2007.
Also during the quarter, Pharmos took steps to complete the acquisition of Vela Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Vela), a venture-capital backed, privately-owned company specializing in the development of medicines related to diseases of the nervous system including disorders of the "brain-gut axis." The acquisition will expand Pharmos' pipeline with later-stage clinical drug candidates including dextofisopam, a promising and innovative new drug that has Phase 2 data showing a potential efficacy for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant and alternating-type irritable bowel syndrome. The transaction is subject to shareholder approval.
About Pharmos Corporation
Pharmos discovers and develops novel therapeutics to treat a range of indications including neurological and inflammatory disorders. The Company's core proprietary technology platform focuses on discovery and development of synthetic cannabinoid compounds. Cannabinor, the lead CB2-selective receptor agonist candidate, is undergoing Phase II testing in pain. Other compounds from Pharmos' proprietary synthetic cannabinoid library are in pre-clinical studies targeting pain, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other disorders.
Statements made in this press release related to the business outlook and future financial performance of the Company, to the prospective market penetration of its drug products, to the development and commercialization of the Company's pipeline products and to the Company's expectations in connection with any future event, condition, performance or other matter, are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. Additional economic, competitive, governmental, technological, marketing and other factors identified in Pharmos' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect such results.
In connection with its proposed acquisition of Vela Pharmaceuticals Inc., Pharmos has filed a preliminary proxy statement and other relevant materials, and will be filing additional relevant materials in the near future, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) relating to a special meeting of shareholders. Investors and security holders of Pharmos are urged to read these documents because they contain important information about Pharmos, Vela and the acquisition. The proxy statement and other existing and forthcoming relevant materials, and any other documents filed by Pharmos with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Pharmos by directing a written request to: Pharmos Corporation, 99 Wood Avenue South, Suite 311, Iselin, New Jersey 08830, Attention: Investor Relations. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement and the other existing and forthcoming relevant materials before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the acquisition.
Pharmos and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Pharmos in connection with the proposal to issue shares of Pharmos' common stock in the acquisition. Information about those executive officers and directors of Pharmos and their ownership of Pharmos' common stock is set forth in Pharmos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which was filed with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain additional information regarding the direct and indirect interests of Pharmos' executive officers and directors in the acquisition by reading the preliminary proxy statement and other existing and forthcoming relevant materials.
PHARMOS CORPORATION (Unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2006 2005 2006 2005 Expenses Research and development, gross $2,381,974 $2,540,597 $4,249,088 $5,045,236 Grants (367,626) (711,879) (668,261) (731,455) Research and development, net of grants 2,014,348 1,828,718 3,580,827 4,313,781 Selling, general and administrative 2,495,322 1,736,035 4,308,543 3,530,746 Depreciation and amortization 86,394 98,752 164,878 213,677 Total operating expenses 4,596,064 3,663,505 8,054,248 8,058,204 Loss from operations (4,596,064) (3,663,505) (8,054,248) (8,058,204) Other income (expense) Bausch & Lomb payment - - - 10,725,688 Interest income 458,626 357,520 924,330 627,016 Interest expense - (2,826) (163,372) Change in value of warrants 7,624 11,753 21,728 242,684 Other (expense) income 31,438 (41,380) 7,128 (34,723) Other income, net 497,688 325,067 953,186 11,397,293 Net income (loss) $(4,098,376) $(3,338,438) $(7,101,062) $3,339,089 Net income (loss) per share - basic $ (0.21) $ (0.18) $ (0.37) $ 0.18 - diluted $ (0.21) $ (0.18) $ (0.37) $ 0.18 Weighted average shares outstanding - basic 19,062,389 18,973,944 19,050,077 18,973,944 - diluted 19,062,389 18,973,944 19,050,077 18,974,011 PHARMOS CORPORATION (Unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets June 30, December 31, 2006 2005 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $14,387,375 $10,289,127 Short-term investments 24,997,722 35,748,343 Restricted cash 81,095 79,527 Research and development grants receivable 438,830 734,237 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 731,805 543,109 Total current assets 40,636,827 47,394,343 Capitalized merger costs 832,924 - Fixed assets, net 708,283 742,860 Restricted cash 63,346 62,874 Severance pay funded 869,943 772,199 Other assets 18,496 18,496 Total assets $43,129,819 $48,990,772 Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity Accounts payable $ 711,900 $ 519,404 Accrued expenses 928,779 575,222 Warrant liability 17,153 38,880 Accrued wages and other compensation 1,296,218 1,497,781 Total current liabilities 2,954,050 2,631,287 Other liability 36,530 110,904 Severance pay 1,189,698 1,014,647 Total liabilities 4,180,278 3,756,838 Commitments and contingencies Shareholder's Equity Preferred stock, $.03 par value, 1,250,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding - - Common stock, $.03 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 19,065,783 issued 571,973 571,973 Deferred compensation - (529,393) Paid-in capital in excess of par 191,380,616 191,093,338 Accumulated deficit (153,002,622) (145,901,558) Treasury stock, at cost, 2,838 shares (426) (426) Total shareholders' equity 38,949,541 45,233,934 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 43,129,819 $ 48,990,772


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TAMPA — Almost 40 years ago, the wrong man went to prison for the murder of Barbara Grams. On Thursday, Hillsborough prosecutors named two men they say were the real killers.
Abron Scott and Amos Earl Robinson, who are both serving life sentences in state prison for a Pinellas County murder, were each charged Thursday with first-degree murder in the death of Grams, who was raped and beaten one night in 1983 as she walked home from her job at a Tampa shopping mall.
They were also charged with a second murder — the cold case of Linda Toni Lansen, who was found shot to death by a Town N' Country roadside about five weeks before Grams was killed.
"There are no words to describe what it's like to go through 39 years of grief and not knowing what happened," Linda Sheffield, Lansen's niece, said at a news conference in which indictments against the men were announced.
Indictments against the pair came almost exactly two years after new DNA tests helped exonerate Robert DuBoise, who spent 37 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of killing Grams.
"They are still alive and they will finally face a reckoning for what they did," said Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren, who Gov. Ron DeSantis had removed from office earlier in the day because of Warren's previous statements on topics like abortion.
Scott, 57, is incarcerated at Okeechobee Correctional Institution. Robinson, who turns 59 on Friday, is held at Union Correctional Institution, near Raiford. It's expected that both men will return to Hillsborough County jail in the coming weeks to await trial.
Lansen, 41, who worked as a freelance photographer, left her apartment the night of July 10, 1983, in the Woodland Terrace area and never returned. A jogger found her body the next day roughly 13 miles away in a ditch along Old Memorial Highway, west of Sheldon Road in Town N' Country. She had been shot repeatedly.
Police found her car a day later. It was parked on a residential street near Manhattan Avenue and Interstate 275. Someone found her purse by a roadside in Clearwater.
"She taught me how to count to 100, she taught me how to put on makeup," Sheffield, her niece, said at the news conference, later adding: "The void stays and the pain stays and the crying stays, it doesn't go away."
The killing was mentioned repeatedly that year in news stories documenting a string of murders that police insisted were unrelated. The killings all involved women who were attacked seemingly at random.
Barbara Grams was one of them.
Grams, 19, worked at a restaurant called The Hot Potato in a now-defunct shopping mall called Tampa Bay Center, which stood near what is now Raymond James Stadium. The night of Aug. 18, 1983, she left work and started a two-mile walk toward her home in Tampa Heights.
A gardener found her body the next morning in a yard behind a dentist office at 3911 N Boulevard. She'd been raped and beaten to death.
Scott and Robinson were both convicted of robbing, kidnapping and murdering Carlos Orellana.
He was a 33-year-old office manager and part-time shoe salesman who'd come to the U.S. in the early 1970s from his native Honduras.
On Oct. 21, 1983, he was getting into his car outside a bar on W Kennedy Boulevard when the two men attacked him.
Court records and news accounts tell of the pair beating Orellana until he was unconscious, then pushing him into the car's back seat. They drove to what was then a sparsely-developed area off Gim Gong Road, just north of Tampa Road, in Oldsmar.
As Scott pulled him from the car, Orellana began to fight. Robinson tried to run him over, but stopped to avoid hitting Scott.
As the fight continued, Scott beat and choked Orellana. He then, according to court records, got back in the car and ran him over.
The car got stuck in sand while Orellana's body was pinned underneath. Two unidentified men in trucks helped them dislodge the car. Afterward they hid Orellana's body in the woods and drove off. Road workers found his body five days later.
Both men were convicted in separate trials and sentenced to death. Both sentences were later reduced to life in prison.
In an ironic twist, state prison records indicate that Robinson and Scott were on death row at the same time as DuBoise. His sentence, too, would be reduced to life. But he still served decades before being exonerated.
State records reflect that Robinson committed two other murders - one in 1998, the other in 2004 - while he was confined to prisons in Florida's panhandle. Details about those cases were not immediately available Thursday.


