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P reachers' Unions
By Ben Tomkins
This conversation is wearing me out.
The Chicago teachers strike is not about money. It's about the pressure being put on teachers to extract a certain level of performance from students regardless of their socio-economic status by people who have no concept of the reality of education.
Many teachers in Chicago are teaching in urban and impoverished schools. However, when our government assesses teacher performance, a student is considered a student no matter where they live. Many of them get up and go to bed hungry. Many of their parents are abusive, alcoholics, working 70 hours a week for nickels, etc.
Have you ever tried to teach a 9-year-old what a pronoun is when she hasn't been fed breakfast? By her alcoholic father? After she got her ass kicked on the way to school?
Actually, I have. It's an experience well worth considering before you pass judgment on the teachers of Chicago, and moreover before you vote. Particularly when a certain political candidate and his wife seem to think that identifying with the unthinkable, grinding depths of poverty in America is insincerely acknowledging the universal experience of every single upper-middle class mother in the country who doesn't have time to make their child a proper sandwich before going to work, and must resort to giving them a Lunchable and a Capri Sun before driving them to school in an BMW SUV.
That's a nanny's job. My god, the horror of a dirty steering wheel.
Regardless, the academic performance of the country's impoverished students is compared equally to that of privileged children. Worse, the teachers in these distressed schools are held economically accountable for extracting the same quality of work.
I would hope, by now, that any thinking human being could see this is absurd. Not "less-than-ideal," not "a challenge for our hard-working teachers." I mean to say that it is a ridiculous collection of nonsensical thoughts, and patently obvious to anything with a simian brain.
This is why the Chicago schoolteachers are going on strike, and many of them deal with kids in situations that make the above look like Tastykake fun-time. The system in place pounds into the ground the wonderful teachers who are willing to work with the most distressed students in the worst-funded schools, and shower the teachers working in the rich schools with praise and gold.
This is also why the rich need a tax cut.
Of course, this has pissed off the Chicago schoolteachers, and it should piss off you too. These warped and corrosive policies are ruining our public schools, resulting in rich people further crippling the system by sending their kids to private school, bitching about their tax dollars being used to fund public schools, and all the while wailing and moaning about how their personal freedoms are being abused. It's the most disgustingly selfish thing I have ever heard.
They clothe themselves in this self-centered, willfully-ignorant, greed-lusting disregard for the civic duty of providing basic, first-world education for one's fellow countrymen, and then have the audacity to condescendingly hiss from their golden pulpit that it's because they have a loftier understanding of freedom.
The teachers in Chicago won't stomach this any more.
Now, this is more than just Chicago. There is a political party in this country that, with its Brylcreemed hair and glossy white teeth, is preaching permissiveness of this selfishness, and telling us the Chicago teachers are using their union to "put themselves ahead of their students."
This is an outrage, and if you want to know how the Republican Party really feels about helping poor people, look no further than the first 30 seconds of Ann Romney's address at the Republican National Convention. I quote:
"Just so you all know, the hurricane has hit landfall … fellow Americans are in its path, and just hope and pray that all are remain safe (sic) and no life is lost"
There it is. First of all, apparently not even the most expensive private teacher on Earth can teach a dull, vacuous bint what a pronoun is. Secondly – probably as a result of her daft, glazed faculties – her solution to the problems of the poor is to pray about it. Not help, not donate, not institute a free breakfast program for these kids.
It's to acknowledge it in front of everyone in church for public adulation so that you can feel good about yourself, dismiss it as a job well done, and carry on with the difficulties of paying a nanny to raise your kids while you swoon on the couch from the exertion of being a mother.
Well, I'm sorry dear. There is a difference between teaching and preaching.
I, and I'm guessing most of you out there, don't want to live in a country where the rich, hard-working mothers of upper-class America are free to pay their full-time nanny to muck out the social therapy horse stalls, and wash our impoverished citizens into the gutter.
Neither do the teachers in the Chicago school system, and the reason for this is as stark as it is praiseworthy: They don't teach from a golden pulpit. They go down into the gutter and teach these kids every day. When you do that, you are no longer able to relax on the balcony of your mansion and pretend it's not real.
Benjamin Tompkins is a violinist, teacher, journalist, and critically acclaimed composer currently living in Denver, Colo. He hates stupidity, and generally believes that the volume of one's voice is inversely proportional to one's knowledge of the issue.
Reach Ben Tompkins at email@example.com.


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(Adds detail, quotes)
By Elzio Barreto
HONG KONG, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's securities regulator and the stock exchange on Friday proposed a new listing policy panel as part of their initiative to improve transparency and governance in the Asian financial hub.
The final proposals underscore the Securities and Futures Commission's (SFC) desire for a "more direct presence" in listing regulation and to become more active in objecting to certain listings, according to conclusions from the consultation process that started in June 2016.
The consultation drew nearly 9,000 submissions from market participants and pitted the city's banks and the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies against international asset managers who favoured tougher scrutiny of listing candidates.
The chamber and banking sector have pushed back against reforms over fears they could give the SFC too much power and potentially stymie the market for initial public offerings (IPOs)..
"We have been demonised," SFC Chairman Carlson Tong told a news conference. "If we are too popular with the market, we are not doing a very good job as a regulator. Our job is to ensure quality in the market."
The proposals made in June 2016 suggested the creation of two new committees to develop and regulate listing policies in Hong Kong. The CEO of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx) would no longer sit on the listing committee while the SFC's chief executive would sit on a newly created listing policy committee.
The proposed changes followed investor criticism of possible conflicts of interest in the current framework, wherby HKEx acts as both the profit-driven market operator and regulator of IPOs. HKEx has also clashed with the SFC over listing matters.
The new policy panel would be set up as an "advisory, consultative and steering body" outside the SFC and the HKEX to initiate and centralise discussion of listing policies, according to a joint statement.
Editing by Nick Macfie and David Goodman

subset: commoncrawl


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Are you looking for information on a kindergarten that is in Malaysia? If you are, you will be able to find a lot of information on the web. You could also look in the local business directory that can tell you where these schools are. However, the Internet will show you reviews that have been left by actual parents that have use these schools before. In order to find the best one for your kids, you will need to look at these reviews. Here's a quick overview of what you can do in order to find the best kindergarten Malaysia.
Where To Begin Your Research
When you start your research, looking at kindergartens, you will have to find out what other parents are saying. It's the only way to determine if it's going to be the best choice for your children, allowing you to feel comfortable about dropping them off. Consider the school district that the kindergarten is in and try to find reviews about the entire school district including all the upper and lower level classes. You can start off by searching for day care Mont Kiara if you live in the area or replace the location with where you are currently living. Finally, you also want to consider the location of the school to make sure that it is not going to be inconvenient for you to drop off and pick up your child throughout the week.
How To Know You Have Found The Right One
You will know that you have found the right one because it will have a good reputation. You should find information on the web about the curriculum, as limited as it's going to be. After all, kindergarten children are transitioning from learning how to manipulate things with their hands to learning how to spell and write their name. They may also have some curriculum on mathematics, teaching them how to count, and they will have outdoor activities. All of these things can contribute to why you eventually pick the one kindergarten out of all of the others that you find will searching on the web.
How Long Will It Take You To Find One?
It's going to take you no more than an hour or so to go through all of the information that you find. There are probably only a few of them in your immediate area, and this will help limit the amount of research that you have to do. Even if you see a school that is very good, it might be too far away. Consider what you have available, look at which one is the best, and to enroll your child in that school so they can start their education.
Kindergarten is one of the most important steps in regard to a child's development. They are going to learn how to do very basic things. Basic reading, writing, and arithmetic will be presented, as well as learning social skills so they can interact with fellow classmates. All of this is going to create a foundation for your children, allowing them to excel in the higher grades. It really is that easy to find a school that will have the best kindergarten available that is close to your immediate area such as AStarKids.