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Little Dutch Rain Boots - Flowers & Butterflies wellies
Bring on the puddles! Your little one will love jumping and splashing in the rain with these adorable rain boots. With Little Dutch's charming Flowers & Butterflies design, your child's rainy-day look will be both stylish and fun.
Made from rubber with a soft textile lining, these rain boots also feature a removable insole and a textured, slip-resistant outsole for safe outdoor adventures. Complete the look by pairing these boots with the matching Flowers & Butterflies umbrella for a coordinated and playful style.
Add some joy to rainy days with Little Dutch's cute and functional rain boots.
Material | Rubber | |
Color | Pink | |
Collection | Flowers & Butterflies | |
Packaging contents | 1 pair of rain boots |


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We love the inspiration behind this mother-son duo's annual vacation – it's all about connection. And in these all too often hectic lives we lead, we are fully on board with making more time for connection. Read on for how they spent this year's time together in San Diego.
"I hired Flytographer to capture my little guy and me on our annual Mother's Day/birthday vacation. The inspiration for our annual vacation is connection. I am a single mother by choice to a wonderful 8-year-old boy. In the hectic day-to-day shuffle of life, carving out time with my son when I'm not also multi-tasking on the laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. is a challenge. Our annual Mother's Day/son's birthday vacation is a time for us to get away and have fun!
"My favourite memory from our vacation was seeing my son's face when we arrived at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego! He was so excited to be on an aircraft carrier! And the funniest memory from our vacation has to be the Jurassic Park ride at Universal Studios in Hollywood. My son begged me to get on the ride. I was hesitant because I did not want to get my hair wet! After watching the ride for a bit, I figured I might get away with a minor splash of water. Boy, was I wrong! As the car descended into the water, a huge spray SOAKED my hair. I laughed it off and we took pictures to send everyone of my 'new' hairdo!
"I could not have been happier with Flytographer's service and our images! Booking was easy, our shoot concierge Liss answered all my questions, and our Flytographer Martina was fantastic! She recommended a location with great architecture and backdrops. When I saw the images, I was blown away! She captured great moments in the most beautiful way!" – Soraya
Tell us your favourite destination for a getaway with your kid in the comments section below!
See more: love – mother-son trip – San Diego


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Dear Mum,
On November 5, 2012 I sent you a text message stating. "Hi Mum, I am not well. I think I have a chronic disease. Don't worry, it is not HIV!"
You were stunned and immediately called me. I burst into tears on the phone and could not talk as I sobbed away. You immediately jumped into your car and drove over to my house. Thank God we only live minutes apart as I am sure your heart was racing. When you came over, you found me still in bed, curtains closed and my room dark. That's how I felt, like darkness had descended on my life. You sat by my bed and hugged me tight, and I immediately felt like everything was going to be alright.
I didn't know how else to break the news to you. I had not shared my diagnosis with anyone for a week since my initial visit to the doctor, and it was killing me. That morning when I sent you the text message, I had been crying in bed the night before and I was not able to get out of bed to go to work.
I was scared to tell you that I was being tested for breast cancer and the diagnosis was leaning towards positive. I was not sure how you would take it considering your past history with this disease. You see, it was just over a year ago, on May 26, 2011 we lost your sister to breast cancer. Aunty Gladwell Mumbi was so close to you and that bond you had transcended to us. We loved her like our own mother and we watched you nurse her when she was ill. I watched you cry when she passed on and how much it pained you.
Mum, once again you have to deal with seeing someone close to you battle cancer. I know it must be hard for a mother to watch their child when they are ill, especially when it is a chronic illness. But do not despair; God would never give us a battle that we cannot win.
Mum, my prayer for you is one of hope. Hope to fill your heart. Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me…I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". John 14:1-6
Your daughter.


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Personal Information
Full Name | Laurent Robert Blanc |
Date of Birth | November 19, 1965 |
Nationality | French |
Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) |
Role | Defender |
Past Team(s) |
Popular Players
Laurent Blanc: A Brief Biography
Laurent Blanc is a professional footballer from France. He was born on the 19th of November, 1965 in Ales, France. Blanc was a defender who played for clubs such as Montpellier, Napoli, Barcelona, Marseille, Internazionale and Manchester United. Most recently, he was the manager of Paris St. Germain.
Blanc started his career in the youth ranks of Montpellier in 1981. He impressed the coaches with his technical skills that eventually earned him a senior team contract in 1983. Blanc began his football stint as an attacking midfielder but quickly switched as a defender after advice from his manager due to his stature that suited the role.
Blanc had the knack of scoring goals as well. He scored crucial headers for his club as his game suited the French league. His performances drew attention from various other European clubs and he became one of the hottest properties in the transfer market.
Laurent Blanc performed exceedingly well in the European U-21 Championship for France in 1988 that saw him win the Golden Player Award. He made his senior team debut on the 7th of February, 1989, against Republic of Ireland.
The game was held in Dublin and it ended in a goalless draw. France failed to qualify for the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cup and Blanc was heavily criticized for his performance. Due to criticisms Blanc decided to retire from international football but Aimé Jacquet, manager of the French team convinced Blanc to change his mind.
The defender did not have a good start to his international career but went on to improve his game and win more titles.
Rise to Glory
Blanc won the Coupe De France in 1990 with Montpellier. Blanc was the all-time leading scorer for Montpellier with 83 goals until the record was broken in 2017 by Souleymane Camara. After leaving Montpellier, he did not enjoy much success at Barcelona.
He then moved to Internazionale in 2000 where he won the player of the year award. The defender moved to Manchester United in the final stages of his career where he guided them to the Premier League title in the 2002-03 season.
After failing to qualify for two World Cups, France finally made the cut in 1998. Blanc was at his best in the tournament and scored the first ever Golden Goal in the history of FIFA World Cup against Paraguay. He continued his form in the knockouts but missed the finals due to suspension. However, France lifted the title and it was the best moment of his career.
The defender then went on to win the Euro 2000 and was a part of the team of the tournament. Despite being criticised for his speed, he proved his mettle and became a reliable player for France in the back line. He scored 16 goals for France in 97 appearances.
Low Points
Laurent Blanc had a torrid time in Barcelona. His one year stint was marred with injuries and suspensions. He had a disappointing season in 1997 which forced him to leave the club.
The defender did not have a good start to his international career too. In 1994, he gave in to criticisms and retired from international football. The manager of French football team had to convince Blanc to change his mind as he was an integral part of the side.
Blanc bid goodbye to his playing career on the 1st of July, 2003 after winning the Premier League with Manchester United. Post retirement, he has taken up the role of managing a football team. He has had short stints with Bordeaux, PSG and the French national team.


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When people see a woman with a pixie bob haircut, some of them think: "Wow, she is so brave to cut such short hair. She must have experienced something." Yes, there is a stereotype that women are very women. It's hard to say goodbye to their long hair, so they only cut it off when life disappoints them. Of course, this is a common reason for taking short haircuts, but wait! How about adding something new to your style? How often have you seen a girl cut a fabulous pixie cut and want some last change? Now we want you to read it carefully: always let yourself try. Don't wait until something terrible has happened to get a hairstyle that you have always wanted but hesitated for some reason. No reason, no excuse! Just get yourself an excellent pixie bob haircut and face any situation with a new and fantastic hairstyle. Let us see how you did it.
Related: 21 Astonishing French Bob Haircuts With Bangs Ideas 2021 you'll love
What kind of face shape is suitable for a pixie bob hairstyle?
All the pixie hairstyles look great on a square, heart, and oval face. This particular hairstyle compensates for round faces by creating angles, which significantly reduces round faces.
Is the pixie bob haircut Karen's hairstyle?
The elf hairstyle is Karen's main style. If you don't want to look like "I asked to talk to the boss", then pay attention to how you dress up your elf. Because it is swept sideways, this short hair has a Karen-like feel.
Is the pixie short hair layered?
Long or short angled side bangs are a common addition to the modern elf. People now wear low-edged and layered jeans. The contrast in length, such as long top hair and short tapered sides and back hair, is very fashionable.
Curly pixie bob haircut
Pixie bob hair for thick hair
Asymmetrical pixie haircut
Short blonde hairstyle
Pixie Bob With Side Undercut
Every woman has her image of a pixie bob. Some people want precision, smoothness, and graceful styling, while others mess up their hair. What about parting? Most women like to break up in the same way as hairstylists. Although this is a wise decision, the way you separate your hair will completely change the appearance of your hair. This is where you can show how different you are! Make your hairstyle like this as usual, then gently shake it aside to see what is different. The side-swept shape can bring the necessary improvement to the form, creating a frivolous silhouette that complements many suits.


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Tearing their way around the UK leaving thrilled spectators in their wake, Avalanche Party are the fast-growing garage punk band based in Staithes fast earning a reputation for vicious guitar riffs, high adrenaline gigs and their promo video nasties.
Avalanche Party have also established themselves as a ferocious festival act, making appearances at Twisterella Festival, Evolution Emerging, Willowman Festival, Humber Street Sesh, We Are Family Festival. Their reputation for electrifying audiences has seen them be invited to play overseas including performing to 10,000 revellers at Oberhausen Rock Festival in Germany, plus further events in France, Serbia, Belgium and Holland.
Within a few short years, the band have been seized upon by the likes of Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, Vic Galloway and Tom Robinson and have featured on BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, BBC Scotland and recorded a live session for BBC 6 Music.
Now, Avalanche Party are poised for even bigger things throughout 2018 and they were kind enough to have a quick chat with Gigantic. You can catch them at cool Nottingham club The Bodega on Saturday 31st of March 2018.
Avalanche Party tickets are currently available.
Tell us about how Avalanche Party first got started.
We formed a couple of years ago out of an insatiable urge to do something about the unfathomably wet soup of trifling pish offered up as culture these days. Since then we've galloped far and wide like the wild free horses we are.
Talk us through your sound and the influences that contribute towards it.
Imagine a glorious sunny day, you're lying on an airbed floating in the middle of Lake Geneva with a Pina Colada and a falafel wrap. Suddenly your reverie is disturbed by… nothing. You have no distractions. No troubles. It's a great time to be alive. Just you and the far off call of a crested grebe. It has nothing to do with our 'sound' but it's a nice image. Treat yourself.
What are your biggest ambitions for the band?
First gig on Neptune. On a cruise ship. Doing Slim Gaillard covers.
Drummer Kane's hair is a frequent topic of conversation. When did he last visit the barbers and what was the thinking behind his latest cut?
- No it isn't. 2. It definitely isn't. 3. He is an instinctual being that doesn't need to contend with the banality of 'thought'.
North Yorkshire rarely features in media other than to depicted as some sort of nostalgic tourist trap. Tell us about where you are from and how that feeds into your music.
Sometimes we want to entice tourists in. Sometimes we want to scare them off. We learned how to do both. We live in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere. We'd be rich if we were better at lambing, but it's not that easy.
Is it harder for a band not being based in the inward looking London bubble or some other similar metropolis with a ready-made sound and style. Or, do you find that it frees you from the trappings and expectations that come with being identified to a certain city?
We feel free from trappings indeed. You need to be good wherever you're from, and we're from where we're from. It makes no difference. We travel around a lot, we aren't based in London but we'll still go there, or Glasgow, or Manchester. Or Belgrade. Don't limit yourself by being tied down to one place.
You have been enjoying the benefit of widespread critical acclaim. How did you manage to grab the attention of the music press?
We gave them all our money.
Your gigs have fast been earning a reputation for being pretty wild. Tell us about some of your most extreme experiences.
Last time we played in Nottingham we entered the venue bestride 5 mighty Yak. Only thing was they really enjoyed the gig and we couldn't get them out. Rampaging across the bar, it was carnage. They were meant to leave during the intro but the message didn't get through. They have very selective hearing, Yak.
Your video for 'Solid Gold' exhibited considerable visceral violence. Where did you get the idea to film an extended torture scene followed by bloody retribution?
We watch a lot of daytime television - This Morning, Pointless, Real Housewives, the list goes on. It was the inevitable next step.
Similarly, the video for 'Money' has both an air of menace and a cinematic quality. Do you think it is important to have visual impact to accompany the music?
Yes. There aren't enough blind people to sustain a good living. At our early gigs we used to have an intro that went 'open your hands, close your eyes and you will get a nice surprise', but they never fucking did.
After all these scorching singles, we are eagerly awaiting your first full length record. When can we expect your debut album?
Album? What's that. Our debut full length VR experience premieres April 1st 2018.
What can we expect from your upcoming gigs?
We're not telling you that. Why would we spoil it?
What are you hoping we really didn't ask you – and why?
What is the secret of eternal happiness? It's getting tiresome being asked all the time.


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Reverse osmosis (RO) is a type of treatment technology which produces high quality water for various purposes. It works by forcing water which is under great pressure against a semipermeable membrane. Through ion exclusion, the water molecules form a barrier that allows other water molecules to pass through and at the same time excluding most contaminants from the water.
This technology is proven to be effective for reducing many types of health contaminants. And this is a strong factor why the reverse osmosis water filter is one of the most popular types of water filters today.
A water filter with reverse osmosis is a good choice as it helps you to remove as much contaminants as you can in your water for daily usage. It's also recommended if you feel that the water that you are currently using contains lead and other types of chemicals.You can confirm this matter by conducting water testing.
It is very important for you to understand how reverse osmosis water filter works. Understanding how it works will help you to give the idea of protection that it brings for your household and its effectiveness. This includes the way they trap the impurities and contaminants that are in or go along with your water.


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Maxi Jazz, the legendary vocalist and co-founder of seminal recording group Faithless, has joined forces with Vintage Culture, on a new dance classic 'Commotion'. Vintage Culture has also unveiled a sprawling world tour, titled EARTH Tour and Coachella set.
Maxi's instantly recognizable vocals set the stage for a social commentary and vivid description of society today. Driven by Vintage Culture's hypnotic rhythms and swirling instrumental melodies, 'Commotion' draws the listener into a musical experience that simultaneously provokes thought and a visceral reaction. Fueled by a relentless bassline and atmospheric musical tones, Vintage Culture creates a unique sonic landscape over which Maxi paints a lyrical portrait of life in 2022.
Regarding their collaboration, Vintage Culture said: "The lyrical wizardry of Maxi Jazz has been an inspiration for many years. Few artists can create such a vivid lyrical picture and simultaneously put these words to the melody as Maxi. It is an honor to work with this legend on our new track 'Commotion."
Maxi Jazz added: "These lyrics arrived in the middle of the night while I was pondering the difference between the world I grew up in and where we are today. Like most people, I'm more than a little concerned over the future for generations to come and the words took 20 minutes to write. They poured out of me like a tap. And they come from a place of love, not fear."
Taking in no fewer than 27 dates across the globe in major cities such as London, Miami, Las Vegas, Milan, London, Barcelona, New York, Dublin to name a few. Vintage Culture's EARTH Tour kicks off at Join The Moment in Tel Aviv this evening. Further highlights include Tomorrowland Winter (March 21st), Ultra (March 27th), Defected Brazil (April 1st), Creamfields Chile (April 9th), Studio 338 (April 16th) and Defected Ireland (April 17th), before closing things out at Só Track Boa in his native Brazil (April 30th).
Perhaps biggest of all, Vintage Culture will make his Coachella debut on April 24th, performing on the Do LaB stage at the iconic festival's 20th anniversary edition. He's set to captivate audiences with new originals, upcoming remixes, commingled with chart topping hits. Regarding his appearance at Coachella, Vintage Culture said, "When the Coachella Festival began in 1999 I was five years old. I've dreamed of being a part of this legendary event for half of my life. I'm grateful and humbled for the opportunity. This is a moment in my career that I'll never forget."
Vintage Culture is also still celebrating the #1 Beatport hit 'NightJar', gracing the cover of DJ Mag, headlining the main stage of EDC Mexico. A career-affirming world tour, EARTH Tour and his new single 'Commotion' are set to further bolster Vintage Culture's meteoric trajectory.
About Maxi Jazz
As co-founder, vocalist and writer for the legendary UK group Faithless, Maxi Jazz is one of the most influential recording artists of the 21st century. Through their challenging lyrics, haunting melodies and atmospheric arrangements, Maxi and Faithless have helped transform electronic music from mere danceable rhythms to inspiring musical compositions which will live on.