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UPDATE (WKOW) --- At closing bell, The Dow Jones was down 352 points.
That is the worst loss in 2013.
NEW YORK (WKOW) --- The Dow Jones tumbled more than 300 points, Thursday, just one day after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke raised fears the central bank will begin ending its stimulus policies.
The Dow is expected to suffer it's biggest one-day decline since November.
In two days, the Dow has lost more than 500 points.
The Nasdaq and S&P 500 dropped more than 2 percent.
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- You are here:
- Home
- County Offices
- Departments
- Noxious Weed Department
- Recycling
Pottawatomie Recycling Committee (PRC)
The Pottawatomie Recycling Committee (PRC) is a non-profit group of environmentally-conscious citizens whose goal is to maintain the quality of the environment in Pottawatomie County and to minimize the necessity of placing recyclable resources into landfills throughout the state and/or other states.
PRC is dedicated to educating the public regarding recycling, thereby increasing the quantity of recyclables being collected in the county for reprocessing.
Recycling Locations
Pottawatomie County recycling locations (PDF) are open 24/7.
- Olsburg (cardboard trailer) - We accept newspapers in this trailer.
- Contact: Tim Eisenbarth
- Onaga (co-mingle and cardboard trailers) - There are newspaper and magazine bulk boxes next to the 4-H building.
- Contact: Debbie Berges, Ph: 785-889-7104
- St. George (co-mingle and cardboard trailers)
- Contact: Megan Walters
- St Marys (co-mingle)
- Wamego (co-mingle and cardboard trailers)
- Contact: Bob Wegner or Tim Eisenbarth
- Westmoreland (co-mingle and cardboard trailers)
- Contact: Gary Threewit or Tim Eisenbarth
- Wheaton
- Contact: Melanie Abitz, Ph: 785-396-4372
Co-mingle Recycling Trailer Guidelines
- There will be bulk boxes in place for glass and aluminum cans.
- No plastic bags or styrofoam of any kind are accepted.
- You may leave the lids on containers.
- Books may be included in the co-mingle pile.
- Co-mingle trailers now accept plastics numbers 1 - 7.


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Show your STS pride with style! Our online store offers a selection of high-quality, specialty items perfect for graduation gifts, and keepsakes for alumni, parents, and employees.
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Z.M.H. Hammermanצ.מ.ח. המרמן
A construction and development company.
The company has built housing projects and a commercial center in the West Bank settlement of Alfei Menashe, and a housing project in Homat Shmuel (Har Homa), which is a settlement neighbourhood of Jerusalem. On June 2015, the company signed an agreement with an Israeli Bank, the funding party, to erect another construction project of 150 housing units in Alfei Menashe settlement in the occupied West Bank. The project's credit funding reached 20 million NIS.
Feiglin family (28.7%), Ben Avraham family (27.2%), Manor Family (27%) and public shares (16%).
Subsidiaries include: Z.M.H Kariv Construction (together with Electra Construction), 100% of Malgam Manpower, 100% of K.Z.H Building, 50% of R.M.A Construction and about 50.1% of Sivan Construction.
In addition, Z.M.H Hammerman has established companies in Romania in order to develop, construct and market housing projects.
47 Hata'asia St.
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CORPORATIONS by tags
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(New Video) New MMA Developments With Rhadi Ferguson
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
I've been super busy and on the road.
Two weeks ago I was in Mississippi training
my two Judo National Champions that have
been tearing up the juvenile judo scene.
Last week I was in Boston, Mass with 4 Time
Olympian Jimmy Pedro, finishing up filming
on our new project Underground Gripfighting 2.0
Arrived home on Thursday on the 29th at 11:45pm
and turned right around and headed to the airport
at 3:30am for a 5:15am flight for Cleveland, Ohio.
I am now in Cleveland, Ohio assisting in the training
camp of……..
Well…Just watch the video
He's also know as "Mr. Flying Kneee"
Take care and have a great day!
Dr. Rhadi Ferguson
P.S. Make sure you follow me:


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SOURCE: D-EYE, Srl
February 11, 2016 20:19 ET
Funding Allows for Expansion of Low-Cost Alternative to Traditional Ophthalmoscopy Examination and Telehealth Solution
MILANO, ITALY and PADOVA, ITALY and PASADENA, CA --(Marketwired - February 11, 2016) - D-EYE, Srl, the first to design an affordable smartphone-based retinal imaging system -- today announced that it has received seed funding from Innogest, Invitalia Ventures, Giuseppe e Annamaria Cottino Foundation, and Si14, Spa, to advance the company's mobile device hardware and proprietary application and cloud software. The D-EYE system works in harmony with smartphones, allowing medical professionals to screen patients for eye health issues when examining the retina. Images taken can be stored, transmitted and shared via the HIPAA compliant D-EYE ImageVault™.
"We are very pleased with the investment partnership that the leading venture capital firm in Italy, Innogest, has formed, allowing us to expand the use of our hardware product and to introduce our encrypted mobile application platform and cloud based patient record system," said Richard Sill, CEO of D-EYE, Srl. "Our mission is to help the 300+ million people around the world who suffer from vision loss receive earlier intervention, especially those in rural or remote areas."
"Digital health solutions can contribute significantly to the prevention and monitoring of chronic diseases which will have a huge impact on quality of life and overall healthcare costs," said Claudio Rumazza, Partner at Innogest. "As an example, D-EYE is well positioned to foster a paradigm shift in eye care, thanks to its complete service offering and flexibility of the system."
The D-EYE retinal imaging system is the first product of its kind to adapt to multiple smartphones (today: Apple iPhone5 and 6 -- Samsung S4 and S5), record videos or images of the posterior of the eye, save and transmit for further assessment.
Now available and shipping to customers for $399, the patent pending D-EYE Portable Retinal Imaging System is the result of ground-breaking work done by Italian Ophthalmologist Dr. Andrea Russo, in collaboration with the University of Brescia. Dr. Russo invented D-EYE to improve access to vital retinal screenings for people in need.
The company received US FDA Class 510(K) exempt listing number D231842 on Dec. 19, 2014, and CE Class 1 device registration number 1243284 on Dec. 20, 2014. In conjunction with the announcement of these registrations, D-EYE is working with in-country partner distributors and resellers from around the world. https://www.d-eyecare.com/en_IT/distributors
Additionally, the D-EYE Portable Retinal Imaging System is an effective tool for veterinarians to use to examine dogs, cats and other small animals to detect glaucoma and other sight-threatening conditions.
For more information about the revolutionary D-EYE Portable Retinal Imaging System, please visit www.d-eyecare.com or join our community at https://www.facebook.com/deyecare?ref=hl or D-EYE For Animals at https://www.facebook.com/pages/D-EYE-for-Animals/1609472949324842 or join the conversation at https://twitter.com/DEYE2015
About Innogest: Innogest is the leading Italian venture capital firm, established in 2006 with offices in Milan and Turin. The Innogest management team is currently investing its second fund, dedicated to innovative seed and early stage health technologies and digital ventures, poised to quickly grow to globally successful companies. Innogest has backed over 30 companies, working alongside ambitious entrepreneurs, helping them to attract over Euro 160 million in total financing
About Invitalia: Invitalia Ventures, owned by Italian National Agency for Development (Invitalia S.p.A.), manages Italia Venture I Fund, a EUR 50 million fund committed by the Italian government to support the best Italian Hi-Tech Startups and small and medium enterprises. Invitalia Ventures actively co-invests with national and international VC's to support the Italian Venture Industry and innovative Italian startups in high growth sectors. Invitalia Ventures, with its network of co-investors, provides smart risk capital, adding know-how and an international network for business development in Italy.
Giuseppe e Annamaria Cottino Foundation: Founded in 2002, The John and Annamaria Cottino is a private philanthropic entity that provides its resources, economic and design, to build collective initiatives of social interest, studies and scientific research in medicine and technology through partnerships with universities, research centers, local authorities, national and international scientific institutions and public and private, religious institutes and voluntary works.
About Si14, Spa: Si14 is a visionary original design and development laboratory for novel technology products that enhance the way we live, work and play. Founded in 2008 with offices in Padova, Italy, Si14 turns inspiration into the realization of compelling, cutting-edge products and services that help people connect with their activities and their world, empower enterprises in realizing greater efficiencies, and much more. Si14 enjoys partnerships with many leading companies and organizations across the technology spectrum, providing Si14 clients with unique insight, experience and access to the latest advances in embedded systems, bio and motion sensing, mobile communications and more.
Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/11/11G082626/Images/iPhone5_close_up_of_screen_view_of_optic_nerve_dis-73d8a16021a08a84b6e4e36765dde24d.jpg
Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/2/11/11G082626/Images/Closeup_of_the_D-EYE_fundoscopic_lens_for_eye_exam-65a0f951f6898a6087e4fc663dc613e3.jpg
Spencer LeeD-EYE, Srl Vice President of Marketing and email@example.com (Mobile)Fabrizio email@example.com+39 3890848798 (Mobile)
Spencer LeeD-EYE, Srl Vice President of Marketing and firstname.lastname@example.com (Mobile)Fabrizio email@example.com+39 3890848798 (Mobile)
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The D-EYE Lens attaches to the smartphone in seconds and is ready to take images or videos of the posterior of the eye