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Big family holiday house to rent in Bowness, Lake Windermere - sleeps 8
WATERSIDE Cottage, Bowness, Lake Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3EY.Property Reference: W8937Bedrooms - 4
Sleeps - 8
Bathrooms - 3
Sorry no pets
Well maintained holiday home
Please select your start date
WATERSIDE Cottage
Centrally based town house with south facing views of Lake Windermere. Tastefully decorated and ideal for larger groups.
Accommodation details
Ground floor: 1 double bedroom. Shower room with toilet. First floor: Living room with patio doors. Dining room with patio door. Kitchen. Second floor: 3 bedrooms: 2 double, one with en-suite shower room and toilet, 1 twin. Bathroom with shower over bath and toilet.
Gas central heating, electricity, bed linen and towels included. Cot and highchair. Satellite TV. Freeview TV. DVD. Stereo/CD. Range cooker. Microwave. Washing machine. Dishwasher. Freezer. Wi-fi. Patio and balcony with furniture. Garage (2 cars). Parking (2 cars). No smoking.
Extra Amenities
Views of Lake Windermere, 100 yards away. This large, sunny holiday town house is elegantly furnished and has wonderful views of Lake Windermere from the south-facing picture windows in the living room and upper floor master bedroom. Tastefully refurbished to a good standard throughout and benefitting from three bathrooms, it also has a balcony off the dining room. Located just a few minutes' stroll from the heart of bustling Bowness with stylish shops, tea rooms and pubs, and a mere 100 metres from the lake with all its watersports, it makes a perfect base for a superb holiday for families or groups of friends. Whether you take the car ferry across to Hawkshead, Coniston and the Grizedale Forest or the steamer to the pretty town of Ambleside, the whole of the Lake District is on your doorstep. Shop 250 yards, pub and restaurant 200 yards.
Self-catering features
- Dishwasher
- Fuel and Power Included
- Highchair
- Pub within 1 mile
- Shower
- Satellite TV
- Television
- WiFi
- Bed Linen & Towels Included
- Winter Short Breaks
- Cot Available
- Lake District
- Washing Machine
- Welcome Cottages
- Parking - On Site
- Great Value Properties
- Station within 1 mile


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From 1st April 2014, GLL began running Sobell Leisure Centre, Highbury Leisure Centre, Archway Leisure Centre, Cally Pool, Finsbury Leisure Centre, Islington Tennis Centre and Gym, Market Road artificial turf pitches, in a long-term partnership with Islington Council which will see £10 million invested into the facilities over the next 15 years.
This new partnership has a strong focus on increasing participation, reducing health inequalities and improving social inclusion. GLL is also committed to the Council's fairness agenda and developing local employment opportunities, particularly amongst young people, through GLL's apprenticeship scheme. All staff will be paid the London Living Wage, while Izz cards and existing memberships will continue to be valid, meaning it will be business as usual for customers. Talented athletes across the borough will also be able to access funding from the GLL Sport Foundation and GLL manages all Islington teams for the London Youth Games.
Our leisure centres provide a wide variety of activities to suit people of all ages and abilities, from baby bounce to sessions for older people. We are fortunate to have four swimming pools in the Borough. They are well used, especially by school children, and our concessions for older residents and disabled people mean that swimming is free at off-peak times. Fitness classes take place at most of the centres, and are extremely popular, many having waiting lists every week. GLL have an exciting programme of improvements at many centres, and already we are seeing the benefits.
Mark Sesnan, Managing Director of GLL said, "We are delighted to have been invited to extend our partnership with Islington Council and are committed to providing first class leisure and sporting facilities to local residents.
"We believe our experience – GLL currently operates more than 130 public leisure centres across England and Wales – coupled with our status as a 'not for profit' social enterprise means that we have both the operational skills and community focus that will enable us to successfully operate a range of facilities across the borough."


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Phlebotomy Training In Michigan is available through several different schools. Generally Phlebotomy Certification can only be obtained after doing a 2 year course.
Shorter courses are available which can be undertaken although these only give entry level.
Phlebotomy is a rewarding career and is especially suitable for those who enjoy working with and helping people. You will be required to draw blood which is then analysed by a laboratory to determine the presence or absence of various medical conditions.
Here are some schools for phlebotomy in Michigan which offer courses where you can obtain appropriate qualifications.
Michigen College offers a 9 week Phelebotomy Program. They state that "Our program ensures eligibility to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam – the highest credential for a Phlebotomist which allows you to practice in all 50 states." Not only will you learn blood drawing skills, but you will also study variables that affect laboratory specimens and be shown how to work successfully as part of a laboratory team.
Click Here to learn more about the course.
Macomb Community College offers a course in Phlebotomy Theory and Practice. They also have a program offering an externship where you gain practical experience under the guidance of a Phlebotomist. More details can be obtained here.
Medright offers a Phlebotomy program which is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. They claim 100% success rate for their students taking their American Society for Clinical Pathologist (ASCP) test in 2011.
The course is structured on 2 components, the first being classroom instruction combined with laboratory time. The second component is practical work experience under the supervision of a Certified Phlebotomist.
Learn more about their Phlebotomy Training course.
Successful completion of a course at one these Phlebotomy Training Schools Michigan should enable you to pass the exams required to obtain your Phlebotomy Technician Certification


text: We started our business producing hemp tinctures with a goal to continue to expand our product line to offer all the great products we love and believe in. Over time we will continue to expand into more products we love and create more original product formulations. Be Phenomenal products are created to help people feel better and be better, we are especially focused on energy, nutrition, wellbeing, inflammation, calming, immune, and sleep formulations. We hope you enjoy our new supplement line. Your support allows us to keep creating more awesome products that help us all live phenomenal, thank you for choosing Be Phenomenal Wellness Company!


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World conflicts continue to grow in both number and ferocity. Politics, economics and society are changing at a rapid pace. In this uncertain environment, there are two democratic principles to which we must remain steadfast: freedom and responsibility.
The gradual shift of power, influence and wealth from the Atlantic to the Pacific is having a growing impact on Europe. Economic dependence on China, the ASEAN states and the entire Indo-Pacific region is increasing. Global business leaders, such as Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser, are already warning of a division of the world into a US and a Chinese sphere of influence.
As a major exporting nation, Germany has a lot to lose. Hundreds of thousands of jobs depend on trade with the People's Republic, particularly in the automobile and textile industries. Nevertheless, German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently admonished the government in China to resolve the Hong Kong issue peacefully and without the use of violence. In this case, we carry a double responsibility: to maintain our prosperity while also ensuring freedom and the observance of the rule of law.
The two principles of freedom and responsibility are also affected by today's pernicious tendency toward protectionism. This trend, too, holds the potential to have a particularly strong impact on an export nation like Germany.
If Europe wants to play a continued role – both politically and economically – it will have to establish a common voice and assume more responsibility in the realm of foreign affairs and security policy.
However, in order to prevent the EU from playing a second-tier role on the world's political stage, Germany will have to strengthen the social, political, economic and technological forces that bind the European Union. In a Europe threatening to drift apart, Germany must insist that the EU be able to safeguard its interests by enabling majority decision-making rather than unanimous votes.
If we German Europeans – and we European-minded Germans – choose to see this transition to a new world order as an opportunity rather than a threat, then we will have little to worry about with regard to the future of Europe. Indeed, this approach would allow us to infuse the principles of freedom and responsibility with new vigor so that subsequent generations can meet the challenges of the new era and enjoy their own freedom, prosperity and open ways of life.
Detlef Prinz
is publisher of The German Times.


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Thursday, September 5, 2013
A Rose By Any Other...
14 comments:
Good info. I use names familiar to me, sometimes, family members. If I need a name for someone from a different culture, I use a name generator.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, John. We writers are fascinated (obsessed?) with names. I like to use a "Name Your Baby Book" when I have a name for a character in mind. The book tells the derivation of the name and the meaning.
ReplyDeleteLike Patricia I used a Name Your Baby Book; I can't write a word until I have the characters name and I do like unusual or old fashioned names.
Did not know that about Tonto, very interesting and I am surprised Native Americans did not complain because the one thing Tonto is not is foolish.I have often dug into my own family ancestry for first and last names for characters. Another great place for names is the credits at the end of movies.
ReplyDeleteSince I often have ethnic characters in my inter-racial romances, I do an on-line search for, say, "Russian boy names", then I choose one based on what jumps out at me. I do this for surnames also. Usually by then the character has already told me what race/culture he/she is from, and I go from there.
ReplyDeleteI have characters of varied nationality in my stories. It seems a good idea to use names that sound familiar, so I often choose the name of a famous historical character, king or queen.


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How Did Above All Equipment Get Started?
Keith Sommerstad, founder of Above All Equipment had years of experience in different fields that paved the way for him to be the reliable go-to for all of your aerial lift needs!
Keith's Background
Keith Sommerstad sold concrete tools in Las Vegas at age 21 and had an awesome group of guys training him from Diamond Blade Warehouse
Sold Search Engine Optimization early on, beginning part-time in 2004-2008
2008 Started working for So-Cal Equipment
2012 Formed Above All Equipment Sales
Mentorship from Barry Kennelly 20+ years of experience with United Rentals KDR Equipment
Learn More About Our Aerial Lifts
If you are in need of an affordable telehandler, scissor lift, or boom lift, Keith Sommerstad from Above All Equipment is the guy to talk to! Contact us with any questions and check out our online inventory to see what we have in store for you.


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- Hot Stamp (Lot/Date Coding)
- Integrated Thermal Encoder (Lot/Date, Bar Code and Graphics)
- Adjustable Tilt for Tapered Bottles
- Chain alignment
- Clear Label Sensor
- Feed Screw
- Infeed and Outfeed Conveyor Extensions
- Low Label Sensor (Factory Installed Only)
- Outfeed Collection Tray
- Product Infeed Tray with Stainless Steel Insert and Paddle for easy product loading
The dimensions shown are for standard machine. The conveyor can be extended: the length may vary based on selected options. This machine can run independently or be integrated into an automated packaging line. All CVC equipment is covered by a one-year parts warranty. Full Warranty details are included in our equipment proposals or can be found on our website.
All CVC labelers include Self Set™ software which utilizes a high frequency encoder for extremely easy setup and wrinkle free labeling at the touch of a button.
Note: The actual rates may vary significantly depending on the following: products, product characteristics, required fill counts, quantity or volume, and bottle dimensions.


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View the original community article here
Last tested: Feb 16, 2018
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3. Quotes turn into quote quote and then we quote any value that contain "
, the separator or LR/CF.
so a string with " in it
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This content is subject to limited support.


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The image shown details two units erected over a 12 foot snooker table. One unit is suitable for 6, 7 and 8 foot Snooker and English Pool Tables. Two units are required for 12 foot x 6 foot Snooker Tables. Price: £225.00 £270.00 Including VAT at 20%
Snooker Table Intro Page : Recently Installed Snooker Tables : Snooker Dining Table Intro Recently Inst Snooker Dining Tables : English Pool Table Intro : Recently Installed English Pool Dining Terms & Conditions: Recently Installed English Pool Tables :Testimonials : English Pool Dining Table Intro


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The Rally of Democratic Forces (RFD) of Mauritanian opposition leader Ahmed Ould Daddah has announced that it will participate in the parliamentary and local elections scheduled for September 1, 2018.
Mauritanians will then choose members of parliament as well as regional and local councilors.
Ahmed Ould Daddah, the several-time unfortunate presidential candidate, made the announcement during a press conference in Nouakchott.
The Mauritanian opposition, including the RFD, has regularly opted for the boycott of elections in recent years.
This was the case during the previous parliamentary and municipal elections held in November-December 2013.
The decision, which marks a break, is the result of a heated debate between supporters and opponents of the boycott within the party.
However, this decision comes in a context of mistrust, marked by a total lack of dialogue between the government and the opposition, which regularly denounces a "unilateral" electoral process, offering no guarantee of transparency.
Tensions have mounted over a new electoral commission set up in April without members of the radical opposition.
Four parties are appealing to the Supreme Court for the commission to be withdrawn.
Mauritania's president came to power in a coup in 2008 and was elected in 2009 and again in 2014 for a second five-year term.
This year's election campaign will run from August 17 to 30. The second round, should it occur, will take place on September 15, 2018.


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August Review
August had a beautiful power to it. We have been moving through some wonderful changes lately and August helped refine more power within by opening us up further to Infinite Time. This may have manifested in patience (I'm timeless), impatience (time's up), time glitches (where did the time go) and/or deep understanding (multiple timelines).
Maybe it didn't seem that connected to Time for you, and it seemed more physical: Excitement/fatigue, sleep patterns changing, brain fog or mental over-stimulation, temperature changes in your body (especially localized, like a hot or cold spot). Or perhaps you noticed closure on old issues, new determination, relationships ending or improving.
Overall there was a stronger connection into the subtle flow of Time rather than just the linear flow (it still applies). This has the effect of a greater connection into the power of universal law, so you are utilizing a greater capacity of your inherent power.
During the Lyran Perspective channeling, Areon pointed out that Time is a functionality of our density and that we "hold form" with our storylines – lines of connection that bind us into specific form. Rather than thinking about timelines, observe storylines.
Storylines are the information/reference you hold of Time. They create your identity – a theme of this quarter. As you neutralize "storylines" you release the binds of Time. This includes the past or future expectations holding you in a repetitive form.
This flows beautifully into September as we continue a trajectory of Freedom in 2019.
September's Energy – Infinite Self
September's energy of Infinite Self continues your expansion into your universal nature, your infinite sacredness, your powerful divinity. You've always been this, it is the infinite nature of Time which is woven into your substance.
You've moved through linearity in many different ways to culminate in this beautiful space/time on Earth. Just as August helped you blend past and future into now, September will help you blend me and them into us.
This is not for the weak of heart. It is for the Angels that know the power of Love in its full spectrum of linear/dual experience. Authentic Love requires great courage when it's not the easy choice. To find the balance of self and others requires a strength that is willing to allow rather than just control.
You came here to enjoy the beauty of the physical realm and assist humanity's emergence into fourth density; connection within separation. Many avoid connection in deep ways. To truly observe the self or be vulnerable to another can be frightening for the psyche (July energies helped shift this), so it is often resisted unconsciously. But as you've likely experienced, it's usually easier than expected and definitely worth it.
Your inner connection begins the process.
The layers of separation are obvious, the invisible connection is not. An aspect of Ascension is that it creates an amplification of your intuitive senses to look beyond the obvious into potentials not yet formed. You become the Space that Time manifests through. Time is your vehicle of uniqueness, moment by moment, even as All Time is connected.
Infinite within Finite
You are infinite and finite. Physical density creates the experience of separation, which is a valuable construct, slowing our perception to a pace within Time that linearizes the moments. In each moment is a uniqueness.
You bring a unique aspect of the unity of Life to human form.
Within your physical expression is a subtle, non-physical, less dense aspect. You can call it consciousness, thought, emotion, lightbody, geometry, God, prana or Love, to name a few. I have been taught to focus on Love because it is the connective, binding force of Life. It has often been resisted, misunderstood or undervalued in the current human experience.
In this physical energetic structure, though it is subtle, the information of your connection or separation resides and determines your interaction with Life. Your focus on your own improvement and wholeness is creating a deeper access to the flow of Love here on Earth.
To enhance access to your Infinite nature, become more conscious (less unconscious programming leading you—neutralizing storylines). Become more loving, especially by honoring the sacredness of you, the vehicle through which you experience Life. This then flows out and teaches through the vast subtle field of information.
As people learn they are divine, cherished and powerful, the unconscious fears start to melt and merge into an inner sense of inherent worth. The connection begins. In this month's video, there are some exercises to enhance this focus of Love on Earth.
There is a powerful reason this month's energies are called Infinite Self rather than something like infinite divinity.
YOU are that powerful reason.
Areon was explicit that this timeframe will be calling us to more inner power. Look for experiences coming up about valuing yourself, and how you can create a win/win in your interactions. Loving yourself unconditionally within, while honoring the conditions of the physical realm, is the connection of your finite and infinite expression merging.
The courage to connect is a powerful force for humanity. As the compassionate ones start leading, the world really changes. Fear becomes less dominant, people become more creative and integrated with their environment. It is the trajectory of Freedom within and Love throughout.
Divine Feminine Balance
There is an aspect of September that is amplifying the Divine Feminine within. We all have both masculine and feminine energy within, for they represent the dualistic engine of life in this density. Both energetics are necessary for creation. To enhance more of your Divine Feminine energy, become more allowing of your intuitive flow, nurturing yourself and others (not enabling), creating a deeper connection, allowing the creative to flow and letting go of action just for doing's sake.
The balance of masculine/feminine energy is a core aspect of empowerment. When you are whole within, the effort and resistance of creation is released. You nurture creation with inspired action. Your excitement is supported like the flow of water downhill.
September feels like a culmination of more clarity as the Infinite Mind and Heart merge into a deeper understanding of the boundless Love within you that releases you from linear Time. (from time to Time) ;o)
Your "new" identity of the Love that you are is becoming clearer and stronger. The space that you hold connects the timelines that tell the story of humanity's evolution.
As you are moving through this month, observe how life is calling you to Love the separation into connection. You are an immense power.
Stay Connected
Join Jamye's weekly newsletter for the latest Ascension updates and tools for empowerment. Receive a powerful, free audio download to amplify your mastery with the energies of 11:11.
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Meet Jamye
Jamye Price is an author, energy healer, channel, and teacher. Her unique energy healing modality, Crystalline Soul Healing, along with Light Language—are a powerful transformational experience.