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Saturday, April 26, 2014
Promotional visualization of new, sleeker, brighter ATM panels for signage company Image One Industries.
Friday, September 21, 2012
WIP shots of my next reel project
Some WIP shots. (ignore the topology of the human.i was being impatient.that's just a placeholder, it's awaiting revised scultpting and retopology)Once I have these models finalized (trying to get them critiqued by industry professionals at the moment) I will begin the UVing process, and from there the exciting stuff begins.This is my first demo reel project since graduating.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Ok, people! It's update time!
Ok. So, since having taken my compositing 2 class, I had the privilege of working on a group project known as Hominid. I was one of three environment modelers for the project and was assigned to model the largest set used.It was a desert scene with a very specific intended look. I'll post that video when I have it to post, but I'm currently waiting on our project's technical director to send the crew and I the finalized version (finishing touches and the sort, ya know?) In the meantime, I've been working hard to build up my demo reel.I've finally chosen a focus and that focus is 3D modeling. I am more interested in the hard surface and environmental aspects, but clearly have experience with organic modeling as well. I'm currently building an arcade room, complete with skeeball machines, a Dance Dance Revolution arcade cabinet, more-conventional cabinets, a free-throw basketball machine, and bubble hockey table. Here's a few pics of some of the finalized pieces. (When they're rendered out for my demo reel, they'll look much better)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Gill the Gila Monster all nice and textured
Untitled from Josh Roth on Vimeo.Untitled from Josh Roth on Vimeo.
Friday, April 22, 2011
|stay tuned for the actual textured model!
Here you go, people. My long awaited Animation 2 project
I spent 5 weeks skinning and rigging this sucker.
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Entertaining the troops
April 9, 1945: Betty Hutton, seated on the piano, and other aspiring starlets sing with troops at the Hollywood Canteen, which was started by Bette Davis and others in 1942. The canteen on Cahuenga Boulevard became a fixture in Hollywood during World War II as a place soldiers and sailors on leave could relax and mingle with celebrity volunteers.
Lt. Col. T.A. Kenan is on Hutton's left, and Cpl. Fred Rasmussen at the piano. Others are, from left, Mona Freeman, Sgt. W. R. Sargent, Diana Lynn, Cpl. N. F. Tuttle, Mario Ballentine, Pfc. Andrew Hnida, Noell Neill and Sgt. P.W. Inman. The young ladies are actresses from Paramount studio.
- Tags: From the Archives :: Los Angeles :: Large Format :: Celebrities
1 Comment
November 4, 2015, 12:27 pm
In 1960 I was stationed in Long Beach and use to go to the Hollywood Canteen that was located on Argyle St., just a block or so from Hollywood and Vine. Free Sandwiches with Cola drinks, Newspapers and Magazines.. Loved it on a $78.00 Monthly Salary.
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text:
Ross Bjork
Ole Miss Announces Executive Leadership Team
University Adding Deputy General Counsel for Intercollegiate Athletics
Ole Miss Announces 2018 as Year of the Fan
Rebel Faithful Will Be Treated to Special Experiences Throughout Year
Ole Miss Athletics Records Its Highest Directors' Cup Finish
Rebels rank among top 50 for second straight year
Ross Bjork Named Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics
Ole Miss also announces athletics director's contract extended through 2020
NCAA Honors Jones, Bjork with New Diversity Awards
Recognition is First of its Kind to be Awarded by NCAA
Follow @RossBjorkAD on Twitter | Announcement of Hire | Introductory Press Conference | What Others Are Saying
Ross Bjork and his wife, Sonya, have two boys: Payton (11) and Paxton (7). Bjork was announced on March 21, 2012 as the seventh full-time Director of Athletics at Ole Miss and, at the time, was the youngest AD among power five conference institutions. In October 2016, he was named the university's first Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. His six-year tenure with the Rebels has produced a new spirit surrounding Ole Miss Athletics.
Upon his arrival, Bjork reorganized the external relations structure of the department, headlined by a new partnership with multi-media rightsholder, IMG Properties, and the rebranding of the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation. He also created the unit for Health and Sports Performance, which combined sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition and counseling services and added a local orthopedic sports medicine component that provides primary sports medicine care for all student-athletes. In addition, he appointed executive level administrators for academic support, finance and facilities/game operations.
Bjork's vision in facilities has transformed the athletics footprint on campus. The basketball programs moved into the nation's finest new arena in January 2016 with the opening of the $94.5 million Pavilion at Ole Miss. More than $65 million was infused into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium including a new north end zone, new field club, new and renovated suites, natural grass playing surface, new sound system, new lights, new entry plazas, and three new video boards. All of these enhancements improved on what was already one of the best gameday experiences in college football while increasing capacity by approximately 4,000. A development plan for the Manning Center saw the facility renamed to honor Olivia and Archie Manning while undergoing a $12.5 million renovation and expansion. A $13 million overhaul of the Gillom Center was completed in 2017, a new $11 million indoor tennis facility opened in January, and a $20 million baseball project will be concluded this year.
Ole Miss has enjoyed unprecedented support under Bjork. Football season attendance records have been shattered over the last six seasons, while season ticket sales reached four straight sellouts. Baseball finished second in the nation in attendance in 2017, extending a streak of 12 straight seasons in the top five, while softball also experienced a record-breaking year for attendance in 2017. The athletics budget has risen from $57 to $113 million in just five years, and the Athletics Foundation established a record year for donations with $45.6 million in cash contributions in 2015-16. The Forward Together capital campaign has risen from $62 to $174 million in cash and pledges toward its increased goal of $200 million.
Bjork's leadership has translated to tremendous success in the competitive arena. The Rebels achieved their highest Director's Cup finish in their history in 2016-17 at 39th among Division I institutions. In 2015-16, Ole Miss was the nation's only school to win nine regular-season football games, 20 regular-season men's basketball games and 40 regular-season baseball games, while the 2014-15 campaign saw the Rebels as one of only two to make a "New Year's Six" bowl and the NCAA Tournament in men's hoops and baseball. Under Bjork's watch, the football team was one of just five to make the "New Year's Six" in each of the first two years of the playoff.
Other highlights include the first College World Series appearance in 42 years, as the baseball team reached the final four in Omaha and captured the SEC Western Division title in 2014. After a 10-year absence, men's basketball has advanced in the NCAA Tournament twice in the last five seasons, including 2013 when it claimed the SEC Tournament Championship. Softball claimed its first SEC Tournament title in the spring and made its second straight trip to the Big Dance after missing postseason each of its first 19 years of existence. Baseball, men's hoops and softball are among Rebel programs to earn NCAA berths under Bjork's watch, along with soccer (Sweet 16 in 2015), men's tennis, women's tennis, men's golf, women's golf, men's track and women's track.
Bjork's reign has featured six national championships, including the first golf medalist with Braden Thornberry in 2017. Sam Kendricks took home the pole vault title at both the 2013 and 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Raven Saunders won the 2016 outdoor and 2017 indoor crowns in the shotput, and the distance medley team captured 2017 indoor medalist honors. The 2013 SEC West champion men's tennis team also vied for a national title, as the doubles team of Nic Scholtz and Jonas Lutjen advanced to the final four while the team finished top-10 in the polls. The men's track program has reached new heights, finishing fourth in the nation in cross country in 2016 and eighth at the outdoor championships in 2013.
Off the field, Bjork established the goal of a cumulative 3.0 GPA among the student-athlete population when he arrived, and the Rebels achieved that for the first time in program history in 2015-16 and have since maintained the 3.0 mark. In the community, student-athletes are participating in more than 50 service projects per year, and baseball student-athlete Brady Bramlett has served as Vice-Chair of the NCAA Division Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Throughout his career, Bjork has placed a great importance on diversity, and in 2013, the athletics department partnered with the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation to launch a community engagement week, which has become an annual event.
Bjork has taken a leadership role in the Oxford/University community since his arrival. He is a member of the chancellor's leadership team and has served on numerous committees, including the search for a new chancellor and the naming of Chucky Mullins Drive. Bjork has traveled the region each spring speaking to alumni clubs on the Rebel Road Trip and visited more than 20,000 fans in the first six years of the caravan. His commitment to the fanbase has also shown through gameday surveys and annual improvements to help maintain Ole Miss as the premier "bucket list" experience in college sports.
Bjork arrived in Oxford after a stint as Director of Athletics at Western Kentucky University, where he quickly established an atmosphere of success. After Bjork made a midseason coaching change, the Hilltopper men's basketball team went on to capture the 2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Women's Volleyball won the conference regular season and tournament in 2011 and reached the NCAA tournament each of his last two years, while men's and women's cross country each won conference team titles in 2011. WKU's football program posted the greatest one-season improvement in conference wins in the history of the Sun Belt in posting a 7-1 league mark and second-place conference finish. WKU football also signed the conference's top recruiting class each of his last two seasons.
During his tenure, each of WKU's men's and women's athletic teams exceeded the NCAA required 925 Academic Progress Report Rate (APR), and WKU had more individuals honored for their academic achievements by the Sun Belt Conference than any other institution in 2011-12. For the first time in program history, the overall cumulative average GPA was over 3.0 for all 391 student-athletes and 228 maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Ten of the university's 15 athletic programs posted a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or better.
The youngest athletics director of the 120 NCAA FBS programs when hired at WKU, Bjork has an extensive career in intercollegiate athletics with more than two decades of experience as an administrator and student-athlete, having worked on the senior staffs at UCLA, the University of Miami and the University of Missouri. He began his administrative career at WKU as an Assistant Development Coordinator in 1996-97.
Bjork, 46, is a native of Dodge City, Kan., and received his bachelor's degree in recreation administration from Emporia State University in 1995 where he was a two-year starter at fullback. Bjork was honored by Emporia State with the 2017 distinguished alumni award. He earned a master's degree in athletic administration from Western Illinois University in December 1996. Bjork has quickly established a leadership role in the SEC by serving as Chair of the awards committee and representing the SEC on NCAA men's basketball oversight committee and the NCAA transfer working group.
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Search results - found 2
Intellectual Ventures goes on the attack (Blog)
for this action: Parker Folse of Susman Godfrey, LLP in Seattle View the full complaint here. In the DRAM and Flash memory industry: Elpida Memory, Inc. Hynix Semiconductor, Inc. Lead attorney for this action: Jared
Rockstar goes on the attack and the stakes could not be much higher (Blog)
and is asking for attorney fees, interest, willful infringement and enhanced damages. Max Tribble from Susman Godfrey is representing Rockstar against Google. Samsung is being targeted by seven different patents
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Mesut Ozil
From: Real Madrid
To: Arsenal
Price: £42.5 million
Arsenal's marquee signing and perhaps the signing of the summer, Mesut Ozil is set to take the Premier League by storm.
49 assists in 104 games, it's no wonder the Gunners smashed their transfer record on the last day of the window to sign the Germany international.
Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: https://www.givemesport.com/writeforgms