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Warsaw the slowest 5G capital in the world
Ten post dostępny jest także w języku: polski
The international company Ookla, owner of speedtest.net, decided to check the quality of 5G network connection in the world's largest capitals. Warsaw in the published report is among the slowest cities, where the median speed in the first and second quarter of 2021 was 80.18 Mbps. In this respect, the Polish capital is the fourth slowest place in the world.
The world's slowest 5G capitals
The worst result belongs to the city of Capetown in South Africa, where the median 5G speed during the analyzed period was 53.33 Mb/s. By nearly 10 Mbps higher result was achieved by the capital Brasilia in Brazil (62.18 Mb/s). Behind Warsaw there was only the city in Puerto Rico, Juan, which obtained a result of 72.59 Mb/s.
Other cities where the median 5G speed is below 150 Mbps are : Singapore (111.20 Mb/s), Manila (112.23 Mb/s), Prague (116.30 Mb/s), Budapest (137.54 Mb/s), Amsterdam (139.75 Mb/s), Zagreb (140.92 Mb/s), Vienna (144.93 Mb/s), Jerusalem (145.17 Mb/s) Berlin (148.16 Mb/s).
Oslo leads the ranking
The leader of the ranking is Oslo, the capital of Norway, with the result of 526.74 MB/s. This city is also the only center that in the published report achieved a result above 500 MB/s. In the top three there are also Seoul in Korea (467.84 Mb/s) and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (421.26 Mb/s).
The next capitals in the ranking are: Doha (413.40 Mb/s), Stockholm (401.30 Mb/s), Riyadh (384.66 Mb/s), Kuwait (338.97 Mb/s), Muscat (318.95 Mb/s), Beijing (291.19 Mb/s), Taipei (287.86 Mb/s) Helsinki, (279.59 Mb/s), Sofia (260.55 Mb/s) Canberra (258.39 Mb/s), Bangkok, (253.73 Mb/s) Manama (249.71 Mb/s) Dublin (223.01 Mb/s), Luxembourg (209.98 Mb/s) Paris (208.48 Mb/s) and Bucharest (203.44 Mb/s.).


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One of the more promising energy developments of the Obama era has been the rapid growth of US solar power. Photovoltaic prices keep dropping, and installations keep soaring. Sure, solar still provides just 0.6 percent of our electricity. But the trend lines are encouraging:
One looming question, though, is whether the US solar industry will keep seeing record growth in the years ahead. And that's far from assured — particularly if a key federal tax credit expires in 2017.
The solar boom could stall in 2017 if Congress doesn't renew a key tax credit
Solar power has been booming in the United States for a bunch of different reasons. Chinese manufacturing has gutted the price of silicon panels. Installers like SolarCity have made financing a home system much, much easier. State incentives in places like California have mattered a lot. But one crucial factor has been the 30 percent federal investment tax credit for solar systems, first enacted back in 2006 and expanded greatly under the 2009 stimulus bill.
Unless Congress decides to extend this tax credit — and many Republicans aren't too thrilled with that idea — it's set to lapse on January 1, 2017. At that point, it will drop to 10 percent for utilities and commercial installers, and disappear entirely for residential solar.
What then? The most recent report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projects that solar installations will hit record highs in 2015 and 2016 before slowing dramatically in 2017:
Eventually, solar is expected to rebound — particularly under the Clean Power Plan
That's not the end of the story, either. The report expects the next half-decade or so to break down like so:
A record solar boom in 2015-'16: The near future is pretty much set. Utilities still have a slew of projects in the pipelines, interest rates are low, and everyone's racing to build before that federal tax credit expires. The US currently has 20 gigawatts of installed PV solar capacity today — that's expected to nearly double, to 38 gigawatts, by the end of 2016.
A serious lull in 2017-'19: Then ... things get bumpier. If Congress lets that investment tax credit lapse, the rate of installations is expected to slow dramatically in 2017. Most of the projects currently in the pipeline will have already been built, while the economics will get a bit less favorable for future projects.
Solar won't disappear entirely. The technology is still getting cheaper, and state incentives still exist in places like California. "Despite these headwinds," the report notes, "solar project costs will continue to fall and increasingly large pockets of demand will remain open. The overall market may decline substantially year-over-year in 2017, but growth from the new, smaller base will resume thereafter."
Indeed, some folks in the solar industry, like Jigar Shah, have even argued that the expiration of the federal tax subsidy could be good for the solar industry long-term — because it'll force installers to cut costs even further. We may be about to find out.
A rebound after 2020. Next up, starting in 2020, the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan is scheduled to take effect. States are supposed to come up with plans to cut emissions in their power sectors by 2022, although they get extra credit for acting early on renewables starting in 2020. The GTM Research/SEIA report expects solar to start growing again in this period:
Project costs will be significantly below today's levels, placing solar on a strong competitive playing field with both retail electricity and alternative sources of wholesale generation," its report says. "Much of the uncertainty from [2017-19] will have been settled, and market participants will experience a more extended period of consistent expansion.
Most notably, this period will also likely be the time during which solar in the U.S. truly becomes a 50-state market, as the combination of CPP compliance and improving project economics will open up state markets that historically have seen very limited solar development.
On that last bit, note that up until now, the vast, vast, vast majority of solar installations have been happening in California — mainly because the state has a combination of sunny weather, ambitious renewable energy targets, and high electricity prices that give homeowners an incentive to defect to solar:
But once all states have to figure out how to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Power Plan, the report argues that solar could start expanding beyond California. Note that this isn't certain. It depends on how states design their implementation plans, what incentives they give for solar, and so on. But it's a reasonable bet.
Lots of other policy tweaks could affect the growth of solar
Note that this forecast is based on the current policy landscape and current projections for price and technology. But all sorts of surprises are possible, on the upside and downside.
On the upside: Congress could always extend that federal tax credit past 2016, giving solar a big additional jolt. (Hillary Clinton has said she'd push hard for an extension if she became president; it's part of her plan to dramatically scale up solar power.) Or we could see big breakthroughs in solar tech that bring down the cost much, much further. (Perovskites, anyone?)
But there's also a downside: States could start paring back some of their net-metering incentives for residential solar, which would cut into growth rates. Similarly, it's unclear to what extent state efforts to decarbonize their power sectors under the Clean Power Plan will favor solar — that's a big wild card.
In the long run, it seems inevitable that solar will play a major role in our energy mix. The sun is just too massive a resource to ignore. But in the short and medium term, solar's relentless growth is hardly assured. It'll still depend a lot on policy.
Further reading:
- Solar power still needs to get a lot cheaper. Are perovskites the answer?
- As mentioned above, it's worth reading Jigar Shah's piece on why the expiration of the federal tax credit could actually be a healthy thing for the industry by driving further cost reductions. Not everyone in the solar industry shares this view, but he draws some instructive lessons from other countries.
- 11 maps that explain energy in America


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Mesa Firearms Shooting Range
Mesa Fire Station #204 Remodel
Mesa, Arizona
Kitchens are often the heart of the fire station.
This comprehensive interior remodel was a response to the needs of the resident fire fighters living in the station. The ever-changing diversity of the fire-fighting personnel called for improvements to both female and male toilet and shower facilities. These rooms were modified and received all new finishes and fixtures. The associated locker rooms also received new, larger lockers and finishes.
Read More
Similarly, the staff kitchen was old and too small to accommodate the number of personnel preparing food and dining together. The cooking space was enlarged and outfitted with all new appliances, cabinets, and stainless-steel countertop finishes. The day room and all sleeping quarters received new flooring and paint finishes, and the electrical system was upgraded as several panels required relocation.


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Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
The northbound lane of Malvern Avenue (between Overton and Blake streets) will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily starting today through Friday, July 12. Traffic will be diverted to one lane in either direction for waterline construction.
In conjunction with this traffic redirect, Nickels Street at Malvern Avenue will be closed with a detour.
Drexel Street at Malvern Avenue will also be closed with a detour.
Signs and cones will be posted for detours and diversions.


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Seriously exciting news for Harry Potter fans!
There is very exciting news for Harry Potter fans today as J.K. Rowling has released a short story on her website!
The talented author, who created the much loved books, uploaded the story to the Pottermore website, and fans have gone wild for it already.
The story itself is written as an article by journalist Rita Skeeter and features an older, greying Harry Potter, and lots more of "Dumbledore's Army" attending a Quidditch World Cup final.
How timely!
The story marks the very first appearance of Harry or any other character for that matter, as adults since the last book.