text:
On Fri, 2004-02-20 at 07:32, firstname.lastname@example.com wrote: > However, it's not clear to me why sending Accept-Language: * is useful. I've just committed a patch to CVS which changes the behavior so that no Accept-Language is sent by default in command line mode, and the CGI mode does not send * either unless that is what the user's client sent us. > Or at least a "revalidate" form above the results, where you > get to see these options, like you already have for the HTML validator? Showing the used options in the results page is in the TODO list.Received on Sunday, 4 April 2004 12:21:04 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 1 March 2016 14:17:40 UTC


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The blackout set off finger-pointing on both sides of the US and Canada border.
The New York Independent System Operator, which monitors electricity usage, said it detected a fault near Ontario at 4.11pm local time.
At one point, Canadian authorities said it appeared lightning had struck a power plant on the US side, in the Niagara Falls region, triggering power cuts that spread over 9,300 square miles.


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COLMA, CA --Colma police say the recent vandalism at a Jewish cemetery is not a hate crime. They are calling the Christmas Eve incident "malicious mischief and vandalism."
Investigators say there was no evidence the cemetery was targeted for its religion.
Vandals overturned as many as 25 headstones at the Eternal Home Cemetery on El Camino Real.
All of them have now been remounted.


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アブカムでは最適な動作のために Google Chrome など最新ブラウザでの閲覧を推奨します。
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This brief activist manifesto was written for the NPI conference; its perspective and framing is therefore tailored to alt-right, white ethnonationalist audiences. To readers who do not fall into this ideological demographic, please realize that I am in fact striving for political equality between races, not reactionary pro-white structures such as immigration restriction or (not necessarily, at least) 'white identity'; for antiracist audiences, I have a separate document tailored for your paradigm here. Also, I've linked to a plethora of my YouTube videos and other blog articles; feel free to ignore those if you want.
Ignore the non-critical. Focus only on the root of the problem—the dogma of racial sameness. Realize that all of the evils we seek to eradicate are predicated on this fallacy. Thus, we must concern ourselves solely with the task of weaning the masses off of this dogma, to the exclusion of all else (including feminism, radical Islam—et c). Once this is achieved, all else will fall into place.
Realize that logical argument and appeal to empirical observation are not the determinants of belief. Rather, social utility is the presiding determinant, and people's 'beliefs' are more akin to lines read from a script of 'what you're supposed to say' than they are genuinely held beliefs.
Realize that the falsity of racial sameness is the open secret of our era. Almost nobody, regardless of how loudly they cry out that race is a meaningless category and that we all have the same innate capabilities (and that 'white racism' is the culprit) actually believes this dogma in any functional sense.
Therefore, do not try to 'convince' others that the theory of racial blank slatism is pseudoscientific and probably false. There is an overwhelming consilience of evidence of this; by letting them shift the burden of proof on your shoulders, you are already conceding defeat by playing into their narrative.
Therefore, do not get dragged down into futile scientistic debates. Express skepticism not about their claims regarding racial sameness but, rather, that they even believe their claims. Respond by asserting that the white lie they are perpetuating has long since become grotesquely misguided, and is doomed to fail. (Employ a universalist moral argument for dumping the dogma of racial sameness, as elaborated further on in this document.)
If naysayers insist that they wholeheartedly believe in the dogma of racial sameness, still do not get dragged into dialectic. Rather, tell them that they must first open their hearts to the possibility that they are complicit in something seriously deranged, unsustainable, and deleterious to the welfare of all peoples.
Realize that the moral high ground has long since been vacated by the early proponents of Antiracism. It has been left uninhabited, open for the taking. Only once we choose to seize it will the winds shift in our favor. This is so because to occupy the moral high ground is to project an awesome, game-changing ethos and credibility.
Realize that if we want to be effective, we must see ourselves as working on behalf of all mankind, not just the white race. The only way we can win the race war is by ending it for all. Therefore, do not conflate kindness with weakness, and do not conflate conditional cooperation with unconditional 'pathological' altruism. If you embrace the 'zero sum game' view of race relations, then you are actively courting the annihilation of the white race. Forget about 'saving the white race', and instead think about being a poet-warrior of righteousness who is fighting on behalf of all mankind. After all, a clean conscience will make you inviolable.
Recognize the primacy and urgency of universalist moral arguments for dumping the dogma of racial sameness. For example, realize that the dogma of racial sameness not only scapegoats and mandates discrimination against whites, but also needlessly fans the flames of human suffering by attempting to preserve maladaptive, antisocial traits that are ultimately fated to vanish from the human genepool, one way or another, as we as a species drifts irrevocably toward our evolutionary horizon. Therefore, so it seems, Antiracism is guilty of needlessly stoking the evolutionary furnace by pursuing an inefficient, unsustainable evolutionary trajectory. Simply stated, those you wish to win over must consider the ramifications of subscribing to Antiracism were it the case that Antiracism's foundational premise stood on loose soil.
Do not make positive claims about the nuance of human biodiversity; rather, advocate that all public policy be predicated on a decidedly agnostic stance on the differences, or lack thereof, between human races. (Think: Colorblindness.) Advocate that evolutionary pressures be applied uniformly across the racial boundaries such that the peoples of the world do converge into one race. (More explained here. This will erode anti-white cultural and political structures without risking a morally untenable backslide into Nazi-like totalitarian eugenics policies.
Realize that humans are only capable of seeing labels and reading from pre-existent discourses. Therefore, elude categorization and force them to come knocking at the door of our new discourse. This is more important than ostensible 'respectability'. Do not be a conservative, and do not be a bigot. Do not harbor a guilty conscience. Trip on LSD, and familiarize yourself with the thoughtspace that gave rise to Antiracism.Force them to see you as an entirely new breed of human thought rather than as some adherent to a tired, old ideology that has long since lost all credibility. We are not embittered, and we do not cling to antiquated sentiments and sensibilities. We are objective and dispassionate, aware that the enemy is ideas and not people or peoples.
Similarly, realize that all conflict is reducible to inadequate communication. Yes, you have escaped the fetters of Plato's cave, but you have since chained yourself to one perspective. Step out from your self and your ethnic-egoic perspective, and learn how to communicate across paradigmic gap and the semiotic gap.
Accept that the post-war hegemonic Antiracist morality was inevitable–that it was fabricated with the best of intentions of all mankind in mind, and that we merely seek to correct it, and build upon it, rather than turn back the clock. We do have legitimate grievances that can be expressed within the tradition of the West's liberal humanism. Until we do so, we are speaking in tongues, locked out of all mainstream discussion.
Be a champion of human empathy. Refuse to play the villain in their narrative; to play the villain who thinks there 'is not enough to go around' is to concede defeat. Similarly, do not retreat into the comforts of subculture.
Ablate all racial egoism lest people think your universalist moral position is mere subterfuge. Our task is simply to establish the preconditions for white nationalist structures to emerge, not to build those structures ourselves. Therefore, attach your ego to this God-mandated revolutionary movement, and to the iconoclasts of history of all colors.
Exude heartfelt sincerity and earnestness. In doing so, people will realize that we are not joking, and we are not misguided. By engaging in nonviolent direct action, this heartfelt sincerity and earnestness is articulated.
Those of us on the moral high ground desire the same outcomes for all humanity as did the liberal humanist theorists of yesteryear, only we desire it all the more fervently, and realize that we cannot bring about paradise on Earth by ignoring inconvenient truths about race. We are not trying to improve the situation for whites to the detriment of non-whites; rather, we are trying to achieve justice and equality, harmony between peoples, and the amelioration of suffering for all sentient beings.
And, lastly, realize that the 'sit and wait' strategy that we on the alt-right currently subscribe to is not a strategy at all—it is the absence of a strategy. We cannot count on Donald Trump or some year-zero economic collapse to do our work for us.
To win the race war, we must end the race war.
More on the art of disrupting the narrative can be found here.
For the interested, a manifesto that I wrote a couple years ago, directed at the alt-right and mainstream white nationalists, can be found here.


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Eric Durrance and Brian Selwood are retired geologists who have worked at the University of Exeter; Deryck Laming is a consultant geologist based in Exeter.
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Beers of Marchtown – Sun 2nd September – 2:30-4pm
Join us for Marchtown's signature beer tasting event!
Join us at this fun and informative tasting event, where we will try a range of specially selected brews that will show you the current highlights Marchtown's ever-changing beer selection – and (even better) all beers will be available to buy and take home on the day!
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Registration & Licensing
Tennessee: License #12829
Classification: BC: MU-A,B: MC, E
Limit: Unlimited
Licensed in: Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama
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We are pleased to have valuable relationships with the foremost manufacturers in our industry. We are certified to work with Leviton, Essex, Panduit, STI Firestop, Sony, ExaqVision, Open Options, Honeywell, Keyscan, Axis, Arecont, ONSSI, and Dell.
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In addition, Herring Technology's technicians and installers participate in ongoing safety, first aid and CPR training.


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Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
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Let's now call it Adult Indigo Child Syndrome.
Wow, I didn't know there were so many doctors on this site who could give you a second opinion.
Im constantly amazed by the lack of sympathy and civility on this site. I mean, I know we all see conspiracy everywhere, which is why we're on the site, but give the guy a break.


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Top Ten Tips for Getting PregnantIf you are thinking about starting a family, you may be wondering how long it will take you to conceive. All couples are different, and while one may conceive the very first time they have unprotected sex, another couple may spend a year trying before they see a positive pregnancy test. Not knowing how long it will take can be frustrating, but there are things you can do to increase your chance of a speedy conception.
The following tips for getting pregnant could help you to conceive sooner:
1. Prepare your body
Being in optimum health increases your chance of conception. Ideally, you should be a healthy weight, eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables and good fats. You should exercise at least three times a week, and take steps to reduce your stress levels. You should drink at least six glasses of water a day, and reduce your intake of caffeinated drinks. You should avoid drugs, stop smoking and reduce your alcohol consumption. And, in an ideal world, you should start taking a folic acid supplement at least three months before you start trying. All of these steps will help to ensure your body is in the best shape for conception and pregnancy.
2. Prepare his body
You might be the one with the uterus, but you're not the only one who needs to make lifestyle changes whilst trying to conceive. Healthy sperm is just as important as good egg health for conception. Like you, your partner should aim to improve his health at least three months before you start trying to conceive. Your partner should reduce his alcohol intake, stop smoking, and avoid drug use for optimum sperm health. He should also try to eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in key nutrients such as zinc, calcium and vitamin C. Regular exercise can help with sperm production, so your partner should aim to exercise at least three times a week. Stress can affect male fertility, so your partner should find ways to reduce stress. Heat kills sperm, so your partner may also want to stay clear of saunas, hot tubs and hot baths whilst you're trying to conceive.
3. Stop taking birth control
This may sound like an obvious one, but timing is key here. You should stop taking birth control a few months before you plan to start trying. This will give your body chance to readjust, and your cycle time to return to normal. It's important to keep track of your menstrual cycle whilst trying to conceive, so giving up birth control a few months before will allow you to get used to your natural cycle again. After years of taking birth control, it can be hard to remember exactly what your cycle was like, especially if you have irregular periods. Once you stop taking your birth control, you will need to start using another method of contraception, like condoms, until you're ready to start trying.
4. Get to grips with your cycle
In order to become an expert in your own fertility, you must understand your cycle. Ideally, you should know when you ovulate, when your fertile days are, and when your period is due each cycle. If you have a like-clockwork 28 day cycle, you are likely to ovulate on day 14 (day 1 being the first day of your last period), so aim for that as being your most fertile day. If you have a regular cycle, ovulation is most likely to occur 14 days before the first day of your next period. If you have irregular periods, you may find it useful to use an ovulation kit which can work out your fertility calendar tell you exactly when you are at your most fertile. If you don't fancy splashing out on an expensive kit, you could keep track of signs of ovulation, such as vaginal discharge, to work out when you are likely to be ovulating.
5. Have regular sex
This might seem like a no-brainer, but with demanding schedules, work stress, and busy social lives, many couples find it difficult to pin down that quality one-on-one time. Having regular sex increases your chance of conception. Try to have sex every 2 or 3 days from the time your period ends until at least a week before your next period is due. This frequency proves to give better sperm quality when compared with daily sex. This frequency is also good enough to make sure that sperm is present in the fallopian tubes when you ovulate.
Trying to conceive doesn't need to be all about temperature charts and tightly scheduled sex. It can also be about great sex. Give yourselves more opportunity for intimacy, and put sex at the top of your agenda. Sex is a great stress reliever, so this can be a good way of taking the stress out of baby-making.
more tips for getting pregnant below…
6. Have sex at the right time
Regular sex is important, but to increase your odds, you need to make sure you're having sex at the right time too. As well as having sex every 2 or 3 days from the time your period ends until a week before your next period is due, couples are advised to have sex on the day of ovulation, as well as on the day before and the day after. Sperm can survive in the uterus for up to 48 hours, but having sex each day increases the chance of sperm being there at the right moment. The egg, however, will only survive for between 12 and 24 hours after ovulation, so having sex each day increases the likelihood of sperm meeting egg.
7. Have an orgasm
An orgasm is not necessary to help you conceive, but it could increase your chances. During an orgasm, the vaginal muscles spasm, allowing for sperm to be pulled up towards the cervix. At the same time, the cervix spasms and dilates slightly, allowing for sperm to travel more easily into the uterus. Experts are unsure of the importance of the female orgasm during conception. Some believe that women who orgasm may be more likely to enjoy sex, and therefore have more of it, increasing their chances of conception. You can still get pregnant without having an orgasm, though there's no need to tell your partner that.
8. Enjoy yourself
Deciding to start a family is a huge and very exciting step. As you start planning for the future, and daydreaming about what it might hold, don't forget to focus on the present. Deciding to start a family isn't just about the future. It also means you get to spend time having sex. You can prioritise sex over work, television schedules and almost anything else. Sex can officially become a part of your to do list. In a good way! Have an early night, have a lie in, take a weekend break together, and give yourselves the chance to focus on enjoying each other.
9. Try not to worry
Having a baby isn't instant, as well as the 40 weeks of pregnancy, you also have to wait to conceive. You may not fall pregnant during your first month of trying, but try not to be disheartened. Stress can affect your chances of conception, so try to avoid feeling stressed about trying to conceive. Relaxation, regular exercise, and positive thinking can help you to avoid stress. Trying to conceive can be wonderful at times and daunting at others. False pregnancy tests are far from a welcome sight, but remember, there is always a next month.
10. Give it time
If you didn't conceive immediately, it doesn't mean there is anything wrong. Having a baby takes time. It can take up to two years for perfectly healthy couples to conceive naturally. Research has found that conception times vary from couple to couple. 20% of couples will conceive during the first month of trying, and this number rises to 70% by the six month mark. Around 85% will conceive in the first year of trying, and 95% will have conceived by two years after they first started trying.
If, after a year of trying, you have not fallen pregnant, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider. If you are aged 36 or over, you may want to make this appointment sooner, as your age could play a factor here.