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text: I feel so much better. Yes, my difficult times are like a wave, and it will pass. Self love is the way to go. Your voice is fine, by the way!! I sought out more of your lessons and I was very pleased to find some! I searched under Lou and there you were. Your words are lovely. Sharing how you worked through your dark cloud was very helpful. Also sharing what you were feeling, and how the weight lifted was wonderful! You were able to coach yourself out of a rut, and back to your higher vibration. Thank you so much Lou. I'm sure the universe had something to do with me stumbling upon your work. I didn't know how to find my way back to my journey. To myself. I have sent intentions for you to have overflowing abundance in your life. 😊


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Homeowner Holds Sleepy Intruder At Gunpoint
A stranger broke into Eric Brown's house last Sunday and climbed into a bed, according to Summerville Police reports.
Brown grabbed his gun and held the man at gunpoint until cops arrived just before midnight.
"I went downstairs into the bedroom and made contact with a white male in the bed later to be identified as Thomas Blake Allred. I asked the male several times what was his name and the male just opened his eyes for a short period of time then closed them," Officer Matt Wilson stated.
The intruder claimed he lived at the house. Officers suspected the man was on drugs.
"Officer Steve Bates found a Georgia Corrections ID in his wallet and the male stated that he had been in Paulding County RSAT. I asked him why did he go to RSAT. He replied because of a drug addiction," Officer Wilson stated.
The officer then found scales with suspected meth residue in Allred's sock.
"I then read Miranda warning to Mr. Allred and he started to fall asleep on me," Officer Wilson said.


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Researchers continue to work to make robots safer to be around humans, but some robot experts say the key is to stop making robots that lack ethics. "If you build artificial intelligence but don't think about its moral sense or create a conscious sense that feels regret for doing something wrong, then technically it is a psychopath," says Josh Hall, author of "Beyond AI: Creating the Conscience of a Machine."
For years, science fiction author Issac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics have been used for a robot's behavior guidelines. The three laws are a robot may not injure a human being or allow one to come to harm, a robot must obey orders given by human beings, and a robot must protect its own existence. However, as robots are increasingly incorporated into the real world, some believe that Asimov's laws are too simplistic.
Robo-ethicists want to develop a set of guidelines that outline how to punish a robot, decide who regulates robots, and even create a "legal machine language" to help police the next generation of intelligent automated devices. Willow Garage research scientist Leila Katayama says even if robots are not completely autonomous, there needs to be a clear set of rules governing responsibility for their actions. The next generation of robots will be able to make independent decisions and work relatively unsupervised, which means rules must be established that cover how humans should interact with robots and how robots should behave, robo-ethicists say.
From Wired News
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Abstracts Copyright © 2009 Information Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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During today's State of Play stream, it was announced that series veterans Jax, Kung Lao and Liu Kang are part of the Mortal Kombat 11 roster, though we probably could have guessed that seeing how much the two Shaolin Monks have been appearing in Story Mode trailers. Check out the trailer below, and get hyped about NetherRealm's soundtrack choices.
The trailer, aside from confirming three new playable characters, showcases how different versions of the cast will interact with each other, usually to hilarious effect. We also see Johnny Cage punching Kano square in the testicles, and if that isn't reason enough for you to watch the trailer, I don't know what is.
– Noob Saibot Revealed For Mortal Kombat 11, Shang Tsung DLC Confirmed
– Numskull Reveal Official Mortal Kombat Merchandise Range
– Mortal Kombat 11: Characters, Modes, Features And More
Some of the coverage you find on Cultured Vultures contains affiliate links, which provide us with small commissions based on purchases made from visiting our site. We cover gaming news, movie reviews, wrestling and much more.


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Plant ID
Need help identifying an invasive plant? Upload a photo below and we'll ID the species for you. Or browse photos to find a match.
Aquathol® Super K is a unique concentrated granular formulation and one of the most versatile and effective aquatic herbicides ever developed. It's an excellent Aquatic Habitat Management tool that can provide season long control of a broad spectrum of submerged weeds often found in small lakes and ponds. Aquathol® Super K is not toxic to fish or other aquatic organisms and has a relatively short half-life in the water. Aquathol® Super K provides control of aquatic weeds in a relatively short time, generally 3-4 weeks, and can provide long-term control depending on the application timing and the target species. There are no restrictions on treated water for swimming, fishing or irrigation*.
*Read and follow label directions.
Go to CDMS to View Full Label Go to CDMS to View Full Safety Data Sheet
63% Dipotassium salt of endothall*
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*7 oxabicyclo [2.2.1]heptane 2,3 dicarboxylic acid equivalent 44.7%


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Excerpt from When Tony Met Adam
Adam stood in the foyer of this beautiful house that Robin shared with Jules. He couldn't stop himself from gazing up the stairs. Neither of them had come down since he'd been up there with Sam, over an hour ago.
"I'll tell 'em you said good-bye," Sam said now, still following him around.
"Thanks. I wrote that note," Adam said. "You can read it first if you want."
"I will."
And still he hesitated.
"He's really happy with Jules," Sam reminded him.
"Yeah," Adam said. "I know."
"Sure you don't want a ride to Logan?" Sam asked.
"No," Adam said. "You should be here in case Jules needs you. Best man."
"Stay away from them," Sam said, not unkindly, "or I will fuck you up."
"Yikes," Adam said. "You almost gave me a heart attack-until you added that last up."
Sam exhaled his disgusted exasperation. "Good-bye, Adam." He opened the door and pushed him out onto the porch.
The door closed tightly behind him, and Adam jammed his hands into his pockets and went down the stairs.
There was a group of SEALs standing on the sidewalk out front, and as he went past them, one of them said, "Hey, you're that actor, right? Shoot, I'm blanking on your name, but I loved you in American Hero."
"Thanks," Adam said, but he didn't stop walking, because Christ, all he needed to make the day perfect was to get hassled for being gay by some crew-cut sporting no-necks.
But the movie-literate SEAL disengaged himself from the others, trotting slightly to catch up, and then matched his stride to Adam's. "You were amazing in Memphis Moon, too."
"Thanks." Adam increased his pace, but the SEAL was taller than he was, and he easily kept up.
So Adam stopped at the corner, beneath the streetlight. "Look, if you're going to-"
"I also loved Snow Day. I mean, yeah, it was light, but you were incredible." He was really just a kid, early twenties, nice smile, good-looking in a born-and-raised-in-Kansas kind of way.
Adam looked at him, and the kid held his gaze. And held his gaze. He had blue eyes. Very, very blue eyes. But, shit, he was young.
"I'm Tony," he said.
"Yeah, well, I'm trouble," Adam told him.
Tony laughed at that. He actually had dimples. "I'm a SEAL," he said to Adam with a shrug. "I like trouble."
Hey now, as Robin would've said.
"It's Adam, right?" Tony remembered his name. "Wyndham."
Adam nodded. "I'm kind of…nursing a broken heart," he admitted.
Tony nodded. But he took a pen out of his pocket, took Adam's hand, and actually wrote his phone number on it, right on the palm. "Give me a call if it mends." He pocketed his pen, flashing another of those killer smiles. "And in case you had any doubt just how much I like trouble, I'm pretty sure I just came out to my teammates."
He walked backwards, moving toward those very teammates, facing Adam and smiling all the while.
It was hard not to smile back, and as Adam finally headed for the T station, he even managed to laugh.
What was it Cowboy Sam had said? Time to move on.
Yeah. If he put his mind to it, he could maybe imagine doing just that.
All Through the Night
© 2007 by Suzanne Brockmann