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Adult CostumesMORE FROM THIS CATEGORY:
Women's CostumesMORE FROM THIS CATEGORY:
Women's Plus Size Matador Costume
- Jacket
- Shirt
- Pants
- Sash
- Hat
- Muleta
- 100% Polyester jacket and pants w/ red and gold trim
- Pants have elastic banded waist
- Detachable sash ties around waist
- Hat has rose attached w/ safety pin
- Red nylon gloves included
Toro! Toro! When you're feeling feisty at your next fiesta, then it's time to break out this Women's Plus Size Matador Costume. It's a sexy twist on the classic Spanish bullfighting attire and gives you the look that can inspire a wild streak in any bull. Heck, with its bright red flair, it should even inspire some wild passion in an admirer of your choosing.
But as real Matadors and Ernest Hemingway know, you can't just hop in the ring and expect to come out victorious. First, you really have to put in your time at Matador school. Some of the classes are tough, and some might not really seem applicable. (Like algebra? Who needs imaginary numbers when you're fighting bulls!!) After a few years, you'll find that a well-rounded education is indeed the best way to ensure that you become the greatest bullfighting champion of all. Like Ash Ketchum with a bunch of Tauros.
Ash didn't look like this, though. They'll give you a sweet cape or something when you graduate, but you can skip all the muss and fuss and just get one from us! This authentic style will have you looking just like the real deal, but just don't go thinking that you're ready to jump into the pit and start yelling "Toro". It just wouldn't be safe, and with this sexy look... you can probably just get some poor sap to do it for you!
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Steve McCurry is the photographer who shot on the last role of Kodachrome ever to be produced after Kodak stopped production of the slide film this year. "I want to take the last roll with me and somehow make every frame count just as a way to honor the memory and always be able to look back with fond memories at how it capped and ended my shooting Kodachrome" said McCurry.
See Steve's work on his website. Too many amazing images to pic favorites!


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Welcome to Arawak Apartments, we are quite 56 unit apartment complex. We have an inviting court yard and recently renovated units. We would love for you to come live with us at this apartment complex.
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Events v/s Delegates in .Net
If someone is a .Net developer he/she might have heard faced this famous question of what is the difference between events and delegates? Here the differences are summarized and given links to external sites as there are many resources available on the same and don't wanted to create another duplicate.
As everyone knows without delegates where is no event and event is just a multicast delegate.
The main difference is that event cannot be raised/invoked from outside of the class which declare it. If an object exposes a delegate as property or field anybody who has access to that property can invoke that delegate.
If we expose an delegate as public property, the consumers can overwrite other consumers. But in case of events its not possible. Events just add new subscriber to the existing list of subscribers.
An interface can declare and event and force the implementer to raise notification.This can be done by having a method in interface which accepts and delegate and get that invoked by implementer(s). But declaring event is more readable or easy to use.


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Research & Advice - Itasha
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Continue Reading Mar, 18 2009 (9 years ago)
Latest Article: Combine Your Car And Cartoon Passions Into One, Join The 'Itasha' Sc...If you're as obsessed with animation as you are with cars, you might be the type to pepper your dash and parcel shelf with stuffed toys of your favourite on-screen characters. But there's another way. It's far more costly, but if your goal is...
Continue Reading Mar, 18 2009 (9 years ago)


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Here's a link to an interview with James Mcnaughten, CEO of energy storage company Isentropic.
Isentropic are developing a revolutionary method of storing large amounts of energy using relatively common materials. The idea being to store energy produced by renewable energy when the ouput is higher than the demand, thus smoothing out the variability when renewables are used on a larger scale. Because the materials used are not exotic, the costs are predicted to be similar to hydro-electric pumped storage systems.


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Thursday, March 11, 2010
Michael Jackson's This Is It - They Don't Care About Us - Dancing Inmates Video
Here's another great video from the inmates of CEBU Prison in the Phillipines, this time they dance to Michael Jackson's This Is It.
If you enjoyed this and would like to see their other performances check out the
byronfgarcia YouTube Channel
to see their complete impressive repertoire.
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In maths we revisited money. We looked at all coins from 1 pence to £2. We combined totals by counting on in 1s, 2s, 5s or 10s:
In RE we began our new topic 'Friends' We made friendship chains by drawing ourselves using mirrors.
In PE we finished our work using the parachute, we concluded by trying to control a beach ball using the 'wave' and 'jerk' motion. Here are some other things we got up to this week:
We hope you all have an enjoyable and restful half term!
Miss Goring


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Delighted!by Nicole - Bow Road Designs - verified purchaser
I ordered 1,000 cards in multiple designs and am delighted with the quality of the product and the friendliness and efficiency of the service. Really clean and contemporary cards - smooth finish on outside and the black ink feels slightly raised which I love. Order arrived quickly and was really well packaged. Am delighted.


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The High-Throughput Screening Division, formerly known as the SMART Laboratory, assists in the development of assays for large-scale applications, and offers access to robot-assisted technologies for the design, validation, and execution of experimental procedures under high-throughput conditions. An integrated framework for data management is available to facilitate and accelerate data analysis and secure contextual information for reliable interpretation of the results. Within this division, we also offer next-generation sequencing with a focus on transcriptomics in an ISO and CAP-certified environment suitable for diagnostics. Single-cell RNA-seq and barcode reads for CRISPR-pooled screens are also available.
High-Content Screening
High Spatio-temporal Resolution Imaging
Integrative Analysis
F7 robotics platform is now available for screening. This new platform is linked to two compound management systems and consists of 4 liquid handlers including a Labcyte Echo, 2 plate readers including a cell imager, 1 plate washer, 1 CO2 incubator, 1 refrigerated incubator, 2 barcode readers, plate peeler & seeler, 1 microplate centrifuge, and 2 robotic arms
July 8 2016 - 4 publications added to list
The NBCC becomes a Genomic Innovation Network node


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Supporting Charities
Where does DUCK's money go?
DUCK has a Giving Strategy which lays out our criteria for choosing which charities to support. Ultimately, DUCK's Giving Strategy is guided by our Giving Statement: When considering which charities to support DUCK prioritises those which make the maximum impact in the lives of those who need it most. We understand that different programs aim for different sorts of results and we do not hold to a single universal rule for determining what specific 'impact' we are looking for. Ultimately, we support charities which run relatively inexpensive yet highly effective and sustainable programmes, thus successfully fulfilling a demonstrable need in the world.
It is part of the Charities Officer's role to research each charity that DUCK works with in order to ensure that the charity in question fulfils the criterion of DUCK's Giving Strategy. This means that DUCK only works with and supports sustainable and worthwhile charities, so students who fundraise for DUCK can feel confident that their money is being used in the best possible way.
The Charities Officer also chooses the three recommended charities which are presented as options for students who take part in fundraising events such as jailbreak or tough guy. DUCK always recommends one international, one national and one local charity. The Charities Officer will try to choose a mixture of causes so that there is a recommended charity for everyone. However, if students do not wish to support DUCK's recommended charity then they are always free to choose their own.
How our events support charities
Different kinds of events support charities in different ways. Here's an insight into how our various events support various national and international charities:
Sometimes we work alongside large charities to raise money for campaigns such as Children In Need, Comic Relief, World AIDs Day, or the Poppy Appeal. This means that all the money raised goes directly to that charity or fundraising body.
Other events also raise money for a specific charity, and the event itself may be linked to the charity that is being supported. For example, we 'Sleep Out' in the cathedral in order to raise money for a local homelessness charity, Moving On Durham.
Sometimes events raise money for a specific charity which is not thematically linked to the event itself – for example, last year's Durham DUCK Race raised money for TreeTops Children's Ward in University Hospital North Durham, and The Against Malaria Foundation.
Challenge and Endurance Events:
Most challenge and endurance events, such as Tough Guy, Jailbreak, Skydive, Bungee Jump and Formally Lost, offer participating students three carefully researched recommended charities as well as the chance to choose their own charity.
Rag Raids (street collections) are always in aid of a specific charity; usually one that is popular and well-known, because members of the public are more likely to donate to a cause that they know about and recognise.
Normally we offer marathon places in aid of specific charities; this is because those charities apply for places on the marathon and then DUCK secures a certain number of these places for Durham students. However, sometimes we are able to offer open marathon places, and in this case three recommended charities will be presented, as well as the option for students to choose their own charity.
International Expeditions:
Expedition participants are required to raise money for the specific charity that their expedition supports. These are international charities, and participants will typically spend some time volunteering with the charity during their expedition. More information can be found on the expeditions page.
The DUCK Fund and the Allocation Process:
Any money raised just for 'DUCK' is placed in a central fund, which is then distributed to a range of local charities. These charities apply for a grant of up to £1000 in order to fund a specific project or need. Only local charities are eligible to apply; this is part of DUCK's commitment to 'giving back' to the local community.
If you would like to be part of the panel that assesses Allocations Fund applications, please email the Charities Officer: email@example.com
For further information please contact our Charities Officer, Katie Avis, by emailing email@example.com.


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This is a song that Laura Hackett's team has done recently in the prayer room at IHOP-KC. I have written out the lyrics and chords. Enjoy!
Lyrics are credited to Laura Hackett, Forerunner Music.
Song is played with Capo 3. The original key is A#.
To download a chord sheet: CLICK HERE
G Bm
My faith it lifts the weight of pain
Em D
From lonely and mistaken days
C Am
Of hiding behind deep dark clouds
Of worthlessness and selfish pride
G Bm
My faith is my belief in truth
Em D
That God above loves me and you
C Am
And gave us freedom, gave us life
To walk in love through Jesus Christ
C D Em
I am confident that neither life nor death
Can keep me from the love of Christ
Can keep me from the love of Christ
C D Em
Though I cannot see still my heart believes
And I am filled with joy inexpressible
I feel His love welling up on the inside of me
All those years bound in chain He is setting me free
His love goes deeper than the pain that I feel
His love is stronger than depression or fear
OK, ten years later and I'm back to blogging. It's been forever. I *hope* to be doing this more often now. I think one of the reasons I haven't is because I've felt that every blog post needs to be long, life-changing thoughts that nobody in the history of mankind has ever had before. So expect some things that are much more short and to the point.
So, today's short and to the point topic: what is the meaning of life? I know, easy to answer, right? So here goes…
I've been in the midst of changing seasons, in many ways. And God has been showing and teaching me a lot. Too much to ever describe, and too much for me to put into words or clear thoughts even for myself. And I know there's even so much more. But what's the big thing He's been showing me? His unfailing, perfect love. Didn't I know of this before? Well, yes. But no. Let's start here: there is a difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. I can walk up to someone and tell them God loves them despite their sin. They may even believe me. But there is nothing I can do to have those words change the state of their heart. It is the Holy Spirit that must come and give them revelation of the Father's love for them.
An understanding. A revelation is an understanding given by God - when you receive a revelation it hits you on every level: mind, body, soul. It's not until we have a revelation of God's love for us that we are truly changed - to know that we are accepted despite our wickedness. And He doesn't just tolerate us and love us because He has to! He rejoices over us with dancing! He loves to give us joy! He's not mostly angry with us, he delights in us! I grew up a "Christian" but never really knew in my heart and by experience that God loved me. It is VERY important that everyone experience God's love! This experience is something our logic can never explain.
Picture a joyful God! Does Jesus laugh? I think so! I think He is probably one of the funniest people who ever lived. The most joyful. I can picture Him now - sitting on the throne, looking down at all of His children and laughing hysterically! Not because He's laughing at us, but because He is so overtaken with joy for each of us that He can't contain it!
The reason we're alive
So I suppose that brings us to the meaning of life - the question that humans have probably pondered since their creation. What is the purpose of living? The very reason for our existence is to accept the love of God and to return it. If we are apart from God and not continually in His presence, we will NEVER be satisfied. There will always be a sense of emptiness. You can try as hard as you want, it doesn't matter what you do! I guarantee that if you're trying to find meaning and purpose in anything or anyone but Jesus, you will ultimately be let down EVERY time.
Let's check out Psalm 16:11:
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Did you read that? Read it at least five more times! ONLY God can make known to us the path of life. And not just that, but in His presence, and His presence alone, there is FULLNESS OF JOY and pleasures forevermore!! Are you getting this? Okay, picture the most joyful person you have ever known and at the time you saw them having the most joy. What were they doing? Staring blankly? Looking bored? Alright, I'm convinced that if we are filled with the fullness of joy, we will NOT be able to sit there and proclaim in a monotone voice with a straight face, "Boy do I have joy right now." No!! I bet there would be laughing, excitement, dancing - I guarantee most people would think you were crazy. I do believe that God can and does give us outward expressions of joy while we are in His presence. This is one thing I've been experiencing lately, and has been a means of Him speaking to me. Have you ever laughed for a long time? Yeah, I'm not kidding when I say there have been times lately while in His presence (note: nobody told a funny joke, I wasn't watching a movie, etc.) where I haven't been able to stop laughing for literally hours. It hurts! But there is nothing like it and somehow each time I know a bit more the love that the Father has for me.
Do you want to know God's love for you? Ask, and keep asking. You will be surprised!
James 4:14
An old legend tells of a merchant in Bagdad who one day sent his servant to the market. Before very long the servant came back, white and trembling, and in great agitation said to his master: "Down in the market place I was jostled by a woman in the crowd, and when I turned around I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture. Master, please lend me your horse, for I must hasten away to avoid her. I will ride to Samarra and there I will hide, and Death will not find me."
The merchant lent him his horse and the servant galloped away in great haste. Later the merchant went down to the market place and saw Death standing in the crowd. He went over to her and asked, "Why did you frighten my servant this morning? Why did you make a threatening gesture?"
"That was not a threatening gesture," Death said. "It was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Bagdad, for I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra."
Each of us has an appointment in Samarra. But that is cause for rejoicing - not for fear, provided we have put our trust in Him who alone holds the keys of life and death.
-Peter Marshall
C#m A
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak
For He will speak peace to His people, to His saints
C#m A E B
Surely His salvation, is near, for those that fear Him.
C#m A E B
That the glory may dwell in our land.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak
For He will speak peace to His people, to His saints
Surely His salvation, is near, for those that fear Him.
That the glory may dwell in our land.
F#m C#m B
Will you not revive us again?
F#m C#m B
That your people may rejoice in you.
Surely His salvation, is near, for those that fear Him.
That the glory may dwell in our land.
Here we are, God, come before the throne of grace
Here we are, God, come before the mercy seat
I can see the lightning, I can feel the thunder
I can hear the voices proceeding from Your throne
Twenty-four elders bowing low, casting down their crowns of gold
And four living creatures crying out, day and night, night and day
Only one word comes to mind
There's only one word to describe
Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
There is no one like You
You are holy, holy
"Holy" - Lyrics by Matt Gilman
I've been thinking a lot lately about noise - the noise of life. The little things and the big things that we do as we go about our day that aren't completely necessary to our calling. How much of our day is spent doing things that don't have an eternal value, or are necessary to enable us to do things that have an eternal value?
I'm discovering that I feel my life is sometimes full of noise. My schedule fills up with things that seem necessary, but ultimately, I can't always justify the busyness as central to my calling or even identify where the noise seems to be coming from. But I do know that this noise contributes to a slow and painful spiritual death. And I also know that I am disliking this noise every day and desiring more and more to live a simple life with only one desire: loving God. After all, we can spend years searching for God's "will" or directional calling for our lives, but a good 90% of His will for our lives is already known: to love Him!
So why is it so easy to get caught up in the noise of the world? To wonder where time has gone, as if you seem to be sitting still while it passes you by? There are times when I feel very tempted to just throw out some of my scheduled or "important" obligations to spend some time with God. Or maybe to forget sleep for a while and spend the night in His presence if that's what it takes.
When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden to guard, protect and keep it, life was good. But not just good. It was perfect. They didn't have to spend the day in a cubicle working for corporate America, they didn't have a calendar on their computer that laid out where they must spend each hour of their day, and they certainly didn't have days full of unproductive, non-eternal waste. They simply loved God and enjoyed His presence.
And they knew Him. The word used for "knew" in Genesis 4:1 and Genesis 4:25 is the Hebrew word yada, which means to know intimately on a level so great that it's incomprehendable to our minds. They didn't just know of God, or know Him as an acquaintance. Adam and Eve intimately knew God and dwelled in His very presence every second of every day. They knew His love and presence in such a way that it passed all knowledge, and every single thing they needed God gave them. It was absolute perfection!
The bottom line is that I'm convinced that today most of the church does not truly know God. We can't recognize His presence in our lives. If God stopped showing up to church, most people probably wouldn't notice. And if God showed up in extreme power, half of the church would probably be scared half to death and leave. But how wrong is that? It's the same as saying a child won't notice when their father leaves the family, or another child being frightened at the presence of dad.