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Dallas County's homeless population is steadily rising. With no stable place to lay their heads, the homeless people have taken to the streets, a new normal that is disruptive to homeless residents and to the many business owners in Dallas and its surrounding cities.
Government has responded to this difficult problem in the most expensive and inhumane way imaginable: by jailing its homeless population through aggressive prosecutions for criminal trespass, a low-level misdemeanor that simply means being on someone else's property. The majority of these cases do not involve anyone's home, but rather gas stations, hospitals, malls and even DART stations.
Since 2015, Dallas County has prosecuted at least 9,394 people for criminal trespass, a low-level, nonviolent misdemeanor. Last year, approximately 25 percent of the people charged with criminal trespass were demonstrably homeless, meaning they told law enforcement that they had no address or lived at a homeless shelter at the time of arrest.
And 95 percent of the homeless people charged with criminal trespass last year were required to buy their freedom with a money bond, averaging $607, which almost none could pay. People who are unable to pay a money bond often plead guilty to be released from jail, and 89 percent of the of the homeless people charged with criminal trespass last year were convicted.
They did not get services or help; instead, they received an average jail sentence of 33 days.
Criminalizing poverty comes not only at a high moral cost but also at a significant financial cost. Since 2015, the county has doled out approximately 209,619 days in jail as sentences for criminal trespass. At a cost of about $55 a day, Dallas County has spent over $11 million just on locking up people charged with criminal trespass, to say nothing of the costs associated with churning these cases through the criminal justice bureaucracy.
Prosecuting someone for resting in front of a business takes time and man-hours; each case requires judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, bailiffs and court reporters. As taxpayers, we all foot the bill.
And we are throwing good money after bad. These prosecutions do nothing to solve the problem of persistent homelessness. Defendants do not leave the Lew Sterrett Justice Center with new skills, new resources or a new apartment. Rather, the revolving door of jail exacerbates the conditions that lead to chronic instability; any progress a homeless person makes toward becoming housing-stable is erased each time he or she is arrested for sleeping at the train station.
It does not have to be this way. Progressive district attorney candidate John Creuzot has already pledged not to prosecute these cases of criminal trespass, which do not imperil anyone or their home, but merely reflect the utter lack of options so many homeless people face. Resources required for these meaningless incarcerations could be redirected into programs that work to address the underlying causes of poverty.
For example, $11 million could purchase and fund operations of a new homeless assistance center providing homeless residents with a place to sleep that is safe and clean, and does not interfere with the operation of local businesses. The money also could be invested in more housing-first programs, which focus on mental health and addiction and have been credited with reducing Utah's homeless population by 91 percent.
We must stop criminally punishing people who pose no threat and whose only crime is attempting to survive without adequate shelter or resources. That's not what our jails and courts are intended to do. It's time to find more a sensible, humane solution.
Philip Kingston is a member of the Dallas City Council and vice chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee.
Mark Clayton is a member of the Dallas City Council and chair of the Poverty Task Force.
They wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.
What's your view?
Got an opinion about this issue? Send a letter to the editor, and you just might get published.


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I just had a medical abortion 3 days ago. I knew from the moment I got pregnant that abortion was the right thing for me (unexpected pregnancy when I was on the IUD, difficult time in relationship, etc).
Even though I knew it was the right choice for me, it still was difficult for me. I am overall thankful that I had the opportunity to chose for myself what was right for me.
Remember that our stories are ours to tell. We'd love to hear your story too!


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PAWTUCKET — Lillian Conti's thrilling three-set victory at third singles lifted the East Providence High School girls' tennis team to the Division III championship, 4-3, over previously unbeaten Classical Saturday morning, Oct. 29, at Slater Park.
Conti, who finished her season unbeaten at 18-0, rallied from a set down and losing 1-3 in the third to eventually win her match and earn the championship clinching point. The junior defeated the Purple's Emma Levanos 5-7, 7-6 (7-3) and 6-4.
The title is the second all-time for the Townies, who also won the Division III crown back in 1993 over Scituate. E.P. was making its third-ever finals appearance, also making the championship round though losing to Rogers in 1992.
The III-A regular season winners, the Townies finished their season with an 18-1 record, matching the best-ever mark posted by the 1993 championship squad. For Classical, winners of III-B during the regular season, it finished with same 18-1 record, but minus the all-important playoff title.
Before Conti's clincher, the Townies earlier received victories from Mary McBride and Tess Amore at fourth and first singles, respectively, as well as from their unbeaten No. 2 doubles tandem of Rachel LaValley and Jessica Costello.
"I'm unbelievably proud of everything about this team. This is my senior year and it's the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me," said Amore, the Townies' senior captain and team leader who has played from the No. 1 singles position in three of her four years on the squad.
"Lily really, really pulled through. She knew what she had to do, and she did it. Everyone did," Amore continued. "Victoria (Luchi) lost, but I thought she played one of her better matches of the season. Mary played well. Everyone did. This is a really, really good team and we were able to pull through. I'm just so proud. I never expected this. This is awesome."
McBride beat Lyndsey Goldstein in two hard-fought sets, 6-3 and 7-5. Amore recorded a victory Sarah Brosofsky, Classical's ace who retired up 2-1 in the second set after dropping the first, 6-1. Brosofsky had been battling a chest ailment the last few weeks. The duo of LaValley-Costello was the first to score a point Saturday, securing a 1-and-0 win over Classical's pairing of Maxine Wo-Minna Hammarstrom.
"This was awesome. It was so cool knowing you were playing for the championship," said LaValley, like Amore and fellow doubles performer Arianna Seagrave, a senior. She and Costello went 17-0 in matches they played together during the season. LaValley actually went 19-0, winning one match each while playing with Seagrave and Emily Ramsey.
"We have really good communication out on the court," LaValley said of she and Costello. "We talk the whole time. We know where we need to be on the court. We have each other's back. I definitely knew coming into the year we would play well, but I think we did great. The whole team did."
Things started nearly as well as they eventually ended for the Townies Saturday. East Providence took early leads in five of the seven matches played. But Classical found some form, making almost every outing competitive save for two dubs.
After Amore played one of her better sets of the season from the top spot to win the first and then her opponent retired, East Providence was up 2-0 overall. The Purple puts its initial marker on the board when the third doubles team of Julie Batista-Helena West beat E.P.'s Ramsey-Seagrave, 6-4, 7-5, the difference being only a break of serve in each. And soon after, Classical's top tandem of Julianne Rudner-Alicia Terrero polished off E.P.'s Tess Lyons-Meg Amore, 6-3 and 6-4, to knot the overall score at two apiece.
With McBride seemingly cruising to her victory at fourth singles up a set and 5-2 in the second, much of the focus shifted to the two other remaining matches, singles bouts between Conti and Levanos as well as Classical's Jillian Brosofsky vs. the Townies' Luchi at the two spot.
But McBride lost a bit of the momentum when she twice couldn't hold serve to close out the Purple's Lyndsey Goldstein, who responded by winning the next three games to tie the score at five. In the meantime, Jillian Brosofsky closed out Luchi (2-and-4) to suddenly give Classical its first lead of the day, 3-2. McBride, though, regrouped to her credit, winning the last two games to finish off her straight sets win and set up the dramatic finish at third singles.
There, very little separated Conti and Levanos. Losing the first set and trailing in the second, Conti displayed belief and determination which have been the hallmarks of the Townies all fall. Her hard, flat first serve also began to find the range and she also started moving Levanos around the court more, opening up angles to put away points.
"In the first set I didn't know it was all coming down to me," Conti said. "I didn't know until the second set when my captain came over me and told me this was all on me, you need to win it for the team. And I knew I couldn't be selfish for myself. I knew I had to do it for the team. During the third set, I knew it was all down to us. It was either her or me who was going to win it. So I just tried to focus."
The trend of Conti falling behind, unfortunately, continued early in the third set. She trailed 1-3 before winning the next two games to level the score. Levanos, though, broke Conti's serve immediately to regain the lead. But Conti, likewise, broke and then ended the run against serve by holding her own, including two aces and a third un-returnable serve, to go up 5-4.
The crowd had already swelled around the final match, building up the intensity of the moment even more and obviously affecting the players. Conti added to the drama when at times she bent over at the waist or crouched low to the court between points, even leading the referee to ask if she was OK. She certainly was.
Conti gained immediate control of what proved the final game, going up 40-15 with two match points. She deftly set up the first, moving Levanos to the player's left, but her attempt at an angled cross-court shot found the net. She didn't, however, waste her second try at the win and the championship. Conti concluded a multi-stroke rally by nailing a forehand just inside the baseline. The shot caught Levanos wrong-footed. She couldn't get it back and stunned momentarily did not make a call. The Classical coach, though, like just about everyone with a view of the shot, acknowledged that it was good, giving Conti her 19th victory of the season without a loss and the Townies their second league championship in school history.
"At first I was wondering what she was going to do," Conti said of the final point. "Was she calling it in or was it out and were going to deuce? But I knew it hit the line, so I was just waiting for her to call it in. And once it was called in, it was just a big sigh of relief. I was like, oh my god, it's over. We won."
East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer Rich Dionne took the accompanying gallery of pictures from the championship match.


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SC comes to rescues of software developer, dismisses recovery suit of employer firm
The bench held, "Deputation has definite connotation in law and a transient visit will not qualify as a deputation, unless the respondent (software development company) were to lead evidence that she had worked overseas on deputation. This aspect of the case has completely been ignored by all the three courts below. The claim (by the company) was not substantiated having regard to the terms of the contract."