I'm absolutely convinced that we need to be 100% sold out for Jesus, doing every single thing possible to love Him with everything we have. Nothing else matters. We need to live for ONE THING and one thing only: to love God. Why is it always so hard?
This is a four part series of revival breaking out last month in Disneyland's Magic Kingdom. A few people were given free tickets to the theme park and began praying for people. Many youth got healed and saved! When they get healed and feel the presence of the Spirit, some of their reactions of complete shock and speachlessness is priceless! The beginning of part 4 is a great example of this... What a great way to make the "happiest place on earth" even happier!
Written testimony: http://www.ibethel.org/features/testimonies/index.php?f=testimonies.php&d=882
Part 1 of 4
Part 2 of 4
Part 3 of 4
Part 4 of 4
Jake Hamilton, a Jesus Culture music artist, recently released his first CD. If you haven't heard it, he plays harder rock that's all about falling in love with God and bringing revival. Above all, the song that speaks the most to me is titled "The Anthem."
Each generation has a choice. Many choices. Ultimately, we can choose to leave a greater spiritual inheritance for those that follow us, or to fall farther away from God. As for my generation - for me - I want us to fall back to a place of pure worship for our King, and to bring personal and corporate revival. I want our generation to shake entire nations. To win entire nations for God! This is not easy. I'm convinced that following God is the hardest thing anyone can do on this earth. In order to do this, we need to wake up out of religious complacency and spiritual death! Romans 13 tells us to know the time - the hour has come for us to wake from our sleep.
So let's focus on the first commandment. Love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might. Run at a full sprint and don't stop. Be more afraid of rotting out from complacency than burning out from running too hard. This is the one thing that matters. There is no greater commandment. And so it goes - This is the anthem of our generation, here we are God, shake our nation!
The Anthem
I can hear the footsteps of my King
I can hear His heartbeat beckoning
In my darkness He has set me free
And now I hear the Spirit calling me
He's calling wake up child it's your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
He's calling wake up child it's your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this
Such a time as this
And I can hear a holy rumbling
I've begun to preach another King
Loosing chains and breaking down the walls
I want to hear the Father when He calls
He's calling wake up child it's your turn to shine
You were born for such a time as this!
Such a time as this
This is the anthem of our generation
Here we are God, shake our nation!
All we need is your love,
You captivate me!
I am royalty, I have destiny,
I have been set free, I'm gonna shape history!
I'm gonna change the world! (x7)
Updated: The Anthem Guitar Chords
Em C G D - repeat for the whole song. Enjoy!
Lyrics are copyright Jake Hamilton
I've been thinking a lot about God's gifts lately. Yes, the spiritual gifts described in scripture, but also every other gift He gives us. Specifically, I've been thinking about gifts we ask for.
I've been going through a lot of change lately - positive change. I've come to realize how important it is for me to understand the Father's great love for me, and to learn to love Him more as a result of that revelation. It's really all that matters. I've come to understand that because of His great love for us, He loves to give gifts!
As I've been spending time thinking about the gifts that God gives us, I have been pondering the gifts He's given me, as well as the gifts that He has given people I know. Which of these gifts were given without asking, and which of these gifts did I or a brother or sister of mine ask for?
As I began to think about specifically asking for gifts, God told me something that I believe to be extremely important. He showed me that people I know, some of whom I am very close to, as well as myself, have a painful feeling of guilt when we ask God for gifts. "It's selfish," we might say. "How could God possibly want to heal my small headache or slight cold? It's selfish to ask for something like that when there are people with so much more need in this world. I could be praying for them instead of asking God for things for myself!"
I completely understand this. You see, God showed me that the reason we feel guilty about asking for things from other people is because when they give to us they end up with less, by the standards of this world. I don't know about you, but I sometimes feel guilty asking someone to give me something, because it means they have less (again, by this world's standards). Because our relationships with people influence us so greatly, we ask things of God in the only way we know - thinking He has less when He gives to us.
Here's the kicker: when God gives us gifts, He does not have less as a result; He has more. The reason for this is simple. God is a giver of good gifts, and only gifts that benefit His Kingdom. So when He gives us a gift, it benefits His Kingdom and He actually gains by giving away. This is how the economy in the Kingdom works. Jesus tells us that we may only keep our life if we have lost it first, and that we may only keep what we have given away.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-11
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9:24
The reason we feel bad "taking" free gifts from God is because we have not yet accepted the spirit of adoption. The spirit of adoption says that we are adopted children of God. We are part of His family and have authority in His household.
If a family adopts a child and they have not yet accepted that adoption to mean that they are indeed a full part of that family, they are likely to ask permission to do simple things around the household such as grabbing some food out of the fridge. But if you have adopted children who know that they are part of the family, and you've just gone to the store to buy a dozen yogurts, they will have no problem raiding the fridge and eating every last one. This is because they know they have authority in the household, because they are a part of the family. The yogurt is in their fridge which is in their household, so they know it is for them. This authority is more difficult to understand, accept, and walk in, for adopted children than for children born into the family. But if we know we dwell in the house of the Lord, why do we have a problem even getting a small snack from the fridge?
The Father of Heaven loves to give gifts abundantly to His children. He finds pure joy and gains the gift when He gives it away! Gift-giving in the Kingdom of God does not make sense to this world. How can you give a gift (and appear to be losing the gift when you give it away), but actually receive as a result? That's how the Kingdom works. Never feel guilty asking for gifts from God. He has an endless supply of yogurt to give - He created it, after all! Ask away - just remember that there is a difference between wanting and asking!
Pouring out love
It's been an exciting few months of 2009 - God has been showing up more and more as many of us have been seeking him with more passion as He reveals His great love to us. We've been experiencing breakthrough on so many levels, corporately and personally!
I want to share some stories of what God did here last week. I am in continued amazement!
Heaven opened up
Last Friday, as we gathered as a community to seek God, He showed up in many ways that are difficult to describe. People on our campus were saved, healed, and set free as God's hand reached down to us from heaven!
It all started during our pre-service prayer gathering. There is a group of people (about 7 of us) that are on the "official" prayer team. We offer people prayer up front after CCF on Friday nights. We begin by meeting from 5-6pm to pray and worship. At 6pm, one to two bible study groups (we call them cores) join us for our pre-service prayer. As the prayer team, we're privileged to have the opportunity to minister to the cores that come. We long to see them have a deep encounter with God and to experience an outpouring of His love!
After some worship near the beginning of the prayer meeting, someone from the prayer team felt a small nudge from the Holy Spirit. He asked if anyone in the room recently injured their right ankle. One girl said she sprained her right ankle recently and was going to ask for prayer that night when she came to the pre-service prayer. What a coincidence (but not really)! A couple people prayed for her, and she got completely healed! She was also able to overcome some nervousness and share the testimony with our community of about 400 people later that night. Praise God!
Later, during CCF, a few people from the prayer team shared words of knowledge during the closing worship - promptings by the Spirit to call people out of the group to receive prayer for specific healing. There were specific words shared for people with pain in the right side of the jaw, a left wrist injury, someone feeling a spiritual "block", and maybe even more (I got caught up in praying for people!). Right after I shared a couple words, I wasn't able to pray fast enough for people that were coming down. At least four people came down with jaw pain, all from recent wisdom tooth removal or pain due to lack of wisdom tooth removal. One person with a tweaked left wrist also came down for prayer, as well as people with spiritual "blocks", a person with stomach pain, and people seeking prayer for other things!
Let me backtrack just a bit - as I was holding the microphone, waiting for another brother to finish sharing something, I felt the presence of God come upon me more powerfully than ever before. My right leg started shaking. Not violently - more like twitching and giving out every once in a while. The Spirit and love of God was so thick in the room. You could feel it. Everyone we prayed for expressed partial (some seemed to be very surprised!) or full healing! We also had a few people baptized in the Spirit on Friday, as well as about 7-10 people saved in the last two weeks! Glory to God!
God is certainly moving in this place. I can't express my excitement of what is yet to come!